The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) sought out potential partners for Clark development plans and programs at the recent 14th Japan–Philippines High Level Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation in Tokyo, Japan.

BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang was part of the Philippine delegation led by Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno and joined by Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John E. Uy.

The Philippine delegation paid a courtesy visit to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, where he declared Japan’s commitment to support the Philippines in its journey to attaining upper middle-income country status by 2025.

Road to upper middle-income PH

In support of this vision for the Philippines, BCDA President and CEO Engr. Bingcang laid out the organization’s comprehensive plans for New Clark City, Clark Freeport Zone, and Clark International Airport to Japanese investors and financial institutions at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Takebashi Office in Tokyo, where he highlighted the potential for collaboration in the public-private partnership projects, which provide a gateway for mutual growth.

“Our partnership with Japan continues to flourish, as evidenced by the remarkable progress in these high-impact projects for New Clark City. Together, we are shaping the future of urban living, leveraging technology, sustainability, and collaboration to pave the way for innovation and progress,” said BCDA President and CEO Engr. Bingcang.

Among the projects and programs he pitched to Japan were the 100-hectare mixed-use Clark Central Business District in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, 35-hectare affordable residential complex in New Clark City in Tarlac, 22-hectare Clark International Convention and Exhibition Complex, New Clark City Common ICT Infrastructure, and data center colocation facility in New Clark City, among others.

“As we move forward, we see immense potential for collaboration and investment in Clark and the Philippines. Let’s join forces to create opportunities and a brighter future together,” BCDA President and CEO Engr. Bingcang added.

To date, there are ten Japanese companies operating in the Clark Freeport Zone, including Yokohama and Taiyo Nippon Sanso. 

BCDA has also partnered with Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development, Nippon Koei, and Keio University for the 9,450-hectare New Clark City development master plan; The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc., Chubu Electric Power, and Marubeni for smart utilities in New Clark City; as well as New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization and Zenmov, Inc. for a three-year demonstration project on smart mobility solutions in its Clark and New Clark City developments.

MANILA, Philippines (August 22, 2023) – The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF), the country’s only airshow experience, will officially be back in the skies from February 16-18, 2024. The three-day event will be held at a new venue: New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

After a three-year hiatus during the pandemic, “A Weekend of Everything that Flies” will once again give families, friends, and aviation enthusiasts a chance to witness non-stop flying exhibitions from regular and special-shaped hot air balloons, helicopters, skydivers, paragliders, radio-controlled aircraft, kites, and drones, all in one venue.

Attendees can also look forward to different enjoyable and educational activities through aviation career seminars, fly markets, food booths and family entertainment. Evenings will be capped off by a magical hot air balloon night glow and concerts.

According to Capt. Joy Roa, Event Director of the PIHABF, “Since restrictions have been lifted, we now have a chance to gather families and friends for a meaningful event. By inviting aviators from all over the world to participate in the flying exhibitions, we continue to share with everyone a real airshow experience, just as we have done for over two decades.”

The 24th rendition of the PIHABF will take place in New Clark City, a sports hub founded by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which features a 20,000 seater Athletics Stadium, aquatics center and various open grounds.

The PIHABF has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with BCDA for New Clark City to host the airshow event for 2024. The MOA was signed by Capt. Joy Roa, Event Director of the PIHABF and Engr. Joshua Bingcang, President and Chief Executive Officer of BCDA.

“We are thrilled to welcome the PIHABF to New Clark City, their new home. This modern-day festival, which brings joy to the young and old, deserves to be celebrated at the world-class facilities of New Clark City that are comfortable, spacious and convenient for event-goers,” says BCDA PCEO Engr. Joshua Bingcang. “We hope this partnership is just the start of many more events in the coming years.”

The event is in partnership with Clark Development Corporation, and the Provincial Government of Tarlac.

Governor Susan Yap, shares the same enthusiasm for the event: “The province of Tarlac welcomes the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which for more than 20 years, has consistently staged a highly-entertaining and educational aviation event, bringing a lot of tourism and business opportunities in this part of Central Luzon.”

For more than two decades, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, known as “A Weekend of Everything that Flies,” has been the most highly anticipated and longest-running sports aviation event in Asia. Over the years, it has stayed true to its longtime objectives: to spark interest in aviation; to instill discipline in young pilots; and to impart a spirit of volunteerism to the whole community.

For tickets and up-to-date information about the event, follow PIHABF’s official social media channels: Facebook – www.facebook.com/pihabf, Instagram – @philballoonfest, TikTok – @philballoonfiesta