FOLLOWING a groundbreaking Supreme Court decision in October last year supported by a regional trial court in Baguio, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has regained control over the Camp John Hay facilities in Baguio City.
Last January 3, Branch 6 of the Baguio Regional Trial Court junked CJHDevCo’s petition to prevent the BCDA from taking back the Camp John Hay property.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said BCDA is now negotiating with tenants of CJHDevCo, noting that “there will be new terms under BCDA.”
In a statement on Monday, the BCDA reiterated its call for stakeholders, businesses, and community groups in Camp John Hay to get in touch with the agency and help facilitate a seamless management transition for everyone concerned.
The High Court affirmed with finality its April 3, 2024 decision to reinstate an arbitral decision in 2015 that ended an 11-year contractual dispute between BCDA and CJHDevco.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang called this the SC ruling “a win for the Filipino people as it paves the path for exciting investments and projects that will drive socioeconomic opportunities and protect the interest of all.”
As new and better opportunities crop up, more businesses are likely to reinvest in Camp John Hay, Bingcang said.
This will ensure the environmental and cultural integrity of the area will be preserved and protected, he added.
The BCDA is now identifying new investments and redevelopment projects that would unlock better opportunities for Camp John Hay.
BCDA is willing to enter into new agreements with various stakeholders inside Camp John Hay as they turn over the leased premises back to the government, Bingcang noted.
Around 3,000 individuals are working for different business locators inside the former R&R facility.
The Camp John Hay case stemmed from a 2015 arbitral ruling by the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center that voided the lease agreement between BCDA and CJHDevCo for breach of contract. But the ruling was not executed as CJHDevCo elevated the case before the Court of Appeals.
The case eventually reached the Supreme Court which ruled on the case with finality on October 22, 2024.
According to the BCDA, this means that all land and improvements within the property, whether directly held and occupied by CJHDevCo, its subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as other individuals and parties with claiming rights must be turned over to the BCDA immediately.
Among the properties inside the former US military R&R facility are The Manor, The Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay Golf Club, CAP Convention Center, Commander’s Cottage, open spaces, and other areas from CJHDevCo.
