SBMA recognized for its best performance in PSA survey

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was recognized for its best performance in the 2024 Quarterly Survey of the Philippine Business and Industry (QSPBI) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

 SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño accepted the trophy for bagging the 1^st place in Overall Performance from PSA Zambales Chief Statistical Specialist Norman Bundalian during the flag raising ceremony in front of Administration Building 229 on January 19, 2026.

Aside from the trophy for 1^st place in overall performance, Aliño also accepted Certificates of Recognition for bagging first place in Timeliness, second place in Quality, and a Certificate of Appreciation for the SBMA's "valuable contribution to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the conduct of its establishment-based surveys, which generate essential statistics for economic planning and analysis.”

Aliño expressed his appreciation of the awards accorded by the PSA as it indicates that the Agency is on track.

Planning and Development Office (PDO) Acting Department Manager Engr. Lilibeth S. Baza explained that the citation was given following the 2025 Provincial Stakeholders’/ Respondents’ Forum on Establishment-Based Surveys held at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport on January 13, 2026.

Baza said that the survey is a crucial nationwide survey conducted by PSA to collect data on revenue, employment, and compensation for key Philippine industries that support national accounts, economic indicators, and monetary policies to help the government and businesses understand the dynamics of the country's economic performance, which will be a basis for better planning and decision-making.

In the 2024 QSPBI, the Q1 2024 Business Expectations Survey (BES) findings showed optimism for hiring and expansion, especially in manufacturing, while later reports indicated rising capacity utilization by late 2024.

These surveys track key metrics such as employment, investment plans, and production, helping shape national economic policies, and are released periodically by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the PSA to complement overall economic growth figures.

Aliño disclosed that some of the 2024 Performance Highlights include the processing of ₱20.63 billion in new investments, a 107.17% increase from the previous year. The number of new investors rose to 159, up from 131 in 2023.

He added that the total workforce rose to 164,400 employees in 2024, reflecting a 4.8% increase. The manufacturing sector was a primary driver, growing from 21,433 workers in 2023 to 27,484 in 2024.

He also said that the SBMA reported total operating revenues of ₱1.706 billion for the full year 2024. The authority also turned over ₱1.465 billion in dividends to the national government based on its 2024 earnings. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Legacy Awards 2025 honors SBMA as Outstanding Government Agency

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was conferred as an Outstanding Government Agency for Special Economic Zone Management by the Legacy Icon Awards during the Gala Awards Presentation event held at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on August 15, 2025. 

 According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, the award not only solidifies the agency's sterling performance as a driver of economic progress, but more importantly, as a stable source of employment for the 166,000-strong workforce from various municipalities and provinces within and contiguous to the zone. 

“Our mandate has never changed. We continue to employ the Filipino masses while generating income that the national government can utilize in building a better and brighter Bagong Pilipinas. What has changed is our desire to do more,” he said.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon O. Agregado received the award on behalf of Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño

During the Legacy Awards 2025 Gala night, together with OIC Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications Armina Belleza C. Llamas, Lex Magrata, and Carlos Andres from the SBMA Corporate Communications group.

“We accept this [award] as a constant reminder for us to improve our craft to provide excellent service and the best quality of life for our stakeholders,” Agregado said during his acceptance speech. 

He also shared the award and recognized the SBMA employees, the Freeport workers, and the previous leaders who navigated the agency, the “building blocks of this achievement.”

The award entry for the judges’ evaluation was the 2024 accomplishment report of the Agency, where dividends remitted to the national coffers totaled ₱3.07 billion, ranking 7th among the top 10 largest remittances from government-owned and controlled corporations.

Additionally, revenue shares in 2024, which were distributed by the SBMA to seven municipalities and a city contiguous to the Freeport, totaled ₱347 million.

Infrastructure projects at Subic Freeport are focused on enhancing the quality of life for its stakeholders. 

Initiatives include the socialized housing project known as Subic Bay Residencias, a new dormitory, the introduction of E-vehicles, and various ongoing enhancements throughout the Freeport. These developments offer glimpses into Subic's strategic development roadmap.

 

Dubbed “Legacy Awards 2025: Celebrating Excellence, Resilience, and Social Responsibility,” the Legacy Awards aim to recognize the nation’s most esteemed icons, trailblazers, and visionaries, not only for their accomplishments and legacies, but also for the inspiration they provide to individuals in the community. 

More than a celebration, the Legacy Awards 2025 is a living tribute to the spirit, resilience, and creativity of the Filipino people, inspiring today and shaping tomorrow. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA re-certified ISO compliant by International Auditors

DQS Certification Phils. Inc. has recently re-certified the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for its compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 standards.

According to Vicente Evidente, Jr., SBMA Planning and Development Office (PDO) manager and the agency’s Quality Management Representative (QMR), the third-party surveillance audit is the DQS’s first face-to-face audit here since the pandemic, with the previous audit held online.

“We just had the second surveillance audit by the DQS, our first face-to-face audit since the pandemic. It entailed a more rigorous inspection than the online audit,” Evidente said.

“The DQS audit team found that the SBMA is compliant with the ISO standards, with special mention of the Seaport department for its compliance with the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) that contributed to its high compliance ratings,” he said.

Evidente also explained that an ISPS code establishes essential security requirements for ships, ports, terminals, carriers, seafarers, and cargo as a means to prevent maritime security hazards or any mishaps.  

During the two-day audit of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, the agency’s frontliner-departments were scrutinized for their compliance with the standards of Quality Management System and Environmental Management System, respectively.

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan lauded the men and women of the agency for successfully fulfilling the requirements for the said standards.

Tan added that this would boost the agency’s thrusts namely, to attract more investments, create more employment and earn revenues.

“The SBMA’s compliance with the international standards of Quality Management and Environmental Management would definitely translate to higher investor confidence and the achievement of our objectives,” Tan said.

Tan also announced that another certification, the ISO 45001:2015 or the Occupational Health and Safety Management, is being documented by the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD). (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA retains ISO seal for environment management

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has maintained its status as a duly-certified organization adhering to international standards in environmental management after hurdling an audit of operational systems early this month.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the SBMA retained its ISO 14001:2015 EMS certification after fulfilling all the environmental management system actions recommended by DQS Certification Phils., a third party certifying body.

“We have envisioned Subic Bay to be a leading eco-urban free port that is why we have consistently raised the bar in managing the environment, which is the core asset of Subic,” Eisma pointed out.

She said that an effective EMS is necessary to achieve enhanced environmental performance, meet compliance obligations, and fulfill environmental objectives.

“Getting more investments, and thus more job opportunities for the community, is always anchored on the fact that Subic is attractive as a location both for business and leisure. This is why an effective EMS is a necessary management tool for the SBMA,” Eisma added.

The ISO 14001:2015, which is the international standard for an effective environmental management system (EMS), specifies the requirements that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance and manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner to attain sustainability.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya dela Llana, who is also officer in charge of the SBMA Regulatory Group, said the ISO 14001:2015 is tied up with other management systems standards, such as ISO 9001:2015 or the Quality Management System, which the SBMA received in October 2018.

She said that in compliance with government health protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19, DQS conducted the surveillance audit remotely using on-line meet applications.

Dela Llana also noted that during the first surveillance audit in 2019, SBMA received two yellow ratings or commendable actions that exceeded requirements for compliance. In the second surveillance, SBMA got four yellow ratings.

She attributed one of the yellow ratings to the support of the top management for allocating budget and resources for the construction of the SBMA Hazardous Waste Facility.

She added that the SBMA management has fully supported efforts by the agency’s Total Quality Management (TQM) and Environment Management System- Technical Working Group (EMS-TWG) to achieve the ISO certification.

Aside from establishing EMS practices in all its offices, the SBMA has also spearheaded several environment-promotion programs like the semi-annual Recyclables Collecting Event wherein companies or individuals sell or donate recyclable items.

Other SBMA-initiated environment projects include the annual SBMA Arbor Day tree-planting, banning of single-use plastics and Styrofoam in work places, and anti-smoking campaign. (MPD-SBMA)

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Waste collection and recycling are part of the established environment management system in the Subic Bay Freeport

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GQMC recognizes SBMA’s quality management system

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently was given recognition by the Government Quality Management Committee (GQMC) for attaining ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Certification which led to achieving successful years for the agency.

The GQMC annually recognized government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges, and local government units whose quality management systems (QMS) have attained ISO 9001 Certification from January 2012 to October 2016.

In a communication sent to SBMA, GQMC chairman and Budget Sec. Benjamin Diokno stated that the conferment was in recognition of the established QMS of SBMA in conformity with the ISO 9001 Standards.

ISO 9001:2008 Certificate is awarded by International Standard Organization (ISO) certified Registrars to an organization which meets specified quality system requirements to be able to consistently provide conforming products, either material or services to meet customer's expectations.

In the Philippines, ISO certification and quality management in government institutions was required through Executive Order 605 and Administrative Order 161, respectively, signed by then president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

SBMA obtained the ISO Certificate since January 2013 and was re-certified on June this year, according to SBMA OIC-Total Quality Management (TQM) Office John Aquino, who received the certificate in a ceremony held at LBP Auditorium in Manila.

The First Surveillance Audit was conducted by AJA Registrars Inc. which resulted in the “zero major non-conformity, zero minor non-conformity and nine observations”. This, according to Aquino, was considered a legacy in the history of government offices.

“This is the fruit of an all-Agency effort and utmost commitment to QMS and good governance by the dedicated men and women of the SBMA headed by Chairman Martin Diño,” Aquino said.

Aquino said that SBMA started working to meet with the requirement based on standards specified on ISO 9001:2008 since October 2012 with AJA Registrars.

All departments of SBMA had conformed to the ISO 9001 resulting to the issuance of ISO 9001:2008 Certification last April 2013, he said.

These offices include the Internal Services Group with 10 offices/departments; Maritime, Business and Investment Group with seven offices/departments; Regulatory Group with six offices/departments, and Chairman and Administrator-CEO Group which composed of six offices and departments.

The GQMC is being co-chaired by Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez with members DILG Sec. Ismael Serena and Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) Pres. Antonio Kalaw. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Martin B. Diño poses with other officials as he presents the GQMC certificate recognizing SBMA's attainment of the ISO 9001 QMS during the agency's flag ceremony Monday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA institutionalizes Integrity Program

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), in line with its corporate governance initiative and in support of President Aquino’s “Tuwid na Daan” program, is now moving to institutionalize the Integrity Pledge (IP) program, which requires ethical business practices.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the program will cover all officials and employees of the agency and will promote measures to eliminate graft and corruption in transactions within the free port.

Garcia also said that under the program, the SBMA will require Subic Bay Freeport stakeholders like business locators, as well as suppliers and contractors to sign the Integrity Pledge to remain in good standing with the SBMA.

The SBMA will also encourage local government units (LGUs) that transact business with the SBMA to sign the pledge. The SBMA provides revenue shares to eight LGUs that are contiguous to or affected by the operations of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Garcia, as head of the SBMA, signed in July last year the Integrity Pledge, which expressed the agency’s commitment to abide by ethical business practices and to support a national campaign against graft and corruption.

He said that upon signing of the Integrity Pledge, the SBMA implemented various measures to ensure transparency and implemented strict guidelines on receiving and giving of gifts, contributions, sponsorships and other tokens from or to all sectors.

“As a matter of fact, the SBMA is already implementing appropriate internal systems and controls to prevent, detect, and respond to any unethical conduct by our personnel, ensure good governance, and institutionalize the values of integrity and accountability in our business transactions,” Garcia also noted.

He added that the SBMA has long been eradicating one major source of corruption, the red tape, in its offices by continuous simplification of processes to expedite transactions in accordance with R.A. 9485 or the Anti-Red Tape act of 2007.

Proof of this effort, Garcia said, is the agency’s certification for ISO 9001:2008, which refers to quality management system that ensure that customers get consistent and good quality products and services.

In a recent briefing on “Improving the Business Climate Thru Integrity Initiative,” Jose Solomon Cortez of the Integrity Initiative Office explained that the program aims to prevent corruption in public contracting to the effect that neither the government agency nor the bidders will pay, offer, demand, or accept bribes, or collude with competitors to obtain contract.

Garcia said that all these measures are designed to impress upon everybody that the SBMA is seriously committed to help break the cycle of corruption.

He said that a monitoring team will be formed to facilitate the implementation and document the success of the agency's initiatives. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Quality supervisor is SBMA Employee of the Year

A quality management supervisor responsible in initiating quality management systems in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has been named SBMA Employee of the Year for 2013 in a ceremony held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Juan C. Aquino, Jr., officer in charge of the agency’s Total Quality Management office and previously named as Employee of the Year for the Internal Services Group, bested five other finalists in the annual search for the agency’s outstanding employees.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia congratulated the finalists and said they have the admiration of their peers and the recognition from the whole agency.

Aquino, who has been with the SBMA since 2000, helped the agency achieve the ISO 9001:2008 certification, the international standard for quality management systems. He also set up the “Voice of the Customer” system, which allows customers to give feedback, thus making it possible for the SBMA to further improve customer service.

The other five finalists were shipping operations specialist Florence Basobas, investment analyst Marie Elaine Gonzales, utility worker Renato Ching, heavy equipment operator Nestor Manuel, and Ecology Center clerk Febie dela Cerna. They were also named Employees of the Year for their respective strategic business units.

Basobas, a licensed public accountant who represented the Aviation and Maritime Operations Group, was responsible in auditing liquidation reports of companies engaged in importation inside the Freeport.

Gonzales, who represented the Business and Investment Group, was nominated for her work in pulling in investments worth US$18 million for the SBMA. She was also responsible for handling investor concerns within the Freeport.

Ching of the Chairman and Administrator’s Group is currently designated as driver at the Media Production Department. He was recognized for doing tasks outside his job description, such as providing assistance during production work, and serving as alternate videographer and photographer for the department.

Manuel represented the Public Services Group and was responsible in implementing a system to make garbage collection inside the Freeport more effective.

Dela Cerna, from the Regulatory Group, served as clerk for the Ecology Center and provided assistance during project implementation done by her department.

During the awarding ceremony, Chairman Garcia also took the opportunity to recognize the contribution of the employees in achieving SBMA’s record-breaking income last year.

He proudly said that because of the employee’s collective efforts, the SBMA is now recognized as one of the best government agencies in the country.

“This brings back the pride in our work, because it is important that you take pride in your work, regardless of your position, especially if you are working in a company worth working for,” he said.

Garcia also assured the employees that the SBMA has a bright future ahead despite the challenges the agency faces, as the management is doing everything it can to improve its employees’ working conditions.

“The prospects for SBMA are exceedingly bright, and I promise you we will take advantage of these opportunities and make SBMA a much better place in the years to come,” he said.

The SBMA Employee of the Year Awards is a project of the SBMA Human Resources Management Department to recognize and reward exemplary services rendered by employees, in line with the Civil Service Commission’s PRAISE program. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTO:
Quality supervisor Juan C. Aquino, Jr. receives his award as SBMA Employee of the Year from SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia during the awarding ceremonies held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

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SBMA sets P617-million capex for 2014

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has set aside a total of P617 million for its capital expenditure (capex) program this year, as the agency embarks on more projects to improve infrastructures and facilities, as well as to further promote the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia said the 2014 capex schedule was approved by the SBMA board of directors recently on the strength of the agency’s record-breaking financial performance for 2013.

“Because we achieved last year an all-time net profit of P1 billion, which is the biggest in the last 21 years that the SBMA existed, our board of directors approved our capital expenditure budget as presented,” Garcia said.

“Our capex this year is really a big departure from past allocations, but we really worked hard for this,” he added.

“We will be spending for dump trucks, for more service vehicles, beautification of the Freeport, roads, repair of infrastructure, for our airport, and other projects to make the Freeport more attractive to foreign investors,” Garcia said.

According to figures released by the SBMA Finance Group, the agency’s 2014 capex budget of P617 million represents a whopping 6,740 percent increase over last year’s capex of P9 million.

Of this, around P2.6 billion will be spent on buildings and structures; P90 million on land and land improvements; P391 million on equipment outlay; and P134 million on information technology equipment, which received a budget of only P13,000 in 2013.

Last week, as Garcia presented eight new pickup trucks that were acquired as initial purchases under the 2014 capex, he also appealed to SBMA officials and employees for them to continue looking for new sources of revenue to further improve the agency’s financial performance.

“We are already here at this level where we can provide for what we need. We are committed to spend not only for equipment and facilities, but for our people most especially,” Garcia assured. “But we must help each other to take SBMA up to a higher level,” he added. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA achieves rare feat in ISO certification leading to banner year

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority attained its ISO 9001:2008 certification with absolutely "zero minor and major non-conformities" on its first audit, a rare feat that no other Philippine government agency has ever achieved.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia said that when the agency began working for its ISO certification, it began paving the way not only for sustained world-class quality management system, but also toward superior financial performance. The agency started working to meet the requirements for an ISO 9001:2008 certificate from AJA Registrars in October 2012.

“Quality management is one of the reasons why 2013 became a banner year for the SBMA,” Garcia revealed.

Garcia said that unknown to the various departments that toiled hard to meet the standards, they were also working on something that would soon yield a record-shattering net income of P1 billion in 2013, the biggest in SBMA’s 21-year history.

“On the surface, we were aiming for quality certification, but deep down in the core of the organization we were building something more significant—a better system, and a culture of excellence that helped us achieve something big,” Garcia added.

“Now, with the quality management system in place and the SBMA reporting a net profit of P1.2 billion last year, more investors are showing interest to invest in Subic,” the SBMA official added.

Meanwhile, SBMA Total Quality Management (TQM) manager John Aquino said that the “zero major non-conformity, zero minor non-conformity” findings by AJA Registrars on its first surveillance audit can be considered a legacy in the history of government offices.

“It is a very rare situation that a government agency could maintain this level of conformance,” said Aquino, who is also an assessor of the Philippine Quality Award, a presidential project to recognize public and private institutions committed to quality and excellence.

Aquino also explained that because the SBMA not only maintained the quality management system but also has shown improvement by resolving one observation recorded during the AJA audit on October 3 2012, AJA recommended that SBMA continue with its ISO certification program until 2016.

The ISO 9001:2008 certification specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

It aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

All departments of the SBMA completed the requirements in April 2013 in pursuance of the ISO 9001:2008 certification.

The scope of registration included the Internal Services Group with 10 offices or departments; Maritime, Business and Investment Group with seven offices/departments; Regulatory Group with six offices/departments; and the Chairman and Administrator-CEO Group, which has six offices and departments.

ISO certification and quality management in government institutions were required, respectively, through Executive Order 605 and Administrative Order 161, which were both signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA gears up for ISO certification on environmental management

Preparations are now underway for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to be certified for ISO 14000, the international standard for environmental management.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said he has ordered the creation of a technical working group that will oversee the agency’s preparations for certification.

“We hope to have the SBMA certified within a year,” Garcia said, pointing out that the SBMA was granted early this year the ISO 9001:2008 certification, which is the international standard for quality management systems set by the International Organization for Standardization.

SBMA director Benjamin Antonio III recently announced the plan for the ISO certification to locators during the 2nd Environmental Awareness Forum held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

According to Antonio, the agency will specifically work for the ISO 14001:2004 certification, which sets out the criteria for an environmental management system and maps out a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system.

“Since the certification’s scope is geographic, it will include all SBMA offices. In fact, it’s going to include the entire fenced area of the Subic Bay Freeport,” Antonio explained.

“Everything under the control of the SBMA should be part of the scope of the environmental management system,” he added.

Antonio said that one of the requirements for the certification would involve the SBMA conducting environmental risk assessments. This would allow the Subic authority to identify environmental impacts, assess which ones are considered critical, and address the critical environmental aspects that exist within the agency.

“What’s going to happen is we are going to embed the environmental consciousness, awareness, and environmental stewardship in many, if not all of the positions in the SBMA,” he said.

The risk assessment will be done by the entire agency through the respective department managers, and the findings of which will be consolidated and implemented.

Antonio added that apart from the risk assessment, ISO 14000 would also require SBMA to have environmental emergency preparedness and response which will be tested regularly.

“Meaningful change like this one takes time, especially when it involves such a huge agency,” Antonio noted. “It’s not an easy task, but we’ll try our best to get it done in one year.” (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Garcia cites employee contributions to SBMA’s much improved performance

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto V. Garcia congratulated employees of the agency on Monday for their contribution in drawing out a much improved performance of the Subic Bay Freeport in the past several months.

In a special flag-raising ceremony here to start the month-long celebration of the 113th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service, Garcia said that everything is going fine for the Subic agency, thanks in part to the good performance of its employees.

“SBMA is so lucky this year, because we are performing much better than at this time last year,” Garcia said.

He added that in terms of mandated business, the SBMA is also doing well as the Board of Directors has already approved more than $600 million worth of new committed foreign investment this month.

Garcia also announced that Subic’s tourism industry is enjoying increased growth, with the possible holding of the Ad Summit Pilipinas in Subic Bay this year, as well as the planned hosting of the Safeguard 5i50 triathlon here soon.

He also said that with the upcoming meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC), Subic Bay has also been chosen as among the strategic places to host one of the ministerial meetings where at least 1,000 delegates are expected to attend.

“Subic will be busy this part of the year. So please be with me in maintaining our environment to put SBMA in a status as model for all government agencies,” Garcia urged the employees.

The Civil Service Commission led other government agencies nationwide in marking the civil service day with programs hewing on the theme "Tatak Lingkod Bayani: Isabuhay, Ipagmalaki, Ipagbunyi!"

Here in Subic, Chairman Garcia led employees and officials in reciting the “Panunumpa ng Lingkod Bayan,” while 2012 SBMA employee of the year Marivic Seguiban recited the “Panunumpa ng Kawani ng SBMA.”

In the same ceremony, Garcia also read a message from President Aquino congratulating government employees for being with the administration’s thrust in providing the best public service anchored on transparency and professionalism.

A video-message from CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III also urged government employees to continue serving the public to the best of their best abilities.

As part of the civil service anniversary celebration, the SBMA has also launched several projects to acknowledge the best performance of employees.

These include free shuttle rides in the morning and afternoon, free review classes for employees planning to take the CSC eligibility examination this October, and a free “Zumba” physical fitness program every Friday just before the close of office hours.

“This is our little way of thanking our employees who work hard so that the SBMA meets what the government is expecting from it,” Garcia also said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (extreme right) joins employees in reciting the “Panunumpa ng Kawani ng SBMA” during a simple ceremony held Monday morning as part of the nationwide simultaneous celebration of the 113th anniversary of the Civil Service Commission.

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SBMA recognizes 11 environment-friendly business locators

In line with the celebration of World Environmental Month, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recognized 11 top corporations in this free port that demonstrate sound environmental management practices.

SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia personally awarded certificates of recognition to the environment-friendly business locators in a simple ceremony held at the SBMA board room recently.

Those that received the SBMA citation were electronic data processing equipment manufacturer Hitachi Terminal Mechatronics Phils. Corp.; HDD spindle-motor producer Nidec Subic Phils., Inc.; cooling fan and servomotors manufacturer Sanyo Denki Phils. Inc.; semi-conductor diodes manufacturer Phil. Inter-Electronics Corp.; aircraft repair and overhaul provider Honeywell CEASA Subic Bay Co., Inc.; high precision plastic molding maker Koryo Subic, Inc.; electronics parts and accessories manufacturer Ringsthree Inc.; Fang Chan; Hitachi Air Conditioning Products (Phils), Inc.; inkjet cartridge and printer producer Cresc Inc.; and utility operator Subic Water and Sewerage Co., Inc.

Garcia said that the awardees, which have also attained ISO 14001 Certification, were recommended for citation by the SBMA Ecology Center after rigorous evaluation of their activities and environmental management program.

ISO 14001 is the world’s most recognized framework for Environmental Management Standard (EMS) which helps organizations both to manage better the impact of their activities on the environment and to demonstrate sound environmental management.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Angel Bagaloyos said the EMS is used by organizations worldwide to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and drive down costs.

He said this standard, which has been adopted by more than half of the 160 national members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is endorsed by governments around the world, integrates environmental dimension in business strategy “to restore the image of the industry due to common notion that industry is always associated with pollution.”

Meanwhile, Garcia lauded the companies who made it to the agency's environment-friendly list.

“You are the primary examples of locators we are looking for,” Garcia told company executives and ISO coordinators who attended the ceremony. “It is only proper to honor each of these 11 green companies, as they will serve as example to other locators in Subic to strive for the best towards the seemingly never-ending journey to quality.”

“It’s not enough to satisfy your customers, you have to delight them,” he added.

SBMA is very much active in the advocacy to preserve, protect and propagate the rich and lush environment in the Subic Bay Freeport. It provides assistance to indigenous tribal communities and fisher folks in and around the free port zone for their environmental protection projects; initiates beach and coastal clean-up drives, tree planting and other environment protection-related activities; and regulates the operation of business locators according to the Subic Bay Protected Area Management Plan.

The SBMA has also required retail stores, restaurants and groceries to use environment-friendly materials and banned the use of plastic and styrofoam packaging in the free port zone. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto V. Garcia (middle) pose with representatives of the top environment-friendly companies in the Subic Bay Freeport. With them are SBMA chief operating officer Joven Reyes (left), SBMA deputy administrator for regulatory Joy Alvarado (second from right), and SBMA Ecology Center manager Angel Bagaloyos (right).

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SBMA receives ISO 9001:2008 certification

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was recently granted the ISO 9001:2008 certification after passing the audit done by AJA Registrars, Inc., an independent certification body headquartered in the United Kingdom.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia received the certification on April 29 from Paul Bagatsing, vice president and general manager of AJA Registrars, Inc.- Philippines.

The certification places the SBMA at par with other organizations and companies around the world in terms of quality management systems.

The ISO 9001:2008 is the international standard for quality management systems set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The certification specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Under ISO 9001:2008, the organization must aim to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to applicable requirements.

Garcia said the certification came at a very fitting time as the Philippines is now the focus of foreign investors due to the recent upgrades of the country’s investment rating.

However, he reminded all SBMA personnel that the manuals set by the ISO are not cast in stone, and that they must strive for improvement all the time.

“We have to continuously train and upgrade our people and bring the mechanisms to make sure that we deliver the quality service that our investors want,” said Garcia, a quality practitioner during his time in the private sector.

“Quality means constant improvement – kaizen,” he added, referring to the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement.

Bagatsing, for his part, reminded everyone that the certification is not just a piece of paper. “This represents three things: your past, or your effort that you put in this; your present, what you have now; and your future, or your responsibilities to keep continuous improvement,” he said.

He also added that it is vital to strive for more and not be complacent after receiving the ISO certification.

“Remember, your best today will be tomorrow’s average performance,” he said.

Bagatsing also said that they are very happy that the SBMA decided to pursue full certification. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA chairman Roberto V. Garcia (right) receives the ISO 9001:2008 certification from AJA Registrars Inc. vice-president Paul Bagatsing.

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