CLARK FREEPORT — The regular opening of the Bamban Interchange along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to traffic, has attracted tourism and sports activities within the New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac.
In an interview during the Central Luzon Media Year-End Fellowship, Bases Conversion and Development Authority OIC-Senior Vice President for Conversion and Development Mark Torres said the interchange built by the state firm primarily for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games is a game changer as it makes the NCC accessible.
“For years, Bamban Interchange was only opened when there’s an event in the NCC. Today, it is open to all four-wheel vehicles up to trucks and buses. Motorists from any bound in SCTEX can reach Manila North Road or the Mac Arthur Highway using the Bamban interchange,” he said.
NCC already houses top-tier facilities, including the World Athletics-certified Athletics Stadium with a 20,000-seating capacity, a nine-lane 400-meter track and field, and a four-lane warm-up track.
It likewise features the World Aquatics-approved Aquatics Center, which has a 2,000-seating capacity, a 10-lane competition pool, an eight-lane training pool, and a diving pool.
Additionally, the 525-unit Athletes’ Village provides accommodations for participating and training athletes.
NCC is also home to the campus of the National Academy of Sports which hone future Olympians.
Torres added that NCC now regularly hosts the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta with the 2026 edition slated on February 13-15.
Aside from tourism and sports, various government institutions will also construct facilities at NCC.
These include the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines of the Department of Science and Technology, and the new Security Complex of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
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