By Peter Vila, Jr.

 

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The John Hay Management Corporation this week started the construction of the 3.2 kilometer that will serve as another feature to cater to a fitness conscious locals and visitors.

The walk way will start near the old gate and will end near the National Food Authority gate. It will run parallel the Loakan Road and will pass along-side several of the front nine holes of the John Hay Golf.

The project is expected to cost PhP79.85 million and construction that started last Tuesday, October 27, said Arnel Piel of AIP Construction. It is expected to be completed on July 8 next year or a direction of 254 days (8.4 months), added Piel. The walkway will give walkers a paved walk way and will differ with the existing eco-trails that which are unpaved.

These include the yellow, blue and red trails which the Americans built when they managed the area until 1991. The eco-trail also features a forest bathing area. It will also have kiosks and benches where walkers could rest and have refreshments. The walkway will skirt existing trees as the contractor promised that there will be no cutting, but instead the pavement will navigate around each tree it will pass.

JHMC CEO Manjit Singh Reandi along with directors and the contractor held the groundbreaking last October 20 and was followed with a similar groundbreaking at the former John Hay Theater at the entrance of the Scout Hill. Same will be converted into the John Hay Museum.

The area is one of the more historically significant areas inside the former American base with the United Sates Ambassador House a few hundred meters away. The residence was where Japanese Imperial Army General Tomoyoki Yamashita signed his surrender in Sept. 3, 1945.