BAGUIO CITY – The State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) tapped two prestigious companies to temporarily manage the hotels and golf club in the 247-hectare John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ) following its takeover of the facilities.
The Manny V. Pangilinan-led Landco Pacific Corp. has assumed interim management of the Camp John Hay and its facilities, committing to a people-first approach during the transition process.
On the other hand, BCDA awarded the interim management of the CJH Golf Club to Golfplus Management, Inc., which currently operates the driving ranges of the Nuvali and Alviera estates and of sports management and marketing agency DuckWorld PH.
This move was an offshoot of the October 22, 2024 ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) ruling which upheld BCDA’s recovery of 247 hectares of the John Hay Special Economic Zone and reinstated a 2015 decision of the city’s Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 6 that upheld the resolution of the Makati-based Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) ordering the former developer, Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJH DevCo), to return to the BCDA the leased area without encumbrance as far as practicable and for the State corporation to reimburse to BCDA the PhP1.4 billion in accumulated rentals paid by the firm through the years.
Earlier, the court’s sheriff formally served a notice to vacate to CJH Development Corporation (CJH DevCo) on January 6, 2025, facilitating the handover of operations to Landco. This includes the management of key facilities such as The Manor, Forest Lodge and the CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center.
However, part of the court order was for the sheriff to facilitate the payment to CJH DevCo of the prescribed reimbursement pursuant to the arbitral ruling.
This transition is part of Landco’s commitment to assist the BCDA in facilitating the transition of the properties to a new private partner.
Landco will manage these properties for an initial period of one year, extendable by two years, to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption to services.
The properties will eventually be awarded for long-term lease and management arrangements when ready.
Pangilinan, chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., expressed confidence in the project’s success. “We are happy to assist the BCDA in this interim transition. Camp John Hay must realize its potential as a special economic zone. This is a significant first step.”
“We have assembled a highly capable team to make sure that these legacy properties are protected and enhanced as cornerstones of Baguio history and tourism,” Pangilinan emphasized. “Staff and guests need not worry.”
Patrick C. Gregorio, Head of Landco Lifestyle Ventures, is leading the interim task force for the management transition.
“Our guiding principle in this transition is ‘people first’: continuity of operations for guests and patrons, job retention for the staff, and due process for any arising concerns. These are extraordinary circumstances, but I am confident people will see our sincerity and best intentions.”
Landco’s involvement in the interim management of Camp John Hay is a crucial step toward ensuring that the historical and tourism value of these properties is preserved during the transition to a new long-term partner.
“We know the CJH golf course is a crowd favorite in the golf community. New and former players will continue to enjoy premium services at the estate facilities during the interim period,” BCDA Vice-President Mark P. Torres said.
The golf estate facilities, which were formerly handled by CJH Development Corp. subsidiary CJH Golf Club, Inc., have been recovered by the BCDA.
“We will be introducing improvements and evaluating systems and protocols to provide appropriate recommendations when the estate is ready to be turned over to a long-term private partner,” Golfplus President and Interim Management Head Eduardo P. Arguelles said.
“We want to assure clients and stakeholders that we will be updating everyone regularly to guide them during the transition,” he added.
“The new management will make sure services continue and workers and caddies are cared for,” John Hay Management Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer Marlo Quadra said.
“We look forward to upholding the prestige of the golf estate and quality of service for players and guests,” he added.
Last Thursday, the golf club reopened under the new interim management that marked a significant change in one of the country’s prestigious courses.
Torres will serve as the interim general manager of the golf club following the formal takeover that was made over the facility. By Dexter A. See