BCDA to bid out 80 ha of property in Metro

State firm Bases Conversion and Development Authority plans to offer for long-term lease and development a total of 80 hectares of land in Metro Manila in line with the government’s asset privatization program.

BCDA president and chief executive officer Arnel Paciano D. Casanova told reporters that an area of about 25 hectares alone could raise for the government some P12 billion. However, some of these areas are subject to court litigation.

Although these cases have been pending in the Supreme Court for many years, the BCDA is hopeful of a favorable decision that will allow it to develop these pieces of property, Casanova said.

On another development, Casanova said the bidding for the long-term lease and development of two separate service lots along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) drew only one bidder.

Offered in a bidding were the Concepcion and Macangcung Service Areas along the the 94-kilometer toll road. The Concepcion Service Area is at the Clark-bound/south-bound direction of the Clark-Tarlac segment while the Macangcung Service Area is located at the  Clark-bound/north -bound direction.

The lone bidder was interested only on the south-bound lot. According to Casanova, the north-bound lot did not attract bidders due to the lack of sufficient traffic volume.

The BCDA is expected to revisit the bidding terms for this lot and try to rebid it.

The winning bidders for the SCTEx lots will have to put up the prescribed facilities and amenities of a service area, including a gasoline station, rest rooms, sufficient and adequate parking slots, emergency first aid station, potable water and lighting system, emergency vehicle repair shop and convenience stores.

In the meantime, the BCDA is hoping to bid out the development of some 36,000 hectares of land in the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone into a new city that will be half the size of Metro Manila, as soon as it gets the approval of President Aquino. The plan is to bid out initially 9,000 hectares, Casanova added.

BCDA has secured the approval of the National Economic Development Authority for the implementation of the Clark Green City Master Development Plan, which is expected to contribute in attracting investments, generating more jobs, boosting the economy and sustaining inclusive growth in the area.