BCDA welcomes oversight body for John Hay development

MANILA, Philippines - The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) welcomes the suggestion of Baguio City Councilor Richard Cariño to revive a multipartite committee to monitor the compliance to the 19 conditions pertaining to the privatization and development of Camp John Hay.

The BCDA said that the proposed multipartite oversight panel is the best option to monitor and assess the actual situation in the development of Camp John Hay, especially the compliance of private real estate developer Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevco), holder of a 25-year contract to develop the 247-hectare former US military recreation facility.

The BCDA also said the oversight committee can particularly look into Baguio City’s share in CHJDevco’s rentals, the provisions of the 2008 Restructured Memorandum of Agreement, and the status of the One Stop Action Center (OSAC).

The sooner the oversight committee is put in motion, the better for all parties concerned because they can resolve the financial and other issues.

According to the state-run firm, the key players-BCDA, CJHDevco and the Baguio City government-should look at the issues, not from their individual standpoint but as a common concern, in order to arrive at a solution.

To be able to do this, the BCDA is enjoining all parties in the negotiations to exercise full transparency as a manifestation of their sincerity to ultimately put to rest the financial concerns that have affected the development of Camp John Hay as a major growth area crucial to the economic and social development not only of Baguio City but also adjacent towns and cities in the North.