CITY GOVERNMENT AWAITS TURN-OVER OF DEVCO PROPERTIES IN JOHN HAY

December 28, 2024 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY

With the Bases Conversion Development Authority to have full control of the Camp John Hay with its contract with
the CJH Development Corporation already terminated, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he will invoke condition
number 16 under the 30-year old 19 Conditions set by the city council in 1994 for the city to take over all built structures by the erstwhile developer within the former American base. “I will invoke to strictly adhere to the conditionalities set especially number 16,” said Magalong during a press briefing at his office last December 20.

Magalong said that in separate talks with BCDA Chair Hilario Paredes and President Joshua Bingcang, he was
assured that the BCDA will adhere to the City Resolution 362, passed in Sept. 4, 1994 setting the 19 conditions the
city to endorse the master development plan of the former American base. Said resolution is titled: “Setting the
conditionalities in the formulation by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority of the master plan for Club John Hay (the initial name given to the former John Hay Air Station).” Though the top BCDA officials admit that they are not familiar with said conditionality, they told the mayor that they will review it.

Condition number 16, the mayor said, stipulates that “JHMC will turn over to the city government of Baguio CJH to
include all built structures upon termination of contract between JHMC/BCDA and CJHDevCo.” He added: “So they (BCDA) need to turn over to us. Ball is on your (BCDA) court, we will wait.” “I don’t want to speculate, but we will wait. Had mentioned with councilor Fred Bagbagen and eventually the rest of the city council. I also mentioned it to
Lawyer Marlo Cuadra including top BCDA executives with regards to conditionality number 16,” he told media men. He said that it will have a “big impact to city, as it will now develop the former base. It will generate big revenue for the city.”

Barangay Segregation The mayor said that he was also assured that the BCDA will honor the segregation of the 13 barangays within the former American base. Of these barangays, only a portion of Scout Barrio was segregated and
given to its long-time occupants in the 30 years since the 19 conditionalities were set. The barangay segregation is under condition number 14. He said that he was also assured by the top two officials that payments from the city’s share from rent will be granted. City Share Magalong said that since the squabble started seven years ago, the city has failed to collect more than PhP200 million from the BCDA.

He said that four months ago the city has come out with a computation that unpaid share and was “more than recognized.” But he added that there is a need for another computation. “They are recognizing it but need to review the numbers. Since the case started seven years ago, no payment given,” he added. Meanwhile, business as usual is
in effect at The Manor at Camp John Hay and its sister hotel, the Forest Lodge, as well as the Camp John Hay Golf Club. The Manor and Forest Lodge and Golf General Managers Ramon Cabrera and Judson Eustaquio said in separate press conferences that they are separate entities from the CJHDevCo and are now dealing directly with the BCDA.

Pigeon Lobien and Zaldy Comanda/ABN