Central gov’t agencies to relocate to Clark

Former US military camp eyed as Phl capital 

TARLAC — At least 21 government agencies are being considered for transfer to Clark as part of efforts to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila, an official announced last week.

The agencies have expressed interest to move their headquarters or satellite offices to New Clark City, Arrey Perez, who heads the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) business development department, said.

“We are finalizing an administrative order that will mandate line agencies to relocate to Clark. The order is for approval of President Duterte,” Perez said

Perez said more government agencies would be mandated to transfer to Clark once the President signs the order.

The administration hopes to decongest Metro Manila while building a central hub of government agencies outside the capital to make the national government more resilient in the event of a natural disaster.

Earlier, BCDA president and chief executive officer Vivencio Dizon said not all government agencies would transfer to Clark.

The government is eyeing the 9,450-hectare New Clark City as the country’s next capital.

One of the project’s components is the 200-hectare National Government Administrative Center (NGAC), which broke ground on Jan. 23.

Phase 1 of the NGAC involves the construction of backup offices of various agencies to ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila and ensure continuous business operations and services in case of disasters or natural calamities.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said his agency is among the agencies that would move its main office to New Clark City.

Officials said they expect some employees of government agencies to oppose the relocation to Clark.

“There will always be resistance to change. But I think the vision of the government here is to build something that is well planned and developed that we would not even have to force people to move here,” Dizon said.

The Department of Transportation transferred its office from the Ortigas district to Clark last year.