BCDA backs plan to grant land ownership in CJH barangays

BAGUIO CITY — Thousands of residents living within the Camp John Hay (CJH) reservation may soon gain the opportunity to own the land they occupy, following a policy shift by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Rep. Mauricio Domogan said.

Domogan said BCDA officials, led by President and CEO Joshua Bingkang, have agreed in principle to the segregation of 13 barangays within the 600-hectare Camp John Hay reservation.

The move is seen as a key step toward awarding homelots to qualified occupants.

The development emerged during a public hearing of the House Special Committee on Bases Conversion and Development, where Domogan serves as vice chairperson.

The proposed segregation is also framed as part of BCDA’s compliance with conditions set by the Baguio City government in 1994 for the redevelopment of the former American military base.

Domogan earlier filed House Bill 6437, which seeks to declare the identified barangays as alienable and disposable lands. This would open the areas for distribution to qualified applicants under existing laws, including Republic Act 730 and Republic Act 10023.

The barangays covered by the proposal include Hillside, Camp 7, Country Club Village, Greenwater Village, Happy Hallow, Loakan Apugan, Loakan Liwanag, Loakan Proper, Upper Dagsian, Lower Dagsian, Lucnab, Santa Escolastica and Scout Barrio.

The lawmaker said BCDA officials also committed to engage city officials in discussions to update the CJH master development plan and address longstanding concerns related to land use, governance and future developments.

Among the issues expected to be tackled is a pending measure in Congress that would allow BCDA to sell up to 10 percent of its landholdings to private developers.

Domogan said coordination with the local government is essential to determine which areas in CJH may be covered if the measure is enacted.

He added that BCDA is expected to formally communicate with the city government to schedule a series of consultations aimed at aligning policies and ensuring sustainable development within the reservation.

Under a 1994 city resolution, BCDA was required to segregate barangays within Camp John Hay and facilitate the distribution of land to qualified occupants. While one barangay has already been segregated in previous years, several areas remain pending under the requirement.

Officials have yet to release a definitive timeline for the implementation of the proposed segregation and land distribution.