BCDA

The 2,000-seat Aquatic Center at New Clark City in Capas town, Tarlac, is nearing completion and will be ready for use next month, as the facility is set to host athletes in the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year.

According to a statement emailed to media on Friday by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the center is at 90% complete.

TARLAC CITY -- Tarlac Governor Susan Yap declared her all-out support for New Clark City (NCC) and the inclusive development that it can bring to the province.

Yap said the NCC will provide a domino-effect locally in terms of development and will boost the livelihood of many especially the Tarlaqueños.

“Not only will the project address the congestion problems in Metro Manila but will also make our province an ideal investment destination in the country. And this will mean jobs for Tarlaqueños,” Yap said.

The construction of the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City ensures the efficient delivery of services as national agencies seek to locate in a master planned metropolis that is also more resilient and sustainable.

Committed to the vision of developing the most inclusive city in the country, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its partner, infrastructure developer MTD Philippines, prioritized Aeta communities in the hiring of workers in New Clark City.

“There are more than 300 Aetas working at our project site. And we will still employ them for maintenance after the project completion. They are accorded the same salary rate and are provided protective gears for personal safety,” said Engr. Patrick Nicholas David, president of MTD Philippines. 

CAPAS, Tarlac—Aetas reportedly complaining about being displaced by the ongoing development of the 9,450-hectare New Clark City (NCC) here are dreaming.

This was how Mayor Reynaldo “Reycat” Catacutan described their complaint in a press conference at the Legislative Building here on Thursday attended by Aeta tribal leaders, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, as well as village officials and the media.

New Clark City opened doors to better economic opportunities for indigenous people (IP) living in Capas, Tarlac with the employment and livelihood programs initiated by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Jaymar Tiglao of Sitio Kalangitan is only one of more than 300 Aetas who are employed in the construction of New Clark City Phase 1A or the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC).

Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan opens a press conference on the New Clark City development with BCDA and leaders of Indigenous Peoples' groups  

CAPAS, Tarlac— “I am challenging them to go to Capas to see if there are Aetas displaced because of the on-going development at New Clark City (NCC),” said Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan.

The challenged stemmed from a two-part report in a national broadsheet stating that the “P607-B Clark ‘green city’ to displace Aeta communities.”

“This is totally erroneous,” said Catacutan referring to the news item that hundreds of Aetas were dislocated because of the government’s huge infrastructure project in Capas, Tarlac.

1. New Clark City, within the Clark Special Economic Zone, is government land owned by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). There are NO declared ANCESTRAL DOMAINS or Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADT) in the area. Thus, Aeta families are not displaced. New Clark City is creating opportunities for everyone especially for the IP groups and farmers who may be affected in the development of roads and other infrastructure.