City hopes end of 2 agencies row

Saturday, May 28, 2011

CAUGHT between two opposing forces, the City Government can only hope for the conflict between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) to end.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan fears the city will once again end up at the losing end if the CJHDevCo fails to pay its arrears by the deadline set during arbitrary talks.

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Arbitration is one of the methods of dispute settlement that both parties agreed to adhere to, following the signing of the restructured memorandum of agreement.

The CJHDevCo has until May 31 to pay P272,183,661.18.

Adjustments will also be implemented by the City Government.

Pending final resolution of whether business taxes need not be paid to the local government given Camp John Hay's classification as a special economic zone, the mayor announced the City Treasurer's Office will not be collecting business taxes in the meantime.

"Pending appeal, we will not be collecting but if the court rules that taxes should be collected then the City Government will," the mayor said.

The BCDA earlier accused the CJHDevCo of coming up with various alibis to justify its cancellation of payments. The CJHDevCo denied the allegation, saying it has basis to cancel payments.

Meanwhile, echoing his recent conference with BCDA chairperson Arnel Casanova and JHMC chief executive officer John Arenas, the mayor said he asked for the fast-tracking of segregation of 13 barangays under the Camp John Hay reservation.

The mayor said segregation has been delayed for so long, and some projects for the community have also been put on hold.

Construction of an elementary school in Country Club Village for instance has been delayed for many years and it was only last Wednesday when JHMC officials and City Council committee on education chairperson Councilor Peter Fianza announced the BCDA has agreed to the construction of a school in the barangay.

Country Club Village is one of the 13 barangays supposed to be segregated from the CJH reservation.