CAPAS, Tarlac–The University of the Philippines (UP), in partnership with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has commenced the construction of its first campus in New Clark City.
Located in a 3.4-hectare plot within New Clark City, the new campus broke ground last December 5, with BCDA Chairman Delfin N. Lorenzana, UP President Danilo L. Concepcion, DPWH Assistant Regional Director Denise Maria Ayag, and BCDA Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Joshua M. Bingcang leading the ceremony.
The site will serve as UP-New Clark City’s satellite campus, helping the state university establish an early presence here in New Clark City. Its main university area will be located in another 76-hectare property within this rising metropolis.
“Para sa amin sa UP, ang pagdating ng araw na ito ang isa sa aming pinakahihintay na okasyon. Pagkatapos ng ilang taon mula nang magkasundo ang BCDA at UP para magkaroon ng campus ang UP sa lugar na ito, ay narito ngayon tayo sa groundbreaking ceremony,” Concepcion said.
(‘For us in UP, this day is one of our most long-awaited occasions. After years since the BCDA and UP reached an agreement to establish a UP campus in this area, we are already here for the groundbreaking ceremony.’)
The UP-New Clark City Satellite Campus is envisioned to become UP’s hub for education, research, training and collaboration, focusing on sustainable development. This learning center also aims to provide support to BCDA and other stakeholders in the development of New Clark City as the country’s next smart, sustainable and green city.
“On behalf of the BCDA, allow me to express our appreciation to one of the first locators—the University of the Philippines—for choosing New Clark City as the home of its satellite campus. This is a solid affirmation on the indispensability of education in empowering the lives of the people,” Chairman Lorenzana said.
“We are seeing the actual fruition of years of planning. The pandemic happened but we are still here,” SVP Bingcang said. “Everybody is expecting UP to be a driver of development in New Clark City, Central Luzon and Northern Luzon.
Sustainable design
In line with BCDA’s thrust for sustainable development, the UP will ensure that its New Clark City campuses will adhere to the principles of smart, sustainable and safe design.
The UP-New Clark City Satellite Campus design, in particular, is envisioned to be (1) versatile–embodying multifunctionality and flexibility of space through farms and space programming; (2) engaging–providing spaces for speech and discourse in various settings, sizes and forms; (3) restorative–implementing interventions that ensures sustainability; and (4) guided–compliant with sustainable and green building design principles, as embodied in the UP Master Development Plan: Development Principles and Design Guidelines (2014).
Based on its masterplan, the satellite campus will be composed of a university plaza, administration building, university park, outdoor parking, service corridor, two academic buildings, a seating area, campus boulevard, gateway plaza, academic plaza, community garden, and a river parkway.
UP 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,” Dir. Ayag said.
Center for Academic Integration and Innovation
Once completed, UP’s main campus and satellite campus in New Clark City will be introduced as an academic hub offering inter-, multi- and trans-disciplinary studies that will help catalyze national development.
It will also supplement UP’s continuing internationalization efforts in New Clark City through joint programs with top universities in the world. These programs are expected to enrich UP’s academic offerings, attract international students, promote faculty exchanges, and facilitate collaborative research.
Like other top universities in the world, 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 New Clark City.
He said New Clark City 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.
