CLARK FREEPORT -- In preparation for the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its partners started tree-planting activities at the New Clark City.

The tree-planting activities commenced on Thursday, August 22, exactly 100 days before the opening of the 30th SEA Games, 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.

Participants from the BCDA and its business partners MTD Clark Inc., and the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) planted narra, bignay, and dita.

Representatives from the Capas town local government unit and police, and the Philippine Army also joined the planting activities.

BCDA vice president for business development and PHISGOC deputy director general for the Athletes’ Village Arrey Perez said the activity “symbolizes the planting of hope.”

“[...]We gather today to plant trees for our future, especially our youth,” Perez said adding that, “This is part of BCDA’s legacy to do small things that will last.”

Meanwhile, BCDA vice president for Investments Promotion and Marketing Joanna Eileen Capones said their agency 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,” Capones said.

Engineer 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 the first area we developed with BCDA to ensure there is biodiversity and a good environment in building a city,” David told the participants recently 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.