Sobrepeña eyes 2 sites in Baguio

CAMP John Hay Development Corporation is eyeing two new sites in the City for new development projects.

Bob Sobrepeña in a press conference said despite the legal battles the company is facing against the Bases Conversion Development Authority, possible prospects within the city remain plausible.

The CJHDevCo chair said the two areas eyed are privately owned, veering away from government deals as they await the final court decision on the Camp John Hay issue.

Sobrepena added the company is grateful for the efforts of then Congressman and now City Mayor Mauricio Domogan citing the efforts to return the SEZ privileges of the entire camp years ago as well as the issuance of permits when the BCDA refused to release them to the company.

Sobrepena said the company suffered because BCDA has refused to issue operation permit with the Forest Lodge opening and development dragging for nine years and only opened in September 2013.

CJHDevCo executive vice president Alfredo Yñiguez III said the faith in the city government of Baguio has not wavered saying the local government has been supportive of their cause from the beginning.

Yñiguez said the developments eyed in the two new areas will be similar to that of Camp John Hay area where there is rest and recreation facilities.

“We have maintained the Manor as a world class hotel and we intend to continue,” Yñiguez added.

Both executives declined to release information on the present deals being negotiated saying there is a non disclosure policy in the proceedings of the business deals as of press time.

Today, the private developer is waiting for BCDA’s payment of P1.4 billion in cash before it vacates the property.

The ruling stemmed from the previous Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc.(PDRCI) decision urging CJHDevCo to vacate the leased areas and the BCDA to pay the billions as reimbursement for rental payments of the developer.

The decision of the PDRCI is now being contested and brought to appeal to the courts.