Posts in:October 2008 | SubicNewsLink

29 October 2008

SBMA's Salonga elected head of Asian ports network

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga, credited for the successful re-focusing of Subic's development thrust into the maritime industry, was formally named the new chairman of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) here on Tuesday (October 28).

Members of the network, who attended the organization's two-day conference at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, unanimously voted Salonga into the post.

Salonga, who holds the rank of a commodore in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, became the 10th INAP chairman, replacing Gov. Masanao Ozaki of the Kochi Prefecture in Japan, which hosted last year's conference.

In accepting the chairmanship, Salonga said he is willing to steer INAP "towards not only survival, but also expansion during these challenging times."

He said the INAP should expand further by forging deeper relationships between member ports and intensifying the recruitment of new members into the organization.

This is in response to the call of Ozaki, who remarked that this year's conference theme "Emerging Roles for Asian Ports," is timely because the current crisis in the global economy also affects the maritime sector.

"It is significant in terms of the philosophy of INAP that this year's conference was held here in the port of Subic Bay," Ozaki also said, as he urged INAP members to take Subic Bay as a prime example on how to cope with sudden changes.

Ozaki, who made history in Japan last year as the country's youngest governor in history, added that he admires the way SBMA has propelled Subic Bay from the devastating economic effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991 and the pullout of the US Naval Base the following year.

"Now, Subic Bay Freeport's logistics infrastructure, including air, land and sea transportation systems, allows Subic to perform its role as one of the main driving forces of the Philippine economy," said Ozaki.

Salonga, meanwhile, recalled that Subic's port modernization project has barely began when the free port first hosted the INAP symposium in 2002.

"Subic Bay has gone a long way since then — the port modernization project is now a reality," he said, adding that the SBMA would be willing to share its experiences in developing Subic's maritime port with other members of INAP.

The group, which was formed in 1998, has seven members: the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Kochi port in Japan, Mokpo Newport in South Korea, Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Qingdao in China..

Aside from holding the convention and business meetings in Subic, INAP conference delegates are scheduled to meet with officials of the Clark Development Corp., which manages the Clark Freeport. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

SBMA cites growing role of Subic port in maritime trade

The two-day general assembly of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) started here on Tuesday on positive notes of greater cooperation and further growth among members, as host Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) cited the growing role of ports in the global trade.

INAP, which was formed in 1998 as a venue for exchanging information and sharing technology and expertise on marine transport and logistics, held its 10th annual conference here as the global economic downturn began affecting major industries, including the maritime sector.

However, Subic port officials led by SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga and SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said that Subic, like INAP's other member-ports, is still optimistic of attaining growth despite economic difficulties.

"The Port of Subic now boasts of thenewest operating container port in the country, and it possesses key infrastructure that can support a wide range of businesses," Arreza pointed out as he batted for this free port as an ideal maritime logistics hub.

"With this, Subic now responds to the growing requirements of seaborne trade in Northern and Central Luzon, and is ready for the capacity shortage of 14 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) projected for South East Asia," Arreza told conference delegates.

Arreza also said Subic's New Container Terminal-1, which was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), has an annual capacity of 300,000 TEUs and equipped with two quay cranes capable of handling even post-Panamax cargo vessels.

The existence of nine other piers and cargo terminals in Subic, the massive logistics support infrastructure now existing in the Subic-Clark growth corridor, as well as the free port's strategic location in the center of the growing East Asian region, definitely gives Subic a solid foundation to gain more investments, attract more trade and weather the current economic storm, Arreza added.

Compared to ten years ago, Subic has come a long way," Arreza said, adding that the Subic Bay Freeport is now home to some 1,100 investor-firms that provide jobs to more than 85,000 workers.

On the other hand, Arreza said that because of the economic crisis today it is important that INAP focus on its fundamental objectives. These include responding to the needs of the maritime transport industry, while strengthening cooperation among members, exchanging information and technology, and conducting regular interaction among members.

For his part, outgoing INAP chairman and current Kochi Prefecture of Japan Gov. Masanao Ozaki lauded the SBMA for promoting excellent investment and employment opportunities in Subic.

"For the significant increase in numbers of investors and jobs created in Subic, I would like to show respect to the people of SBMA for the hard work and generous effort in developing the local economy," Ozaki said.

The INAP conference here also began on Tuesday on another positive note for Subic as representatives of the member-ports unanimously installed SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga as INAP chairman for the year 2008- 2009.

Salonga, who said his election as INAP head is both a personal and professional milestone for him, promised to contribute his "humble share in steering INAP towards, not only survival, but also expansion especially during these challenging times. (SBMA Corporate Communications)



Outgoing INAP chairman Masanao Ozaki, who is also governor of the Kochi Prefecture in Japan, lauds the SBMA for creating investment and job opportunities in the Subic Bay Freeport.






Dancers in traditional Filipino costume welcome delegates to the 10th assembly of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. The conference was hosted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on October 28 and 29.

26 October 2008

Japanese traders in INAP conference to survey business prospects in Subic Freeport

Authorities at the Port of Kochi in Japan have urged port-related businesses in their area to join the 10th annual conference of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) here this week and survey possible business ventures in this free port.

According to Hiroshi Yamanaka, ports promotion director at the Kochi port, the Kochi Prefectural Government encouraged not only exchanges among (government) officials, but also among traders during the two-day Subic conference that begins on Tuesday.

This is because the business sector “is actually the one conducting trade in the ports belonging to the INAP group,” Yamanaka pointed out.

In turn the prefectural government, which administers the Port of Kochi, has enlisted 30 delegates to the Subic conference, with 20 coming from the private business sector, Yamanaka said in a email sent to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thursday.

The Japanese business delegation, he said, is part of the “economic mission of businesses” they have formed in response to the establishment of INAP in 1998 as a forum for consultation, cooperation and exchange of information among member-ports.

As in missions to other INAP member-ports which involved private businesses, Yamanaka said, the Japanese delegation will check out developments inside the Subic Bay Freeport “in pursuit of possible economic exchanges or trade.”

“If we could encourage more such exchanges in the private sector, so that they happen not just once but several times a year, we would see greater results,” he said.

Yamanaka pointed out many companies in the Kochi area began pursuing overseas business ventures after attending last year’s INAP conference that was hosted by Kochi port.

This is because one special characteristic of INAP, Yamanaka said, “is not simply the one-on-one port relationship, but the network of alliance among ports that spans many different countries.”

He said that the ties among member ports “will lead to the advancement of their respective regions and countries.”

Yamanaka added that he himself became excited to come to the Philippines after hearing about serious efforts of the SBMA to transform Subic Bay into a leading maritime and logistics hub in the Asia-Pacific region, as discussed by SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga in the Kochi conference last year.

Kochi’s ports promotion division, which Yamanaka heads, served as the INAP secretariat since the port organization was established 10 years ago.

Meanwhile, Salonga, who is the incoming chairman of INAP, announced that representatives of the seven member-ports will meet here to discuss the emerging roles of ports in the Asian region.

The INAP members include the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Qingdao in China, and Mokpo Newport in South Korea. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

Subic port to inject innovations in INAP conference

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be introducing innovations in the program for the 10th International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) that it will host beginning Tuesday next week.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga said that for the first time in the 10-year history of INAP, the conference will feature business meetings among locators in the various member-ports, as well as an exhibition of products and services related to the maritime industry.

“These innovations will be introduced to maximize the opportunities that INAP conference may open to port operators and businessmen alike,” Salonga said.

“We want these new conference features to help in dynamically transforming the ports network into a bigger and more effective organization,” he added.

Salonga, who is the incoming INAP chairman to replace Gov. Masanao Ozaki of Kochi, Japan, also said that a total of 70 official delegates from INAP’s member-ports have confirmed their attendance to the conference.

The seven members of INAP are: Port of Subic, Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Cebu, Port of Qingdao in China, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, and Mokpo Newport in South Korea, which joined the group last year.

Meanwhile, SBMA’s seaport general manager Perfecto Pascual, who is in charge of the preparations for the conference, said that the Port of Kochi has confirmed that about 20 Japanese businessmen will join Kochi’s official delegation to Subic.

“Korea is also coming in with some business representatives,” he said.

Among the local agencies, Pascual said that the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will also put up a booth at the exhibit hall of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) where the conference will be held.

The exhibits and business meetings will be important features of the conference because in the maritime community, Pascual explained, ports have multiplier effects in terms of employment, in generating major industries, and increasing export and import activities.

“These are the things that promote interrelationships among our ranks and promote commerce, not only here in Subic, but also with other member ports,” he added.

Pascual added that INAP officials will also consider during the conference here the organization’s policy on accepting new members.

“The current policy is that a port applying for membership should first have a sister-port agreement with any of the members,” he revealed. “But we might probably relax this policy, so that other interested ports can join even without a sister-port agreement with member ports.”

The proposed policy shift might help transform INAP into a bigger organization, Pascual said. (SBMA Corporate Communications

23 October 2008

Use Subic terminal, North and Central Luzon businessmen urged

The Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently urged importers and exporters in Northern and Central Luzon to use the newly opened container terminal at the Subic Bay Freeport.

“We are inviting businesses and industries in the area to use the Subic container port. The strategic location of Subic to your manufacturing plants means a significant decrease in transport costs and faster delivery time of cargo,” said SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Atty. Ferdinand Hernandez during the North Luzon Area Business Conference at the Grand Palazzo Royale in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The conference, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Industry (PCCI), gathered national government officials for trade, transportation, agriculture, infrastructure and human resources and over 300 businessmen in the region for a two-day meet to discuss how the region’s economic stakeholders could raise global competitiveness in Northern Philippines.

“Also, our new container handling facility in Subic complements the Philippine government’s over-all infrastructure development plan for the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, especially the requirements of seaborne trade in Northern and Central Luzon,” Hernandez added.

SBITC, a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) and operator of Subic’s New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1), and the SBMA have been jointly marketing the Subic Bay Freeport as the prime trade link in Northern Philippines. Subic’s proximity to the economic zones of Northern and Central Luzon makes it the ideal international trading gateway in the region.

“With our strategic location, world class port infrastructure, competitive port tariffs, and the expertise of an international port operator, Subic is ready and positioned to serve industrial locators in the region. Thanks to the newly opened Subic-Clark- Tarlac Expressway, trucking transit times and fees are significantly reduced with Subic as gateway. Unlike other ports located in metropolitan areas in Luzon, Subic is traffic jam-free and has no truck ban,” Hernandez said.

The Subic container terminal, located at the Freeport’s Cubi Point, was developed through funding provided by the Japan Bank of International Cooperation. SBITC holds the 25-year concession for the operations of the port.The terminal has an area of 13.16 hectares and an annual capacity of 300,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units).

The berth is a 280-meter wharf with a controlling depth of 13 meters, and is equipped with two post-Panamax quay cranes.The terminal design ensures optimal terminal operations and utilization of container handling equipment and facilities especially terminal space. Over 80 reefer stations are installed in the container yard, while the gate has six truck lanes for the smooth flow of trucks coming in and going out of the terminal.

“SBITC is investing to further improve terminal operations and to construct other support facilities. Additional container handling equipment will be purchased as the throughput of the terminal increases in the coming years. We have already invested in human resources training and development and a terminal operating system for gates and container yard management. Plans are underway to fully computerize operations,” said Aurelio Garcia, SBITC General Manager.

“SBITC will continue to focus its resources in developing, acquiring and implementing technology and best practices that will sustain efficacy of terminal operations. We are committed to provide services at par with the world’s leading container terminals,” he added.

Currently, SBITC’s shipping line clients include American President Lines, Wan Hai Lines and Tasman Orient. SBITC, established by ICTSI in 2000, is the exclusive international container terminal operator at the Subic Bay Freeport. It had operated the freeport’s NSD Terminal for seven years before transferring container handling operations to the NCT-1 last May.

ICTSI is a leading developer of international ports and terminals with a global port network spanning 11 countries in four continents. ICTSI is on its 20th year of operation, and continues to pursue container terminal opportunities around the world. (PNA)

22 October 2008

Transportation top brass to keynote Subic Int'l Ports Confab

Secretary Leandro Mendoza of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) will be the keynote speaker here next week during the annual conference and general assembly meeting of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP).

The INAP conference, which will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on October 28 to 29, is expected to include a series of direction-setting and planning workshops under the theme "Emerging Roles for Asian Ports."


The organization is composed of the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Kochi in Japan, Mokpo in South Korea, Qingdao in China, Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, and Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Mendoza, whose department is responsible for the country's rail, air, sea and communications infrastructure, said the event "will serve as an opportune venue to discuss and exchange ideas on possible multilateral economic opportunities for local and foreign businesses."

The conference theme, Mendoza also said in a message to INAP, "manifests your strong commitment towards the development of ports and harbors in the Asian region."

Aside from addressing the INAP assembly, Mendoza is scheduled to open an exhibit on maritime-related industries and products at the SBECC on the first day of the meeting.

The INAP conference will be formally opened at 9 a.m. on October 28 by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza, who will deliver the welcome address.

This will be followed by the opening remarks from Governor Masanao Ozaki, head of the Kochi prefectural government in Japan, who is also outgoing INAP chairman.

Other speakers on the first day of the conference include Arreza, who will make a presentation on the role of the Port of Subic in Northern Luzon trade, Secretary Eduardo Pamintuan of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD), and Edgardo Abesamis, president of the Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., operator of the New Container Terminal-1 in this free port.

On the second day of the conference, representatives of INAP member-ports will also present plenary reports. These include Capt. Perfecto Pacual, SBMA seaport manager; Angelo Verdan, general manager of Cebu Port Authority; Ozaki, for the Port of Kochi; Achmad Baroto, general manager of the Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia; and Byeong Soo Choi, chief executive officer of Mokpo Newport in South Korea.

Two other Asian ports are expected to join INAP during the Subic conference: the Port of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga is also scheduled to be elected chairman of INAP during the conference here, replacing Ozaki who was elected last year. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

21 October 2008

SBMA's Salonga gets achievement award from USMMA

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga recently received the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) — his second award from his alma mater for various achievements in the maritime industry.

Salonga, who holds the rank of a commodore in the Philippine Coast guard Auxiliary, is largely credited for shifting the focus of the Subic Bay Freeport to the maritime industry since taking over as SBMA chairman in 2005.

The paradigm shift, SBMA officials acknowledged, ushered in investors in maritime trade like the Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., which now operates a $1.6-billion shipyard here.

The award, according to the USMMA Alumni Foundation, is given to graduates of the academy who best exemplify the finest tradition of the merchant marine corps "Acta Non Verba" — or deeds, not words — by attaining personal achievement in their chosen field.

The USMMA, which is based in Kings Point, New York, trains men and women as officers in either the maritime industry, which is considered the fifth service in the US armed forces, or the army, navy, air force or coast guard.

Salonga entered the academy in 1949 as a scholar under the US government's Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946, and graduated from the prestigious school in 1953.

He is the first Filipino in the USMMA Class of '53 to receive the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award.

Prior to the recent award, the USMMA had honored Salonga with his first achievement award in 1988 when he was an executive of a private shipyard in Batangas.

During that stint, Salonga was instrumental in the successful negotiation to build three ships for ARAMCO — the country's first business contract for the giant Saudi Arabian petroleum firm.

The second USMMA award, however, "is truly special because I consider it as an affirmation of what I have kept close to my heart — the academy's tradition of 'Acta Non Verba'," Salonga said.

"This is what drives me to perform well, to pitch in my modest share in building a better future for the young generation of Filipinos," he added.

Since his appointment as head of the SBMA, Salonga has tapped his connection with the USMMA to introduce modern education to local students in the maritime industry.

Last year, Salonga proposed the establishment of the Subic International Maritime Institute (SIMI) and tapped the assistance of the Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS), a Kings Point-based institution which has a continuing education program.

The Subic project is envisioned as a collaboration with local maritime schools like the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in San narciso, Zambales to produce more qualified seafarers, especially shipboard officers.

These efforts, Salonga said, "comes from a keen sense of obligation to give back what I have received from my scholarship at Kings Point."

"It is also what continues to drive me today to maximize resources in making a maritme powerhouse out of Subic," he stressed.

Salonga explained that it was his background in the maritime industry — and his education at the USMMA — that earned him the appointment by President Arroyo to head the SBMA.

"Knowing that Subic Bay is a huge maritime resource just waiting to be tapped, the President told me three years ago to run Subic. And look at what we're doing now — Administrator Armand Arreza and I really work ourselves to the limit to make Subic a leading maritime service and logistics center in the whole of Asia," he said.
Salonga is also slated to be elected chairman of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) during the group's 10th annual assembly here in Subic late this month. INAP is composed of seven international ports in the Asian region. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

16 October 2008

3rd Subic Chamber Blood Drive

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with various organizations, conducted yet another successful blood donation program at the Subic Bay Arts Center last October 8, 2008. This year’s blood drive was SBFCC’s third since 2006.

SBFCC President John E. Corcoran hailed the 2008 SBFCC Blood Drive as another huge success.

Chamber Director and Blood Drive chairman Prof. Danny Piano commented that donors were already pouring in early in the morning. “It was uplifting to see so many volunteers helping out and even more heart-warming to see donors from all walks of life—employers and employees, rich and poor, young and old; no matter the gender, race, religion, or creed—voluntarily donate blood. These people are heroes because their donations will save lives. I am hoping that they will continue to be part of our Blood Drive programs. Donating blood is, after all, the right thing to do and one of the things in this overly complicated world where one feels good about one’s self afterwards.” he also said.

Contributing to the success of this drive was Ocean Adventure’s continued generosity in providing every donor and volunteer with a complimentary admission ticket to their facility. Other generous volunteers and participants included Absolute Service, Peninsula Lions Club, PAMET, PMAP, Jollibee Subic Bay, Rali’s Grill, Subic Water, and Grosse Pointe Medical.

Chamber members also enthusiastically supported the program in conveying their employees to the event. Donors also included PMMA cadets, Gordon College , SBMA SW AT team, SBMA Health & Welfare, LED, and Fire Department.

As we draw nearer to the holiday season in which blood banks are critically low, all are being encouraged to give the gift of life. This year’s campaign yielded 145 units of blood donated to the Philippine National Red Cross (SBFCC Secretariat)

14 October 2008

Subic Freeport to host int’l ports confab on Oct. 28-29


The Port of Subic will be hosting an international conference of ports on October 28-29, consistent with the thrust of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to establish higher visibility and widen its circle of partners in the global maritime industry.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga said seven members of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) will meet here to conduct a series of direction-setting and planning workshops under the theme “Emerging Roles for Asian Ports.”

The INAP members include the ports of Subic and Cebu in the Philippines, Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Qingdao in China, Mokpo Newport in South Korea.

Two other ports are expected to join this year’s conference, Salonga said.. These are the Port of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, which will be invited by Cebu, and the Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan, which established a sister-port relationship with Subic last year.

Salonga, who will be this year’s conference chairman, said the INAP meeting will focus on crucial discussions about the state of the maritime trade in the Asian region in light of the current global economic crunch.

“Ports are the traditional gateways to local economies, and in today’s increasingly globalized economy they’re proving to be more and more indispensable than ever,” Salonga said.

“With the current economic turmoil experienced by global financial markets, we’d like to come up with strategies to lessen the impact on port operations,” he added.

Salonga added that the Port of Subic expects to benefit much from its membership in INAP since the group was primarily organized to facilitate the sharing of information and technology among its members.

“Our main interest now is for Subic to continue and expand its networking efforts to keep pace with developments in the maritime trade,” he said.

Meanwhile, SBMA deputy administrator for port operations Ferdinand Hernandez said the conference would discuss programs “to help small ports like Subic attain growth and become like China’s Qingdao port, which is now the tenth largest in the world.”

He said the Port of Subic would like to duplicate the well-organized conference prepared by the Port of Kochi, which hosted the INAP meeting last year.

The INAP organization was established in 1998 to provide member-ports with a forum for consultation, cooperation and exchange of information on expertise, know-how, and marketing.

It also endeavors to play a special role in creating environmental awareness, so as to minimize the ecological impact of modern civilization on the environment.

INAP is now undertaking initiatives to deepen the relationship of member-ports and to expand its role in the global maritime industry, said Salonga.

In the upcoming conference here, outgoing INAP chairman Masanao Ozaki, who is governor of Kochi Prefecture, will be turning over the post to Salonga, who will preside over the INAP general assembly session. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

10 October 2008

MMDA Chair supports bid for power plant in Subic Freeport

The plan by Aboitiz Power Corp. (APC) to build a 300-megawatt (MW) clean coal technology-fired power plant at the Redondo Peninsula here has received support the other day from Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando.

Speaking at the sidelines of a conference by the Liga ng mga Barangay at the El Centro Convention Center here, Fernando said the power project would boost Subic’s thrust to attract more businesses.

“The construction of a coal-fired power plant here is a welcome development that would mean that business is booming in the Subic Bay Freeport, regardless of what other people say,” Fernando said.

“If it was proposed to be built in Marikina, we would have welcomed it with open arms,” he added.

Fernando also dismissed fears that the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Subic would lead to the destruction of the ecosystem, and lauded Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials for keeping their cool amidst criticisms that development has been encroaching into the well-preserved environment of the free port.

“With proper handling and management, the coal plant would be beneficial to the Subic Bay Freeport,” Fernando said.

According to the APC, which has recently teamed up with the Taiwan Cogeneration Corp. to form the Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. — the corporate vehicle for the proposed power facility, the project is needed to avert a possible power shortage between 2010 and 2012.

The plant, estimated to cost $450 million, is designed to burn bituminous and/or subbituminous coal and will be equipped with two 150-MW steam turbines and equipment using clean-coal technology, said APC vice president Wilfredo Bacareza.

Bacareza earlier said the APC expects to secure an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) this month. Eventually, another 300-MW plant will be added to double the facility’s power-generating capacity, he added.

In the same occasion, Fernando also complimented SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga and SBMA administrator Armand Arreza for instituting mitigating measures for the environment, such as the policy of replacing trees affected by development projects.

“We also have that kind of program in Manila where we plant 10 seedlings in place of a tree that needs to be cut down,” Fernando explained.

Fernando also bared his program for developing the Marikina River into a recreational site by December of 2009.

He said that the river project would have five water treatment plants, making the river water clean for everybody to swim in. This, Fernando said, is considered a luxury that few residents in Manila now experience.

He added that making residents aware of what they do to the river would also have a positive impact on the lives of the people in Marikina and Metro Manila. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

08 October 2008

Subic ATM-parts maker expands operation

While most exporters face growing difficulties due to the global effects of the financial crisis in the United States, a Japanese electronics manufacturer here is expanding its operations to cope with growing market demand.

Hitachi Terminals Mechatronics (Phils.), Corp. (HTMP), maker of automated teller machine parts and card readers and the third biggest exporter here last year, broke ground last week for a new warehousing facility at the Subic Techno Park (STEP), where most of the Japanese firms in Subic are located.

HTMP president Kiyotaka Adachi said that the new facility will allow the $12-million firm to compete in the global market despite the financial woes besetting economies worldwide.

"The building of the new warehouse is part of our business strategy to control cost and to improve our efficiency," Adachi said.

"It is a sign that HTMP is willing to compete strongly in the world market," he added during the groundbreaking ceremony last week.

The event was witnessed by Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA); Kazuya Hori, vice president of Hitachi Omron Terminal Solution, HTMP's mother company; Takashi Jinguji, managing director of Asia Hitachi Transport, and other Japanese business executives based at the (STEP).

The new warehouse, which will have a total floor area of 3, 564 square meters, will be used for receiving goods, stocking, controlling, and handling of materials for production. It will also be used for "picking" or the withdrawal of parts to be delivered either for production or for shipping.

"HTMP is competing hard to gain lead commission in quality cost worldwide.. Last year marked the highest sales for HTMP, but it took us a lot of effort and hard work," Adachi noted.

Meanwhile, SBMA's Agregado lauded the company's continued support to the SBMA's efforts to make the Subic Bay Freeport Zone a success.

"Let me note the progressive management and untiring workers of the HTMP who never stop improving their performance that led them to the top," he said in his message during the groundbreaking rites.

Agregado noted that HTMP was ranked third among the top exporters in Subic last year, with its total freight on board (FOB) export value of US$54.21 million.

The firm was also ranked eighth among the top importers, with a total of FOB import value of more than $24 million, and was the eighth biggest employer in the free port with a total of 703 employees.

He also praised the effort of HTMP to become one of the first companies in Subic to "go 'green' and become more environment-friendly."

Recently, HTMP joined the Green Philippines program launched by the European Union to promote the integration of sustainable development principles with fast paced industrialization, by using the so-called "Ecoprofit" approach.

The HTMP said that by applying Ecoprofit principles, which involved innovative, integrated and environment-friendly technologies, it was able to save millions of pesos in power and water consumption.
..
Among the simple practices that HTMP adopted were the use of auto shut-off water faucets and low-wattage fluorescent bulbs, mandatory turning-off of lights and air-conditioning system during break time, and the promotion of a paperless, pencil-less office through the use of intranet computer networks. (SBMA Corporate Communications)