Aquino appoints LP stalwart to bases conversion body

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Felicito Payumo has been appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as the new head of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, the government agency tasked with converting former American military bases into economic growth zones.

Payumo, a member of the administration Liberal Party and a former Bataan representative, took his oath Tuesday. He also dispelled reports that he was appointed to head the SBMA for a second time.

“I’ve been there for seven years. No, I was appointed to the BCDA. We’ve been hearing rumors about it for awhile, but [I] did not receive confirmation until now,” he said.

Under Republic Act 7227 (Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992), the BCDA is mandated to convert former US military bases and Metro Manila military camps into productive civilian economic growth centers that would generate business opportunities, jobs and economic activities.

Chief among the BCDA’s mandate is the “balanced conversion of the Clark and Subic military reservations and their extensions – Camp John Hay (Baguio City), Wallace Air Station (La Union) and O’ Donnell Transmitter Station (Tarlac) – into productive civilian use,” the BCDA website said.

Payumo, who was appointed SBMA chairman in 1998 by then President Joseph Estrada, will replace BCDA Chairman Aloysius Santos.

Zambales Representative Milagros Magsaysay welcomed Payumo’s appointment, saying he is competent.

“He is qualified for the position as he has the experience and know-how as once being the chair and administrator of the SBMA,” she said.

Danny Piano, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president, said his group respected the decision of Aquino to appoint Payumo as BCDA chief.

“[BCDA] has proven to be successful in its original mandate of converting military bases into economically feasible areas. We hope that through the leadership of Mr. Payumo, it can now focus on further developments of these same areas into towering growth centers where business and job opportunities continue to abound,” Piano said.