The Philippine Department of Transportation (DOTr) will push through with plans to transfer its main office to Clark in Pampanga before the end of July even if the new office building is not finished, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
In a Malacañang press briefing on July 18, Tugade said the department will transfer from its main office in Ortigas in Mandaluyong to New Clark City in Pampanga, regardless of whether the new office building is “finished or not finished.”
The transport chief pointed out that this decision is “dictated by wise and sound judgment” and part of the government’s effort to “help decongest certain areas in the metropolis.”
He added that the solution to the traffic congestion in Metro Manila should not be shouldered by DOTr alone, but should have the participation and “sacrifice” of all.
He admitted, however, that relocating the main office is not an easy task as “many do not want to transfer.” Tugade said the inconveniences for DOTr employees relating to the transfer are being addressed, but he did not provide further details.
Tugade earlier said DOTr’s move is the first of a plan to relocate government offices outside of Metro Manila to decongest the mega city. He had planned to make the move in December last year, but settled on July due to opposition.
The new government offices will be situated in Clark City, the development project that will become the country’s first and only smart and green metropolis. The 9,450-hectare project within the Clark Special Economic Zone will feature mixed-use real estate developments including housing, a business continuity center to house national government agencies, an agro-industrial park for research and development, a food processing terminal, and the Philippine Sports City.
Construction of the new city is ongoing, with roads currently being built and portions of the project already awarded to private partners.
