Ibaloy landholders problem BCDA transfer to title Camp John Hay lands

Camp John Hay sits on land traditionally claimed by Ibaloy households, the place land possession stays a contested difficulty to at the present time

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Indigenous Ibaloy landholders and ancestral area claimants have filed a proper opposition to the Bases Conversion and Growth Authority’s (BCDA) utility for a particular land patent over massive parts of Camp John Hay, saying the transfer overlaps with long-recognized ancestral territory and superior with out clear session.

In a decision dated October 1 and furnished to nationwide authorities companies on October 28, round 100 elders and households with ancestral land claims requested President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Division of Setting and Pure Sources (DENR), and the Nationwide Fee on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to halt additional processing of BCDA’s Particular Patent Software (SPA) till affected indigenous communities are consulted.

A replica of the decision was obtained by Rappler.

Scope of the patent

In keeping with the John Hay Administration Company’s (JHMC) 2023 and 2024 annual stories, the patent utility covers roughly 476 hectares divided into:

• Section I: about 258.76 hectares which JHMC characterizes as “with out ancestral land claims”
• Section II: areas which JHMC acknowledges contain ancestral land claims

The identical stories observe that parts of the SPA have been present process evaluation on the DENR-Cordillera Administrative Area (CAR) and the Land Administration Bureau (LMB), and should later require referral to the Workplace of the President for approval. A DENR-CAR certification dated September 12, 2025 confirms that BCDA resubmitted required paperwork to the Land Administration Bureau in April after compliance with extra necessities.

Nonetheless, the Workplace of the President has made no public announcement concerning the anticipated motion on the patent. The claimants say they had been knowledgeable by personnel from the DENR-CAR and LMB that approval might transfer ahead, prompting their submitting of the opposition.

Claimants: No session on implications of patent

The indigenous claimants assert that no session particular to the SPA’s affect on ancestral land boundaries was carried out with affected Ibaloy communities, the town authorities, or the NCIP.

Whereas JHMC has publicized images of neighborhood assemblies involving barangays and BCDA personnel, the decision states that the patent and its impact on ancestral claims weren’t listed amongst dialogue gadgets in these gatherings. Due to this, claimants argue that the conferences can’t be thought-about session or consent.

“The processing of this patent has been unilateral,” the decision states. “The affected Indigenous Peoples weren’t knowledgeable, not consulted, and never heard.”

The decision additionally cites language from JHMC publications describing ongoing efforts involving BCDA and the Workplace of the Solicitor Normal (OSG) on “cancellation of titles and reversion.” Claimants say this phrasing suggests a hostile posture towards ancestral land restoration efforts.

The JHMC’s 2024 report additionally notes that round 217.7382 hectares of the SPA stay “on maintain” pending the decision of circumstances involving land title reversion and cancellation. Claimants say the framing presents Indigenous claims as obstacles slightly than rights.

Dispute over the precise dimension of John Hay complicates boundaries

The decision additionally questions the authorized foundation for BCDA’s classification of which areas fall “with out ancestral land claims.”

Camp John Hay’s land space is just not persistently outlined in regulation:

• Republic Act 7227 lists the reservation at 570 hectares
• Baguio’s Revised Constitution (RA 11689) lists 625.41 hectares

Due to this discrepancy, the claimants argue that distinguishing Section I vs. Section II lacks a transparent foundation, making boundary conclusions doubtlessly inaccurate or arbitrary.

Current ancestral claims nonetheless pending

The NCIP has confirmed in numerous proceedings over time that a number of ancestral land claims inside John Hay stay in numerous phases of processing, together with some with authorized survey plans and favorable resolutions. Baguio’s solely acknowledged ancestral area title, protecting Barangay Pleased Hallow, can be positioned inside the John Hay reservation.

Claimants argue that issuing a particular patent whereas these claims stay unresolved would undermine Indigenous land rights and ongoing adjudication processes.

IP consultant: ‘Growth should not erase us’

Baguio Indigenous Peoples Obligatory Consultant (IPMR) Councilor Maximo Hilario Edwin Jr., who signed the decision, mentioned the neighborhood’s place is grounded on historic proof and the precept of native title, first affirmed within the 1909 Cariño v. Insular Authorities ruling involving Ibaloy ancestral land in what’s now Camp John Hay.

“Camp John Hay is the place the doctrine of native title was born,” Edwin mentioned to Rappler.

“We aren’t rejecting improvement. We’re asking for a good course of, one which acknowledges that the unique folks of those lands are nonetheless right here.”

Throughout a current Baguio Metropolis Council session, BCDA authorized representatives confirmed the SPA and acknowledged the overlap of claims, saying the company is open to additional talks with native stakeholders.

BCDA has not but issued a public assertion in response to the brand new decision, as of writing. – Rappler.com