BCDA to privatize Asean summit villas

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is set to privatize the 21-unit ASEAN Villas in Clark Freeport Zone, a project initially intended to be used by the heads of states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for the Leaders’ Summit slated in November.

BCDA president and CEO Vivencio Dizon said the project would now be used by ASEAN’s defense ministers during their meeting in October instead of the heads of states as initially planned.

The venue of ASEAN Leaders’ Summit in November has been moved to Metro Manila from Clark due to accommodation issues.

The BCDA has auctioned off the P555.66 million contract for the construction of 21 units of the ASEAN Summit villas.

Dizon said the project has been awarded and is set to be completed by mid-September.

“The ASEAN Villas – it’s what we call them because they will be used for ASEAN – but actually that project is something we desperately need in Clark. The problem in Clark Freeport Zone is there is practically no housing, especially for the presidents, top executives, the expats there and they all look for housing,” Dizon said.

Dizon said a number of executives of the locators in the Clark Freeport live outside Clark, some of which reside as far as Metro Manila.

“It’s really hard for them. So if we want to attract big foreign investors, we really have to provide that kind of housing opportunity for them,” he said.

“So those houses will actually be bidded out later on to interested parties for long term lease,” Dizon said.

The BCDA chief said interested bidders have already indicated interest in the privatization of the project.