BCDA DELEGATION EXPLORES PORTUGUESE INNOVATIONS TO BENCHMARK NEW CLARK CITY’S GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
15 October 2025, Lisbon – The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon facilitated a two-day working visit of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) delegation, led by Chairperson Hilario B.Pardes, from 13 to 14 October 2025.
The delegation focused on areas critical to BCDA, including renewable energy integration, sustainable urban planning and development, industrial estate management, business facilitation, sports facility operations, tourism development, transportation, mobility, and waste-to-energy technologies. These engagements are particularly relevant to BCDA’s flagship project, New Clark City, which is envisioned as the Philippines’ first green, disaster-resilient, and smart metropolis.
Through the assistance of the Portuguese Trade and Investment Agency (AICEP), the Embassy was able to arrange the meetings for BCDA with (1) AICEP Global Parques on industrial park management; (2) AICEP on strategies for investment facilitation and potential Portuguese investor engagement; (3) Lisbon City Council on lessons from Expo ’98 and city-wide renewal; (4) Portuguese National Energy Agency (ADENE) on approaches in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and green growth partnerships; and (5) Sport Lisboa e Benfica on stadium operations, sports tourism, and urban integration via the Benfica District project. The Embassy also arranged a meeting with the Philippines-Portugal Chamber of Commerce highlighting opportunities in renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, and F&B sectors.
These engagements allowed BCDA to gather actionable insights and international best practices, which could inform the planning, design, and implementation strategies of New Clark City, while strengthening Philippine-Portuguese institutional cooperation in sustainable development, urban planning, and investment promotion.
The BCDA delegation was also introduced to the members of the Filipino community in a simple reception. END
