BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) declared that the camp remains safe for visitors claiming that the January 16 traffic road crash that claimed the life of a 69-year-old senior citizen and injuring six others is an isolated case.
JHMC president Manjit Singh Reandi said that the administration is currently assessing the overall situation of the camp to identify areas where the necessary adjustments could be introduced to sustain the overall safety and security of the people visiting the different areas of the former American rest and recreation center.
Among the areas in the camp being currently assessed are the sidewalks, railings, facilities, and pedestrians to ascertain which areas need improvements or adjustments.
The JHMC official claimed that the corporation will widen identified critical walkways and sidewalks, install additional railings in critical areas around the camp, put in place or adjust pedestrian lanes for the safety and convenience of residents and visitors frequenting the different facilities of the camp.
Reandi pointed out that the road crash opened the doors for JHMC to work on some possible improvements in the camp that will contribute in enhancing the safety and security of the people visiting the different sites.
At the same time, the JHMC is also closely working with the management of the Cordillera Basic Sectors Transport Cooperative (CBSTC), the operator of the electric vehicles plying the John Hay loop, to ensure the road worthiness of the vehicles being used to ferry people around the camp.
Reandi explained that the JHMC is also closely looking at the fit to work condition of the drivers of the electric vehicles to check on their mental and physical conditions to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in the future that might compromise the overall safety and security of passengers and pedestrians.
Further, JHMC will also make sure that the operator will have the necessary insurance coverage for the electric vehicles and the passengers aside from making sure that their operation will be covered by the relevant permits from the regulatory agencies such as the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
According to him, JHMC has been consistent in closely monitoring the road worthiness of the electric vehicles being used in the free John Hay loop ride that is why the corporation also granted a space inside the camp that will serve as an office of the operator to ensure appropriate coordination and immediate action whenever there will be problems that may arise such as what happened in the recent incident.
On the other hand, Reandi stipulated that JHMC officials had already reached out to the families of the fatality and the injured individuals right after the incident and that the corporation had already extended financial assistance to the bereaved family of the deceased senior citizen while it is also working out the appropriate aid for the injured individuals.
He asserted that it is still business as usual inside the camp amidst the traffic incident as JHMC remains on top of the situation with the immediate response done by the corporation’s emergency response team who were right in the midst of the action within one minute after it was reported to the management.
Meanwhile, The city government provided assistance to the victims of the road accident along Scout Hill, Camp John Hay last January 16, 2026 where one woman died and four others injured.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong ensured that all appropriate assistance will be extended to the victims through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) and the City Health Services Office (CHSO).
The Baguio City Police Office through the Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) is still investigating the cause of the accident even as documents are being prepared for inquest proceedings.
The bus driver was arrested by responding authorities.
Initial report of the BCPO said the incident happened at around 3:20 p.m. and was reported to authorities at about 4:30 p.m. involving a Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) electric bus driven by a 52-year-old man from Itogon, Benguet.
Initial investigation showed that the bus was ascending Scout Hill Road when, for still unknown reasons, it swerved to the left side of the road and hit five women who were along the area. The bus then continued forward and eventually ditched on the roadside slope.
One of the victims was declared dead on the spot by responding Emergency Medical Service (EMS), while the four other women sustained injuries. The injured victims were given first aid and rushed to a hospital for further treatment. (Baguio PIO)
