The United States Monday turned over to the Philippines this northern recreational facility, which had been one of the oldest U.S. military bases abroad.
U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Platt presented a symbolic key to Camp John Hay to Tourism Secretary Rafael Alunan, ending 88 years of U.S. control over the facility.Alunan said the 560-acre pine-covered forest reservation in the cool mountain resort city of Baguio will be converted into a world-class resort earning $6 billion a year.
The return of John Hay, which is 125 miles north of Manila, and three other smaller facilities was agreed to last year during talks between Manila and Washington on the future of Clark Air Base and Subic Bay naval base.
The talks have bogged down over the issue of how much the United States should pay and how long the Americans can keep the bases.