SBF becomes center for business startups with launching of SBMA Business Acceleration Hub, Subic Bay Angel Investor Network

This premier Freeport has become a center for business startup activities with the launching of the SBMA Business Acceleration Hub and the Subic Bay Angel Investor Network at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on October 20, 2025.

During the Dakal Lakad 2025 Demo and Graduation Day, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III said that launching the two programs establishes Subic Bay Freeport as a center for business startup activities to access investors and strategic partners while expanding innovations beyond the region.

“The project aims to stimulate growth of startups and support them through acceleration with incentives from the SBMA and a business location within the SBFZ. We are also celebrating the graduation of ten startups, coinciding with the launching of the Angel Investor Network,” Lee said.

The SBMA spearheaded the Angel Network Program in compliance with Republic Act No. 11337, or the Innovative Startup Act, which aims to strengthen the local startup ecosystem through a government-led program.

The act provides benefits and incentives for startups and startup enablers thru the Philippine Startup Development Program, managed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).

“We’re also proud to share that SBMA has already incubated and produced a successful startup from having 2 Business Process Outsourcing or BPO/Accounting Agents to 300 agents today,” Lee said.

Meanwhile, ten of Central Luzon’s most promising startups took center stage at the Dakal Lakad 2025 Demo and Graduation Day. The event was co-organized by the SBMA, SULONG Central Luzon, and the Wadhwani Foundation.

The event marked the culmination of the five-month acceleration program designed to help startups transition from incubation to investment readiness.

The ten startups that graduated during the event include the Tambanokano Aqua Farm, Dayap Philippines, Project Nitriact, Wisdom | The IP Vault Co., Kilala PH, Kloudtech, Ordermo, Hive Energy PH, InnoVSmarter, and Expoxur.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Engr. Eduardo Jose L. Aliño expressed his gratitude to all partner government agencies and campuses for their keen interest to develop Subic Bay Freeport as a platform to incubate startups, adding that the SBMA will always provide the necessary guidance and support to ensure the growth of businesses in Subic Bay Freeport. 

Other attendees were DICT Region 3 Regional Director Engr. Antonio Edward E. Padre, DTI Region 3 Assistant Regional Director Richard V. Simangan, DOST Pampanga Provincial S&T Director Engr. Mary Michelle M. Quiambao, and Bulacan State University – Main Campus Chancellor Dr. Ruben E. Borja II. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA, Taipei BioInnovation Park partnership eyed

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is looking into entering into a joint venture with the Taipei BioInnovation Park (TBIP).

 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño was impressed with the TBIP’s biotechnology and biomedical facilities in his recent trip to Taipei, Taiwan.

 

“This visit to the Taipei BioInnovation Park was a truly unique learning experience. We proposed the expansion of SBDMC (Subic Bay Development and Management Corporation, Inc.) business activities in Subic Bay Freeport to include biotechnology and biomedical activities,” said Chairman Aliño.

 

The SBMA chief cited that the proposed expansion project is aligned with the agency’s plans and programs.

 

“The proposed expansion plan should complement our mandate to promote the Subic Special Economic Zone as a self-sustaining, industrial, commercial, financial, and investment center and green port city by attracting and promoting productive foreign investments that will generate employment opportunities in and around the zone,” he said.

 

Chairman Aliño was joined by SBMA Directors Ruel John Kabigting and Teodoro Del Rosario, and Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado during his three-day visit to Taiwan, upon the invitation by Century Development Corporation (CDC).

 

The SBMA delegation also went to Pingtung to visit MOS Burger’s newly completed processing plant Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park (PABP). The MOS Burger food processing plant is a joint venture between An-Shin Food Services Co. and MOS Food Services.

 

Located in Taiwan’s Pingtung County, the PABP is the only national agricultural biotechnology park in Taiwan and the only one in the world that has established an agricultural high-tech industrial cluster.

 

The park has more than 110 agricultural enterprises of value-added natural products, aquaculture, livestock biotechnology, agricultural materials and facilities, and technical services.

 

These companies are connected, forming a huge industrial supply chain that creates a strong synergy effect in the global market.

 

According to SBDMC President Willy Wang, the invitation for the site visit was to provide the SBMA with a glimpse of Taiwan’s first BOT development project focusing on biotechnology industry, and to explore joint venture opportunities.

 

He added that the TBIP provides incubation space for emerging biotechnology, leading companies that integrate research and development (R&D), trial production, and business office functions.

 

CDC is a shareholder of the United Development Corporation, a joint venture partner of the SBMA in the SBDMC, Inc., which has pioneered industrial park planning. It is also known for its successful development of the Nankang Software Park, one of the most advanced industrial parks in Taiwan. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

30 Subic companies honored at the Mabuhay Business Awards

30 freeport locators were recognized during the annual Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Mabuhay Business Awards 2024 held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on December 13, 2024.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño explained that the 30 awardees were recognized, out of the 1,909 locators, for their exceptional contribution to the business growth of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone this year. 

Aliño added that the SBMA Mabuhay Awards embodies the agency’s commitment to recognizing the outstanding contributions of these locators who have significantly impacted the domestic economy; hence, “Mabuhay.” It symbolizes life, enthusiasm, and positivity.

Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato W. Lee III said that these 1,909 companies not only contributed to the business growth of the Subic Bay Freeport but also provided employment to 162,891 workers.

“Aggregate investments amounting to P577.99 billion as of the third quarter of 2024 accrued to the SBMA and the Total Operating Revenue generated from 1992-2023 has amounted to P64.36 billion. In the first half of 2024, the SBMA released a total of P204.7 million Net Revenue Shares, higher than last year’s same period,” he said.

“This is why the SBMA holds the Mabuhay Business Awards, to recognize our top performing locators. 

This year, after a rigorous deliberation, the SBMA has determined the 30 top performing Subic Bay Freeport locators,” he said.

For the Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) of the Year Award, the awardees were the MJY 88 Medical Clinic, La Banca Travel and Tours Corp., and the Grand Food Venue Corp. that owns Xtremely Xpresso, Subic Ben’s Kitchen and Iron Grill Asian Fusion.

For the New Business of the Year, the recipients were Skarya Builders Inc., Maritime Expert General Services Corporation, Bistro Italiano Corp., Good Manufacturing Leathers Inc., Intelligent Outsourcing Inc., MSK Group Work Incorporated, Strategic Channel for Career Development Corporation, Swire Agrotech Agricultural Products Inc., Pure Petroleum Corporation, Sands of Triboa Resorts and Spa Inc., Subic Bay Yacht Club., Norden Subic Entrepreneurs Inc., and Grainpro Philippines Inc.

For the Top Importer of the Year, the award was given to Raizen Asia PTE. LTD., while the Top Exporter of the Year went to the Sanyo Denki Philippines Inc.

For the Eco-Innovation Award, the SBMA hailed the Subic Smart Community Corporation.

Subic Bay Town Center, Inc. bagged the Health and Wellness Business of the Year award. 

The SBMA hailed the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation for the Corporate Social Responsibility Award. 

For Business Developer of the Year, the awardees were Aolly Home Inc. and  Sachi Subic Inc.

The accolades for the Loyalty Business Award were given to Idess Interactive Technologies Inc., Subic Bay Multi-Purpose Cooperative, MOF Company Subic Inc., Royal Duty-Free Shops Inc., and Mikuni Terminals Mechatronics Philippines Corporation. 

The top performer for Excellence in Occupational Health and Safety Practices was Tong Lung Philippines Metal Industry Co. Inc.

Meanwhile, a Special Award was given to the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce Inc. 

Lee said, “Our awardees do not only have remarkable profiles in terms of their economic growth contributions but they also have shown exemplary and notable accomplishments in delivering quality service, and have gone the extra mile to contribute to the sustainable development of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and its neighboring communities.”

He added, “As the SBMA continues to thrive in our mission to maintain investor confidence and to empower our people and communities through shared stewardship and good governance, the agency will not falter in acknowledging our locators’ contributions and accomplishments. And this is one of our ways to show you how important you are to us, the Mabuhay Awards.” (MPD-SBMA) 

Read More

Subic Freeport students bag 3rd place in robotics Olympiad

Elementary students from the Special Education for the Gifted (SPED-G) Kalayaan in this premier Freeport bagged Third place in the recent Philippine Robotics Olympiad held at the Ayala Malls Trinoma, Quezon City.

During the 23rd Philippine Robotics Olympiad, grade VI students namely, Anne Margarette Inton, Dru Triguero, and Zyrene Tantay placed third in the Future Innovators Category-Elementary Level.

The said three students are part of the Aerosense Team mentored by coaches Ma Alon Elago, John Lester Perez and Principal Abdon Bayle.

With the theme Earth Allies, the 23rd Philippine Robotics Olympiad Elementary Level RoboMission Finals was held on July 29 at the Felta Multimedia Center where the Aerosense Team displayed their robot, the Aerosense.

The Aerosense is an ESP32 Drone-Based System for an Environmental Real-Time Monitoring of Air Quality, Humidity and Temperature.

According to the team members, the Aerosense was developed to address critical environmental issues such as air pollution and climate change.

“With the rapid urbanization and industrialization of cities, there is a pressing need for effective environmental monitoring solutions,” the team members stated.

During the team’s courtesy call to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño congratulated the members and coaches of Aerosense Team.

“We are very proud of your achievements. You have shown that the country’s best and brightest robotics students come from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Mabuhay po kayo sa inyong naabot,” he said. The chairman also congratulated SBMA Director Anne Lorraine Adorable Inton, the proud mother of Aerosense member Anne Margarette, for raising a bright and wonderful child.

The Philippine Robotics Olympiad is an annual science educational event that primarily aims to challenge the intellectual skills and critical thinking of elementary and high school students. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

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)

Read More

Innovative lifting solution enhances ICTSI Subic operation

Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), a unit of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) operating at the Subic Bay Freeport, successfully handled the first Flat Rail operation in the Philippines with the loading of a brand-new catamaran on a CMA CGM vessel.

SBITC, operator of the New Container Terminals 1 and 2 at Cubi Point, performed the carefully planned operation in collaboration with Peters & May, an international freight forwarder and yacht transport specialist, and Bespoke Load Solutions, patent owner of the Flat Rail System used to load the cargo onto the ship.

The Flat Rail System uses a simple and innovative solution that enables the shipping of out-of-gauge cargo with dimensions that exceed the specifications of 40-foot flat racks.

“The Flat Rail System consists of two beams which are secured to the flat rack with twist-locks. With lifting points at the end of each beam, the complete unit load can then be loaded using slings attached to the spreader of the container gantry crane,” explained Chris Steibelt, Bespoke Load Solutions Development Manager.

He adds: “Typically, a Flat Rail shipment will be in the range of 12 to 15.5 meters long and the width blocks the corner castings. The system can safely accommodate payloads of up to 44 tons.”

Using Flat Rails, the catamaran was loaded onto a single 40-foot flat rack. The process was simplified into two moves–first, sea to berth, and second, berth to vessel after the cargo is lashed to the flat rack and Flat Rail. Traditionally, without the rails, the shipment would require at least six flat racks. The catamaran would be loaded as breakbulk and lashing would be done on board the vessel. This method is significantly less efficient and more costly for the shipper because of the larger vessel space occupied by the cargo, and longer port stay as a result of extended loading time.

“SBITC has demonstrated its capability and flexibility to safely and efficiently handle complex shipments such as this. We have eight more catamarans on the way, and we are confident that we could further improve our process and deepen our partnerships with other businesses that require customized service to expand their markets,” said Roberto Locsin, SBITC President and General Manager.

Built by full-service yacht agent Asia Pacific Marine – Subic, the 14.3-meter, twin hull vessel is export-bound for the Maldives. The shipment is the first of 10 catamarans commissioned by an exclusive resort group operating in six continents.

“We intended to deliver the catamaran in brand-new condition. With the guarantee by SBITC that they can safely handle our cargo, we know it is the best option for us,” said Miguel Ramirez, Asia Pacific Marine Managing Director.

Yacht shipping remains an uncommon service in the Philippines with importers and exporters opting to discharge and load their boats in nearby countries before sailing them directly to and from the Philippines. SBITC hopes the success of this particular project would eventually pave the way for yachts to be transported using Philippine ports. (SNL)

PHOTO:

Innovation. The 14.3-meter long catamaran is loaded onto a 40-foot flat rack fitted with a pair of Flat Rails at both ends.

https://www.ictsi.com/press-releases/innovative-lifting-solution-enhances-ictsi-subic-operation

Read More