The BCDA has to calm the worries of lessors.
Order has been finally restored in the picturesque Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
Armed with a Supreme Court order, the government through the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) took over the management of the tourism enclave in the first week of January this year.
Recalcitrant businessman Robert John Sobrepeña and his Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo) were forced to vacate the place and end their 28-year reign over the public property.
Newspaper accounts reported a peaceful takeover of the 240-hectare leased areas of Camp John Hay. BCDA vice president for public affairs Leilani Macasaet confirmed the government agency gained control of popular facilities, which included The Manor, Forest Lodge, Camp Jojn Hay Golf Club, CAP Convention Center, Commander’s Cottage, open spaces and other areas in the property.
A Supreme Court decision in October 2024 ordered private developer CJHDevCo to turn over the management of the leased property after disputes over payments and plans that led to the voiding of the lease agreement.
The BCDA breathed a sigh of relief over the favorable turn of events.
“This victory is a win for the Filipino people as it paves the path for exciting investments and projects that will drive socioeconomic opportunities and protects the interests of all,” says BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua M. Bingcang.
“As we open new doors of opportunity, more businesses may reinvest their capital in Camp John Hay and build upon the workforce; all while ensuring that the environmental and cultural integrity of the area are preserved and protected.”
The BCDA, of course, has to calm the worries of lessors who originally signed lease agreements with CJHDevCo. It urged all John Hay stakeholders to sign fresh 25-year-lease contracts with the government.
“They need to come forward and forge a new partnership with BCDA if they want to have a continued presence inside John Hay,” says Bingcang.
He cited the case of Le Monet Hotel, which signed a new lease agreement with the BCDA. The hotel, owned by the company of former Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, was one of Camp John Hay’s original locators.
Bingcang claimed that many of the 100 John Hay locators had signified their intention to sign new leases agreements with the BCDA.
“The beauty of our arrangement is that regardless of whether the locators’ contracts only have a few years left, we give them fresh 25-year leases or more depending on how they contribute to John Hay,” he said. “We… can start negotiating with those willing to sign deals with us,” added the BCDA official.
Many of the 25-year contracts signed by CJHDevCo in 1996 or 1997 have already lapsed in 2021 and 2022.
CJH DevCo in 199l eased Camp John Hay from BCDA and committed to develop it into a tourist spot.
Bigger investments
The Camp John Hay takeover gives the BCDA a fresh outlook to develop the area, attract new investments and take advantage of the area’s natural environment.
“Development balancing care for the environment and progress will uplift communities and enhance property values,” says the BCDA.
The Supreme Court victory is another opportunity for BCDA to flex further its muscles as a major investment promoter in the Philippines.
It will have its hands full in developing a new metropolis in New Clark City or Clark Green City in Tarlac province. The ambitious project will lead to the creation of the country’s first green and smart city that can rise to the challenges of climate change.
In addition, it is a major player in the proposed economic growth center in Luzon—the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC).
The United States and Japan are the primary funders of the LEC. A trilateral summit of the US, Japan and the Philippines in April last year led to the LEC concept aimed at spurring economic partnerships among the three allies.
It is the first project under the Group of Seven’s (G7) Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) in the Indo-Pacific region.
The LEC essentially will link the ports and major economic hubs found in Subic, Manila and Batangas.
The initial components of the newly-launched corridor are the Subic-Clark Railway Project (SCRP), the expansion of Clark International Airport and the development of the Clark National Food Hub.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com
