P131-M fertilizer grant for Luzon shipped thru Subic port

A total of 120,000 bags of fertilizer from Japan, weighing some 6,000 metric tons and costing about P130.7 million, arrived here recently at the Subic seaport on their way to various destinations in the island of Luzon.

The delivery of the fertilizer shipment through the port of Subic “only proves that when it comes to transshipment and cargo deliveries in Luzon, Subic offers the best option because of its strategic location,” said Feliciano Salonga, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

The shipment, which comprised the third of four deliveries of ammonium sulfate fertilizer under a P253-million grant from the Japanese government, was turned over by Japan’s ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura to Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Fondevilla reportedly interceded with the Japanese government to have the third and fourth shipments unloaded at Subic, in order to facilitate their delivery to farmers in the Ilocos, Cagayan and Central Luzon regions.

The third and fourth lots that were supposed to be unloaded in Iloilo and Batangas ports, respectively, were intended for typhoon-affected provinces in Luzon.

The third shipment that arrived here last week was intended for farmers in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Isabela and Cagayan Valley, while the last lot of 7,500 metric tons that will arrive early next week will be for the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija.

During the turnover, Makoto said that the Japanese fertilizer assistance this year totals 26,135 metric tons or 522,700 bags of ammonium sulfate fertilizer, as contained in an agreement that he signed last March with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo.

Makoto added that the assistance “serves as a continuing testimony to the cordial friendship and cooperation shared between the Philippines and Japan.”

Specifically, it is designed to alleviate the plight of low-income farmers who were severely affected by recent typhoons, he added.

Makoto also recounted that the first two lots, totaling 252,700 bags or 12,635 metric tons, were coursed through the ports of Davao in September and Iloilo in October.

The Davao shipment was intended for selected low-income farmers in Mindanao, particularly in Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte and South Cotabato, he said. The Iloilo shipment was for underprivileged farmer-beneficiaries in Iloilo and Negros Occidental provinces.

The new fertilizer deliveries, meanwhile, would be crucial to turn around agricultural lands in Luzon that were affected by the recent floods, said Daniel Oñate, vice president for marketing of Agrotech Agricultural Products, Inc.

Juanio Mallari, a farmers’ representative, said the fertilizer donations would greatly help the farmers improve agricultural yield and boost the country’s program for self-sufficiency in rice production.

Salonga, meanwhile, urged port users in the Luzon area “to discover for themselves the advantages of using the Subic port.”

He said the port of Subic port has a total of nine piers and wharves that specialize in various shipping requirements. Among them are Leyte Wharf, which serves as bulk grain terminal; Sattler Pier, which is ideal for containerized and break-bulk cargoes; Alava Pier, which serves as a passenger terminal; Boton Wharf, which unloads fertilizers and petroleum products; and the New Container Terminal 1 and 2, which are designed for use by huge cargo vessels.

Salonga added that the port of Subic not only provides an alternative facility to ports in Metro Manila, but also seeks to become a globally-competitive service and maritime logistics center. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: Agriculture undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla (right) receives the P131-milion shipment of ammonium sulfate fertilizer from Japanese ambassador Makoto Katsura after they were unloaded at the Subic Bay Freeport. The shipment is bound to various typhoon-affected provinces in Central Luzon, Ilocos, and Cagayan regions.

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GMA to address press congress in Subic

PRESIDENT Arroyo will address the 14th National Press Congress on Thursday at the Subic Bay Free Port Zone’s Convention Center.

Arroyo is expected to speak on “The Challenge of the Information- Driven Age,” particularly on the role of the new media machine in 2010 elections, the gravity and threats of global warming and climate change, career options for youth and students, the Ampatuan Massacre and other issues.

Earlier, the President issued a message hailing the Publishers
Association of the Philippines for constructive and significant initiatives which will highlight the national press congress in Subic.

The President has also issued Proclamation 1187 declaring December as “National Press Congress Month and the Month of the Community Press in the Service of the Nation.” The proclamation designates Papi as lead agency for the month-long observance.

Presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro on the other hand will address the press congress on Saturday.This was announced by Lelia Chua-Sy, Papi executive vice which hosts the annual event every December in cooperation with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Teodoro, former national defense secretary and chairman of National Disaster Coordinating Council, is expected to speak on natural disaster management and new dimension in public governance, particularly on his agenda as presidential candidate in 2010.

Aside from Teodoro, the National Press Congress has also invited other presidential bets in the presidential forum set during the event to be participated in by around 400 mediamen and communicators from all over the country including school campus journalists from various colleges and universities (Subic Bay News).

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Subic Freeport honors outstanding workers

Ten workers, who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields, were recognized recently by the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation, Inc. (SBWDFI) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) — the eighth batch of workers to be honored under the annual “10 Outstanding Freeport Workers” awards.

SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga led Subic officials in recognizing the outstanding workers, noting that “the quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence, regardless of his chosen field of endeavor.”

“It is therefore our great honor to have with us the best workers in the country who contributed their talents and wisdom to make Subic as it is now — progressive and one of the top investment and tourism destinations in Asia,” Salonga added.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, meanwhile, noted that perseverance, initiative, and concern for the common good are characteristics shared by Subic’s best workers — the same attributes of a globally competitive worker.

“These stemmed from the spirit of volunteerism that has empowered the Subic workers ever since,” he added.

This year’s search for the 10 outstanding workers in the Subic Bay Freeport began in July when the SBWDFI sent out nomination forms to all companies in the free port, as well as the different departments of the SBMA, said SBMA labor department head Severo Pastor Jr. Pastor also heads the SBWDFI.

Pastor revealed that from a field of more than a hundred nominees, only 25 advanced to the final selection process that was carried out by a three-man panel chaired by Dr. Julia Mallari, director of the University of the Philippines Subic/Clark program.

From the 25 finalists, the 10 outstanding workers were chosen.

They are: Juan Afidchao, electronics technician supervisor (SBMA TransComm Department), who is credited for the efficient installation, repair, rehabilitation and maintenance of SBMA telephone lines and units. The work he did from January to August this year alone has resulted in savings of more than P100,000.

Melvin Bactad, training specialist (SBMA HRMD), has contributed greatly to the empowerment of his fellow workers and to the development of a highly proficient and committed work force in the SBMA. Bactad facilitated 35 courses in the past year, or an average of three per month — one of SBMA’S most productive years in terms of internal trainings.

Edmond David, process shift engineer (Subic Water & Sewerage Company), saved the free port from a disastrous situation with his expertise and exceptional ability to handle a crisis, preventing a water outage in March 2009. For three days, he directed the operation of the Binictican Water Treatment Plant to ensure unhampered water supply in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Florante Frias, bulk operations superintendent (Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corp.), was instrumental in the discovery of pilferage cases in the petroleum tank farm and stopped a crime of economic sabotage. This fortified their clients’ confidence in the company and earned him the respect of his fellow workers, management and the Freeport community.

Mariel Go, industrial engineering technician (Wistron Infocomm, Phils.), provided real-time support to the production line, helping improve manpower efficiency, line productivity and yield rate, thereby notably enhancing the efficiency rate of new cell lines to 99.58 percent within six weeks.

Magnolia Lagrama, production worker (Nicera, Phils. Inc.), was twice named as the best production worker of Nicera in the frequency adjustment process. Lagrama does not refuse any assignment and performs well in whatever task she is given in the product line, thus making her name synonymous with assured output at any given time.

Virgilio Manzano, fire marshall (SBMA Fire Dept.), is one of the gallant firefighters whose participation in major emergency operations earned for the SBMA Fire Department the “Gawad Kalasag” special citation from the National Disaster Coordinating Council. He has, time and again, risked his own life to save others. Manzano is also an expert in automotive repair and maintenance, who gets old fire trucks and support vehicles back in shape.

Relly Nicolas, electronics communication engineer, (Wistron Infocomm, Phils.), has done various research and implemented many innovations that saved his company millions of pesos. He is credited for enabling Wistron to meet quality standards and on-time delivery, thereby increasing productivity and reducing “failure machine” complaints from customers.

Sharon Pasion, production worker (Nicera, Phils.), was one of the company’s employee of the year awardees in 2008, and was chosen twice last year as model production worker of the month. Being part of the final inspection group exposes her to stress and long hours of work, given the tight shipment schedules they must meet.

Joy Seridon, chemical engineer (Juken Sangyo-Phils., Corp.), was recently promoted as line leader, and has helped reduce product rejection ratio by as much as 60 percent through improved monitoring, inspection and coordination activities. She was also instrumental in establishing the company’s internal calibration team. Seridon was one of the key personnel who worked on the company’s ISO certification and succeeded in getting the renewal of the company’s ISO certification in just one audit. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Nicera transfers China operations to Subic; infuses additional $1M for expansion

Ultrasonic sensor-manufacturer Nicera Philippines, Inc. formally announced its second expansion project in this free port, committing another $1 million for its Subic facility after the firm decided to close down its China operations and transfer it here.

“We will expand our current product line with new merchandise because we are going to transfer our China plant to Philippines,” said Takashi Morimoto, president and general manager of Nicera Philippines, during the formal contract signing with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Tuesday.

He added that the relocation to Subic was prompted by the one-child policy of the Chinese government, which had resulted in “insufficient workforce” for the firm’s China factory.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza welcomed the $1-million expansion project and lauded Nicera for “taking successful steps in meeting the challenges posed by recession head-on.”

Arreza also said that the transfer of Nicera’s China operations to the local facility would hasten the resurgence of export production in Subic Bay.

Takashi said that upon completion of its expansion project, Nicera will be hiring 110 additional workers for its Subic facility where it would manufacture new electronics products such as pyrosensor modules and pyroelectric infrared sensors used in home-security lighting systems.

These products are used in the assembly of the so-called Ecopa ball and stick, that combined with another system with voice recorder, allows the detection of motion in the dark. The system emits white light diodes upon detection and activates the playback of a recorded message.

Takashi said this new product line would be manufactured in a new building to be built in a 15,000-square meter lot at the Subic Techno Park (STEP) sometime next year.

He added that the firm aims to produce 50,000 pieces of pyrosensor modules and one million pieces of pyroelectric infrared sensors a month.

As of now, Nicera employs 136 direct workers and 553 employees from sub-contractors. By 2010, Nicera is aiming to raise its employment to 2,000 as the company embarks on manufacturing another product line of gas sensors.

Starting out with 22 employees, Nicera began its Philippine operations in the Subic Bay Freeport in 2001, infusing $25 million to manufacture ceramic sensors called ultrasonic transducers that were installed in bumpers as a safety gadget for Japan-made vehicles.

Utrasonic transducers are designed to detect obstructions from different ranges, producing varied warning sounds depending on the distance of the obstruction.

In September 2007, Nicera undertook a $4-million expansion project to meet the growing demand for high-tech products in the global market. It hired additional 400 workers for this expansion.

Aside from electronic sensors, the Nicera group of companies also produce ceramic filters, traps, discriminators and resonators, top quality ferrite core for power switches and transformers, micro-chip components for CR-ROM, floppy drives and precision motors, and fly-back transformers.

During the contract signing, STEP executive vice president Shintaro Tsuji also expressed confidence that more Japanese investors would be coming to Subic because of its nice environment, a supportive SBMA administration, good seaport facilities, and its proximity to the airport in the Clark Freeport.

“Subic Technopark is recovering [from the recession],” Tsuji said. “In the middle of the worldwide recession, Nicera is still investing more. That is very good proof of Subic’s potential,” he added.

A total of 45 companies, out of the 1,028 firms operating in the Subic Bay Freeport, are Japanese-owned, with most of them located in the Subic Technopark. Fifteen of these firms are Japanese-Filipino joint ventures. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: Subic Techno Park representative Ichiro Tsuji (left), Nicera Phils. president and general manager Takashi Morimoto, and SBMA administrator and CEO Armand Arreza sign an investment contract for Nicera’s $1-million expansion project.

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P2-B expansion fund for Subic and Clark proposed

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has proposed the creation of a P2-billion fund to enable the development of new economic zones in areas near the Subic Bay Freeport and the Clark Freeport.

The proposal was made by SBMA administrator Armand Arreza during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon, and representatives of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).

Gordon, who has filed Senate Bill 0143, or the “3-3-1 Luzon Global Corridor Act of 2009”, has earlier proposed to develop other special economic zones in Luzon to optimize the three airports in Manila, Subic, and Clark, the three
seaports in Manila, Subic and Mariveles, and the highway and railway connecting these major ports.

The bill also seeks to strengthen the power of the SBMA and CDC, giving them the mandate to develop nearby areas into new economic zones.

To speed up the process, Arreza then proposed the creation of a fund to develop new zones.

“If we wanted for Subic and Clark to reach the level of Singapore, we will need investments the equivalent of either seven Texas Instruments or four Hanjins a year. But to start all these, we need to build roads first,” Arreza said.

Arreza recalled that when SBMA and CDC were formed, the primary intention was to create jobs for those affected by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 and the pull-out of the U.S. military from Subic and Clark in 1992.

However, he pointed out that the business model that supports the growth of Subic and Clark “to a certain level, is very limited, as they rely primarily on leases or income from land, which is a finite resource.”

Arreza noted that to carry out their new mandate of developing nearby communities, Subic and Clark would require a tremendous amount of annual investments in the next 10 years to fund various public infrastructures, such as roads, water and sewerage systems, as well as technical schools that would help reduce skills mismatch.

He also stressed that an eco-metric study made by the SBMA showed that Vietnam and China invested anywhere between 7-8 percent of their annual gross domestic product in infrastructure to boost their edge as investment sites.

In contrast, the Philippines spends only 3 percent of its GDP for the same purpose, Arreza added.

Responding to Arreza’s proposal, Gordon said he would file a bill that would set aside part of the taxes collected by SBMA and CDC in the next 20 years to develop more eco-zones in their areas.

Gordon added that Subic and Clark should be allowed to set aside parts of their income solely for infrastructure development within the area to make the Subic-Clark growth corridor constantly competitive.

Noting that Subic is remitting about P6 billion from its income each year to government coffers, Gordon said the contribution should be waived.

“Huwag na munang magbayad ang Subic (Subic should be allowed to waive payment),” said Gordon, who also served as the first SBMA chairman. “Can you imagine if we put the money generated from taxes and spread this in those areas to make industrial parks? We’ll have accelerated development,” he added.

Under his 3-3-1 Bill, Gordon has also identified other areas for development, aside from the Manila-Subic-Clark triangle. These include parts of Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac
and Pangasinan.

Gordon said these areas are ideal FOR THE development of industrial parks for factories, as well as heavy- and light to medium industries. He also wants “open skies” or a liberalized air transport system in these areas in order to attract more commercial planes and maximize the potentials of the existing air facilities.

“This will ensure development, because the more you improve the ports, the more investments will come in, and that is basically the use of this law,” the senator also said. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Subic draws praises for Ad Congress success

Organizers of the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) have praised the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the City of Olongapo for their “crucial support” in the successful staging of the event at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) recently.

Charmaine Canillas, chairperson of the Philippine Advertising Board, which manages the biennial Ad Congress, said that with the assistance from SBMA and Olongapo the event was successfully held even with only a three-week preparation period.

“It was easy to simply duplicate what was done two years ago,” Canillas said, recalling the fact that Subic hosted the 20th PAC in 2007 but again became the host this year after roads leading to Baguio City were damaged in the recent typhoons.

“The SBMA really came out to help, and showed a very high level of professionalism. We expected it, and we knew they would deliver,” she added.

Canillas also said the 21st PAC exceeded the number of delegates expected this year, drawing in more than 3,000 participants, aside from thousands who separately came to Subic to witness the event’s culminating feature — the advertising industry’s Araw Awards.

Canillas said the organizers were looking at less than 3,000 delegates this year, considering that the ad industry is still recovering from the global economic crunch.

The “Ondoy-Pepeng” tragedy, she added, even compounded the scenario, forcing the 21st PAC committee to transfer the venue to Subic Bay with less than a month before the actual staging.

Surprisingly, the outcome exceeded the committee’s expectations, a visibly elated Canillas added.

The Ad Board official also noted the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) significantly helped in keeping a high attendance level in the congress, even as this year’s figure fell short of the record 3,423 delegates that attended the Subic congress in 2007.

“Delegates from Manila can go to Subic for the sessions they want to attend, and come back to their Manila offices right on the same day,” was how she described the ease brought about by the road network leading to this free port.

Aside from this, the 21st PAC committee also found a way to maximize the outdoor space at the SBECC, giving rise to a bigger exhibit area this year.

According to Alvin Trono, one of the 21st PAC committee heads for venue, when it comes to managing convention facilities for their biennial meet, Subic comes close to being an ideal site.

Trono, who helped organize the PAC installments previously held in Cebu, Baguio, and Subic Bay, said they always had an easier time preparing the venue in Subic, compared to other locations.

“In terms of managing the facility, the best so far has always been Subic,” Trono said, pointing out that the Subic convention facility is capable of putting about 3,500 delegates under one roof.

Other factors that give Subic its competitive edge are the abundant spaces available for exhibits, the green environment surrounding the venue, and the support of SBMA personnel, he added.

Trono also suggested that Subic’s drive to become a top convention venue could be boosted if the free port had more five-star hotels that could accommodate high-end customers who attend events like the Ad Congress. (SBMA Corporate Communications)


PHOTO: The Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, which served as the venue of the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress, is now among the best convention sites in the country today.

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SBMA caps 17th year with $5.92-B investments

Bucking the downtrend caused by global recession, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) drew closer to the $6-billion mark for committed investments this month as it observed the 17th year of Subic turnover from the U.S. Navy on Tuesday.

SBMA officials said that as of November 15, the agency has notched a cumulative total of $5.925 billion in investment commitments since it was created in 1992 to manage and operate the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

In today’s exchange rate, that amount is equivalent to P276.79 billion, or an average of P16.28 billion each year in investment pledges recorded in the past 17 years.

“Our track record speaks for itself,” said SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, as the agency held a simple commemorative program for Subic’s 17th year anniversary.

“While the past year or so has been a difficult time, Subic has never wavered in its pursuit of more investments and continued its dogged pursuit of new investment niches,” Salonga asserted.

Salonga also attributed Subic’s continuing resiliency “to the faith of investors in the growing competitiveness of the Subic Bay Freeport.”

According to SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, the Subic Bay Freeport “continued to defy the odds with positive performance in investment generation, job creation and revenue production even as the global economy wobbled starting last year.”

This has led the SBMA to embark on a new mission to expand into nearby areas and develop new economic zones there, he added.

Arreza pointed out that despite growing economic uncertainties in the first quarter of 2009, the SBMA managed to squeeze in a total of $31.72 million in new investments even as major economies suffered major income reversals.

Thereafter, Subic followed it up with $60.46 million in the second quarter, $41.12 million in the third quarter, and $26.45 million from October to the first half of November.

“We have stayed in the black all along despite the recession,” Arreza said, pointing out that as of November 15 Subic has a total of 1,301 investment projects approved by the SBMA board.

“The continuing entry of investors also revved up employment generation, so that as of September Subic had a total active workforce of 86,229. This represents an increase of 3.36 percent over the September 2008 figure of 83,428, and that’s despite the recession that affected quite a number of companies here,” he added.

Arreza said most of the Subic firms affected by the downturn had since recovered, while other companies, fueled by the resurgence of the electronics sector, “have been, in fact, undertaking expansion projects.”

According to SBMA data, most of the investments recorded in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone have been generated under the Salonga-Arreza administration that began in September 2005.

The total investment commitments generated in this period amounted to $3.55 billion, or more than 52 percent of the cumulative amount.

Subic’s biggest year-on-year investment was made in 2007 when a total of $1.71 billion was approved by the SBMA. In 2006, Hanjin pledged its initial $1-billion commitment for its shipyard project, cranking Subic’s investment generation that year to a total of $1.44 billion.

Arreza said that in the next few years, the SBMA will be focusing on projects that would expand the physical boundaries of the Subic Bay Freeport and allow the SBMA to generate more investments.

“This will be the new mission for the SBMA,” Arreza said. “We have already exceeded by more than four times the number of jobs lost in Subic when the U.S. Navy left in 1992. Now we’re looking at bringing development outside of the free port, to the communities that have helped nurture the Subic dream since 1992.”

Arreza had lately proposed the creation of a P2-billion fund to allow both Subic and the neighboring Clark Freeport to expand and develop new economic zones in nearby areas. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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SBMA, PCG call for greater cooperation in maritime safety

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) jointly called for greater cooperation and public support in the promotion of safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment.

SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga and Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, commandant of the PCG, both pressed for improved coordination in addressing problems in maritime safety during the Subic Bay Fire, Search & Rescue and Marine Pollution Joint Exercise (Marpolex) 2009 conducted here last week.

The maritime exercises were also joined by the 102nd Squadron of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA), which is based in Subic Bay, and some business locators in this free port.

The Subic Bay Marpolex was aimed at evaluating the integrated response capabilities of the participating agencies during maritime disasters that may occur near or within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

It also sought to enhance cooperation and capability in firefighting, rescue and oil spill containment and recovery operations; to train participants in planning, command and control, and conduct of integrated operation; and to establish a firm and effective working relationship among the participants.

Salonga, who holds the rank of a commodore in the PCGA and is deputy national director for aid to navigation, also urged members of the Subic Bay PCGA to expand its membership and conduct rigorous training.

He said that since Subic Bay has about 88,000 workers from both the locators and the SBMA, the 100-odd members of the Subic squadron “is but the proverbial tip of the iceberg that we can tap as members”

“I believe we should be big enough to be mobilized at short notice, whenever and wherever the need for our services arises,” Salonga said. “We should be big enough to be counted and recognized as a force in assisting the Coast Guard.”

Salonga reminded everyone that the Subic squadron needs to have the right training in order to equip members with the required knowledge and skills.

“Only with the right training can we prepare them to respond effectively and well to the call of service,” Salonga also said.

In the same occasion, Admiral Tamayo called for improved coordination and unity in promoting safety of life at sea, and cited the SBMA for its support to the PCG.

“We have managed to open our borders and work side by side to address maritime challenges, specifically during maritime disasters and oil spills that may occur near or within the Subic Bay Freeport,” Tamayo said.

“As our nation’s leading maritime safety agencies, our goal is to strive towards minimizing maritime incidents and dangers. Should these happen though, we can be sure that we have each other to depend upon in order to institute an effective and efficient fire/search and rescue/marine pollution operation,” Tamayo added.

Aside from Coast Guard vessels, the exercise involved the deployment of seven SBMA boats that have recently been placed under the management of Subic’s 102nd PCGA Squadron commanded by PCGA Capt. Armand Arreza, who is also the administrator of the SBMA.

Subic locators Malayan Towage and Salvage Co. and Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corp. meanwhile deployed two tugboats and an oil spill on-shore protection team, respectively.

The SBMA also provided medical, fire, communication and oil spill on-shore protection teams for the exercise. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: SBMA fireboats suppress a fire onboard a tugboat during a maritime safety and pollution control exercise conducted with the Philippine Coast Guard at the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Solon pushes making Subic, Clark, Manila as new hubs for Asia-Pacific

A Party-list representative has pushed for the approval of a bill seeking to fully utilize Subic, Clark and Manila as international service and logistics centers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Party-list Rep. Ma. Carissa Coscolluela of Buhay said House Bill 6784 will strengthen and expand the powers of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Clark Development Corp. (CDC) to allow them to develop more economic zones in Luzon and ensure local growth and nationwide economic success.

Another measure pending approval in the lower chamber is House Bill 6779 that also proposes that the powers of the SBMA and CDC be strengthened and expanded so they can develop other special economic zones in Luzon to optimize the three airports in Subic, Clark and Manila and two seaports in Subic and Manila and one connecting highway and railway in Luzon. In her proposal, Coscolluela said the development of special economic zones in municipalities nearby, bordering the highway and railway, and connected to the airports and seaports in Subic, Clark and Manila, must be encouraged to bring jobs to the people and promote a higher standard of living and an improved quality of life for all.

She said the development of special economic zones will promote a decentralized local government and private sector-led development that will display the potential that can be achieved when local people set their own priorities and initiatives. Legislators emphasized the need for the state to become aggressive in taking advantage of the strategic infrastructure in Subic, Clark and Manila as international transportation hubs. They said that overcrowded areas will be decongested as industries will be dispersed to other locations in Luzon because of the global accessibility and direct access of Subic, Clark and Manila to domestic and foreign markets worldwide by air.

Both bills provide that the Subic Special Economic and Free-port Zone consists of Olongapo City, Subic, the province of Zambales, the lands occupied by the Subic Naval Base and its contiguous extensions as embraced, covered and defined by the 1947 Military Bases Agreement between the Philippines and the United States, as amended; and within the territorial jurisdiction of Morong and Hermosa in Bataan.

As embodied in the measures, the SBMA shall develop, administer and manage the Subic Special Economic and Free-port Zone, ensuring the free flow of goods and capital based on prescribed rules and regulations, generate employment opportunities in and around the zone, and attract and promote productive local and foreign investments based on the proposals.

As for the role of the CDC, the bills provide that it shall manage, operate and administer the Clark Special Economic Zone which consists of the Clark military reservations and its contiguous extensions as embraced, covered and defined by the 1974 MBA located within the territorial jurisdiction of Angeles City, Mabalacat and Porac and the province of Pampanga, and the municipality of Capas, Tarlac.

The SBMA and CDC shall also have the power to develop other Special Economic Zones in Luzon within the same legal framework and mechanisms as Republic Act 7916 or the Special Economic Zone Act of 1995 and manage and operate these zones and other development programs and project based on the bills. (Fernan Marasigan, Business Mirror)

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21st Ad Congress in Subic benefits Baguio City

Baguio City, the supposed host of the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) until the venue was moved to this free port just a month ago, has become a “test bed” for the advertising industry’s newfound focus to harness their tested media tools to benefit some afflicted sectors of the society.

Aside from the pledge by the Philippine Advertising Board to give 100 percent of the ticket sales from the prestigious “Araw Awards” to be held on Saturday night, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) vowed to donate the entire income from the rental of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), the congress venue, for the entire duration of the four-day gathering.

“In the true spirit of the 21st Advertising Congress, the entire organization of the SBMA and the entire community of Olongapo City join the advertising industry in helping Baguio City and other affected areas in Northern Luzon in the process of rebuilding and recovery,” said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza during the opening ceremony on Wednesday night here.

Arreza said the donation will be used to purchase a brand-new ambulance truck for the City of Pines, where reconstruction and rehabilitation projects are ongoing after it was hit by a series of typhoons last month.

Arreza also said the SBMA, as the government agency that administers the Subic Bay Freeport, is setting an example “for different sectors of the society to help in the organized and long term response to environmental threats particularly the issue of global warming.”

He added that Baguio City “remains strong as ever, extending its support and generosity, exhibiting great resolve and fortitude that made the city one of the most loved and preferred venues for the Advertising Congress.”

Arreza also said the Subic community is thankful for being chosen as Ad Congress host for the third time.

“The honor of having hosted this prestigious event three times has stamped an indelible mark on Subic Bay as one of the best and foremost venue in the country for this important gathering,” said Arreza.

The Subic official also thanked Baguio City mayor Peter Ray Bautista “for allowing us to co-host the event.”

Meanwhile, Bautista said they were honored and grateful for being a part of the Ad Congress celebration despite the venue transfer to Subic.

“We took this chance to come out and accept the hand that has been reached out to the people of Baguio and the people of Benguet,” the Baguio City mayor also said.

Bautista was referring to the “Brand Aid” campaign of the 21st PAC, which seeks to set up a funding mechanism for the advertising industry to aid rehabilitation efforts.

Brand Aid’s first project, “AHON”, was immediately set in motion in the aftermath of “Ondoy”, whereby P2 million was raised for the Philippine National Red Cross.

The 21st PAC chairman Margot Torres said the glitzy Ad Congress, as it was then known, “has gained a new perspective to become an instrument for positive action to help countrymen and to rally support for long-term recovery.” (SBMA Corporate Communications)


PHOTO:
Baguio City mayor Peter Ray Bautista accepts a donation pledge for Baguio City from Advertising board chair Charmaine Canillas.

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Subic forest’s ‘dark side’ awaits AdCon delegates

Treetop Adventure, a popular theme park in this free port that features some of Subic Bay’s most spectacular views of the lush tropical rainforest from 100 feet off the ground, has introduced a new adventure in time for the opening of the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC).

The “Night Tour”, as the new attraction is aptly called, opens in the evening and features “the dark side of the forest” to complement the park’s adrenaline-pumping day-time attractions like the 50-foot vertical drop “Tree Drop Adventure”, the canopy walk, and cable rides.

“All these will be conducted in darkness, and the ultimate thrill is guaranteed,” said Treetop manager Katrina Montejo. “The eerie sounds of the forest and the darkness are expected to induce a higher level of excitement.”

With this offering, Montejo said the expected 3,500 Ad Congress delegates can focus on their plenary sessions at daytime. “But starting 7:00 o’clock in the evening, they can experience a whole range of unique excitement at the Treetop Adventure,” she added.

The nature-based theme park located at the Upper Cubi area of the Subic Bay Freeport, boasts of some of the most exciting rides in this part of the country.

Visitors trying the “Tree Drop Adventure”, for example, can choose to do it in the conventional style, the Spiderman style, or the daring Australian style, which sees the adventurer climb down the tree head first.

Under the “Night Tour” attraction, the thrilling “Superman Ride” where visitors are suspended face down as they soar from tree to tree in dizzying speed, will get a lot scarier as the sense of sight is rendered almost useless in the low-lit course.

Even the relatively “tamer” courses like the canopy walk along suspension bridges, the 220-meter long cable ride, and the jungle trek on the forest floor, “will give visitors a chill if done in the darkness,” Montejo said.

Despite the expected higher level of excitement under the “Night Tour” program, the Treetop Adventure management gives the assurance that the rides remain safe.

Montejo said the management’s primary concern is the safety of their visitors, adding that all the equipment in the park undergo regular maintenance and check-ups “to give visitors not only the ultimate thrill, but also the ultimate protection.”

The “Night Tour” program opened to the public early this month. This latest feature in the nature park is expected to draw even more visitors to Treetop Adventure, which opened to the public only last year. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTOS: Visitors try out some of the adrenaline-inducing thrill rides at the Treetop Adventure park in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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“Better known than Manila in sports events” Subic now becoming sports mecca — TRAP

This tourism and maritime hub is fast becoming a sports mecca as more local and international sports organizers choose Subic for sports events than any other place in the country.

Tom Carrasco, president of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), said at the sidelines of the Asian Duathlon Championships here on Sunday that Subic could be the sports mecca of the Philippines, and maybe even Southeast Asia.

“For the last 16 years, TRAP has already held almost all of its events in Subic, including three Asian championships,” Carrasco noted.

“In the sports world, Subic is now better known than Manila,” he added.

Carrasco’s group brought to Subic the Asian Duathlon Championships, which attracted some of the best duathletes in the world. They also organized the Subic International Triathlon that was held here last May.

Carrasco also attributed the successful staging here of various sports events to the “reliable cooperation and all-out support” of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Meanwhile, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the agency is, in fact, pushing Subic to become a world-class sports tourism facility.

Aside from banking on Subic’s natural assets—the clean water, rugged and challenging terrain, and unpolluted air, the SBMA is also investing in modern facilities to attract more sports events, as well as sports enthusiasts.

“Whether it be for biking, hiking, swimming, diving, and parasailing, you can always count on Subic as the ideal sports venue,” Arreza enthused.

The Subic free port also has a gymnasium, several tennis courts, baseball and softball fields, a racetrack, and an oval, Arreza pointed out.

The SBMA official also cited Subic’s “superb accessibility” either by land, water or air as another strong point that makes it an ideal venue for holding big sports competitions.

As an emerging sports mecca, the Subic Bay Freeport was booked last month for some of the biggest sports events in the country. These included the 2nd Chairman’s Cup Open Championships Taekwondo, the Bike Festival Asia, and the Subic International Marathon that was organized by Smart Telecom.

Meanwhile, several sports events have been lined up during the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) that will be held on Nov. 18-21 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Rowena Reyes, co-coordinator of the 21st PAC Sports Committee, said the PAC sports events will raise funds for calamity victims through the Philippine National Red Cross chapter in Baguio City.

The events will be open to PAC delegates, as well as non-delegates, Reyes said.

The games will include “Takbo Mo! Tulong Mo!,” a 5-kilometer fun run on Nov. 19 at the Remy Field Oval; the billiards tournament “Sargo Mo! Tulong Mo!” on Nov. 20, which will also feature Filipino billard world champions Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante"; the 3-point shootout basketball challenge “I-Shoot Mo! I-Donate Mo!” on Nov. 21; and the badminton fun game “Smash and Cash” at the Subic gym. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: Participants take their position the starting point of the Asian Duathlon Championships on Sunday, the latest sports event to be held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone which is emerging as a mecca for various competitor sports and sports-tourism events.

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‘One-stop-shop’ commercial center opens in Subic Freeport

A new commercial center, offering products and services ranging from grilled chicken and medicine to cell phone repair and lotto picks, has opened recently near the Subic main gate.

Appropriately named as One Stop Shop Building, the facility took over the former bleacher area of the then Subic baseball triangle along Magsaysay Boulevard, near the Remy Field sports complex.

Stefani Saño, senior deputy administrator for business and investment of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said the new commercial center was actually inspired by the “one-stop-shop” concept being promoted by the SBMA here to provide the public with efficient, fast, and quality service.

“Subic really is becoming a place of one-stop attractions,” Saño said, pointing out that the Freeport started out with entertainment facilities grouped around forests or water park themes.

“Then from the same concept that SBMA introduced years ago for visa applications, export and import transactions, and business accreditation, here come the one-stop-shop lanes,” he added.

The latest of Subic’s one-stop-shop centers offers almost everything from the latest electronic gadgets and mobile phones, to beauty products and services.

Spaces at the second floor of the building, meanwhile, will be devoted mostly to office operations by various companies.

At the ground floor, the commercial spaces now house various outlets like Smokey’s Hotdog Bar, San’s Shawarma, Oh My Grill, Ground Zero Telecoms, Sun Shop Express, Fonerange Communications, EALM Lotto Station, and Star Botica.

Joaquin Buenaflor, president of Star Botica, said that with the cooperation of United Laboratories (Unilab), the new drug store hopes to provide affordable medicines for all.

He added that the company hopes to benefit the more than 5,000 employees of the SBMA and about 50,000 workers employed by Subic Freeport business locators.

The one-stop-shop center is also located a few meters from a movie house, fast food stores, banks, hotels, restaurants, as well as the Subic gymnasium and other sports facilities.

Saño said another one-stop-shop can be found along the Waterfront Road, where visitors can indulge in music, food, sports and wellness, and entertainment.

He added that two other similar groupings of business establishments are rising at the Subic seaport area and the Subic Gateway area.

These one-stop-shop centers are becoming popular among visitors, workers and residents in the Subic Bay Freeport, Saño also said. (SBMA Corporate Communications)


PHOTO: Joaquin Buenaflor, president of Star Botica, presents their line of products during the opening of the drugstore at the new “One Stop Shop” commercial center in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Subic Golf Course to sell $20-M shares

Around $20-million worth of shares are up for grabs as soon as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves the selling of Subic Golf Course membership inside this premier Freeport.

Subic Golf Course operator Hanafil Golf and Tour, Inc. released the statement, adding that the money will be used for further development of the area.

Hanafil CEO Benjamin John Defensor III said that they are also planning to absorb all of the members the golf course that are in good standing.

He added that they would also be opening their doors to members who went dormant but would want to update their membership with the new golf course operator.

The golf course’s 500 members are composed mostly of Filipinos, but Defensor said that with the trend Subic Bay Freeport is going, it would not be long that foreign golfers would take the majority of members.

“We have already tapped Netforce International to reconstruct the facility. We are currently replacing the greens and fairways to make Subic Golf a world-class golf course, and we are utilizing the new nursery inside our facility to create the greens,” Defensor said.

Plans of building a new hotel and some luxury villas around the golf course are on the way, but the company reiterated that the developments being made are for the current and future members to appreciate.

“These developments will bring up the value of their shares,” Defensor said.

A study by the company shows that the peak season for golfing falls from January to March for cold weather countries, April to May for local golfers, and October to December. These are the times when the golf course is really busy.

The company plans to employ more than 150 golfing staff to accommodate the growing number of members, with a policy of preferably a golf staff per member every time they play.

With the recent acquisition of large local investors in the area like Ayala Land, expect Subic Bay Freeport to be at the forefront of tourism sites in the country today. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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21st Ad Congress to pour up to P100M into Subic economy

The 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC), which will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on November 18-21, could fetch the local economy an income ranging from P60 million to P100 million.

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), through its executive director Kenneth Peralta, placed a conservative revenue estimate from this year’s PAC at around P60-70 million.

However, the actual income could reach as high as P100million, said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, pointing out that the hotel industry in the Subic Bay Freeport and the neighboring Olongapo City would get the chunk of the proceeds.

The rest of the income, he said, would go to various industries like transportation, which would include vehicle rentals; food and beverage, including catering services; duty-free shops and other tourism establishments; as well as the services sector, including honoraria for event staff and volunteers.

Arreza based his calculation on expectations that about 10,000 people would be spending at least P10,000 each during their four-day stay here for the duration of the Ad Congress.

The projected arrivals, he said, included at least 3,500 actual delegates to the congress, plus family members who would tag along, the organizers and their staff, guests, performers, and walk-in visitors.

Moreover, there will also be the participants in the Araw Awards, which will serve as the culminating feature of the congress. Arreza said the awards night, which recognizes the best works in the advertising industry, normally draws another set of attendees.

“The 21st AdCon will be an early Christmas present for Subic Bay, Olongapo City, and even the contiguous areas of Bataan and Zambales,” said Arreza.

He added that the SBECC, which enabled the SBMA to host the attendance record-breaking Ad Congress in 2007, is being prepped up and should be ready anytime this week.

Local businesses, meanwhile, are working on their end to prepare hotels and restaurants for the PAC, which is considered as the local advertising industry’s version of the Oscar Awards, said SBFCC’s Peralta.

The SBFCC, a private, non-profit organization established in 1995 by business locators in this free port, has done the same in 2007’s installment of the advertising event..

Peralta, however, admitted that this year’s congress is, comparably “very, very challenging.”

“In 2007, we were given five months to prepare. This year? Barely three weeks,” said Peralta, noting the sudden shift of the congress venue from Baguio City to Subic because of the heavy damage sustained by roads leading to the original venue.

Peralta also noted that the SBMA workforce is working at a very impressive pace, impressing both the local businessmen and the 21st PAC organizing committee. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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ASIAN DUALTHLON CHAMPIONSHIPS Start List (as of Nov 4)

Just a week to go before the 2009 ASTC Asian Duathlon Championships in Subic on Nov 15.

The world's best are coming: ITU #1 Sergey Yakolev of Russia, #2 Damien Derobert of France, and #4 Rafael Baugh of Australia are racing. So are a slew of rated Japanese athletes and former European Dua Women's Champ Radka Vadickova.

Just a week to go before the 2009 ASTC Asian Duathlon Championships in Subic on Nov 15.

The world's best are coming: ITU #1 Sergey Yakolev of Russia, #2 Damien Derobert of France, and #4 Rafael Baugh of Australia are racing. So are a slew of rated Japanese athletes and former European Dua Women's Champ Radka Vadickova.

Of course, Pinoys NeilCatiil, August Benedicto, Rabeno Javier,and Monica Torres are banking on course familiarity to push these guys.

Kids, 4 athletes of the Hong Kong Youth Team are doing the Mini-Sprint so here's a chance to go against some foreign competition.

On the developmental side and for those of you not up to a full dua because you are all raced out, we've included a Relay Category, 2 or 3 athletes. Teams can have1 or 2 runners or if they choose, have a guy do a combination of the bike/run.

BTW, Rudy Project is doing the event shirt and you'll want this one for your collection.

See you at ADC 2009.

Below is the Start List as of Nov 4:

(SURNAME, FIRSTNAME - Gen - Country - Age - Dist.)

1 REYES , TINA - F - 41 - AGE GROUP
2 LIM HUI YI , KRISTEN - F - SIN - 26 - AGE GROUP
3 GRANDINETTI, BELLE - F - 34 - AGE GROUP
4 DACANAY, NINA PATRICIA - F - 28 - AGE GROUP
5 JOPSON, JOYETTE - F - 30 - AGE GROUP
6 RYNN, PHILIP - M - 50 - AGE GROUP
7 REYES, GERARD - M - 38 - AGE GROUP
8 ENRIQUEZ, MICHAEL - M - 35 - AGE GROUP
9 CRUZ, JEFFREY JASON - M - 36 - AGE GROUP
10 ANG, LEVY - M - 38 - AGE GROUP
11 WONG, MELVIN - M - SIN - 26 - AGE GROUP
12 GUIEB, RHODERICK - M - 31 - AGE GROUP
13 BALABA, BRIGILIO - M - 64 - AGE GROUP
14 ENRIQUEZ, LEROY - M - 33 - AGE GROUP
15 DONATO, RAWLIN - M - 48 - AGE GROUP
16 TAYAG, JUMBO - M - 34 - AGE GROUP
17 GRANDINETTI, MICHAEL - M - 57 - AGE GROUP
18 GARCIA, LEANDRO - M - 26 - AGE GROUP
19 OSMANI, ARMANDO - M - 52 - AGE GROUP
20 JARIN, PETER - M - 42 - AGE GROUP
21 GALANG, ALAN - M - 28 - AGE GROUP
22 HAJAJI, NAJAFABADI MOHAMAD KAZEM - M - IRN - 33 - AGE GROUP
23 MARAÑON, GREGORY - M - 40 - AGE GROUP
24 MERCADO, GINO - M - 33 - AGE GROUP
25 OLONAN, ERICK ANDREW - M - 27 - AGE GROUP
26 CABAHUG, KRISTIAN - M - 27 - AGE GROUP
27 TRINIDAD, JOSE - M - 47 - AGE GROUP
28 PEREZ, MANOLO - M - PHI - 44 - AGE GROUP
29 MALAKUNAS, KARL - M - AUS - 36 - AGE GROUP
30 LORENZO, MARTIN - M - PHI - 37 - AGE GROUP
31 CU UNJIENG, JOSEPH - M - USA - 47 - AGE GROUP
32 MANUEL, PAOLO - M - PHI - 28 - AGE GROUP
33 PE, BENITO ISMAEL - M - PHI - 47 - AGE GROUP
34 CO, MELVIN - M - PHI - 38 - AGE GROUP
35 STROEM, RUNE - M - NOR - 47 - AGE GROUP
36 TORRES, MONICA - F - PHI - ELITE
37 LANGIT, LEA COLINE - F - PHI - ELITE
38 MIRASOL, ABAD - F - PHI - ELITE
39 INOUE, ERIKA - F - JPN - ELITE
40 SAWADA, AIRI - F - JPN - ELITE
41 VODICKOVA, RADKA - F - CZE - ELITE
42 SHAHROM, ABDULLAH - M - MAS - ELITE
43 KRISHNA, KUMAR JAYARAM - M - MAS - ELITE
44 CATIIL, NEIL - M - PHI - ELITE
45 ROBENO, JAVIER - M - PHI - ELITE
46 BENEDICTO, AUGUST - M - PHI - ELITE
47 PEDREGOSA, CARLO - M - PHI - ELITE
48 VILOG, GEORGE - M - PHI - ELITE
49 FUKAURA, YUYA - M - JPN - ELITE
50 BAUGH, RAPHAEL - M - AUS - ELITE
51 DEROBERT, DAMIEN - M - FRA - ELITE
52 BAYLON, RICHARD - M - PHI - 29 - ELITE
53 BIAG, BILLY - M - PHI - 25 - ELITE
54 CLARABAL, ELMO - M - PHI - 29 - ELITE
55 PEÑALOSA, FRANKLIN - M - PHI - 32 - ELITE
56 NAGA, MARLON - M - PHI - 32 - ELITE
57 MANGROBANG, KIM - F - PHI - U-23-ELITE
58 CHEUNG TING YAN, JOYCE - F - HKG - U-23-ELITE
59 VALDEZ, JEFF - M - PHI - 31 - ELITE
60 ODONIO, ROWEL - M - PHI - U-23-ELITE
61 BORLING, BRIAN - M - PHI - U-23-ELITE
62 KURIHARA, MASAAKI - M - JPN - U-23-ELITE
63 TANAKA, JUN - M - JPN - U-23-ELITE
64 TSUJI, TAIKI - M - JPN - U-23-ELITE
65 CHAN YE KO, RICCO - M - HKG - U-23-ELITE
66 CHAN, SIU YUK - F - HKG - 44 - ADULT SPRINT
67 BELTRAN, ALESSANDRA LANI - F - 40 - ADULT SPRINT
68 ENRIQUEZ, AZENITH - F - PHI - 32 - ADULT SPRINT
69 BAGATSING, DON - M - 34 - ADULT SPRINT
70 DONATO JR, JORGE - M - 50 - ADULT SPRINT
71 DONATO, NOEL - M - 43 - ADULT SPRINT
72 ANGELES, GERARDO - M - 29 - ADULT SPRINT
73 HEO, SIMON - M - 32 - ADULT SPRINT
74 LOSTE, BAYANI - M - 37 - ADULT SPRINT
75 ALMANZA, RYAN - M - 31 - ADULT SPRINT
76 HUELGAS, NIKKO BRYAN - M - 18 - ADULT SPRINT
77 VELUZ, WILFREDO - M - 34 - ADULT SPRINT
78 TEGUMHANON, RUEL ROY - M - 35 - ADULT SPRINT
79 GO, JEREMY - M - 26 - ADULT SPRINT
80 MOSTOLES, GIL CARLOS - M - 25 - ADULT SPRINT
81 SINDANUM, JESUS REIGNER JR. - M - PHI - 32 - ADULT SPRINT
82 PE, BENITO JOHANNAH - F - PHI ELITE - JUNIOR SPRINT
83 JUROLAN, PHILIP - M - PHI - ELITE-JUNIOR SPRINT
84 LEE, CHUN SENG - M - MAS - ELITE-JUNIOR SPRINT
85 DUMOL, KEVIN RAPHAEL - M - PHI - 17 - ELITE-JUNIOR SPRINT
86 PE, BENITO JOSHUA - M - PHI - 17 - ELITE-JUNIOR SPRINT
87 CHEUNG TSZ, KIT - M - HKG - ELITE-JUNIOR SPRINT
88 ARMILLA, LUIS - M - PHI - 13 - MINI SPRINT
89 SANTIAGO, GABRIEL ALLEN - M - PHI - 13 - MINI SPRINT
90 STROEM, EIRIK - M - NOR - 14 - MINI SPRINT
91 WONG, PERRY - M - HKG - MINI SPRINT
92 LI TSZ HEI, LEO - M - HKG - MINI SPRINT
93 WAI, NAOMI - F - HKG - MINI SPRINT
94 CHOI YAN YIN, HILDA - F - HKG - MINI SPRINT

(c/o SBMA Corporate Communications)

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SBMA approves $20.45-M new projects

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has recently approved 44 new investment projects in this free port, with total committed investments worth US$20.45 million.

The new batch of approvals, said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, “signify the unfailing determination of the SBMA to generate more investments and create more jobs despite the global economic slowdown.”

“To a great extent, the SBMA has been successful in sustaining the developmental momentum of the Subic Bay Freeport amid an unpredictable and unstable global economy,” Arreza said.

“We hope the entry of new investments would lead to a more robust business climate at the end of 2009, and at the start of the coming year,” Arreza added.

According to Stefani Saño, SBMA senior deputy administrator for business and investment, the bulk of new investments were made in August, when 24 firms proposed projects totaling $12.95 million.

The following month, the SBMA gave the go signal for 20 other projects with projected investments of $7.5 million.

Saño said the new investments are also projected to create a total of 765 jobs.

Among the projects signed in August and September, the biggest committed investment came from Pure Petroleum Corp., which projected a $6.22-million investment for its business of importation, selling, storage and transshipment of petroleum products.

The second biggest in terms of investment commitment was Subic Business and Technology College, Inc., which will put up $4.29 million for a learning center. The school shall offer short term technical and vocational courses, as well as professional, and tertiary degree courses in various disciplines.

Rounding up the top five investors in this batch are: Bonsure Evergreen International Corp., which shall put up $2.21 million for a food manufacturi8ng business; Chifil International Import-Export Manufacturing Co., Inc., with $1.41 million for cigarette manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and transshipment; and Petron Corporation, with $1.02 million for the establishment of a gas station.

Meanwhile, of the new business projects, Pure Petroleum and Chifil Internatinal led the pack in having the biggest number of jobs to be created, both at 100. Subic Business College came next at 50 jobs, followed by 40 for Bonsure and 35 for Petron.

Saño also said that aside from the new projects, the SBMA also approved 22 investor requests for renewal of lease or sublease agreements; seven proposals for additional facilities and eight for transfer of facilities; and 16 requests for amendments of business activities.

Among those who renewed their lease agreements with the SBMA were: Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Subic International Air Charter, Inc., Vision Air & Sea Services, Inc., Sanritsu Technology Subic, Inc., and Nakayama Precision Industries Inc.

Meanwhile, those who requested for additional facilities included Philippine Coastal Storage & Pipeline Corp., Bataan Automotive Remanufacturing Corp., R. Joseph Holdings Subic, Inc., Yong Travel & Tours & Marketing Co. Inc., and Racso Sizzler Foods Corp.. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Subic Takes On The 21st PAC Challenge

Preparation for the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) from November 18-21 are taking place at lightning speed. This is the homestretch after more than a year of work.

One of the final details to tie up is the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), where the 21st PAC will be held in its two-year old Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Heads of the PAC and Advertising Board of the Philippines (AdBoard) traveled to Subic On October 23 to formalize arrangements with the SBMA authorities. SBMA CEO and Administrator Armand Arreza, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga and SBMA Deputy Administrator Raul Marcelo welcomed 21st PAC chairman Margot Torres, AdBoard chairman Charmaine Camillas and 21st PAC administrator committee chairman Digna Santos in an afternoon gathering.

The group came together at the Lighthouse Marina Resort to sign the MOA amid the fast-track to the 21st PAC. Subic barely has a month to get ready to host the ad event- the result of a last minute-change of venue brought about by the inclement weather that ravaged Northern Luzon.

"Uso yata dito 'yun short and sweet," Torres says. We'd like to thank SBMA for welcoming us back to Subic. Can you imagine our luck that Subic was available? We did check Metro Manila for available venues because of the heightened fear and paranoia of the typhoons, unfortunately, there was none."

Securing Subic came was a major break for the 21st PAC. The Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center was booked for the celebration of Subic's (17-year) anniversary in the first place. Fortunately, it's organizers gave way to the 21st PAC.

"It is indeed a privelege to host the PAC for the third time," Arreza says.

The first time was 14 years ago when SBMA had to convert a basketball gymnasium into a convention facility to receive the ad congress delegates. In 2007, the 12,000 square- meter Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center was purposely built to host the 20th PAC.

"Now that you'r back, I think we have more than enough time to prepare for the 21st PAC," Arreza jokes.

Despite numerous setbacks this year, the ad congress chooses to push forward, and it does so resolutely with the purpose to make a difference.

"We started this congress with a vision which is fun and relevant learning for the industry," says Torres. "But our theme 'Perspectives: Ano sa tingin mo?' takes on a bigger challenge. We started out as an economic crisis has turned into a socioeconomic and environmental crisis."

"Action will lead to change and will lead to something productive. The first question after Typhoon Ondoy was not the pullout but how to make the ad congress relevant. If we postpone the event to a later date, how can w help? The best venue to get the industry together and discuss this is still the ad congress. That's how we can make a difference as an industry."

Subic has made it possible for the 21st PAC to carry on. The notice was short and the time in which to prepare is getting shorter by the day, but like the ad congress, Subic has risen to the challenge. It's all set. Get ready for th 21st PAC in Subic. (Business Mirror)


Photo: Oct 23, 2009 4pm Lighthouse Marina, SBFZ. The 21st Philippine Advertising Congress Memorandum of Agreement between SBMA and PAC - Signed and Sealed! From left: Deputy Administrator for Tourism RAUL MARCELO, SBMA Administrator ARMAND C. ARREZA, SBMA Chairman FELICIANO G. SALONGA, AD Board Chairman CHARMAINE CANILLAS, 21st PAC Chairman MARGOT TORRES, PAC Admin Committee Chairman DIGNA SANTOS.

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Subic Bay Asian Dualthon Championships slated

WORLD class action takes place in the 2009 Subic Bay ASTC Asian Duathlon Championships slated November 15 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

International Triathlon Union (ITU) number one ranked duathlete in Russian Sergey Yakolev and Japan's Aira Sawada banners the foreign field in the male and female elite class as they vie for top honors and a big slice from the P250,000 total prizes raised by organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Prior to the race, the ITU will first conduct a Level II Technical Official Education Seminar from November 13 and 14 with ITU Events Operations Manager Thanos Nikopolous as the lecturer.

After the seminar, participants will be asked to help officiate in the Asian Duathlon Championships and those who will pass the test may be eligible to work in the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010 and the Asian Beach Games in Muscat, Oman in 2011.

Joining Yakolev, who won the 2009 Mekong River ITU Duathlon World Series event and placed third in the Budapest ETU Duathlon European Championships, in the male elite are ITU number two ranked Damien Derobert of France, number 4 ranked Raphael Baugh of Australia and number 10 ranked Yuya Fukaura of Japan.

Malaysia's Shahrom Abdullah and Krishna Kumar have also confirmed their participation in this event also backed by Rudy Project, Sunkist, Fitness First, Globe, David's Salon, Vitwater, Gatorade, Asian Center for Insulation Phils.

Derobert best showing this year was a second place finish in the World Duathlon held in Concord, Connecticut, USA while Baugh is a veteran of the Asian Duathlon Championship which was held in Clark where he finished second to Ryan Mendoza.

Sawada meanwhile looms as the top female competitor as she topped the Mekong River race last March aside from being a 12th place finisher in the World Duathlon Championships.

Sawada's compatriot Erika Inoue is also competing in the race to be held at the 10k run, 40-k bike and 5-k run distance in a new course at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Philippines will be bannered by the defending Philippine International Duathlon Open Champions Neil Catiil and Monica Torres. Other noted bets from the host country includes Robeno Javier, August Benedicto and George Vilog in the male and Lea Coline Langit and Mirasol Abad in the female class.

Japan's Jun Tanaka, Masaaki Kurihara and Taiki Tsuji will challenge the country's top Under 23 elite led by Carlo Pedregosa, Rowel Odonio and Brian Borling while Kim Mangrobang will anchor the host country's campaign in the U-23 female elite.

Johannah Pe Benito who claimed her first medal, a bronze, in international event during the Hong Kong ITU Premium Race and Cagayan de Oro prized find Philip Jurolan will carry the cudgels for Philippines in the Junior Female and Male elite.

China, Mongolia, Iran, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Singapore and Indonesia are also expected to participate in the ITU technical workshop held in consonance with the second big event by TRAP with SBMA. The first major event was the Subic Bay International Marathon held last May. (Trap Online News)

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Prestigious cycling competition set on April 2010 in Subic Bay (Stage 3)

Le Tour De Filipinas: U.C.I. okays 2010 Padyak Pinoy Tour as part of Asian Continental Circuit

THE Philippines makes an emphatic—and perhaps even dramatic—return to the world cycling map with the staging of the 2010 Padyak Pinoy Tour of the Philippines, a four-stage road cycling competition that would pit the country’s cream of the crop against foreign rivals not only from Asia but also from Europe.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), through its president Pat McQuaid, has approved the request of Padyak Pinoy organizer Dynamic Outsource Solutions Inc. (Dos-1) for the 2010 Tour of the Philippines which will be staged from April 17 to 20, 2010.

Dos-1 president and Padyak Pinoy chairman Gary Cayton said the event will be aptly called the “Le Tour de Filipinas.”

This marks the first time in 12 years that the Philippines would be included on the UCI calendar on the Asian Continental Circuit. The last time the UCI sanctioned and calendared a local multistage race was from 1996 to 1998 when the Tour was then known as the Marlboro Tour.

Bert Lina, the immediate past president of the national federation of cycling, PhilCycling, and whose Lina Group of Cos. has Dos-1 as one of its growing number of companies, was elated with UCI’s inclusion of the race on its official calendar.

“This proves the trust and confidence the UCI has on the Philippines, something which Filipino cyclists, particularly past Tour champions, have impressed on the world governing body for the sport, particularly on its president, Mr. Pat McQuaid,” said Lina, chairman emeritus of the UCI-recognized PhilCycling, headed by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino. “This also serves as a boost to the tourism industry in the country while it effectively raises the bar of cycling sports in the local arena.”

“This is a major breakthrough for Philippine cycling,” said Cayton, adding, “this as a historical rebirth of sorts, considering that it has been 12 long years since the UCI held a sanctioned race in the Philippines. This development finally brings our country back on the world cycling map.”

Tolentino said: “The UCI decision is a clear testimony in the capability of the Philippines to host an international event and in the Filipino cyclists’ readiness to face foreign counterparts on Philippines soil.”

The four-stage Tour of the Philippines would start on April 17 with the Tagaytay-Tagaytay massed start race, followed by a team time-trial competition in the second stage on Roxas Boulevard and the Diosdado Macapagal Avenue in Manila. Stage three will also be a massed start from Quezon City to Subic (via the Nlex and SCTEx) race, while the final stage four will be an out-and-back competition in Subic. At least five foreign teams are expected to take part in the Le Tour de Filipinas.

The 2010 Tour of the Philippines, details of which will be posted on www.padyakpinoy.com, is actually the highlight of the 2010 Padyak Pinoy, which will consist of 21 stages spread over 25 days and which would kick off in Davao City, pierce through the heart of Mindanao before reaching Leyte and Samar, trace its way up north via Bicol, before traversing Cagayan Valley on its way to Ilocos where the cyclists prepare to climb the dreaded roads leading to the final stage in Baguio City. (Business Mirror)

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Koreans still top Subic investors

Korean businessmen remain the top investors inside this premier Freeport as more than 19 Korean companies poured in some $493,374.39 or almost P24 million in committed investments just for the third quarter of 2009.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said, “We are pleased to tell you that the number of Korean investors have significantly grown and that our local investors are just behind them.”

“With the current boom of Korean companies investing here, our local businesses and entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to gain from the momentum since most of the foreign investors here buy locally made raw materials instead of importing them from their country,” Arreza added.

This year, the Koreans are pouring a total of $54.159 million in committed investments (equity) even before the end of the year.

On the other hand, local investors have increased as they invested a total of $51.56 million, while some 107 projects from local investors were approved by the SBMA board.

The third quarter alone yielded some $17.6 million worth of investments from 50 projects as 37 of them are 100% Filipino while the other 13 are mostly Filipino investors with small foreign equities.

“The increase of Filipino investors here have significantly improved since last year mainly because foreign companies who send their expats here made Subic Freeport their second home,” Arreza said.

“Most of the local companies who invested here are banking on the possible rise in the tourism trend of the Freeport, especially during the summer and Christmas season,” Arreza added.

Currently, Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. (HHIC) remains the biggest investor in the Freeport with a whopping $1.684 billion while Ocean 9 PhilKor, Inc. invests some $52.4 million and Hanafil Golf and Tour, Inc. (Hanafil) invests around $48 million. Korean investors fund these companies. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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Pacific Pearl Airways starts Subic flights

A low-cost airline which has established its base of operations here has announced the start of its $10-million project to fly chartered planes to various tourist destinations in the country and abroad.

Pacific Pearl Airways (PPA), a private airline established in 2006, said it will begin flying out of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) in December this year.

Airline president Kristoffer Jimenez, who signed the firm’s business contract with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last week, said PPA will initially field two advanced Boeing 737-200 jets for international flights and some turboprop aircraft for local flights.

Jimenez said local destinations will initially be to popular tourism spots like Boracay, Bohol, Cebu and Davao. But as PPA begins to establish its presence in the local airline industry, the company will expand its local flight destinations.

According to the airline official, the Subic Bay Free Port has a “very strategic location.”

“A lot of tourists come here, foreigners and locals alike. It is also a booming place in terms of businesses,” Jimenez added, ticking off the advantages of locating in Subic.

To attract its potential market, Jimenez said PPA “will be offering competitive rates without sacrificing quality service costs,” an advantage he said was made possible by tax incentives and other perks offered by the SBMA.

He added that his company also intends to “eliminate stop-over hassles” with direct flights, thereby significantly cutting travel lag time.

This would allow Pacific Pearl passengers to gain more savings and more quality holidays, said Jimenez.

Meanwhile, SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said during the contract-signing ceremonies that PPA’s $10-million investment pledge is “proof of Subic Bay’s economic resiliency.”

“What we have witnessed now proves that there’s still life after FedEx,” said Arreza, adding that the SBMA has been trying to attract more locators to the SBIA.

FedEx, the US courier giant that used SBIA as its Asia-Pacific hub since 1998, transferred its hub operations to China in February, bowing to realities of the expanding Chinese market.

Arreza, however, pointed out that because of its international airport, “Subic can host just about any kind of air-transport requirements.”

Arreza cited that the SBIA’s cargo-sorting capability has its edge over other airports in the country today. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

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PLDT unit granted reprieve for Subic zone

THE Supreme Court has remanded to the trial court the issue of whether the Subic Telecommunications Co. Inc (Subictel), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications Co. Inc., has the right to exclusively provide telco services inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

In a 17-page decision penned by Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., the Court’s Third Division reversed and set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeals (CA) issued on April 4, 2008 which upheld the resolution of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Olongapo City dismissing Subictel’s complaint for “specific performance with prayers for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction” against Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Innove Communications Inc., a subsidiary telecommunications of Globe Telecom.

The appellate court agreed with the Olongapo RTC in junking the complaint filed by Subictel on the ground of “litis pendentia” or pending suit and forum shopping in its decision issued on June 30, 2006.

It held that the parties’ issues raised as well as the relief being sought by Subictel in the administrative case it filed with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) are the same with the civil case it filed before the lower court.

The High Tribunal, however, said both the CA and the trial court erred in issuing the ruling, thus, directed the RTC, Branch 74 in Olongapo City to continue with the proceedings of the civil case filed by Subictel and resolve it with dispatch.

“In ruling on the presence of litis pendentia, both the trial and appellate courts, however, overlooked the fact that there is more determining the identity of the causes of action than an identity of the documentary evidence presented by Subictel. But the more fundamental question to consider is whether or not the cause of action in the second case existed at the time the filing of the first case,” the SC stressed.

Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Antonio Carpio, Minita Chico-Nazario, Antonio Eduardo Nachura and Diosdado Peralta.

In the administrative case, the SC noted, Subictel sought the reconsideration of SBMA’s order giving Innove a provisional permit to operate international and leased lines services as well as local exchange and toll services.

SBMA was not a party to the case but was the quasi-judicial body hearing the Innove’s application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), while Subictel intervened in said case as oppositor to Innove’s application.

But in the civil case filed before the Olongapo RTC, SBMA was the principal party while Innove was impleaded for having been granted a temporary franchise by SBMA.

“Thus, as between the administrative case and the civil case, there was no identity of parties,” the Court stressed.

The SC also held that the relief being sought by Subictel in the administrative case was different from the one prayed for in the civil case.

The remedies sought in administrative case, according to the SC, hinge on the acceptance by SBMA of Innove’s application for CPCN and the consequent proceedings on the matter while the civil case was triggered by the denial by SBMA of Subictel’s notices to exercise the renewal of its alleged exclusivity rights under the joint venture agreement.

“From the foregoing distinction, it is clear that there is, as between the two actions, no identity of rights asserted and relief prayed for; and the facts whence the reliefs are sought are different,” the Court explained.

Subictel anchored its claim for exclusive privilege to operate telecommunication services inside the Subic Freeport on the joint venture agreement (JVA) it signed with the SBMA on June 29, 1994 which is valid for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.

The JVA was inked following the withdrawal of the US military forces in Subic in the aftermath of Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

The agreement further provides that for a period of 10 years, the SBMA would not allow third parties to engage in any activity within the freeport zone, which could impair Subictel’s operation. It likewise gave Subictel the option to renew its exclusivity privilege for three-year periods.

On April 22, 2004, Subictel notified SBMA that it was exercising its option to renew its exclusivity privilege under the JVA for another five years.

Subictel, however, learned that SBMA had started accepting applications for third parties for CPCN to provide international and leased line services and local and toll services.

Despite its opposition, SBMA did not recognize Subictel’s option to renew its exclusive privilege and gave Innove provisional authority to compete with Subictel.

The SBMA board asserted that it was just exercising its power to regulate public utilities within the Freeport Zone pursuant to Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992.

Innove, on the other hand, claimed that all authorities to operate public utilities are, by constitutional mandate, nonexclusive.

It added that Subictel failed to prove that its entry into the zone would cause grave and irreparable damage. (Joel R. San Juan, Mirror Reporter)

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BCDA bids out SCTEX

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority is seeking a private sector partner for the privatization of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac expressway (SCTEX), hoping to raise the equivalent of P38.9 billion from the exercise.

The agency made available yesterday the terms of reference of the bidding. A pre-bid conference is scheduled on November 10.

Victor Zablan, chairperson of BCDA’s asset disposition program committee, said in a bidding announcement that the private sector partner will be in charge of the management, operations, and maintenance of SCTEX.

It will also be responsible for the operational funding requirements for SCTEX, including insurance and the provision for the following services: management; collection; traffic safety and security management; toll road maintenance, including greenery and landscaping, and all necessary support services.

In return, the private sector partner will pay BCDA a semi-annual lease/concession fee amounting to the peso equivalent of the yen-denominated loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation as well as financing charge of the Department of Finance totaling P38.9 billion throughout the 33.5 years of life of the concession.

The fee is payable to BCDA 10 days prior to its due dates, or 20 percent of the audited gross toll revenues whichever is higher.

JBIC loaned P26 billion to bankroll the project.

In an earlier interview, Zablan said BCDA would begin paying off the loan in 2011, amounting to P950 million to P1 billion annually including interest.

He said the amount could escalate to P1.2 billion once BCDA starts drawing down from a JBIC P7 billion supplemental loan.

That supplemental loan was supposed to finance the interchanges and the cost escalation of the project.

BCDA has so far used up 95 percent of the P19 billion loan.

The 94-kilometer tollroad is not hitting the desired number of users as estimated by a study conducted by Pacific Consultants of Japan, which is 35,000 vehicles per day in the first year of operations, due to high fuel prices last year.

The average number of motorists using SCTEX is seen to more than double to 20,000 a day this year from 8,000 vehicles a day in 2008. SCTEX peaked at 18,000 to 20,000 users a day during the summer months of April and May.

The number of motorists patronizing SLEX is expected to recover in the run-up to Christmas.

Once open, two more interchanges, in Porac and in Floridablanca in Pampanga, will improve the use of SCTEX. (Malaya)

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Fake Spanish-era cannons find novel purpose in Subic Bay

In a place where authentic shipwrecks abound, planting replicas of cannons, anchors and other parts of Spanish galleons on the seabed may seem an overkill.

But if professional diver Brian Homan would have his way, he would even sink in Subic Bay a full replica of a Spanish galleon for the sake of “authenticity.”

Since last year, Homan, an Australian who owns the watering hole-cum-maritime museum Vasco’s in this free port, has been making copies of bronze cannons that were once arrayed on ship decks of the mighty Spanish armada.

And the purpose of Homan’s fakes? To serve as “apartments” for crabs, fishes and other bottom dwellers in Subic Bay.

“Everybody is into artificial reef building,” Homan said in a recent interview. “But here in Subic, we’re trying to create something different—an artificial reef that would help both the environment and tourism.”

Homan’s personal project to reproduce marine artifacts stemmed from the fact that most artificial reefs consisted mostly of worn-out car tires, old vehicles and discarded appliances, like refrigerators, that, once sunk, appeared like eyesores on the seabed.

In Subic, which capitalizes on shipwrecks, coral reefs and underwater sceneries to attract tourists, the discards stuck out like the underwater thrash that they were, turning off divers.

As an alternative, Homan embarked last year on his artifacts-reproduction project with the express approval of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), making casts of authentic Spanish cannons, then molding concrete replicas to be laid out underwater.

“It’s a very noteworthy project, and it gained our endorsement because it’s so environment-friendly,” said Amethya de la Llana-Koval, head of the SBMA Ecology Center.

“Brian has come up with an imaginative solution that positively impacts our thrusts to improve marine diversity and attract more visitors, particularly divers, to Subic Bay,” Koval added.

Subic Bay has at least 18 known shipwrecks, most of them of World War II, that were scuttled to prevent enemy ships from entering the port of Subic. But easily the most popular diving attraction here is the Spanish gunboat San Quentin, which sank off Grande Island at the mouth of Subic Bay in 1898.

Homan’s replicas, which are laid out in relatively shallow waters, won’t detract from Subic’s reputation as home to authentic shipwrecks, Koval said.

Homan said the concrete replicas—hollowed and fitted out with some holes for the entry and exit of fishes and crustaceans—each took from three to four weeks to complete.

But it took at least three months for the counterfeit cannons to blend in with the other elements in their new watery environment, Homan added.

So far, Homan said, his fake artifacts had successfully delivered on their primary objective of serving as artificial reefs. A cannon that he submerged late last year had already attracted colonies of barnacles and oysters.

In this condition, he said, the counterfeit cannons and anchors looked authentic and, hence, could also improve the underwater scenery in Subic Bay. Neophyte divers can even practice wreck diving among the reproduced relics, he added.

But divers not familiar with Subic’s known shipwrecks should beware because they could easily be fooled by the reproductions.

“They’d probably think they’ve discovered a new wreck, when, in fact, it’s just one of my crab apartments,” Homan said. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

In photo: BRIAN HOMAN shows a photo of a barnacle-encrusted cannon laid alongside his molded concrete replicas of the Spanish-era artifacts. The reproductions serve as artificial reefs in Subic Bay, which boasts of numerous authentic shipwrecks.

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Hanjin puts expansion on hold

Hanjin Subic shipyard has put its expansion plans on hold pending new ship order. The shipyard has so 29 ship orders for delivery until 2013.

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction -Philippines (HHIC-Phil) has received a total of 37 ship orders since it started operation in 2006.

The good news is that there was no ship order cancellation, even as the world shipping industry was severely affected by the world economic recession.

"There has been no ship cancellation. The orders were still at 37, eight of them were already delivered, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza.

But, the planned "expansion was put on hold, until new orders come in."

Hanjin is preparing for dry-dock number 7 for construction to accommodate future ship building activities.

Dry-docks 5 and 6 were included in the first phase of development worth $1.6 billion.

The second phase of the project development which involve the construction of dry-dock 7 will deliver another $1 billion in investment for Subic.

The dock no. 6 is 480-meter long 135 meter –wide and 13.5 meters deep which was completed last year. It has a bigger assembly line, and 1.7 kilometer quay wall and installation of 2 more units of ultra huge gantry crane.

Their commitment to employ about 40,000 employees would happen if the phase 2 of the project development would be completed.

The shipyard currently employs 18,000 workers.

Hanjin uses state of the art technology to ensure being at par with competitors and be able to maintain value for customers.

Hanjin’s shipyard expansion will allow the company to compete well with other major shipbuilders in Korea, such as Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

The firm plans to increase the shipbuilding capacity in Subic to 450,000 tons a year from the current 220,000 tons. The shipyard in Subic is equipped with facilities that can generate annual sales of about $3.1 billion. (Genivi Facto, Malaya)

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Kenyan runners rule Subic Marathon

The Kenyan juggernaut was on full display Saturday night as Vincent Chepsiror and Doreen Kitaka ruled the 2nd Smart-Subic International Marathon. Chepsisor, 29, topped the men’s side of the 42-kilometer marathon with a clocking of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 54 seconds, while the 26-year old Kitaka did the same in the women’s class at 3:01:12.

Each pocketed the top purse of $5,000 at stake in the race that started at the Subic Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Floridablanca, Pampanga late in the afternoon, and ended at night at the Remy Field inside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority here.

The Kenyan champions showing were way below their personal bests of 2:18 (Chepsiror) and 2:45 (Kitaka), respectively, admitting being first timers in running at night hampered their performances.

“Sometimes the darkness slowed me down, but overall I am happy with the course,” Chepsiror said at the finish line.

“I have trouble seeing in some places,” said Kitaka, also the winner of last week’s Quezon City International Marathon.

“I could have run faster if the event was held in daylight. But I have no complain because the people are very nice and the place is beautiful,” added the mother of two from Nairobi.

Cecilla Wangui also of Kenya, made it a 1-2 finish in the distaff side of the well-attended event presented by Smart and co-presented by the BCDA, SCTEX, Philippine National Police, SBMA, PAGC, Rotary International, Toby’s, Runnr, Burlington Bio-Fresh, Sports Armour and Chris Sports.

Aileen Tolentino of La Salle-Dasmariñas spoiled the Kenyan party by finishing a strong third (3:29:01) and became the top local finisher in the meet. She bagged $1,000 behind the $2,500 won by Wangui.

Another Kenyan in Sarah Maiyo, finished fourth while Filipina Joanne Mangat barged into the top five with a time of 3:34:23.

Eight Kenyans made it to the top 10 of the men’s class, as 18-year-old Willy Kipkemoi Rofich finished runner-up (2:28:14) worth $2,500. (Manila Bulletin)

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