UP, BCDA breaks ground for future campus in NCC

THE University of the Philippines (UP) has partnered with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the construction of the state-run university’s first campus in New Clark City (NCC).

The BCDA announced in a news statement issued on Wednesday the construction of the new campus broke ground on a 3.4-hectare patch of land within the NCC on Monday, December 5.

According to the statement, BCDA Chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana, UP President Danilo L. Concepcion, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Assistant Regional Director Denise Maria Ayag, and BCDA Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Joshua M. Bingcang led the ceremony.

The BCDA said “the site will serve as UP-NCC’S satellite campus, helping the state university establish an early presence in New Clark City,” the same BCDA statement read.

The BCDA also noted that the main university area will be located in another 76-hectare property within the “rising metropolis.”

Moving forward, the BCDA said the UP-NCC Satellite Campus is seen to become UP’S hub for education, research, training and collaboration, focusing on sustainable development.

In addition, it noted the project aims to provide support to BCDA and other stakeholders in the development of NCC as the country’s next smart, sustainable and green city.

BCDA said the university has tapped the DPWH for the construction of Phase 1 of the satellite campus with a target completion of September 2023.

“In a few months you will see the eventual transformation of this area into a modern learning community... DPWH, as the government’s engineering and infrastructure arm, is proud to be part of this mission of constructing the future home of intellectuals in Central Luzon and for being with you all in this magnificent occasion,” Ayag said.

Once completed, BCDA noted, UP’S main campus and satellite campus in NCC will be introduced as an academic hub offering inter-, multi-and trans-disciplinary studies that will help “catalyze” national development.

Moreover, the BCDA said it will supplement UP’S continuing internationalization efforts in NCC through joint programs with top universities in the world.

Like other top universities in the world, the BCDA said the UP system aims to integrate “distinct” fields of study that address both national and global concerns.”

Concepcion also shared plans to transfer the UP Open University to NCC.

According to BCDA, the UP president said NCC will also house another branch of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) as well as a National Institute of Health where professionals can conduct research on health sciences.

The UP president said the groundbreaking ceremony is one of the university’s “most long-awaited occasions.”