Hanjin Phil. delivers 2 Bulk Carriers to Rio Tinto Shipping

Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. - Philippines (HHIC-Phil Inc.) reached yet another milestone when it held the simultaneous unveiling of 2 newly-built Bulk Carriers in its modern 30-hectare shipyard in Redondo Peninsula on April 16, 2013.

The vessels, named after famous explorers Christopher Columbus and Abel Tasman, were the 7th and 8th ships purchased by leading international mining group Rio Tinto Shipping Limited.

"RTM Columbus" and "RTM Tasman," which both tipped the scale at 106,796 tons, will have London in the United Kingdom as their homeport.

Last January, Hanjin also delivered to England-based Rio Tinto executives the two vessels, M/V "RTM Cabot" and M/V "RTM Drake, each worth about 60 M USD respectively.

Attending the event in Hanjin's modern shipyard in Subic for the unveiling of "RTM Columbus" and "RTM Tasman" were Ms. AnnbelMcGagh and Mrs. Wendy Smith, together with HHIC-Phil Inc. senior officials, Rio Tinto executives Alastair Fischbacher, Allan Smith and John McGagh, and representatives from classification society Lloyd's Register.

Since 2008, HHIC-Phil Inc. has now delivered a total of 51 vessels amounting to over 3 B USD for various overseas clients mostly engaged in international trade and maritime solutions, thereby boosting the Philippines' export portfolio.

HHIC-Phil Inc. President Jin Kyu Ah said that the Korean shipbuilder's capacity to produce high-tech ships is largely due to its ability to remain resilient amid the growing challenges facing the global shipbuilding market today.

"We continuously harness and maximize our shipbuilding capability and resources to win our clients' trust and confidence. We believe that these are the vital ingredients in order for us to keep on exporting commercial vessels during these difficult times", Ahn said.

Cutting-edge technology combined with highly trained and skilled manpower of its shipyard workers, Ahn said that Hanjin is "pushing hard to sustain a cost-efficient production system and meet, if not surpass, the clients' expectations and demands".

Mr. Ahn noted, however, that the shipbuilding industry has yet to regain its long lost ground owing to small demand this year for new vessels caused by diminished maritime activities around the world.

"HHIC-Phil Inc. is exerting its best efforts to be competitive and cope with this depressing situation, which has already created cut-throat competition among shipbuilders in the international front. Thus, any form of short or long term support to help uplift our industry from by the public sector is welcome, if only to perpetuate, or push even further, the Philippines' current 4th place ranking in the global shipbuilding arena", Mr. Ahn stressed.

But despite this daunting task of keeping its core business afloat vis-à-vis the present economic reality, the Korean shipbuilder will continue to look after the welfare of the Hanjin shipyard workforce and prevent cutting down of operations, Ahn said.

In line with this providing its workforce with opportunities, HHIC-Phil Inc. broke new ground in its housing project for its nearly 20,000 local workforce as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The Korean shipbuilder, in partnership with Pag-IBIG Fund and Fiesta Communities, recently inaugurated a 30-hectare housing project dubbed as "Hanjin Village" with Vice- President of the Philippines Jejomar C. as guest of honor.

Strategically located in Sitio Nagbayto, Brgy. Nagbunga, Zambales, the newest community will initially cater to 2,000 employees and their families, with Hanjin donating the land to the housing project for free.

The project also showcased Pag-IBIG Fund's "Matching Needs" program which translated to a more affordable housing packages for the worker-beneficiaries, highlighting the public-private partnership among Hanjin and the relevant government entities. (Manila Bulletin)

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Health center benefits aeta community

Around 500 Aeta families are expected to benefit from the new barangay (village) healthcare center at the Pastolan Village inside this premier Freeport after being turned over by the Redondo Peninsula Energy (RP Energy).

The RP Energy’s initiative of renovating the “KliniKaBarangay Health” and Wellness Center is part of the company’s “Katuwang Natin sa Buhay” umbrella corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

Part of the renovation is fitting the healthcare center with equipment that include a weighing scale, blood pressure monitor, stethoscope, a microscope, an autoclave machine, nebulizer, medicine cabinets with medical supplies, and even a delivery bed for the community’s use.


According to RP Energy project manager Grant Smith, the health and wellness hub will provide the Aeta community with basic health services that focus on maternal health and child care.

“We’re glad to have this opportunity to help address the concerns and problems of RP Energy’s stakeholders including the isolated communities around the Subic Bay Freeport,” Smith said.

The leader of the Pastolan tribal council thanked the RP Energy for its initiative to improve the health of his community.

Before the formal turnover of the refurbished healthcare center, RP Energy representatives conducted a training program for the local village health workers.

For four days, the health workers were formally trained in modules for “mother and baby care” and “care of the sick and injured.”

“It would be improper for us to just turnover the clinic like that. We also made sure that all the concerned personnel are well-trained in basic medical care and in the use of the medical equipment”, Smith said. The RP Energy project manager added that sustainability is a key consideration in any of the company’s initiatives.

To date, more than 250 health workers and midwives from the surrounding communities including representatives from the Indigenous Peoples (IP) sector have also been trained by the Philippine National Red Cross through the RP Energy’s KliniKaBarangay program. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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RDC-3 approves ‘twin airport’ development

The Regional Development Council (RDC) has recently approved the so-called "twin airport" development which is designed to upgrade facilities and services at Clark International Airport in Pampanga and Subic Airport at the Subic Free Port area in Zambales.

This was one of the 18 projects approved for Central Luzon during an RDC meeting held recently in this city led by RDC chair Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

The twin airport project has been approved by the RDC-3 Sectoral Committee on Economic Development. The total of P57 million will be allocated to make the Clark airport "as competent" as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.

Another major undertaking approved by the RDC is the proposed "Central Bulacan Tourism Loop" that will involve the upgrading of 25 road sections under the "Convergence Program for Enhancing Tourism Access."

Other projects approved involve irrigation, highways, education, skills development, education, and health initiatives around the region. The council also approved increased budgets for the different departments of RDC-3.(Business Mirror)

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Hanjin inaugurates employees housing project

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales — South Korean firm Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) turned over to employee-recipients on Saturday a total of 300 newly-completed housing units, making good on its promise to deliver affordable housing to its workers.

HHIC-Phil president Jin Kyu Ahn said the units form part of Phase 1 of Hanjin Village, a low-cost housing project that the Korean shipbuilder had initiated as early as 2008 when it bought a 33-hectare site from the Castillejos municipal government.

The new units were inaugurated by Ahn and guests of honor Vice President Jejomar Binay, Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Castillejos Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Roberto Garcia.

They were joined in the ceremony by Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) Secretary General Cecilia Alba, Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, and real estate developer Fiesta Communities Inc. president Wilfred Tan.

In his message during the inauguration, Binay noted that the project will involve the construction of a total of 2,775 housing units that will be built in two phases: 1,730 units for the first phase and 1,000 units for the second phase. As of now, the developer has constructed about 350 units.

Binay, who chairs both the HUDCC and the Pag-IBIG board, told Hanjin employees that they can avail of the housing units through Pag-IBIG Fund’s housing loan designed specifically for the HHIC-Phil project.

He added that for this, Pag-IBIG had lowered its interest rate from 4.5% to 4% for employees earning P12,000 or less monthly, who may want to avail of units costing P400,000. For employees who receive monthly salaries of more than P12,000 up to P14,000, interest rates have been lowered from 6.5% to 6% he added.

Binay also noted that Hanjin employees will not be required to pay down-payment or equity, and that Hanjin has already donated the land for the project site.

“This means that the monthly amortization you’ll be paying will only be for the construction of our houses. This translates to huge savings for you,” Binay also said.

On the same occasion, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia and SBMA Director Benjamin Antonio conferred with the vice president on the possibility of putting up a similar low-cost housing project for SBMA employees and other workers in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Binay said that initiatives like the Hanjin Village are clear examples of the public-private partnership program being pushed by the government under the leadership of President Aquino.

HHIC’s Ahn had said earlier that the Hanjin Village project is “part of our mission to promote the welfare of workers by providing them with a dream house within their reach.”

He said the housing complex will have all the needed facilities like an elementary school, bus terminals for free-shuttle buses, multipurpose hall, as well as an extension office for the barangay, among others. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Vice President Jejomar Binay (left) explains to SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (middle) and SBMA Director Benjamin Antonio the requirements for a low-cost housing project that the two officials have in mind for SBMA employees and workers in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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SBMA & Hawaii National Guard joint field training

Members of the Hawaii National Guard and the SBMA Search and Rescue Team rappel down the newly-constructed collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) training facility of the SBMA Fire Department in the Subic Bay Freeport as they prepare for a week-long joint field training under the RP-US Balikatan military exercise.

The Hawaii National Guard and the CBRNE Emergency Response Package Team (CERP-T) will also conduct swift-water rescue and CSSR training for local emergency responders from several flood-prone areas in Zambales. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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Local rescuers to get training from Hawaii National Guard in Subic

Search and rescue operators from flood-prone areas in Zambales will be receiving training on swift-water rescue from members of the Hawaii National Guard, as part of this year’s Balikatan military exercise (BK13) between the Philippines and the United States.

The Hawaii National Guard and the CBRNE Emergency Response Package Team (CERP-T) will also conduct a joint field training exercise in the form of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). This simulated disaster-response activity will be held on April 10-17 at the training facility here of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Fire Department.

To maximize the training opportunity, 32 rescue operators from flood-prone municipalities in Zambales were invited to join the classroom training on swift-water rescue, said SBMA fire chief Ranny Magno.

Aside from swift-water rescue, the field training will focus on disaster-response scenarios on collapsed structure search and rescue (CSSR) utilizing the SBMA CSSR training facility.

The rescue training will be held while the annual RP-US Balikatan Military Exercise runs from April 5 to 17 in various places in Central Luzon, particularly in the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the rescue training would serve as a very timely preparation for the coming rainy season.

“Readiness and high response capability are the very key to effective disaster-response in areas hit by floods and other calamities to avoid loss of lives,” Garcia said.

He added that the SBMA Emergency and Rescue Team (SERT) has been enhancing its skills through trainings because of its commitment to provide search and rescue assistance in various emergency situations in the community.

More than 8,000 Filipino and American military personnel, complemented by 30 military aircraft, the US Navy ship USS Tortuga, and two Philippine Navy ships, will be participating in this year’s Balikatan training activity.

The primary objective of the USAR is to reinforce the humanitarian assistance and disaster-response capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said AFP USAR planner Commander Antonio Alexis Manuel Jr.

Manuel said the activity also aims to improve the capacity for joint and combined inter-operability and disaster-response readiness between the AFP and US Armed Forces.

To make the training realistic, AFP included emergency responders from AFP’s Northern Luzon Command, AFP rescue teams, Philippine National Red Cross emergency rescue unit, and the SBMA Fire and Rescue Team as training audience and participants. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Hanjin to unveil 30-ha village for its 18,000 shipyard workers

The biggest shipbuilding firm in the country will unveil a village made for its 18,000 shipbuilding employees this Saturday in Sitio Nagbayto, Baranggay Nagbunga in Castillejos, Zambales.

Dubbed as the “Hanjin Village”, the housing community project is situated on a 30-hectare land area in Sitio Nagbayto, some 30 minute drive to Hanjin’s shipbuilding facility in Redondo Peninsula.

The real estate property was provided for free thru the efforts of the Korean shipbuilder in furtherance of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of providing quality yet affordable housing units to qualified workers of the shipbuilding subcontractors operating inside the Hanjin Subic shipyard.

The project was made possible through the “Housing Needs Matching Program” pioneered by Pag-IBIG in which the latter matches the needs of employers for their employee housing need with developers capable of providing such housing facilities.

“The cost to employee is reduced by the exclusion of marketing cost due to needs matching, as well as salary deduction arrangement and other commitment of employer to Pag-IBIG – all these towards a sustainable employee-retention program”, according to Pag-IBIG CEO Atty. Darlene Berberabe in an earlier statement released through the media.

The partnership with Pag-IBIG is in line with the direction Vice-President and Pag-IBIG Chairman Jejomar C. Binay had initially set which is characterized by active collaboration with LGUs or employers for the housing needs of their constituents and employees, respectively.

“This day marks the affirmation of our commitment in addressing the housing needs of the Hanjin shipyard workers.”

Due to the cooperation between Hanjin, Office of the Vice-President, Pag-IBIG, and real estate developer Fiesta Communities Inc., shipyard workers will be able to avail of housing units with no down payment or cash outlay, low interest rates by Pag-IBIG, and greatly cheaper prices compared to other housing projects in the market.

This project is a model for future tie-ups between the government and private institutions in the area of housing. Indeed, it is a good example of strong public-private partnership as the parties share common values and priorities,” according to HHIC-Phil President Jin Kyun Ahn. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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Tsunami-detection system to be installed in Subic Bay

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), in collaboration with the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (Asti), will install tsunami-detection sensors at Sueste Point in Subic Bay, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), to provide real-time information and warning signals to high-risk coastal communities here.

Dubbed the Community Tsunami Detection and Warning System, the locally developed sensors are part of a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) grant-in-aid project called the “Establishment of a Cost-effective Local Tsunami Early Warning System for Selected High-Risk Coastal Communities of the Philippines” or TeWS.

These sensors are TeWS’s final target for this phase of the project, and come after tsunami warning sirens were installed in Mabacong and Santa Rita Aplaya villages in Batangas City, Batangas province, in February.

The tsunami detection equipment is composed of a platform with a pole to which different sensors are attached: ultrasonic tide, dry and wet.

The ultrasonic tide sensor will note the rise and fall of the sea level, while the dry sensor will determine whether water has receded immediately after a large earthquake, which can be capable of generating a tsunami.

The wet sensor, on the other hand, will be installed at different heights—one meter (m), 5 m and 8 m or 10 m—and can detect if tsunami water has already hit the pole.

Information generated by the system reaches the local government unit (LGU) in almost real-time.

In cases when an earthquake is strong enough to cause a tsunami, the LGU can activate a siren to warn people in coastal areas of the danger and give them enough time to prepare and flee their homes.

The sensors at the tsunami-detection site communicate all signals to alerting sirens using GSM-communication developed by Asti.

Experts from both the Phivolcs and Asti designed the sensors and the whole system.

Earlier, sirens have been put in place in Subic town, Olongapo City and SBMA. All are now operational.

The Phivolcs and Asti earlier installed tsunami detection sensors in Bolinao town, Pangasinan province, for the Lingayen Gulf with five pilot sirens in Pugaro, Gueset and Binloc villages in Dagupan City and in the town proper of Lingayen and Bolinao.

They also put up tsunami-detection sensors in Rapu Rapu town for the Albay Gulf with five sirens installed in San Roque, Bonot, Puro, and Rawis villages in Legazpi City and in Rapu Rapu town proper; and in Corregidor and Lubang Island for both the Batangas Bay and Manila Bay clusters.

Under the TeWS, each cluster will have one tsunami-detection system and alerting stations or warning sirens for five pilot communities. (PNA)

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SBMA expands subic freeport area to accommodate new ship builders

To maximize the land use potentials of the Subic Freeport, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is now expanding the Subic territory into other nearby areas to accommodate new ship builders.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia has disclosed this as part of the six-point strategic plan to fully turn the agency's direction towards "building the new Subic" during his recent State of the Freeport Address (SOFA).

According to Garcia, the Subic territory is being expanded to the Redondo Peninsula while a similar expansion is being made in Hermosa, Bataan to accommodate new ship builders. Other areas are being eyed to be offered to prospective investors also.

Subic currently hosts the sprawling $1.7 billion shipbuilding facility of Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippine Inc., the local unit of Korea's shipbuilding giant Hanjin.
Garcia's six thrusts to develop the freeport are: to maximize the land use potential of the Freeport; aggressively pursue the use of Subic as alternate port to decongest Manila; develop the airport for general aviation, aircraft repair, jet charters and other allied aviation activities; fully exploit tourism potential by creating new attractions and destinations, promoting MICE, sports and theme parks to attract more tourists; invest in new equipment and infrastructure needed to support SBMA's strategic initiatives; and improve the agency's financial performance further to provide funds for the strategic plan.

Garcia said that of the six thrusts, the development of Subic tourism is expected to have full sway, as most of the projects planned this year are tourism-related.
He noted that in December last year, the Subic Bay Freeport, and the entire province of Zambales in general, was identified by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as one of the top destinations in the country due to its wide array of quality-standard tourist facilities and the level of visitation it generated from local and foreign tourists.

The recognition, Garcia said, was attributed to the 513% increase in the number of leisure-related new and expansion projects in 2012 led by the Ayala Land's Harbor Point Mall.

Prior to this, DOT-Region III also chose the Subic Bay Freeport as "Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon." This milestone, Garcia added, was achieved after Subic recorded 293 meetings, incentives, conventions and events (MICE) held in the Freeport in 2012, surpassing the 141 MICE record in 2011 or an increase of 108%.

The 2012 MICE events in the Subic Freeport recorded a total of 129,000 participants, or a 20% increase over the 2011 figures.

Meanwhile, SBMA's aggressive marketing of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) paved the entry of Astro Air International, Inc. which will open the Taiwan-Subic-Taiwan and Subic-Boracay-Subic commercial routes starting this June.

In addition, the annual Balikatan exercises will be held at the SBIA's southwest and southeast aprons, while another portion of the airport will be occupied by the Department of National Defense under commercial terms. (Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, Manila Bulletin)

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More US ships arrive in the Philippines for Balikatan 2013

More US ships have arrived in the country to offload military personnel and combat equipment for the 29th annual PH-US military exercise, "Balikatan 2013".

On Tuesday, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) dropped anchor in Manila for a port call before proceeding to Subic Bay.

Tortuga is part of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and is deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

During Balikatan, which will take place in Central Luzon April 5 to 17, the Tortuga will support Philippine and U.S. troops’ joint training for humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenarios.

Cmdr. John Barnett, commanding officer of USS Tortuga, noted that Balikatan contributes to regional security and stability, as well as, strengthening America's roots of cooperation with the Philippine people.

"This exercise (Balikatan) helps us maintain a high level of interoperability... It enhances military-to-military relations and combined combat capabilities," said Barnett.

Earlier, US Navy ships and personnel assigned to Military Sealift Command also transported Marine Corps combat equipment and supplies to Subic Bay in support of Balikatan and for the Freedom Banner exercise held March 21-26.

“Freedom Banner is a (U.S. Pacific Command-directed) exercise that supports multiple countries throughout the region,” said U.S. Marine Col. Mark J. Menotti, assistant chief of staff for Logistics, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

“This is the first time in more than 20 years that Freedom Banner is supporting the Philippines, which gives us an opportunity to build closer ties with the Philippine armed forces," said Menotti.

Designed to deliver military cargo and supplies in response to a contingency, Marine Prepositioning Force ship USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus (T-AK 3011), and its crew, transported 270 tactical vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles culminitating in a pierside offload during Freedom Banner 2013.

A USN report said dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea(T-AKE 2)also provided support by remaining off shore during the exercise, testing ship-to-shore sustainment of troops and equipment.

MSC-contracted vessel MV Capt. Steven L. Bennett delivered additional Marine Corps cargo from Okinawa. The 687-foot container ship offloaded 430 pieces of equipment, including vehicles, containerized equipment and break-bulk cargo.

The USN said that at the conclusion of the Balikatan exercise, cargo will be reconstituted aboard Lummus and Sacagawea. The reconstitution also concludes Freedom Banner 2013. Remaing cargo is then delivered back to Okinawa aboard a to-be-determined contract vessel. (Elena L. Aben, Manila Bulletin)

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Subic Bay Freeport set for Holy Week

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), together with business locators and community organizations in this free port, is all set for the Holy Week with a program of activities planned for tourists who wanted to enrich both their body and soul.

Holy Week activities in Subic will kick off with the “Blessing of the Palms” rites on March 24, to be followed the next day by the traditional “Pabasa” at the San Roque Chapel. The latter will run until March 26.

On Holy Wednesday, a procession will be held along the parade route in the Central Business District (CBD), while a re-enactment of the Last Supper will be made on Maundy Thursday.

On Good Friday, devotees can join the guided “Way of the Cross” at the Holy Land Subic Sanctuary theme park in the morning and the “Veneration of the Cross” at the San Roque Chapel in the afternoon. There will also be the traditional Good Friday grand procession around the CBD.

On the same day, the Bethesda Springs of Hope will also hold their annual healing prayer and musical concert at the Subic Bay Boardwalk Park. The healing prayer will be led by Rev. Fr. Mario Bije while the musical concert will feature Karylle, Julie Anne San Jose, Ku Aquino, Anna Tirol, Danny Cruz and Coke Bolipata.

Black Saturday religious activities will include the “Blessing of Fire” ceremony and the Easter vigil mass at the San Roque Chapel.

Easter Sunday will start with the traditional “Salubong” and Easter mass, followed by and Easter egg hunt at the San Roque Chapel grounds.

Apart from the usual religious activities slated for the week, some fun and contemporary activities are lined up for visitors.

A food and fun festival dubbed as “Subic Pascha” will open on March 26, and run until March 31. The festival will feature events such as the Yamaha 3s display, the Kawasaki leisure bike display, and animal encounter.

Musical groups like Sub Projekt, Jeff Cifra & the Driven Band, and DJ Matthew Carbonell, as well as poi and fire dancers will entertain guests at the Subic Bay Boardwalk.

The festival, organized by Clawdaddy Restaurant with the participation of various restaurants at the Harbor Point Mall, will close with a concert featuring True Faith on Black Saturday at the Boardwalk.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia has assured visitors to the Subic Bay Freeport that emergency response teams, traffic and law enforcers will be on standby along major roads here throughout the Holy Week.

SBMA's new Tourism Info Center along Tipo Expressway, as well as several tourist info kiosks including one at Harbor Point Mall, will also be opened to assist visitors and tourists coming in for vacation in Subic.

"We expect a heavy influx of arrivals here this Holy Week, as Subic Bay has become a favorite destination at this time of the year", Garcia added. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic reports “full house” for Holy Week

As temperature soars in this top summer destination, hotels and other lodging facilities here announce a “full house” situation, as hotel rooms get sold like cold “halo-halo” treats in the sweltering heat.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said that hotels and other housing facilities here have been fully booked for the summer as early as February.

“Our hotel owners and operators are very happy about the huge volume of tourists coming in to Subic for the Holy Week. This only shows that Subic continues to be a favorite destination for vacationers and devotees during the Lenten Season,” Garcia said.

The high influx of local and foreign tourists in Subic only supports the Department of Tourism (DoT) citation last December that the Subic Freeport is one of the “Top Destinations in the Country” because of its “wide array of quality-standard tourist facilities and level of visitation it generated.”

The Subic Freeport was also DoT’s unequivocal choice as the “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon” after a careful and in-depth evaluation of all convention facilities in the region in October 2012.

Garcia said that Subic Bay is now better-equipped to meet bigger tourist arrivals after several business locators built a total of 130 new hotel rooms here in 2012.

A 26 percent increase in other tourism-related establishments, like Ayala Land’s Harbor Point mall and 31 new restaurants in the area, further raised the bar for local tourism, Garcia added.

Meanwhile, SBMA deputy administrator for tourism Raul Marcelo announced that in connection with the observance of Lenten Season in Subic Bay, the SBMA Tourism Department has lined-up a mixture of more fun and religious events here.

Starting with the celebration of Palm Sunday, the re-enactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, the whole Holy Week will be highlighted by the traditional “Pabasa” or chanting of the life, passion and death of Jesus Christ, as well as a procession on Holy Wednesday around the free port’s Central Business District.

On Good Friday, a grand procession will start at 6:00 p.m., to be followed by the Healing Prayer and Musical Concert, “Five Wounds of Jesus” by Rev. Fr. Mario Bije. On Easter Sunday, “Salubong,” a procession for the Risen Christ, will be held at 4:00 a.m. along Manila-Dewey Avenue here, to be followed by Agape breakfast for all and an Easter egg hunt.

Meanwhile, live concerts by local and Manila-based bands, food festivals, inflated playground display, animal shows and encounters, sports exhibition games, bike and car displays, and film viewing, all for free will be featured at Subic Bay's Boardwalk Park.

“Subic is not just a place to enjoy music and food this time of the year. Subic is also a place to turn ourselves to God and find spiritual fulfillment during the Lenten Season,” said Marcelo. (MPD-SBMA)

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$70m pledged to Subic Bay Freeport in 2012

The Subic Bay Freeport recorded $70 million in committed investments in 2012 with a total of 351 new projects, raising its total cumulative investments since 1992 to $7.9 billion, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said in a recent speech.

In contrast, Subic’s net committed investments in 2011 only reached $51 million, Garcia said.

In 2012 it recorded a freight-on-board (FOB) value of $1.927 billion, or a 133-percent increase over the 2011 figure of $0.826 billion.

The biggest exporters in 2012 were South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Phils. with $1.1 billion, Japanese precision motor manufacturer Sanyo Denki with $0.144 billion and Japanese wood products specialist Juken Sangyo with $0.083 billion.

Garcia also announced positive figures in employment generation, with a total of 89,104 jobs created in 2012, compared with 88,957 in 2011. Most of the new jobs were in the services sector with 42.64 percent, and shipbuilding and marine-related sector with 30.61 percent.

The Subic free port remitted a total of P7.615 billion last year, of which P6.329 billion was collected by the Bureau of Customs, and P1.286 billion by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

The SBMA recorded last year a 170-percent increase in net income, with P811 million, the highest profit the agency had made in its 20-year history. This also allowed SBMA to increase its net operating profit by 91 percent last year, or from P328 million in 2011 to P628 million in 2012.

In his speech, Garcia outlined a six-point strategic plan to fully turn the agency’s direction toward “building the new Subic.”

He said the plan calls for the SBMA, as manager of the Subic Bay Freeport, to maximize the land-use potentials of the free port; aggressively pursue the use of Subic as alternate port to decongest Manila; develop the airport for general aviation, aircraft repair, jet charters and other allied aviation activities; fully exploit tourism potentials by creating new attractions and destinations, promoting MICE, sports and theme parks to attract more tourists; invest in new equipment and infrastructure needed to support the SBMA’s strategic initiatives; and improve the agency’s financial performance to provide funds for the strategic plan.

Garcia added that the SBMA expects to further develop the tourism industry here this year, since most of the projects proposed for implementation in 2013 are tourism-related.

He said the free port, and the entire province of Zambales in general, was identified by the Department of Tourism in December last year as one of the top destinations in the country because of the availability of quality-standard tourist facilities in the area and the high volume of arrivals among local and foreign tourists.

The positive developments in the tourism sector, Garcia added, led to a 513-percent increase in the number of leisure-related new and expansion projects in 2012, the same year when the Subic Bay Freeport was cited by DOT-Region III as “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon.”

He reported that in order to maximize the land-use potentials of the Subic Freeport, the SBMA is expanding the Subic territory at the Redondo Peninsula to accommodate new shipbuilders, as well as in Hermosa, Bataan, for ecotourism projects.

Garcia said that because of the SBMA’s aggressive marketing of the Subic Bay International Airport, Astro Air International Inc. will open this June the Taiwan-Subic-Taiwan and Subic-Boracay-Subic commercial routes.

Aiming to duplicate its good financial performance last year, the SBMA is set to undertake more necessary measures to ensure profitability and sustainable operations.

These measures include creation of a joint SBMA-BOC Technical Working Group to more effectively combat smuggling; streamlining of business processes to reduce requirements and improve delivery of services; amending existing agreements with other agencies or implementation of new agreements; and enhancing safety culture through community watch campaign and installation of law-enforcement surveillance and security systems. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

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Central Luzon launches own Futsal League

Four of the region's top futsal teams will battle it out on the maiden edition of the Central Luzon Futsal league at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) on April 7th, 2013.

The regional league's top football clubs, Futbulakenyos of Bulacan and the Lighthouse Amihan FC (LAFC) of Olongapo City/Subic Bay, are set to renew their rivalry, this time in futsal.

Futsal, the five-versus-five indoor variant of football, is usually played inside a basketball court or a gym.

The league is the first of its kind in the country where all the three variants of football, association football (11vs11), Futsal (5vs5), and beach football are played on provincial representation in one league.

"The Central Luzon Futsal league is a football development experiment. We are slowly gaining support. The main attraction for clubs and teams is playing multiple match days at different venues with coaches able to strategize each game," David Bayarong, league commissioner, explained.

Bayarong added that teams from Central Luzon may still join the league.

The Philippine Futsal Committee (PFC) expressed full support for the league.

"This is a welcome development for futsal. It show that futsal is gaining headway into the various communities of the country," said Ismaeil Sedigh, chairman of the PFC and head coach of the national futsal team.

This year sees the entry of two football powerhouse, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Cobras representing Nueva Ecija, and the Tarlac State University (TSU).

"We are honored to host the opening of the league, our university president, Ruben Sevilleja even had the venue refurbished for the opening games," CLSU Cobra coach Francis Cruz.

The futsal league format presents each match day with the all teams will play that will be hosted by the home team. Each match day is at least 10 days apart.

On April 7th, teams will travel to Nueva Ecija to play the league launch in one of Central Luzon's footballing giant, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU).

"This gives us the opportunity to showcase football to the community, develop a fan base, and inspire kids to play the beautiful game," Bulacan's Futbulakenyos coach Emman Robles explained.

Bayarong noted that while the country is producing technically good players in the provinces, there is an observable weakness in tactics, both in players and coaching.

"The coaching staff are not able to introduce tactics because most of the league, even at the adult level, are one day tournaments," he explains.

Last year Bulacan took home the regional football championships trophy, the Sinukuan, in a thrilling come from behind victory over the LAFC Batang 'Gapo side, 3-2 at the Subic Bay Freeport before some 1,500 home fans. (John Bayarong)

PHOTO:
A Lighthouse Amihan Football Club (LAFC) dribbles the ball behind the 3 point line during the Philippine Futsal league game.

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SBMA announces 2013 plans

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia has disclosed on Friday a six-point strategic plan to fully turn the agency’s direction towards “building the new Subic.”

In his second State of the Freeport Address (SOFA), Garcia said that with the Philippine economy taking off in the past few years, the best is yet to come for the Subic Bay Freeport.

In sum, Garcia said the SBMA, as manager of the Subic Bay Freeport, would maximize the land use potential of the Freeport; aggressively pursue the use of Subic as alternate port to decongest Manila; develop the airport for general aviation, aircraft repair, jet charters and other allied aviation activities; fully exploit tourism potential by creating new attractions and destinations, promoting MICE, sports and theme parks to attract more tourists; invest in new equipment and infrastructure needed to support SBMA’s strategic initiatives; and improve the agency’s financial performance further to provide funds for the strategic plan.

Garcia said that of the six thrusts, the development of Subic tourism is expected to have full sway, as most of the projects planned this year are tourism-related.

He noted that in December last year, the Subic Bay Freeport, and the entire province of Zambales in general, was identified by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as one of the top destinations in the country due to its wide array of quality-standard tourist facilities and the level of visitation it generated from local and foreign tourists.

The recognition, Garcia said, was attributed to the 513% increase in the number of leisure-related new and expansion projects in 2012 led by the Ayala Land’s Harbor Point Mall.

Prior to this, DOT-Region III also chose the Subic Bay Freeport as “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon.” This milestone, Garcia added, was achieved after Subic recorded 293 meetings, incentives, conventions and events (MICE) held in the Freeport in 2012, surpassing the 141 MICE record in 2011 or an increase of 108%.

The 2012 MICE events in the Subic Freeport recorded a total of 129,000 participants, or a 20% increase over the 2011 figures.

To maximize the land use potentials of the Freeport, the SBMA is now expanding the Subic territory at the Redondo Peninsula to accommodate new ship builders. A similar expansion is being made in Hermosa, Bataan, and other areas that might be offered to prospect investors, Garcia said.

With regards to the JICA recommendation to use Subic as alternate port to decongest Manila, Garcia said the SBMA has been aggressively marketing its seaport for increased utilization of the New Container Terminals 1 and 2. This strategy also includes the opening of feeder lines to Singapore and Japan to open the Subic Port to ships sailing to and from Europe and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, SBMA’s aggressive marketing of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) paved the entry of Astro Air International, Inc. which will open the Taiwan-Subic-Taiwan and Subic-Boracay-Subic commercial routes starting this June.

In addition, the annual Balikatan exercises will be held at the SBIA’s southwest and southeast aprons, while another portion of the airport will be occupied by the Department of National Defense under commercial terms.

Chairman Garcia also revealed in his SOFA that the agency has also determined to further improve its financial position in the coming years, after increasing its net operating profit by 91 percent last year.

To ensure success and sustainability of this strategy, some necessary measures shall be implemented, Garcia pointed out in his SOFA.

These include the creation of a joint SBMA-BOC Technical Working Group to more effectively combat smuggling; streamlining of business processes to reduce requirements and improve delivery of services; amending existing agreements with other agencies or implementation of new agreements; and enhancing safety culture through community watch campaign and installation of law enforcement surveillance and security systems.

The SOFA is an annual event¬ organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (SBFCCI) to give the SBMA chairman the opportunity to inform Freeport stakeholders and neighboring communities of the agency’s accomplishments, developments and action plan for the year. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia stresses a point during his 2nd State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) before business locators, and representatives from Local Government Units and the academe at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center .

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