Top corporate performers in Subic named

Twelve companies in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone received the 2018 Mabuhay Awards from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for being the top performers last year.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the SBMA keeps tab of the performance of Subic companies and recognizes the best performers through the SBMA Mabuhay Awards.

In the ceremony, Eisma urged locators to continue to enshrine transparency and compliance in their operation “because it is only with transparency and compliance that we can ensure a stable and predictable environment for the country, and for the Freeport.”

The Subic business locators that received the citation were:

- Toyota Subic, Inc., which received the “New Business of the Year” award for demonstrating remarkable results in customer service, marketing, and competitive positioning since its opening here on Nov. 8, 2018;

- HHIC-Phil Inc., was cited as “Top Importer of 2017” and “Top Exporter of 2017” for attaining the biggest import value of US$388 million and export value of US$1.25 billion;

- Subic Duty Free Shops, Inc., which runs and operates Meatplus Café, received the “Responsible Tourism Award” for creating positive business impact and significant economic, environmental and social benefits as one of the most popular food outlets inside SBFZ with a consistent strong following from local and international tourists;

- Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corporation (PCSPC), was “Top Net Income Earner of 2017”. PCSPC operates the petroleum storage and pipeline facilities at the former US military bases in Subic and Clark, and its 160-hectare facility here includes a marine terminal, fuel storage tank farms and tank truck loading facilities;

- Brighterday Subic Ltd., Inc. which manages and operates All Hands Beach, was given the “Eco-Innovation Award” for its efforts in biodiversity conservation, particularly in monitoring and releasing more than 4,000 sea turtles to their natural habitats since 2011;

- S-CORP Philippines, Inc., which offers end-to-end transaction processing services, intricately linked enterprise information management systems, and personalized multi-channel communications solutions for over 3,500 clients in distinct industry verticals across the globe, received the “SME Employment Award” for its non-discriminatory hiring system and generation of remarkable number of jobs for local and indigenous people;

- Allied Care Experts (ACE) Medical Center – Baypointe, Inc., which operates a tertiary medical tourism facility, received the “Health and Wellness Business of the Year” award, for its Biggest Loser Program that drew 181 participants, and for regular Zumba classes conducted at its auditorium and view deck;

- Converge ICT Solutions, Inc., was the “Service Business of the Year for Information and Communication Technology Industry” for offering the country’s only Pure End-to-End Fiber Network and its advocacy to upgrade the Filipino web experience;

- Subic Enerzone Corp., an Aboitiz Power Corporation, Inc. company, was “Service Business of the Year for General Business and Investment Industry” for its commitment to deliver, at most reasonable cost, safe and reliable electric service to the people and businesses they serve;

- International Container Terminal Services, Inc. was “Service Business of the Year for Logistics” for serving the growing economy of the northern regions of the Philippines through world-class container handling services at the Subic Bay Freeport;

- One Subic Power Generation Corp., a subsidiary of PHINMA Energy Corporation, meanwhile, received the “Corporate Social Responsibility Award” for its Cawag Reforestation Project whereby around 3,000 coffee seedlings were planted by mobilizing both upland farmers and employee volunteers; and

- Subic Superfood Inc., which produces the Mt. Mayon Premium Pili Nuts, received the “Special Recognition Award” for its exemplary dedication and passion in turning its locally-sourced main raw material into a quality product that has brought pride and honor to the Subic Bay Freeport and the Philippines for being recognized in various prestigious and international awards. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA chief Wilma T. Eisma (center) and other SBMA officials congratulate winners of the 2018 Mabuhay Awards, which recognized top business performers in the Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA ‘saddened’ by Hanjin debt problem

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Wilma T. Eisma said she was saddened to learn that Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC-Phil) is facing serious financial trouble.

Hanjin, which is currently the biggest foreign investor in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, filed on Tuesday a petition at the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City to initiate voluntary rehabilitation under Republic Act 10142, otherwise known as “An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises and Individuals”.

Hanjin officials, Eisma said, had revealed that the company owes some $400 million in outstanding loans from Philippine banks on top of another $900 million in debts with lenders in South Korea.

Eisma said she was informed that the company still has six pending multi-million new building projects at its Redondo Peninsula shipyard here, and that these may have to be cancelled if a rehabilitation plan does not materialize.

“The bottom line is that the company said it does not have enough cash to repay its loans, and that it cannot continue with its operations under these circumstances,” Eisma said.

“It’s really sad that Hanjin would be in dire financial straits after successfully building some of the world’s biggest ships here and putting the Philippines in the map as the world’s fifth largest shipbuilder,” she added.

HHIC-Phil, which has focused in building high-value vessels, was established in 2006 as a subsidiary of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd., a multi-national company that provides shipbuilding, construction, and plant services in South Korea and internationally.

After frenzied construction of its 300-hectare shipyard began in May 2006, HHIC-Phil rolled out its first ship, the “Argolikos” in July 2008.

With some $2.3 billion in foreign direct investments here, the firm proceeded to manufacture some of the world’s biggest cargo and container ships, bulk carriers, liquefied petroleum gas carriers, very large crude oil carriers (VLCC) and very large ore carriers (VLOC).

According to company records, Hanjin has delivered since 2008 a total of 123 vessels to valued clients across the globe, thus cementing its foothold in the highly competitive shipbuilding market.

In the course of its operation, the Korean firm also became the biggest employer among all registered businesses in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with some 30,000 employees at peak season, and was recognized by both the Philippine Exporter Foundation (Philexport) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as top export performer.

However, in the face of recent liquidity problem, Hanjin has laid off more than 7,000 workers last December, Eisma said. The firm is about to lay off another 3,000 early this year until just about 300 local workers and as few as seven Korean supervisors would remain in March to do facility maintenance, she added.

“The SBMA, of course, expressed its concern about the separation of shipyard workers, but we received assurances that those who were laid off were amply compensated. Still, we’re having this aspect checked out,” Eisma said.

She added that the SBMA is now working with Hanjin officials to find some way to keep the shipbuilder, which has helped build Subic’s huge reputation in the global maritime industry.

“I really hope that Hanin’s creditors would agree to some rehabilitation plan, or that the company would find some financial partner to continue with its shipbuilding operations in Subic,” Eisma also said. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Hanjin shipyard at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone

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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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Central Luzon investment hub bill hurdles bicam

A bill creating the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub (RICH) for Central Luzon has been approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.

The measure intends to establish RICH, in place of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council, as the body to lead infrastructure development in Central Luzon.

RICH’s mission also includes to “effectively address bottlenecks and decongest Metro Manila, lay the foundation for long-term growth of Central Luzon and increase the productivity of the people.”

The Bicameral Conference Committee, presided over by Senator Richard J. Gordon and North Cotabato 1st district Rep. Jesus N. Sacdalan, adopted and approved on Dec. 10 Senate Bill No. 1997, subject to amendments.

In its last version, the bill proposed that the Central Luzon Investment Corridor Master Plan be developed by the RICH Board of Directors, in coordination with local government units and stakeholders.

CLIC will, among others, incorporate existing plans created for the development of the Subic-Clark and Tarlac area.

The Master Plan will also “include the provision of adequate and affordable housing facilities within the Special Economic or Freeport Zone.”

The measure also proposes to establish a One Stop Shop that will facilitate the registration of enterprises in Central Luzon in coordination with RICH, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Clark Development Corp. and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. (Charmaine A. Tadalan, BusinessWorld)

https://www.bworldonline.com/central-luzon-investment-hub-bill-hurdles-bicam/

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House OKS proposed law to revitalize SBMA

The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a measure that primarily aims to strengthen the administration and operational governance of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Approved by the chamber in plenary via vote of 200-6 (yes-no), without abstention, was House Bill (HB) no.8720, or the proposed Act Revitalizing the Bases Conversion Development.

The bill was principally authored by former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Reps. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan), and Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City).

It seeks to amend two sections of Republic Act (RA) 7227 or the “Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.”

In particular, HB no.8720 amends Section 13 of RA 7227 to mandate that the SBMA shall have authority and jurisdiction over all economic activities within the Subic Special Economic Zone. This covers the power to inspect and register leisure ships and pleasure yachts of any ship owner.

For this purpose, the SBMA shall administer and maintain an open register of leisure ships and pleasure yachts subject only to such rules and regulation to be promulgated by the SBMA in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) without prejudice to the requirements of the Constitution.

The bill also mandates the SBMA to administer and implement incentives granted to its registered business enterprises.

Likewise, the SBMA shall fix and impose just and reasonable rates and prices for the establishment, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, services and businesses in the Subic Special Economic Zone pertaining to electronic, web and cloud data operators and providers and telecommunications; shipping and maritime business and activities; airport operations; and all other similar matters inside the economic zone.

The bill also aims to improve the revenue collection of SBMA and thereby increase the shares of the local government units (LGUs) affected and the share of the national government. Specifically, the measure fortifies the territorial jurisdiction of the Subic Special Economic Zone by amending Section 12 of RA 7227.

Among the changes introduced by HB 8720 to Section 12 is the inclusion of a provision that the municipalities of San Antonio, San Marcelino, and Castillejos of the province of Zambales and the municipalities of Morong, Hermosa, and Dinalupihan of the province of Bataan may cede in whole or in part their entire municipal territory to the Subic Special Economic Zone for a period of not less than 50 years.

The measure also seeks to ensure and strengthen the public safety and security of SBMA through further amendments to Section 12 of RA 7227.

It revises the section to state that in the event that an assistance of the military is necessary, the expenses shall be borne by the national government. HB 8720 adds that military shall not interfere in the internal affairs of SBMA except to provide necessary security and defense.

The bill designates one seat each in the board of directors of the SBMA to represent Olongapo City, the municipalities of Castillejos, San Antonio, San Marcelino, and Subic of the province of Zambales, and the municipalities of Morong, Hermosa, and Dinalupihan of the province of Bataan.

It also provides for one representative for the Board of Director of Bases Conversion Development Authority from the indigenous peoples (IPs) residing within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (Ellson Quismorio, Manila Bulletin)

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/24/house-oks-proposed-law-to-revitalize-sbma/

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Palace issues EO governing foreigners’ entry in Subic

MANILA -- Malacañang has issued an executive order which governs the admission and stay of foreign nationals in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as “temporary visitors.”

Executive Order 72, signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of the President on Dec. 18, allows foreign nationals granted visa-free privilege to depart from the Subic Bay Piers and Wharves besides the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA).

“There is a need to amend EO No. 271 to allow foreign nationals granted the visa-free privilege under the said EO to depart from the Subic Pay Piers and Wharves, besides the SBIA,” the EO read.

EO 271 allows foreign nationals, not categorized as “restricted” as determined by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), visiting the zone for business and/or tourism purposes to enter all ports of entry of the zone and stay therein without visa for a maximum period of 14 days subject to certain conditions and provided that they shall leave or depart from the Philippines only through the SBIA.

The EO was issued amid Subic Bay Piers and Wharves reportedly emerging as “new destinations for international cruise ships.”

Citing data from the Department of Tourism (DOT), the EO noted that cruise ship arrivals in 2018 each carry an average of 1,600 passengers and 1,000 crew members.

“It is anticipated that there will be a continued increase in cruise ship arrivals in the Subic Bay in 2019 and onwards,” it added.

Aside from allowing foreign nationals who enter the zone to depart from the Philippines only through SBIA or SBPW, the EO allows foreign nationals not restricted “to enter all ports of entry of the Zone and stay therein without visa for a maximum period of 14 days provided that upon arrival, they present their passports, Certificates of Identity or travel documents valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the Zone and confirmed onward flight or marine vessel tickets.”

The DFA, Bureau of Immigration and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority must jointly implement the executive order and in consultation with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, must issue guidelines to ensure that there will be no detriment to national security.

The EO shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1057152

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Central Luzon sustains economic growth in 2018

The year 2018 saw the economy of Central Luzon in a sustainable growth level primarily pushed by major developments in the region.

Amid the mild domestic and external challenges that the Philippines experienced in the past months, Central Luzon remained one of the core regions contributing significantly to the overall growth of the country as fueled by the impressive performances of the region’s emerging cities and special economic zones.

The biggest contributors to the region’s steady growth this year are the three Freeport zones, namely the Clark Freeport Zone, Subic Freeport Zone and the Bataan Freeport Zone.

Investments and Job Opportunities

The Clark Freeport Zone is becoming the next economic haven of Luzon with unprecedented gains in investments, revenues, employment and other significant achievements.

Noel F. Manankil, president and CEO of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), said the impressive accomplishments in the freeport can be attributed to the sound business climate that attracted more investors.

CDC’s latest number of locator-firms totaled 949, most of them in the information communication technology (ICT), service and developers’ industries. This resulted in the creation of jobs for 108,000 workers.

“With its extensive involvement in the government’s Build, Build, Build, program, Clark will be able to provide more jobs and opportunities for the Filipinos,” Manankil said.

The Subic Bay Freeport, on the other hand, has a total of 1,596 business locators that employ a total workforce of 133,940.

“There is a significant harvest of business commitments and opportunities for Subic, and it only goes to show that this freeport remains to be one of the strongest economic drivers in the country today,” SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma T. Eisma said.

For the first half of the year, the SBMA has approved 45 new investment projects worth a total of PHP2.85 billion, bringing the cumulative investment commitments to PHP499.6 billion.

Eisma said the SBMA hopes to create more business opportunities as it arranges cooperation programs with neighboring communities to host additional investment projects.

Meanwhile, the number of approved and registered locators at the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) reached 163 as of September this year.

“The continuous influx of new and interested locators in the FAB means an increased number of job opportunities for the community,” AFAB chairman and administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda said.

So far, the number of workforce in the Freeport totaled 40,567 wherein 35,116 are from Bataan and 5,451 from other regions even as far as Visayas and Mindanao.

Data showed that AFAB likewise managed to contribute bigger shares to the government from PHP98 million in 2017 to PHP141 million this year.

“We all decided to move forward together as we aim to reach new frontiers and trail blaze an amazing future for the next generations. Two years later, we have succeeded in sustaining this growth and now we continue to expand towards new possibilities,” Pineda said.

Agriculture

The agriculture sector of Central Luzon experienced a slowdown this year following the effect of typhoons the past months.

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Luzon reported that damage to agriculture in the region due to typhoons Henry, Inday and Josie was placed at PHP770 million.

Likewise, some 110,698 hectares of farmlands in the region were affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong, causing destruction to crops amounting to some PHP2.05 billion.

As a result, Central Luzon is one of the four typhoon-affected regions placed under the state of calamity to mitigate the economic impact of the typhoon to the affected residents.

The member-agencies of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Central Luzon have also provided various assistance to the typhoon-affected families.

Despite the slowdown in the agriculture sector, Central Luzon plays a big role to the country’s economy due to diversification developments in the region.

Tourism

A spike in tourist volume in Central Luzon this year was noted due to improved infrastructures such as the integration of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway that paved the way for an easier and accessible travel to and from the provinces in the region.

The passenger traffic at the Clark International Airport is expected to hit the 2.5 million mark in the number of passengers before the year ends.

“The Clark International Airport is now one of the country’s busiest airports and this 2.5-million passenger mark is another record-breaking milestone for Clark,” Jaime Melo, president and chief executive officer of the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) said in a statement.

At present, the Clark International Airport sustains 390 domestic and 184 international flights weekly.

“We are also targeting at least 11 domestic and 24 international destinations for next year,” Melo said.

The emergence of Subic as a hub for cruise ships was also cited.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is seeking to integrate tourist destinations in the neighboring provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan and Zambales to boost cruise tourism program of the Subic Bay Freeport and create inclusive growth in the region.

“Our strategy is for Subic to become the anchor cruise ship destination, but it’s actually not only for Subic but for the inclusive growth of all of us as well,” Eisma earlier said.

So far, the number of Subic’s cruise ship arrivals this year was placed at 20, each bringing in some 2,000 to 5,000 tourists at every port call.

The construction of the Subic-Clark Railway, the North-South Railway spanning Laguna-Manila-Clark, and the expansion of the Clark International Airport will also serve as come-on for businessmen and tourists.

Economic outlook for 2019

With the high-impact projects in the region under the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program, particularly in Clark Freeport Zone, another good year is expected to come in for the economy in Central Luzon.

Jess Nicdao, president of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. said the major infrastructure projects are the key to sustaining the economic growth of the region.

He lauded the Duterte administration for making Clark a part of the country’s economic strategy which is expected to experience an influx of new businesses and investments.

The country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games where some of the games will be held in Clark next year, is likewise seen to give a multiplier effect that could help sustain the vibrant economy of Central Luzon. (PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1056863

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Subic Port ready for peak season

Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), the container operator of Subic Freeport Area, assured that the company is prepared for the expected surge in cargo volume this peak season.

In a statement Tuesday, SBITC said it is already seeing the rush in imports and exports which is typical for the holiday season.

“The country’s appetite for imported goods is typically highlighted during the Christmas holiday up until Chinese New Year. With a healthy GDP (gross domestic product) outlook, we can expect this trend to remain a key driver in container volume growth in the months to come,” SBITC said.

It noted that cargo volumes in Subic port recorded growth for 13 straight months.

SBITC added that Subic port is also prepared to accommodate shipments initially destined for Port of Manila.

“Businesses in North and Central Luzon benefit most from our services, but we have seen shipments destined not only for Manila, but in Visayas and Mindanao as well. SBITC works with other ports in the Philippines to ensure operational excellence is attained as goods move through these key markets that are in and out of the Philippines,” the company said.

It added that Subic port also offers one-stop-shop service to ease and fast-track transactions.

“From enough space and manpower to increased efficiency through our One-Stop-Shop, our terminal is ready to accommodate the surge of cargo handling services not just this holiday peak season, but well into 2019 and beyond,” SBITC said.

“Recently, we have confirmed further investments in port equipment and systems to continuously outpace market growth. This allows the terminal to remain healthy from a utilization standpoint which we continue to deliver to our customers both at the quay and our gates,” it added.

Goods that pass through Subic port include agricultural equipment, grains, fertilizers, electronic parts, and general department store merchandise for North and Central Luzon businesses. (SNL)

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Cargo unloading at SBITC's New Container Terminal (NCT) at the Port of Subic.  

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Youths train in Subic jungles for ecosystem-based disaster management

SUBIC BAY FREPORT — This bustling industrial-commercial zone still plays an important role in educating residents on environmental protection and climate-change mitigation by providing real-life outdoor classrooms for ecosystem-based training.

Recently, some 60 members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) from communities around the Subic Bay Freeport participated in a disaster-risk management training that focused on the importance of ecosystem and biodiversity in mitigating climate change.

Dubbed as EcoDRRM, or Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, the US Embassy-sponsored project sought to empower participants through outdoor workshops on the pivotal contributions of mangrove, forests and seagrasses to climate change mitigation.

The three-day training conducted under the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), brought youth leaders from Olongapo City, Castillejos, Zambales and Morong, Bataan to various ecosystems in the Subic Bay Freeport that served as backdrop for the program.

The activity was spearheaded by a team of United States-Philippines exchange alumni who won the Small Grant Competition and was given funding to support the conduct of the EcoDRRM project.

Rhea Jane Mallari, an environment officer at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Center and team leader of the project, said the participants heard lectures on disaster risk management, community risk mapping, climate change adaptation, and other related topics on the first day.

The second day then took the participants to a mangrove area at Sitio Sabang in Morong, Bataan, where they planted mangrove saplings and learned about how the mangrove and seagrass eco-systems serve as bio-shield for natural disasters.

At Day 3, the youth participants trekked the Pamulaklakin forest where they learned about the importance of forests in disaster prevention and received demonstrations on jungle survival, preparing healthy foods during evacuation, and relieving stress during disaster.

Mallari and fellow US-PH exchange alumnus Patrick Escusa said the participants all hailed the project as “a great learning experience that gave them helpful insights on disaster-risk mitigation.”

“We are very happy that the project succeeded in capacitating the youth in DRRM preparedness and prevention through ecosystem management, and imparted the culture of proactive response rather than reactive response to disasters,” Escusa said.

“We will continue the program by assisting and ensuring that the SK officials will apply what they learned from the training-workshop by conducting their own city or municipal-wide EcoDRRM projects,” Escusa added.

The EcoDRRM project was the latest in a long line of activities here that made use of Subic’s biodiversity to train workers and facilitators in environmental protection and resource conservation.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said Subic Freeport’s vast forest, marine, and freshwater resources provide a diverse ecosystem that makes for realistic learning.

“This is why many researchers and academics chose Subic for the conduct of their studies,” Eisma noted. “And as the country’s first eco-urban center, Subic is ideal for these activities and the SBMA is ever supportive of these projects.” (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SK leaders listen to a lecture on the importance of mangroves and seagrasses to climate change mitigation.

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Taiwanese computer giant to reopen Subic plant

Wistron Infocomm Corp., formerly one of the biggest export manufacturers in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, will soon resume production operations here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma on Wednesday said the Taiwanese computer giant conducted recruitment activities here for two days last week to hire workers for some 2,500 positions at its Subic facility.

Wistron’s return to Subic came as a direct result of the emerging trade war between the super-economies of the United States and China, as well as of the threat by the Trump administration to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

“You can say that this again validates the inherent strength of Subic as a strategic business location, because when other countries lose their initial advantages in terms of cheap labor or distribution cost, companies opt for Subic,” Eisma said.

She also said that the SBMA expects more global companies affected by the trade war to consider moving out to Subic or other economic zones in the country.

According to SBMA Labor Department manager Severo Pastor, Wistron processed more than 4,000 applications during the two-day schedule of exams and job interviews last week, with 900 workers passing the qualifiers on the first day alone.

“They wanted HOTS -- hired on the spot, so Taiwanese personnel from the company personally conducted the interviews. The SBMA labor personnel simply assisted on the second day to help process the growing number of applications,” he said.

Wistron Infocomm started out in Subic in 1995 as Acer Information Products (Philippines), Inc., a computer manufacturing outfit of Acer, Inc., Taiwan’s biggest computer firm.

It earned its current name in 2006 when Acer, Inc. spun off its Subic operations and infused fresh capitalization of USD36 million to include a Mobile Operations Unit (MSU).

In 2008, Wistron contributed more than a fourth of Subic’s USD977.84 export total with export production of USD274.88 million, leading the top 10 Subic exporters when Korean shipbuilder Hanjin, now the biggest exporter, was just a fledgling operation with USD61.74 million worth of exports.

In 2010, however, Wistron closed its hand-held device plant in Subic, shifting all of its production here to a facility in Zhongshan, China, but leaving its design automation center here.

The move displaced some 700 workers, at least 200 of whom, however, were reportedly sent off to a Wistron plant in the border-town facility of Juarez, Mexico.

In a clear reversal of fortune, Pastor said the newly-opened positions in Subic are the result of the company’s plan to relocate their operations to Mexico due to the threat by President Donald Trump to withdraw from NAFTA, which he has criticized for allowing Mexico to “steal” jobs from the United States and opening the border to cheap, tariff-free goods. (Malou Dungog, PNA)

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1055921

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BoC Subic posts record collection

The Port of Subic district collection unit of the Bureau of Customs achieved last month its highest revenue collection performance in its 20-year history after generating P2.347 billion, or 12.8 percent over its target for the period.

The BOC district unit headed by lawyer Ma. Rhea M. Gregorio registered a surplus of P265.429 million, according to the data gathered on the revenue performance of the district. Its target was P2.082 billion.

This is the third consecutive month that the district achieved positive collections record since September when Gregorio assumed the post as district collector.

BOC Subic accomplished the double-digit revenue targets by upgrading trade facilitation and closer dialogs with both Subic Freeport locators and port users.

Subic raised P2.182 billion revenues on import duties and taxes in October, netting P87.733 million, or a surplus of 4.2 percent. (Joel E. Zurbano, Manila Standard)

http://manilastandard.net/business/power-technology/282110/boc-subic-posts-record-collection.html

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NAGT triathlon set in Subic, registration ongoing

Over six hundred entries beat the early bird cut-off for the National Age-Group Triathlon Subic Bay race set for Jan. 27, 2019 at San Bernardino inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

The event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department will have Standard Distance (1.5 Km swim–40 Km bike–10 Km run), Sprint Distance (750 M swim–20 Km bike–5 Km run) and Super Sprint Distance (500 M swim–13 Km bike–2.5 Km run) courses that will start and end at San Bernardino.

The NAGT series serves as TRAP’s main development and recruitment program from the grassroots level. The next stops are in Cebu, Dipolog City, Roxas City and Cagayan de Oro.

Competition manager Kenneth Romero said members of the Philippine Team, who are aspiring for slots for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, including Claire Adorna, Kim Kilgroe, Nikko Huelgas, John Chicano, Mark Hosana, JC Abad and Edward Macalalad will be racing for their respective early season tests.

Many prominent junior elite and youth triathletes from around the country have registered including Cebuano standouts Andrew Kim Remolino, Karen Manayon and Moira Frances Erediano.

At stake in the event sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines and the SBMA are medals for the Top 3 winners by age-group.

Registration is still ongoing with entry fees set at P3,750 for Standard Distance, P3,000 for Sprint Distance, P2,500 for Super Sprint Distance and P7,500 for Team Relay competitions.

Registration will end on December 31 to ensure that the field will not exceed the capacity of the venue.

For inquiries, contact the TRAP by email at trapsecretariat@gmail.com, by landline at 710-8259 and by visiting their official website at www.triathlon.org.ph (SNL)

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Subic Freeport exec gunned down

A lone suspect gunned down a company executive and wounded his bodyguard as the victims were walking toward a hotel here Wednesday night, police authorities said Thursday.

Police said Dominic Sytin, founder and executive officer of United Auctioneers, Inc., an importer of used heavy equipment and other vehicles based in Subic Freeport, died on the spot due to gunshot wounds in the head.

Sytin's bodyguard, identified as Efren Espartero, is now in critical condition at a nearby hospital.

Police said Sytin was about to enter The Lighthouse Hotel along Waterfront Road, Moonbay Marina Area, inside the Freeport, when an unidentified suspect shot him at the back and the left side of his head. Espartero tried to retaliate but was shot several times at the right side of his body and arm, police said.

Witnesses said the suspect fled on a motorcycle.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) condemned the killing of Sytin “to the strongest possible term” as it is apparently a targeted assassination of a business locator here.

In a statement, SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said the incident was a sad news, “not only because a prominent businessman fell prey to violence, but also because one life has been snuffed out just like that”.

Eisma said the SBMA is working with the police to identify the killer and urged the public with information to help authorities solve the crime. (Ruben Veloria, PNA)

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