On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with industrial real estate developer Berthaphil Inc. to accelerate the development of aviation-related industries across the Clark Aviation Capital in Pampanga and New Clark City in Tarlac . The agreement, formalized by BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang and Berthaphil President and CEO Peter Herman, aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s socioeconomic agenda to promote infrastructure-led growth, strengthen logistics connectivity, and generate quality jobs outside Metro Manila .
Under the MOU, both entities will conduct a joint study to identify opportunities for aviation-related businesses in the two BCDA-managed economic zones. The study will assess land use alignment with Clark’s master development plan, infrastructure and support requirements for potential investors, projected global investment demand, and possible modes of cooperation . “Berthaphil has long been a trusted partner of BCDA and a key contributor to the development of the Clark Freeport Zone,” said Bingcang. “This collaboration builds on that partnership and supports Clark’s growth as a competitive aviation and logistics hub”.
A Trusted Partner with Decades of Clark Experience
Berthaphil, established in 1995, holds a unique place in Clark’s history as the first investor in the Clark Freeport Zone. The company’s initial task was to clean up lahar deposits wrought by the Mount Pinatubo eruption before meeting the needs of the emerging freeport . Over the past three decades, Berthaphil has built, marketed, leased, and managed 11 Clark Freeport properties across approximately 45 hectares, hosting more than 400 companies . Within Clark’s economic, freeport, and airport zones, the firm has constructed and leased over 250 buildings, developing industrial, business process outsourcing, commercial, residential, logistics, and aviation properties.
The company has expressed strong interest in expanding aviation-related business ecosystems within the Clark Civil Aviation Complex and New Clark City, making it the ideal partner for this strategic initiative . This collaboration builds on Berthaphil’s proven track record of developing export-oriented and technology-driven industrial parks, positioning the company to play a pivotal role in Clark’s next phase of aviation-led growth.
Clark Aviation Capital: A Premier Gateway in the Making
The 2,367-hectare Clark Aviation Capital is envisioned as the country’s premier gateway and logistics hotspot, surrounding the rapidly growing Clark International Airport (CRK) . CRK recorded a 14-percent increase in passenger traffic to 2.75 million in 2025, driven by additional flights and expanding airline operations . The partnership with Berthaphil directly supports the government’s vision of positioning Clark as a key gateway alongside Metro Manila, decentralizing operations from the congested capital.
Beyond passenger growth, Clark is attracting transformative investments. Lufthansa Technik Philippines has proposed a $400-million investment (approximately P25 billion) to build a state-of-the-art maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Clark Aviation Capital . The joint venture between Lufthansa Technik AG and MacroAsia Corp. is seeking a 15-hectare site under a proposed 25-year term, with construction targeted for completion within three years . Meanwhile, FedEx is expanding its Clark operations with an $80-million facility spanning more than 78,000 square meters, aiming to increase its daily flights from three to four to as many as 20.
Infrastructure Upgrades and the 9,450-Hectare New Clark City Pipeline
To accommodate this surge in activity, BCDA is moving forward with critical infrastructure upgrades. The agency plans to construct a second runway and expand the apron at Clark International Airport to support FedEx’s expansion and increased cargo traffic . Apron construction is set to begin within the year and will take approximately 18 months, while the second runway will require around three years to complete, funded entirely by BCDA . These upgrades are essential for accommodating widebody aircraft, including the Airbus A380, the world’s largest commercial passenger jet.
The MOU also covers the 9,450-hectare New Clark City, which BCDA continues to develop into a “modern, sustainable, and globally competitive investment destination” . The initiative reinforces the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 priorities on infrastructure modernization, industrial diversification, and regional development . For Kapampangans, this translates to thousands of high-quality jobs in aviation, logistics, and industrial sectors, solidifying Pampanga’s role as Central Luzon’s premier economic engine and a global gateway for trade and commerce.
