No talks for 3rd party takeover of John Hay – BCDA

MANILA, Philippines - The state-run Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) remains focused on taking possession of the former American rest and recreation facility.

Lawyer Arnel Paciano Casanova, president and CEO of BCDA said there are still no government deals or even talks with any group for John Hay’s development into a tourist enclave.    

“We are not thinking of any other third party (as yet) but securing possession (for the benefit of the government and the people),” he said.

Any plans being broached are pure speculation, “if not pure squid tactics (by CJHDevCo),” the BCDA official said.

BCDA subsidiary John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) chairman of the board Silvestre Afable said the result of the arbitration between BCDA and the private developer  last week of February “finally brought out to light” and government is beginning to straighten things up (after five years) for the benefit of Baguio and the people.  “Now we see transactions and everything happening at John Hay transparent,” he said. The public now will have a full view of the things happening at John Hay, Afable said adding, “government has achieved transparency.”  

Afable said the Filipino people were kept in the dark. With the takeover soon of  John Hay as a result of the arbitration,  Afable said,  “there is a transfer from the dark corner to sunlight.”

Government, Casanova said, is still checking on the status of the buildings and contracts with third parties like buyers inside John Hay.