SBMA expresses keen interest in extending the Freeport fence to contiguous towns

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has expressed its interest in extending the present fenced area to contiguous municipalities based on the provisions of the law.

This was announced to members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) in a meeting Wednesday (Jan 25) sponsored by the SBMA Labor Department in celebration of the 4th year anniversary of its SBMA-run radio program “Paggawa at iba pa” over 89.5 FM Subic Bay Radio.

SBMA Administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma told Subic-based businessmen that according to the provisions of Republic Act 7227, the law that created the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, “the fenced areas should be extended.”

Section 12 of RA 7227 states Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone consist of the City of Olongapo and the municipality of Subic in Zambales, the lands occupied by the former US Naval Base and its contiguous extensions and within the territorial jurisdiction of the municipalities of Morong and Hermosa in Bataan.

Related to this, in November 2007, Executive Order 675 was issued by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo amending EO 97-A allowing the extension of the secured area of the Subic Bay Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFPZ) to areas within the SSEFPZ but are outside the presently fenced-in former US Naval Base.

Under EO 675, SBMA may declare areas outside the former US Naval Base as “Additional Secured Areas” or “Additional Areas” which may be operated as “Special Economic and Freeport Zone” supervised by SBMA.

Additional Secured Areas and Additional Areas are entitled to all tax, fiscal and other investment incentives (except real estate tax for privately-owned property). However, only secured areas may avail the duty-free privileges.

The declaration may only take effect after a concurrence by a resolution of the concerned Sangguniang Bayan or Panglungsod.

“That’s the dream. Fencing outside the existing fenced areas is difficult but I think it can be done and it should be done,” Eisma said, adding that at the very least, the privileges provided to investors and locators inside the Freeport should be extended.

Eisma encouraged the locators and investors to share inputs or ideas with local government officials in the contiguous municipalities and city in a bid to expand their businesses in their areas. “Because at the end of the day, based on the provisions of the law, those areas or parts of those areas are actually part of the Freeport, she continued.

“It is very important to work with the local government units within the contiguous zone. So, we are now working on that,” she said.

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman Martin Diño said the SBMA Board of Directors is now doing all the necessary steps to shorten the documentation process for new and renewing businesses in an effort to make Subic “investor and locator friendly.”

In response, SBFCC president Rose Baldeo said the member-locators and investors are with the new management team of SBMA saying the SBFCC is fully supporting the dream of the SBMA officials. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Martin B. Dino and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma answer queries from Freeport locators, residents and business organizations in an impromptu forum during the anniversary celebration of Paggawa Atbp. radio program of the SBMA Labor Department held at the Grand Harbor Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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US Navy submarine USS Key West visits Subic Bay

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) arrived in Subic Bay for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific, Nov. 4.

"I'm incredibly proud of the crew and what we've accomplished over the past couple of months," said Cmdr. John Thompson, Key West's commanding officer. "Their hard work to prepare for deployment was validated through a very successful execution. Now we have a new mission at hand - to represent the United States while enjoying the sights and experiences that the Philippines has to offer."

Master Chief Electronics Technician Eric Baker, chief of the boat aboard Key West, expressed similar sentiments.

"This has been a very busy year for Key West and these men have worked very hard," said Baker. "They are ready for this well-deserved port visit after a successful deployment and are eager to explore and take in the culture and sights of Subic Bay."

After more than a month at sea, the crew of Key West was very much looking forward to its first stop in Subic Bay.

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Zachary Cenit looked forward to reconnect with his family.

"I haven't seen my relatives in four years," said Cenit. "I can't wait to see them and eat and celebrate together."

Other Sailors, such as Electronics Technician 1st Class Joel Ignalla were just eager to return home.

"I was raised in San Pedro Laguna until I was 14," said Ignalla. "For me, the Philippines represent my childhood."

"I've heard a lot of great things about Subic Bay," said Sonar Technician 1st Class Robert Hatton. "I'm excited for the diving, especially the wrecks regarding our shared history between the United States and the Philippines."

A second-flight 688 submarine, Key West is outfitted with four MK 67 torpedo tubes and 12 Tomahawk cruise missile vertical launch tubes. The 360-foot, 6,900-ton vessel remains one of the stealthiest, most formidable submarines in the world. Key West is able to conduct anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. (Lt. j.g. David Oh, USS Key West Public Affairs)

PHOTO
A tug boat helps position the US Navy submarine USS Key West while its crewmembers secure its moorings at the Alava Wharf after arrival in the Subic Bay Freeport for a routine port stop on Wednesday morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91842

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Royal Australian Navy ships in Subic Bay

Royal Australian Navy ships HMAS Arunta and HMAS Sirius are in Subic for a five-day visit, 7-11 October 2015. The short break from sea will give the ships’ companies an opportunity to continue their association with Filipino colleagues and experience Philippine culture and sights.

“Australia values the deepening engagement with the Philippine Navy,” said Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell, who welcomed the officers and crews of Arunta and Sirius at Subic, where the ships are docked. The Ambassador was accompanied by Defence Attaché Col Bruce Murray, AM.

Australia and the Philippines have a long-standing Defence Cooperation Program on counter-terrorism, maritime security and assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program. Recently, Australia gifted two operation-ready Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) from the Royal Australian Navy to help improve the Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) capacity of the Philippine armed forces.

The Royal Australian Navy played a vital part in the Australian Defence Force’s humanitarian efforts in the Philippines in 2013, carrying emergency supplies, water purifiers, generators, earth moving equipment and vehicles to areas affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

HMAS Arunta is an Anzac class frigate while HMAS Sirius is a fleet replenishment ship. The two ships have just completed successful exercises in the Indian Ocean.

HMAS Arunta is the second Royal Australian Navy ship to bear the name, and has historical ties to the Philippines. The first HMAS Arunta took part in the liberation of the Philippines in 1944, including pre-landing bombardments at Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Surigao Strait. In January 1945 the ship was suffered a near miss from a kamikaze at Lingayen Gulf. In July 1946 the first HMAS Arunta carried Commodore John Collins to Manila for the inauguration of the Philippine Republic.

The current HMAS Arunta has another link to the Philippines. Two Filipino-Australian sailors are currently serving as part of Arunta’s ship's company. Able Seaman Electronics Technician Aaron Scott and Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Matthew Parry will be taking some time off to visit with family in the Philippines.

“This deployment is especially important to me as I am able to visit the Philippines again, and I feel proud that my family will get to see me doing my job. It will also be a good opportunity to embrace, explore and remember what my background culture is all about,” Able Seaman Scott said.

This will be Able Seaman Parry’s first visit to the Philippines. "The port visit to the Philippines will be a great opportunity to meet family I have never met and to see what the culture and the lifestyle is like for my Mother and her family,” he said.

PHOTO:
HMAS Arunta and Sirius conduct a Replenishment at Sea while enroute to Subic Bay, Philippines

http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/MR151007.html

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SBMA readies expansion outside secured areas

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is now ready to implement its expansion program, following the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) covering the extension of the boundaries of secured areas of the Subic Bay Freeport.

The IRR was drafted after a series of consultations between the SBMA, Bureau of Customs (BoC) and local government units within the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFPZ), which may be declared as additional secured areas, or additional areas, as provided under Executive Order No. 675.

These areas include the municipalities of Subic and San Antonio in Zambales; Morong, Dinalupihan and Hermosa in Bataan; and Olongapo City.

Under EO 675, areas within the LGUs may be developed through local government or private sector initiative and become part of the SSEFPZ. These may then avail of appropriate tax, duty-free, and fiscal investment incentives and privileges, upon application and after approval by the SBMA.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the expansion of the secured areas of SSEFPZ is necessary in order to address the shortage of space for lease to investors.

“This is necessary to push development into communities outside Subic’s ‘secured area’, and also to guarantee the realization of the Subic-Clark economic corridor as a world-class logistics and service hub,” Arreza said.

Under the IRR, areas contiguous to the Subic Bay Freeport may be declared by the SBMA for inclusion as additional secured area after proper consultation with local officials and approval of a resolution by the concerned city or town council.

In addition, any business individual or organization may also apply with the SBMA for inclusion within the SSEFPZ as privately-owned additional secured area or additional area, provided that they submit pertinent documents, clearances and registration certificates.

Meanwhile, lands and buildings in the additional secured areas, whether privately owned or not, may only be leased to SBMA-registered enterprises, subject to the approval or ratification of the SBMA Board of Directors.

Once declared as additional secured areas by SBMA, the areas concerned will be classified either as industrial, tourism, recreational, investment or financial center, or a mix of these developments.

These areas shall be organized, administered, managed and operated directly by the SBMA through an area manager, appointed by the SBMA administrator.

The IRR also provides that privately owned areas shall be managed by a Property Management Board composed of the president of the association of investors, representative of the municipality concerned, two independent private sector representatives chosen by SBMA and LGU, and an official of SBMA.

To prevent smuggling and abuse of duty-free privileges, the SBMA shall establish secured fence-in perimeters for the additional areas within which tax- and duty-free articles and merchandise shall be limited.

According to Arreza, duty-free shop operators shall be allowed within the additional secured areas, provided that they establish their own control system in coordination with the SBMA and the Bureau of Customs.

“In addition, if the LGU concerned agrees, the SBMA Law Enforcement Department shall also provide and establish security forces for the additional secured areas to police and maintain law and order there,” Arreza said.

Arreza also disclosed that as the SBMA seeks to spread development outside the controlled area of the Freeport towards Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan, it will also put in place significant infrastructure investments like roads, schools and bridges that are considered essential in convincing investors to establish operation in these areas. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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