Paulino reports banner year for Subic in State of the Freeport Address (SOFA)

“New investments, increase in revenues, new infrastructures, and influx of tourists highlighted 2022.”

This was the statement made by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino during his State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on Tuesday.

Paulino cited, “2022 was a banner year for the SBMA despite the challenges during the past year. All revenue collections of the Trade Facilitation and Compliance Department, Business and Investment Departments, Seaport, Airport, Labor and Tourism Departments have increased compared to 2021 figures. And even surpassed pre-pandemic performance.”

Paulino reported that from these revenues, the SBMA has turned over P1.33-billion worth of dividends to the National Treasury in 2022. He added that this is higher by 20.21 percent to 2021’s P1.11-billion worth of dividends.

The SBMA was also able to help provide revenue shares to the contiguous communities of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as stated in Republic Act 7227 as part of their revenue shares.

Paulino said that in Zambales, Olongapo City received P74.88 million, followed by Subic Town with P48.77 million, Castillejos with P29.74 million, San Marcelino with P38.54 million and San Antonio with P27.45 million.

He added that in Bataan, the town of Morong received a revenue share of P28.1 million, Hermosa with P33.81 million, and Dinalupihan with P39.98 million. Paulino said that the total revenues that the SBMA shared for the contiguous communities here amounted to P321.27 million for 2022.

“Back in July, Subic Bay Freeport was conferred as the Number 1 Tourist Destination in Central Luzon, and Number 5 in the Philippines in 2021 despite the Covid-19 Pandemic. We are determined to keep that reputation as by the end of 2022, we recorded 9.4 million same-day visitor arrivals in the Freeport,” he said.

The official also cited that his Fast, Friendly, and Flexible business practice has increased the number of approved new investment projects inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“As an indicator of investor confidence, 38 Subic Freeport locators will be implementing their expansion projects amounting to P36.34 billion. That is a significant jump from P591 million in 2021, let alone P160 million in 2020, which were still during the pandemic,” he cited.

He added that during the same year, 133 new investment projects with committed investments amounting to ₱14.06 billion.

Paulino added  that the top new projects in terms of committed investments are Northern Palawan Power Generation Corporation with P7 billion, followed by UNCO United Oil and Gas Philippines, Inc. with P1.9 billion, then Tawi Tawian Petroleum Trading Corporation with P1.5 billion, and Agila Subic Compass, Inc. with P1.1 billion.

“For the expansion projects, Vectrus topped in terms of committed investments, committing an additional P14.52 billion, followed by Agila South, Inc. with P10.74 billion, and Agila NY Naval Inc. with P6.28 billion, and of course, Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation with P4.2 billion,” Paulino said.

Meanwhile, the current workforce of the Subic Bay Freeport recorded 149,681 employees in 2022 and is expected to augment another 4,700 workers as new approved projects commence operations and current investors start implementing their expansion projects.

For this, he acknowledged the neighboring local government units for augmenting the manpower requirements of the Freeport investors.

The SOFA is an annual event of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) where members are given a heads-up on the accomplishments of the SBMA from the previous year as well as a glimpse of the plans and programs for implementation by the Agency. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBF committed investments and expansion projects skyrocket in 2022

Committed investments infused by new investors and expansion projects in the Subic Bay Freeport have surged dramatically in 2022 following the easing of pandemic restrictions in the country. 

The Business and Investment Group of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), in its yearend report, said that committed investments in 2022 accrued to ₱50,408,031,828.06, which is 2,128 percent more than committed investments in 2021 of ₱2,262,774,109.78.

The report said that the number of new investors has increased from 115 companies in 2021, to 133 in 2022 whose committed investment amounted to ₱14,063,061,938.70.

These 133 new companies aim to employ 1,874 new workers that will add to the workforce of this premier Freeport.

Northern Palawan Power Generation Corporation tops the list of new investors, committing a total of Php7-billion in new investments. the company will locate at Cawag, Redondo Peninsula to engage in real estate development for power generation and other energy sources. 

This was followed by UNCO United Oil and Gas Philippines with ₱1,948,096,000 and Tawi Tawian Petroleum Trading Corporation with ₱1,500,000,000. Both companies are engaged in petroleum importation and trading.

On the other hand, expansion projects of existing SBF locators committed in 2022 has accrued to ₱36,344,969,889.30, which is 6,040 percent more than 2021’s ₱591,914,600.00.

Existing locators with the biggest committed investments in expansion projects include Vectrus Subic Corporation with ₱14,522,658,219.30, Agila South Inc. with ₱10,737,616,537, Agila NY Naval Inc. with ₱6,283,079,863, and Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation, which was recently signed during President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s official visit to Japan, with ₱4,200,000,000. 

The number of investors who plan to implement expansion projects have increased from 24 in 2021 to 38 in 2022. The expansion projects of these 38 investors will hire 2,832 additional workers.

“This proves that my appointment as SBMA Chairman and Administrator is indeed a very big blessing. I am so blessed to be working with a team of hard-working men and women; equally blessed to be appointed at a time when pandemic restrictions started to ease up,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said.

This manifestation of investor confidence, he said, makes the Subic Bay Freeport Zone more attractive to foreign and local investments who want to make it happen in the Philippines by doing it in Subic Bay.

Meanwhile, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III said that the operating expenses of the agency recorded as of November 2022 is at 4.14 percent, citing that the agency was able to generate ₱24.17 in revenues for every ₱1 spent.

He added that the revenue from January to November has reached ₱1,690,541,578.00, which is 134.81 percent higher than the target ₱719,949,783.68, resulting in a difference of ₱970,591,794.33.

Lee also said that the number of Certificates of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTEs) that were processed almost doubled from the target CRTEs, disclosing an increase of 84.91 percent. He added that the target this year was pegged at 464, while the actual number of processed CRTEs have a total of 858.

The official also revealed that the 879 term sheets processed by the SBMA’s Business and Investment Departments (BIDs) has surpassed the target of 448, a discrepancy of 431 term sheets, or 96.21 percent surplus.

Paulino said that the agency will continue to follow the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aiming to make this premier Freeport into the country's bastion of economic prowess. He added that with President Marcos at the helm, foreign investor confidence in Subic Freeport will remain strong. (SNL)

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SBMA names engineer, foreman as agency’s 2021 Employees of the Year

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has conferred the 2021 Employee of the Year (EOY) award to an Engineer and a Foreman. 

Bagging the most prestigious award of the agency were Engr. Jomel Libut of the Regulatory Group for Category 2 and Peter Moneda of the Public Services Group for Category 1. 

“I am so proud to be heading the best GOCC (Government-Owned and –Controlled Corporation) in the country called the SBMA, and to be working with the best team whose work ethics exude excellence, I am beyond blessed,” said SBMA chairman and administrator Rolen C. Paulino.  

The awarding ceremony transpired during the agency’s anniversary program where Paulino recalled the time when volunteers started rebuilding the former US military bases after the Americans had pulled out. He lauded all employees for the efforts throughout the agency’s existence.

Libut, who is from the Building Permit and Safety Department (BPSD) stood out among five other EOY finalists for Catergory 2 for his hands-on supervision of the implementation of major pipeline projects of the SBMA, which includes seven road rehabilitation projects and the perimeter fence rehabilitation from Kalaklan to Kalayaan.

Libut is a Project Evaluation Officer V and the Employee of the Quarter (EOQ) of the Regulatory Group for the first quarter of 2021, and the division chief of the Utilities Department, at the same time. 

Meanwhile, Moneda outshone his fellow EOY finalists for Category 1 being known for having offered SBMA offices in need of solutions to cooling problems by salvaging A/C parts from old unserviceable units to rehabilitate and repair five units of 7.5 tonnes split-type A/C, two units of split-type evaporators, and a window-type A/C. This made the agency save a total of ₱110,000 for the same period he was nominated for. 

Moneda is a Foreman B of the Maintenance and Transportation Department (MTD) and the Employee of the Quarter (EOQ) of the Public Services Group for the second quarter of 2021. 

Other contenders for the Category 2 were Lolita Bondoc of the Chairman and Administrator Group, Sheryll Rose Santiago of the Business and Investments Group, Jess Cipriano of the Operations Group, Engr. Janet Pasoot of the Public Services Group, and Genie Rose Vicente of the Support Services Group.  

Finalists vying for the Category 1 title were Jean Marie Pescador of the Business and Investments Group, June Rainer Roxas of the Operations Group, John Dela Cruz of the Regulatory Group, and Emily Abuan of the Support Services Group. 

All finalists received a plaque of appreciation for being selected the EOY of their respective Strategic Business Units (SBUs), and ₱20,000 cash.

The EOYs for both categories each received another sash as overall EOY of their respective category, another plaque of appreciation as overall EOY of their respective category, a collar pin, additional ₱25,000 cash, and a gift certificate worth ₱5,000. 

The remaining finalists still received additional cash incentive worth ₱3,000.

The employee of the year program was established in 2006 to recognize outstanding men and women for their excellent service, as such, 50 percent industriousness and productivity, 30 percent quality customer service, and 20 percent malasakit and honesty. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, PNP inaugurates vessel operations training center in Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group (PNP-MG) inaugurated the Vessel Operations Training Center inside this premier Freeport on Friday.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the creation of the training center was thru the efforts of the agency and the PNP-MG via a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The newly constructed center is located at Bldg. 696 of the Global Industrial Park.

Paulino said that according to the MOA, the SBMA will provide a facility for the PNP-MG that will help in training police officers in operating seagoing vessels of the agency. He added that the agency will also provide additional amenities and equipment that will help in training police officers operate SBMA ships.

Currently, PNP-MG personnel operate the vessels of the SBMA, including MV Kalayaan, MV Binictican, MV Redondo, MV Ilanin, MV Triboa, MV Cubi, and MV Maritan. Paulino and PNP-MG Director Police Brigadier General Harold B. Tuzon signed the MOA at the administration building on March this year.

Paulino and Tuzon, along with Regional Maritime Unit 3 chief Police Col. Oliver Tanseco and assistant chief Police Lt. Col. Sami B. Lorenzo, led the inauguration of the new facility near the Alava Pier. Reverend Father Orlando Correa led the blessing of the facility.

The facility boasted of a gym, mess hall, offices, rooms, shower areas for men and women, and other areas needed for the training of personnel.

Tuzon expressed his gratitude to Paulino for the unwavering support given to his unit, citing that the SBMA chief has gone above and beyond what was stipulated in the MOA.

According to the MOA, the PNP-MG will conduct security operations for the waters of Subic Bay, while providing trained and licensed personnel to man the seven patrol boats of the agency. These boats include three multi-purpose patrol boats, a search and rescue vessel, a garbage collection/ firefighting vessel, an oil skimmer/ firefighting vessel, and a line handling and utility boat.

“The operation tasking will be under our Seaport Department, and these vessels can only be used with the SBMA’s prescribed authority and within the vessels’ operational requirement,” Paulino said, adding that the PNP Maritime will use, maintain, and occupy the facility for the use it is intended.

“They will shoulder the repair and maintenance of the facility for the entire duration of the agreement,” he said.

PNP MG chief Tuzon said that aside from manning the boats, the group will provide technical, mechanical and physical vessel services for the repair of the patrol boats at their own expense. He added that they will provide operation trip reports.

“In case of emergency or natural disaster or as maybe needed by the SBMA, the PNP-MG shall provide assistance and services upon request of the SBMA,” he added.

“With that said, we will provide security and other support and assistance, which shall promote the development, conservation, management, protection, and utilization of resources in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and its surrounding areas,” he cited. (MPD-SBMA)

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Tanghalang Maliksi bags Best Stage Play in 1st-ever SBMA GAD theatre fest 2022

Tanghalang Maliksi of Sta. Rita High School in Olongapo City was awarded  “Best Stage Play” during the recently concluded first-ever Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Theatre Festival 2022 held here. 

Their entry entitled “Magda,” depicted various facets of violence against women and children in a musical stage play with Eraserhead songs in their repertoire. 

In her welcome speech, SBMA Gender Focal Point System (GFPS) Executive Committee Head Amethya Dela Llana challenged the stage actors to engage, not just in joining the contest, but also in spreading the word to the entire society, thru acting on stage, about the reality of violence that is happening to women and children everywhere. 

“Theatre Fest 2022 was conceptualized to amplify awareness through entertainment, involving the youth and exposing them early to issues surrounding women and children as we move towards our goal to have a VAW-free Philippines,” Dela Llana said.

Dela Llana also said that Theatre Fest 2022 is a project of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Gender and Development (GAD) and is part of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women with its theme, “UNiTEd for a VAW-free Philippines,” which kicked-off last November 25 and will end on December 12. 

Also participating in the Theatre Fest were Sta. Rita High School Artistic Repertory Theatrical Expression (ARTE) and Association of Barangay VAWC Officers of Olongapo City. 

ARTE, also comprised of students from Sta. Rita High School, staged “Iba’t-ibang Karanasan sa Iisang Mukha” and bagged 2^nd Best Stage Play. They also got Best Director award for Manuel Gabriel, and Best Actress award for Gweneth Ignacio. 

The Association of Barangay VAWC Officers was awarded 3^rdBest Stage Play for “Bumangon ka Juana, Laban Lang!” 

Apart from the Best Stage Play, Tanghalang Maliksi also got the Best Actor award for Chance Arpilleda, Best Production Design and Best Technical Design. 

Awardees received a trophy and a cash prize for each award. 

Meanwhile, SBMA GAD coordinator DJ Jepsz Eslava disclosed that the SBMA GAD activities in store for next year will be bigger and better.  

The Anti-VAWC Theatre Fest 2022 was in partnership between the SBMA, the SBMA GAD-Technical Working Group, SBMA GAD representatives, the SBMA Employee Welfare Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the SBMA Employees’ Association, 89.5 Subic Bay Radio, Association of Barangay VAWC Officers, Olongapo City, and the Rotary Club of Subic Pearl. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA celebrates 30th anniversary with modest, employee-centered ceremonies

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently celebrated its 30^th founding anniversary honoring the men and women who have worked hard to make the agency what it is today, a self-sustaining government agency.

During the all-employee anniversary program, Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino recalled the time when volunteers started rebuilding the former US military bases after the Americans had pulled out. He lauded all employees for the efforts throughout the agency’s existence.

“It has been 30 years since the 12 senators rejected the extension of the bases treaty in 1991. We didn’t know what was in store for us then. What we didn’t know was something bigger was bound to happen—for me to be working with the best government-owned and –controlled corporation (GOCC) employees in the country, the SBMA employees,” Paulino proudly said.

The anniversary celebration continued until the evening for the kick-off ceremony of combined celebration between the SBMA and the City Government of Olongapo, as well as a reunion with former SBMA Chairmen and Administrators, and the lighting of the Christmas tree, officially launching the Yuletide season at the Boardwalk Event Center.

During the evening program, the former Chairmen and Administrators were honored through an audio-visual presentation entitled, “Hailing the Captains and First Mates of the Economic Flagship of the Philippines.”

Former Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia, former Administrator Armand Arreza, and Atty. Marvin Diño on behalf of former Chairman Martin Diño partook in the celebration, all of them thanking employees for a job well done, and wishing the best for the SBMA.

“I think this is really the spirit of SBMA, the volunteerism, the willingness to help, and do good everything for the success of SBMA. I want to thank all of the past chairman and administrators, all of the board of directors, all of the management and staff, you have done a wonderful job in bringing SBMA to where it is today—the largest and the most progressive free port in the country today,” Garcia said.

Earlier that day, Paulino led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Volunteers’ Shrine, together with the top management officials and the Board of Directors. It was followed by a motorcade en route to the administration building 229, where the awarding of the 2021 Employee of the Year highlighted the anniversary program.

Emerging from the ranks of Employees of the Year of their respective Strategic Business Units (SBUs) were Peter Moneda of the Public Services Group for Category 1 and Engr. Jomel Libut of the Regulatory Group for Category 2.

Moneda is known for having offered SBMA offices in need of solutions to cooling problems by salvaging A/C parts from old unserviceable units to rehabilitate and repair five units of 7.5 tonnes split-type A/C, two units of split-type evaporators, and a window-type A/C. This made the agency save a total of 110,000 pesos for the period that he became Employee of the Quarter of his SBU.

Meanwhile, Engr. Libut is hands-on in overseeing the implementation of major pipeline projects of the SBMA including seven road rehabilitation projects and the perimeter fence rehabilitation from Kalaklan to Kalayaan. All that, and at the same time, being the division chief of the utilities department all year-round.

The raffle draw for all the employees capped off the morning ceremonies, where 60 bags of rice, 3 rice cookers, a window-type A/C, a personal refrigerator, an electric fan, 2 mountain bikes, a 43” and 55” LED televisions, and some cash prizes were given away.

However, before the raffle draw took place, a flash mob interrupted the program and surprised Paulino as he also celebrated his birthday on the same day.

Still earlier on Monday, the SBMA also honored 238 awardees who have achieved ten years, or more, of continuous and satisfactory service in the government during the 8^th SBMA Loyalty Awards Ceremony at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC). 17 awardees were honored for their 10 years of service; 10 awardees for 15 years of service, 35 awardees for 20 years of service, and 176 awardees for 25 years of service.

Awardees were given commemorative items according to their length of service, sash, certificates or plaques of recognition, and cash incentives.

On Wednesday, the Port Operations Group staged a gift-giving activity dubbed as "Give Love on SBMA Day," where ten children with special needs were beneficiaries of gifts and a familiarization tour of the BRP Hydrographer Presbitero, a research and survey vessel docked at the Riviera Pier of the Ship Repair Facility (SRF).

“I wish for more wisdom, so that I could lead the SBMA, most of all, in generating more employment opportunities to residents of Olongapo City, Zambales and Bataan provinces,” Paulino said, also mentioning the biggest Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training center will soon rise in the Subic Bay Freeport to augment skill requirements of industries coming in.

Lastly, he attributed to the former Chairmen and Administrators the ease of leading the SBMA now for they have done a good job establishing the agency then. (MPD-SBMA)

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Paulino cites pivotal role of Subic Bay in US-Phils friendship during Ambassador Carlson’s visit

The former United States Naval Base plays a pivotal role in the relationship between the Philippines and the US, such that a rich cultural history between the two countries is deeply ingrained in Subic Bay Freeport. 

This was the statement made by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino during US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson’s visit to the Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) on Wednesday, November 9.  The SBMA chief accommodated Carlson during her visit to the SBF for an ocular inspection of the area.

Carlson cited that Subic Bay, being once a former US naval base, is a sterling testament of the long history of partnership between the United States and the Philippines. 

The US official also added that the SBF has been a favorite go-to area for US retirees, with many expats spending the rest of their lives here.

Paulino said that the Subic Special Economic Zone is a viable option in case the United States is currently eyeing to relocate some of its companies to the Philippines, due to the freeport's logistical advantage and hardworking people.

He further disclosed that there are almost 170,000 employees working in various companies inside the SBF, adding that there are 47 American locators that have chosen to build their equities here.  This is mostly due to English-speaking employees accounting for ease of communication, resulting in a better, more efficient, and effective workforce, and higher productivity. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA chief expects rise in tourist arrivals after EO No. 7 issuance

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is expecting a rise in tourist arrivals in the Subic Bay Freeport following the issuance of Executive Order 7 (EO 7) on October 28 by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings. 

“This is good news! With this sound decision from President Marcos, we could expect more tourists here in Subic Bay Freeport,” said SBMA Chairman & Administrator Rolen C Paulino. 

“Currently, hotels and resorts inside the Subic Bay Freeport are almost fully-booked. With the issuance of EO7, we will be anticipating a spill-over of tourists to other areas near Subic Bay due to the anticipated rise in the number of arrivals,” Paulino added. 

The official cited that many of the resorts and theme parks here have already began to go on full blast, citing that theme parks such as Zoobic Safari, is now offering their annual Night Safari which will run on all Saturday nights of November up to December.

“Aside from these theme parks, many companies have also opened their restaurants as they expect the number of tourist arrivals to increase during the holiday season. Tourism-related establishments that commenced operations this year included the VSNRY Coffee Shop and the En Izakaya & Global Cuisine by Sakura, providing tourists more areas to visit here,” he said.

The official added that the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) is available to companies for the conduct of their Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) in Subic Bay Freeport. SBECC can accommodate large events, with the recent holding of the Alveo 5150 Ironman. The event place will also be in full house starting with Philippine College of Physicians Annual Congress this month. 

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said during a cabinet meeting that President Marcos would ease up on wearing of facemasks indoors as the country shifts towards a more lenient approach towards the end of the pandemic.

Frasco said that the executive order issued by the President was based on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force stating that the wearing of facemasks indoors will be optional but certain exceptions such as the wearing of facemasks in public transportations and medical facilities.

The President also urged non-vaccinated Filipinos from Covid-19 to continue wearing facemasks, especially those with comorbidities and senior citizens.

 Frasco added that non-vaccinated foreigners could now enter the country as long as they can present a negative antigen test result 24 hours before their flight to the Philippines, or have their antigen tests upon arriving in the country.

“An RT-PCR test is no longer needed before going out of the country," Frasco said.

“The aim of the President is to keep up with other countries in Asia that have eased up on their travel restrictions to encourage more tourists to visit them”, the official further remarked. (MPD-SBMA)

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151 participants attend 1st- ever MOVE campaign 2022 in SBF

A total of 151 participants attended the first Men Opposed to Violence Against Women (VAW) Everywhere (MOVE) campaign recently held in Subic Bay Freeport.

Themed “Kalalakihan laban sa Karahasan sa kababaihan,” the campaign was primarily organized to involve more men to help end VAW.  

 

According to Amethya Dela Llana, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Gender Focal Point System (GFPS) Executive Committee Head, the staging of the MOVE campaign 2022 is in support of the national government’s call to make Philippines VAW-free by encouraging men to recognize and respect women by protecting them and eliminating violence.

 

Dela Llana disclosed that MOVE 2022 also drew attendees from Olongapo City, aside from SBMA employees. Out of the 151 participants who attended, 63 percent (or 96 participants) were male.

 

“We are glad that there were more males than females in attendance because this campaign is really intended for them. Because to eliminate VAW in our society, we need their help,” Dela Llana said.

 

“We all envision a society where everyone has the right to live in a gender-equal and violence-free society,” she added.

 As part of the MOVE campaign program, Rey de Guia, MOVE National President, discussed the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law) or  Republic Act No. 11313, which covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplaces and online spaces.

 

Also as a refresher, Pastor Francis Mercado, MOVE Vice President for Luzon, discussed RA 9262 or the Anti-VAWC law. Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) was also discussed with Glenn de Guzman of the Local Activation and Partnerships-International Justice Mission as resource person.

 

Olongapo City Coucilor Lugie Lipumano and Olongapo City VAWC Association President also imparted their insights about protecting women and children against violence.

 

As the program ended, de Guia led the participants into pledging their commitment to end VAW, and thereafter launched a signature campaign.

 

Meanwhile, DJ Jepsz Eslava, SBMA GAD coordinator said that there will be a unique anti-VAWC campaign come November as the technical working group continues to raise awareness about VAWC.

He added that the upcoming anti-VAWC campaign would be in of the form a theater festival. (MPD-SBMA)   

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SBMA, BSLI join hands to boost tourism in Subic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Brighterday Subic Ltd., Inc. (BSLI) strengthened its partnership to help boost tourism inside this premier Freeport with the inauguration of the Tanawan view deck on Tuesday.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said that the BSLI pledged to maintain cleanliness at the view deck located along  San Bernardino Road here as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) adding to the numerous attractions already being offered for tourists visiting Subic Freeport.

He also disclosed that the agency is drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the matter, citing that the Subic-based company is willing to provide much needed assistance to the SBMA.  It has further committed to provide maintenance personnel to keep the viewdeck area clean.

BSLI currently runs the renowned All Hands Beach Resort here, which for almost 2 decades has been  favored by  beachgoers especially during the summer.  

According to BSLI’s Alex Dayrit, the company is willing to provide the maintenance services as long as the SBMA needs their assistance. He added that since the view deck is near the All Hands Beach Resort, it is also quite fitting to beautify the area en route to the nearby tourist spots.

The Tanawan view deck is located at the San Bernardino road, overlooking Subic Bay, facing the Waterfront Area of Subic Bay Freeport. The site has been one of the favorite spots of recreational anglers, and a resting area for cyclists.

“With the company helping SBMA in providing maintenance to an area, we hope that other companies would follow suit,” Chairman Paulino said. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic’s harbor patrol vows to year-round bay clean up despite austerity

The Harbor Patrol unit of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Law Enforcement Department (SBMA-LED) has improvised a trash boom that will sift trash along the Rizal Highway Bridge here.

According to LED manager, Col. Alfredo P. Agustin, Jr., this project was implemented with the guidance of the SBMA Ecology Center, in time for the latter’s activity Biay Dagat coastal cleanup earlier this month.

“It is our Harbor Patrol unit that came up with the idea of making this improvised trash boom to prevent trash from entering the Freeport’s waters through the Rizal Highway Bridge after the mesh wire underneath the bridge came dilapidated,” Agustin said.

Agustin explained that the broken mesh wire underneath the bridge is awaiting total replacement, and that the improvised trash boom is ideal at the moment.

Ador Fajardo, chief of the Harbor Patrol unit, explained that most of the materials they used to make the improvised trash boom were recycled. It includes capped PET bottles they have collected from the marina and other sentinel. They tied together with a rope that they found along the Triboa area; used old floaters in between a few bottles; and installed them across the waters under the Rizal Highway Bridge.

“We spent only ₱80 to buy an additional roll of copper wire to tie more bottles together,” Fajardo added.

Aside from the Rizal Highway Bridge, the Harbor Patrol also installed their improvised trash boom along the marina, a narrow waterway near the Harbor Patrol office.

Agustin added that he had instructed his staff to continue to collect PET bottles because the improvised trash boom will need replacement after a few weeks or months when they eventually wear out and turn brittle.

Agustin also disclosed that a third site is already being prepared for the installation of the improvised trash boom, which is the mangrove area also near the Harbor Patrol office.

“It cannot be done with just a single day of clean up. It would take a couple of days to clear the area before we could install another improvised trash boom,” he said.

This way, he said, they would not need to wait for occasional coastal clean ups to collect trash. They will be able to clean up every few days, all year-round. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, Subic tourism stakeholders donate food packs to PDLs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and various tourism-related locators here pitched in to donate food packs to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Olongapo City on Tuesday.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C Paulino said that the outreach program is part of the 2022 National Tourism Week celebration, which aims to pay something forward to the community as the tourism sector gradually bounces back from the pandemic.

"To provide some solace to the PDLs of Olongapo City Jail is a good deed worthy of praise to our tourism stakeholders. Mabuhay Po kayo!" he said.

With the pandemic almost over, the tourism sector is looking good with the influx of tourists increasing. Paulino added that come Yuletide season, the agency can expect more tourists. 

With the SBMA Tourism department spearheading the outreach program, the donations they have collected reached 173 pieces of dressed chicken and 20 sacks of 25kg rice.

Tourism Manager Mary Jamelle Camba said that companies namely, Subic RCA Intl., Great Supreme, Fiesta Communities Inc, Buena Casa, Segara Suites, Crown Peak, De Pesters Pest Management and Consultants thru the Camba Family, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and individuals namely Rodel Mayor and Julius Macam were also among the generous donors of chicken and rice.

"In addition to in-kind donations of Acea Beach Resort’s 53 sacks of 25 kilos of rice, and Vacation Villas at Subic Homes’ 3 sacks of rice, the number of donated rice is now at 76," Camba said.

Camba also said that Chowking HP Ayala Mall donated 15 food packs; MSK Group donated more than 900 food packs, 3,000 pandesal, and four cases of bottled water; Yakiniku donated 27 cup noodles; Samgyupsalamat donated two boxes of tissue rolls; Xtremely Xpresso donated dry goods, energy drinks, and diapers; and Subic Bay Yacht Club donated alcohols, soaps, and toothpastes. (MPD-SBMA) 

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