The Philippine government has failed to attract any bidders to develop the PHP2.5-billion (US$40.6 million) information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure in New Clark City.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) declared the bidding for a joint venture (JV) partner to develop its passive ICT infrastructure project a failure after no interested company submitted the required bid documents during the 13-month procurement process. The project was initially put out for bidding in 2023, but that attempt also failed when the lone bidder was deemed ineligible to undertake the development. 

In line with the Philippines' commitment to the United States-led Pax Silica initiative, the BCDA has earmarked more than 1,600 hectares in New Clark City for an artificial intelligence (AI) industrial hub. The planned hub aims to draw high-value investments, including semiconductor manufacturing and data center developments, which depend on reliable, high-speed digital connectivity. To support these requirements, the BCDA is advancing the proposed ICT infrastructure project under an Open Access Fiber model. 

Under the Open Access Fiber model, the JV partner will manage and lease a shared fiber-optic network to data transmission providers (DTPs), promoting greater competition and lowering the cost of ICT services. The JV agreement will run for an initial 25 years, with an option to extend for another 25 years.