Senators visit almost done New Clark City sports complex

SEA GAMES VENUE. Senator Panfilo Lacson (in red shirt) in the nearly finished 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium at the New Clark City sports complex in Pampanga during a recent tour led by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vince Dizon. Lacson said the venue of the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year was the fruit of “political will”. (Photo: BCDA via PNA)

MANILA — Members of the Senate got a glimpse of the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) showcased the latest developments on the facilities with the sports complex now in near completion.

Led by BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon, visiting Senator Gregorio Honasan II and Senator Panfilo Lacson toured the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium, the 2,000-seater Aquatics Center and the 1.4-kilometer Riverpark.

“Full government support is key in any world-class development and we’re fortunate that a respected institution such as the Senate got to see the huge progress we made here in New Clark City,” Dizon said.

“These lawmakers play a big role in inspiring the creation of more ambitious projects that provide comfort and growth to our people,” he added.

The NGAC, which is part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to decongest Metro Manila, is situated in New Clark City, the country’s first and only smart and green city to rise within the Clark Special Economic Zone, and BCDA’s most ambitious project to date in partnership with infrastructure developer MTD Philippines.

Lacson lauded the progress of New Clark City, Phase 1A of which is already more than 80 percent complete.

“This is an example of hard work and efficiency paying off,” Lacson said, “a dream becoming a reality because the people assigned here are performance-oriented.”

“This is a classic example of what happens if there is a political will,” Honasan, for his part, said he encouraged more sustainable developments.

The 200-hectare mixed-used government center, meant to decentralize state offices from the capital, will primarily host offices of various government agencies.

Phase 1A of the NGAC development also involves the construction of sports facilities that include the Athletics Stadium, Aquatics Center, and Athlete’s Village. These world-class facilities will be used for the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th South East Asian (SEA) Games this year.

Nearly 10,000 athletes from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam are expected to gather at Clark from November 30 to December 10 for the biennial regional sports meet.