SEA Games’ Subic cluster holds cauldron lighting rite

Six days before the grand opening of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, the Subic Cluster formally opened the biennial meet here with the lighting of the cauldron.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma led the lighting ceremony witnessed by Mike Aguilar, director for ceremonies of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc).

Eisma used the official SEA Games torch to light the cauldron, a ceremony also attended by triathlete Claire Adorna, Triathlon SEA Games two-time gold medalist Nicko Huelgas and SBMA employees.

The SBMA chief assured the Phisgoc members that Subic is ready for the two-week sporting meet.

Subic along with Olongapo is hosting 17 of the 56 sports starting November 28 with sailing at Subic Bay.

Other sports include duathlon/triathlon, pencak silat, sepak takraw, chess, table tennis, muay thai, canoe kayak, open water, modern pentathlon, beach volleyball, handball, windsurfing, rowing, shooting (trap), and traditional boat race.

Aside from Subic, other host clusters of the Games are Metro Manila, Clark and Southern Tagalog.

The SEA Games’ first indoor opening ceremony will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on November 30 while the closing rite will be held at the New Clark City Sports Hub in Capas, Tarlac on Dec. 11. (Ruben Veloria, PNA)

PHOTO:

SEA GAMES SUBIC CLUSTER. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma leads the lighting of the cauldron to officially open the 30th SEA Games in Subic Freeport on Monday (Nov. 25, 2019). Also in photo are (from left) Phisgoc director for ceremonies Mike Aguilar, triathlete Claire Adorna and triathlon SEA Games gold medalist Nicko Huelgas. Subic is hosting 17 of the 56 sports. (PNA photo by Ruben A. Veloria)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1086969

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SBMA, DENR present ‘Refill Revolution’ to cut plastic pollution

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will team up with the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-EMB) to promote the use of refillable containers as a means of reducing plastic wastes that harm the environment.

On Tuesday, November 19, the two agencies will introduce the “Refill Revolution” program to local residents and stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport during the 7th Recyclables Collection Event (RCE), which is a biennial recycling project of the SBMA.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya dela Llana said “Refill Revolution” is designed to do away with sachets and “tingi” (small retail) packs that usually end up in drainage systems, rivers and other waterways, and eventually the sea.

“By buying in bulk, choosing products without much packaging and by using refillable containers for these products, we can help reduce wastes and prevent environmental pollution,” she added.

Dela Llana said that under “Refill Revolution”, participants can buy powder detergent at P30 per kilo; fabric conditioner at P20 per kilo; dishwashing liquid at P20 per liter; and hand soap at P20 per liter.

Accredited suppliers and sellers will also offer essential household items like soy sauce, cane vinegar, cooking oil, and brown sugar at reduced prices, she added.

Another new activity during the 7th RCE to be held at the Mini Golf Course here is the “Trash for Rice” project, which is a social development program of the Asia Processing Industry Association of Subic.

Dela Llana said “Trash for Rice” will exchange one kilo of rice for every one kilo of plastic or half kilo of cigarette butts. Organizers aim to collect 1,000 kilos of clean and dry plastic, sando bags, sachet, and cigarette butts, with a maximum of 10 kilos each for each pre-registered Subic Bay Freeport locator.

Like “Refill Revolution”, this project targets SBMA employees, Subic Bay Freeport business locators and workers, and residents of Olongapo City, Zambales and Bataan.

Yet another new highlight in the event is a Tire Upcycling Workshop, wherein participants from the SBMA and the Pastolan and Kanawan Ayta communities in the Freeport would learn how used tires could be turned into artistic creations like plant pots, Christmas wreaths, chairs, and hammocks.

Meanwhile, various groups and business establishments will put up booths to showcase and sell local products and eco-friendly alternatives to plastic packaging.

At the same time, Dela Llana said the 7th Recyclable Collection Event will continue with its objective of facilitating the proper disposal of recyclables. This time, recyclers will take in paper and plastic, used clothes and footwear, and expired medicines and needles on top of regular recyclables like electronic wastes, used oils, lead acid batteries, busted light bulbs and lamps and tires.

The fees collected for the disposal of hazardous wastes are donated to the “Bantay Kalikasan” environment protection program.

Aside from the Recyclable Collection Program, the SBMA has initiated other environment-friendly programs and has banned the use of single-use plastics in the agency’s workplaces.

Dela Llana said every measure in reducing pollution is a big step for environmental protection and everyone can volunteer to help. “So turn in your waste materials, bring your own refill bottles and containers, and join us in loving back Mother Earth,” she added. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

SBMA Recyclable Collection Events show recycling instructors demonstrating some creative uses of plastic wastes.

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Anti-graft court clears top SBMA officials of Diño raps

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed three other cases filed by then Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Martin Diño against two other senior officials amidst the leadership row in the Subic agency two years ago.

In a consolidated joint resolution approved by Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires last June and released by his office on October 23, the graft court cleared now SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon O. Agregado of falsification, usurpation of authority, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.

The charges filed by Diño were dismissed for lack of probable cause and lack of substantial evidence.

Diño, who is now undersecretary at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), filed the cases in August and September 2017 at the height of his squabble for leadership with Eisma, who was then SBMA administrator and CEO.

Diño alleged that Eisma usurped the power of the SBMA Board of Directors when she authorized Agregado to sign on her behalf term sheets for Management Approved Proposals (MAPs).  He also claimed that Eisma thereafter issued an office order to cover up Agregado’s purported usurpation.

In its ruling, however, the Ombudsman said it found no probable cause to indict the respondents for any of the complaints filed by the former SBMA official.

“As such, it cannot be said that respondent Eisma usurped the authority of the Board when she designated respondent Agregado to sign the subject MAPs in her behalf,” the Ombudsman ruled. “It cannot likewise be said that respondent Agregado usurped the authority of respondent Eisma,” it added.

As to the charge of falsification, the Ombudsman said the office order issued by Eisma to authorize Agregado to sign the MAPs “was genuine and validly issued” and that even if the order was numbered much later due to errors in assignment, “it does not affect the truthfulness of the contents thereof.”

The Ombudsman also quashed charges of grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and serious dishonesty, and pointed out that the complainant failed to establish that respondents violated any law, or tarnished the image or integrity of their office.
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Diño also “failed to submit any other compelling evidence to effectively assail the genuineness and due execution of (Eisma’s) office order,” the resolution stated.

This was the second time that the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed charges filed by Diño against officials of the Subic agency.

Last July, the anti-graft court also ruled against Diño in a complaint he filed two years ago against five senior SBMA officials in connection with his claim for salary as SBMA chairman. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA takes back 240 hectares from Marine Park

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) took back more than 240 hectares of property that remained undeveloped despite being leased to a marine theme park company 12 years ago.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said her men closed down three separate areas at the 505-hectare property of Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBMEI) because of failure to honor its development commitment under a lease and management agreement. SBMEI is the operator of popular tourism facilities Ocean Adventure, Camayan Beach Resort and Adventure Beach Waterpark here.

Eisma said the takeover of the properties proceeded smoothly and without any untoward incident.

The 240 hectares of repossessed property were 92 hectares tagged as Area B, 97 hectares at Area C and 51 hectares at Area E, all located at the Ilanin Forest of Subic Bay Freeport.

Twenty-two former ammunition bunkers, warehouses and other US Navy-era structures connected by tar-paved roads, which are in various states of disrepair were found in the three properties, the SBMA said, adding these indicate that the government-owned properties were not maintained through the years by the lessor.

Eisma expressed gratitude to the SBMEI management for cooperating in the repossession despite it having filed a case against the SBMA on October 18 to thwart the implementation of the agency’s pre-termination order issued on September 27.

“I can only thank the SBMEI management for cooperating in the takeover, which proceeded smoothly and without any untoward incident,” Eisma said.

“We also welcome the filing by SBMEI of a case in court because this move brings us one step closer to the resolution of this problem. Whatever the final decision of the court will be, you can count on the SBMA to honor it,” she added. (Patrick Roxas, Manila Times)

https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/10/31/news/regions/sbma-takes-back-240-hectares-from-marine-park/652201/

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SBMA padlocks cigarette maker for tax evasion

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) closed down a cigarette manufacturer in this Freeport for tax evasion amidst a crackdown on companies here that fail to pay appropriate taxes and follow government regulations.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma identified the company as Qiu Tobacco Industrial Co. Ltd. Corp., which is engaged in the transshipment, packaging and repacking of tobacco products.

Eisma and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Region 3 Director Ed Tolentino led a joint SBMA-BIR team on Friday in inspecting the facilities of six cigarette manufacturers at the Gateway Park here to flush out those involved in the circulation of untaxed and fake cigarette products in the country.

During the inspection, it was found out that Qiu Tobacco, which produces cigarette brands like Belmont, Navy and D&B, did not have excise tax stamps on their soft packs.

A Chinese national who was caretaker at the facility said the cigarette brands were sold outside the country. But the joint SBMA-BIR team noted that the cigarettes had markings indicating they were intended for Philippine market.

Tolentino said this was a violation of Sec. 263 of the National Internal Revenue Code, which prohibits the possession or removal of articles subject to excise tax without payment of tax. Excise tax is a duty on manufactured goods which is levied at the moment of manufacture, rather than at sale.

The BIR official added that the lack of stamps meant the firm was not paying the proper tax for each pack that was manufactured and sold.

At the same time, the Qiu representative at the facility was not able to present a copy of the firm’s Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTE). Eisma said this was a violation of an SBMA requirement to display the CRTE in company facilities.

A check with the SBMA Business and Investment Group indicated that Qiu Tobacco was issued a CRTE on December 5 last year. The permit was good until May 31, 2021.

Eisma said, however, that because of its failure to pay excise taxes, the company will be closed until further notice from the BIR.

The SBMA chief also reiterated that it was the agency’s mandate to ensure that all companies inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone are paying their taxes properly.

She added that if a company complies with the law and the rules and regulations of the agency, the SBMA will protect that company. “If not, we will prosecute to the full extent of the law,” Eisma said. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and BIR Regional Investigation team member Gene Bragais (left) through an interpreter question the caretaker of the Qiu Tobacco Industrial Co. Ltd. Corp. (right) during inspection of the firm’s cigarette-manufacturing facility on Sept. 27. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA: Measures promoting ‘ease of doing business’ already in place

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) clarified on Friday that it has put in place significant measures to improve locator services in the Subic Bay Freeport in line with President Duterte’s directive for agencies to simplify business procedures and expedite transactions.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said among the measures already implemented by the Subic agency are extending the validity of business permits from one to three years, and establishing one-stop shops to automate the processing of permit renewals.

“We have operationalized these measures last year, which was also the time when President Duterte approved Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018,” Eisma pointed out.

“In fact, we established the One-Stop Shop Business Processing Center (OSSBPC) in February 2018 and then released the first batch of the three-year Certificates of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTEs) in June last year. RA 11032 was approved in May,” she said.

“Then following the issuance this July of the implementing rules and regulations for RA 11032, we formed our anti-red tape unit with key officials as members, and also created three technical working groups to oversee compliance with the law,” she added.

The SBMA official cited these initiatives in the wake of a report that some businessmen here were urging the Subic agency to “adhere to the ‘ease of doing business’ law.” (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA honors 161 employees in 5th Loyalty Awards

A total of 161 employees who have rendered continuous service to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) from 10 to 25 years received well-deserved honor from the Subic agency recently.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma led the tribute at the 5th SBMA Loyalty Awards rites held at the Travelers Hotel here on September 13 and expressed gratitude for the workers’ dedication and loyalty.

“Today we honor all of you who have given their dedication, their faithful work, and even devotion to the agency. You have worked so hard for the SBMA, and we recognize that without you, this agency would not be where it is today,” Eisma said.

Twenty-two awardees with 10 years of service to the agency marched down the aisle of the event center, followed by 70 with 15 years of work, and 64 who have served for 20 years.

But those who received a standing ovation from their SBMA colleagues were the five employees who have completed 25 years of service. They were Armila Alviz, Emilia Canonizado, and Leonor Dulcero of Accounting Department, Renato Gayondato of Law Enforcement Department, and Alfredo Planea of Treasury Department.

In her inspirational message, Chairman Eisma defined what the loyalty award is all about, pointing out that the service award was not meant simply as a measure of the years spent with the agency.

“Loyalty should not be measured by just because you showed up for work; it should be measured because you showed up and worked hard. You showed up and showed the world that you are working and making a difference. And we are very lucky you did all that for SBMA,” she told the awardees.

Eisma also said that loyalty meant “looking after each other, looking after the SBMA every time, and making sure that every step we make for SBMA will bring us to a better future.”

In response, 20-year service awardee Severo Pastor Jr., who is manager of the SBMA Labor Department, said that SBMA employees had always been forward-looking workers.

“In my 20 years of service, I served six administrations with different thrusts, survived different economic situations, and welcomed several waves of multi-nationals, but in all these years I can proudly say that we have developed programs that promote relevance among the Subic Freeport work force,” Pastor said.

He added that in the last 10 years, his department has streamlined 16 processes, nine of which are in compliance with the Anti-Red Tape Act, while others are for various frontline services.

Pastor also took the opportunity to bid farewell to the SBMA, ending his speech with a song that he wrote as a parting message to SBMA colleagues.

The SBMA loyalty awards, sanctioned by the Civil Service Commission through the SBMA Human Resource Management Department, is being given to employees with permanent status who have rendered from 10 to 25 years of continuous and satisfactory service in the government.

The accolades given to the service awardees included plaques of recognition, certificates of service, and monetary reward. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA 25-year service awardees, accompanied by family members, receive recognition from senior agency officials led by SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Ombudsman dismisses Diño charges vs. SBMA officials

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed for lack of merit a complaint filed two years ago by then Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Martin Diño against five senior officials of the agency.

Diño, who is now undersecretary at the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), filed charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross ignorance of the law, and grave abuse of authority/oppression against the officials in connection with his claim for salary as SBMA chairman.

But in a decision approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires last July 29, the anti-graft body cleared SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, Deputy Administrator for Finance Antonietta Sanqui, Treasury Department manager Myrna Caseja, Accounting Department manager Emilia Canonizado, and Budget Department manager Editha Marzal and ruled that they acted only in accordance with the law.

Records at the Office of the Ombudsman showed that Diño filed the complaint on July 19, 2017 when he was head of the Subic agency, alleging that he “never received his salary/compensation except (for) per diems on regular board meetings he attended.”

Diño also contended that his claims for salary were rejected by the respondents despite several oral requests.

The SBMA officials, however, denied the charges and averred that under the law it was not Diño who was the real plantilla officer, but the SBMA administrator who also serves as chief executive officer.

Under this setup, they added, the SBMA issued salary only to the SBMA administrator and paid out only per diems to the SBMA chairman based on the latter’s attendance at board meetings.

In dismissing the complaint, the Ombudsman observed that Diño’s only basis to justify his demand for salary was Executive Order (EO) 673 signed in 2007, which fixed the salary of the SBMA chairman to be the same as that of the SBMA administrator and amended Section 1 of EO 340, which reorganized the SBMA Board of Directors.

The Ombudsman then pointed out that “when EO 24, series of 2011 was issued, it repealed EO 340 together with EO 673.” It added that under EO 24, the SBMA chairman cannot receive salary equivalent to that of the SBMA administrator because it would be “over the limit for the maximum annual compensation for members of the Board of Directors of GOCCs, such as SBMA.”

“Based on the foregoing, respondents acted only in accordance with EO 24 They did not transgress or violate any law or established rule that would render them administratively liable,” the Ombudsman stated.

“And since no forbidden act or unlawful behavior was exhibited by respondents, all administrative charges against respondents shall fail,” the Ombudsman also said.

The decision was welcomed here by respondents, who collectively expressed relief over the favorable ruling.

“We have long awaited this good news. This only affirmed our innocence,” said one of the SBMA officials who faced Diño’s complaint.

The official added that it was very important for them to be cleared of the charges because it affected their good standing and benefits as employees in government service. z(HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA approves P4.48-billion new investments, P555-million expansion projects in 1st half

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) approved new investment projects worth P4.48 billion in the first half of this year, eclipsing by 42% last year’s new investments record of P3.15 billion for the same period.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said a total of 77 new investment projects were recorded from January to June 2019, with 41 approvals worth P3.57 billion in the first quarter and 36 projects worth P902.1 million in the second quarter.

In contrast, 45 new investment projects were approved in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the first half of 2018, with P1.17 billion worth of projects in January to March and P1.98 billion in April to June.

Meanwhile, the SBMA also green-lighted 21 expansion projects in the first six months this year, generating investment commitments totaling P555.2 million, Eisma said.

These included 9 expansions worth P515.3 million in the first quarter and 12 expansion projects valued at P39.8 million in the second quarter.

The number of expansion projects in Subic increased from 10 in the first half of 2018 to 21 this year, with committed investments growing from P276.2 million in 2018 to P555.2 million in 2019, or a growth of more than 100%.

The continuing entry of investor-companies in Subic, Eisma said, had resulted from the hard work of the agency to draw more business despite stiff global competition for foreign direct investments.

“More investor companies are coming to Subic, but we have to ensure that they get the right environment so that they will continue to bring their business here,” Eisma said in the Subic Labor Congress held here recently.

“The SBMA is working very hard to ensure jobs for local workers, but I challenge you to have the necessary skills,” she also told participants in the assembly.

Figures from the SBMA Business and Investment Group indicated that the 77 new investment projects in the first half of 2019 gave a projected employment total of 2,003, while expansion projects yielded 1,670 new jobs for a total of 3,673.

Following the established trend, leisure projects comprised most of the new investments with 15 approvals in the first quarter and 14 in the second quarter for a total of 29 projects.

Projects under general business had the second most approvals at 16, followed by logistics projects at 15, maritime and manufacturing at 11, and information and communications technology at 6.

Among the new projects, the five biggest in terms of committed investments are those of Sinoinvest Resources, Inc., which pledged P1.2 billion for a leisure project; Smart & Plan Subic Logistics and Development Corp. with P1 billion for another leisure venture; Arjuna Sand Trading, Inc., with P628.9 million for a logistics project; Worldwide Grace, Inc., with P515 million for general business; and Taiyo Subic Philippines Corp., with P392.5 million for a manufacturing project.

For the expansion projects, Datian Subic Shoes, Inc. has the biggest investment commitment at P316.6 million, while servo-motor manufacturer Sanyo Denki Phils., Inc. pledged the second biggest at P119.6 million.

Datian Subic Shoes, Inc.’s expansion project is also expected to turn out the most number of new jobs at 1,500.

The next biggest projection came from Sinoinvest Resources with 500 new jobs; Juan Fong Industrial Corp., 305; and Philippines Easepal Technology with 270. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA releases P203.14-million shares to LGUs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) distributed checks amounting to a total P203.14 million to adjacent local government units (LGUs) that benefit from the semi-annual revenue shares from the Subic agency.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma released the shares during a lunch meeting at the Subic Bay Yacht Club on Monday to LGU executives of Olongapo City and the towns of Subic, Castilejos, San Marcelino and San Antonio in Zambales, and Hermosa, Morong and Dinalupihan in Bataan.

The biggest disbursement went to Olongapo City with P47.24 million, followed by Subic with P31.05 million; San Marcelino, P26.34 million; Dinalupihan, P25.26 million; Hermosa, P21.15 million; Castillejos, P19.01 million; Morong, P17.65 million; and San Antonio, P17.41 million.

Monday’s releases brought the total amount received by contiguous LGUs to P2.07 Billion since February 2011 when the SBMA started directly releasing the revenue shares to them.

As the LGU share is determined according to population (50 per cent), land area (25 per cent), and equal sharing (25 per cent), Olongapo, which is a highly urbanized city, always received the biggest chunk of the shares.

The shares given in August are derived from two per cent of the five-percent gross income taxes collected from business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone from January to June each year. Shares from collections in July to December are released in February.

Eisma pointed out that the LGU shares are given to augment local resources and enable stakeholder communities to carry out development projects in health, education, peace and order, and livelihood generation.

“This is another way by which the SBMA promotes inclusive growth in the locality, aside from generating employment opportunities for local workers,” Eisma said.

“While we don’t have any means to determine how the shares are utilized, we hope that these will be used for the communities to keep pace with developments in the Subic Bay Freeport,” she added.

For their part, the mayors gave assurances that the funds would be spent to further develop their respective communities.

Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. of Olongapo said the shares he received would go for development projects that would benefit the people of the city, while Mayor Jonathan Khonghun of Subic said that their share would provide for scholarship grants to deserving residents of the municipality. Both are neophyte mayors who won in the recent elections.

The SBMA began releasing the shares directly to the LGUs, after a new tax collection scheme was implemented in August 2010. Previously, corporate taxes were remitted first to the national government, which would then distribute the LGU shares. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (center) with local chief executives after releasing LGU shares at the Subic Bay Yacht Club on Monday. Left-right: Mayor Rudy Ruiz (San Antonio); Mayor Elvis Soria (San Marcelino); Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. (Olongapo City); Mayor Jopet Inton (Hermosa); Chairman Eisma; Mayor Eleanor Dominguez (Castillejos); Mayor Angela Garcia (Dinalupihan); Mayor Cynthia Estanislao (Morong); and Mayor Jon Khonghun (Subic). (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA calls for SEA Games volunteers

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma has called for the participation of volunteers from the Subic Bay area in the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the Philippines will host late this year.

Once more tapping the wellspring of volunteerism that helped make Subic a model for military base conversion, Eisma urged local youths to take the opportunity to serve and be part of history.

“Make a difference and be a hero,” Eisma said in a call broadcast over social media.

“Come show your malasakit once again. Be a SEA Games volunteer and give yourself the chance to serve the country and be part of history,” she added.

Eisma made the call for volunteers after the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) announced the need for some 12,000 volunteers for the regional sports spectacle that will be held in November 30 to December 10.

PHISGOC chief operating officer Ramon Suzara said that volunteers will be mobilized for the Games in Metro Manila, Subic, Clark Freeport, and other venues to help run the country’s hosting of the 56 sports and 529 events in this year’s sports meet.

Eisma said she has called for volunteers to show their malasakit for Subic in so many occasions in the past. “Today, I am calling on you again to join the SBMA team and help make the 30th SEA Games successful,” she said.

Out of the 56 sports slated in the 2019 SEA Games, 16 will be hosted in Subic. These are duathlon, triathlon, pencak silat, sepak takraw, chess, table tennis, muay thai, karatedo, vovinam, obstacle sports, modern-date pentathlon, beach volleyball, beach handball, and all water sports: sailing, wind surfing, and traditional boat race.

PHISGOC said around P100 million to P150 million will be allotted to the volunteer program from the P5-billion SEA Games budget of the national government.

The volunteers will be provided with uniforms, transportation, allowance and meals for an eight-hour shift.

Eisma said that those interested to join the SEA Games volunteer program in Subic may apply online at www.mysubicbay.com.ph. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Recruitment of volunteers will be conducted from April to July, with the online registration starting on May 15. Training of volunteers will be held from August to October. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

With the monument honoring Subic’s original volunteers in the background, SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma renews the call for volunteers, this time for the upcoming SEA Games events to be held in the Subic Bay Freeport. (MPD-SBMA)

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DFA mulling consular office in Subic Bay Freeport

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now considering the establishment of a permanent consular office in this free port to better serve the public in the Subic Bay area and nearby parts of Central Luzon.

DFA Assistant Secretary Neil Frank Ferrer announced this during the agency’s passport processing project that was held last week at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

“This is our commitment—to bring our services closer to the public, closer to you people. We will not be just an ad hoc passporting on wheels. Our intention is to put up a permanent presence here,” said Ferrer, who joined the DFA team here to coordinate and look for a possible location for an office.

The DFA official added that with a permanent consular office in Subic, the agency will also be able to provide services like document authentication, assistance to nationals, and delayed registration of birth, marriage or death for Filipinos abroad.

“It will be a complete service, like a mini-DFA,” Ferrer said. “We are excited in having that office put up here soon.”

In January last year, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said she has requested the DFA to conduct passport processing here at least twice a year and, later on, to establish full consular services at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Eisma made the request after noting the huge number of passport applicants who queue for processing each time a passport-on-wheels team arrived in Subic.

Ferrer said the DFA has already established 34 consular offices across the country.

Recently, it opened seven new consular offices in Malolos, Bulacan; Ilocos Norte; Isabela; San Pablo, Laguna; Antipolo, Rizal; Tagum City, Davao del Norte; and Clarin, Misamis Occidental, he said.

SBMA deputy administrator for administration Ruel John T. Kabigting, who welcomed the DFA group during the passport processing project, said that he has been receiving positive feedback on passport processing events here.

“Applying for a passport in Subic became very convenient for the people because there is no need for them to travel to the regional office or to Manila. And they are thankful for this project,” Kabigting said.

A total of 818 passport applications were processed here in the March 29 project at the Harbor Point, according to the SBMA technical working group for corporate social responsibility (TWG for CSR), which is the prime-mover of the mobile passport processing project.

This was the third passport processing project of the SBMA TWG for CSR that was held in cooperation with the DFA, Harbor Point Ayala Mall, and Converge ICT.

The TWG for CSR consists of about 50 SBMA employee-volunteers who render public service to the public through projects like passport on wheels, firearms licensing, and civil registration. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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H1undreds of applicants queue for the processing of their passport during the DFA-SBMA Passport on Wheels project at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on March 29, ample proof that a consular office is needed to serve the public in the Subic Bay Freeport area. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA’s P530-M road rehab program underway

Several road rehabilitation projects are either on-going or in the initial stages of preparation here as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) began implementing a P530-million infrastructure program to repair roads and related facilities built when Subic was still a military base.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the Subic authority recently completed the P9.3-million El Kabayo road rehabilitation project and has now started the P18-million Argonaut Highway-George Dewey Complex road and drainage improvement project, as well as parts of the P369.7-million road rehabilitation package.

“More projects will be underway soon, so I ask Subic stakeholders, as well as visitors to the Freeport, to please bear with us the temporary inconveniences like traffic jams, and a little noise and dust pollution because of the on-going road projects,” she said.

“We’re doing this to improve the core business infrastructure here and to sustain the attractiveness of the Subic Bay Freeport as a globally-competitive trade and tourism center,” she added.

According to the SBMA chief, most of the road rehabilitation projects today are funded under the national government’s Build-Build-Build program. This was the first time that a massive road rehabilitation program is undertaken ever since Subic became a free port zone in 1992, she said.

Eisma said the agency was able to first secure from the national government a P500-million fund for the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) rehabilitation program in 2017 and this was followed in 2018 by a P530-million fund for road rehabilitation.

As of now, the SBMA Board of Directors has approved and awarded two new major rehabilitation projects: the P76-million road rehabilitation project proposed in 2016, and the P18-million drainage improvement project along Argonaut Highway-George Dewey Complex.

Meanwhile, three other major projects are now up for bidding: Naval Supply Depot (NSD) Road Rehabilitation Project Phase 2, Road Rehabilitation Project 2018, and Road Rehabilitation Project 2019.

The 2018 road rehabilitation package is budgeted at P299 million and will include improvements at the Malawaan Park parking area, road ramp along Dewey Avenue, as well as repair of Waterfront Road, road to the New Container Terminal, Rizal Highway and Maritan Highway, as well as several roads in residential areas.

Meanwhile, the 2019 road rehabilitation package has a budget of P253 million and will consist of repairs along main roads like Argonaut Highway, San Bernardino Road, roads to Leyte Wharf and Sattler Pier duct banks, Rizal Highway, Boton Highway, Binictican Drive, and the approaches to Kalaklan Bridge and 14th Street Bridge.

On the other hand, the NSD Road Rehabilitation Project Phase 2, with a budget of P85 million, consists of repairs of roads leading to the NSD Compound where most of grain and bulk shipments are done. These areas have been battered by heavy trucks that carry tons of grain shipment coming from ships.

Eisma said repair projects are necessary because the US Navy-built roads have deteriorated over the years. “When I came back in 2017 as administrator, the first question that came to my mind was how come it seemed like there has not been any road repair in Subic, only to find out that there was no budget for that because the SBMA doesn’t have any assistance from the national government and we had to rely on our internal funds,” she said.

“Thus, I had to seek the assistance of Senator Richard Gordon, the first SBMA chairman, to get some funding for Subic included in the national budget,” she said. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma inspects road rehabilitation projects in the Subic Bay Freeport along El Kabayo Road (photo 1) and Argonaut Highway (photo 2) with Deputy Administrator for Public Works Marco Estabillo and Engineering Department head Gary Fernandez

[3] Workers construct an embankment for the Argonaut Highway-George Dewey Complex drainage improvement project in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Subic prepares to host 17 SEAG events

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will soon start preparing facilities and other infrastructure needed to host a total of 17 events in the forthcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) that the Philippines will host from November 30 until December 11, 2019.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon Agregado said the SBMA expects to start project construction in the first week of March to upgrade existing facilities here and turn them into world-class sports accommodations.

“The centerpiece of Subic’s infrastructure development project for the 2019 SEA Games will be the Remy Field. Its present six-lane track will be turned into a nine-lane oval complemented by three practice lanes, as well as shower rooms, dressing rooms and a new, bigger grand stand,” Agregado said.

He added that three other sports venues are scheduled for rehabilitation, as well: Subic Gymnasium, SBMA Tennis Court, and Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

“In the meantime that these facilities will be undergoing rehabilitation, they will be temporarily closed to the public,” the SBMA officials said.

For Subic’s SEA Games preparation, Agregado said the national government has set aside P170 million, although the SBMA was expecting twice that amount for all the required development.

Lately the national government has cut the SEA Games budget from P7.5 billion to P5 billion, but Agregado said that the SBMA is “still hoping the budget for Subic will be increased.”

The official logo of the 30th SEA Games

The SEA Games committee has initially assigned 17 events to the Subic Bay Freeport: duathlon, triathlon, pencak silat, sepak takraw, chess, table tennis, muay thai, karatedo, vovinam, obstacle sports, modern-date pentathlon, beach volleyball, beach handball, weightlifting, and all water sports: sailing, wind surfing, and traditional boat race.

“We will be hosting 17 events, and we are lucky because we will have a lot of medal events like triathlon and weightlifting, as well as spectator-friendly sports, so Subic’s hosting will really be exciting ” Agregado said.

He noted that the Philippines won two gold and two silver medals in triathlon for both men and women divisions in the 2017 SEA Games held in Malaysia, while Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz snatched a gold medal in the 2018 Asian Games and took home silver from the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.

“After hosting this year’s SEA Games, our next target will be the ASEAN Games. We will try to level up,” Agregado also said.

The Philippines will be hosting the Sea Games after it hosted the biennial multi-sports event 14 years ago. Subic also hosted several events when the Philippines last hosted the SEAG in 2005.

For the 2019 SEA Games, Subic, along with New Clark City, Metro Manila, and the Batangas, La Union and Tagaytay cluster, will be the venue for some 56 sports and 523 events to be held in the country in a span of 12 days. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Subic’s Remy Field, shown here as a transition area during the 2018 Full Ironman, will be the centerpiece of Subic’s development as a SEA Games venue.

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SBMA, Subic firms send P70k donation to Orion fire victims

Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as well business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport sent in more than P70,000 worth of donations to victims of the fire that razed more than 600 houses in Orion, Bataan late last month.

SBMA Public Relations Department manager Armie Llamas said the Subic agency mounted a donation drive for the fire victims and collected some 25 boxes of assorted supplies from various SBMA departments and companies operating in the Freeport.

The donations consisted of sleeping mats, water pails, plates and drinking cups, various toiletry items, blankets, pillows, canned goods, and used clothes. These were turned over last week to Orion, Bataan Mayor Antonio Raymundo, Jr.

In a separate project, the SBMA’s 89.5-FM Subic Bay Radio also collected a significant volume of donations as it asked listeners to contribute in the aftermath of the Orion fire.

Acting station manager Menandro Magcale said that good Samaritans from the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City provided 5 cavans of rice, 6 boxes of canned goods, 4 boxes of noodles, 3 boxes of bread and biscuits, 2 boxes of assorted packed food, 3 boxes of hygiene products, assorted kitchen and house ware, and beddings and mattresses.

The station likewise collected some 100 pairs of shoes and slippers, as well as a dozen huge plastic bags of used clothes.

The radio station staff, along with volunteer students from Aura College in the Freeport, delivered the donations on Feb. 8 to social welfare workers at the main evacuation center in the Bataan School of Fisheries in Orion.

SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma, meanwhile, lauded the SBMA employees, business locators and other stakeholders in the Subic community for showing concern for other people who are in need.

“Your gesture of love and kindness for others, especially our neighbors in Bataan, best exemplifies the culture of benevolence and malasakit that we are cultivating in this community,” Eisma added.

Reports said that more than 1 6,000 individuals fled to temporary evacuation centers after a fire broke out at Sitio Depensa in Barangay Capunitan, Orion on January 29.

Abetted by strong winds, the fire razed down more than 600 houses made of light materials that were home to mostly fishermen and informal settlers. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Public Relations Department head Armie Llamas (center) and PRD Community Relations Officer Malou Dungog lead the turnover of goods donated by SBMA employees and business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport for Orion fire victims.

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Blue Wolves retain title in 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

The Blue Wolves emerged as back-to-back champion, keeping their title in the recently-concluded 9th Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Mini-Olympic games held recently.

The champion team, which consisted of 11 departments anchored by the Office of the Chairman and Administrator, easily held the commanding lead with 23 gold medals, 21 silvers, and 16 bronze medals.

The Blue Wolves beat three other teams in signature events that included basketball, volleyball, street dance competition, track and field, swimming, fun run, duathlon, and obstacle course race.

Meanwhile, first runner-up Green Cobras, a 12-department team that was led by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations, went home with 12 golds, 9 silvers, and 9 bronze medals.

The second runner-up title went to Yellow Eagles, a team headed by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, which won 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 12 bronze medals.

The team of Red Boars led by the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services ended up last with 6 golds, 6 silvers, and 8 bronze medals.

SBMA SDA for Support Services Ramon Agregado handed the medals to the winners during the awarding ceremony that capped the three-day games and congratulated all the teams for their efforts and sportsmanship.

Winners of team and individual events received cash prizes.

Agregado also praised the organizers and the various committees for handling the mini-Olympics well.

An award for “biggest delegation” was also given to the Blue Wolves for garnering a total of 141.6 points. Yellow Eagles came second with 75.7 points, while Green Cobras and Red Boars received 71.1 and 41 points, respectively.

This was the eighth iteration of the SBMA mini-Olympics, which aimed to foster sportsmanship and camaraderie among employees. The annual games were organized by the SBMA Human Resources Management Department.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Public Works and Technical Services Group Marco Estabillo, who is mini-Olympics committee chairperson, said that while the previous mini-Olympics was held barely five months ago, the 2019 games had to be held early to make way for the renovation of sports facilities here in time for the SEA Games.

At least 16 events in the 30th Southeast Asian Games were scheduled to be played in Subic when the Philippines hosts the biennial regional multi-sport event from November 30 to December 11, 2019. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma positions a jump-ball during the game between the Blue Wolves and Red Boars in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

[2] Members of the Blue Wolves strain their muscles and vocal cords during a rope tug-o-war against the Yellow Eagles in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics

[3] Competitors from various teams race to the finish line while weighted with tires during the obstacle course race in the 9th SBMA mini-Olympics.

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SBMA pushes for Subic Freeport expansion

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pressing for the expansion of Subic Bay Freeport boundaries with vigorous legislative help from its first chief executive, Senator Richard Gordon.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that Gordon, who was SBMA chairman from 1992 to 1998, had filed Senate Bill 2207 the other week to expand the area of the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as that of the neighboring Clark Freeport.

Under the proposed measure, some parts of Zambales and Bataan provinces, along with areas in Olongapo City, will be made an adjunct of the Subic Bay Freeport under a phased expansion program.

Eisma said that in consultation with neighboring local government units last year, the SBMA has gotten pledges of about 21,000 hectares of expansion areas for future investment projects.

These included 9,000 hectares in San Antonio; 10,000 hectares in San Marcelino; 500-600 hectares in Subic; 500 hectares in Castillejos; and 900 hectares in Olongapo City, all in Zambales; as well as 505 hectares in Hermosa, Bataan.

“We want these areas to be utilized as economic zones because we’re already running out of space in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Eisma said.

The proposed expansion, she added, “will sustain the growth of the Subic Freeport, attract more investments, and generate jobs for residents from nearby communities and other areas.”

In filing the bill, Senator Gordon said that there was a need to update Republic Act 7227, otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, in order to further strengthen the Subic and Clark free ports.

He said that once enacted, the proposed measure will also give the expanded territories the same tax incentives as those in Subic Freeport and Clark Freeport so that they can attract investments projects.

Senate Bill 2207 also seeks to increase the area of the Clark Special Economic Zone from the current 4,400 hectares to 35,400 hectares and mandates Subic and Clark authorities to frame some master plan for the phased expansion. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Senator Richard J. Gordon confers with SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and other agency officials after sponsoring Senate Bill 2207 on Feb. 4.

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Loan facilities now open to MSMEs in Subic Bay Freeport

A financial assistance program is now available here for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that are accredited to deliver goods and services in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said the SBMA has partnered with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to provide loan facilities to MSMEs and other logistics-focused companies as part of the agency’s port marketing initiative.

The SBMA had initiated talks with the LBP as early as February last year to push for the loan facility under the agency’s program to assist MSMEs operating in the Freeport, she said.

According to Land Bank Subic Bay Branch Manager Edwin Manalo, interested MSMEs can avail of the loan facility through the Zambales Lending Center, a unit of the Land Bank that was formerly located in Dinalupihan, Bataan.

“As the number one government financial institution, Land Bank is always here to help the community on their financial needs. With the transfer of our Lending Center to Subic, we will be in a better position to help the public, especially MSMEs needing financial assistance,” he added.

Land Bank is a universal bank owned by the Philippine government with a special focus on serving the needs of farmers and fishermen and keeping them financially viable to help promote countryside development.

Zambales Lending Center Manager Ma. Marita San Diego said that this partnership with the SBMA is especially intended for corporations, private enterprises, cooperatives, as well as non-SBFZ companies that are accredited to deliver goods and services in the Freeport.

She said that processing time for MSME loan would take around 45 days, after the applicant submitted a complete set of the requirements.

San Diego added that her office has already received several some applications after the center relocated from Bataan to Subic Bay.

One of the applicants, she said, is a transport cooperative that proposes to field electric buses at Subic’s CBD area to provide a cheaper alternative to the riding public.

The proponent reportedly plans to put up initially a fleet of 10 electric buses, with designated stops and charging stations. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA to outsource Contract of Service personnel

In compliance with national government directive, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will outsource the services rendered by a significant chunk of its Contract of Service (COS) personnel starting February 2019.

According to lawyer Ramon Agregado, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services, a total of 307 personnel maintained by the agency under COS scheme will be absorbed by outsourcing companies that will provide janitorial, ground maintenance, building security and housing security services to the SBMA.

Agregado announced this on Friday (Dec. 28) during a general assembly at the SBMA Gym wherein agency officials discussed outsourcing and position reclassification procedures with concerned personnel. This was after the affected personnel were first notified in writing in April 2018.

The affected workers, he said, are security, janitorial, and ground maintenance personnel whose positions have been recommended for outsourcing by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) as early as September 2013.

“This is a requirement of the government—of the DBM. We are simply complying with the requirement,” Agregado explained.

“Please bear in mind that we are doing our best in order for you to keep your jobs,” he assured workers.

At the same time, Agregado said the SBMA would retain a total of 655 COS workers until June 2019, but possibly until December 31, 2020, the new deadline set under a joint circular from DBM, Civil Service Commission (CSC) and Commission on Audit (COA).

He said the SBMA hopes to hire the remaining qualified personnel for plantilla positions once the agency’s proposed restructuring plan gets approved by the DBM.

In the meantime, the SBMA has begun reclassifying COS positions and salary grades so that these workers may eventually fit into the new organizational structure, assuming they obtain the requisite eligibility, Agregado added.

The outsourcing and position reclassification procedures, SBMA officials said, actually serve as safety nets to avert financial ruin for workers affected by the order to end contractualization in government service.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ruel John Kabigting noted that the SBMA had previously been called out at the House of Representatives for employing some of the most number of COS workers among government agencies.

He added that other free ports like Clark and Bataan had since outsourced their personnel accordingly.

Kabigting recalled that under Joint Circular No. 1 issued on June 15, 2017 by the CSC, COA and DBM, government agencies were allowed to renew contracts of service or job orders only until Dec. 31, 2018.

He said that while another joint circular dated Nov. 9, 2018 extended the deadline for compliance to Dec. 31, 2020, the DBM had directed the SBMA in a September 2013 memorandum to refrain from hiring personnel under contract of service and instead fill up its regular plantilla positions “to have semblance of continuity in service.”

He added that in 2015, the Office of the President likewise required the SBMA to reduce its manpower complement from contract of service to 3% per annum.

Finally in October 2016, the DBM directed the SBMA that “as a matter of policy, the janitorial and security services shall be outsourced, subject to existing budgeting, accounting, auditing and other applicable laws, rules and regulations,” Kabigting said.

From there, the outsourcing scheme was approved by the SBMA Board of Directors on April 12, 2018 and underwent the processes of notification, bidding and endorsement until the contract was awarded to winning service providers early this month.

According to the SBMA Human Resources Management Department (HRMD), the outsourcing scheme will provide job security in the private sector to the affected workers, as well as holiday pay, 13th month pay, overtime pay, and benefits from Social Security System, Pag-Ibig and Philhealth that they don’t otherwise enjoy as COS workers of the government. (HEE,MPD-SBMA)

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