Clark Green City assures disaster-resilient dev’t

MANILA, Philippines - State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has assured Clark Green City stakeholders a “disaster-resilient” development safe to build a new metropolis.

In a statement, BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano Casanova said Clark Green City would be the ideal place for businesses to thrive as investments would be least affected by floods, earthquakes and super typhoons.

He said the projected 1.12 million residents and 800,000 workers that would live and work in Clark Green City would be assured of a safer environment.

With Clark Green City some 75 kilometers from the West Valley Fault, Casanova said the site’s favorable geological conditions would make it ideal for long term development and less vulnerable to the so called “Big One” should the West Valley Fault Line give way.

“Clark Green City will be less vulnerable to natural disasters and calamities. As far as earthquakes are concerned, Clark Green City will be less affected making it suitable for residential, commercial and industrial development,” he said.

Casanova added Clark Green City would also be spared from the damaging effects of super typhoons since its neighboring mountain ranges would serve as natural barriers.

“Clark Green City will be protected on both sides by the Zambales mountain range and the Sierra Madre mountain range from super typhoons,” he said.

Casanova likewise said the development would be free from flooding due to Clark Green City’s high elevation.

He said the lowest elevation in Clark Green City is 56 meters above sea level while the highest elevation is 800 meters above sea level.

“To sum it all up, Clark Green City will be disaster-resilient,” the BCDA chief said.

The BCDA is currently in search of a partner in the development of a 288–hectare portion of the Clark Green City.

The partnership shall be in the form of a joint venture corporation to be owned 45 percent by BCDA and 55 percent by the winning bidder.

BCDA stressed it is bidding out the development and usufructuary rights of Clark Green City and not the ownership.

The entire Clark Green City Project will cover 9,450 hectares and is envisioned to be the first smart, disaster-resilient and green city in the Philippines.