BCDA came into being by virtue of Republic Act No. 7227, or Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992, which was signed into law by President Corazon Aquino on 13 March 1992. It was born during a period of turbulence when Central Luzon was devastated by calamities that virtually wiped out any sign of hope for an economic recovery.

For 15 years, BCDA pursued its mandate of modernizing the armed forces, and dispersing economic opportunities to the countryside-deriving guidance from its most able leaders who have an absolute reputation for good governance.

From pursuing its mandate of creating economic enclaves anchored on Subic and Clark, BCDA embarked on a major policy shift that will develop the entire Central Luzon.