THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) will build the Philippine Marine Corps’ (PMC) headquarters and operational facilities at a 100-hectare lot in the BCDA-administered Bataan Technology Park (BTP) in Morong town, with the Php 7.5-billion first phase of the project targeted for completion in 2024.

BCDA officer-in-charge Aristotle Batuhan, PMC Commandant MGen. Ariel Caculitan and Philippine Navy Vice Commander MGen. Nestor Herico on Thursday led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Php 28-billion development inside the Bataan industrial complex.

The event forms part of pre-anniversary celebrations of the Philippine Marine Corps, which will mark its 71st year on November 7. It also highlights the anticipated transfer of the Marines to its new home.

“Today, just three days from the Philippine Marines’ 71st anniversary, we are laying the foundation not just for the future home of the Corps, but for the Marines’ continued modernization despite the COVID-19 pandemic. BCDA is honored to support the men and women of the Corps despite these trying times so they may serve and protect our countrymen,” Batuhan said.

He said the BCDA is giving up 100 hectares of its land at the Bataan Technology Park to put up the PMC headquarters here that will feature state-of-the-art facilities to ensure more efficient operations.

With the transfer of the Marines to an upgraded and strategic location, income-generating opportunities will be opened up for the government in the soon-to-be vacated area in Fort Bonifacio. The Marines currently occupy 12.46 hectares in Bonifacio South Pointe. 

“The Philippine Marine Corps is excited for this much-awaited groundbreaking ceremony and looks forward to building our new headquarters at the Bataan Technology Park. We see the strategic value of this area and confirm that it offers a conducive place especially that we are in the midst of strengthening our Archipelagic Coastal Defense strategy. We thank the BCDA, the local government, and the people of Bataan for accommodating us here,” Caculitan said.

Phase 1 of the replication project is composed of three site development and construction packages, which are now under various stages of procurement through competitive bidding.

The first package of the development mainly involves security and utility facilities, while package 2 consists of a detention facility, a retraining battalion facility, liaison office, billeting, and other operations and support structures for the Marines.

The last package includes the PMC headquarters, a communication tower, residential areas and other support facilities.

On August 5 this year, the Department of National Defense (DND) and BCDA signed a memorandum of agreement for the replication of the Philippine Navy’s existing facilities at Bonifacio South Pointe inside Fort Bonifacio, and the Navy Village also in Taguig City.

Pursuant to its mandate under Republic Act 7227 to raise funds for the AFP Modernization Program and to convert former US military bases into alternative productive uses, the BCDA has been working on the development of the 33.1-hectare Bonifacio South Pointe property inside Fort Bonifacio. SM Prime Holdings Inc. is BCDA’s joint venture partner for this project.

From May 1993 to December 2020, BCDA’s contribution to the AFP reached Php 49.19 billion. Of this amount, Php 38.07 billion is earmarked for the AFP Modernization Program and Php 11.12 billion for the replication of military facilities.