Build & Move

Bulacan Rising: The Next PH Economic Powerhouse

As the “Northern Gateway,” Bulacan plays a vital role in bridging opportunities and development between Metro Manila and the resource-rich regions of Central and Northern Luzon. But more than serving as a link to the North in the country, the province is now earning its right as a top investment destination in the Philippines.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) cites the province as the next growth area for its adequate labor force and proximity to NCR. But primarily, the recognition is because of the booming infrastructure developments pushed by private companies and the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.

Take a look at these ongoing major infrastructure projects that bring Bulacan into the global business map:

Manila-Clark Railway

One of the flagship infrastructure projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program is the North-South Commuter Rail Project (NSCR). NSCR’s Manila-Clark Railway is composed of two segments: PNR Clark Phase 1 (Tutuban, Manila to Malolos, Bulacan) and Clark Phase 2 (Malolos, Bulacan to Clark).

The 38-kilometer railway of PNR Clark Phase 1 will pass through Manila, Caloocan, and Valenzuela in Metro Manila. Also, it will pass through Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Balagtas, Guiguinto, and Malolos in Bulacan.

The Clark Phase 1 will reduce the travel time of Tutuban to Malolos from 1 hour and 30 minutes to only 35 mins.

The project aims to spur the economic growth of Central Luzon and improve local and national connectivity. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) targets the Manila-Clark portion of the project to be fully operational by 2024. Once completed, the project will serve 350,000 passengers daily in its first year of operations.

Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT 7)

Another mass transportation project that will further spur businesses and residential developments in the area is the MRT 7. This 23-kilometer elevated railway line is composed of 14 stations. The line runs in a northeast-southwest direction, beginning at San Jose del Monte, Bulacan up to the North Triangle Common Station in North Avenue, Quezon City.

The project will reduce travel time from Quezon City to Bulacan to only 35 minutes. The MRT-7 will be operational by the end of 2022.

New Manila International Airport

Bulacan also takes pride in having the soon-to-be largest and most sophisticated airport in the Philippines, the New Manila International Airport (NMIA). The NMIA, also known as Bulacan International Airport, will feature a modern terminal, four runways (upgradable to six runways in the future), a road network, and an MRT airport link. It will have an initial capacity of 100 million passengers a year.

New Manila International Airport in Bulacan
The NMIA project is part of a 12,000-hectare township that features a residential zone, government center, seaport, and industrial zone.

The new airport is expected to complement air traffic operations at the existing and congested Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The Department of Transportation targets NMIA to be operational by 2025.

READ – Bulacan Airport Complex: The Green City of the Future

Northwin Global City

Dubbed as the “BGC of Bulacan”, this 85-hectare Megaworld integrated township will become the province’s first global business district. Northwin Global City (NGC) spans between the municipalities of Marilao and Bocaue. It will feature hotels, malls, mixed-use commercial buildings, condominiums, educational institutions, and office towers.

Northwin Global City view from NLEX

Northwin Global City will be one of the most accessible global hubs outside the country’s capital. The business district is located just 20 kilometers north of Metro Manila along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX). Moreover, NGC will be just 20 minutes away from New Manila International Airport, and 5 mins away from Philippine Arena. It will also host one of the stations of the Manila-Clark Railway project.

Part of the development is the Northwin Main Street. This central business district offers shophouses and titled commercial lots to investors. Shophouses can be used for retail, food and beverage outlets (such as cafes, restaurants, and bars), boutique hotels, etc.

There are even more investments ongoing. With the expected completion of these infrastructure and development projects, Bulacan is on the road to becoming the next economic powerhouse. People living there and nearby provinces will now enjoy the progress they deserve. This has all became possible because of the efforts of the government and private corporations. Collaboration is truly key to providing opportunities to regions beyond the country’s capital.

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