CLARK FREEPORT -- The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its partner MTD Philippines Inc. on Thursday, January 31, held a symbolic topping-off ceremony at The Residences, a 525-unit condominium type housing in New Clark City for use of government employees and other locators.

Tarlac Second District Representative Victor Yap and Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan graced the event.

Officials of the government agencies which will soon have its offices in New Clark City were also present. These include Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) president and CEO Cecilia Borromeo, Landbank Leasing Corp. president and CEO Manuel Lopez, Office of Civil Defense Deputy administrator Kristoffer James Purisima, and University of the Philippines-Philippine Eye Research Institute director Dr. Leo Cubillan.

The Residences is an integral part of the government’s response to President Duterte’s vision to decentralize state offices in Metro Manila and solve the congestion problem in the capital.

Around 1,000 government employees will benefit from the 525-unit housing facility which will have modern amenities. The project is significant for the government employees who will be the first occupants of New Clark City, the first smart and disaster-resilient city in the country.

In the long run, an estimated 1.02 million residents are expected to populate New Clark City and 582,000 of these will belong to the city’s workforce.

The topping-off ceremony of The Residences complements other developments in New Clark City such as the world-class sports facilities to be used for the 30th South East Asian Games, and the provision of reliable water and power utilities in the new metropolis. (PR)