SBMA gets DOE, PNOC Solar EV Station, blessing of E-Buses & EV Stations held

The Department of Energy (DOE) formally turned over a Solar-Assisted Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), marking another important milestone in the government’s efforts to promote cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable transport and energy solutions nationwide.

The turnover ceremony, held in Taguig City, was led in by DOE Undersecretary Mario C. Marasigan, who represented Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin. He was joined by Director Patrick T. Aquino, CESO III of the DOE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EUMB). Representing SBMA were Engr. Marco A. Estabillo, Deputy Administrator for the Public Works and Technical Services Group, and Engr. Jomel M. Libut, Officer-in-Charge of the Maintenance and Transportation Department. The event was also witnessed by Mr. Ronald R. Estilles, President and CEO of the Philippine National Oil Company Renewables Corporation (PNOC RC).

Developed by the DOE and PNOC-RC under the Government Energy Management Program (GEMP), the Solar-Assisted EVCS serves as a model facility for integrating renewable energy into electric mobility. The project supports the government’s efforts to expand access to clean transport, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote the wider use of electric vehicles in strategic locations, such as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Meanwhile, the SBMA held the blessing of e-buses and charging stations at the Maintenance and Transportation Department (MTD) and Argonaut Highway, paving the way for a greener Subic Bay Freeport on November 24, 2025.

The SBMA e-Bus is a new public transport system in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone utilizing 10 electric buses (e-buses) as part of the agency’s move towards a carbon-neutral Freeport. There are currently two charging stations for the e-buses, with the Department of Energy (DOE) donating the one at Argonaut Highway.

A total of 58 bus stops will be constructed, eight around the Central Business District, 16 at the Cubi Area, six at theme park areas, 18 at the Binictican Housing area, and ten at the Kalayaan Housing area. (PNA, SNL)

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First - ever hybrid workspace in Zambales opened

The first-ever hybrid workspace in Zambales has opened at the Pacific Ace Building in this premiere freeport on Thursday. 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan, International Workplace Group (IWG) Country Manager Lars B. Wittig and Pacific Ace Subic Bay Corporation (PASBC) President Virginia S. Dio led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Regus Subic center at the Pacific Ace Building.

The Regus Subic center is the first-ever hybrid workspace in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It is located at the second floor of The Gardens by Pacific Ace.

Tan said that the establishment of shared workspace inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone would entice more companies to locate here while initially testing the waters before going full-scale. “This shared workspace provides investors a platform for exploratory activities before deciding on whether they will be expanding to a bigger facility or undertake something else,” he said.

The Agency chief also lauded the efforts of IWG and Pacific Ace in establishing this virtual platform while incorporating the “green advocacy” of PASBC President Dio. 

“This will help startup companies to grow as the Regus Subic center shared workspace becomes an incubator that provides them an area to grow and develop before investing heavily in Subic Bay Freeport,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pacific Ace President Dio said that the shared workplace consists of co-working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. She added that the Green Building is environmentally responsible to lessen the negative impact of our footprint to the environment.

“We provide a superior indoor environment that can enhance air and water quality to improve health, productivity, and the energy of the people in the premises. Such conditions are certainly conducive not only to its users but more importantly, to the environment,” she said.

The shared workspace inside the Green Building includes co-working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. The area bears a design that has a green center with live decorative plants. It is located at the Central Business District (CBD) area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Subic Freeport is a strategic location that we have targeted for expansion since the opening of Regus (shared workplace) in Clark Freeport in 2015. Clark is the gateway, driving from Metro Manila in the northern direction, and Subic is the logical extension that offers excellent logistics, free port and development zones in the same manner as Clark,” Wittig said. 

He added that with the inclusion of Subic Bay Freeport in the Regus brand of IWG, we can expect more investments and developments in this premier Freeport since the location will be a most valued addition to the IWG network. 

IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. The company utilizes hybrid working platforms to increase productivity, efficiency, agility and market proximity of its clientele. It has a network coverage that includes 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries and 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies are part of their customer base. (MPD-SBMA)

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Pacific Ace, IWG to introduce hybrid workspace in Subic Freeport

Pacific Ace Subic Bay Corp. has partnered with International Workplace Group (IWG) for the establishment of the first-ever hybrid workspace in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in anticipation of the strong demand for flexible office spaces. 

The partnership was sealed in a simple contract signing ceremony between IWG Country Manager Lars B. Wittig and Pacific Ace President Virginia S. Dio on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the latter’s headquarters in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. 

“It’s a match made in heaven,” according to Dio citing IWG’s established global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands and Pacific Ace’s Green Building advocacy to lessen the negative impact of carbon footprint to environment and to human health. 

Under the contract, IWG and Pacific Ace will utilize the 2nd floor of The Gardens by Pacific Ace and is set open the shared workplace on August 2023 with a number of co working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. 

IWG’s unrivaled network coverage includes 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries and 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies amongst their growing customer base. 

“Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the IWG application,” Wittig said. 

“Subic has been ready for this business concept for at least 8 years and we’re now ready for Subic,” Wittig said. 

He added that Subic is a strategic location that they have targeted for expansion since the opening of Regus in Clark Freeport Zone in 2015. And since the business is well proven in Clark, Subic is a logical extension for it offers excellent logistics, free port, and development zones. 

According to Renato W. Lee III, Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, he is certain that the new business concept in the Freeport is set to bring business to a whole new level. (SNL)

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SBMA approves cashless public buses for Subic Freeport

To further promote public health safety in face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has approved a cashless public transportation system in this premier Freeport.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the agency has recently given its go-signal for Autokid Truck Solutions to create a line of public utility buses that will utilize an automated fare collection system (AFCS) and be compliant with social-distancing rules as well.

“This is an innovative concept that fulfills a felt need in this time of the pandemic, so we’re going for it,” Eisma said.

“With this, we can minimize the dangers of virus transmission, thus creating a better environment for workers, residents and visitors in the Subic Freeport,” she added.

According to Autokid Subic Trading Corporation CEO Kevin McHale Yao, the proposed project would provide an efficient, environment-friendly, and safe and comfortable transportation for the public.

“Public transportation services (PTS) is a vital part of modern urban economies. An efficient PTS encourages passengers to use public services instead of private vehicles,” Yao said.

“This preference reduces traffic, air and noise pollution, and accident rate in cities,” he added.

Foremost among the features of the new system is the use of loadable payment cards that would preclude the need for passengers to carry cash for their bus fare.

Yao also stressed the added advantage of predictable travel time, as the firm would regularly deploy vehicles at a certain time period so that the public would know exactly when to expect the buses.

The company has proposed three bus routes in Subic’s Central Business District. One will be from Kalaklan Terminal to Main Gate Terminal and vice versa, another from Main Gate Terminal to Royal Duty Free and vice versa, and the third from Main Gate Terminal to Kalaklan to Royal Duty Free to Main Gate.

The proposed fares will be P25 per person for the first two routes, and P30 per person for the third route, which is longer.

The SBMA and the company are already discussing a dry-run of the routes for which the buses will be fielded to see how the plans would actually work out.

Yao also pointed out that Autokid will field environment-friendly buses that are Euro IV-compliant, using Yuchai engines. He added that the units will be equipped with comfortable seats, air-conditioning, a global positioning system (GPS), and closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) to ensure the safety of the riding public.

Following the approval of Autokid’s proposal last month, the SBMA had required the firm to register its fleet of motor vehicles and have its drivers accredited by the agency.

The SBMA and the company are already discussing a dry-run of the routes for which the buses will be fielded to see how the plans would actually work out. (MPD-SBMA)

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Autokid public utility buses using an automated fare collection system will soon see operation in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone

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