BCDA signs up 40 John Hay residential tenants
The state-controlled Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has signed fresh residential leases at its Camp John Hay property in Baguio, marking the latest batch of contracts following its recent recovery of the storied leisure estate.
The BCDA said on Wednesday it had signed more than 40 new residential agreements with sublessees of CJH Development Corp., the entity led by businessman Robert John Sobrepeña that used to run the estate.
“We want to assure all stakeholders that BCDA is here to help facilitate this transition of management in Camp John Hay. As we move forward, our focus now for Camp John Hay is to create a future that benefits everyone,” BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang said in a statement.
“With the support of our private partners and the Baguio City government, we are working to improve facilities and services, protect the natural environment of the area, create employment opportunities and ultimately, empower the local community,” he said further.
“We invite everyone to be part of this pivotal moment so we can ensure that Camp John Hay reaches its full potential for all who value it,” he said further.
Master plan under review
The BCDA is also in talks with other stakeholders to come up with fresh term sheets for their residential leases inside the 247-hectare development.
Further, the BCDA is set to review the 25-year master plan of Camp John Hay to align it with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The BCDA said it aimed to replicate the successes seen at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and New Clark City in Tarlac by implementing infrastructure projects and bringing in high-impact investments that will provide socioeconomic opportunities for the local community.
These plans come amid the finalization of a proposed legislation in Congress to enhance and expand the powers of the BCDA.
Following the Senate’s approval of Senate Bill No. 2647 on its third and final reading last Feb. 3, the House of Representatives adopted the Upper Chamber’s version as an amendment to House Bill No. 8505.
Key provisions include allowing full ownership—and not just long-term leases—of properties for residential, mixed-use, institutional and industrial development at former military bases, such as the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, Camp John Hay, Bataan Export Processing Zone and Poro Point Freeport Zone.
It also seeks to extend the BCDA’s corporate term by another 50 years and to allocate a portion of the net proceeds from land sales to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Pension Fund.
