State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority said it signed a memorandum of agreement with Earth Day Network Philippines Inc. and the Fern and Nature Society of the Philippines Inc. to establish a botanical garden and ecotourism park in Clark Green City.
Under the agreement, Earth Day and Fern and Nature Society will invest P495.2 million for the development of the botanical garden, restoration of 200 hectares of forest land, preparation of the project management plan and the management and administration of the project.
BCDA will designate the area as Clark Green City Forest Reserve and the Clark Green City Green Infrastructure to both groups. The agency will also provide and construct the support infrastructure facility in the area.
Earth Day, the lead non-government organization for the celebration of Earth Day in the Philippines, is engaged in programs and activities that promote environmental citizenship.
Fern and Nature Society is a non-government organization advocating for the establishment of botanical gardens following international standards in the Philippines to promote the conservation and ethnobotany of Philippine native trees and plants.
Clark Green City is a 9,450-hectare property in Tarlac province currently being developed by BCDA. It is envisioned as the country’s first smart, green and disaster-resilient city that will showcase the country’s capability to build a sustainable and modern city.
The city will adopt smart and green features such as compact walkable communities with generous open spaces, bike lanes, mass transportation, smart utilities, high-bandwidth connectivity, protected biodiversity, energy efficiency and urban farming.