Last year, a similar agreement was reached between BCDA and the University of the Philippines (UP).
Casanova said the BCDA has already signed a memorandum of agreement with TUP for the establishment of a center specializing in industrial and technology skills development in Clark Green City, a master-planned global city within the Clark Special Economic Zone that is “envisioned to be the first smart, disaster-resilient and green city in the country.”
TUP is a state university mandated to provide higher and advanced vocational, technical, industrial, technological, and professional education and training in the industries and technology, and practical arts leading to certificates, diplomas and degrees.
“Envisioned to be the knowledge and innovation capital of the country, Clark Green City is the perfect home for this pioneering technological and technical institution,” Casanova said.
The BCDA is allocating 20 hectares for the TUP Center for Industrial Development and Productivity (TUP – CINDEP).
“This partnership with TUP will pave the way for a new center of excellence in engineering and technology education and training in the country, that aims to produce globally competitive graduates that would help accelerate economic progress and meaningful social development,” Casanova added.
He also said “this project will likewise complement the development of Clark Green City by training manpower potential in technical, industrial, technological and professional skill development and by providing the necessary human resource support to industries within the city and around the region—developing the Philippines’ vast human capital which is its best asset as a nation.”
“We look forward to breaking ground for the TUP Center for Industrial Development and Productivity in the Clark Green City. We see this as a vital asset that will drive the economic and human development of the new city,” Casanova said.
He also said “we are also encouraging other international institutions to set up their creative and animation studios, food and agriculture research centers, and campuses inside the Clark Green City as we envision this metropolis to be the learning hub in Asia.”
Last year, UP signed a MOA with BCDA for the construction of the UP global campus on a 70-hectare lot also inside the Clark Green City.
Under the agreement, UP will develop the property into an academic and research campus of the UP System, and operate and manage the said property.
The entire Clark Green City is a 9,450-hectare master planned property within the Clark in the area of Tarlac province. It is envisioned to have some 1.12 million residents, 800,000 workers and contribute a gross output of approximately P1.57 trillion per year to the national economy or roughly four percent share in the county’s Gross Domestic Product.
