The Bases Conversion and Development Authority is pushing a multibillion-peso redevelopment of Camp John Hay in Baguio City, opening the former American rest and recreation base to private investors less than two years after government took full control of the property.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua Bingcang announced the plans to reporters in Baguio City, according to GMA Network. The agency intends to bid out long-term operations and maintenance contracts for the John Hay Golf course and two major hotels before the end of the year.
What BCDA plans to bid out at Camp John Hay
The golf course contract comes with a condition: the winning investor must spend at least P500 million on improvement works, not just day-to-day operations.
Not just O&M, but we will also require at least P500 million of improving, so the investor has to shell out at least P500 million of improvement works for the golf course.
The 5,517-yard course currently operates under Golfplus Management Inc. and DuckWorld Philippines, with conference rooms, a veranda, and locker rooms fitted with a jacuzzi and sauna. The two hotels, the Garden Wing formerly known as The Manor and the Forest Wing formerly The Forest Lodge, are managed by Landco Lifestyle Ventures, a subsidiary of Landco Pacific Corp. Those management deals were among the first signed after BCDA took control in January 2025.
Bingcang said the hotel bids should draw serious capital.
We foresee at least P1 billion capex investment, additional hotel rooms in that area. So you'll see and refurbishing of the facility. And also in our next board, we're gonna also invest on the water supply.
Water, parking, and transport fixes for the mountain camp
Anyone who has stayed in Camp John Hay knows the weak water pressure. BCDA plans to fix it, adding 700 cubic meters per day of capacity at a cost of P80 million.
We'll be bringing on more capacity by coming up with the water system of increasing the water supply by 700 cubic meters per day, amounting to P80 million. Kasi problema 'yung pressure ng tubig sa loob ng John Hay.
The agency is also spending P150 million on a steel parking facility inside the camp, initially two stories with room to expand to four levels. Visitors will move around on an electric vehicle shuttle service looping through designated stations. The service ran a six-month trial starting July 2025 and is set to resume before the holiday season.
The Philippine News Agency reported that BCDA also wants to extend loop transportation beyond the camp, with bidding already finished for a bus loop connecting Camp John Hay to SM Baguio and an award expected within the month.
Meralco's P1.5-billion power proposal
On energy, Bingcang said Manila Electric Co. submitted a P1.5-billion unsolicited proposal to improve power supply by burying overhead utility cables underground.
We hope to conclude the negotiations within the year, and it will be subjected to a Swiss challenge.
The Manila Times