Baguio City is pushing back, demanding that the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) return control of Camp John Hay and pay what it owes under long-standing agreements.
City officials say BCDA has failed to honor 19 conditions set when the property was leased decades ago — one of which guarantees Baguio a 25% share of the annual rental income. These terms, city leaders argue, haven’t been fully respected, even as BCDA recently regained control of the property.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong wants a smooth transition of management, but he also insists on strict accounting: Baguio must be paid past rentals and assured of its rightful share going forward. Meanwhile, the city council has passed a resolution demanding BCDA settle a ₱225-million debt tied to those historic conditions.
On its part, BCDA says the takeover of Camp John Hay was conducted peacefully, with cooperation from local authorities. They’ve also started offering new 25-year lease contracts to existing tenants and are reviewing the area’s long-term development plan.