BCDA, John Hay team up for North Luzon Data Center

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) along with its subsidiary John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) partnered with the Department of Information and Communications (DICT) for the establishment of the North Luzon Data Center.

In a joint statement the agencies said the planned data center would mainly cater to government entities situated in the area of the country, promoting the utilization of e-governance systems and facilitating public transactions.

They added that a portion of the data center shall also be allocated for BCDA and JHMC’s use.

DICT will lead the development of the North Luzon Data Center, which will be an integral part of the National Government Data Center Project.

“The collaboration between DICT and BCDA to establish the North Luzon Data Center is a quantum leap towards a digitally-empowered Philippines,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said.

“This cutting-edge facility is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to innovative, efficient, and exceptional public service. With this data center, we shall drive digital transformation in the region and the country, ensuring that every Filipino can seize the opportunities of the digital economy,” he said.

The partnership agreement was signed on Sept. 18 by Uy, BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang, and JHMC president and CEO Allan Garcia.

“As the country’s digital economy and the demand for cloud-based services continue to grow exponentially, the Philippines needs to strengthen its digital infrastructure and build up its data center capacity,” Bingcang said.

“Being stewards of national development, the BCDA is ready to support the DICT in this endeavor, and we are willing to extend our efforts so that all Filipinos have access to fast and reliable digital services,” he said.

“Together, we aspire to elevate our digital infrastructure, empower efficient public services, and ignite a new era of technological progress, all for the benefit of every Filipino,” Garcia said.

The DICT has been aggressively pushing for e-governance initiatives, in compliance with the marching order of President Marcos to facilitate the full digitalization of the country’s bureaucracy.

JHDC was created by virtue of Executive Order 103 to operate as BCDA’s implementing arm for the conversion of Camp John Hay in Baguio City into an environmental, economic, and social development hub in the North and the country in general.