Arabelle B. Trinidad | PA 152 [Urban and Metropolitan Governance]

Posted on June 16, 2025

Before our field visit to New Clark City (NCC), I researched the project and heard it being called the “next BGC.” However, it was only when I arrived and walked around that this comparison truly clicked. As I moved through the clean, expansive roads and emerging buildings, I noticed some tarpaulins with the word “Eco-Tech-Ture” displayed. This was not just a slogan but a concept derived from Ecology, Technology, Architecture, Future, and Culture. It struck me as the guiding philosophy behind BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development Authority) and Filinvest New Clark City’s design—a blueprint aiming to create a smart, eco-sustainable, and master-planned city that raises the bar for Central Luzon and beyond.

This observation of “Eco-Tech-Ture” reflects a broader ambition to build a city that balances environmental care, technological innovation, architectural excellence, cultural respect, and forward-looking urban planning. It’s a framework that aligns well with Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which emphasizes creating urban spaces that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Our tour began with a briefing by representatives from the BCDA, which plays a key role in reshaping the urban landscape of the Philippines. Established in 1992, BCDA is tasked with transforming former military bases and properties into productive civilian use, primarily through infrastructure development, public-private partnerships, and long-term planning. They also contributed to other major developments like Bonifacio Global City and Clark Freeport Zone, both of which now serve as thriving commercial and residential districts. But what sets NCC apart is its integration of climate resilience and sustainability right at the blueprint level—something increasingly vital in a country like ours that is prone to natural disasters.

Inside a well-lit conference room, students of PA 152 MWV are seated around a long table, engaged in an orientation with BCDA officers. The atmosphere is focused yet welcoming. In front of some students are breakfast boxes and drinks, thoughtfully provided by BCDA. At the head of the table, BCDA staff members present slides and speak to the group, using a television and microphone.
Students of PA 152 MWV attend an orientation session with BCDA officers in a conference room at the Filinvest Innovation Park office. The BCDA warmly welcomed the students and thoughtfully served them breakfast before the session.
A group of PA 152 MWV students stands inside the BCDA office at Filinvest Innovation Park, holding printed maps given to them for their field visit to New Clark City. Behind them is a large screen displaying a welcome message from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority. The students are smiling and standing closely together, and the modern, well-lit interior of the office reflects a professional and welcoming environment.
After a brief orientation, the students of PA 152 MWV gather for a group photo inside the BCDA office at Filinvest Innovation Park. The orientation included a welcome message and distribution of field visit maps by BCDA staff.

During our tour, we were welcomed by BCDA officers who oriented us about the city’s overall master plan, land use zones, and ongoing development phases. We visited key facilities, including the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC), the Aquatics Center, and the Athletics Stadium—part of the infrastructure built for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. We also passed by several areas being developed for educational institutions, innovation hubs, and residential communities. The scale of the development was impressive, but what made it more meaningful was hearing about how each zone was designed with specific purposes in mind, whether to support future workforce housing, government continuity during disasters, or foster innovation through public and private sector collaboration. The tour allowed us to witness firsthand what we’ve only previously studied in theory—urban governance, spatial planning, and the role of institutions in shaping metropolitan futures.

Inside an enclosed area beside the pool at the New Clark City Aquatics Center, students of PA 152 MWV are seated in a relaxed manner after a series of outdoor stopovers. A BCDA officer stands near a television screen, conducting a short briefing with visual aids. The students appear calm and attentive, some sipping water or resting, as sunlight filters in through wide glass windows.
After several stopovers around New Clark City, PA 152 MWV students take a well-deserved break inside a shaded area of the Aquatics Center. While cooling off, they listen to a briefing by a BCDA officer who shares visuals to prepare them for the remaining parts of the tour.
Near the wide entrance of the Athletic Stadium in New Clark City, students of PA 152 MWV gather closely around a BCDA officer. The officer gestures while speaking, providing historical background and explaining the stadium’s design elements. The students listen attentively, some holding water bottles or phones for taking notes, absorbing insights about one of the country’s key sporting infrastructures.
Students of PA 152 MWV stand near the entrance of the New Clark City Athletic Stadium, listening to a BCDA officer discuss the historical context and architectural features of the site.

As we toured the area, I was particularly impressed by the city’s infrastructure that integrates sustainability at its core. As someone who grew up in a rural area, it was my first time seeing solar-powered streetlights in a Philippine city. Coming from a neighborhood where darkness on the streets is common and often unsafe, I recognized this as a smart and forward-thinking investment. Solar-powered lighting not only reduces energy costs but also supports the city’s commitment to clean energy and resilience.

The layout of New Clark City emphasizes wide open spaces, green areas, and modern, minimalist architecture, all designed to foster an environment that supports quality of life and ecological balance. However, even in this early phase, some challenges are apparent. The distance between buildings and the current lack of dense commercial or residential hubs made me wonder about daily convenience and accessibility once more people settle in.

The most thought-provoking moment came during our post-tour debrief when one of our professors asked, “If you were offered ₱60,000, no deductions, would you choose to live and work here? “. This question hit at the core challenge facing BCDA and the planners of New Clark City: how to convince people to relocate from the established center of Metro Manila to this emerging metropolis. Beyond infrastructure and incentives, the real test lies in whether NCC can offer a community and lifestyle that residents willingly embrace.

This question also underscores a central tension in urban planning—building cities that are more than just functional spaces but places where people truly want to live, work, and belong. NCC’s Eco-Tech-Ture vision sets a promising foundation, but transforming a master-planned city into a thriving, inclusive community will require continuous effort, thoughtful policies, and, most importantly, the voices of its future residents.

Our visit to NCC was not just an educational experience but a glimpse into the possibilities and challenges of sustainable urbanization in the Philippines. It highlighted how ambitious projects like NCC can contribute toward the global goal of Sustainable Cities and Communities, provided they balance ecological sustainability, technology, and human-centered design with practical livability.

The students of PA 152 MWV pose for a final group photo seated and standing along the upper deck bleachers of the New Clark City Aquatics Center. Behind them are two distinct swimming pools—clearly visible from their elevated vantage point—highlighting the facility’s impressive scale.
To conclude the field visit, students of PA 152 MWV gathered for a group photo on the upper deck of the New Clark City Aquatics Center.

Arabelle B. Trinidad is a third-year Public Administration student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is particularly passionate about exploring innovative public policies that address urban challenges and promote inclusive growth in metropolitan areas.