Subicwater activates P50-M filtration facility

Private water-utility firm Subic Water and Sewerage Co. Inc. (Subicwater) activated on Wednesday a new filtration facility for its water-distribution system in Olongapo City with a capital expenditure of P50 million.

Subicwater Chairman Herbert Consunji, who led the inauguration ceremonies at the Mabayuan Water Treatment Plant (MWTP) in Olongapo, said the project will boost the water-treatment capacity of the Mabayuan plant by 36 percent, or about 10 million liters per day (MLD).

The plant, which supplies water to more than 18,200 water concessionaires in the northern part of this city, can now operate on a maximum capacity of 38 MLD because of the new filtration facility.

The service areas that will benefit most are the villages of Kalaklan, Mabayuan, East and West Bajac-bajac, Sta. Rita, Gordon Heights and Old Cabalan.

Consunji  inaugurated the Mabayuan facility with Olongapo Mayor James Gordon Jr., Director Anne Gordon of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Subicwater Director Graham Fairclough, Subicwater General Manager Edna Canlas and Assistant General Manager Jaime Garcia.

Consunji said that with more water being channeled into the distribution network, pressure in the pipes increases.

“This allows Subicwater to reach more households and establishments in MWTP’s service area of seven barangays, which are ountainous for the most part,” he said. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

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Century Tuna triathlon unfolds in Subic

MANILA, Philippines - The Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon Series Philippines is set on June 24 at scenic Subic Bay.

Fred Uytengsu, president and CEO of Alaska Milk Corp., said it’s going to be the “biggest triathlon event in the country.”

Those present in yesterday’s press launch at Dusit Hotel couldn’t disagree with the young-looking CEO, a certified triathlete.

It’s the first 5i50 distance marathon (1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run) sanctioned by the World Triathlon Corp. or WTC in Southeast Asia.

And Uytengsu, who helped bring Ironman races to the country, is ecstatic that the WTC has chosen the Philippines as 5i50’s takeoff point in the region.

“It only shows that triathlon is alive in the Philippines,” beamed Uytengsu, who also thanked other sponsors like The Philippine STAR, Gatorade, David’s Salon. 2XU, Timex, Oakley, Intercare and Multisport Magazine.

The famous franchise owner in the Philippine Basketball Association was joined at the presidential table by Subic Bay Management Authority chairman Bobby Garcia and Century Tuna’s Greg Banzon.

Also present were foreign and local triathletes.

Uytengsu was asked why they chose Subic. Why not?

“We looked at the different landscapes for locations and considered what Subic has. It’s enclosed, safe and fully-maintained,” he said.

The SBMA chairman found the better answer.

“It’s more ‘fun-tastic’ in Subic,” he said, borrowing the country’s tourism slogan, and drawing laughter from the crowd.

“Subic is a fenced and gated community. Very secure. And it’s one of the very few places in the Philippines where people follow the stop signs.

“At Subic, we have a 911 (emergency management) and if you call, the phone doesn’t have to ring twice. In 10 minutes, we will get to you,” said Garcia.

The entire race will be held inside the former US naval base. The SBMA has inked a contract with Sunrise Events, Inc. for the staging of the event until 2014. (Abac Cordero, Philippine Star)

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SBMA sets to develop techno hub, eyes 20,000 new jobs in 5 years

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has bared a plan to develop a technology center patterned after the Ayala Techno Hub in Metro Manila, hoping to cash in on the growing proficiency of local workers in information and communication technology.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency is all ready to convert an area inside this premier free port into a business process outsourcing (BPO) center.

“The SBMA is already developing what we call the Subic BPO City, which will be similar to the Ayala Techno Hub. We believe can already provide BPO services here because we now have a workforce that’s well-trained in ICT,” Garcia said.

The Ayala Land Techno Hub is a 20-hectare information technology center located in Quezon City. It is listed as an IT Park by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which gives incentives to investors in information and communication technology (ICT).

Garcia added that all technical infrastructure for the Subic BPO City “are all there already.” The SBMA will also provide housing for the ICT professionals and call center agents who will work in the center.

He added that the project could generate as many as 20,000 new jobs in the first five years.

Garcia said the idea of putting up a techno park in Subic started after the Philippines was ranked number one in business process outsourcing in the world.

“We have already surpassed India in the field of BPO, and because of this the future looks very bright for the Philippines,” Garcia said.

He pointed out that the country now has more than 700,000 seats for call center agent services and business processes outsourcing.

Garcia also pointed out that the BPO sector is growing by about 25 percent a year, remitting US$13 million to the Philippine economy and is fast catching up with the US$20 million remitted annually by overseas Filipino workers.

Garcia said the success of the BPO sector in the country can be attributed to the computer literacy and English proficiency of Filipino workers.

“This is readily available in the Subic Bay area — a well-trained workforce well-versed in ICT. This will be a big boost to our dream to build a BPO City here,” he concluded. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA chair urges youth leaders to contribute to economic dev’t

Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) encouraged youth leaders to do their part in the economic development of the country by helping promote investor confidence in the local economy.

Speaking before an assembly of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chapters in Central Luzon here on Tuesday, Garcia said that Filipinos, especially the youth, must do their best to take advantage of the present economic upswing.

Garcia also commented on the summit’s theme, “Braving the Challenges of Unending Youth Empowerment, Dedication and Commitment to Good Governance,” saying that this choice was very timely in light of government efforts to restore investor confidence.

“Alam ninyo, ang Indonesia noong araw ay napaka-corrupt na bansa. But with their president who went on a very strong anti-corruption campaign, investors came back with confidence,” Garcia said.

In the 1960s, Garcia noted, the Philippines was second only to Japan. But it later slid down continuously because of corruption, inefficiency, lack of infrastructure and other problems, thereby earning the description as the “sick man of Asia.”

“But with President Aquino’s election last year, what has happened is that the Philippines is now among the VIPs (Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines) that foreign investors are looking at,” the SBMA official said.

The Philippines, according to Garcia, is now heading for an economic upswing, with the stock market registering record highs —a sign of investors’ confidence.

He added that the Sangguniang Kabataan members should contribute their share in maintaining “good governance” as one way of helping in the programs of the President.

“As President Aquino has always said, ‘the future lies in the youth’. So we must do our best to contribute to the programs of the President to take advantage of economic opportunities so that we can provide more jobs for our countrymen,” he added.

Garcia also reminded the youth leaders that they have the appropriate skills and talent necessary for the Philippines to move forward continuously. “So, on your conference today, I hope you can address this,” he said.

More than 350 SK officers and members from provinces and cities in the region attended the three-day Second SK Central Luzon Youth Summit, which started on April 10 at Travelers Hotel in this Freeport.

Aside from Garcia, those who graced the opening ceremony were Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., National Youth Commission director for Luzon Asst. Secretary Georgina Nava, SBMA director Anne Gordon, and Zambales Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain III. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Court stops VAT on imported fuel in Clark, Subic freeports

CLARK FREEPORT – A Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Angeles City has stopped the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) from imposing value-added tax (VAT) on all petroleum and petroleum products that are imported and/or brought directly from abroad via freeport and economic zones, including this premiere freeport.

The court has issued a writ of preliminary injunction, ordering the BIR, its agents, representatives, or assigns, and all persons acting in its place and stead from enforcing directly or indirectly Revenue Regulation No. 2-2012.

RTC Branch 58 Presiding Judge Philbert Iturralde said in his seven-page resolution that the regulation contradicts Republic Act 7227, the law that created Subic and Clark Freeport Zones. Republic Act 9400 later amended RA 7227.

“This Court, in the exercise of its sound judicial discretion, finds the prayer for the issuance of the writ of preliminary injunction to be impressed with merits and hereby grants the same,” the decision said.

Iturralde ordered petitioner, Pampanga 1st District Representative Carmelo Lazatin, to post a P15-million injunction bond to answer for any damage that may be suffered by the BIR in the event that the court should later determine that the lawmaker is not entitled to the relief prayed for. (Mark Anthony N. Manuel, Manila Bulletin)

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PLDT expands data center network to Subic

PLDT’s data center PLDT Alpha Enterprise has expanded its network of world-class data centers with the launch of Vitro Data Center Subic.

The new Subic location will allow PLDT Alpha Enterprise to deliver top class, end-to-end IT infrastructure solutions to large corporations north of Luzon as well as provide Manila-based companies with a highly secure backup site for its business continuity requirements.

Eric Alberto, PLDT executive vice president and head of Enterprise and International and Carrier Business of PLDT and Smart, said the launch of Vitro Subic is another step toward fulfilling PLDT Alpha Enterprise’s role as the true trusted expert partner for building globally competitive businesses.

“Vitro Subic provides our enterprise customers with another data center option north of Luzon,” he added.

Vitro Subic delivers redundant and high-capacity connectivity around the globe, with a robust telecommunications infrastructure powered by PLDT.

The building employs top of the line systems for power supply, security, cooling, fire protection, and monitoring to ensure the smooth operation of the data center as well as the servers housed in it.

Vitro Subic offers 24/7 assistance through a team of experienced technical support personnel, who can be dedicated to any account.

The Subic data center carries the Vitro guarantee of security, stability and conformity to best practices and international standards. Danessa O. Rivera

VITRO Pasig, VITRO’s main data center, is the first Internet data center in the country to be certified for the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System standards.

It is also certified for the ISO 27001:2005 Information Security Management System standard.

As with VITRO Pasig, VITRO Subic provides data center services such as collocation, server hosting, business continuity, facilities management, virtual private servers, data security, network management, and other managed IT services.

Jovy Fernandez, PLDT Vice President and Head of ALPHA Enterprise, noted that VITRO’s range of services enable their clients to focus on their core business and assured that the management of their IT infrastructure is secure in their expert hands. (The Daily Tribune)

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Subic Bay Freeport goes WiFi

This premier free port is now a WiFi Zone after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) initiated a pilot project for a wireless local area network here.

Starting April 5, visitors and tourists can now enjoy wireless Internet access powered by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT)-SubicTel.

Engr. Vergil Joseph Lansangan, manager of the SBMA Business and Investments Department for Information and Communications Technology (BID-ICT), said the pilot WiFi Zone Project was intended to welcome visitors for the Holy Week with selected commercial and tourism areas as WiFi access points.

“Free WiFi access will run until May 5, as we anticipate more visitors this summer,” Lansangan said.

He added that the SBMA and PLDT-SubicTel intend to turn the entire Subic Bay Freeport into a WiFi Zone.

For the first phase of the project implementation, however, WiFi access will be available within 100 meters from the following: Lighthouse Marina, Pier One, Bayfront Hotel, NetWorx, Subic Freeport Exchange, MeatPlus, PLDT main office, Remy Field, Subic Bay Yacht Club, Royal Subic, Eastern and Petron gas stations, All Hands Beach Resort, and Zoobic Safari.

WiFi access pins will be available at designated booths in Pier One, NetWorx, and All Hands Beach.

Lansangan said that more establishments have expressed their intention to participate in the WiFi Zone Project and subscribe as access points so that more visitors and tourists can enjoy wireless Internet access anywhere in the free port.

Meanwhile, PLDT-SubicTel will be charging a minimal amount of P150 per month for an unlimited WiFi access to myDSL subscribers.

“Soon the Subic Bay Freeport will be completely a WiFi Zone,” Lansangan said. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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800 triathletes converge in Subic

Close to 800 triathletes from here and abroad are set to converge at the Subic Bay Freeport to compete for honors and London Olympics qualifying points as the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) presented by Century Tuna fires off on May 5 and 6.

Now on its 19th year, the SUBIT is the nation’s longest running triathlon event and is organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the Asian Triathlon Confederation (ASTC).

Participants can choose to race in the standard distance course of 1.5 kilometer swimming, 40 Km cycling and 10 Km running (for Elite, Under-23 and Age-Groupers) or in the sprint distance (750M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run for Juniors and adults at least 20-years-old). Also available is the mini-sprint distance course (350M swim – 9.8 Km bike – 3Km run) for participants age 13 to 15.

Interested parties are welcome to contact the TRAP via email (rreyes_upm@yahoo.com, fabiedavid@yahoo.com), or landline 710-8259. (Tempo)

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SBMA leads relief operations for 235 displaced families in Cawag, Subic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has spearheaded the distribution of relief goods to some 235 families who were recently displaced in Cawag, Subic when the land they were occupying was claimed by a private corporation.

With the SBMA Public Relations Department in the forefront, the relief operation provided foodstuffs for the former settlers of Sitio Agusuhin, who have now temporarily camped out along the road going to the Hanjin shipbuilding facility.

The relief goods given by the SBMA included rice, sugar, coffee, milk, canned goods, and instant noodles.

Representatives from Hanjin also joined the relief operation and handed out some construction materials to help the displaced residents in building their shelter.

Armie Llamas, manager of the SBMA Public Relations Department, said the SBMA finds time to help out the dislocated residents as the said families used to be residents of Sitio Agusuhin before they were relocated to give way for the construction of the Hanjin shipyard.

Korean shipbuilder Hanjin is now the biggest business locator in the Subic Bay Freeport and the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world. It started full operations here in 2007.

Llamas added that in 2006, the original Agusuhin settlers were brought to a 14-hectare lot in the nearby village of Cawag, where Hanjin initially spent P2.7 million for the construction of a public school, church and other public facilities for the relocated families.

Two weeks ago, these residents were again displaced from their homes when Pamana Inc. claimed the land, which is apparently being eyed to be developed into a resort.

The residents lamented that after they have been relocated to make way for Hanjin, their supposed relocation site now turned out to be owned by another entity.

At present, the displaced families have built makeshift houses by the roadside at Barangay Balaybay, a village in Castillejos, Zambales.

Reports indicated that the municipal government of Subic have already identified another site for the relocation of the 235 displaced families, and that ground works have already started in preparation for their transfer. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Residents of Barangay Cawag in Subic, Zambales partake of relief goods provided by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority during a relief drive undertaken by the agency to help out the displaced residents.

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More than 33,000 book lovers visit M/V Logos Hope in Subic

The crew of M/V Logos Hope, the world’s largest book fair, said they are happy that Filipino book lovers keep on visiting their ship since its arrival here in Subic on March 16.

The vessel, which is currently berthed at the Alava Pier here, has received more than 33,000 visitors who browsed through some 5,000 available book titles on board, and viewed interactive displays like “Life X-perience,” which is about HIV.

More visitors are expected to flock to the book fair each day until it closes on April 8, which is Easter Sunday. Until then, the book fair remains open every day, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., except on Holy Thursday and Good Friday in observance of the Holy Week.

Tom Dyer, captain of M/V Logos Hope, said that it has always been a pleasure for them to be in the Philippines.

“I like being in the Philippines. You have a very positive cheerful spirit,” he said. “Anywhere in the world that you go, when you find a Filipino community, there is so much joy. We are very thankful to be here.”

Dyer also thanked the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for providing assitance to the ship’s crew. He also praised the Freeport’s port facilities.

“It’s nice when we come in to a berth and we’re not moving because of the swell and the tide,” Dyer said. “In some ports we have to actually leave the berth because there’s just too much motion. But we feel very secure here and we feel very welcome here, so thank you.”

Apart from making books available to the public, the crew of M/V Logos Hope also conducted offshore volunteer services in communities surrounding the Freeport.

“We have been working in prisons and schools. We have been in places where we can provide books,” said Naomi Armstrong, one of the Logosvolunteers. “Our dentists have also gone out doing work in the communities.”

Armstrong also said that after the book fair closes on April 8, the ship will stay in Subic for dry-docking for about two months. Then the ship will be sailing out of Subic on June 25 and head off to Indonesia, their next book-fair stop.

Asked if M/V Logos Hope would be returning to Subic, Armstrong said she is positive about it.

“The M/V Doulos (the predecessor of M/V Logos Hope) has been here in Subic six times before, so we will definitely return. When will that be, we don’t know,” Armstrong said.

In any case, Armstrong said the crew really enjoyed Subic Bay. “The people here have been very friendly, and we have enjoyed our visit here in the Philippines generally. It’s been a lovely country to visit,” Armstrong added. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Earth Hour goes beyond switching off lights

A full complement of environment-friendly activities marked the observance of the global Earth Hour in this free port, as stakeholders here tried to instill environmental protection in the community beyond the call to switch off lights to symbolically focus attention on climate change.

Residents, business locators, and community groups here joined the global program to save Mother Earth through a ceremony at The Lighthouse Marina Resort, which signalled the hour-long switching off of lights and other electrical appliances, particularly in the Central Business District here.

Before this, however, the Subic Bay Freeport community also participated in a beach clean-up, the opening of the Kicksand Beach Football Luzon leg at the Boardwalk Park area, and the re-launch of Ocean Adventure’s high dive event.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia said the various activities before the Earth Hour indicated the support to the global call for sustainable development and conservation not only from his agency, which manages the free port, but also from the various sectors in the community.

“Everyone here in the Subic Bay Freeport – employees, investors, business locators, workers, and residents – we all do our share in our own little way. And with these little efforts, we hope to make a big difference in protecting the environment,” Garcia said.

Earth Hour, which is organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), is held annually from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the last Saturday of March.

According to WWF, this year’s Earth Hour focused on establishing commitments to bring down greenhouse gas emissions and help slow down climate change.

The Earth Hour project in Subic was jointly spearheaded by the SBMA Ecology Center and the Redondo Peninsula Energy Incorporated (RPEI), in cooperation with the Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel, where the symbolic switching off of lights was held. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
Stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport undertake a beach clean-up prior to the observance of the global Earth Hour on Saturday.

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Mitsubishi Motors Philippines inaugurates Carworld Subic

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) one of the country’s top automotive brands recently inaugurated another world-class showroom in Subic Bay Gateway Park. Carworld Subic Inc. is strategically located on a 3,286 square meters lot with a 2,220 square meter two-storey building in Lot C-8 Subic Bay Gateway Park, Phase I Commercial Area, Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The inaugural ceremony was well attended by MMPC and Carworld Inc. (CWI) executives, local public officials, valued clients, banks and other affiliates.

Present during the ceremony were MMPC executives headed by its President and CEO Mr. Hikosaburo Shibata, Executive Vice President Mr. Taizo Furuhashi, EVP, CFO and Treasurer Mr. Kazuki Sugino and Laus Group of Companies Chairman and CEO Mr. Levy Laus, Director Tess Laus and CWI President Franco De Jesus.

Local public officials Hon. Roberto Garcia who is the Chairman and Administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Olongapo City Mayor Hon. James Gordon, Jr. also attended the inauguration to express their trust and confidence on the brand and on CWI.

“We at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines congratulate Carworld Inc. for bringing in to Subic, Northern Luzon’s highly urbanized region a closer reach to quality Mitsubishi vehicles, genuine parts, and total customer service satisfaction thru the opening of this dealership”, Mr. Hikosaburo Shibata, MMPC President and CEO said.

“With its great tourism industry and excellent economic profile, and being situated on one of the premier and fastest growing markets in the region I am confident that CWI will continue to attain its remarkable sales and service performance”, Mr. Shibata added. (www.mmpc.ph)

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Subic Bay hosts 2012 Commodore’s Cup Regatta on April 10-14

Thirty international yachts will set sail in Subic Bay on April 10-14 to vie for glory in the Fifth Commodore’s Cup Regatta 2012, one of the most prestigious sailing events in the Philippines.

The event, which is under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Commission, will involve international yachting teams from the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and host country Philippines.

The Commodore’s Cup this year was officially commissioned recently with the signing of a memorandum of agreement for sponsorship between the organizer Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC), represented by general manager Jose Maria Vargas, and sponsors PLDT, represented by vice president Renato Castañeda; Subictel and Clarktel, represented by president Dennis Magbatoc; Lighthouse Marina, represented by president Jesus Avecilla, who is also chairman of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing Club; Watercraft Ventures, represented by president Federico Sandoval II; and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), represented by deputy administrator for tourism Raul Marcelo.

Prior to the Commodore’s Cup Regatta, the prestigious Rolex China Sea Race 2012, which is Asia’s top blue-water racing offshore sailing event, will finish at the Subic Bay Yacht Club on April 8. The race is a 565-nautical mile race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay.

Sandoval said that the two events will showcase the Philippines with its clear waters and fine sand beaches, as among the world’s top sailing destinations.

Meanwhile, Marcelo said that the regatta will not just be about sailing, as organizers have also lined up more on-shore activities in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“Of course, we will start with the required registration, and skippers’ briefing. But after that, participants and crew will be treated to a welcome party,” he said.

After the race on April 11, evening socials will be held at the SBYC, while the daily race awards and socials nights will take place at the Lighthouse Marina Resort here.

The perpetual trophy will be awarded to the over-all winners and to the champion in each racing class, including the IRC Racing Class, IRC Cruise/Racing Class, IRC Premier Cruising Class, and Cruising Class. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Organizers launch the Commodores’ Cup Regatta 2012 at the Subic Bay Yacht Club: (from left) Jesus Avecilla, president of The Lighthouse Marina Resort; Dennis Magbatoc, president of Subictel and Clarktel and PLDT North Luzon Corp.; Jose Mari Vargas, general manager of Subic Bay Yacht Club; Renato Castañeda, PLDT vice president and head of corporate relationship department; Federico Sandoval II, president of Watercraft Ventures; and Raul Marcelo, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority deputy administrator for tourism.

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Subic Bay Freeport all set for Holy Week

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and business locators and community organizations here have pooled resources to put up a week-long program for visitors coming over for the Holy Week this year.

“Just as we have traditionally done for the past several years, we have lined up week-long activities in observance of the Holy Week,” said Raul Marcelo, SBMA deputy administrator for tourism. “But this year, we have doubled our efforts to pack in more events because we anticipate more visitors starting April 1.”

Marcelo said that aside from traditional Lenten activities, the SBMA and its community partners have also included new and contemporary activities in the Holy Week program.

Marcelo also emphasized the major participation of the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau (GSBTB), which will be conducting a trade fair for different concessionaires of Central Luzon products. This will run from April 4 to 8 (Holy Wednesday to Easter Sunday).

GSBTB will also stage an acoustic night on April 4 and 5, and “Hataw Sayaw” dance competition on Black Saturday, April 7.

Holy Week activities in Subic will kick off with the Blessing of the Palms on April 1, and will be followed by the traditional “Pabasa” at the Subic Chapel. The “Pabasa” will run until April 7.

On Holy Wednesday, a grand procession will be staged around the Central Business District of the free port, while the re-enactment of the “Last Supper” and mass will be on April 5.

On April 6, tourists and devotees may participate in the Lenten rites of the Walk to Calvary, the Stations of the Cross, and Veneration of the Cross. There will also be the Good Friday grand procession and a “healing concert” by the Bethesda Springs of Hope Healing Ministry.

Meanwhile, Black Saturday will feature a “Healing through the Way of the Cross Meditation,” as well as the Paschal Mystery, and Black Saturday concert at Subic’s Boardwalk Park.

The Holy Week observance will end with the traditional “Salubong” and Easter Mass, which will be followed by an egg-hunting activity for children and the release of Easter banners and balloons.

Marcelo said that tourism information kiosks manned by the SBMA Tourist Department staff will be put up along major routes for the convenience of tourists seeking tourism-related information.

Emergency response team, traffic and law enforcers will also be on standby along Subic Bay Freeport roads throughout the Holy Week. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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MNTC provides dedicated lane for Subic-bound motorists this Holy Week

To ease the traffic going to the Subic Bay Freeport this Holy Week, the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) will provide a dedicated lane for motorists bound to this free port beginning Holy Wednesday, April 4, up to Holy Thursday, April 5.

The dedicated Subic lane will begin at the Balintawak toll plaza and the Mindanao Avenue link of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza in Dau, Tipo Exit, and the Tipo Expressway toll plaza.

Under this scheme, motorists would only make a one-time payment of P408 at the Balintawak toll plaza, which would cover the toll fees for the rest of the trip. They will be given stubs which will be collected at each successive tollway exit.

However, the dedicated Subic lane will only be good for a one-way trip to the Subic Bay Freeport. Normal toll rates will apply for trips going back to Manila.

According to Raul Marcelo, deputy administrator for business and tourism of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), this scheme initiated by the MNTC will save motorists’ time.

“When you pay P408 at the dedicated Subic lane in Balintawak, you get your stubs, and when you exit at Dau, you simply hand back the stub. So there’s no need for you to pay, there’s no need for you to wait for change, and there’s no need for you to get your receipt. You just hand over the stub. This would save you a lot of time,” Marcelo elaborated.

Marcelo also said that the unified toll fee will help ease traffic congestion at Subic, which has long been recognized as a tourist destination.

“The MNTC is now focused on the problem regarding motor vehicle traffic to Subic… meaning they know that Subic is a major destination especially during holidays and long weekends. The dedicated lane in Balintawak is ample proof that Subic, as a summer getaway, is really a certified hit,” he added.

Marcelo also said that although the unified toll fee plan for Subic is a new development, he is hoping that this would be made a permanent arrangement.

“I’ll definitely be pushing for this, especially when we have major events in Subic,” he stressed.

He pointed out that last year, close to 30,000 motor vehicles came to Subic via the SCTEX, bringing in some 120,000 tourists during the Holy Week. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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