Clark, Pampanga — As part of its commitment to promote sustainable living, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Thursday, August 22 began its series of tree-planting activities in New Clark City.
The activity dubbed “100 Trees for 100 Days” was held 100 days before the opening of the 30th South East Asian Games (SEA Games) hosted by the Philippines, and a week before national athletes transfer to the New Clark City Athletes’ Village. Clark will serve as the main hub of the biennial meet.
The first batch of trees — narra, bignay and dita — were planted by participants from BCDA and its business partners, MTD, the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), Capas local government unit and police, and the Philippine Army.
BCDA Vice President for Business Development and PHISGOC Deputy Director General for the Athletes’ Village Arrey Perez said the event “symbolizes the planting of hope.”
“We have not come this far to only go this far. We are here because we only have 100 days to go before a major event, the SEA Games. But more than that, we gather today to plant trees for our future, especially our youth,” said Perez.
“This is part of BCDA’s legacy to do small things that will last,” he added.
BCDA Vice President for Investments Promotion and Marketing Atty. Joanna Eileen Capones said: “BCDA is committed to develop New Clark City consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Today’s event shows that our partners, our communities, and our stakeholders share that commitment with us. We work as one, we win as one.”
Engr. Patrick Nicholas David, president of infrastructure developer MTD Clark, Inc., said the initiative will ensure that New Clark City will be truly resilient.
“This is not an afterthought. This is the first area we developed with BCDA to ensure there is biodiversity and a good environment in building a city,” David told the participants gathered at the New Clark City River Park amphitheater.
MTD Clark, Inc. is the local unit of Malaysian firm MTD Capital Berhad, BCDA’s partner in constructing Phase 1A of New Clark City, which is already 96 percent finished.
New Clark City is envisioned to be the country’s first smart, green and resilient metropolis.
It is also the site of the new and world-class sports complex that will be used during the SEA Games. Part of the facilities are the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium, the 2,000-seater Aquatics Center, and the 525-bedroom Athletes’ Village.
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