CLARK FREEPORT – “This is a classic example of what happens when there’s political will.”

Thus said Senator Gregorio Honasan II, who with Senator Panfilo Lacson, toured the 20,000-seater Athletics Stadium, the 2,000-seater Aquatics Center and the 1.4-kilometer Riverpark at the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City.

The senators were accompanied by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vince Dizon during the recent inspection, where the latest developments on the facilities - with the sports complex now in near completion – were showcased.

Lacson lauded the progress of New Clark City, which is already more than 80 percent complete.

“This is an example of hard work and efficiency paying off,” he said, “a dream becoming a reality because the people assigned here are performance-oriented.”

Honasan, meanwhile, encouraged more sustainable developments.

“Full government support is key in any world-class development and we’re fortunate that a respected institution such as the Senate got to see the huge progress we made here in New Clark City,” Dizon said. “These lawmakers play a big role in inspiring the creation of more ambitious projects that provide comfort and growth to our people.”

The NGAC, which is part of President Duterte’s plan to decongest Metro Manila, is situated in New Clark City, the country’s first and only smart and green city to rise within the Clark Special Economic Zone, and BCDA’s most ambitious project to date in partnership with infrastructure developer MTD Philippines.

A 200-hectare mixed-used government center, meant to decentralize state offices from the capital, will primarily host offices of various government agencies.

Phase 1A of the NGAC development also involves the construction of sports facilities that include the Athletics Stadium, Aquatics Center, and Athlete’s Village.

These world-class facilities will be used for the Philippines’ hosting of the South East Asian Games this year.

Nearly 10,000 athletes from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam are expected to gather at Clark from November 30 to December 10 for the SEA Games.