AN ally of the Aquino administration in the House of Representatives has called for an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) of Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
Liberal Party (LP) Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City, in House Resolution 1936, urged the Special Committees on Bases Development and on National Defense, headed by Party-list Rep. Cinchona Cruz-Gonzales of Cibac and LP Rep. Rodolfo Biazon of Muntinlupa, to investigate, in aid of legislation, the reported lapses on the part of the BCDA, which had resulted in breaches in the agreement the agency entered into with Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo).
In his resolution, Castelo said the BCDA entered into a memorandum of agreement with CJHDevCo for the latter to lease and develop Camp John Hay facilities to make it a leading ecotourism destination in Northern Luzon.
“CJHDevCo embarked on various developments, such as the construction of 90 completed projects, including, among the most prominent, the Camp John Hay Manor Hotel, Golf Clubhouse, CAP Convention Center, luxury log homes and forest cabins, a new main gate, a filling station of the Eco-Village, and two buildings of the Ayala Technohub,” he said.
The lawmaker said CJHDevCo was able to attract investors and locators to Camp John Hay with 15 existing projects that are being developed, “however, these were delayed due to the slow processing by the BCDA of the much-needed or required permits and licenses.”
Castelo also said the BCDA failed to deliver its commitment to create a One-Stop Action Center (Osac) to expedite the issuance of the licenses and permits needed by CJHDevCo and its locators.
Meanwhile, in a recent privilege speech, Party-list Rep. Jonathan de la Cruz of Abakada assailed BCDA President Arnel Casanova for allegedly mishandling the development of Camp John Hay.
De la Cruz said the questionable actions of Casanova had a “deleterious” effect on the Armed Forces Modernization Program, which gets 50 percent of the BCDA’s lease revenues under existing laws.
The Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. has earlier ordered the BCDA to return P1.42 billion in rentals paid by CJHDevCo, headed by businessman Robert Sobrepeña, for the rescission of its 1996 original lease agreement for the property in Baguio City.
Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz