BCDA ‘segregating’13 Camp John Hay b’gays

BAGUIO CITY – Despite threats from the city government of being sued,  the state-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said segregation of remaining 13 barangays in the John Hay Reservation Area (JHRA) is ongoing and being implemented consistent with its charter under Republic 7227.

BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova bared this amidst threats from Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan to file a case for specific performance against BCDA for breach of “conditionalities” set under Resolution No. 362, series of 1994.

The conditions were set by the city government for management of the former American military rest and recreation camp after this was turned over by the American government to the Philippines.

“Rather than criticize the BCDA,” Casanova urged the city mayor “to  support the BCDA in its bid to collect public funds amounting to some P3.4 billion in rental arrears from delinquent lessee Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevco),  in which the City of Baguio stands to receive 25 percent or P850 million.” 

Domogan earlier reacted to an advertisement published in a local paper by the BCDA airing the same allegations.

The mayor’s responses, along with Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr., saying among others that the BCDA did not remit rentals of Camp John Hay to the city government, establishments inside CJH were not paying business taxes to the city on instigation of BCDA officials, water supply of barangays within and near John Hay were in danger of being taken over by the BCDA as the latter applied with the National Water Resources Board for water rights, BCDA was segregating barangays without consulting the city government, among others. 

In a press statement Friday, Casanova said, “BCDA is currently undertaking segregation of the remaining 13 barangays, by parcel, and the mayor should concentrate on collecting what is due to Baguio City from the Sobrepena-led CJHDevCo.”

He said  that P850 million due to Baguio City can be used for various infrastructure and social services programs and projects such as the construction of  31  3-storey, 9-classroom buildings at P27 million each or more than one million  doses of measles vaccine or the upgrading of  hospital equipment  that will benefit the entire Baguio City community.  

“Baguio City can help solve its garbage problem with their P850 million share,” Casanova added.

Casanova assured the Baguio community that BCDA is sincere in its efforts to segregate the parcels of land to qualified beneficiaries, which include Country Club Village, Upper Dagsian, Lower Dagsian, Sta. Escolastica, Hillside, Happy Hollow, Green Water, LoakanApugan, Loakan Proper, Camp 7, LoakanLiwanang, Lucnab and Outlook Drive.

 “We also call on the local government to focus its efforts in curbing professional squatting in these barangays to protect the legitimate beneficiaries against corrupt individuals who are exploiting and engaging in professional squatting,” Casanova said.

The BCDA chief executive said the government agency is “taking the fastest way legally possible for the qualified beneficiaries to get their titles.”

He said only a presidential proclamation can finalize the segregation process, which serves as the basis of awarding the land to qualified beneficiaries.

 An inter-agency technical working group for barangay segregation composed of BCDA, JHMC, Baguio City government, National Commission on Indigenous People, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Housing Authority, and the Barangay Chairmen of the 13 affected barangay has completed the relocation and structural survey and utility survey of all 13 barangays.

The surveys allowed BCDA and John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) —its management arm in the JHSEZ and JHRA—to establish the metes and bounds of each barangay due for segregation.

Casanova said despite the challenges, BCDA and JHMC were able to finish the survey in view of complying with its mandate under RA 7227.

To date, Barangay Scout Barrio has already been segregated and awarded to qualified residents in 2005.