Baguio to sue BCDA over Camp John Hay issues

BAGUIO CITY — Former congressman and mayor Mauricio G. Domogan has expressed full support for the local government’s plan to file a case against the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) over alleged failures to comply with conditions governing the 247-hectare John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ).

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong earlier announced that the city will pursue legal action due to BCDA’s noncompliance with several commitments under Resolution No. 362, series of 1994, which set 19 conditions for the development of the former American military base.

Domogan urged city officials to anchor their case on Condition No. 16, which requires BCDA to transfer ownership of land and improvements within the zone to the city upon the expiration of the lease agreement with its developer.

He noted that the Supreme Court had already ruled on the termination of the BCDA–Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) lease, making the condition enforceable.

He added that while BCDA complied with some conditions during the lease period, Condition No. 14 on segregating 14 barangays within the reservation and Condition No. 16 on land turnover remain unfulfilled.

The city government, however, plans to file a case focused on financial provisions—Condition No. 9, which requires an equitable sharing scheme granting the city a portion of gross income from zone operations, and Condition No. 10, which mandates BCDA to allocate 25% of John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation’s lease rentals or 30% of net income for local development projects.

Domogan said he will work with the city’s legal team to build what he described as an airtight case compelling BCDA to comply with the conditionalities and turn over the zone to the city.