BCDA, Baguio gov’t push CJH lessee: Pay P3M debt

By Melody Brawner

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan and the  city council gave their support to the state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiary, the John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC), to collect the P3 billion debt of the Camp John Hay Development Corp/ (CJHDevco) to national government.
           

“We are one in collecting the P3 billion,” Domogan said. 

           

Domogan and the city council gave this assurance after a briefing by BCDA president and chief executive ArnelPaciano Casanova and JHMC president Jamie Eloise Agbayani on the status of the Camp John Hay lease agreement.
           

Present during the meeting were Domogan, Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas, councilor Nicasio M. Aliping Jr.,  Fred L. Bagbagen, Erdolfo Balajadia, Edison R. Bilog,  Richard Cariño, Isabelo Cosalan, Elmer Datuin, Peter C. Fianza, Nicasio Palaganas, and Philian Louise C. Weygan-Allan.
           

During the briefing, Casanova and Agbayani  informed city officials that CJHDevco has piled up its debt to P3 billion.

           

BCDA earlier terminated the lease agreement with CJHDevco due to waht it called material and incurable breaches.  
           

The city government stands to receive 25% or P750 million from the P3 billion financial obligation of CJHDevco to the national government.  

           

Baguio’s share of P750 million will go a long way in funding its priority development programs and projects.

Casanova said Baguio will benefit from the collection of this debt. “Camp John Hay is a catalyst that can spur economic growth not only in Baguio, but the rest of the Cordillera region,” Casanova said.
           

He added the P750 million that the Baguio City will receive could be used for several development priority projects of this mountain city.

These include the rehabilitation of the Irisan dumpsite, flood control systems, and sustainable development initiatives for the region.
           

Casanova presented to the mayor and the city council the achievements of its subsidiary, the John Hay Management Corporation and its contribution to the city government of Baguio.
           

Long-time Baguio resident Agbayani said “the effort to collect from the delinquent lessee is part of the initiative of the national government to bring in the much needed development funds for the Cordilleras.”
           

“Baguio City and the entire country are at the losing end of this impasse,” Casanova said.  “As public servants, it is our duty to make sure that government gets what is justly due, because the payments are meant for projects that will benefit no less than the Filipino people.”