THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Friday said it has granted the Supreme Court usufructuary rights to build a Hall of Justice in a 10,000-square-meter property at Camp John Hay in Baguio City.
Usufructuary rights give a person or an entity the legal authority to use, live in, or earn income from a property that belongs to someone else. It is a temporary arrangement to “use and enjoy“ an asset without owning it.
The 247-hectare Camp John Hay, a former US military recreational facility, was turned over in 1991 to the Philippine government which now owns and controls it through the BCDA.
The planned Hall of Justice will serve Baguio City and nearby areas in Northern Luzon to widen public access to judicial services.
For BCDA, the initiative shows how state property can be activated to strengthen governance and uphold the rule of law.
“This grant is a conscious act of trust between institutions committed to serving the Filipino people,” Bingcang said.
The project will establish a centralized, purpose-built judicial complex to improve court efficiency, reduce case congestion, and bring judicial services closer to communities outside Metro Manila.
Estoesta described it as a big step toward strengthening judicial presence and service delivery in the region, particularly in fast-growing urban centers. “[The BCDA’s] continued support and cooperation is essential to ensure that the use of government lands is lawful, responsible, and beneficial to the public,” she said.
It is part of BCDA’s efforts to align land use with long-term social benefits through partnerships with national agencies and local governments.
It likewise aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s broader agenda to expand access to justice, improve government service delivery, and ensure that public institutions work more efficiently and equitably for Filipinos, particularly in the regions.
