Baguio City’s Mayor Benjamin Magalong has expressed the local government’s desire for a smooth transition in the management of Camp John Hay’s leased area, following a Supreme Court decision that transferred control from Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in October 2024. The mayor has been communicating with key figures from BCDA and CJHDevCo to ensure a cooperative approach.
The city is particularly focused on securing its rightful share from the property, as stipulated by 19 conditions set when the national government leased the former U.S. military rest and recreation facility in the 1990s. Among these conditions, the city’s share from lease rentals, which is reportedly around a billion pesos, remains a contentious issue.
Magalong reassured the workforce at Camp John Hay that their jobs are secure, with only the general managers of key facilities like The Manor, Forest Lodge, Golf Club House, and Cap Convention being affected by the transition.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda emphasized the importance of respecting the Supreme Court’s decision while ensuring the protection of all rights and the continuity of employment for workers.
LandCo Pacific, a real estate developer, has stepped in to manage The Manor and Forest Lodge temporarily, as well as the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center. This interim management is aimed at facilitating a smooth transition to a new long-term lease management arrangement. LandCo Pacific has committed to preserving and enhancing these historic properties, ensuring that staff and guests remain unaffected during this period.