The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is rethinking the future of two of its flagship properties—Bonifacio Global City (BGC) and Camp John Hay—by putting livability at the center of their next phase of development.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua M. Bingcang said the agency is revisiting the masterplans of both estates to create communities that are not only economically vibrant but also more accessible, walkable, and environmentally sustainable.
The shift reflects a growing recognition among urban planners that successful cities are no longer measured solely by office towers, property values, or investment inflows. Increasingly, quality of life has become a key benchmark for long-term competitiveness.
In BGC, the review seeks to address mounting concerns over traffic congestion and mobility challenges in one of Metro Manila’s busiest business districts. Working with SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co., BCDA is exploring solutions that go beyond road expansion, including stronger public transport links, improved pedestrian networks, wider shaded walkways, and better integration of parks and open spaces with commercial areas.
The updated framework also aims to strengthen BGC’s mixed-use design, allowing residents, workers, students, and visitors to access workplaces, services, and leisure destinations with less reliance on private vehicles.
Meanwhile, BCDA is conducting a comprehensive review of the masterplan for Camp John Hay in Baguio City, with a strong emphasis on environmental preservation and sustainable tourism.
The proposed framework calls for new parks, cultural attractions, sports facilities, and pedestrian-friendly public spaces while retaining and protecting most of the estate’s pine forests. Future developments will largely be concentrated in open or flatter areas to minimize environmental impact.
Sustainability measures covering ecosystem conservation, water management, waste reduction, and heritage preservation are also being incorporated into the plan.
The twin reviews reflect lessons learned by BCDA from decades of estate development: economic growth and infrastructure remain important, but the most successful destinations are those that enable people to live, work, move, and connect comfortably.
The goal is to ensure that both BGC and Camp John Hay remain competitive and relevant as urban priorities evolve.
