BCDA awards 30-ha property to AFP-DND

The Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) strengthened its commitment to further the excellence of the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) as it turned over a 30-hectare Camp John Hay property to the AFP and the Department of National Defense (DND) for the establishment of an institution for higher learning.

In formal military rites held recently at Fort Del Pilar, Baguio City, the Philippine Military Academy, led by Superintendent Major General Edilberto Adan, welcomed BCDA president and CEO Rufo Colayco in Traditional Foyer Honors and a Testimonial Parade and Review rendered by the PMA Cadet Corps Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Adan, who represented DND Secretary Angelo Reyes, admitted that though Camp John Hay has 350 hectares of land, only 80 hectares is usable due to the uneven slope. This has limited student accommodation to only 1,900 cadets due to lack of space for building facilities and water supply.

For his part, Colayco stressed that the institution cannot continue to train more and more officers without needing additional land. "So, we are very pleased to make a contribution in the training of the finest officers in the country," Colayco said as he addressed the PMA Cadet Corps, after he formally turned over BCDA’s Lot 17 and 16B, a 30-hectare land located inside the Camp John Hay.

Colayco firmly expressed great admiration of the cadets, who have displayed not only a high degree of competence but also remarkable idealism.

"The Philippine society, in general, has lost its way and it is good to have younger members reminding us that we need to go back to the principles that should bind us together . . . It is our hope that this tradition of idealism in the academy will never change through the guidance of this institution," Colayco added.

In a letter addressed to the BCDA that was read during the turnover ties, Reyes reaffirmed his commitment towards the "partnership" and expressed deep gratitude for the efforts exerted towards the realization of an effective sustainable growth and development.

He stated that "With extraordinary cooperation of all concerned, we are confident that the project will soon pave the way for the sustainable development of Camp John Hay not only as a tourist destination, but should also partly become a center for human resource development, in support to the continuing education and training programs of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

At present, the PMA is in the process of finalizing a Master Development Plan, aimed at rationalizing the academy’s current and future development.

The said undertaking not only shows the viability of Camp John Hay as a human development center but is also a clear manifestation of what BCDA is mandated to do by virtue of Republic Act 7227 – that is to generate funding for the modernization program of the Philippine Armed Forces, Reyes stressed.