BAGUIO CITY — As the legal tussle over the lease of Camp John Hay continues, Baguio City officials are advocating for the municipality’s right to a 25 percent share of the annual lease revenues from the property, which was formerly a U.S. rest and recreation facility.
According to Philippines News Agency, the city is hopeful that it will soon begin receiving its portion of the lease payments, regardless of how the ongoing legal issues between the Bases Conversion and Development Corporation (BCDA) and the Sobrepena group's Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) are resolved. This optimism follows a Supreme Court decision on April 10, 2024, which ordered CJHDevCo to vacate the premises and return control to the BCDA, while also mandating BCDA to reimburse CJHDevCo PHP1.4 billion in paid rentals.
The BCDA, which manages former American military bases across the Philippines, including Camp John Hay, initially agreed in 1996 to share 25 percent of the lease income with the city as part of 19 conditions linked to the site’s development. “We are entitled to that share. We will continue negotiating with them to get our share,” stated Olowan, emphasizing the city's determination to secure its legally stipulated revenue.
Councilor Elmer Datuin mentioned that the city could consider filing a motion for reconsideration to reaffirm its entitlement as negotiations progress. He highlighted the importance of the 25 percent share agreement, which was also a condition for the environmental compliance certificate necessary for development activities at the site.
Datuin also indicated that with the potential resolution of the BCDA and CJHDevCo dispute, it is crucial for the city to assert its claim to past and future lease payments, especially now that the site includes developed facilities such as hotels and a golf course. The city’s stake in these revenues has previously facilitated significant municipal projects, including the acquisition of the Baguio Convention Center.