BY IRMA ISIP
[ Malaya.com.ph ] January 6, 2012
THE new leadership at the John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC) vowed to transform the former American recreation facility to an eco-tourism and techno-hub complex as well as a center for human resource development.
Jamie Eloise Agbayani, president and chief executive officer of JHMC, said the new management would undertake reforms that would transform Camp John Hay into the country’s premiere mountain tourism haven, promoting an investor-friendly business climate while preserving an ecologically balanced environment and respecting diverse cultures.
First among these reforms will be the renewed effort to collect the unpaid balance for the lease of land to Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJH-DevCo) amounting to P2.6 billion.
Equal efforts will also go to the other reforms that will commence early next year.
Among these are the implementation of the tourism and business development plan, which will develop Camp John Hay as an IT service export processing zone, an educational tourism zone, a sports and recreation center and an eco-cultural tourism zone; development of the unleased areas, and implementation of enhanced environmental preservation programs.
John Hay’s development also includes the establishment of a world-class educational center, eco-park, forest watershed, and other amenities of a well-thought out master plan.
The multi-sectoral Camp John Hay Advisory Council was recently formed to address issues concerning the future of Baguio and adjacent localities such as La Trinidad, Benguet, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba (BLIST) and Tublay.
Arnel Casanova, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said the council would focus on its goal of renewing the Cordilleras, bring back the greenery and restore the ecological balance in this region of flowers, crops and strawberries.
Casanova said the 19 conditionalities set by the government of Baguio City address social, environmental, and life quality issues.
Agbayani said John Hay’s new set of leaders would continue honoring their mandate to transform the former military camp into the top destination of choice and a haven for tourists and investors.
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