By HENRY EMPEÑO | April 1, 2026

CLARK FREEPORT — State-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has teamed up with government-owned Philippine Pharma Procurement, Inc. (PPPI) to develop new ecozones here in a bid to create a regional hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and life sciences in the country.

A memorandum of agreement signed by BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang and PPPI President and CEO Maria Blanca Kim B. Lokin on March 25 set into motion a comprehensive collaborative study for the development of specialized ecozones for pharmaceutical manufacturing, research, and distribution, BCDA said in a statement.

The initiative is expected to leverage the world-class logistics platform of the Clark Civil Aviation Complex in Pampanga and the industrial capacity of nearby New Clark City in Tarlac for a seamless “factory-to-port” environment, it added.

The partnership also seeks to address the Philippines’ long-standing reliance on imported medicines.

Under Republic Act No. 9502, or the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008, PPPI, which is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, is mandated to establish a common facility for pooled procurement that can be accessed by government units and other entities undertaking government programs. 

“This (agreement with BCDA) bridges the gap between logistics and manufacturing,” said Lokin. “By studying the feasibility of specialized pharma-ecozones, we are not just building warehouses; we are creating a high-tech environment where research, production, and global distribution can thrive in one place.”

Bingcang, meanwhile, asserted that by positioning Clark as an integral part of the country’s healthcare ecosystem, “we are improving access to medicines, fostering innovation, and enhancing the nation’s capacity to meet healthcare needs.”

“At the same time, this initiative supports high-value job creation, attracts investment, and stimulates inclusive and sustainable growth for the Philippines,” the BCDA chief added.

BCDA said the agreed-upon study will focus on several high-impact areas designed to attract both global and local investment.

It will involve site identification for state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and R&D laboratories, address incentive frameworks for both global pharmaceutical giants and local drug manufacturers, and emphasize logistical integration to ensure rapid, temperature-controlled transit of pharmaceutical products.

Beyond healthcare, the development of specialized pharma-zones is projected to generate thousands of high-value jobs for Filipino scientists, pharmacists, and engineers, thereby further strengthening the country’s specialized workforce, the BCDA said. ▲

COVER PHOTO: BCDA President Joshua Bingcang and PPPI CEO Maria Blanca Kim Lokin close a deal for the development of specialized pharmaceutical ecozones at the Clark Freeport (BCDA photo)