MSC’s USNS Charles Drew hosts ship tour to Subic Bay's medical professionals

Eleven Filipino nationals toured the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) during a community relations event in Subic Bay, March 3.

The Filipino nationals were staff members comprised of nurses and medical technicians from the Unihealth- Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center located here.

The event was sponsored by Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the guests were those who provide care to civilian mariners in the form of physicals, Medical Surveillance Program renewals (MSPs) and other urgent and routine medical needs.

The Baypointe staff were treated to a hardy dinner onboard and given a tour of the ship which included the bridge, the SA330-J Puma helicopter cargo handling areas, and the ship's medical department.

"Thank you very much for a wonderful experience touring the ship," said Marjurie Hernandez, from the marketing department at Baypointe Hospital. The staff stated they had a memorable time and for some of them this was their first time seeing a U.S. Navy ship up close.

MSC currently contracts with Baypointe Hospital and other local medical facilities in the Subic Bay area for the completion of required MSC medical exams. The USNS Charles Drew is currently assigned to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (dvidshub.net)

PHOTO:
Filipino nationals pose for a photo in the dining facility during a tour of the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10), March 3. (Photo courtesy of Marjurie Hernandez)

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/191502/mscs-usns-charles-drew-hosts-ship-tour-medical-professionals#.Vt7fEZx97WJ

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SBMA, Virginia Port Authority forge alliance of cooperation

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Virginia Port Authority (VPA) established an Alliance of Cooperation on 05 March 2016 in a ceremony held at the Virginia International Gateway Terminal in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The Alliance was established by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Roberto V. Garcia, SBMA Chairman and Administrator; and John F. Reinhart, VPA CEO and Executive Director.

The MOU will provide a framework for information sharing aimed at generating new business by promoting the all-water route between the Subic Bay Freeport and The Port of Virginia. The Alliance will also explore joint marketing efforts; share non-confidential data that may be useful for developing the bilateral relationship of the ports; exchange information resulting from market studies that may be mutually relevant; look at the possibility of developing joint- or cross-training seminars; and transfer technical or technological capabilities.

Chairman Garcia underscored the MOU’s importance to deepening the Philippines-US economic relationship.

“This MOU is landmark and pioneering. It provides an opportunity for Subic Bay Freeport and the Port of Virginia to learn from each other with a view to cooperating on areas of mutual interest and concern in pursuit of economic development. The choice of Subic Bay Freeport also reaffirms the long-standing historical ties and friendship between the Philippines and the United States,” Chairman Garcia said.

Russel J. Held, Vice President for Economic Development of the Virginia Port Authority, expressed optimism that the MOU will allow the two ports to share best practices with each other, and positively impact on jobs creation, tax space, and the economic well-being of the communities outside the gates of the two ports.

“Learning from each other is what the agreement is all about,” said Mr. Held.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Benjamin Antonio III and Wilfredo Pineda, Members of the SBMA Board of Directors; Marcelino Sanqui, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations; Ronnie Yambao, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Business and Investments; Warren Harris, Executive Director of the Virginia Beach Economic Development Office; Scott Hall, Deputy Executive Director; and Ms. Naomi Estaris, COO/VP of Sister Cities Association of Virginia Beach.

In a statement, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. also welcomed the signing of the MOU.

“This Alliance clearly reaffirms the dynamic and robust Philippine-US economic partnership. It is our hope that this Alliance of Cooperation between SBMA and VPA can deepen and strengthen not only the relationship of the Subic Bay Freeport and the Port of Virginia, but also trade and investment between the Philippines and the United States,” Ambassador Cuisia said.

At a meeting organized by the Virginia Beach Economic Development Office after the signing ceremony, Chairman Garcia and his delegation also met with Delegate Ron Villanueva, a Filipino-American member of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation.

The Philippine delegation and Delegate Villanueva had a wide-ranging discussion on issues relating to transportation, shipping, port operations, and opportunities for investments in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. At the same meeting, the delegation also fielded questions from the heads of a number of Virginia SMEs who are seriously interested in investing in the construction, real estate, and manufacturing sectors.

The SBMA is the Philippine agency that administers and manages the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, including the Subic Bay Freeport. The Port of Subic Bay is strategically located along major shipping routes in the South China Sea, which makes it an ideal transshipment point to and from the trans-Pacific, Japan, Korea, China, and the rest of Southeast Asia. It has a natural deep navigational channel with berthing facilities, and is easily accessible by land to and from Metro Manila as well as North and Central Luzon.

The VPA administers the Port of Virginia, which comprises six general cargo terminals. It is also strategic with deep shipping channels, zero air-draft restrictions, located in the US Mid-Atlantic with access to two-thirds of the US population within a day’s drive or two-day double-stack rail to/from the Midwest, quick access to the open sea and friendly labor relations.

The initial idea for such an Alliance was developed during a visit by a Virginia Beach delegation to SBMA. Olongapo City and Virginia Beach are sister cities.

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia and VPA President for Economic Development Russel J. Held exchanged copies of the Memorandum of Understanding establishing an Alliance of Cooperation between SBMA and VPA on 05 March 2016 at the Virginia International Gateway Terminal in Portsmouth, VA, USA.

[2] SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (2nd from right) exchanges views with Delegate Ron Villanueva, Chairman of the Transportation Committee of the Virginia House of Delegates (leftmost). At right is SBMA Director Benjamin Antonio III.

http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org/news/4907/300/SBMA-VIRGINIA-PORT-AUTHORITY-FORGE-ALLIANCE-OF-COOPERATION/d,phildet/

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First visit to PH after 15 years: Japanese submarine to make port call in Subic Bay

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to send one of its submarines to the Philippines for a port call next month to Subic Bay, a Defense Ministry source said Sunday.

While the envisaged voyage is aimed at training MSDF officers and fostering goodwill with the Philippines, Japan is keen to help Southeast Asian countries improve their surveillance capabilities in the South China Sea where China is pursuing militarization.

The plan is for a submarine to leave Japan together with two destroyers in the latter half of this month, the source said.

The vessels are scheduled to cross Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, and dock at Subic Bay, north of Manila, in April, according to the source.

The destroyers will then proceed to make a port call to Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam.

The Japanese government is also considering leasing a number of MSDF TC-90 training aircraft to the Philippines, according to government sources.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea and has competing territorial claims with Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. (The Manaichi)

http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160306/p2g/00m/0in/046000c

Japanese submarine to visit Philippines

A Japanese submarine will visit the Philippines for the first time in 15 years, along with two warships that will then sail on to Vietnam, in a show of support for nations opposed to China’s ambitions in the West Philippine Sea, a person familiar with the matter said.

The Japanese submarine, which is used for training, and the destroyers will arrive in the Philippines in April. The escort vessels will later sail to Vietnam’s strategic Cam Ranh Bay base on the West Philippine Sea, the source said.

“It sends a message. It is important for Japan to show its presence,” the person with knowledge of the plan said on Monday, March 7, 2016. He asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

A Japanese Ministry of Defense spokesman declined to comment on any submarine visit but said the navy normally conducted training voyages in March and April.

“But we are still in the planning stage so are unable to provide details,” he said.

The visits were first reported by Japanese media, including the Sankei newspaper, on March 6.

Asked about the visits, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Japan occupied the Spratly Islands during World War Two so China was on “high alert” for Japan’s military moves there.

“The cooperation of relevant countries should benefit regional stability and should not be directed at third parties or harm another country’s sovereignty or security interests,” he told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

Of the countries bordering the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea, the Philippines and Vietnam are most opposed to China expanding its influence in the region by building bases on reclaimed islands.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had not received any official notification of a visit by a Japanese submarine, a military spokesman said, though a visit to the Subic Bay naval base was expected.

“Informally, we know a Japanese submarine is visiting Subic in April,” said the AFP spokesman, Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla.

Rather than confronting China in such a direct way, Japan instead wants to build the capacity of nations in the region to improve their surveillance of Chinese forces. Japan’s Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani is due to travel to the Philippines in April to discuss cooperation.

Japan has already offered to supply the Philippines with aircraft that will help bolster patrols over the disputed sea. Japan wants to give the Philippines a handful of Beechcraft TC-90 King Air training planes that could be fitted with basic surface and air surveillance radar.

The Philippines has also asked the United States to hold joint naval patrols.

Japan and Vietnam agreed in November to hold their first joint naval exercise.

The United States has no claim on the West Philippine Sea and said it takes no sides, though it has been highly critical of China’s assertiveness and said it will protect freedom of navigation. (Reuters)

PHOTO:

The Uzushio submarine of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) bursts to the surface during a fleet review at Sagami Bay, off Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, October 18, 2015. (Reuters/Toru Hanai)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-southchinasea-japan-philippines-idUSKCN0W90RH

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Pinoy Aquaman and triathlon legend conquer Subic Bay

INGEMAR Macarine, also known as the Pinoy Aquaman, completed his 20th successful open-water swim when he and his partner, legendary Filipino triathlete Frank Lacson, conquered the 10.38-kilometer stretch of Subic Bay Sunday morning.

The calm seas helped Macarine and Lacson as they made their way though the waters of Subic Bay with ease when they started their swim around 6 a.m.

According to Macarine, the sea was perfect unlike his previous swims, where the sea was rough. But he said he and Lacson still had difficulties because they were swimming against the current. Still, they managed to finish their task in a faster time.

They completed their swim from Grande Island in Bataan to Barrio Barreto in Olongapo City in Zambales in three hours and 47 minutes.

It was actually a double celebration for Macarine as it was also his son’s birthday.

This open-water swim of Macarine and Lacson was for a charitable cause. It was done for the benefit of the Bicycle Friendly Philippines, a group that helps families that lost loved ones due to cycling accidents.

The swim also served as part of Macarine’s preparations for his attempt to conquer the English Channel from London to France, spanning a distance of 35 km, this August. (Glendale G. Rosal, Cebu Daily News)

PHOTO:

Pinoy Aquaman Ingemar Macarine and Frank "the legend" Lacson traversing Subic Bay from Grande Island to Bo. Barretto in Olongapo City. (photos from Macarine's FB page)

http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/88463/88463

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Alexander conquers Ironman 70.3, Borlain sisters rule in Ironkids

The Craig Alexander Show finally unfurled in the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay Pilipinas race.

Determined to complete an unfinished business in the race that he agonizingly missed last year due to injury, five-time world titlist Alexander put his legendary skills on display and claimed the coveted men’s pro crown at the expense of younger rivals.

The 42 year-old Alexander unleashed a blistering windup that left pacesetter Patrick Lange in his wake, surging past the German at the 13-kilometer mark of the run and maintaining at least a 400-meter lead en route to topping the $15,000 world championships-qualifying race in 3:48:56.

Lange, who led most of the way, checked in nearly two seconds later at the finish line in front of the Subic Convention Center. Last year’s winner Tim Reed of Australia also fell under Alexander spell and settled for the bronze in 3:52:28.

It was a triumph that was one-year-in-the-making at the former US base for Alexander. The veteran Australian triathlete fondly called “Crowie” was supposed to make his debut in Subic in 2015 but a bad back forced him to pull out at the last minute.

“I was determined to put up a good performance to repay Fred (Uytengsu of organizer Sunrise Events, Inc.). He’s always inviting me to be in their events and when I finally came last year, I wasn’t able to make it on the starting line,” said Alexander. “Hopefully I made up for that today.”

Alexander trailed after the 1.9K swim and 90K bike phases but shifted to high gear in the culminating 21K run. (Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star)

Borlain sisters pull off rare triathlon hat-trick in 2016 Alaska Ironkids

The Borlain Sisters accomplished a rare triathlon hat-trick as they swept their respective age categories in the 2016 Alaska Ironkids held at Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday.

Samantha Borlain, the eldest of the three, topped the 13-14 year-old girl’s category while her sister Tara finished first in the 11-12 age group, and youngest sister Franchezka, 8, was the fastest in the 6-8 age group.

Samantha and Tara even reportedly encountered problems with their bikes during the first transition of the 400-meter swim, 12 km bike and 3 km run course, but managed to make up for lost time in the bike and run stages.

The sisters, along with all first place finishers at Remy Field, were awarded with all-expense trips to Cebu to compete in Ironman Cebu this August.

Their father Ringo, a former competitive bodybuilder and current national team coach, was naturally pleased with the feat of his daughters who he personally trained. But he was quick to point out that he would have been happy regardless of their finish as long as his girls enjoyed the experience.

“Number one you have fun. Always you have to have fun. If it’s not fun let’s not do this,” he told SPIN.ph after the race.

That aspect was evident with the way they supported and cheered for each other during the entire race, until the last sister crossed the finish line.

“They help each other by pushing each other,” explained their mom Caroline.

“They have this inner desire. I don’t know where they got it… bata pa lang sila ganoon na,” added Ringo. (Rhoel V Fernandez, Spin.ph)

PHOTOS:

[1] Triathletes start the 1.9km swim phase of the Century Tuna 70.3 Subic Bay Pilipinas. (Jun Mendoza, PhilStar)

[2] Samantha, Tara and Franchezka celebrate at the podium. (Jaime Campos, Spin.ph)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/03/07/1560297/great-alexander-conquers-ironman-70.3

http://www.spin.ph/triathlon/active-lifestyle/borlain-sisters-are-big-winners-in-2016-alaska-ironkids-in-subic-

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PHL waits for UN response on impounded North Korean ship

THE Philippine coast guard said it was closely watching a North Korean vessel and its 21 crew members on Sunday, as officials waited for a response from the United Nations days after the ship was seized in compliance with new sanctions.

The 6,830-ton cargo ship, the Jin Teng, is being held at Subic port, northeast of Manila, where the Philippine coast guard is guarding the freighter and monitoring its crew, said coast guard spokesman Commander Armand Balilo.

“We will probably keep it in Subic pending our request for guidance on its disposition,” he said.

The ship’s 21 North Korean crew members remain onboard but are otherwise not restricted, he told AFP.

“They are just on the ship. They are remaining there. They have provisions of their own. They won’t try to escape,” Mr. Balilo said, adding there was no need to provide them with any supplies yet.

Earlier this week, a government spokesman said the North Koreans would eventually be deported, but there has been no confirmation when that would take place.

The Philippines said on Saturday, authorities had impounded the vessel in accordance with fresh UN sanctions introduced in the wake of Pyongyang’s recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

It was the first reported enforcement of the sanctions, the toughest to date, which were adopted late Wednesday by the UN Security Council.

Mr. Balilo said the coast guard has inspected the ship twice, once using electronic sensors to search for weapons. However, no contraband has been found.

A team from the UN is expected to inspect the ship in Subic, a former United States naval base, foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said earlier.

The Jin Teng arrived in the Philippines from Palembang, Indonesia, on Thursday afternoon, just hours after the latest sanctions were unanimously passed.

In response to the UN’s move, Pyongyang fired six short-range missiles into the sea on Thursday, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered its nuclear arsenal put on standby for pre-emptive use at any time. (AFP)

PHOTO:
This general view shows the North Korean cargo ship Jin Teng, anchored at the former US naval base at Subic port, north of Manila, on March 4. (AFP)

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Philippines impounds North Korean ship under UN sanctions

The Philippines said on Saturday it had impounded a North Korean vessel in response to tough new United Nations sanctions introduced in response to Pyongyang's recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

The 6,830-tonne cargo ship Jin Teng will not be allowed to leave Subic port, northeast of the capital Manila, where it had been docked for three days and its crew will be deported, presidential spokesman Manolo Quezon said on state-run radio station Radyo ng Bayan.

It was the first reported case of the sanctions -- the toughest to date, which were adopted late Wednesday by the UN Security Council -- being enforced.

"The world is concerned over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme and as a member of the UN, the Philippines has to do its part to enforce the sanctions," Quezon said.

A team from the UN is expected to inspect the ship in the port, located near a former United States naval base, foreign affairs spokesman Charles Jose said.

Jose told AFP the ship was impounded "in compliance with the UN resolution" and did not depend on the results of the inspections.

The Jin Teng, carrying palm kernels, was searched for the second time on Saturday, this time using electronic weapons sensors, coastguard spokesman Commander Armand Balilo told AFP, adding the 21 crewmen were "very cooperative".

Balilo said no explosives, drugs or banned substances have been found so far.

North Korea has no embassy in the Philippines. Its embassies in Thailand and Indonesia were unavailable for comment when contacted by AFP.

There are no other North Korean ships docked in Subic, according to the coastguard.

The Jin Teng arrived in Subic from Palembang, Indonesia Thursday afternoon, just hours after the latest sanctions were unanimously passed.

In response to the UN's move, Pyongyang fired six short-range missiles into the sea on Thursday, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered its nuclear arsenal put on standby for pre-emptive use at any time.

On Friday, the European Union also tightened sanctions against North Korea by adding 16 people and 12 entities to a list of some 60 individuals and groups who were hit with travel bans and asset freezes. (AFP News)

PHOTO:
The cargo ship Jin Teng will not be allowed to leave Subic port, where it had been docked for three days and its crew will be deported.

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SBMA Ok’s GigaMare training center in Subic Freeport

Further boosting the thriving maritime business here, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently signed a lease contract with GigaMare, Inc. for the establishment of a training center for maritime and other offshore safety short-term courses.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, who signed the agreement with GigaMare president and CEO Jari M. Ullakonoja, said that the new training center project also manifests Subic’s efforts to become a major maritime logistics hub in the region by.

Walden Tantuico, GigaMare’s chairman of the board, said the firm will establish, operate, and manage a training center designed for short courses in maritime, power plant, and offshore oil, gas, and mining industries.

He added that the center will utilize audio-visual simulator facilities, information technology, computers, and other equipment to provide the necessary actual training for maritime cadets.
Under the contract signed by Garcia and Ullakonoja, GigaMare has committed to infuse over P60 million for its seven-year development program, which includes the provision of 12 scholarship grants (including two slots for SBMA) per year starting academic year 2016-2017.

GigaMare Inc., which was established in March 2013, took over the operations of Wärtsilä Corporation, which conducted similar training operations in the Philippines. GigaMare also took over Wärtsilä’s training infrastructure located in a four-building complex at the Ilanin forest in Subic Bay Freeport.

In signing the contract, Garcia noted that the Port of Subic is becoming a model for many ports in the country in terms of innovations and marketing strategies, which has resulted in greater revenue growth for the SBMA sea port.

Garcia also said the Subic agency plans to develop a well-managed sea logistics hub for joint civilian and military use, utilizing the full capacity of sea port facilities here like the former Naval Supply Depot (NSD) and the New Container Terminal (NCT).

By putting the plan in place, the Port of Subic will become the preferred logistics gateway in Northern and Central Luzon, including the Greater Manila Area, by year 2020, Garcia also said.(RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman Roberto V.Garcia signs an agreement with GigaMare Inc. President and CEO Jari M.Ullakonoja for the establishment and operation of a maritime training center in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Chairman Roberto V.Garcia shakes hand with Gigamare Inc. President and CEO Jari M. Ullakonoja after signing an agreement for the establishment and operation of a maritime training center in Subic Bay Freeport. GigaMare Chairman Walden Tantuico (left) and SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business Stefani Saño witnessed the signing. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Triathletes help release pawikan hatchlings in Subic Bay

Participants in the upcoming Century Tuna 70.3 Triathlon take time off from training to help release into the sea Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ​last ​Wednesday morning, along with Environment Specialist Rhea Jane Mallari (center in blue shirt) of the SBMA Ecology Center.

Around 150 newly-hatched Olive Ridleys, which are among the endangered species of sea turtles or “pawikan”, ​have been​ released at Dungeree Beach, which will be the kick-off site for the Century Tuna 70.3 Triathlon on Sunday, March 6.

(AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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North Korean cargo ship inspected in Subic Bay

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine coast guard inspected a North Korean cargo vessel that docked at a port northwest of Manila in one of the first such checks since the U.N. Security Council imposed further sanctions on Pyongyang over its nuclear program.

The MV Jin Teng was inspected in Subic Bay, a former U.S.-run naval base, after it arrived Thursday from Balembang, Indonesia, loaded with palm kernel expeller, Coast Guard Commander Raul Belesario said Friday.

Belesario, who heads the port control division that includes Subic, said five coast guard personnel accompanied by two bomb sniffer dogs boarded the vessel Thursday. The inspectors did not find any suspicious materials but spotted minor deficiencies including missing fire hoses, a corroded air vent, and electrical switches without insulation.

Another inspection will be done before the ship sails for southwestern China’s Zhanjiang port, and the ship will only be allowed to depart if the deficiencies have been rectified, he added. The vessel’s departure date is unclear.

As of Friday, cargo was still being unloaded from the ship. Palm kernel expeller is a byproduct of palm oil production and has several uses, including as feed for farm animals.

The ship’s documents showed the cargo was for consignees in the Philippines and no new cargo would be loaded at Subic Bay, Belesario said.

The Security Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the toughest sanctions on North Korea in two decades, reflecting growing anger at Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test and rocket launch in defiance of a ban on all nuclear-related activity.

The United States and North Korea’s traditional ally China spent seven weeks negotiating the new sanctions. They include mandatory inspections of cargo leaving and entering North Korea by sea or air, a ban on all sales or transfers of small arms and light weapons to Pyongyang, and expulsion of diplomats from the North who engage in “illicit activities.” (Associated Press)

PHOTO:
Crewmen of the North Korean cargo vessel Jin Teng stand on the middle of the deck as it unloads its cargo while docked at Subic Bay, in Zambales province, northwest of Manila, Philippines, Friday, March 4, 2016. The Philippine coast guard inspected a North Korean cargo vessel that docked at a port northwest of Manila in one of the first such checks since the U.N. Security Council imposed further sanctions on Pyongyang over its nuclear program. (AP Photo/Jun Dumaguing)

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SBMA earnings increased by 12% to P1.7B in 2015

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has posted a total of P1.7 billion in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the previous year, thereby allowing the Subic agency not only to sustain its operations but also to fund more development projects in the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, comparing the agency’s EBITDA in the last two years, said that the P1.7 billion earnings last year represented an increase of 11.89 per cent over the P1.5 billion record in 2014.

“This positive inflow permitted us to undertake several infrastructure projects that were designed to improve the attractiveness of the Freeport to investors,” Garcia said.

“The more we improve the Freeport, the more we earn; and the more we earn, the more we can afford further developments,” he added.

Garcia said that the 2015 earnings of P1.7 billion was derived from a total of P2.75 billion in operating revenue, less the P1.05 billion total in operating expenses.

He attributed the increase to the 12.8 per cent increase in operating revenues despite the 14.4 per cent increase in total expenditures in the same period.

According to a year-end report from the SBMA Finance Group, the SBMA posted operating revenues of P1.34 billion derived from leases; P933 million from port services; P12.6 million from tourism services; and P466.2 million from other operating incomes.

Meanwhile, the agency incurred operating expenses of P266.4 million in manpower; and P784.3 million in maintenance and other operating expenses.

As of December 31, 2015, the agency’s net income after depreciation and FOREX stood at P1.6 billion. However, a 109 per cent loss on foreign exchange pulled the income before tax down to P1.1 billion, Garcia explained.

In 2013, the SBMA under Garcia shattered its all-time record by posting P1.2 billion in net profit, along with the highest gross revenue of P2.1 billion and the highest EBITDA of P992 million in the 21-year history of the Subic institution.

The present SBMA administration headed by Garcia has been largely credited for turning around the agency’s financial standing from several years of non-profitability to attaining record earnings starting 2012.

Garcia said the SBMA continues to equal, if not surpass, its previous financial condition by attracting more investments into the Freeport. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Redondo Peninsula to stagger construction of Subic power plant

MANILA, Philippines – Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy) will phase the construction of its 600-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Subic pending the resolution of its transmission problems.

RP Energy is a consortium composed of Meralco Power Gen (MGen), Aboitiz Power Corp. and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp.

The consortium has been evaluating whether to push through with the whole 600 MW in one go or to phase it due to issues in the capacity transmission facilities.

When asked for updates on the project, Meralco chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said “the latest word is that we might phase it.”

“(We will start with) 300-MW first and then (another 300 MW) to 600-MW, depending on our capability to interconnect with NGCP (National Grid Corp. of the Philippines). If that takes a few months, then it’s just a few months before we can start the Phase 2,” Pangilinan said.

Construction of the 600-MW coal-fired power plant is targeted in the first quarter of this year and completion in the second half of 2019. (Danessa Rivera, The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/03/03/1558805/redondo-peninsula-stagger-construction-subic-power-plant

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Subic to Boracay Race 2016: Jelik steals thunder from Centennial III

Top contender Jelik, skippered by Hongkong’s Frank Pong, drew first blood as the foreign entries dominated the 7th Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race, defeating last year’s champion TP 52 Davidson Centennial III of Judes Echauz.

Reichel/Pugh 75 Jelik, last year’s runner-up, ruled the IRC Racing Class with a corrected time of 28 hours, 19 minutes and 46 seconds in the 210-nautical mile of the event presented by PLDT SME Nation, Tanduay Rum, Cebu Pacific, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Watercraft Ventures Inc. and Seawind Hotel Boracay.

Defending champion Centennial III came in second in 30:29:37 while Smith 72-Custom Antipodes steered by Geoff Hill, took third place in 30:40:30.

The big start thus gave Jelik a solid jump-off in the combined series of the four-day Boracay Cup Regatta that started Tuesday morning from this pristine beach resort to Carabao Island off Romblon and back.

Pong, the 2013 Asian Yatching Grand Prix Skipper of the Year and 1997 President’s Cup Champion, outclassed 15 other elite sailors from Asian countries, Australia, Germany and China, including record holder Syd Fisher’s Dubios 90 Ragamuffin 90 manned by David Witt. (Tribune Wires)

PHOTO:
The 75-foot boat Jelik.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/sports/jelik-steals-thunder-from-centennial-iii

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SBMA to spend P21 million for SBECC renovation

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is spending around P21 million to complete the renovation of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) here in time for the conduct of the 2016 Ad Summit Pilipinas next week.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, who personally guided the media in a tour of the facility on Friday, said the SBECC repair is the most important project that SBMA is completing to date as it gears up for the influx of visitors during the summer season.

“There were some feedback last year that SBECC facilities like comfort rooms and meeting rooms fell short of expectations of a world-class convention and exhibition center, so we’re making sure that SBECC is now up to standards,” Garcia said.

Garcia pointed out during the tour that the finishing touches being in the SBECC building, as well as the landscaping outside, make it feel like a top-notch hotel, a distinction that could bring in more customers. “As you can see, we’re still doing some renovation, but already there is a convention going on. A lot of companies have been inquiring on when they can use the facility,” he added.

The SBECC, which will host the Ad Summit for the second consecutive staging, is regarded as the crown jewel that earned for Subic the honor of being the “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon” in 2012.

Along with the popular nature-theme parks here, as well as the seaside hotels and shopping centers, SBECC was also instrumental in Subic’s recognition by the Department of Tourism as the No. 1 Tourist Destination in Region 3 for the past two consecutive years.

Garcia said that in order to keep Subic’s titles, the SBMA has already implemented major face-lift projects in most tourism facilities and infrastructures here “to make sure that Subic Bay Freeport would be ready for the big volume of tourists arriving during summer, especially this Holy Week.”

Referring to reports from the SBMA Tourism Department, Garcia said that tourist arrivals in Subic reached 7.3 million in 2015, an increase of 14 percent over the 6.4-million record in 2014.

He also noted that tourists who actually stayed overnight or for several days in Subic reached 1.43 million in 2015, or 21-percent higher than the 1.18 million recorded in 2014.

Garcia added that the SBMA is now refurbishing all the road features in Subic, and placing police and travelers-assistance outposts in strategic areas, in time for the summer season.

Meanwhile, tourism-related businesses are also making necessary renovations and upgrading their facilities, he added. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
The Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) undergoing major renovations in time for Ad Summit Pilipinas 2016 (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/sbma-to-spend-p21-million-for-sbecc-renovation/

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Ragamuffin sets pace in Subic-Boracay race

Syd Fisher’s Dubois 90 Ragamuffin, skippered by David Witt, set the pace in the seventh Standard Insurance Subic Bay-Boracay Regatta Race in Aklan yesterday.

Taking only 14 hours, 23 minutes, 17 seconds on the 220 nautical mile race, Ragamuffin bested the previous record set by Hong Kong magnate Frank Pong’s Custom Dibley 75 Jelik in 2013.

With its crew of 14, Ragamuffin led the fleet out of Subic Bay, where they dropped the spinnakers, turned left and enjoyed fast racing condition down through the Verde Island Passage.

All the regular competitors have actually recorded their fastest race times to Boracay, according to Ricky Sandoval, chairman of the organizing committee.

The seventh edition of the annual event drew boats representing Singapore, China, Germany, Malaysia, China, Australia and the Philippines with the overall winners in three class of the combined Subic Bay to Boracay Race and the Boracay Cup Regatta series receiving the hand-crafted solid brass trophy replicas by Fernando Cacnio, a multi-awarded Filipino visual artist.

The twin regatta races are backed by Sperry Topsider, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Cebu Pacific, PLDT-SMT Nation, Tanduay Rum, Watercraft Ventures Corp., Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and Seawind Boracay. (Philippine Star)

PHOTO:
The Ragamuffin crew in 2015 when they came in first and shattered the Subic-Boracay record.

Read more: http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/03/01/1558251/ragamuffin-sets-pace-subic-boracay-race

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