BCDA set to unveil new Poro Point master plan in H1

MANILA, Philippines – State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is set to overhaul previous plans for the development of the Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ) in La Union to attract more foreign investors in the former US military base.

“So right now, first thing we need to do for Poro Point is we need to do a very integrated and comprehensive master plan. I was not very happy with a plan done earlier,” BCDA president and chief executive officer Vivencio Dizon said.

BCDA, under its previous head Arnel Casanova, together with subsidiary Poro Point Management Corp., unveiled in 2013 a development plan for the 236-hectare PPFZ.

“For Poro Point, you have to look at the strength which is the airport and seaport. Also, see what it could be best developed into. Should it be a techno hub, tourism hub, or like Pagcor City? But that has to be planned well and we need to look at the market. For me, market of Poro Point should be foreign,” Dizon said.

“So we are going to do a revised master plan for that and hopefully fix the legal issues and problems on land. We think we can easily attract foreign investors,” he added.

Dizon said the new master plan is set to be completed within the first half of this year.

Together with Clark Green City, the development of the PPFZ is considered by BCDA as among the key projects that would help attract more foreign investments in the country.

“When I was studying the assets of BCDA, Poro Point, next to Clark, has the most potential in terms of everything. There is no other property in the Philippines with that kind of design,” he said.

Dizon said one of the priorities for PPFZ’s development is to open the airport.

He said the terminal is “terrible” so it has to be fixed, while runway is too narrow so it has to be widened.

“The airport is integral. Tourism will boom with the opening of that airport. It could really be the gateway to the north,” he said.

PPMC in April inaugurated its P57.45 million Poro Point Baywalk project featuring playgrounds, picnic area, gazebos, an amphitheater, and a commercial strip.

The 1.3-kilometer baywalk fronting San Fernando Bay is seen to draw more tourists to the area and enhance the competitiveness of the zone.