BCDA chief warns public not to pay ‘ousted’ lessee for John Hay services

Baguio City council meet with CJH execs set July 8

By Melody Brawner and Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) warned the public that it will not honor any payments made to the Sobrepeña-led Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo), its subsidiaries and affiliates for advance bookings and reservations in Camp John Hay urging the public to demand a refund.

“It has come to our attention that customers may have paid CJHDevCo, its subsidiaries and affiliates advance payments for reservations and booking up to the year 2016 in The Manor Hotel, Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay Gold Club and other facilities. BCDA president and chief executive officer ArnelPaciano D. Casanova said.

He said the BCDA will not honor advance payments made to CJHDevCo, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

Casanova said at present, CJHDevCo has no authority to operate in Camp John Hay because there is no longer an existing contract between BCDA and CJHDevCo and that CJHDevCo has not been issued a permit by the John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC).

Casanova said based on writ of execution issued by the court, it will only be a matter of time before the BCDA takes full possession of CJHDevCo’s leased premises and properties.

The confirmation of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 6 of Baguio on the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) arbitral tribunal’s final award that orders CJHDevCo to vacate leased premises and promptly deliver the leased property to BCDA, inclusive of all new constructions and permanent improvements introduced during the term of the lease, is final and executory.

Casanova said what BCDA does not want to happen is for those who have paid CJHDevCo in advance, be left hanging because they paid an entity which does not have any legal basis or authority to fulfill its obligation to the customer.

“Imagine paying CHJHDevCo in advance for a wedding reception in 2016 only to find out that it is BCDA who is operating the hotel by that time. Definitely, BCDA cannot honor the contract the customer made with CJHDevCo,” Casanova said.

He said those who already paid in advance are advised to protect their investment and demand for a refund.

For inquiries or intention to book a reservation in Camp John Hay, the public is advised to get in touch with:

John Hay Management Corp in Baguio at (+6374) 423-5403, (+6374) 422-1963, Mobile No.: +639285018717,email at helpdesk@jhmc.com.ph.

The BCDA Manila office could also be contacted at Mobile No.: +639773483025 or email at johnhay@bcda.gov.ph

This, as the city council and BCDA officials will meet July 10 at 9-11 a.m. at Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall.

The body set the meeting as a special session after getting confirmation from Casanova of his attendance.

The meeting will be devoted to issues concerning Camp John Hay with special focus on 19 conditions set by the city in relation to the development of the former military reservation as per Resolution Numbered 362, series of 1994.

The councilors earlier sought a dialogue with Casanova and JHMC president and chief executive officer Jamie Eloise Agbayani but they were not available.

Councilors said issues will be clarified and problems will be resolved during the metting.

The talk is expected to center on the implications of the court order rescinding the lease agreement between the BCDA and the Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo).

Mayor Mauricio Domogan earlier said despite rescission of the agreement, BCDA must still honor 19 conditions set by the city government, being a bilateral accord between the city government and BCDA.

The aldermen are also expected to query on crucial issues including the segregation of the 13 barangays from the reservation, provision of its own water source and the city’s share from the lease rentals.

The city earlier complained against the BCDA’s refusal to allow locators to secure building and business permits from the city government, failure to provide an independent water source, segregate the 13 barangays from the reservation and remit the city’s shares from the lease rentals.