
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Imagine Camp John Hay as it once was — a serene retreat steeped in pine-scented nostalgia. Now, imagine it evolving into a vibrant ecotourism and investment hub, blending its history with bold new developments poised to attract P10 billion in investments.
The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is hoping to turn this vision a reality, following its historic recovery of the 247-hectare property from the Robert Sobrepeña-led CJH Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) after a landmark Supreme Court decision.
BCDA is now mapping out a redevelopment master plan for the John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ), aiming to blend premier ecotourism with local economic empowerment.
“Big things are coming after our successful recovery of Camp John Hay,” said BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang. “We aim to replicate our successes in Bonifacio Global City and Clark by creating infrastructure that empowers the local community and attracts high-impact investments while preserving Baguio’s natural and cultural heritage.”
BCDA plans to develop 70 hectares of untapped land within the former US military base through joint ventures, alongside revitalizing the Mile Hi Center to enhance retail and dining options.
Public infrastructure will also get a major boost with improved roads, jogging trails, solar streetlights, and a smart transport system.
Forested areas and open spaces, hailed as the city’s “last frontier,” will be preserved to maintain the camp’s natural charm.
BCDA is also actively engaging with existing lessees to negotiate fresh contracts, acknowledging their contributions to Camp John Hay’s growth. “We are creating a roadmap where businesses of all sizes can thrive while ensuring the community benefits from the opportunities we create,” Bingcang added.
Major players have already started staking their claim in Camp John Hay’s bright future. Landco Pacific Corporation, led by the Pangilinan group, has taken interim management of The Manor, The Forest Lodge, and the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.
Meanwhile, Golfplus Management Incorporated and DuckWorld PH have teamed up to oversee the golf course’s operations during the transition.
Stern Real Estate and Development Corporation, operator of Le Monet Hotel and the Filling Station, signed a landmark deal with BCDA to continue running its 2,000-square-meter property, with plans for further development.
BCDA has also drawn in small- and medium-scale enterprises. Amare La Cucina, Baguio’s celebrated homegrown pizza chain, leased a 1,500-square-meter lot, while specialty café Top Taste and Trading Incorporated signed for 800 square meters.
Adding to this wave of confidence, Metro Pacific Investment Corporation Director Victorico “Ricky” Vargas inked a fresh 25-year residential lease for two Forest Cabin units, setting the tone for more long-term agreements.
The BCDA’s vision for Camp John Hay builds on the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling, which reinstated a 2015 arbitral decision voiding CJHDevCo’s lease and mandating the property’s turnover to the government.
Since the January 6, 2025 transition, the camp’s new management has been working to ensure a smooth changeover while elevating services for visitors and stakeholders.
Landco, DOT-CAR align vision
Meantime, the buzz about star ratings and Camp John Hay’s iconic hotels just got a lot more interesting.
At a meeting with the Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR), the interim management for several Camp John Hay rest-and-recreation facilities took time to explain their plans for The Manor and The Forest Lodge, assuring stakeholders that these beloved establishments are on the path to even greater success.
The meeting, attended by Landco Pacific Corporation general manager Patrick “Pató” Gregorio, DOT-CAR Regional Director Jovita Ganongan and key tourism officials, focused on aligning the hotels’ star-rating application process with the ongoing management transition.
Gregorio, who now oversees operations at The Manor and The Forest Lodge, expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with the DOT on future initiatives.
“We will continue to meet and work together on the star application, taking into consideration the transition period as well as the plans of the interim management to improve the facilities,” Gregorio said. “The Manor, The Forest Lodge, and the John Hay Convention Center are also looking into collaborations with the regional DOT office to boost tourism.”
DOT Regional Director Ganonga the importance of open communication between the new management and the tourism agency.
“We are happy that the new management has established open lines of communication with the Department of Tourism (DOT). They have assured us their commitment to providing excellent services to their guests will continue,” Ganongan said. “As DOT-accredited establishments, we appreciate being informed about new and upcoming developments for their facilities.”
Ganongan expressed optimism about the direction of the partnership, stating, “We look forward to further collaborations in the tourism sector as we pursue our shared vision of making tourism more vibrant than ever. The DOT will continuously monitor as they go about their transition process.”
The meeting comes amid recent discussions about The Manor’s star-rating status. While former Camp John Hay general manager Ramon Cabrera announced in December 2024 that The Manor was poised to receive a coveted 5-star rating, the DOT clarified that the audit conducted in November had not yet yielded a final decision.
Interim management addressed these concerns by ensuring full transparency and a commitment to working closely with DOT standards and regulations moving forward.
The meeting ended on a forward-looking note, with Gregorio pledging Landco’s support for DOT-CAR’s 2025 projects aimed at promoting Baguio City and Camp John Hay as premier tourist destinations. – Rappler.com
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