Tourism expo geared to spark inclusive NorthPhil development

An expo slated at the SM City Clark on November 14-16 is being promoted for international and local tourism and infrastructure investments that are seen to bring about widespread development in North Philippines (NorthPhil).

Spotlighted are the region’s coast-to-coast infrastructure development potential for trade and tourism spanning the shores along the West Philippine Sea and the eastern seaboard facing the Pacific and the thin strip of mainland Luzon, particularly its waistline between Lingayen Gulf and Baler Bay, both with seaports, and benefiting all socioeconomic sectors regionwide.

Further up north in La Union alone are the seaport and international airport in San Fernando, and down south in Subic are similar facilities linked to Clark in Pampanga, all connected by arterial roads like NLEX and SCTEX that branch out to various parts of North Philippines and its mall of tourism attractions, many are yet to be discovered and developed.

“Such are the potential investment destinations that the ongoing promotion of the NorthPhil (North Philippines) Expo is incidentally highlighting, thus making it cover both sides of the demand and supply chain at both ends of the market spectrum,” said Central Luzon Director Ronnie P. Tiotuico of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“In effect, the DOT finds itself pushing both product development and promotion with a single masterstroke through the NorthPhil Expo, which is seen to leapfrog tourism growth in the North at double-digit rates,” Tiotuico added, hinting at combined foreign and domestic visitor arrivals of up to three million or so in less than a couple of years with Clark’s impending development into a premier international airport of world-class caliber.

Domestic visitor arrivals in Central Luzon alone have already reached a total of two million in 2012 based on statistics from commercial establishments in the region’s seven provinces and two Freeport zones (Clark and Subic).

Most of the arrivals were attributed to the Clark International Airport and its fast growing number of passengers at 60,000 monthly and still counting. (Manila Bulletin via Yahoo Philippine News)

https://ph.news.yahoo.com/tourism-expo-geared-spark-inclusive-northphil-development-165957120.html

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PPA assigns specific berths for vessels calling at Manila ports

Vessels calling at the ports of Manila will be temporarily assigned to specific berths to maximize port utilization this month, according to the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

In a memorandum circular (MC) dated November 3, 2014, PPA General Manager Juan Sta. Ana informed terminal operators in the Manila about the temporary arrangement in the assignment of berths for vessels calling at the port of Manila.

“All ad hoc vessels calling at the Port of Manila including those presently on queue shall be berthed at South Harbor or Subic Bay Freeport. Meanwhile, A dual-caller vessel shall be directed by PPA to berth at South Harbor or at the Manila International Container Terminal upon its arrival at pilot boarding station,” Sta. Ana said.

According to the MC, ad hoc vessels refer to vessels designated or arranged to call at the port of Manila for a specific purpose and not on a regular basis whole a dual-caller vessel refers to a vessel whose ports of loading or unloading are both South Harbor and MICT.

The temporary arrangement in the assignment of berths will be valid until November 30 and will coincide with the shipping peak season due to the yearend holidays.

“This measure will reduce the number of vessels waiting at anchorage. It will also prevent double calls of vessels because instead of calling at two ports, operators will only call now at only one port,” the PPA said, explaining the consequence of the MC.

Despite the lifting of the Manila Truck ban, yard utilization went up from 80 to 90 percent as of October 31 due to the recent holiday, according to PPA. However, empty yard utilization declined from 90 to 70 percent.

The Cabinet Cluster on Port Congestion is targeting to reach the 80 percent yard utilization level for the ports of Manila. This translates to approximately 64,800 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) inside the ports to have enough room for optimum terminal efficiency and productivity. (Kris Bayos, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO: A container ship docks at the New Container Terminal of the Subic Bay Freeport, now assigned as a port extension of Manila.

http://www.mb.com.ph/ppa-assigns-specific-berths-for-vessels-calling-at-manila-ports/

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Cancelled port calls won’t affect US-Phl defense ties

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. assured the nation yesterday the cancelled port calls of US warships to Subic Bay would not affect the defense ties between the Philippines and the US.

Speaking to reporters in Camp Aguinaldo, Catapang said no joint activities would be discontinued.

“Even if there’s a problem or something like that, we will continue with our military exercises with our US counterparts,” he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday the US has cancelled the visit of three warships to Subic Bay this month for operational reasons.

Speaking to reporters, DFA spokesman Charles Jose said the cancellation is not related to the murder case against US Marine Private First Class Joseph Scott Pemberton.

“We don’t see the ongoing case to be a reason,” he said. “We were just informed about the cancellation.”

The three are part of nine US warships scheduled to dock in the former US naval this month and to remain until December.

Jose said the reconsideration of port visits is normal occurrence as US warships are deployed in many areas of the Pacific and subject to changing operational requirements.

“The DFA was informed through normal diplomatic channels of the cancellation of the visits to Subic of three US Navy ships for operational reasons,” he said.

Jose said the ships are not part of a joint military training in the Philippines.

“Usually the purpose of port calls is for repairs, for operational reasons,” he said. “We can say they are not related to joint exercises. The exercises are not related to port calls.” (Alexis Romero, Pia Lee-Brago, The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/11/04/1387867/cancelled-port-calls-wont-affect-us-phl-defense-ties

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British firm sets up shop in Subic

British firm David Brown Gear Systems is opening its first industrial gearbox services center in the Philippines.

The facility, located at the Global Gateway Industrial Park at the Subic Bay Freeport zone will deliver rapid industrial gearbox service, repair and upgrade to a number of key industries including mining, sugar processing, cement, and oil and gas.

David Brown's expertise is not restricted to a specific application or gearbox brand.

It can service and repair any gearbox, including those for industrial application.

It can also make prompt site service visits.

The center will open on Friday, November 7. (Malaya Business Insight)

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INAP members meet in Subic Freeport for greater cooperation

Regional port innovations for mutual opportunities and cooperation will be the main focus for members of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) when they meet at the Port of Subic for the 16th General Assembly and Symposium on November 11-13.

At this year's conference to be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), representatives of each of the seven member-ports are expected to present and discuss current and future developments in their respective areas.

On the other hand, port-related topics will be discussed by invited speakers, such as Green Port Initiative by Luis Cuison, manager of the Port of Puerto Princesa; Port Security by Roland Recomono, administrator of the Office of Transport Security-DOTC; and Lessons on Coastal Disasters by Ryuichi Kuwajima of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The conference will also pave way for Chairman Roberto Garcia of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which manages the Port of Subic, to officially accept the INAP chairmanship for 2014, replacing Governor Masanao Ozaki of the Kochi Prefecture Government in Japan.

“We are honored to accept the chairmanship of INAP and host this very important conference of heads of ports in the region for the third time,” Garcia said.

He noted that Subic is all ready to host the three-day activity that is expected to fortify cooperation among member ports to promote competitiveness and productivity.

INAP was formed in 1998 with the primary objective of enhancing the port network, integrating individual affiliates, exchanging information on port development, and strengthening economic and cultural relationships.

Upon entering INAP, new members are required to establish a sister-port or -city relationship with any of the members.

At this year's conference, a total of 83 delegates from all member ports will be arriving in Subic for the three-day assembly, with the Port of Kochi (Japan) sending the biggest delegation.

Other member-ports include Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Mokpo New Port, South Korea; Port of Tanjung Perak, Indonesia; Port of Qingdao, China, and the Port of Subic and Port of Cebu in the Philippines.

The newest entry to the INAP roster, the Port of Dangjin in South Korean, will officially be accepted as the eighth member during the assembly and make its own presentation. The mayor of Dangjin City is expected to head the delegation to Subic.

During the assembly, officials from the Port of Subic will also have the opportunity to promote the area as an investment destination during the scheduled two break-out business sessions with the Port of Mokpo and the Port of Kochi. SBMA officials said this would be a milestone for the Port of Subic.

While in Subic, delegates and representatives will be treated by the SBMA to a tour of the Freeport, a welcome dinner at the Light House Marina Resort, and a farewell dinner at the Subic Bay Yacht Club. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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PH primed as MRO, interior parts hubs in Asia

The Philippines, currently a hub for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of aircraft manufacturers in Asia, is being primed also as a hub for parts and components of aircraft interior, the Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines (AIAP) said.

AIAP also seeks to develop Clark and Subic as sites for MRO.

Currently, there are Filipinos working in MRO in Singapore and in Malaysia and AIAP wants to bring back these workers.

According to AIAP, Clark and Subic have huge potential. Clark has a good land area and length of runway. Companies that would like to manufacture and export parts can also use Subic as a platform for manufacture and export.

AIAP also cited the good infrastructure of Subic ideal for investments in the supply chain.

John Lee, president of AIAP, said the industry eyes to be one of the hubs for the interiors market in Asia. Other countries have set up base productions such as Singapore for engines.

“It might be good to entice other aircraft interiors suppliers, galleys, bathroom, plastic bins. We have to look at a niche market wherein we can contribute in terms of support group. In aerospace, players have to be very competent,” Lee added.

Suppliers have to go through a very strict accreditation process which could take about two years.

Lee said MOOG Controls Corp., which has been making precision controls, has been in the Philippines for quite some time and a lot of suppliers are already providing for the industry even before.

“Players have found a good market for this so they have expanded their production in terms of capacity building for aerospace,” Lee added.

He cited that like the Japanese automotive industry, aerospace players bring in their supply group. But MRO, he said, will always be part of the market as demand for airplanes in Asia is the highest in the world, which means more maintenance and repair.

German-Filipino firm Lufthansa Technik operates a competence center for the maintenance and overhaul of Airbus A319, A320, A321, A330-200/-300, A340-200/-300/-600 and the A380 in the Philippines.

SIA Engineering (Philippines) Corp. maintains a state-of-the-art MRO facility in Clark for aircraft certification and scheduled heavy maintenance checks, airframe structural inspections, repairs, modifications, paint-stripping, painting of aircraft exteriors and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) checks for narrow-body aircraft such as A320 and wide-body aircraft such as A330 and B777.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines also has its own repair facilities in the country.

The three key players in aerospace manufacturing include MOOG Control Corp., B/E Aerospace and Jamco Aerospace, Inc. (Irma Isip, Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/ph-primed-mro-interior-parts-hubs-asia

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3 US ships canceled port calls to Subic due to ‘operational reasons’

MANILA, Philippines – The cancelation of port calls of United States (US) ships in Subic are due to “changing operational requirements” and are not related to the case of the Filipino transgender woman who was allegedly slayed by a US Marine.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) was informed through normal diplomatic channels on the cancelation of three US ships for operational reasons,” DFA Spokesman Assistant Secretary Charles Jose said in a press briefing Monday.

“Usually the purpose of port calls is for repair, and operational reasons. We can say that they are not related to the joint military exercises, they are not related at all,” he said.

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) released a statement Sunday saying that nine US ships have cancelled port calls which disappointed them because of the revenues they could have earned.

DFA confirmed only the cancelation of three ships that are said to be scheduled to arrive within November, but have no information on the status of the remaining six.

Negative sentiments against the US have poured out following the murder of Filipino transgender woman Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude allegedly by US Marine Pfc Joseph Scott Pemberton in a motel in Olongapo city last October 11, 2014. (Matikas Santos, Inquirer.net)

Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/113857/3-us-ships-canceled-port-calls-to-subic-due-to-operational-reasons/#ixzz3HzWij3k9

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Marine Mammal Stranding Network holds 2nd nat'l symposium

The Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Inc. (PMMSN) recently conducted its 2nd national symposium at the Camayan Beach Resort and Hotel here with a theme “Empowerment of members by promoting best practices in stranding response, research and repository".

The conference was attended by 70 participants from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Local Government Units, media practitioners and private sector nationwide.

According to Lemnuel V. Aragones, president of PMMSN, the convention is a great platform to empower the members by educating one another through sharing of knowledge, best practices and experiences and imbibing a participatory process to building consensus.

"We are pushing for more support on efforts towards the major aspects of our network particularly on stranding response, information education and communication, governmental and policy issues and research and collaboration," Aragones said.

Meanwhile, Atty. Asis G. Perez, BFAR director, said the seminar is timely and relevant in giving more complete information on the stranding response technicians in making good judgment on the conservation of marine mammals in the Philippines.

He also stressed the need to educate the public and, particularly coastal inhabitants, on the importance of marine mammal conservation because "an empty stomach knows no law".

Likewise, Gail Laule of Ocean Adventure and vice president of PMMSN said that by giving environmental education to people, we will have greater chances of changing public attitudes and ultimately garner public support to avert marine mammal stranding.

"It is our responsibility to raise public awareness on the importance of marine mammals and to motivate individuals and communities to respect, protect and conserve our marine resources," she added.

"We already have formal Memorandum of Agreement with BFAR Regional Offices 1, 2, 5,8, 11 and 13 and hope to get all the other regions on this as the MOA binds all of our goals and aspirations," Aragones added. (ALM/SRA/PIA2)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1841414888396/marine-mammal-stranding-network-holds-2nd-nat-l-symposium

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9 US ships cancel port calls to Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines—Nine US Navy ships scheduled to arrive here this month until December have decided to cancel their port calls due to “anti-American sentiments” in the country after a US Marine was implicated in the slaying of a Filipino transgender in Olongapo City last month, a group of business owners said.

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) said the cancellation disappointed local businessmen, who had been preparing for the “liberty” (rest and recreation) of American troops.

“This anticipated visit could have meant a better Christmas for the business owners and their employees…. But after the cancellation, one can only imagine the disappointed faces,” the SBFCC said in a statement sent to the Inquirer on Sunday.

The US Embassy and the Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday night couldn’t immediately confirm the cancellation of the port calls by the nine US Navy ships in Subic.

Kurt Hoyer, US Embassy first secretary and press attaché, told the Inquirer that he still had to check the information.

In a separate phone interview, DFA spokesman and Assistant Secretary Charles Jose also said he had to verify whether the department had information about the cancellation of the port calls.

However, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chair Roberto Garcia confirmed the cancellation of the port calls.

Citing a report from Global Terminals and Development Inc., which operates ports here and provides service to US Navy ships, Garcia on Sunday said four ships were supposed to visit this free port this month while five were expected in December.

Garcia said the port visits were “put on hold until further notice.”

But he said two US Navy ships—USS Pecos and USNS Mary Sears—were scheduled to arrive here next week for emergency repairs.

The SBFCC said the death of transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude not only caused a social and political impact, “but an economic chain reaction as well.”

Laude was found dead in a motel in Olongapo City on the night of Oct. 11, a few minutes after her American companion left.

Her companion, who was later identified by witnesses as US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton, is facing a murder complaint filed by Laude’s family in the Olongapo Prosecutor’s Office.

Pemberton is held in a detention facility jointly managed by the American and Philippine governments at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The SBFCC said it sympathized with the Laude family and had joined calls that justice be served.

But Laude’s death, it said, brought about losses and unrealized income for many establishments in the Subic Bay area.

“On the other side of things, businesses in the city and in the bay [area] are also restless. But more than being twitchy, these businesses are suffering,” the statement said.

It said businessmen here found it unfair that there was an impression that people in this free port and nearby Olongapo City were not receptive to visits by US troops.

“We also want the US Navy to know that they are still welcome to visit Subic Bay and enjoy the culture and beauty of our natural flora and fauna, and the festivities that we offer,” the SBFCC said. (Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon, with a report from Christine O. Avendaño in Manila)

PHOTO:
In this Oct. 17, 2014, photo, a US marine walks inside the USS Peleliu, where US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton was said to be detained after allegedly killing Filipino transgender Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude at the Subic Bay free port, Zambales province. Nine US Navy ships scheduled to arrive in Subic in November until December have decided to cancel their port calls due to “anti-American sentiments” in the country after Pemberton was implicated in the slaying of Laude, a group of business owners said. (AP PHOTO/AARON FAVILA)


Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/113820/9-us-ships-cancel-port-calls-to-subic/#ixzz3Hy54wZRQ

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P5M smuggle try foiled in Subic port

The Bureau of Customs commended an officer and men of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) in the Port of Subic for foiling a smuggle try of some P5-million worth of imported items out of the Subic Freeport.

Commended last Monday were Manolo Arevalo, OIC-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS-ID) and operatives Intelligence Agent Teodorico Tobias and Special Agents Reycristo Ruanto, Jr. and Ruperto Sulit, Jr.

BoC District Collector Port of Subic Gen. Arnulfo Marcos (Ret.) said Arevalo and his men seized imported 7,200 cartons of ceramic tiles which arrived in Subic in a 20-footer container van consigned to Tough Sapphire Enterprises in Biñan, Laguna.

The shipment with estimated market value of P3-million was covered with false declaration executed by the consignee.

Earlier, Marcos ordered the seizure of a 40-footer container packed with disassembled aircraft, one rubber boat and a Lycoming 0-320 engine which is consigned to Centurion Import Services located at the 2/F of Philcox Hangar, General Aviation Area, MDA, Pasay City.

Accordingly, the consignee used fake invoice to undervalue the shipment to P2-million. The shipment was turned over to Auction and Cargo Disposal Unit of BoC while investigation is still in the process of determining what to do with the shipment.

In a separate incident, the Bureau’s Enforcement and Security Service (Port of Subic) led by its chief Lt. Paul Oandasan, confiscated a shipment of Bavaria Premium Beer worth P2.8-million in Olongapo City after it was smuggled out of Subic Freeport without paying correct tariff duties and taxes. (Ruben A Veloria, People's Journal)

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/p5m-smuggle-try-foiled-in-subic-port

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Subic Freeport now San Miguel Brewery’s alternative gateway

San Miguel Brewery, Inc. (SMB), a subsidiary of conglomerate San Miguel Corp., recently shifted a substantial volume of shipments from the port of Manila to Subic, a move that has meant less shipping fees and greater availability of stocks.

Due to the adverse effects of port congestion triggered by the Manila truck ban, Subic port provided a “new gateway” for SMB shipments, according to the company’s procurement manager, Gary Algodon, during a presentation at the Northern Luzon Shipping Summit in Fontana Clark on September 29.

Starting in June, Algodon said “Subic Port provided a new gateway for our shipments to the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, which accounts for 70% of container volumes (of SMB) in Luzon.” The shift was designed to “rectify delays” due to the Manila port congestion; as a result the company experienced availability of stocks for the next three months, he said.

The brewery in Pampanga is also nearer Subic port at 66.2 kilometers away compared with Manila International Container Port’s distance of 76.3 kms.

Further explaining the shift, Algodon said vessels calling Subic port are “basically on time, thus providing us the necessary stocks security.”

He added, “Through Subic Port, SMB was able to increase the inventory level of our raw materials to manage the uncertainties of the Manila port.”

Servicing of trucks is also faster through the Northern Luzon facility, he said.

It was only relatively recently that SMB shipped out of Subic port because “Manila port then was viable in terms of total landed cost”, Algodon said.

Since the implementation of the Manila truck ban in February and before the shipping shift to Subic, SMB encountered a lot of fees they were “not used to paying”, including demurrage and storage, which had reached P600,000, Algodon said.

It must be noted though that Manila mayor Joseph Estrada has lifted indefinitely the truck ban on Sept 13 although its effects, according to transport stakeholders, are expected to linger until early next year.

Since June, SMB has transported 447 containers out of Subic port. The company likewise plans to ship from Southeast Asia and Europe through the Northern Luzon gateway.

Algodon said Subic port has also become SMB’s “alternative port” for shipments bound to its Polo, Valenzuela brewery. Subic port and its Valenzuela brewery are 124 kms apart or a two- to three-hour trip.

Algodon said that with the lifting of the Manila truck ban and government’s efforts to decongest Manila ports, Algodon said they hope this would lessen costs incurred by its Valenzuela brewery.

“I think Subic port is becoming a new gateway,” Algodon noted, adding that SMB shipping through Subic means “there is no more danger in the stock out of beer.” (Roumina Pablo, PortCalls)

http://www.portcalls.com/subic-port-now-san-miguel-brewerys-alternative-gateway/

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SBMA cites Ayta role in Freeport development

Recognizing the contribution of the native Ayta community in the development and growth of this premier free port, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) conducted this month a series of activities to promote the welfare of the indigenous people here.

The activities were part of the celebration of the National Indigenous Peoples Month, which is being celebrated in the Philippines every October.

“This has also been a part of the SBMA tradition—the celebration of our connection in the web of life with our Ayta brethren,” said SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia.

“We know how the Aytas have been a big part of the economic success of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, so we’re trying our best to give them due respect and recognition,” he added.

SBMA’s program for the National Indigenous Peoples Month kicked off on October 13 when members of the Ayta community at the Freeport’s Pastolan village led the Monday flag-raising ceremony in front of the SBMA head office.

This was followed by a radio interview with Pastolan tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla and the famous Ayta elder Kap Bonifacio Florentino who expounded on how the Subic tribesmen latched onto modernity ushered in by the SBMA while holding on to traditional Ayta values.

The interview was aired over the SBMA’s 89.5 Bay FM station.

The IP Month also saw the launching of livelihood projects designed to benefit the Ayta womenfolk in Pastolan and the Sitio Kanawan in Morong, Bataan. These consisted of training and funding for the production of beaded purses and bags that the womenfolk could sell to increase their income.

Meanwhile, the October celebration also became more meaningful with the conduct of a seminar on
climate change, a subject close to the hearts of Ayta tribesmen who have long served as guardians of the rainforest in this part of the country.

The seminar was conducted by the National Commission on Climate Change for the Magbikin and Amianan Aytas who roam the mountains of Olongapo City and neighboring parts of Subic Bay Freeport.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 3 likewise held a seminar on drug-abuse prevention at Sitio Pastolan in Hermosa, Bataan, to help prevent substance abuse among the Aytas.
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The SBMA has been helping the Aytas in terms of employment, cultural assistance, scholarship for Ayta children, health and medical assistance, as well as in providing clean, potable water for their communities.

In October last year, the SBMA signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of a joint management agreement (JMA) for the use of portions of the Ayta ancestral domain in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Chairman Garcia said this was the first agreement to provide the Subic Aytas with a comprehensive package of economic, social and cultural benefits since their tribal land had been occupied first by the United States as a military reservation for almost a century, and later when the Subic Bay Freeport was established in 1991.

The agreement provided for priority employment for qualified Ayta workers; annual livelihood assistance for 25 years; annual financial assistance for tribal fiesta and Christmas celebrations; scholarship and medical benefits; and the establishment of a fund for a five-percent share collected from direct business leases of land within the Ayta ancestral domain.

Early this year, the SBMA turned over P14.8 million to the Pastolan Aytas for land rental, the first time in the country’s history that an indigenous people’s group received a share of payment for the use by investors of their ancestral land SBMA, and another P1.8 million for this month. (HHE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO: The Aytas of Subic Bay

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More shipping lines eyeing Subic Freeport

The shipping community in the Southeast Asian region is starting to notice the potentials of the Port of Subic as an ideal port to move and transship both containerized and bulk cargo shipments.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said the container ship MV Sicilia made its maiden voyage on the Xiamen-Subic route recently and unloaded its cargoes at the New Container Terminal (NCT) 2.

“We’ve been informed that within the next two weeks or so, there will be more ships that will be coming to unload at Subic,” Garcia said.

“The arrival of Sicilia on her maiden voyage to Subic Bay may be a precursor of more good times to come,” he added.

The commercial vessel MV Sicilia, a 927-ton Liberian flag container ship with 21 crewmen and officers led by skipper Capt. Penev Deyan Penko, sailed to Manila and then Subic Bay from Xiamen, China. The vessel is owned by China-based SITC Container Lines Philippines, Inc.

Sicilia unloaded products from Guangxi, Sichuan and Shanghai, all in China, for Orica Philippines in Limay, Bataan; Nestle Philippines Inc. in Cabuyao, Laguna; and Manila World Transport, Inc. in Metro Manila, respectively, bringing in 22 containers.

SBMA Seaport Dept. general manager Jerome Martinez said that aside from MV Sicilia, three more foreign container ships will be arriving in Subic direct from their origin.

“They are not diverted vessels from the Port of manila as a result of port congestion. They really are to come to Subic as part of their itinerary,” Martinez pointed out.

Another shipping company, the NYK Line, is seriously thinking of establishing a Subic-Singapore route as Singapore will be opening Europe, Africa, and Middle East to exporters and importers.

Earlier, Garcia reported that there is a proposal for a Shanghai-Subic route that will open ports in China on a more direct basis, instead of passing through Kaohsiung.

For these developments, Garcia hopes the cargo volume Subic’s container port will grow from 38,000 TEUs last year to more than 70,000 TEUs this year.

In preparation for the expected increase of traffic flow in the Freeport, the SBMA recently hosted a “Traffic Safety Forum”, which aimed to find ways to prevent traffic build-up along the main route taken by cargo trucks at the Freeport.

“Let us all cross our fingers that things turn out for the best for Subic,” Garcia said, stressing that Subic is the only port on the Western seaboard of the Philippines that now has the capacity to accept a great volume of containers.

He added that if Subic gets congested because of heavy container traffic, it will be a “happy problem” for the SBMA. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTO:
The MV Sicilia, a Liberian-registered cargo ship plying the China–Manila route, docked on its maiden voyage last Friday at the New Container Terminal in Subic Bay Freeport to unload cargo from Xiamen. Subic, which was recently designated as an extension port of Manila, now draws a higher volume of containerized traffic for Central and Northern Luzon areas. Together with American President Lines and Wan Hai, SITC which handles the Xiamen-Subic route is the third major shipping line to regularly call on Subic on a weekly basis. (AED)

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Skipper of US destroyer relieved after mishap off Subic

MANILA, Philippines - A senior United States Navy officer has been relieved from his post a week after his warship rammed into two small fishing boats while sailing out of Subic Bay.

An online report by Norfolk, Virginia-based News Channel 3 said yesterday Commander John Bradford, skipper of the USS Stethem, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, was relieved by his superior “due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.”

Capt. Chris Sweeny replaced Bradford until a permanent officer is named to command the ship, the report said.

Under Bradford’s command, the Stethem was sailing out of Subic after being towed and pushed by two tugboats of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) when it rammed two fishing boats in its path last Oct. 13.

The mishap resulted in the sinking of the boats whose crewmembers – Orlito Cocjin, 44, Julie Mendez, 43 and Pampilo Bacsal, 33, all of Barangay Baretto, Olongapo City – survived by jumping into the sea. US sailors rescued them.

The Stethem was among the vessels docked in Subic during the recent Philippines-US Amphibious Landing Exercises 2015 in Palawan and Zambales.

Over 4,000 US Marines and sailors, including Pfc. Thomas Scott Pemberton, accused in the killing of transgender Filipino Jeffrey “Jennifer” Laude, participated in the joint maritime drill.

Pemberton is currently detained at Camp Aguinaldo.

SMBA authorities said the fishermen did not file a case against Stethem officials and crew after US authorities promised to shoulder the costs and expenses incurred in the accident.

The report said after being assisted by two SBMA tugboats, the Stethem left. The ship is based in Japan and is under the operational control of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet. (Jaime Laude, Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
USS Fitzgerald, a guided-missile destroyer, docks in Subic’s Alava Pier yesterday for the Phl-US CARAT exercise. (Ernie Penaredondo)

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/10/26/1384526/skipper-us-destroyer-relieved-after-mishap-subic

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Benedicto, Stroh in fiery finish in Tri-United

UNILAB Active Health triathletes August Benedicto and Anna Stroh showed class as they ruled the challenging Tri United 3 yesterday that started at the Dungaree Beach at Subic Bay Freeport and ended at the Sandbox, Alviera, Porac, Pampanga.

No less than United Laboratories Inc. President and CEO Clinton Campos Hess witness the race with Jan Evangelista, ULAH’s VP, who fired the starting gun kicking off hostilities among roughly 700 triathletes.

The 30-year-old Benedicto negotiated the lung-busting 1.9-k swim, 90-k bike and 21-k run event organized by Bike King and supported by ULAH, ENERVON ACTIV, Active Health Sport Gel, Enervon HP and Pocari Sweat in four hours, 47 minutes and 02 seconds to claim his first Tri United title this year.

Coming out at 10th place after the first transition, Benedicto slowly built up his momentum in the bike course using the SCTEX to catch up with early pace setter and veteran John Abdul before unloading his might in the run leg for the solid finish.

“The bike course was very challenging because of the uphill and the strong head wind,” said Benedicto.

“But I really prepared hard for this event for the past two months and my hard work was greatly rewarded,” added Benedicto, who had a pair of third place finishes in the first two Tri United races.

Stroh, meanwhile, withstood the challenge posted by Kristina Beckendorf in the elite female category in this race that also drew the backings of Alaxan FR, Hydrite, Aboitiz, AboitizPower, OtterBox, Shimano, Maxxis, Crystal Clear, Orbea, Saucoy and TIMEX.

The two lady triathletes went toe-to-toe in the first two events but Stroh, the Tri Unted 2 winner, came out first in second transition to eventually pull away.

Stroh clocked at 5:20:59 and was almost ten minutes ahead of Beckendorf with 5:30:55 in this event also backed by Men’s Health Magazine, Women’s Health magazine, The Philippine Star and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department.

“Kristina passed me in the last kilometer in the bike but I was faster in T2 and came out first and she never came close to me,” said Stroh.

“It was a great race but challenging because it was windy in the bike and hot in the run. But I really enjoyed the race,” added the 35-year-old champion.

Other male winners in this race that also had Sandbox at Alviera, BCDO, SCTEX, SFEX and MNTC as venue partners were Timbol Deo (18-24), Robinson Esteves (25-29), Ralph Jerome Salvador (30-34), Jeff Valdez (35-39), Rayzon Galdonez (40-44), Jojo Macalintal (45-49), Joevic Pajarillo (50-54), Thomas Kuhne (55-above) while Ceri Ruzzi (30-34), Amanda Carpo-Bond (35-39), Bernadette Tan (40-44) and Sandra Reid (45-above) completed the champions in the women’s side.

Last Minute Tri Team A made up of Rafael Dominic Echiverri, Aaron Paul Quintia and Jeffrey Sotto won first place in the Team Relay division. Complete results are available at bikekingphilippines.com. (People's Tonight)

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/sports/other-sports/benedicto-stroh-in-fiery-finish

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