JHMC to construct hostel to favor backpackers,hikers

December 26, 2019 Metro BLISTT

John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) has planned to construct several hostel inside the camp that used to be a rest and recreation facility for US military.

JHMC chairperson Silvestre Afable revealed on Monday (Dec. 16) that the government controlled agency, a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Corporation (BCDA) and the estate manager of the entire Camp John Hay Reservation, is raring to construct hostel to favor backpackers, hikers and even low-income families.

“It’s a global trend now even in Metropolitan Manila, big corporations are in to it to meet the influx of local and international tourists,” Afable said.

Afable pointed that developing hostel in the camp has a low impact on environment as compared to high-rise hotels which demand high on environmental protection.

As this developed, Afable expressed optimism that by next year (2020) its legal battle with the group of Robert “Bob” Sobrepeòa led Fil-Estate Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCor) will be finally settled.

“Once JHMC will have the Suspensiyon ng truck ban sa Baguio hiniling ng mga mag-gugulay full control and management of the camp, we can do it. We will open John Hay to the public,” Afable emphasized. Afable assailed the operation by CJHDevCor which is “exclusivity.”

Talking with some Baguio-based newsmen, Afable recalled his younger days that people across the country can go around the camp. Countless people including old-timers in the city are aware that the redevelopment of the 247 hectares of land inside the former American base by Fil-Estate can best described as “elitist.”

The places that visitors and residents of Baguio used to go to are no longer accessible to or off-limits to public. The city has yet to get its “full share” of rentals which runs to millions which can be properly utilized for education and medical, among others.

Based on the Baguio City Information Office, JHMC president Allan Garcia vowed to work closely with the city government to settle the longstanding impasse in the development of the camp following the 19 conditions imposed by the local government.

Primo Agatep/ABN