Zambales access to SCTEx pushed

Former public-works secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has reiterated calls for the construction of an access road from Zambales province to the Subic-Clark- Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), saying the proposed connection is “imperative to help Zambales take off in terms of trade, tourism and economic development.”

Ebdane said in an interview with newsmen here during the launch of the fortnightly local newspaper Headline Zambales that a highway connecting to SCTEx “will revolutionize the pace of development in Zambales.”

“As the SCTEx has made the Subic Bay Free Port and the nearby city of Olongapo more accessible to tourists, traders and investors, so will the proposed SCTEx artery do wonders for Zambales,” said Ebdane, who is eyeing the Zambales governorship in the coming local elections.

The SCTEx access project was first broached by Zambales First District Rep. Mitos Magsaysay in a dialog with community leaders in Castillejos, Zambales, last week.

Magsaysay, whose political clan has allied with Ebdane for the May elections, revealed that the Magsaysay-Ebdane coalition is pushing for the construction of a road that would connect Castillejos to the SCTEx.

Castillejos, the second town in south Zambales after Olongapo City, is considered a pivotal location because it links the Zambales highway to the Hanjin shipyard in Subic’s Redondo Peninsula.

Magsaysay added that the proposed road will also benefit billion-dollar tourism-development projects in the area, which are funded by foreign investors.

Ebdane said the proposed Castillejos- SCTEx connection will most likely branch out from the Floridablanca segment in Pampanga and will be about 40 kilometers long.

“In a little more than 30 minutes, tourists could access Castillejos from SCTEx, and from here, could also visit other places in Zambales,” he said.

Ebdane also noted that the only route to Zambales for tourists from Manila often becomes congested during holidays and other peak seasons.

“An express lane must be made to make Zambales more accessible to foreign and local tourists,” he said. “Rather than going the usual route, which is through Olongapo, tourists could use the express lane to avoid traffic. That way, they would have more time to spend on the beautiful tourism attractions in the province.”

In the Castillejos dialog, the former DPWH head also acknowledged that roads and other public infrastructures are “essential to the modernization of rural areas in the province.” (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

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Subic Freeport eyes growing retirement market

The retirement-tourism industry in this free port is expected to take off this year, as government agencies and the business community here teamed up to come up with a more aggressive marketing program.

Eyeing the development of Subic Bay as a prime retirement facility, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) signed a memorandum of agreement with the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) for more effective promotion in the world market.

The agreement was signed the other day by PRA chairman Edgar Aglipay, SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, and SBFCC president Danny Piano at the SBMA Board Room.

The three parties agreed to integrate their marketing and promotional activities, including information dissemination, public relations, special events, and other retiree-related tourism programs to maximize Subic’s market reach.

Each party also committed to act as an advocate for the design and development of new products and investment opportunities for foreign retirees and tourists, thereby enhancing retiree-related sites, facilities, and services through tourism planning and product development.

“Only through strong partnerships and consolidation of individual corporate goals into one, could the retirement industry in Subic match up with those in the neighboring countries of Asia,” Aglipay said.

Aglipay reiterated that the Philippines has almost all the advantages — climate, manpower, culture and services — to outmatch other Asian nations in the retirement business, especially since Filipinos are known worldwide for being highly efficient and professional.

Salonga, meanwhile, noted that the agreement “was very timely, since the number of foreign retirees seeking a safer and more comfortable place to live in is increasing.”

A large number of these retirees visiting Subic Bay have settled here for a time, he added.

Arreza said that the Subic Bay Freeport already has world-class retirement facilities, including the Subic Holiday Villas, which is described as a modern leisure and retirement village that can accommodate up to 500 retirees, plus their families.

Other similar facilities in Subic include the Subic Holiday Mansion, the Tropical Paradise Retirement Village, Subic Heights at the Upper Mau Area, Subic Bay Leisure and Resorts at the Boton Area, the Subic Executive Loft Condominium, and Poco A Poco at the Subic Commercial Park.

These world-class retirement communities in the Subic Bay area can accommodate retirees from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other foreign countries, Arreza added. (SBMA Corporate Communications)


PHOTO: Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Feliciano Salonga and Philippine Retirement Authority Chairman Edgar Aglipay shake hands after signing an agreement to promote Subic Bay as a retirement destination. With them are (from left): Susan Dudley, of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, and SBFCC President Danny Piano.

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Kalaklan bridge to remain open during construction of new bridge

The Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge, which connects Subic Bay Freeport to Olongapo City and Zambales, will remain open until June 2010 while a new bridge is being constructed to replace it.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arreza said that the bridge will not be closed as originally planned, but will continue to be open to light vehicles and pedestrians, in response to appeals made by the city government and business groups in Olongapo City.

Arreza has directed the agency’s Engineering Department to ask the project contractor to install additional safety mechanisms and regularly conduct maintenance work on the existing bridge to ensure public safety.

“We do not mind spending more for this project if it means ensuring that public interest is served adequately,” Arreza said.

SBMA’s move is expected to avert a potential traffic disaster in Olongapo City, which will absorb all vehicular traffic from the Freeport to Zambales and vice versa once the existing bridge is closed.

SBMA engineers said an average of 2,500 light vehicles and some 300 pedestrians, mostly workers, pass through the Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge everyday.

The bridge construction project is part of the agency’s efforts to prepare necessary infrastructures for the eventual expansion of the Subic Bay Freeport into nearby areas like Olongapo.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Public Works Engr. Mar Sanqui said the project contractor is also expected to submit a new program schedule, citing the possibility of a delay in the project completion, which was originally targeted for January next year.

The SBMA announced last month the start of construction work on the new bridge and the closure of the existing bridge to vehicular and pedestrian traffic starting February 15 and Marc h 1, 2010 respectively.

Olongapo City officials and businessmen led by Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. have made representations with the SBMA to consider other options, citing the huge traffic volume that the city will have to take during the year-long construction period and the adverse impact on the tourism industry in Olongapo and Zambales during its peak season in the summer months.

The Kalaklan Bridge, one of the existing four bridges linking this free port to nearby Olongapo City, will be replaced by a new two-lane concrete bridge with covered walkway and a security plaza. It is also the Freeport’s gateway to Zambales.

This bridge and the Main Gate Bridge that leads to Magsaysay Drive, the city’s main business district, were built by the U.S. Navy in the early ‘60s.

SBMA engineers noted last year that these bridges have been “structurally weakened”. The Main Gate Bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic while only pedestrians and light vehicles are allowed to pass the Kalaklan Bridge. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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SBMA cites investor-friendly policies behind 2009 growth

The investor-friendly environment promoted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has led to healthy business in this free port, and allowed companies here not only to survive the economic slowdown last year but also to post actual growth.

“This is the reason why Subic managed to stay afloat despite the recession,” SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said. “Together with the business community, we’ve been working hard at promoting good business by coming up with sound policies.”

Arreza said the SBMA’s investor-friendly policies “brought us to where the Freeport stands now,” adding that the agency posted a record seaport revenue of P472.85 million last year despite the recession, and approved 25 expansion projects by various investors that are worth a total of $23.7 million.

The SBMA official cited the connection between growth and sound guidelines during the Locators Congress held recently at the Global Terminals and Development, Inc. office here. The congress, which was organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (SBFCCI) as an annual event, focused on business issues and concerns of business locators here.

Arreza said that aside from putting out investor-friendly policies, the SBMA also stressed transparency in doing business with everyone. “This makes every transaction easy and on time,” he added.

In keeping with the spirit of the congress, Arreza disclosed that the SBMA will now spread development efforts to communities in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan, which are outside the controlled or fenced-in portion of the Subic Bay Freeport.

Arreza earlier explained that the SBMA’s expansion program was meant to address the limited commercial and industrial space in Subic’s controlled area, wherein a huge environmental preserve is located, as well as to create livelihood opportunities that would directly impact on the neighboring communities.

“We will now focus on developing significant infrastructure facilities in those areas in order to generate more investments outside the traditional boundaries of the Freeport,” Arreza said.

“But we shall need funds to build public infrastructure projects that will convince more investors to pour their money into the Subic Bay area,” he said.

At the same time, Arreza clarified concerns about the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA), the Kalaklan bridge construction, and the Ayala Land project.

in the case of the SBIA, Arreza disclosed that the SBMA is still evaluating its viability.

“There is no rush to close the airport,” he told Subic locators. “Actually, we are still marketing the airport and looking for other alternatives to make it useful.”

Arreza also assured the chamber that the 30 locators to be affected by the construction here of an Ayala Land mall would be given options to either relocate their businesses inside the mall, or move into a commercial building to be built nearby.

Ayala Land is expected to start construction of the mall in April this year, and to finish in 2012.

Arreza also briefed locators on the scheduled closure of the Kalaklan bridge starting March 1, to pave the way for the construction of a P200-million new bridge and security plaza. Arreza earlier explained that the construction project would have to go on as scheduled, lest local businesses would lose out during both the peak tourism season this Christmas and in summer next year. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Durano exhorts M.I.C.E. players: ‘Learn from Subic experience’

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has cited Subic Bay’s rise from the ashes of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption as an example of how stakeholders in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions/events (M.I.C.E.) industry could tap into the $300-billion global M.I.C.E. market.

“Assess the situation and formulate appropriate strategies,” Durano exhorted participants in the Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference 2010, an international forum that opened on Friday at Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) here.

“There is always an opportunity that comes with change,” added Durano, recounting how Subic Bay transformed itself from a wasteland into a bustling free port, and how it is now making a name as host to local and international events.

More than 300 representatives from various sectors of the Philippine M.I.C.E. industry arrived here as early as Thursday evening for the four-day event that ends on Monday.

Durano said M.I.C.E. players can only respond two ways to the challenges faced by the industry: “to be like an immovable object, which eventually is toppled by the wind, or a kite that soars higher as the wind gets stronger.”

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza, who welcomed the conference delegates, meanwhile, said that Subic has reaped much benefits after the Subic agency decided to invest in the M.I.C.E. industry.

He said this decision gave rise to the 12,000-square meter SBECC, which now boasts of having one of the best convention facilities in the country today.

The SBECC, which was formerly the shell of an abandoned computer parts factory and warehouse, and refurbished by the SBMA at the cost of P350 million, has poured from $10 million to $12 million in income to the local economy since it first opened for the 20th Philippine Advertising Congress in 2007, Arreza said.

“Subic Bay as a major M.I.C.E. destination has always been a dream of mine ever since I stepped in here as administrator four years ago,” said Arreza, a former undersecretary at the Department of Tourism.

He added that aside from drawing participants to conventions, most of whom also visit various tourism facilities in the locality during the conventions, SBECC has “introduced” Subic to potential investors such as Nestle, Coca-Cola and Phillip Morris, companies that soon decided to open facilities in Subic after holding conferences at the local convention venue.

“There is a tremendous potential in M.I.C.E., and I urge everyone to get the most out of it,” Arreza also told conference delegates, who came from as far as as Iloilo, Davao, Cebu, Palawan, Bohol, Bacolod, Pampanga, Aklan, and Camarines Sur.

The four-day M.I.C.E. conference, which brought together national industry associations, international affiliates and business networks within the tourism industry, featured a series of presentations by international experts in the tourism industry and media.

The various topics shared a common theme: how local players can tap into the growing M.I.C.E. market. Among the speakers in the conference are Pacific Asia Travel Association chief executive Gregory Duffel, World Tourism Organization consultant and former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, Web in Travel producer and SHY Ventures editor-at-large Yeoh Siew Hoon, International Congress and Convention Association Chief executive Martin Shirk of The Netherlands, Malaysia-based Asian Overland Services group managing director Anthony Wong, UK-based Regent Exhibitions managing director Paul Flackett, and Travel Impact Newswire executive editor Imtiaz Muqbil.

M.I.C.E.Con 2010 is the result of a historic tie-up among the Philippine Asian M.I.C.E. Forum, which is spearheaded by the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers, and the Philippine Incentive Marketing Conference of the Department of Tourism, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp., and the Movement of Incentive Travel Executives. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTOS:
SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza welcomes Tourism Secretary Ace Durano to the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, where the four-day Philippine MICE Conference 2010 is held.

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Stakeholders sign commitment to protect Subic Bay

Government agencies, private organizations and local stakeholders have signed a “Declaration of Commitment” to protect Subic Bay after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) urged a joint conservation effort involving various sectors of the community here.

The declaration was signed as an initial undertaking that resulted from the recent Subic Bay Water Summit, a two-day conference held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) where multi-sector representatives discussed strategies for the conservation of local water resources and the protection of marine ecosystems, which could be applied to Subic Bay.

The SBMA, through its Ecology Center, spearheaded the summit to help arrest the growing degradation of Subic Bay, which is considered as the economic lifeblood of the Subic free port and the nearby communities, said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza.

According to the declaration, the conservation of marine resources and the protection of rivers and coastal areas in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan, “are indispensable to the continued social and economic well-being of those who live near or otherwise depend on the Bay, as well as to the sustainability of the life itself of the Bay.”

It also noted that pollution is the most serious threat to the water quality of Subic Bay. While the bay is naturally endowed with a deep harbor and a diverse yet fragile ecosystem, it is “now being endangered by various human and development activities in the uplands, the surrounding communities and within the coastal areas,” the declaration stated.

With this, the summit participants resolved “to renew and reinforce our efforts toward the sustainable development and management of our local water resources in a manner that is technically and legally feasible, fundable and effective.”

During the summit, Dr. Hoanh Hoang Nguyen, a soil and water specialist from Vietnam, identified at least 42 watersheds in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, of which 27 are drained by rivers directly into Subic Bay.

There is therefore “a need to control or reduce the sources of the pollutions that drain into the bay and the conversion of forestlands into cultivated lands or grasslands by informal settlers,” Nguyen urged in his presentation entitle “Total Catchment Approach to Land and Water Use Planning.”

Nguyen added that six land and water use issues have to be addressed immediately: conversion of forest land into dwelling, unregulated use of pesticides and fertilizers, annual grassland burning, livelihood from natural resources, fishponds and fish cages, and commercial and industrial activities inside core protection areas.

On the same occasion, Marikina City mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando shared her community’s experiences on how residents made their city a “Little Singapore.

Tackling the topic “Sustainable City Planning: Principles and Practices,” Fernando said that a lot of people are now taking the environment seriously. “Even the squatters along the Marikina river understood and volunteered to relocate to an area provided by the government,” she said.

Fernando said that after the clearing operation, the city developed the riverside areas into picnic and leisure parks. “The dying river is now regularly cleaned. And not long from now, we will put fingerlings into the river to return its life,” Fernando added.

Arreza said the SBMA organized the water summit to come up with a common action plan to effectively protect the Subic Bay and the valued water resources in the locality.

The summit also provided a venue for the participants to identify problems, hear and discuss recommendations from the experts, and learn from the experience of leaders in resource protection and conservation.

Among those who signed the declaration of commitment were Olongapo City mayor James Gordon, Jr.; former Zambales vice governor Saturnino Bactad, who represented Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso; Pastolan Aeta village chieftain Conrado Frenilla; and Restituto del Rosario, a Gawad-Saka national awardee from Morong, Bataan.

Representatives from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 3rd Regional PNP Maritime Office, Philippine Coast Guard, Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Subic Bay Resorts Association, and Subic Water and Sewerage Co., Inc. also attended the summit. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Stakeholders intensify efforts to protect Subic Bay

Stakeholder groups in the Subic Bay area gave an overwhelming response to calls from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to help arrest the degradation of Subic Bay by joining resource conservation and protection projects initiated by the agency.

With renewed passion that stemmed from the recently-concluded Subic Bay Water Summit, more than 500 representatives of community groups in the free port area demonstrated their affection for Subic Bay through the “Save My Bay” beach cleanup held here on Saturday.

“This is a clear demonstration that the private sector, the academe, and the government understand the value of this precious water resource,” said SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, whose agency initiated the water summit on January 28-29 to assess the condition of Subic Bay and lay the groundwork for its conservation.

Salonga said that Subic Bay is facing threats from the rapid development around it, so that the formulation of a concrete framework and action plan for its preservation has been deemed urgent.

“The SBMA cannot do this on its own,” Salonga said in his appeal to the clean-up participants. “Subic Bay is vast! The areas surrounding the bay— the Subic Freeport, Olongapo City, the town of Subic, Zambales and parts of Bataan—all benefit from its waters, so protecting and conserving it is a common responsibility.”

Salonga added that the two-day Subic Bay Water Summit clearly pointed out the need for joint conservation efforts, as the different groups that impact the bay signed a commitment to unite for the cause to save Subic Bay.

“We should not wait for dismal conditions like those in the Pasig River to appear, before we formulate steps to save our common resource,” he said.

Salonga proudly noted that the concern for Subic Bay was not limited to residents in the greater Subic Bay area.

Miss Earth beauties traveled all the way from Manila to demonstrate their support, along with members of Rotary District 3780 based in Cubao West, Quezon City, which organized the event along with the SBMA, The Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel here, and the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, Philippine Fleet.

“They see how the SBMA cares for its natural resources, so it is easy to generate support,” Salonga also noted.

Jun Avecilla, president of The Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel, who was among the organizers of the event, said they are “committed to preserving the bay.”

“Subic Bay is an asset, and our group will continue to conduct activities that will improve the condition of this water resource,” said Avecilla, who is also president of Rotary District 3780 and commodore of the local chapter of the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
Stakeholders in the Subic Bay area, along with guest conservationists, clean up a stretch of beach along the famous Waterfront Road in the Subic Bay Freeport, as part of community efforts to arrest the degradation of the bay’s water quality.

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SBMA: Delay in bridge project will hurt businesses more

Delaying the construction of a bridge connecting this free port to the neighboring city of Olongapo will be more damaging to local business establishments than if the project were not implemented right away.

This was clarified by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza after local businessmen proposed that the Kalaklan bridge project be re-scheduled to allow businesses to cash in on the peak tourism season this summer.

The SBMA said earlier it will close the bridge this month to make way for the construction of a P200-million replacement with a covered walkway.

According to Arreza, building a new bridge to replace the crucial Kalaklan span that leads to the Zambales highway, would only take a year.

“Hence, losing out on the tourism peak season this summer would not be too much of a sacrifice,” he said. “If you delay the project, however, you’d lose out on both the Christmas season and the summer season next year.”

Arreza issued this statement after members of the Metro-Olongapo Chamber of Commerce Inc. (MOCCI) expressed fear that closing the Kalaklan bridge would disrupt business activities in the city and lead to losses among local business establishments.

They pointed out that most of the visitors in the summer months are day tourists, who would lose much time going around the area due to the anticipated heavy volume of traffic during the bridge construction.

“If the average traveling time from Manila to Subic is four hours, and another four hours would have to be spent going back, visitors will have no more time left to enjoy their day here. If that is the case, tourists will not come here anymore,” MOCCI members said in a recent dialogue with the SBMA.

“If you really need to close down the bridge, do it after the summer season,” the Olongapo businessmen suggested.

However, Arreza said the project has to be implemented as scheduled because the bridge, which is about 50 years old, has already developed cracks and has been determined to be “structurally weakened.”

The construction of a new bridge in Kalaklan will also jumpstart the SBMA program to expand the physical boundaries of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and extend the development to nearby communities, he added.

According to Joselito Bakuteza, head of SBMA PMO, about 2,500 light vehicles and some 300 pedestrians, mostly workers, pass through the Kalaklan bridge everyday.

He admitted that when the bridge closes to all vehicles and pedestrians starting February 15 and March 1, respectively, the re-routing to Olongapo “will cause temporary heavy traffic in some main roads of the city, as well as inside the Freeport, especially during rush hours.”

However, Bakuteza pointed out that the public may still use the free port gates at Rizal Avenue and 14th Street to prevent traffic build-up.

Earlier, Olongapo City mayor James Gordon Jr. said the city government will put into effect a truck ban from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m and from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m from Monday to Friday to help ease the traffic problem during the bridge closure.

The city will also declare the busy 14th Street as a tow-away zone to prevent gridlock at the alternative route to the Subic Bay Freeport, Gordon added. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Int'l business cruise ships to come in RP (via Subic Bay)

Gone were the days that the international business cruise ships would only come to Europe and in America, but this time one of their destinations is the Philippines.

Ronnie Yambao, manager of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Investment, revealed the information to a group of Maritime journalists from Manila last Thursday in one of the SBMA first-class restaurants during a press conference.

A resounding yes was the answer of Yambao when asked if the big business cruise ships such as the Royal Caribbean, Queen Elizabeth II, Costa Alegre and others would also dock at the port harbor of the Subic Bay for vacation or travel trips in the Philippines.

There is now an ongoing negotiations among the business cruise ships in Europe and America and if the negotiations were signed by both parties, the cruise ships will start coming next year at Subic Bay, Yambao said.

In preparation for the hilarious and viable project, the SBMA is going into double-time of facelift to the surroundings of the Subic Bay, including the harbor, and its habitat.

Yambao said to attract foreign tourists, the SBMA has approved the lease of over 600 hectares to be used for establishing commercial, recreational and tourist destinations.

One of the lessees is the Ayala Group which will put up a shopping mall and commercial establishments that will occupy at 7.5 hectares.

The other is the Neo-Cove, a project by Korean businessmen, to put up a golf course, Highin Resort and recreational facilities that will squat at 300 hectares with an investment of US$1.8 billion.

Another lessee is also a Korean businessmen who are planning to establish an M-Castle worth US$500 million and an investment of about US$1 billion.

These projects are already ongoing and once it would be finished and completed, local and foreign tourists will be attracted to it, Yambao said. (Danny Q. Junco, Manila Bulletin)

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NAASCU crown to Lyceum (Subic)

Manila - LYCEUM of Subic Bay capped a memorable season by winning the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) women’s volleyball title at the UM gym in Sampaloc, Manila

Led by Pearl Mamaril, Rosemarie Laodenio and Mae San Jose and handled by coach Chris Dumasig, Lyceum of Subic Bay brought down pre-tournament favorite San Sebastian College-Cavite, 25-19, 25-15, 22-25, 25-20, in their winner-take-all championship showdown.

The Subic Bay-based Lady Sharks swept the first two sets, faltered in the third set but recovered in time to beat the Lady Baycats in the grueling four-set encounter.

Mamaril was later voted as Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Laodenio emerged as top blocker, while San Jose wound up as top libero.

Lyceum and SSC-Cavite earned the right to meet in the championship by beating their respective semifinal opponents last week.

Lyceum slammed the door on Centro Escolar University, 25-17, 25-16, 15-25, 25-13, while SSC-Cavite eliminated AMA Computer University, 25-23, 25-16, 20-25, 25-14 to advance to the finals.

In the men’s division, University of Manila subdued St. Clare College-Caloocan, 25-22, 25-18, 25-15, while SSC-Cavite outlasted Centro Escolar University, 22-25, 25-11, 30-28, 25-17, to arrange a title showdown.

Last year’s MVP awardee Jet Bautista, R.R. Limpahan and Bernar Fernandez stood at the helm of the impressive showing of UM, which completed a four-game sweep of the five-team Group A during the elimination round.

The Hawks of coach Boyet del Moro posted their 15th straight wins dating back to 2007.

Mark Tabio, Ivan Reyes and Eugene de Ocampo carried the fight for the Reywell Francisco-mentored Baycats.

Tournament coordinator was Benjie Diswe. (People's Tonight)

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Satellite firm goes to Subic

Asia Broadcasting Systems, a major satellite operator in Asia, is transferring the control of $800 million worth of equipment to its Subic facility this year.

ABS chief executive Tom Choi said in a statement that the company would beef up its workforce by over 50 percent in two years and train staff for the transfer of the control operations to the Subic center from the southern part of Hong Kong.

“In short, an $800 million worth of satellite equipment will be controlled in our operating center in Subic,” Choi said.

The Subic center, he said, would control five of the company’s satellites—ABS 1, ABS 1-A, ABS 2, ABS 5 and ABS 6.

The satellites serve the firm’s markets in Asia-Pacific, Russia, Africa and the Atlantic. ABS recently acquired Mabuhay Satellite Corp. of the Philippines, which operated the Agila-2 satellite, now renamed ABS-5.

Choi said ABS would invest over $5 million for training and additional infrastructure in its ground facility in Subic, adding that the firm would hire a minimum of 20 new employees this year.

“The investment will include new control equipment, new software, big antennas and satellite control equipment that will all be located in our Subic control center,” he said.

Choi added the company would spend an additional $300 million for another satellite to replace Agila 2 in preparation for its retirement in five years.

“Our investments in the Philippines will be long term,” he said.

ABS, whose control operations are in Hong Kong, said its main clients in the Philippines are telecommunication and broadcasting firms, including Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Bayan Telecommunications Inc., GMA Network Inc. and ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

ABS in November signed an agreement for the purchase of Mabuhay Satellite’s business.

“ABS will maintain all of Mabuhay’s operations in the Philippines and the staff will be integrated with the ABS team,” Choi said.

He said revenues from the Philippines would account for 15 percent to 20 percent of the total after the merger. (Jeremiah F. de Guzman, Manila Standard Today)

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SBMA bats for conservation of Subic Bay

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said on Wednesday that a concrete action plan is needed to prevent further degradation of the waters of Subic Bay, a resource which is crucial to the economic life of this free port and the neighboring communities.

SBMA officials stressed this on Wednesday as the agency prepared for the first Subic Bay Water Summit, a two-day event that would seek to address various concerns on the sustainability of Subic Bay, considered as this free port’s number one asset.

“We call on all the stakeholders in and around the Subic Bay Freeport to join us in mapping out a plan to save Subic Bay,” said SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga who will open the summit today at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

“We need the help and cooperation of everyone, as this is one issue that impacts on practically everyone in the area,” he said.

“Let’s join hands in addressing this concern. Let’s formulate concrete measures to conserve the bay, and see to it that the action plan is successfully carried out,” Salonga added.

Experts who conducted studies of the bay said earlier that the 12,350-hectare Subic Bay is threatened by various strains brought about by rapid urbanization, as well as development activities.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the bay may cease to serve as the economic lifeblood of the Subic Bay Freeport if the stresses affecting the water quality in the bay are left unchecked.

“If the degradation continues, we would lose our beautiful beaches, fishermen would have less fish catch, the bay would become murky and silted, and ultimately the Subic Bay Freeport would become less attractive to investors and tourists,” Arreza warned.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya Dela Llana-Koval said that Subic Bay now suffers from increasing pollution load brought about by the disposal of partially-treated sewage, nutrient inflows from changes in land use, and inadequate treatment of industrial wastes.

Most of the discharges are wastes coming from domestic households in the nearby communities, Koval also said, quoting results of previous studies.

The factors stressing the bay include reduction of forest cover, inefficient use of fertilizer and pesticides, burning of grasslands, proliferation of fish cages, and increasing sewage and pollution load from domestic wastes produced by communities around the bay.

The same studies also showed that pressures from commercial and industrial activities in nearby communities, as well as rapid urbanization of surrounding communities have also increased solid waste generation.

Limited sewer and wastewater treatment facilities, and lack of waste disposal facilities in some communities worsen the situation, Koval added.

Arreza said it is now the moral duty of every resident in the Subic Bay area to help save this vital body of water to keep it a sustainable resource that would extend benefits to future generations.

He said the SBMA has invited people’s organizations in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan; environment officials; heads of local government units; and representatives from Subic business locators, schools, as well as the different SBMA departments.

Speakers in the two-day water summit include Sec. Edgardo Pamintuan, chairman of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council, who will discuss the impact of human settlements on water resources; Gov. Felipe Nava of Guimaras, on best practices in marine conservation; Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando, on sustainable city planning; World Wide Fund for the Environment vice president Joel Palma, on marine conservation; and Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers president Cesar dela Cruz, on sustainable technologies and best practices in industries.

Two environmental experts who helped produce the Integrated Coastal Management Program for Subic Bay, Dr. Hoanh Hoang Nguyen and Engr. Carlito Rufo, will also present their studies on land and water use planning, and coastal management, respectively.

Engr. Jaime Garcia, assistant general manager of Subic Water and Sewerage Co., will also discuss the firm’s sewerage master plan.

Sen. Richard Gordon, who served as the first SBMA chairman and administrator, has also been invited to deliver his message to participants of the two-day summit.

Arreza said that as manager of the free port, the SBMA will exhaust all foreseeable measures to save the bay, but it would need the cooperation of all stakeholders in the Subic Bay area.

“Everyone’s future is at stake here,” Arreza stressed. “It’s not just a matter of attracting tourists or investors for the SBMA; we’re talking here about the economic survival of the Subic Bay area and everyone in it.” (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: A sailboat glides along Subic Bay, which is considered the economic lifeblood of the Subic Bay Freeport and nearby communities in Olongapo City, Zambales and Bataan. The SBMA, which manages the free port, is now enjoining stakeholders to help conserve the natural resource.

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Lyceum Subic spikers win Pinoy back book run

Metro Manila - Newcomer Lyceum of Subic Bay brought down powerhouse San Sebastian College-Cavite, 25-14, 25-20, 25-15, in the battle of unbeaten teams to clinch the top spot in Group A of the NAASCU (National Athletic Association of Colleges and Universities) women’s volleyball tournament at the New Era University gym along Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City.

The Subic Bay-based Sharks of coach Chris Dumasig leaned on the game-long brilliance of Pearl Mamaril, Guada Vinia and Adrianne Cruz to pul the rug from under the heavily-favored Baycats and close out their elimination round campaign with a perfect 5-0 win-loss record.

With the win, Lyceum will now meet Group B runner-up Centro Escolar University, which defeated Our Lady of Fatima University, 25-12, 25-15, 15-25, 25-15, for a 3-1 record.

SSC-Cavite will battle Group B topnotcher AMA Computer University, which blanked University of Makati, 25-18, 25-14, 25-16 to complete a four-game sweep of the division.

A total of 11 teams divide dinto two groups are seeing action in the volleyball competitions organized by NAASCU, headed by Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem of St. Clare College-Caloocan.

Aside from Lyceum and SSC-Cavite, the other teams which saw action were University of Manila (3-2), St. ,Clare (2-3), New Era University (1-4) and STI Colleges (0-5) in Group A; and Fatima (2-2), University of Makati (1-3) and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay (04) in Group B.

Tournament director was Benjie Diswe. (Philippine Star)

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SBMA to put up P300M customs facility

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is spending P300 million for the centralization of its customs operations, according to administrator Armand C. Arreza.

Arreza said the project is mostly funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation but needs a P90 million to P100 million counterpart financing from the government.

Arreza said the 10-hectare site, near the entrance of the main gate of the Subic Bay freeport will house the offices, warehousing, x-ray facilities and inspection area.

With all of these under one site, Arreza is hoping for a more efficient collection.

Right now, the customs offices are in makeshift huts.

The Bureau of Customs in Subic posted cash collections of about P3.85 billion from January to November 2009. Aside from cash collections, the Subic Customs office also recorded some P2.78 billion in non office cash earnings which are mostly composed of government to government transactions.

However, the BoC is still short by about P71.36 million in its collections for 2009 in order to attain its full-year target.

The agency has set a P3.92 billion goal for the January-November period, but has thus far collected only P3.85 billion. (Malaya)

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SBMA mulls Subic airport as logistics hub

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) mulls the conversion of its airport facility to boost its logistics area after admitting it better give up the business to the more competitive Clark freeport, which is being groomed as the country’s next international airport.

SBMA administrator Armand C. Arreza said the Freeport currently pays P250 million in debt service annually and P80 million for maintenance.

“We need between 12 to 15 flights a day to break even,” Arreza said.

“With the departure of FedEx, Subic is left with no user at all and source of revenue. How can we sustain that?” Arreza said.

On the other hand, Arreza said that Clark offers free parking and landing fees to the budget airlines operating in the former American Airfield.

FedEx left Subic as its Asia Pacific hub in February 2009 to a more profitable Guangzhuo, China.

“We are still studying its conversion, but we also want Subic to a subsidiary airport to Clark,” he said.

The airport, he said could be converted into a logistics hub noting that they have not enough space for the logistics firms operating in the Freeport.

Earlier, however, SBMA was in talks with several groups that could replace the slot left by FedEx, which has finally closed its Asia Pacific hub in Subic Freeport as it transfers to a more profitable new hub in Guangzhou, China leaving 500 workers jobless.

“We’re in talks with several groups but no immediate replacement,” said SBMA administrator Armand C. Arreza the day after FedEx pulled out its last plane in Subic after operating its Asia Pacific hub in the former U.S. military base for the past 16 years.

Arreza, however, refused to elaborate except to say that negotiations for possible replacement of FedEx are ongoing.

Last year, SBMA forged an agreement with UK-based Stratospheric Airship Technologies (SAT), which has committed to invest $ 500 million for aircraft manufacturing by taking over the facilities of FedEx.

But SAT official said that SAT is not going to replace the Asia Pacific hub operations of FedEx but rather transform the facility into an aircraft manufacturing hub.

The FedEx hub, which began operations in 1996, earned the Subic Bay authority about 150 million pesos (3.2 million dollars) from landing fees and warehousing in 2008.

About 500 workers were expected to lose jobs. At the peak of its operations in 2004, the FedEx unit in Subic employed about 800 people.

At the time FedEx came into Subic, it was hoped it would lure foreign businesses to Subic and breathe new life into the area after the US closed its military bases in the Philippines in 1992. (Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, Manila Bulletin)

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