Finally, on 26 January 1998, DENR issued the ECC for Camp John Hay. Following pre-construction conditions set in the' ECC, CJH DevCo proceeded with the 100% tree inventory of the golf course cluster, organized a Multipartite Monitoring Team and set up an Environmental Guarantee Fund for the project

It was only on March 1998 that CJH DevCo issued a Notice-to-Proceed to FEGDI, contractor for the golf course redevelopment project. The NTP however restricted work to areas where no trees would be affected, until such time that the necessary permits had been processed.

By April 1998, the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the JHSEZ was formally approved and signed by BCDA, thus making the Special Economic Zone status of Camp John Hay operational. The Main and 2nd Gates were closed for safety and security reasons and the 3rd Gate at the Loakan Road was designated as the new Main Gate. A Customs Clearance Area was established at the area to monitor all equipment and materials entering and leaving the zone.

In compliance with ECC condition No. 9, CJH DevCo submitted to the DENR, on June 1999, a comprehensive Environmental Management Plan for the CJH Development Project. The program was formally launched two months later during ceremonial tree planting rites at the Bell Amphitheater.

Clearing and grubbing work start at the golf course by June. The first trees were felled more than a month after the issuance of the tree cutting permit. Some 64 trees covered by the cutting permit and 30 identified for earthballing were spared since configurations were changed and plans modified in a conscious and continuing effort to keep the number of trees affected to a minimum.

Construction of an initial 11 country homes was started within the golf course area by Sundt Construction JC.

A public walk-thru was also held, in coordination with the MMT and DENR, for all stakeholders and interest groups. A day after the public walk-thru, a similar walk-thri was held for newly appointed DENR Secretary Antonio Cerilles.

By August, the Golf Course Construction and Maintenance Course under the Transfer of Technology Program kicked off, with the participation of Engineering and Forestry students and former CJH employees.

Tree planting activities dominated the month of September with more than 50 volunteer organizations expressing interest to participate.

Meanwhile, the Transfer of Technology Program concentrated on Disaster Preparedness Management, First Aid and Rescue Practices in anticipation of the rains that started to set in.