Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Taguig, National Capital Region, Philippines: One Nation, One Legacy: the BCDA 2019 to 2021 Annual Report Series

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is an instrumentality of the Philippine government, which is mandated to build great cities while strengthening the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by converting former military camps and U.S. bases into flourishing mixed-use developments for civilian use. Majority of BCDA’s revenues are utilized to fund the modernization of the AFP.

Over 30 years since its inception, BCDA continues to vigorously develop its properties into dynamic business centers and vibrant communities not only for the benefit of its stakeholders, but also to expand economic opportunities for Filipinos. This is our legacy for the whole nation, which inspired BCDA’s annual reports from 2019 to 2021—three coordinated editions under the One Nation, One Legacy series.

WE WIN AS ONE (2019 Annual Report) features New Clark City’s world-class sports complex completed in record time for the Southeast Asian Games, which the Philippines hosted in 2019. In this report, vibrant colors and exciting design elements and layouts were used to reflect the festive atmosphere and energy of this international event.

From the excitement of 2019, the world plunged into an unprecedented crisis brought about by COVID-19 in 2020. Thus, the year’s annual report theme was WE HEAL AS ONE, which focused on BCDA’s role in the whole-of-nation approach in dealing with the health crisis. The report showed how the globally recognized sports facilities became quarantine facilities, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of our structures. On the design front, the colors and layouts mellowed into subtle and neutral visuals to reflect an overall healing vibe.

WE BUILD AS ONE was our theme for 2021’s annual report. Here, the challenge was to reintroduce brighter colors to project the look and feel of excitement, inspiration, and hope, as the Philippines started to open up, and its economy began its ascent from the effects of the pandemic. Showcasing the government’s infrastructure projects as its legacy for the nation, this report highlights how BCDA exercised political will amid a crippling health crisis to push for the completion of big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the new terminal of Clark International Airport.

These reports carry the story of a nation through one of the most important periods in history. We are proud to have been given the opportunity to tell this story through the pages of these volumes.

Following are the dates when these publications were first made public:

1. We Win As One - October 30, 2020
2. We Heal As One - September 29, 2021
3. We Build As One - July 19, 2022

Note that these publications are being entered as a trilogy.

Total 194 words used.

Needs and Measurable Objectives:

The report serves as a basis for its performance evaluation, and compliance with the Code of Corporate Governance. It also serves as a marketing and promotional tool.

1. To showcase BCDA’s financial standing, accomplishments, and outstanding collaborations through public-private partnerships as prescribed by its charter, Republic Act 7227, and in compliance with the requirements of the Governance Commission on GOCCs (GCG);
2. To promote better awareness on BCDA’s plans, projects, and accomplishments among its stakeholders, prospective investors, and the general public; and
3. To raise awareness on and appreciation for BCDA properties, thereby contributing to the establishment of the Philippines as a prime destination for business and tourism.

Impact and Results

1. Record-high reach - 2,100 hard copies distributed; 2,876,281 social media reach; 9,020 recipients of electronic copies; 1,050 potential investors and business partners reached
2. BCDA Annual Report content as reference material for other government agencies for their publications, reports, and investment briefings.
3. Recognitions in best practices in corporate governance by the Governance Commission on Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations and communication innovation awards by the Philippine Quill Awards, Asia Pacific Stevie Awards, Gold Quill Awards, and Silver Quill Awards

1. Innovating the approach on the report's design and content

   • FOCUS. DISRUPTION. HUMANITY. We need to think out of the box and embrace new ways to engage the public. The BCDA story focuses on three principles: Focus, Disruption, and Humanity. With focus, we aim to be transparent to the people in reporting BCDA’s best practices in good governance and accomplishments for the year. With disruption, we change our mindsets by veering away from the norm and introducing innovation. And finally, with humanity, we pursue the impossible to improve the lives of people. 

   • On a yearly basis, the production of the BCDA Annual Report spans four to six months, which includes the brainstorming for the concept and content, gathering of data, conduct of interviews, writing of copy, and preparation and curation of visuals and layout. To ensure the correctness of the reports, BCDA allotted two months for the review of the report’s content in collaboration with various BCDA departments and subsidiaries, and for final review and approval of the top management prior to its release. The budget for the creation of the report including the editorial services, creative services, photography services, and printing services ranges from Php1,000,000.00 to Php1,800,000.00 (approx. USD18,320.00 to USD32,970.00). To keep the project feasible given the limited budget, BCDA’s in-house communication team assists in the production of the copy, graphics, and layout. 

   • Our creative team focused on producing annual reports that will appeal to the general public. Deviating from the usual form and substance of government reports, the publications carried elements of a lifestyle magazine—more visuals and catchy hues, layouts that are easy on the eyes, shorter text and concise content, and writing that engages readers.

   • Each annual report from the One Nation, One Legacy series features human interest stories anchored on BCDA’s corporate governance, business development, and project management to communicate the social impact of its programs and projects.

   • All three annual reports highlighted the financial reports as well as flagship projects of the BCDA, such as the New Clark City and the new terminal of Clark International Airport; the development of Metro Manila camps into centers of productive commercial use, and BCDA’s contribution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program from the derived revenues; and the development of freeports and special economic zones under the BCDA’s ambit—Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, Poro Point Freeport Zone, John Hay Special Economic Zone, and Bataan Technology Park. Also featured were other big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Project, and the Subic-Clark Railway Project, as well as corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagement programs; and corporate governance initiatives.

   • The Annual Reports are meant to be marketing tools as well. Thus, the approach was more visual in its design and layout, with short and concise copy, to pique the interest of potential investors and business partners to locate in BCDA properties in the Philippines.

2. Efficient Dissemination of the Report

• BCDA maximized the power of digital media in the circulation and distribution of the said publications by posting the electronic versions at the BCDA website and in social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, and circulating digital copies via Issuu, Mailchimp, and online messaging applications, such as Viber and Whatsapp. 

• It was made available to a total of 182,770 followers of BCDA’s accounts on various social media platforms.

• Because of its engaging look and content, these Annual Reports were also handed out to stakeholders and investors through a QR code during inbound and outbound business missions, and stakeholder engagement activities. 

  1. Outbound Missions:

     1. NEW CLARK CITY: The Philippines’ Sustainable Futurecity and Green Investment Destination (UK) 2022

     2. Korea Outbound Trade and Investment Mission 2022

     3. B2B meetings in Singapore organized by Enterprise Singapore 2022

     4. Philippine Investment Forum in Taiwan 2022

     5. BCDA and Filinvest Land, Inc. Investment Roadshow in Singapore: The Sustainable Futurecity of the Philippines 2022

     6. B2B meetings during the Expo 2020 Dubai

  2. Inbound Missions and Site Visits in BCDA Properties in 2022:

     1. Department of Foreign Affairs Economic Diplomacy Course (Familiarization Tour and Briefing at New Clark City)

     2. Department of Science and Technology-Provincial Science and Technology Directors' Conference 

     3. 1st North Luzon Travel Fair

     4. 38th ASEAN Innovation Business Platform Conference & Exhibition

     5. Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s 30th Goodwill and Trade Mission to the Philippines

     6. Investment Briefing with MEDEF International

     7. Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan Site Visit in Clark

     8. Site Visit of the Local Government of Marikina in New Clark City

     9. 48th Meeting of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council

     10. 31st Northern Luzon Area Business Conference

     11. 2022 Pacific Business Mission from Australia and New Zealand Site Visit in New Clark City

     12. Cocktail Meeting with the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines

     13. Enterprise Singapore Investment Briefing and Site Visit in New Clark City

     14. Central Luzon Tourism Investment Summit and Business Exchange

     15. 30th Joint Goodwill Mission to the Philippines (Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Site Visit in New Clark City 

  3. The annual reports are also shared to military stakeholders during the conduct of the AFP Fora via a QR code.