Government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) aims to bid out and award the first phase of the Clark Green City (CGC) development this quarter.
BCDA President Arnel Paciano Casanova told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Infrastructure Seminar that the terms of reference (TOR) of the contract will be published on February 26.
The TOR will include a requirement for a bidder to make a minimum P500-million-worth up-front payment to the BCDA to secure the contract.
“We’ve published the invitation to bid already for Clark Green City. That’s the contract we aim to sign in the first quarter,” Casanova said.
The BCDA issued an invitation to bid to companies that want to be its equity partner in developing the first phase of CGC on Thursday last week.
Under a joint-venture public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, the BCDA will own 45 percent of the development and the remaining share of 55 percent will be granted to the winning bidder.
Alongside efforts to look for a joint-venture partner for the first phase of Clark Green City, the BCDA is also looking for partners for the Clark Rail Transit System linking CGC to Malolos, Bulacan.
Casanova said they are in the process of conducting exploratory talks with rail operators like Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR).
Building the 55-kilometer Clark Rail Transit System will connect CGC to the government’s North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR).
This is part of the aim of the BCDA to encourage sustainable modes of transportation in CGC.
“CGC will give least priority to individual car usage and encourage mass transit and biking as alternative modes of transportation,” Casanova said in his presentation on Monday.
Alternative-transport solutions are just among the few features of CGC that sets it apart from other business districts in the country.
Casanova said the development has already attracted several developers to build various industrial, residential, commercial and institutional projects in the 9,450-hectare smart city.
He said some of the developers who have expressed formal interest to undertake projects in the new business district include Robinsons Land and Century Properties.
The BCDA envisions CGC to be a destination where nature, lifestyle, business, education and industry converge into a global city, based on principles of sustainability.
The government aims to develop the new metropolis into a city that protects and enhances the delicate balance between nature and built environment.
Transition
THE BCDA also assured there were will be no business disruptions inside Camp John Hay, as it takes over the management from Sobrepeña’s CJH Development Corp. (CJHDevCo).
In a news statement, the BCDA said it is now dealing with utility- service providers in Camp John Hay, and is also in talks with locators for the smooth transition of management of the said property.
The BCDA will be taking over Camp John Hay after the Arbitral Tribunal had a unanimous vote for CJHDevCo to vacate the former US military base and turnover all facilities and developments in good and tenantable condition to the government.
“We have been talking to Beneco [Benguet Electric Cooperative] and other utility service providers to ensure that there will be no disruption [in business],” John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) vice president and COO lawyer Michelle Regala-Niebres said.
BCDA Head of Legal Services lawyer Peter Paul Andrew Flores said that the BCDA has mapped out options for Camp John Hay locators. He, however, declined to give further details until the options are finalized.
The BCDA stressed that the government has no plans of shutting down businesses inside Camp John Hay, saying it has also asked locators to coordinate with the BCDA to assess their relation with CJHDevCo for orderly transition.
“The BCDA asked investors to provide them a record of their lease contracts with CJH Development Corp. so that the state-run firm can start an inventory and determine how to proceed. While CJHDevCo’s original agreement was only for a 25-year lease, it had sold 50-year leases to its investors,” the BCDA said.
(With PNA)
10 comments
For sure, Baguio City government leaders and citizens are very much disappointed with Arbitration Tribunal decision and so much now that the two sides are gearing
for another legal war. The legal battle gave much troubled to their place. The betterment lies with the management of CJH for the revenues and employment they received.
The CJHDevCo had publicly announced and assured the tenants about their present
position while working on the legal aspects of the award. The public statement of CJHDevCo to the media gave them the safety net whatever BCDA will do in the coming days.
The Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc., (PDRCI) ordered the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to pay P1.42 Billion to Camp John Hay Developer, CJH Development Corporation (CJHDEVCO) representing rental payments made by CJHDEVCO to BCDA since 1996. But what happened was both sides had still battling their reasons to be implemented.
It’s very
interesting to know that this legal drama can now have positive impact to the
people and leaders of Baguio City. The
claiming of Camp John Hay by the BCDA was their ultimate desire starting when
CJHDevCo failed to pay the rent. Their squabbles continued as BCDA was making
Bob Sobrepena the underdog of the case.It’s really known to many how Arnel
Casanova filed an estafa case against Bob Sobrepena but the Pasay Court found
him cleaned with his transactions to BCDA.
What are the rights of the investors when both sides deemed pronounced their capabilities for this case? What will happen if BCDA and CJHDevCo are not equally right for their true intentions of the Camp John Hay? Sad to hear about this legal battle that never been given a chance to produce best result. Both sides never had the inkling to cooperate for the betterment of our nation, but creates bad example to the new generation.
In the long run, the BCDA ensure the investors that proper endorsement and inventories will be given priority for them. The plan is within the 90-day period wherein stakeholders must coordinate with BCDA as the new managing authority in the camp. The rights and interests of sub-lessees and sub-locators in Camp John Hay will continue to- be respected and protected. The BCDA consented to all sub-leases within the camp when it expressly gave, in the lease agreement itself.
The CJHDevCo had prayed to the Arbitral Panel that the lease contract with BCDA be reformed to reflect a reduced developable footprint and if this were not possible, then a rescission of the lease contract with damages paid to us, instead.Of course, this is another setback for BCDA to fulfill after the payment of 1.42B pesos. But things will place in order for sure.
People are hoping that the transition of BCDA and CJHDevCo gives positive account for all. But as the BCDA pursue the arrears of CJHDevCo, things will change to a more forceful action. Sad to say, BCDA had done negative action against CJHDevCo, before and until now.
BCDA’s action to ask the investors to provide the records of their lease contracts to CJHDevCo. This action from BCDA has meaning to their plans in the future. So that they know where each stakeholder can start under the BCDA’s new management. But CJHDevCo promised the investors that they will be protected and respected.
What are the rights of the investors when both sides deemed pronounced their capabilities for this case? What will happen if BCDA and CJHDevCo are not equally right for their true intentions of the Camp John Hay? Sad to hear about this legal battle that never been given a chance to produce best result. Both sides never had the inkling to cooperate for the betterment of our nation, but creates bad example to the new generation.