Camp John Hay: Not Estrada’s cabin

This is Camp John Hay Development Co.’s official statement on the PCIJ report:

VOA Loghouse Unit No. 1 is owned by the CJHDEVCO. In fact, it is referred to as the "CJH Corporate House" or "CJH Unit" which the board of the corporation has identified to be the official unit for the exclusive use of CJHDEVCO Board of Directors and their official guests. This very unit also serves as a model house for prospective investors/lessees. To date, the unit is still undergoing construction work.

There is absolutely no truth to allegations that the unit is a gift by the developer to President Estrada. At no instance too has the President stayed in the unit. So far the unit has only been inspected by the CJHDEVCO chairman and some board members. No one has ever occupied the unit for the reason that construction work is ongoing and no permanent power and water connections have been installed.

Other units that are being constructed in the VOA area are up for lease to interested parties under agreements consistent with the lease agreement dated Oct. 19, 1996 entered into by CJHDEVCO and the Bases Conversion Development Authority.

Since the issuance of the ECC (environmental clearance certificate) for the Camp John Hay Development Project, CJHDEVCO has entered into transactions for the following components: 1,500 membership shares for the Camp John Hay Golf Club; 140 for the condotels; and, 40 for the single detached residential units which include the VOA Loghomes.

In all of these dealings, CJHDEVCO has consistently maintained the privacy of the private individuals or entities which have entered into contract with CJHDEVCO, a private company. CJHDEVCO will continue to maintain this commitment.

There is also absolutely no truth to the allegation that VOA has been declared a protected forest. VOA has never been declared a protected forest by the DENR and Camp John Hay is not covered under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act.

All development in VOA is in accordance and in strict compliance with the Environment Compliance Certificate issued by the DENR, all building regulations and the conditions of the Baguio City Council Resolution No. 250, s. of 2000 favorably endorsing the site development plan for VOA.

From the start and for the duration of the lease, the Camp John Hay Development Project (VOA development included) is strictly monitored by a Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT) composed of representatives from various sectors such as indigenous people, women, senior citizens, youth, and the DENR.