Blab Business
BCDA and P&A Grant Thornton Sign MOU to Launch Investment Playbook
On July 26, 2026, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and P&A Grant Thornton formalized a partnership by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the BCDA Corporate Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The agreement centers on the creation of the "Doing Business with BCDA Investment Playbook," a guide intended to help local and foreign investors navigate the regulatory, tax, and business environment of BCDA‑managed economic zones.
The MOU was signed by Eng. Joshua Bingcang, president and CEO of BCDA, and Romualdo Murcia III, chairman and managing partner of P&A Grant Thornton. Witnesses included lawyer Gisela Kalalo, executive vice president and chief operating officer of BCDA, and James Araullo, partner in BCDA’s Audit and Assurance and Ecozone Industry lead.
BCDA, a government‑owned corporation under the Office of the President, was created to convert former U.S. military bases into productive civilian use. Over the past decade, it has overseen the development of several economic zones, including New Clark City and the Cavite Economic Zone, and has attracted significant investment. In 2025, approved investments in BCDA‑led zones reached PHP53.5 billion in the first seven months of the year, a 63.8 percent increase from the same period in 2024.
P&A Grant Thornton is a member of the global Grant Thornton network, which provides audit, tax, and advisory services. The firm’s team of business advisors will contribute expertise to the playbook, offering practical guidance on compliance, tax incentives, and operational considerations within BCDA’s zones.
Murcia highlighted the potential of the playbook to support the Philippines’ economic growth. Bingcang noted that the partnership extends beyond the playbook, opening opportunities for broader investment promotion activities. The MOU also allows the two organizations to explore additional collaboration areas such as investor engagement, business facilitation, and knowledge‑sharing initiatives.
The playbook will be structured to address key questions investors face when entering BCDA zones, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, tax benefits, and local partnership requirements. By providing a consolidated resource, BCDA and P&A Grant Thornton aim to reduce entry barriers and improve the overall investment climate.
BCDA’s investment promotion strategy has been a focus of the Philippine government’s economic development agenda. The authority’s efforts to streamline processes and offer incentives have been cited as drivers of the recent surge in foreign direct investment. The partnership with P&A Grant Thornton is expected to reinforce these gains by making information more accessible to potential investors.
The MOU does not commit either party to specific projects beyond the playbook, but it establishes a framework for ongoing cooperation. Both organizations have expressed interest in joint events, workshops, and research studies that could further enhance investor confidence.
As the Philippines continues to seek new sources of capital, the BCDA‑P&A Grant Thornton collaboration represents a concrete step toward simplifying investment procedures and promoting the country’s economic zones. The playbook’s release is anticipated in the coming months, with BCDA and P&A Grant Thornton planning a launch event to introduce the guide to industry stakeholders.
The partnership remains in its early stages, and the next milestones will include the completion of the playbook’s draft, stakeholder consultations, and the scheduling of the launch. No specific timeline has been announced for the final publication, but both parties have indicated that they intend to make the guide available before the end of 2026.
The MOU reflects a broader trend of public‑private collaboration aimed at improving the investment climate in the Philippines. Whether the playbook will translate into a measurable increase in approved projects remains to be seen, but the agreement underscores the commitment of both BCDA and P&A Grant Thornton to support the country’s economic development agenda.
The MOU was signed by Eng. Joshua Bingcang, president and CEO of BCDA, and Romualdo Murcia III, chairman and managing partner of P&A Grant Thornton. Witnesses included lawyer Gisela Kalalo, executive vice president and chief operating officer of BCDA, and James Araullo, partner in BCDA’s Audit and Assurance and Ecozone Industry lead.
BCDA, a government‑owned corporation under the Office of the President, was created to convert former U.S. military bases into productive civilian use. Over the past decade, it has overseen the development of several economic zones, including New Clark City and the Cavite Economic Zone, and has attracted significant investment. In 2025, approved investments in BCDA‑led zones reached PHP53.5 billion in the first seven months of the year, a 63.8 percent increase from the same period in 2024.
P&A Grant Thornton is a member of the global Grant Thornton network, which provides audit, tax, and advisory services. The firm’s team of business advisors will contribute expertise to the playbook, offering practical guidance on compliance, tax incentives, and operational considerations within BCDA’s zones.
Murcia highlighted the potential of the playbook to support the Philippines’ economic growth. Bingcang noted that the partnership extends beyond the playbook, opening opportunities for broader investment promotion activities. The MOU also allows the two organizations to explore additional collaboration areas such as investor engagement, business facilitation, and knowledge‑sharing initiatives.
The playbook will be structured to address key questions investors face when entering BCDA zones, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, tax benefits, and local partnership requirements. By providing a consolidated resource, BCDA and P&A Grant Thornton aim to reduce entry barriers and improve the overall investment climate.
BCDA’s investment promotion strategy has been a focus of the Philippine government’s economic development agenda. The authority’s efforts to streamline processes and offer incentives have been cited as drivers of the recent surge in foreign direct investment. The partnership with P&A Grant Thornton is expected to reinforce these gains by making information more accessible to potential investors.
The MOU does not commit either party to specific projects beyond the playbook, but it establishes a framework for ongoing cooperation. Both organizations have expressed interest in joint events, workshops, and research studies that could further enhance investor confidence.
As the Philippines continues to seek new sources of capital, the BCDA‑P&A Grant Thornton collaboration represents a concrete step toward simplifying investment procedures and promoting the country’s economic zones. The playbook’s release is anticipated in the coming months, with BCDA and P&A Grant Thornton planning a launch event to introduce the guide to industry stakeholders.
The partnership remains in its early stages, and the next milestones will include the completion of the playbook’s draft, stakeholder consultations, and the scheduling of the launch. No specific timeline has been announced for the final publication, but both parties have indicated that they intend to make the guide available before the end of 2026.
The MOU reflects a broader trend of public‑private collaboration aimed at improving the investment climate in the Philippines. Whether the playbook will translate into a measurable increase in approved projects remains to be seen, but the agreement underscores the commitment of both BCDA and P&A Grant Thornton to support the country’s economic development agenda.
