BSP NCC An artist’s rendition of main office building
MANILA, Philippines — A 21-hectare “smart, green and modern” minting and printing facility that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) plans to build in New Clark City, Tarlac is back on track.
In a statement, the BSP says Aidea Inc., the architectural and engineering consultant for the project —touted as a model of environmental sustainability and efficiency— had finalized the detailed architectural and engineering design documents. This is a key preparatory step prior to the procurement of the general contractor.
The conceptual design of the new BSP complex in Capas, Tarlac was recognized among the world’s best at the 2022 Architecture MasterPrize design competition under the Architectural Design-Institutional Architecture Category, the BSP notes.
“The BSP New Clark City Project reflects the BSP’s support for the government’s thrust to decongest Metro Manila and to establish an alternative site for business continuity and disaster preparedness,” the local central bank says.
“This initiative underscores BSP’s dedication to ensuring operational resilience and sustainability,” it adds.
The central bank had wanted to move its minting and printing operations to this new hub by 2022, but this did not pan out. The institution is now hoping to complete the facility by 2028.
READ: BSP mint, printing complex to move to Clark by 2022
Infrastructure development
As Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has committed to complete the northern section of the North-South Commuter Railway before the end of the Marcos administration, this is seen to enhance accessibility and connectivity to New Clark City.
COMING SOON From left: Sports complex, academic building and museum building —PHOTOS COURTESY OF BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS
Secretary Dizon also notes that the feasibility study for the railway line from the Clark International Airport to the BSP complex is ongoing and expected to be completed by August this year. The loan agreement for this project is targeted for closing by end-2025.
Meanwhile, Bases Conversion and Development Authority chief Joshua Bingcang says that the BCDA has signed a contract with a South Korean firm to construct housing facilities in the vicinity of the New Clark City BSP complex.
READ: BCDA, South Korean firms eye New Clark City complex
Long-planned
The contract for the architectural and engineering design was signed by then BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno in 2022.
Aidea, a global integrated design and technology architectural firm, won the bidding.
Design services cover 21.32 hectares, including an office building, data and command center, museum, academic buildings, sports complex and commercial stalls.
“Extensive and robust” security features at the complex aim to safeguard the BSP’s currency production facilities, data center and IT systems.
Aidea has completed more than 800 projects in 60 countries and ranked 44th among the top 100 in the world, according to Building Design 2022 World Architecture 100. It was also recognized as one of the Top 10 Architectural Firms in the Philippines by the Building and Construction Interchange Asia Awards (2020 to 2021).