The Bases Conversion and Development Authority, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang, is playing a pivotal role in transforming the Philippines’ former military bases into modern economic zones.
Bingcang, who began his career as a junior engineer on the Bonifacio Global City project — now the country’s most successful business district — continues to steer BCDA’s expansion of developments nationwide.
Among BCDA’s most successful collaborations with Japan is the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Another is the new passenger terminal at Clark International Airport, the result of a public-private partnership with a consortium formed by listed builder Megawide Construction and Bangalore-based airport operator GMR Infrastructure. The terminal is run and maintained by a consortium including Filinvest, Cebu Pacific and Singapore’s Changi Airport.
At the heart of BCDA’s current strategy is New Clark City, a 9,450-hectare smart and green metropolis in Central Luzon. Developed in partnership with the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development, Aecom and Nikken Sekkei, the city is envisioned as a hub for manufacturing, technology and sustainability.
“We are transitioning from official development assistance to foreign direct investment,” Bingcang said. “Japanese partners have shown strong confidence — from master planning to power and industrial park development.”
Key Japanese firms such as Marubeni and Tokyo Electric Power Co. have joined local utility Meralco in developing power infrastructure. A 100-hectare industrial park designed with Science Park of the Philippines Inc. and Sojitz reflects BCDA’s vision to generate up to 600,000 jobs. New Clark City also features underground utilities, wide tree-lined walkways, and a driverless shuttle system funded by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.
Clark’s strategic location has attracted logistics giants, including UPS, FedEx and Lufthansa Technik. Future phases will expand the airport to a capacity of 80 million passengers and link it to Metro Manila via the North-South Commuter Railway.
Beyond Clark, BCDA is revitalizing Camp John Hay in Baguio with a new master plan focusing on environmental, social and government issues, and redeveloping the Poro Point Freeport Zone in La Union.
“We are not just building cities — we’re building futures,” Bingcang said. “With continued support from Japanese partners, BCDA developments are shaping the next era of Philippine growth.”
