59 baby sea turtles released in Subic Bay

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales—Tourists took time off from the holiday revelry at a local beach to release 59 olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) hatchlings into the Subic Bay on Saturday.

Around 50 tourists, some of them children, gathered on the shore of All Hands Beach here at 8 p.m. to set the sea turtles free.

Marife Castillo, officer of community environment and natural resources office, said several adult olive ridley sea turtles laid eggs on the resort’s beach last month.

Castillo, who witnessed the release, said All Hands Beach is among the seven major beach areas inside the free port that had been identified as nestling sites for marine turtles (pawikan).

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Ecology Center identified the beaches of Waterfront Area, Dungaree, Edgewater, Grande Island, Camayan, and Minanga as the other nesting sites for sea turtles.

Emerita Sebial, chief of protected areas, wildlife and coastal zone management service in Olongapo City, said three of the seven species of sea turtle in the world could be found in Zambales province.

Aside from the olive ridley, Sebiang said they received reports that green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) have been seen in the province.

Sebial said they released the baby sea turtles at night because fewer predators roam the sea at that time.

SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia asked residents and visitors of the free port to support the agency’s marine turtle conservation program.

“These are gentle creatures that need our protection, for without our help they would likely face extinction,” Garcia said in an earlier statement.

He said the SBMA recently launched its “Guard My Nest” sea turtle conservation program to make Subic establishments more “pawikan friendly.”

“This is why we discourage pavement constructions on the beach where the turtles lay eggs, and urge establishments to minimize lighting at night because this disorients the pawikan,” Garcia said.

Angel Bagaloyos, officer in charge of the SBMA Ecology Center, said sea turtles lay eggs mostly during the cold months, from September to February. (Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon)

59 baby sea turtles released in Subic Bay

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Subic Enerzone seeking higher power tariff at P1.5625/kwh

Subic Enerzone Corporation, which has been serving more industrial-dense subscribers primarily in the freeport zone, is seeking an upward adjustment in its power distribution tariff to P1.5625 per kilowatt-hour (kwh) from what was previously approved at P1.4905 per kwh.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), in its notice for publication of the SEZ’s filing, noted that the distribution firm has recomputed its maximum average price (MAP) for regulatory year 2015 and it arrived at a higher figure.

The ERC emphasized that in the rate translation, the SEZ “has recalculated the MAP for the regulatory year 2015, without taking into account side constraints, at P1.5625 per kwh.”

For residential customers of SEZ, it was laid down that the estimated distribution charge will amount to P1.8815 per kwh; supply charge will be at P0.2414 per kwh; while metering charge will be at P0.1981 per kwh.”

To the level of the industrial end-users, SEZ’s proposed pass-on rates will be: P0.6346 per kwh; P301.81 per kilowatt; supply charge at P4,919 per customer/month; and metering charge at P1,758.94 per customer/month.

The SEZ has noted that “the approval of the instant application will allow it to fulfill its obligations under the PBR (performance-based regulation)” – referring to the methodology in setting electricity tariffs for regulated power entities.

It added that an immediate regulatory approval shall also allow it to “implement in a timely manner its capex (capital expenditures) and OPEX (operating expenses) programs for the regulatory year 2015.”

If that is accomplished, the Subic utility firm stressed that it would be able to “avoid losses which may ultimately result in the deterioration of services to its customers.”

The ERC thus scheduled a public hearing on the SEZ’s recalculated tariff application on January 9, 2015 at the Subic Freeport Zone in Olongapo City.

“SEZ and all interested parties are directed to submit, at least five days before the date of the initial hearing and pre-trial conference, their respective pre-trial briefs,” the ERC has stipulated in its hearing notice.

This is already the fourth year of the utility firm’s second regulatory reset under the forward-looking approach of rate regulation via the PBR scheme. (Myrna Velasco, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/subic-enerzone-seeking-higher-power-tariff-at-p1-5625kwh/

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Central Luzon ‘well-poised’ for Asean economic integration

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Central Luzon is in a strong position to partake in the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) next year, an official of the Regional Development Council (RDC-3) in Central Luzon assured, citing vigorous economic progress and positive image in the international community.

“What does it mean for us here in Central Luzon? First of all this is not an option for us because we are all involved here and all of us are stakeholders and are bound to feel the impacts of the integration,” RDC-3 chairman and Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado clarified during the RDC-3 Forum on the Asean Economic Community (AEC) held recently at the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda-3) Central Luzon Office, Diosdado Macapagal Government Center, this city.

Alvarado revealed that the RDC-3, in particular, was tasked to determine the opportunities and challenges of establishing relevant programs, which will highlight the strengths of the Central Luzon within the context of the impending Asean economic integration.

“By December next year, the Asean Economic Community or AEC will take full effect, although this is not something new because we know that the initiative for integration was signed way back in 2000 during the Asean 2000 Summit,” he said.

The forum, which concurrently served as the 14th Session of the RDC-3, was participated in by key government and private stakeholders, including lawyer Jonas Leones, Undersecretary, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); Brenda Joyce Mendoza, Director, Neda Trade and Services and Industry Staff; Alberto Lina, Chairman, Lina Group of Companies; Severino Santos, Director, Neda-3; and other local officials of Central Luzon.

"The forum on Asean Economic Community of the RDC-3 aims to increase the level of awareness of RDC3 members and other stakeholders on AEC, particularly its implications to national and regional economy," said Santos.

Leones stressed the competitive edge of Central Luzon in the Asean economic integration in terms of its strategic location, covering both the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the Clark Freeport Zone, which has its own international airport.

“Central Luzon has been identified as the new ‘epicenter’ of big investments because of the massive influx of opportunities here, especially in the Subic and Clark. It certainly has a high potential to perform well on the Asean economic integration next year,” Leones said.

Mendoza shared that the AEC offers massive business opportunities that both the public and the private sector must exploit to copiously benefit from its advantages.

"The asean Economic Community is something not to be feared about. AEC can be explored and taken advantage of," urged Mendoza.

Challenges ahead

Central Luzon may be a robust economic player in the international stage, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, but Alvarado said the government still has a long way to go in terms of creating development strategies that will ensure its readiness for AEC implementation.

“Most of us who have been with the RDC can attest that for many years now we have been working towards the realization of some very important critical infrastructures for Central Luzon such as the Clark International Airport, coastal highway that will link Sangley Point in Cavite to the Bataan Special Economic Zone, North Rail or mass transport system linking Metro Manila to the Clark International Airport and the Balog-balog dam to name a few,” cited Alvarado.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), according to Alvarado, are also expected to significantly gain from the trade and investment opportunities of this new arrangement but there are still some key economic issues that needs to be addressed.

“For example, on the target of eliminating or having zero tariff rates—as early as January 2010, more than 99 percent of tariff lines between ASEAN six member countries have been brought down to zero in line with the goals of ASEAN Free Trade Area or AFTA,” he said adding that ASEAN must work on further eliminating trade barriers and undertaking agreements with important economic powers, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Competitive advantages

Mendoza, nevertheless, mentioned that the country is already "well-poised" to compete with its neighbors in the Southeast Asian region.

"The Philippines has been gaining the confidence of international community as evidenced by the credit rating upgrades given by debt-watchers Moody's Investor Service and Fitch Ratings. This means that we are in a great position in terms of the economy," she said.

The growth from 2010 to 2013, according to Neda, recorded the highest four-year average growth since 1979 and this will ascertain that the Philippines will gain from the AEC.

Meanwhile, Alvarado supported this statement, citing the presence of many Filipinos abroad.

“Our network of Overseas Filipinos stands out as a distinct advantage over Asean counterparts because relatively, most of the Philippines’ work force is proficient in English. Another advantage is that we have the high average growth or Gross Domestic Product in the current decade,” he said.

The Asean integration puts in motion the materialization of the AEC, which envision Southeast Asia as "a single market and production base, a highly competitive economic region, a region of equitable economic development, and a region fully integrated into the global economy."

The Asean is a 10-nation regional bloc that includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Ferth Vandensteen Manaysay, Sun Star Pampanga)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/12/22/central-luzon-well-poised-asean-economic-integration-383323

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Computer app helps Subic students learn BPO English

Students from various colleges in Subic Bay Freeport area are now benefitting from LEAP, a computer application software designed to address the English proficiency of Filipinos to meet the demand of the growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the country.

LEAP, which stands for Learning English Application for Pinoys, was introduced here last September by the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to several local colleges and had since earned raves from student-beneficiaries.

Royce Vincent Palo, a Customs Administrations major at the Lyceum of Subic Bay (LSB) said that he is very grateful to become one of the first LEAP trainees.

“It’s a great program wherein fun and learning, which normally don't come together, have been successfully combined,” noted Palo.

“The program encourages us to recall our past lessons, many of which have long been forgotten, and while it still has some glitches, it was very effective,” he added.

Jenny Ching, another LSB student tutored under the program, also praised the LEAP project, describing it as “very helpful for Filipinos who cannot speak English well, especially for those preparing for job interviews.”

The LEAP program is stand-alone computer application software, which gives tests and lessons to students to improve their communication skills. This includes grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, which are considered as major deficiencies for most Filipinos.

The program is composed of English training modules that run for a total of 200 hours. Participants here took lessons every Saturday and completed the course last December 13.

LEAP was developed by the UP Diliman’s Engineering Department, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Department of Arts and Letters, and the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts. The program was funded by the DOST and was launched in July 2014.

Last September, UP and DOST introduced LEAP to students at the Lyceum of Subic Bay, Columban College, Mondriaan Aura College, Subic Bay College, and Gordon College.

Students who joined the program took pre-tests to assess their basic English skills before using the application under the supervision of UP representatives.

Last Monday, UP and DOST officials returned to conduct a post-program assessment to gauge the effectiveness of the program, as well as to listen to the evaluation by the program participants.

Data from the participants, including comments on perceived flaws in the computer application, will be used for further development of the application software, UP officials said.

The program organizers also expressed gratitude to the students who participated in the program, particularly for their comments and suggestions to help improve the LEAP software.

Meanwhile, SBMA Labor Department head Severo Pastor, who attended the program assessment with SBMA Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Randy Escolango, thanked UP and DOST for bringing the LEAP program to Subic, pointing out that it would also benefit Subic’s growing BPO industry.

Pastor said that SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia has been eyeing to develop Subic Bay Freeport as a BPO center to cash in on the growing proficiency of local information technology workers.

Pastor said the LEAP program would help students and workers in the IT sector here to further enhance their capabilities and market their skills. (YCM/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA to hold training-program on CSR

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) wants the locators of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) to regard corporate social responsibility (CSR) not as a mere philanthropic initiative but as a mature, refined discipline.

Victor Persius Chan, CSR manager of Redondo Peninsula Energy Incorporated (RP Energy), issued this call on Wednesday during a media briefing held at the Buma Hotel, Moonbay Marina Area, this Freeport.

Several media group were invited to the SBMA’s briefing on its upcoming “CSR 101”training program, which will take place on January 21 to 22, 2015 at the Subic Holiday Villas.

The two-day training program, organized by the SBMA together with its CSR partners, RP Energy, and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, has been dubbed “From Philanthropy to Strategy: Moving SBFZ towards Sustainability”, in reference to the goal of enhancing the awareness and understanding of the practice of CSR within the Freeport.

The SBMA invites officers and managers from the following fields to join the training-program: CSR, community relations, public relations, and human resources.

Business owners, who are interested in executing sustainable development programs in relation to their respective businesses, may also participate.

Resource speakers from different multinational companies will share their knowledge and expertise concerning various aspects in the practice of sustainable CSR programs.

“The program hopes to professionalize the practice of CSR and gear it towards sustainable practices, which will benefit all of the communities and businesses around the Freeport. In particular, it will sharpen and improve the practice of CSR among SBFZ practitioners,” said Armina Belleza-Llamas, manager of the SBMA Public Relations Department.

Donna May Tamayo, executive director of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, described the CSR initiatives of the SBFZ locators mostly as “reactive” activities, which largely depend on the most pressing challenges that have been confronting the area.

“Most of the CSR activities were just responses to the usual problems that the Freeport encounters such as the disaster risk management. But not much has been done regarding the other concerns of the community. We also want the CSR practitioners to focus not only on the disaster-related programs,” stressed Tamayo.

Meanwhile, Chan discussed the program’s learning sessions, which include lectures and workshops on executing strategic CSR programs, creating CSR partnerships, and managing social impact reports and evaluations, among others.

“The participants can expect to learn how they can market their ideas to management and the media. They will get tips on effectively selling their CSR programs to the shareholders,” said Chan, citing the success of “Protect the Bay” initiative, which aimed to ensure the sustainability of Subic Bay by supporting the local government unit’s rehabilitation and protection efforts in various areas within the bay as well as the local enforcement of environmental policies.

The proceeds of the activity will go to the Giant Clam Seeding Project of SBMA as part of the Protect the Bay program.

Registration for the event costs P3,500, inclusive of meals, training kit, certificates, and loot bags. Interested participants may contact the CSR 101 secretariat for the registration form via phone number (047) 252-3180, fax number 252-3190, or email admin@sbfcc.com and csr@rpenergy.ph.

For more information about the program, the applicants may also reach Victor Persius Chan (09998846462), Armie Lllamas (09175579946), and Donna Tamayo (09285591095). (Sun Star Pampanga)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2014/12/19/sbma-hold-training-program-csr-382845

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SBMA urges stakeholders to guard pawikan nests

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia made a personal appeal to residents and visitors in Subic Bay Freeport Zone to be mindful of nesting places of sea turtles in the free port, and report any sighting and nesting to the agency’s Ecology Center.

“These are gentle creatures that need our protection, for without our help they would likely face extinction,” Garcia pointed out.

“So I’m making a personal appeal to everyone to support our marine turtle conservation program. The presence of these sea turtles or pawikan makes Subic a very special place,” he added.

Garcia said that the SBMA recently launched its “Guard My Nest” sea turtle conservation program to enjoin stakeholders’ participation in making Subic establishments more pawikan-friendly.

“This is why we discourage pavement constructions on the beach where the turtles lay eggs, and urge establishments to minimize lighting at night because this disorients the pawikan,” Garcia said.

“Most of all, we are asking everyone to help keep our beaches clean so that they remain suitable for nesting,” he added.

At least seven beach areas in the free port have been identified as nesting sites for marine turtles. These are the beaches at the Waterfront area, All Hands, Dungaree, Edgewater, Grande Island, Camayan, and Minanga.

“All of these areas, however, contain beach resorts and other commercial tourism establishments, which makes it really important for Subic stakeholders to join us in this campaign,” Garcia also said.

According to Angel Bagaloyos, officer in charge of the SBMA Ecology Center, one out of the six marine turtle species, the Olive ridley, visit Subic Bay to lay eggs, and mostly during the cold months from September to February. Sightings of two other species have been reported here, as well.

This nesting season, the SBMA Ecology Center has already recorded sea turtle nesting at All Hands Beach, with a total of 268 eggs laid; Grande Island, with a total of 835 eggs laid; and Camayan Beach, with a total of 314 eggs.

The eggs are expected to hatch starting this month, and until February, said Rhea Jane Pescador-Mallari, project coordinator of the “Guard My Nest” program.

To help protect the marine turtles, the SBMA Ecology Center tags visiting nesters to add to a global database, guards known nesting sites from predators, and, along with local stakeholders, releases hatchlings to help ensure their survival. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] An Olive ridley sea turtle comes to Subic Bay to lay eggs

[2] A marine turtle nest

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Olongapo traders venture in Subic Freeport hotel project

Last year, this group of businessmen-friends simply wished to have a relaxing place in this free port where they could have late night dinners after long days spent in business meetings and conferences.

Last week, they opened a 70-room hotel and resort complete with a poolside bar and a 24/7 restaurant where they can dine even at very late hours.

This is the Subic Grand Harbour Hotel, the first business venture that members of the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (MOCCI) have established as a joint project in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Among the personalities who graced the inauguration of Subic Grand Harbour Hotel last Thursday were Sen. Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, and Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino.

MOCCI President Aurelio “Bong” Pineda said the project began as a felt need among local businessmen last year.

“We wanted to relax and dine after meetings, but couldn’t find a suitable place at the Freeport. So I asked my colleagues, why don’t we just put up our own place where we can have what we want?” recalled Pineda during the inauguration.

“We (in the MOCCI) believe that Subic remains among the top favorite destinations for local tourists. That is why we couldn’t find a place to go to last year, as the restaurants and hotels were full of customers almost all year round,” Pineda said.

Having made the decision to build their own place, members of the MOCCI chipped in their resources to open the Subic Grand Harbour Hotel in the free port.

Sen. Aquino IV, who cut the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration, lauded the partnership among businessmen-friends, saying the project “is a true testament of friendship.”

Aquino also noted that the local government of Olongapo City is throwing its full support behind MOCCI, even as members of the group had chosen to put their business inside the Subic Freeport instead of in the city.

For his part, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia expressed his appreciation of MOCCI’s confidence with the direction taken by the Subic agency under his administration.

“With the new grand hotel, we are now more confident that we have your trust to lead Subic Freeport towards a brighter future, brighter than how we performed last year,” said Garcia, referring to the SBMA’s record-breaking accomplishment of achieving a net profit of P1.2 billion last year, the highest in the 21-year history of the SBMA.

Garcia added that the Subic Grand Harbour Hotel project would also serve to boost efforts by the SBMA to promote Subic as a year-round tourism destination. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino (3rd from left) and SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia lead the opening of the Subic Grand Harbour Hotel, along with MOCCI President Aurelio Pineda (left) and SBMA Chief Operating Officer Joven Reyes (right). (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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Zoobic, saving wildlife inside the Freeport’s ‘Noah’s Ark’

Subic Bay Freeport, Zambales — A tiger’s roar can be heard occasionally, breaking the buzz of people rushing to the entrance of one of the newest attractions in Subic. Once inside, there’s a feel like one has traveled across continents to this jungle book-come-alive.

A visitor tells her company, “It feels like we’re not in Subic anymore,” perhaps because even the musky scent tells her she’s moving into the wild which no amount of perfume can conceal.

Then, the initial view of animal after animal — not the ones commonly seen in stretches of farmlands on a long drive to the provinces; but a collection of really wild species of animals completely foreign, except perhaps for he pot-bellied pigs.

Here, where the animal kingdom is well represented amid a landscape of diverse fauna, any man will easily second guess his top spot in the food chain.

For in this modern Noah’s Ark, the animals are the priority. With preservation in mind, this beautiful enclosure for animals is not only for entertainment, but education as well.

Aptly called Zoobic Safari, the area boasts of a biodiversity as well as an area that spans thousands of hectares of rainforest inside this premier Freeport zone.

THE “ZOOMANITARIAN”

The area was conceptualized by businessman Robert Yupangco, who takes pride in being a “Filipino Zoomanitarian.”

Yupangco started this endeavor during Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Felicito Payumo’s term just before the turn of the millennium. He envisioned an area where animals roam freely and interact with guests.

At his birthday here last Saturday, Yupangco’s love for animals, however, did not eclipse his heart for the people under his employ. They and their families – some from the Ayta community in Botolan – joined children from the Niños Pagasa in Olongapo City in an all-out treat at Zoobic Safari.

He gave them gifts and a share of his profits. In doing so, Yupangco believes, his employees will love their company, treasure their jobs more, and share his passion for animal conservation.

THE WILD CATS

Zoobic Safari already has more than 40 tigers, including white tigers and baby tigers that were bred inside the facility. The company has successfully bred the two tigers, but is still trying to produce more white tigers for their rarity.

Lions are also present in the facility, but are separated from the tiger enclosure due to cat fights. I guess we might still not see a liger in Subic Freeport.

There are only 4,000 tigers left in the wild. With one percent of the population of tigers found in Zoobic, there might come a time when the Filipinos will be the ones reintroducing the species to their original habitat.

At the start of the 20th century, it is estimated there were over 100,000 tigers in the wild, but the population has dwindled outside of captivity to between 1,500 and 3,500. Major reasons for population decline include habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching.

Demand for tiger parts for use in traditional Chinese medicine has also been cited as a major threat to tiger populations. The global wild tiger population was estimated by the World Wide Fund for Nature at 3,200 in 2011.

CROCS AND MORE

Aside from the big cats, Zoobic Safari also has a crocodile safari that lets you feed a crocodile with a chicken part dangling on a pole. With powerful muscles, the crocodile can easily propel itself towards the bait. Visitors who are not fast enough get their baits eaten early by these giant reptiles.

A savannah for camels, ostriches, Wagyu or Japanese cows, pot-bellied pigs, mountain goats, ponies and other animals is found inside the facility. There is also a Serpentarium, Rodent World, Bird Walk and Aeta’s Trail here.

“But we will also be having a Kamikazoo where there will be a capsule on a zipline going towards a tiger enclosure. It will be the same as the Tiger Safari yet the difference is that the thrill of zipping thru a line is added in the tiger encounter,” Yupangco said.

All these ideas are what set him apart from zoo developers, making him, perhaps, a modern day Noah. He micromanages because he believes he is working towards his vision for the country – to be the last place on earth where endangered animals are safe. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTOS:
[1] CLOSE ENCOUNTER — A rare white tiger plays ‘fight’ with a golden tiger inside an enclosure at Zoobic Safari inside the Subic Freeport.

[3,4] KILLER LOOKS AND ZOOBIC CHARMS — A healthy python seems to beckon (left) as Aeta children, sons and daughters of employees of Zoobic Safari, receive gifts from wildlife advocate and park owner Robert Yupangco (fourth from right) on the occasion of his birth anniversary last Saturday at the Subic Freeport.

[2] CROCODILE APPEAL — Crocodiles stay in their zone for visitors to view their deadly appeal.

http://www.mb.com.ph/zoobic-saving-wildlife-inside-the-freeports-noahs-ark/

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Philippines' total approved foreign investments down by 44.4 percent in Q3 2014

MANILA - Total foreign investments (FI) approved in the third quarter of 2014 by the seven investment promotion agencies (IPAs), namely: Board of Investments (BOI), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as well as the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), BOI-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BOI-ARMM), and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) amounted to P18.3 billion, 44.4 percent lower than the P32.9 billion recorded in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, total approved FI for the first nine months of 2014 reached P91.8 billion, declining by 35.4 percent from the amount recorded last year at P142.1 billion.

The top three prospective investing countries during the quarter include the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States of America (USA). Netherlands topped the list, pledging P4.4 billion or 24.3 percent share, followed by Japan and USA, committing P3.7 billion and P2.8 billion, or 20.1 percent and 15.3 percent of the total approved FI, respectively.

Manufacturing industry contributed the largest amount of committed foreign investments in the third quarter of 2014, with investment pledges recorded at P8.8 billion or 48.0 percent of the total FI. Administrative and support service activities came in second, contributing 20.8 percent or P3.8 billion worth of investment commitments, followed by real estate activities, which accounted for 13.3 percent or P2.4 billion.

Approved investments of foreign and Filipino nationals reached P159.6 billion during the period, declining by 15.7 percent from last year’s P189.3 billion. Filipino nationals continued to dominate the investments approved during the quarter, sharing 88.5 percent or P141.3 billion worth of pledges.

Bulk of the investments are intended to finance activities in manufacturing, contributing P67.6 billion and with a share of 42.4 percent, followed by real estate activities at P31.4 billion or 19.7 percent share, and construction at P24.8 billion or 15.5 percent share.

Total projects of foreign and Filipino investors approved by the seven IPAs in the third quarter of 2014 are expected to generate 54,606 jobs, an increase of 38.9 percent from last year’s projected employment of 39,314 jobs in the same period. Out of these anticipated jobs, 74.3 percent would come from projects with foreign interest. (PIA) 

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2131418721159/total-approved-foreign-investments-down-by-44-4-percent-in-q3-2014-

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Subic Ayta tribe okays $200-M renewable energy project

The Pastolan Ayta community has approved the establishment of a renewable energy project to be located inside an 800-hectare area of the Ayta ancestral domain in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Ayta tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla and Ayta elder Bonifacio Florentino signed a memorandum of agreement on Friday with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia and Jobin SQM Inc. President Nancy Tan for the implementation of the energy project on Mount Sta. Rita here.

Tan also presented the Ayta leaders with a P1-million check representing the company’s donation to the tribe.

The proceeding s was witnessed by representatives from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), which oversees the welfare of native communities.

According to Chairman Garcia, Jobin SQM Inc. intends to build a $200-million facility here that will produce power from clean energy sources. The facility will produce 150 megawatts of combined solar and wind energy.

Garcia said the project is in line with RA 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which aims to accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources, increase utilization of such and promote their efficient and cost-effective commercial application. The law was also designed to effectively prevent or reduce harmful emissions to protect public health and the environment.

The alternative energy project, Garcia further said, was formally committed during President Aquino’s state visit to China in September 2011.

The development and promotion of renewable energy has been set as among the priority projects of the national government under the Investment Priorities Plan of 2012.

To carry out the Subic project, Jobin has successfully satisfied the requirements set by the Department of Energy and has engaged the partnership of HydroChina International Engineering Co., LTD. (HIECL) for a joint venture.

HydroChina, which engages in renewable energy development projects worldwide, operates projects in the fields of hydropower and water conservancy, solar and electric power, as well as ports, highways and buildings.

Garcia said the Jobin project will be a pioneering venture for the establishment of renewable energy facilities in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
[1] SUBIC RENEWABLE ENERGY. SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (center) signs an agreement for the development of renewable energy projects in the Subic Bay Freeport with Jobin SQM President Nancy Tan (2nd from right), and Ayta tribal leaders Conrado Frenilla (2nd from left) and Bonifacio Florentino. The alternative energy project—a 150-megawatt solar and wind power facility—will be located at an area covered by the Ayta ancestral domain in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

[2] P1-MILLION DONATION. Jobin SQM President Nancy Tan presents a check worth P1 million to Ayta tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla, as SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia looks approvingly. Jobin SQM Inc. will develop a 150-megawatt solar and wind power facility that will be located at an area covered by the Ayta ancestral domain in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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Olongapo City elevated to Hall of Fame as PWD-Friendly City in Region 3

The local government of Olongapo led by Mayor Rolen Paulino was elevated to the hall of fame after clinching the Most Outstanding PWD-Friendly City in Central Luzon for three consecutive years.

In accepting the award from the Regional Council on Disability Affairs, Paulino said this only shows that the local government of Olongapo gives priority in taking care of the city's PWD residents.

“We will not be receiving this award if not for our Persons with Disability Office under the care of Jun Pascua and his staff. They are doing a superb job,” Paulino said.

Among those who competed for the award were Mabalacat City, Malolos City, Angeles City, Tarlac City and San Jose del Monte.

PWD-friendly programs that set the city apart are its comprehensive documentation of PWDs, projects for PWDs such as feeding programs, free medical checkups, free dental services, and free eye check ups inclusive of free eyeglasses.

The local government also passed city ordinance no. 25 series of 2014 upholding the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, as well as other programs implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.

The city will be vying for the same title at the national level. (SNL)

PHOTO:
Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino receives a Plaque of Recognition from the Central Luzon Federation of Persons with Disability for his genuine support & contribution to the cause of PWDs. The plaque was awarded last December 5, 2014 at Stotsemberg Clark Field Angeles City.

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‘Hanjin town’ bracing for impact of development

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales—This third-class municipality is now expecting more benefits from business investments that accompany the growth of Hanjin, the South Korean company that has established a successful shipbuilding operation at the Subic Bay Freeport’s Redondo Peninsula.

While the Hanjin shipyard is geographically in Subic town, it is Castillejos, Subic’s next-door neighbor, that has experienced the most dramatic development impact from the growth of the Hanjin shipyard over the years.

“Since Hanjin started building its facility in 2006, Castillejos has experienced its biggest economic boom ever,” remarked Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez last week, as he appeared at a dental and medical outreach project conducted by the shipbuilding company at the Hanjin Village here.

He said that, in particular, the influx of Hanjin workers—about 25,000 at last count—had resulted in the booming of businesses here in Castillejos, which is now easily the biggest “bedroom community” for shipyard workers.

Dominguez said most of the workers at Hanjin came to settle at Castillejos because the main road they take to their job site passes through the town’s Barangay Balaybay. The number of settlers increased faster in 2012 when Hanjin built its low-cost housing project here at Barangay Nagbunga.

“Balaybay and Nagbunga are now the biggest barangays in our town in terms of population,” Dominguez said. “The workers sleep here, so houses, apartments and rooms for rent flourished. Then, they also buy their food and other household needs here, so local businesses are growing,” the mayor added.

According to town records, Castillejos has experienced the biggest population growth spurt after Hanjin started operation.

In 2000 the town, which has the smallest land area among the 13 towns in Zambales, had a population of only 33,108. In 2007 when the Hanjin shipyard opened, the population of Castillejos rose to 42,910, with a growth rate of 3.64 percent yearly.

Just three years after, in 2010, the town’s population was already 48,845, with the growth rate now registering 4.83 percent.

The coming of Hanjin also coincided with the establishment here of the town’s first automatic teller machine booths, first mini-shopping mall, first restaurant franchise and first 7-Eleven convenience store, said Bernie Chiong, the mayor’s secretary.

In areas where most Hanjin workers rent their rooms, food stalls and videoke bars have also sprung up, adding to the income of local entrepreneurs, Chiong noted. He also said that, with more Hanjin workers in town, the shops in Castillejos now remain open until midnight, when these used to close at 5 p.m. owing to slow business.

Aside from providing economic benefits, Hanjin also regularly undertakes health and education outreach projects, Dominguez said, adding that the company even put up a new public elementary school at the Hanjin Village in time for the opening of classes this year.

“If this economic boom continues, Castillejos may eventually grow to become a city, thanks to Hanjin,” Dominguez added. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/hanjin-town-bracing-for-impact-of-development/

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SBMA holds 1st Women’s Summit

Womenfolk here and around this premier free port received orientation on their rights, privileges, and opportunities as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) made history by holding the first Women’s Summit in the community.

With the theme, “Ang Bagong Pinay,” the two-day gathering sought to promote the welfare and development of womenfolk and update them on the latest socio-economic and political issues that have significant bearing on them.

The event was organized by the SBMA thru its Gender and Development Focal Point System and as part of the SBMA’s week-long celebration of its 22nd founding anniversary.

“This is a historic event for SBMA in the sense that this is the first gathering to tackle gender and development,” remarked SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia as he welcomed participants last Wednesday.

“I am sure that from the line-up of speakers you have prepared, you will learn so much on how we can further promote the concept of ‘Ang Bagong Pinay’ and address the issues that confront women in the workplace today,” Garcia added.

No less than Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo was guest of honor in the assembly and imparted her ideas on “Women and their Careers on being a Wife, Mother and Leader.”

Aside from Robredo, other speakers fired up the summit with timely discussions on the first day: Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation Inc. Director for External Affairs Varinia Tinga spoke on “Women in the Corporate World”; Subic Bay Colleges Inc. Vice President for Academic Affair Marilou Nicart tackled “Telecommuting for Women”; Sandiganbayan Third Division Executive Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma spoke on “Violence Against Women,” as well as RA 10398, an act declaring November 25 as National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children; and SM elevator girl and YouTube sensation Cheridel Alejandrino urged womenfolk to “Be The Best That You Can Be.”

On the second day of lectures, FQ Mom Rose Fausto talked about “Financial Liberation for Women”; and Philippine Commission on Women Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa lectured on “Magna Carta of Women.”

Among those who trooped to the Women’s Summit were employees of the SBMA, workers of Subic Bay Freeport companies, employees of the Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), and residents and students from Olongapo City and parts of Zambales.

Other activities during the week-long celebration of the SBMA anniversary were a jobs fair at the Harbor Point mall, where 10,386 job positions were opened to applicants; the annual recognition of the Ten Most Outstanding Freeport Workers who epitomize the best of what the Subic Bay Freeport has to offer in terms of workers’ performance; and the Milestone Service Awards that recognized around 200 SBMA employees who have been serving the agency for 15 and 20 years. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Members of the United Women Artists Association of the Philippines hand over to SBMA Planning Development Office manager Amethya Koval (right) the finished piece "Ang Bagong Pinay,” created through interactive painting by the group during the two-day 1st Women’s Summit at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Heads of community groups and government agencies sign a pledge of commitment for gender equality, responsive governance, and woman’s rights protection during the two-day 1st Women’s Summit at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in the Subic Bay Freeport. Among those who signed the pledge were Olongapo City officials led by Mayor Rolen Paulino; Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Rose Baldeo; and representatives from the Civil Service Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment, and law enforcement agencies. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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10 most outstanding Subic Freeport workers named

The Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. (SBWDFI) has announced this year’s 10 Most Outstanding Freeport Workers who have made positive contributions towards achieving productivity, harmony, and industrial peace inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Atty. Severo Pastor Jr., head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department and SBWDFI president, identified the winners as Alvin Begosa, Yehleen Cecilio, Gigi Estalilla, Dindo Dante Gonzaga, Edwin Madayag, Richard Nicdao, Romwel Pangilinan, Pedro Tadena Sr., and Gomer Tolentino.

The 10 awardees received plaques of recognition, cash prizes, and gift certificates, as well as words of appreciation from Subic Freeport officials.

Speaking during the awarding ceremony at the Subic Bay Arts Center (SuBAC), SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said the 10 outstanding workers symbolize the professionalism, dedication, and passion of Filipino workers for the job entrusted to them by their respective companies.

He noted that Subic’s continuing increase in revenue collections, construction boom, and tourism growth only show that the Freeport is being maintained and operated by the finest workforce in the country today.

“Truly, if all workers in the country would only follow the examples shown by our 10 outstanding workers, the Philippines will not only have 7 percent gross domestic product, but more. And we can be assured of a better future ahead,” Garcia said.

Pastor, meanwhile, stressed that the SBWDFI has formulated this year a more tedious competitive selection process where candidates were chosen from the more than 90,000 workforce of the Freeport.

He added that to establish integrity in the selection process, an independent board of judges was formed. This was composed Dr. Zenia Mostoles, Zambales DepEd Superintendent, Dir. Virginia Bondoc of TESDA-Zambales, and Dir. Maria Teresita Cancio of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board- Region III, as head of the body.

Pastor said that the winners were noted for their outstanding performance and accomplishments. The first awardee, Alvin Begosa, started as room attendant at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in 2010 and rose to become property custodian today.

Meanwhile, Yehleen Cecilio of Polarmarine started as planning staff in 2003 and after four promotions due to her positive attitudes toward work, she is now the Production Support Section Supervisor.

Gigi Estalilla, a staff at the SBMA Public Relations Office, was a finalist in the 2008 search for SBMA Employee of the Year, and holds positions in a cooperative group in the Freeport, the newly-formed SBMA Employees Association, and the Zambales chapter of the LGBT group Ladlad.

Dindo Dante Gonzaga is a production foreman at Delta Production Phils., where he teaches co-workers on how to improve their products.

Edwin Madayag, of Hitachi Group, has worked with the company since 1998 as machine operator with devotion and faithfulness.

Hazel Valera, of GrainPro Phils., where she worked for seven years and was promoted to Senior Manager for Supply Chain.

A SBMA Volunteer in 1992, who was also employed as Production Plant Operator by the SBMA Public Works Group until his absorption by the Subic Water and Sewerage Company, Richard Nicdao is a dedicated employee who serves beyond schedule.

Meanwhile, from being a lifeguard at the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium since 2009, Romwel Pangilinan was promoted recently as officer-in-charge of safety events after showing his loyalty and dedication.

Another worker from Delta Production Philippines, PedroTadena Sr., was cited for sharing the skills and knowledge he learned from the company with his co-workers.

Lastly, Gomer Tolentino of Nicera Phils. started out as Electronics Design Engineer in 2001 and is now the Senior Product Manager of the firm. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Awardees of the 2014 Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers proudly display their trophies during the awards ceremony held at the Subic Bay Arts Center on Monday, November 24. The search is an annual project of the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic expands port, road for P11B

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is expanding Subic port as well as build a new road that will directly connect to SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) for an estimated cost of P11 billion in preparation of a huge spill over from the Manila port three years from now.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia told reporters during an interview at the recent Manila Ports Summit that the expansion of the port could cost P7 billion while the new road at P4 billion.

“This expansion is immediate because the volume of cargoes going to Manila is expected to reach 6 million twenty-footer equivalent units (TEUs) in two to three years the existing 3 million TEUs at present,” he said. Of the 3 million TEUs, 15 percent of that comes from the northern and central Luzon areas, which could easily shift to Subic.

“We are in the process of updating an old study of the seaport so we can submit this proposal to NEDA and we can start this project immediately because it will take three years to build a new port and a road network,” Garcia said.

Garcia explained that the two ports in New Container Terminal 1 and 2, which are owned and operated by Subic ICTSI Inc., a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc., have berthing capacity of 300,000 TEUs each or a combined capacity of 600,000 TEUs.

The current Subic port cargo volume is only 75,000 TEUs or at least 15 percent port capacity. But with 4 international shipping lines (SITC, APL, Wan Hai and NYK) now calling in Subic, they have opened the freeport to wider international coverage that includes China, Jàpan, Taiwan and Singapore.

“These four shipping lines are expected to boost cargo volume to 250,000 to 300,000 TEUs next year,” he said.

This means NCT 1 and 2 could increase their capacity utilization to 30 percent by next year already.

“If we don’t expand the port now, it might be too late when cargoes in Manila reach 6 M TEUs in three years,” he added. Subic and Batangas ports have been designated by the government as alternative Manila ports following the port congestion in Manila.

Garcia said they have already identified another 15-hectare lot for the new port. SBMA may bid out the new port, he said.

The other component in the SBMA plan is to construct a bypass road that will run through Bataan and into the SCTEX.

Garcia stressed that the current TIPO road is running out of capacity with 68 trucks an hour plying this Clark-Subic expressway.

‘So even if we don’t expand the port we still have to build this new road,” he added. It will be a 23-kilometer bypass road that will run through Bataan and into SCTEX.

“This is the long term solution to the Manila port congestion, but this can happen in the short term,” he said.

Meantime, Garcia said that SBMA revenues in the first ten months this year went up by 21 percent while operating revenues grew 42 percent. Combined with unrealized foreign exchange savings in 2013 and 2014, the freeport is expected to post 152 percent increase in net income this year over last year, which was already a record year.

Revenues this year could exceed the P2.5-billion target for the year. For 2015, Garcia expects revenues to reach P2.8 billion largely driven by higher port revenues.

SBMA is the 9th biggest government-owned and controlled corporation revenue contributor to the national coffers with P243 million in cash dividends to the government in 2013. (Bernie Magkilat, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
BUSY PORT – Hauling trucks and reach stackers move some of the container vans in Subic Bay Freeport at the New Container Terminal-1 in Subic Bay Freeport. Manila port has transferred most of its overstaying cargoes to Subic to help ease the port congestion felt in Manila. (Jonas Reyes)

http://www.mb.com.ph/subic-expands-port-road-for-p11b/

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