Major forces moving to Subic

Manila, Philippines --- The Philippines plans to relocate major air force and navy camps to Subic Bay, a former US naval base north of Manila, to gain faster access to the West Philippine Sea, according to the country’s defense chief and a confidential government report.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said yesterday as soon as relocation funds are available the government plans to transfer air force and naval forces and their fleets of aircraft and warships to Subic Bay, which has become a busy free port since the 1992 departure of the US Navy.

“It’s for the protection of our West Philippine Sea,” Gazmin told The Associated Press by telephone, using the name adopted by the Philippine government for the disputed South China Sea.

“We’re looking now for the funding,” Gazmin said from South Korea, where he was on a visit.

Subic Bay is a natural deep harbor that can accommodate two large warships acquired recently by the Philippines from the United States, a defense treaty ally, he said, especially compared to shallower waters at the naval fleet base at Sangley Point in Cavite province, south of Manila.

A confidential defense department document obtained by the AP says Subic’s location will cut reaction time by fighter aircraft to contested South China Sea areas by more than 3 minutes compared with flying from Clark airfield, also north of Manila, where some air force planes are based.

“It will provide the armed forces of the Philippines strategic location, direct and shorter access to support West Philippine Sea theater of operations,” the document said.

The report said the cost of repairs and improvements for an air force base in Subic would be at least P5.1 billion (about $119 million). It said that compares with an estimated P11 billion ($256 million) that it would cost to build a new air force base, because the vast Subic complex about 80 km west of Manila already has a world-class runway and aviation facilities.

Relocating about 250 air force officers and men to Subic, along with “increased rotational presence of foreign visiting forces” would bolster business and trade at the port, the military document said.

The Philippines plans to grant visiting US forces, ships and aircraft temporary access to more of its military camps to allow for a larger number of joint military exercises than are currently staged each year.

A larger US presence could be used for disaster response and serve as a deterrent to what Philippine officials say have been recent aggressive intrusions by China into its territorial waters. (Associated Press)

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Another Navy warship to arrive next week

MANILA, Philippines - A second warship acquired from the US is expected to arrive (next week).

Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Gregory Fabic said the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is expected to arrive in Guam this weekend before sailing for the Philippines.

“It is really a big boost to our capability since it will be deployed within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines,” he said. “We are looking at BRP Ramon Alcaraz as a source of pride not only for us but also the Filipino people.”

Fabic said the warship will dock on Aug. 4 at Subic Freeport, where it will be repainted grey, the color of the Philippine Navy.

An arrival ceremony is slated for Aug. 6, and the Alcaraz is expected to be commissioned by the second week of October, he added.

Navy officials are now meeting with officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to prepare for the arrival of the Alcaraz, Fabic said.

Discussions will also be held with officials of the Presidential Management Staff since President Aquino is expected to be the guest of honor at the welcome ceremony.

The arrival ceremony will likely feature a “meeting procedure,” where a naval ship welcomes a vessel that will become part of the fleet.

The government spent more than P600 million to acquire the Alcaraz, which can accommodate up to 180 personnel.

The Alcaraz is the second warship acquired from the US, after the BRP Gregorio del Pilar that was commissioned in December 2011.

Commodore Ramon Alcaraz was a Navy officer who commanded a patrol boat during World War II.

The US Coast Guard used the Alcaraz for drug and migrant interdiction, law enforcement, search and rescue, living marine resources protection, and defense readiness.

The Alcaraz departed from its homeport in Charleston, South Carolina last June 10.

It made port visits to San Diego, California and Honolulu, Hawaii before sailing for Guam. (Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star)

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SBMA to release first semester 2013 LGU share of P74.5M

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to release a total of P74.5 million worth of revenue shares for the first semester of 2013 to communities adjacent to this premier free port.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia disclosed that the said figure consists of the P67.2-million revenue share for the first semester and the P7.3-million 10-percent retention withheld from the revenue share released in the first semester of 2011.

The funds will be disbursed on August 1, he added.

Garcia said these shares are intended to supplement development projects in health, education, peace and order, and livelihood generation of contiguous local government units (LGUs).

“The SBMA is continuing with its task of attracting more investments. The more investments we generate, the more revenue share we can collect from corporate taxes. And these will be forwarded to neighboring communities of the Subic Bay Freeport,” Garcia said.

According to SBMA Treasury Department records, Olongapo City will receive the biggest chunk of shares with a total of P18.12 million, while Subic, Zambales follows next with P11.05 million. Next comes Dinalupihan, Bataan, with P9.35 million; San Marcelino, Zambales, P9.02 million; Hermosa, Bataan, P7.6 million; San Antonio, Zambales, P6.57 million; Morong, Bataan, P6.44 million; and Castillejos, Zambales, P6.36 million.

The LGU shares are derived from two percent of the five percent corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises from January to June 2013. The other three per cent of the taxes paid are remitted directly to the national government through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The SBMA began releasing the shares directly to LGUs after a new tax collection scheme was implemented in August 2010 by the agency to ensure the prompt release of shares to the local communities.

The LGU share is determined according to population (50 per cent), land area (50 per cent), and equal sharing (25 per cent). (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Ang, Torres grab limelight in jet ski race

Two Filipino ace riders – veteran internationalist BJ Ang and Excel Torres of Iloilo Watercraft Association (IWA) – grabbed the spotlight following their dominating feats recently in the SBMA Jet Ski Invitational Race at the Subic Bay Freeport.

Ang, the lone Filipino jet ski rider in the 2013 Asian Motorboat Liuzhou Open in China this Sunday, displayed superb skills in his fast all-stock 2011 Sea Doo to open a wide lead and capture the Expert Runabout Open crown.

The event is organized by the Jet Sports Association of the Philippines (JSAP) under its new president Harley David and race director Joey Millionado with the support of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Torres overcame a talented field of champion riders as he gained the Expert Runabout 4-Strokes championship in the race supported by Networx Jetsports, Irma Fishing, R33 Car Exchange and the Philippine National Red Cross.

The country’s No.1 rider Paul del Rosario showed the crowd the top form and experience that made him the 2010 World Jet Ski Expert Runabout Open champion as he unveiled remarkable endurance and unparalleled speed throughout the four-lap race to dominate the Open Ski class over top female riders Jam Mangio and Abby Reyes.

The event drew the participation of the Iloilo Watercraft Association headed by Vincent Tajanlangit. Australian Jet Ski Association vice-president Dan Fox regaled the crowd with his equally impressive skills that earned him the Novice 4-Strokes title over Iloilo bet Noy Mercado and third placer Raymond Ronquillo.

A decorated rider with several international stints including the prestigious competitions in Dubai and Malaysia, Ang proved why he’s one of the country’s best when he controlled the tempo from start to finish in the eight-lap first Moto of the Expert Runabout Open. (The Philippine Star)

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Subic-Born Dolphin dies

After being the first dolphin to be born alive in the country, Vi’s baby died yesterday in her nursing pen at the Ocean Adventure Marine Park inside this premier Freeport.

According to a statement released by the marine park, an initial medical examination revealed one of the dolphin’s lungs was significantly smaller than the other.

There was also an indication of significant infection associated with that undersized lung which spread to the other lung and its liver, the statement added.

Ocean Adventure said the calf’s organs were sufficiently developed to support life but not to support the demand of the baby’s growth and development.

Currently, the park’s resident veterinarians are still examining the precise cause of death as they wait for the histopathology results.

The marine park pointed out that only 30% of the calves of first-time mother dolphins like Vi survive. The survival rate of dolphin calves overall is about 50%. In the wild an experienced mom will have two surviving calves every decade, it added.

This was the reason why the marine park’s experts had been monitoring Vi round-the-clock and its calf since its birth last May 27. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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SBMA reaffirms commitment of cooperation with neighbor LGUs

The top official of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment of support and cooperation with neighboring communities and renewed its pledge to help in promoting local development.

The reaffirmations of commitment were made by SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia recently, as he visited Mayor Rolen Paulino of Olongapo City, Mayor Jorge Estanislao of Morong, Bataan, and Mayor Jay Khonghun of Subic, Zambales, in their respective localities.

During his visits, Garcia informed the local chief executives that the SBMA is continuing with its task of generating investments that, in turn, would generate employment opportunities for local residents.

“SBMA is continuously receiving investment proposals, but the Subic Freeport has no land available for industrial parks or expansions,” Garcia told the mayors, adding that this is probably the right time for the LGUs to start discussing the prospect having the Subic Bay Freeport Zone expand into their respective areas.

Garcia explained that by virtue of Executive Order No. 675, local government units can allow SBMA to extend the Freeport beyond the “secured area,” along with the tax- and duty-free privileges as granted by the law, by having their local councils pass an enabling resolution.

In Subic, Garcia was welcomed by Mayor Khonghun, Vice Mayor Lauro Simbol and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Khonghun happily informed Garcia that since the shipbuilding company Hanjin Heavy Industries Inc. (HHIC)-Philippines started operations in Subic, most of the able-bodied residents have been employed.

Khonghun added that he would propose to the Sangguniang Bayan the immediate deliberation of the proposed expansion of SBMA in Barangay Cawag at the Redondo Peninsula.

In Morong, Mayor Estanislao thanked Garcia for considering his town to host a Japanese investor who is looking for some 120 hectares of land to be transformed into a commercial-industrial zone.

“We really appreciate your effort to bring investors to our municipality. It’s a big help to our efforts to generate employment and promote economic development here,” Estanislao told Garcia as he promised to open the matter of expansion to the municipal council.

Garcia also agreed to send SBMA disaster management experts to Morong to further train the town’s emergency rescue team on disaster management.

Meanwhile in Olongapo, the SBMA chairman was welcomed by newly elected City Mayor Rolen Paulino, Vice Mayor Rodel Cerezo and some members of the city council at the city hall.

Paulino assured Garcia that his administration is willing to cooperate with the SBMA in promoting tourism and investment in the area, and lauded the SBMA's offer to broaden local cooperation in terms of development, employment generation and tourism.

Garcia also discussed with Paulino a proposed memorandum of agreement between SBMA and a Freeport investor who wants to dredge two rivers in the city for free, in exchange for the right to transport and sell the sand to Singapore.

Based on calculations of CST Bluemax Subic, Inc., about 110,000 cubic meters of lahar/sand could be dredged from the Kalaklan and the Kalalake rivers, which separate the Subic Bay Freeport from Olongapo. The dredging operation would cost about P11 million without the exchange deal.

Paulino and Cerezo lauded Garcia for the proposal and pledged support for the project. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic locator to dredge Olongapo river for free

Olongapo City - A locator inside Subic Bay Freeport has proposed to dredge the river channel of Olongapo City for free in an attempt to alleviate the worsening flood situation in the city.

The proposal was announced by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia during his courtesy call to Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino.

Garcia said that CST Bluemax Subic Inc. will dredge the river channel as part of their corporate social responsibility which would cost an estimated P11million.

Olongapo has a long history of flood, the worst recorded last year.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino welcomed the proposal saying that the city needs all the help it can get in cleaning up the river channel.

“We are very much thankful for this proposal, if we (local government) dredge that portion of the river it would cost us million of pesos, but here come a locator inside Subic Freeport that is willing to dredge it for free, what more can we ask for.” Paulino said.

He added, “We will do our part to make this proposal push through.”

Garcia explained that in exchange, Bluemax will have the right to market the good quality sand since the company is currently engaged in shipping and selling volcanic sand from Zambales as a reclamation and construction material to Singapore.

The dredging of the river channel between SBMA and Olongapo City was identified as a priority project of SBMA through the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors which formulated the Task Force Subic Bay Clean Up and Rehabilitation.

Aside from the dredging, Garcia also assured Paulino his support for the City of Olongapo. (Pao/ 07182013)
Photo:
Olongapo City vice mayor Rodel Cerezo (left), SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (Center) and Mayor Rolen Paulino (left) inspects a map of the city for the proposed free dredging operation offered by a locator inside Subic Freeport. Garcia during the visit assured Paulino his full support for his administration.

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Bottlenose dolphin gives birth at Subic marine park

A bottlenose dolphin at the Ocean Adventure marine park here has given birth to a healthy calf recently, reportedly the first live birth of such marine mammal in “human care” in the Philippines.

The baby dolphin was born on July 6 to Vi, an 11-year-old first- time mother, with a little help from a marine-mammal veterinarian who induced true labor.

The calf measured less than a meter long and weighed about 12 kilos at birth, said Timothy Desmond, chairman and CEO of the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc., operator of the marine park.

“Mother and calf are doing just fine,” Desmond said in a statement on Sunday. “From the moment of birth, Vi has been a great mom. She’s done everything right!”

Vi’s pregnancy was discovered in February during a routine ultrasound, Desmond said. Following this, the park built a special birthing pen and nursing lagoon, installed cameras and observation deck to enhance monitoring, while Vi herself trained with a special dolphin “puppet” to encourage nursing behavior.

Throughout her 12-month pregnancy, Vi continued to participate in the park’s training sessions and programs, but spent the nights in the birthing facility with her best friend dolphin Nala, park officials said.

Like her pregnant human counterparts, Vi was also encouraged to continue light exercises in the last three months under the observation of animal experts. When the birth finally neared, Ocean Adventure summoned world-renowned marine veterinarian Dr. Robert Braun to lead final preparations for the delivery.

But the birth of the first baby dolphin here was “not without drama,” Desmond said.

In the afternoon of July 3, a Wednesday, Ocean Adventure went into full alert as Vi showed signs of labor, he said.

However, even as intermittent contractions were observed in the next two days, there was no hard labor seen. This led Dr. Braun, in consultation with other international marine mammal experts, to decide to intervene, said Desmond.

On July 6, after Ocean Adventure trainers gained Vi’s voluntary cooperation with a critical ultrasound exam that confirmed the baby was alive, Braun administered the human drug, Oxytocin, to induce labor.

At 5:30 p.m. on July 6, Vi went into true labor and within 30 minutes, a tiny tail emerged. After 90 minutes, Vi delivered the healthy baby calf.

Vi then pushed the baby to the surface for its first breath, then took it for progressively longer and deeper swims underwater to help increase its lung capacity.

“Within five hours, the baby was nursing, an impressive short timeframe for most newborn dolphins,” Desmond said.

Still, baby dolphins are very vulnerable, said Carlo Magno, director of Ocean Adventure’s animal-care department.

Magno said that every scratch on the baby’s delicate skin is a potentially lethal source of infection until its immune system fully develops. Meanwhile, it must swim continually to stay afloat with a soft tail that takes hours to become rigid enough for efficient swimming.

As of now, the park’s animal experts work around the clock to assure optimal care for mother and baby. Trained volunteers also record the baby’s swimming patterns, respiration rates, and nursing bouts.

Desmond said the baby dolphin will still be at risk for the first 30 days.

“However, with a wonderful mother like Vi, we have high hopes that this little guy will survive. We’ll continue doing everything humanly possible to insure a successful outcome,” he said. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

PHOTO:
Vi, the new mother dolphin, swims on July 12, with her seven-day-old calf at the Ocean Adventure marine park in the Subic Bay Freeport. (Photo courtesy of ocean adventure)

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Olongapo rounds up mendicants to uplift lives

The local government of Olongapo city headed by Mayor Rolen Paulino recently rounded up mendicants (beggars, street children, scavengers) roaming around the city in an effort to help uplift their current situation.

It was the first order that Mayor Rolen Paulino sent out after assuming office last July 1.

“Ayaw ko makita ang mga kababayan natin na ganyan ang sitwasyon, kaya nung pag-upo ko as Mayor pinakiusapan natin agad ang City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) para hanapan ng solusyon ang problema,” Paulino said.

The CSWDO rounded up 86 mendicants and lectured them about livelihood program the city is currently undertaking that can fit their situation. Meanwhile the street children were also advised on how the city can help them get back to school.

The measures have been started not only to help medicants better their lives but also make Olongapo City, especially the thoroughfares such as Magsaysay drive, Rotonda and Fendler, welcoming sites for tourist both foreign and local.

Mayor Paulino explained that boasting the tourism industry in the city will generate more jobs and income for its residents as more locators will be enticed to operate their business in the place. (Olongapo City PAO)

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New investments in Subic expand by 1,215%

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently reported a hefty increase of 1,215 per cent in the amount of committed investments that came into this free port for the first half of the current year.

From US$43.86 million posted for the same period in 2012, committed investments from new approved investments rose steeply to US$575.33 million from January to June this year.

“Despite a drop of 55 per cent in the number of new investment projects in the Freeport for the first half of the year, compared to (the first half of) last year, bigger investments have been signed up this year,” SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia disclosed.

According to the agency’s business group, the top five investments for the period were Resom Resort Philippines, Inc.’s expansion project, FFC Subic Seafood Corporation, Johanna-Subic Seafood Corporation, Simon and Stanley International Trading and Development Corporation, Inc., and Subic Bayview Development Corporation.

The combined committed investments of these projects alone added up to US$554 million, or 96 per cent of the total amount of committed investments from January to June.

Projected employment from new investment projects also climbed by 60 per cent – from 1,790 in 2012 to 2,868 this year. The increase largely came from the same top five investment projects, which made up 73 per cent of the projected employment for the period.

Garcia attributed the agency’s latest performance to the favorable economic trends in the country, noting further that with the country enjoying one of the fastest growth rates in the world and its recent investment rate grading upgrade by prestigious ratings agencies, “the Philippines today is definitely a big conspicuous blink in the radar screen of investors worldwide”.

“Encouraged by this scenario, we hope to sustain the positive inflow of investments into the Freeport for the rest of the year, especially in light of SBMA’s improved finances, which now allows us to plow back part of our earnings into upgrading our support infrastructure and equipment for better business and investment services,” he said. (AMF/MPD-SBMA)

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PAF’s transfer to Subic eyed

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Arnel Casanova bared this yesterday during a meeting with members of the Capampangans in Media, Inc.

An estimated 146 hectares of the free-port are currently under lease to investors.

The PAF facility is home to the 600th Air Base Wing under an annually renewable agreement between the BCDA and the Department of National Defense (DND).

Six other PAF units that comprise two thirds of the country’s entire air force are also based in Clark.

Some 2,400 hectares of land here are being managed by the BCDA’s implementing arm Clark Development Corp. (CDC).

Another 2,200 hectares comprise the aviation complex under the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC).

The air base is occupying an area being administered by the CDC and the CIAC.

Clark Field was a former United States air force base until 1991 when the Philippines-US bases agreement was revoked and the Americans left.

The US withdrawal paved the way for the government to declare the area as an economic zone, although 360 hectares were reserved for the PAF base.

The PAF area has features all left behind by the Americans, including spacious housing units, a hotel, a small golf course, an Olympic sized swimming pool, an officers club building, among other facilities that could otherwise be ideal for tourism projects.

“The BCDA is eyeing the transfer of the Philippine Air Force from Clark to enable us to have more land for leasing. We plan to implement this during the term of President Aquino,” Casanova said.

At the same time, Casanova said the BCDA has remained open to bidders for the development of a master plan for a Clark Green City covering some 36,000 hectares of lands in the so-called Sacobia area north of the free-port. The site used to be military reservation for the US military base.

When completed, it will make Clark a beautiful, highly integrated, high-tech, green community just like Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City that could be compared to Silicon Valley in California, Casanova said.

Casanova also noted that the BCDA has already invested P33.8 billion in Central Luzon to create opportunities for investment and employment in the region.

Of the P33.8 billion, P30.68 billion was used in the construction of the 94-kilometer Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) that was dubbed the most modern tollway connecting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the Clark Freeport.

“BCDA, together with its subsidiaries, CDC and CIAC, is committed to actively pursue the development of Central Luzon. The development of Central Luzon is not merely a local or regional concern, it is a matter of national interest,” Casanova stressed. (Ding Cervantes, Philippine Star)

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SBMA, Manila Water plant trees

THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Manila Water are implementing tree-planting projects as part of their commitment to protect the environment.

The SBMA is planning to plant 25,000 more trees in this free port this month, taking advantage of the onset of the rainy season to make it easier to care for the seedlings.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said employees of the agency, along with volunteers from the free-port community, began the monthlong tree-planting program on Friday and will plant succeeding batches of seedlings three more Fridays hence.

For its part, Manila Water said it has planted more than 300,000 seedlings of assorted indigenous and endemic forest-tree species at the Marikina Watershed as part of its commitment to protect the environment.

Manila Water is the East Zone concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System that provides water and wastewater services to more than 6.2 million residents of eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province.

The commitment to help rehabilitate the Marikina Watershed was made by Manila Water to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by planting trees in denuded portions of the Marikina Watershed.

The degradation of the Marikina Watershed, attributed to the massive cutting of trees at the watershed for fuel and for charcoal, which is a major source of income of upland dwellers in the area, is being blamed as the reason the Marikina River became heavily silted.

Because of the siltation, the river easily overflows, flooding low-lying portions of the city and neighboring cities in Metro Manila.

To date, more than 300,000 seedlings of various indigenous and endemic forest-tree species have been planted by Manila Water within the 500-hectare denuded portions of Bosoboso and Tayabasan sub-watersheds.

This also boosted the government effort to rehabilitate the country’s denuded forests.

Under the ambitious National Greening Program (NGP), the flagship reforestation program of the Aquino administration, the government aims to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of open, degraded and denuded forests all over the country by 2016.

Now on its second year of implementation, the program is anchored on the help and support of the private-sector partners of the DENR, the lead implementing agency of the NGP.

These two sub-watersheds cover more than 50 percent of the entire river basin, which has been identified as the major source of the floodwaters that inundated Metro Manila during Typhoon Ondoy.

On September 26, 2009, Typhoon Ondoy devastated the National Capital Region and surrounding areas, including the Metro Manila’s east zone, damaging more or less 65,000 water connections and other vital water and wastewater facilities.

The SBMA tree-planting program will supplement a similar project undertaken three years ago by its employees, school children and workers from various companies in the free port.

“As with the first tree-planting program, we would need the help of community organizations and individuals to assist us and bring this worthy endeavor into another successful conclusion,” Garcia said.

“We need more volunteers to get this job done,” he added.

This year’s tree-planting project will bring the volunteers again to the Mount Santa Rita area, which provided the same locale for the reforestation project in 2010. That year some 10,000 seedlings were planted in a month’s time.

Angel Bagaloyos, manager of the SBMA Ecology Center, which is spearheading the tree planting, said various species of forest trees, mostly endemic to the region, and some fruit trees will be planted.

Bagaloyos said the trees planted three years ago are now “already grown and established” because part of the SBMA tree-planting program involved caring for the plants for a period of three years, or until the seedlings have become self-sustainable.

The remaining open patches of land in the largely grassy hillsides of Mount Santa Rita would be ideal planting sites for this year, he added.

As manager of the Subic Bay Special Economic and Freeport Zone, the SBMA is mandated to care for the environment through the agency’s Ecology Center.

Garcia noted that under its environmental conservation program, the SBMA has established its own nursery to collect seeds and grow saplings for reforestation projects.

Through the Ecology Center, the agency has also donated seedlings to schools and community organizations for its tree-planting projects, he said.

Garcia added that individuals and groups who would like to volunteer their help in the upcoming tree-planting activities may register with the SBMA Ecology Center. (Henry Empeño & Jonathan Mayuga, Business Mirror)

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Subic dolphin records first live birth (Subictimes.com)

Ocean Adventure Subic announced Sunday that one of its bottlenose dolphin gave birth last week (July 7) to a healthy calf making it the first live birth in the country.

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Subic’s customs collections rise 58% to P5b

The Bureau of Customs here said revenue collections in the first half grew by more than 50 percent year-on-year and exceeded the goal for the period.

Port of Subic customs collector Adelina Molina said the Freeport zone collected P5 billion in customs duties and taxes in the January-June period, or 58 percent higher than the P3.1 billion posted in the same period last year.

The agency also surpassed its first-half target of P3.03 billion by P1.09 billion, or 62.6 percent.

Molina said BoC-Subic showed strong collection performance in the months of April and June, when it achieved record-high monthly collections of P1.09 billion and P1.05 billion, respectively.

The strong April and June collection took the Freeport’s second-quarter tally to P3.09 billion, or 85.5 percent more than the P1.42 billion it collected in the second quarter last year. The figure also represented a 95.5-percent increase over the P1.58-billion quarterly revenue target.

Data from the BoC’s statistics division showed collection in the first quarter grew 26.5 percent to P1.8 billion from a year ago. It also surpassed the target collection of P1.45 billion for the period by 26.5 percent.

Molina attributed the collection performance to the ‘team effort’ shown by different departments of her office as well as close cooperation with Freeport authorities.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon made a surprise visit recently to the Port of Subic to personally commend Molina for achieving an unprecedented collection performance for the month of April.

Biazon showed his appreciation and support to the team of Molina, including deputy collectors Ernelito Aquino for assessment, Andrew Fernandez for operations, Irineo Onia Jr. for administration, BoC law enforcement head Elpidio Manuel, Customs intelligence and investigation service chief Jose Du.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto Garcia cited Molina for a “job well-done” not just for the high collection performance but also for strict enforcement of its mandate to curb smuggling. (Cecille Garcia, Manila Standard Today)

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Subic wows Japan defense chief

Seeing the economic capabilities of this premier Freeport, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera came here to talk to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials on how to convert Okinawa into the next Subic Freeport.

Onodera’s delegation, who came before the 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), met with SBMA Chairman Robert Garcia, who showed off an audio video presentation of how Subic Bay Freeport transformed from a military base into the country’s economic flagship.

Last year, the United States and Japan agreed that about half the US Marines in Okinawa will soon leave, a move that could help alleviate the Japanese resentment building up due to the presence of Americans in their island.

The move is also one of the plans of the Obama administration in the US to spread their military forces all over the Pacific region, a move that has irked the Chinese government.

The planned transfer would leave the Japanese government parcels of land that they can use for other purposes, mainly economic.

Subic Bay Freeport’s Cinderella tale came when the US military left the area after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

On March 13, 1992, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 7227, known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, creating the Subic Bay Freeport as the first Philippine free port, in anticipation of the pullout of the US naval base facilities.

Section 13 of RA 7227 created the SBMA and with free port incentives lobbied for by Richard Gordon – the city mayor then – resulting in an amendment granting tax and duty-free privileges and incentives during the bicameral committee hearings. Consequently, Gordon, then the mayor of the City of Olongapo, became the first SBMA chairman.

Mayor Gordon with 8,000 volunteers took over the facility to preserve and protect US$8 billion worth of property and facilities when the last US Navy helicopter carrier USS Belleau Wood sailed out of Subic Bay on Nov. 24, 1992 and started the conversion of the military base into a free port like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Richard Gordon was SBMA chairman until June 1998, when then President Joseph Estrada issued Administrative Order No. 1, appointing former Bataan Representative and Harvard-trained Felicito C. Payumo in Gordon’s stead.

In August 2004, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 340, reorganizing the SBMA’s Board of Directors, and defining the powers, functions and duties of the chairman. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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SBMA to plant 25,000 trees this season

Employees and officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), along with members of the Subic Bay Freeport community, will be planting some 25,000 seedlings this rainy season as part of the agency’s environmental conservation program.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia said the month-long tree-planting activity will start on July 12, a Friday, and will be held three more Fridays hence.

The tree-planting program will supplement a similar project undertaken three years ago by SBMA employees and community volunteers.

“As with the first tree-planting program, we would need the help of community organizations and individuals to assist us and bring this worthy endeavor into another successful conclusion,” Garcia said.

“We need more volunteers to get this job done,” he added.

Angel Bagaloyos, manager of the SBMA Ecology Center, which is spearheading the activity, said the tree-planting project will be held again at Subic’s Mount Santa Rita area, the same locale where the SBMA planted 10,000 seedlings in 2010.

Different species of forest trees, mostly endemic to the region, and some fruit trees will be planted in the area, he added.

Bagaloyos also said that the trees planted three years ago are now “already grown and established” because part of the SBMA tree-planting program involved caring for the plants for a period of three years, or until the seedlings have become self-sustainable.

The remaining open patches of land in the largely grassy hillsides of Mount Santa Rita would be ideal planting sites for this year, he also said.

As manager of the Subic Bay Special Economic and Freeport Zone, the SBMA is mandated to care for the environment through the agency’s Ecology Center.

Garcia noted that under its environmental conservation program, the SBMA has established its own nursery to collect seeds and grow saplings for reforestation projects.

Through the Ecology Center, the agency has also donated seedlings to schools and community organizations for their own tree-planting projects, he said.

Garcia said that individuals and groups who would like to volunteer their help in the tree-planting project this year may get in touch with the SBMA Ecology Center at (047) 252-4656 to register their names. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Subictel opposes Wi-Tribe application

The plan of San Miguel Corp.-led telecommunication company, wi-Tribe, to invest P354 million to operate at the Subic Freeport was opposed by a local firm offering the same service.

Wi-Tribe in its application filed with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said that it plans to invest P354 million to offer telecom services in Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

But Subic Telecommunications Corp. (Subictel) has filed a petition before the NTC to oppose the request of wi-Tribe to operate in areas within the Subic Freeport.

In a filing with the NTC, Subictel said that “wi-Tribe entry into the Subic Freeport Zone would not serve public convenience in that: Subictel has the necessary facilities, capital and technical capability to serve the needs of SBFZ.”

“Subictel has invested so much capital on its facilities and equipment and has build up sufficient capacity to meet the requirements of current and future customers in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone,” it added.

The Subic-based firm added that it has outside plant facilities of over 95 percent of its service areas, except for uninhabited and forested mountain areas.

Subictel also said that the capital expenditure which wi-Tribe intends to invest should be channeled to areas where there is a dire need for telecommunications services, rather than crowded area with a very limited market adequately served by Subictel.

Subictel further said that as a prior operator in the area, the company it is entitled to protect its huge investments. It is also constantly innovating and updating its technology, consistent with the requirements of current and future customers in the area.

“The SBFZ is already adequately served by Subictel in terms of coverage, technology and level of service,” it added. (Rosalie C. Periabras, Manila Times)

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SBMA exec signs Integrity Pledge to boost Subic business climate

In an effort to strengthen further the agency’s good governance platform,Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia recently signed a pledge to practice ethical business and good corporate governance, joining a growing number of ethically-conscious business leaders who aspire to create positive change in the country.

The SBMA chairman was joined by SBMA directors Joseph Khonghun and Joven Reyes during the signing of the so-called Integrity Pledge with Makati Business Club executive director Peter Perfecto last week to set the tone from the top and commit the SBMA and all its officers and employees to behave with integrity and to carry on their responsibilities ethically.

“This is in consonance with the agency’s corporate governance initiative and in line with the national government’s platform of good corporate governance,” Garcia explained. “We’d like to stress here that transparency and accountability make perfect business sense,” he added.

Garcia said the Integrity Program is the latest in a series of moves by SBMA officials to instil a culture of transparency and accountability in the Subic Bay Freeport, a growing hub for business and industry.

“This is a very important step,” Garcia said. “Aside from seeking to strengthen the agency’s corporate governance initiatives, this is expected to create a more conducive investment climate in the Subic Freeport, which is what we’re after in the first place.”

Following the signing of the Integrity Pledge, Garcia said that he would require SBMA departments to come up with appropriate internal systems and controls to prevent, detect, and respond to any unethical conduct by employees; ensure good governance; and institutionalize the values of integrity and accountability in their business transactions.

“We also hope that this would set the ball rolling and inspire companies and agencies in Subic to do the same. We aim to prove that transparency, honesty and fairness can produce good results,” the SBMA official added.

The Integrity Initiative is a program developed by Transparency International (TI) as a tool aimed at preventing corruption in public contracting.

The adoption by SBMA of the integrity program has been recommended by experts from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), as well as Joel Ehrendreich, counselor for economic affairs at the US Embassy, who discussed the program during a visit in September last year. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (second from right) shakes the hand of Makati Business Club executive director Peter Perfecto after signing the Integrity Pledge with SBMA directors Joseph Khonghun (left) and Joven Reyes.

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Palace allays anxiety over US, Japan access to Clark and Subic

Malacañang has allayed anxiety over the impact on business locators at Clark air base and Subic naval base should the Aquino administration go ahead with plans to allow American and Japanese troops “access arrangements” to these former US facilities-turned-economic zones.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Abigail Valte said details of such access arrangements are still being worked out by the Department of National Defense as she downplayed concerns aired in the wake of reports that Clark and Subic—converted by law into prosperous economic zones after US military facilities shut down in 1991—may be the subject of yet another transformation, this time, to allow them to grant “increased access” to US, even Japanese, forces as America pivots to Asia and tensions grow in the South China Sea (SCS).

Asked if the shift to grant increased access to US troops could shake business confidence among the zone locators about the safety of their businesses, Valte indicated that the Aquino administration has not made any firm commitment on this despite increasing tension with China over conflicting territorial claims in the SCS, which Manila calls West Philippine Sea.

“At this point, we don’t want to discuss any details primarily because the details are still being studied,” Valte said, adding, “So, perhaps it it’s better to have that discussion when the defense department has a firmer proposal.”

Valte confirmed that defense officials are “still discussing...what we loosely call now the ‘access agreement’. I think that is what everybody loosely refers to as the access agreement; the details are still [being] studied.”

She noted that the assurance from the Department of National Defense is that whatever comes out of the study, the arrangement will follow the Constitution and the Visiting Forces Agreement. But she also admitted in Pilipino that they do not know at this time if this will be covered by a separate treaty because the defense department is still discussing its “shape and form.”

Talk of granting “increased access” grew last week after Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin met separately with US officials and Japan’s defense minister. He said Manila was seriously studying the possibility of granting increased “access” to American military forces as its way of cooperating in the “US rebalance strategy” and, impliedly, getting US assurance of support should Chinese aggression heighten in the maritime dispute with the Philippines.

Also, added Gazmin, Manila was open to granting greater access to Japanese military forces, as well. Defense authorities used the phrase “rotational presence” to stress that no permanent basing set-up is contemplated.

Under the Bases Conversion Development Act, passed by Congress years after the Senate voted not to extend the RP-US Military Bases Treaty in 1991, the former sprawling base lands were converted into economic zones.

Clark was the Americans’ air base in Pampanga, and now hosts the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport; Subic was the largest naval installation outside the US mainland.

Although Subic Freeport hosts a wide range of global and local businesses, Subic Bay has been hosting an increasing number of US warships making quick stops in the country the past few years. (Butch Fernandez, Business Mirror)

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SBMA recognizes 11 environment-friendly business locators

In line with the celebration of World Environmental Month, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recognized 11 top corporations in this free port that demonstrate sound environmental management practices.

SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia personally awarded certificates of recognition to the environment-friendly business locators in a simple ceremony held at the SBMA board room recently.

Those that received the SBMA citation were electronic data processing equipment manufacturer Hitachi Terminal Mechatronics Phils. Corp.; HDD spindle-motor producer Nidec Subic Phils., Inc.; cooling fan and servomotors manufacturer Sanyo Denki Phils. Inc.; semi-conductor diodes manufacturer Phil. Inter-Electronics Corp.; aircraft repair and overhaul provider Honeywell CEASA Subic Bay Co., Inc.; high precision plastic molding maker Koryo Subic, Inc.; electronics parts and accessories manufacturer Ringsthree Inc.; Fang Chan; Hitachi Air Conditioning Products (Phils), Inc.; inkjet cartridge and printer producer Cresc Inc.; and utility operator Subic Water and Sewerage Co., Inc.

Garcia said that the awardees, which have also attained ISO 14001 Certification, were recommended for citation by the SBMA Ecology Center after rigorous evaluation of their activities and environmental management program.

ISO 14001 is the world’s most recognized framework for Environmental Management Standard (EMS) which helps organizations both to manage better the impact of their activities on the environment and to demonstrate sound environmental management.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Angel Bagaloyos said the EMS is used by organizations worldwide to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and drive down costs.

He said this standard, which has been adopted by more than half of the 160 national members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and is endorsed by governments around the world, integrates environmental dimension in business strategy “to restore the image of the industry due to common notion that industry is always associated with pollution.”

Meanwhile, Garcia lauded the companies who made it to the agency's environment-friendly list.

“You are the primary examples of locators we are looking for,” Garcia told company executives and ISO coordinators who attended the ceremony. “It is only proper to honor each of these 11 green companies, as they will serve as example to other locators in Subic to strive for the best towards the seemingly never-ending journey to quality.”

“It’s not enough to satisfy your customers, you have to delight them,” he added.

SBMA is very much active in the advocacy to preserve, protect and propagate the rich and lush environment in the Subic Bay Freeport. It provides assistance to indigenous tribal communities and fisher folks in and around the free port zone for their environmental protection projects; initiates beach and coastal clean-up drives, tree planting and other environment protection-related activities; and regulates the operation of business locators according to the Subic Bay Protected Area Management Plan.

The SBMA has also required retail stores, restaurants and groceries to use environment-friendly materials and banned the use of plastic and styrofoam packaging in the free port zone. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto V. Garcia (middle) pose with representatives of the top environment-friendly companies in the Subic Bay Freeport. With them are SBMA chief operating officer Joven Reyes (left), SBMA deputy administrator for regulatory Joy Alvarado (second from right), and SBMA Ecology Center manager Angel Bagaloyos (right).

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19th CARAT Philippines Supports Strong and Enduring Maritime Relationship

The 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines exercise commenced with an opening ceremony in Subic Bay, June 27.

Continuing through July 2, CARAT Philippines 2013 consists of seven days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces.


"For the past 19 years, CARAT Philippines has played a major role in the strong and enduring relationship between our naval forces," said Rear Adm. Tom Carney, commander, Task Force 73 and commander, Naval Forces CARAT. "This year’s exercise builds on that longstanding foundation, and offers many opportunities to conduct joint and combined training with the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps."

CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. CARAT Philippines began in 1995, and has since occurred in several locations throughout the Philippines, including Cebu (2009), Subic Bay (2010), Puerto Princesa (2011) and most recently General Santos City in Mindanao (2012).

Training events in each CARAT phase are tailored based on available assets and mutual training goals across a broad range of naval capabilities. CARAT Philippines 2013 will focus on maritime security operations, maritime domain awareness and information sharing. The exercise will also feature extensive training in diving and salvage operations, jungle warfare and marksmanship, tactical combat casualty care, civil affairs, riverine and boarding team scenarios, sporting events, community service projects and public band concerts.

More than 600 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2013.
Participating ships include the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) with embarked Commander, Task Group 73.1/ Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff, and the diving and salvage ships, USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52). A company of Marines from with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment will participate in shore-based events.

Also participating in CARAT Philippines are medical, civil affairs and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) evaluators from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command (MCAST), divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 (MUDSU), P-3C Orion aircraft, and the U.S. Seventh Fleet Band, Orient Express. (CTF 73 Public Affairs)

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US access to Subic eyed

DEFENSE Secretary Voltaire Gazmin yesterday said government is crafting an agreement that will allow American forces to regain access to their former naval base in Subic.

He said the Americans will not be putting up military bases in the country.

Asked about reports that the military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, Gazmin said: “Let me clarify issues. We’re not going to construct bases. We will be accepting access. Right now, the agreement has not been firmed up. We are in the process of crafting the agreement relative to our Constitution and the Visiting Forces Agreement.”

The VFA, ratified by the Senate in 1999, allows US forces full access to Philippine bases.

Reuters, quoting senior Navy officials on revived plans, said the bases would allow the Philippines to station warships and fighter jets just 124 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area of the South China Sea now controlled by China after a tense standoff last year.

It also said the proposed bases in the Philippines coincides with a resurgence of US warships, planes and personnel in the region as Washington turns its attention to a newly assertive China and shifts its foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, asked about the Subic plan, urged China’s neighbors to push for peace.

“China urges the Philippines and regional countries to meet one another halfway, make joint efforts to maintain mutual trust between countries, make positive efforts towards regional peace and security and play a constructive role,” said ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

Gazmin, last April while there was tension in the Korean peninsula, said US forces might be allowed access to Philippine bases in case of “extreme emergency.” He also said then that the US would not be allowed to put up bases because that is against the Constitution.

Gazmin, in an ambush interview after meeting yesterday with visiting Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, said after an agreement is crafted and if it is approved, “then there will be equipment coming in from the United States.”

“We have not talked about specific equipment yet but we do welcome the inclusion of a new technology, very new to us, so that this is part of our education,” said Gazmin.

On whether other countries like Japan would also be allowed access, Gazmin said: “We do welcome other countries, particularly Japan since Japan is a strategic partner, in accordance with our existing protocols.”

Onodera said he and Gazmin discussed during their meeting the US rebalancing program. He acknowledged that the US presence in the region is “very important.”

“We agreed that Japan and Philippines will work together to make this rebalance a reality,” said Onodera.

“I have heard they (Philippines) are making efforts to further increase rotational deployment of the United States forces and I also heard or learned that the Philippine side is now discussing with United States further increase of United States presence in the Philippines,” he said.

Gazmin said the increased rotational presence of US forces can be done through “high value, high impact” exercises that are being regularly conducted by Filipino and US forces.

Defense department spokesman Peter Paul Galvez, asked to elaborate on Gazmin’s statement that an agreement allowing US forces to have access to their former naval base is being crafted, talked of a “plan” instead.

“A plan being made is the transfer of some PAF (Philippine Air Force) units to Subic. Moreover, Subic has deep water port for the warships Alcaraz and Del Pilar,” said Galvez, referring to the Hamilton-class cutters BRP Ramon Alcaraz and Gregorio del Pilar acquired from the US.

“It is coincidental that Subic is near Bajo de Masinloc,” said Galvez, referring to Scarborough Shoal.

“It is to allow access to our military facilities to strategic partners,” said Galvez, without elaborating on the extent of the access that is being planned to be given to the US.

MIX-UP?

Asked what will be the difference between the “access” being given to US forces now and that being planned, Galvez said: “The two issues are being mixed up. First, what is being studied is the implementation of the US increased rotational presence under the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement). `Access’ is one of the modalities we are exploring to implement the increased rotational presence. Re Subic, the AFP is studying relocating units in some portions of Subic for strategic defense purposes.”

Subic, a deep-water port sheltered by jungle-clad mountains, has been a special economic zone since US forces were evicted in 1992, ending 94 years of American military presence in the Philippines and shutting the largest US military installation in Southeast Asia.

Since then, American warships and planes have been allowed to visit the Philippines for maintenance and re-fuelling.

US military “rotations” through the Philippines have become more frequent as Beijing grows more assertive in the South China Sea.

Reuters quoted the senior military officials as saying they believe the plan has a strong chance of winning approval as Aquino seeks to upgrade the country’s decrepit forces.

Another Philippine navy officer said the arrival in a few weeks of a second Hamilton-class cutter from the United States would put pressure on the navy to find a suitable port for large warships.

Since 2002, US forces helping fight al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants in Mindanao have shared several bases with Philippine troops.

US Navy surveillance planes are allocated spaces in a local air force base at Clark.

“We’ve seen a lot of similar ‘joint use’ arrangement. The US does not want bases, only access,” a Navy captain familiar with the Subic proposal told Reuters.

“We will share our bases with them and I am sure the US would love them.”

URGENCY

Congress last year approved $1.8 billion for military modernization, with the bulk going to acquisition of ships, aircraft, and equipment such as radar. The military had raised the plan in the past, but is now pushing it with more urgency following a series of naval stand-offs with China.

“The chances of this plan taking off under President Aquino are high because his administration has been very supportive in terms of equipment upgrade,” said a senior military officer who asked not to be identified.

“The people around him understood our needs and more importantly, what our country is facing at this time.”

A 30-hectare area has been identified for the bases, which would station fighter jets and the Philippines’ biggest warships that patrol the disputed sea, including the Hamilton-class cutter ships BRP del Pilar which arrived the country in 2011 and BRP Ramon Alcaraz which is expect to arrive next month.

The plan has taken on added urgency since the tense two-month standoff last year at the Scarborough Shoal. Chinese ships now control the shoal, often chasing away Filipino fishermen.

The South China Sea dispute will again loom large over regional diplomacy next week when US Secretary of State John Kerry joins his counterparts from Southeast Asian nations and China among other countries for an annual meeting in Brunei.

The Philippines plans to raise the issue of Chinese ships’ “encroachment” near another disputed coral reef where Manila recently beefed up its small military presence, diplomatic sources told Reuters. China in turn has accused the Philippines of “illegal occupation” of the reef, which is a strategic gateway to an area believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.

THEME PARK SHELVED

Roberto Garcia, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which oversees the Subic Bay Freeport, confirmed the plan to build the new bases, saying he had shelved plans in the area for a theme park to make way for it.

“I don’t see any problem if the government wants to build an air and naval base in the Freeport area,” Garcia said, noting the increase in the number of US military port calls to Subic.

This year alone, 72 US warships and submarines visited Subic, compared with 88 for all of 2012, 54 in 2011 and 51 in 2010, according to official data.

CUBI POINT

The Philippine military also wants to revive an airstrip that once handled some of the largest military aircraft in the US arsenal. The former Cubi Point Naval Air Station, carved out of a mountain adjoining Subic, served FedEx Corp cargo plans after the US forces withdrew.

But FedEx ceased operations at the airstrip, now called Subic Bay International Airport, in 2009. Two senior Air Force officers told Reuters the military had proposed to Aquino to convert parts of the airstrip into an air base. (Victor Reyes, Malaya - With Reuters)

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USS Fitzgerald docks in Subic for 19th CARAT exercise

The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) today (Thursday) docked at Alava Pier of former US Ship Repair Facility (SRF) here to participate in the ongoing 19th Philippines-United States Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise.

The Philippines and US Naval forces kicked off the CARAT exercise at the South China Sea right after an opening ceremony on Thursday morning at the former US Naval base here.

The ship's visit and CARAT exercise highlight the strong historic community and military relations between the Philippines and the United States.

The 19th CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

CARAT Philippines began in 1995, and has since occurred in several locations throughout the Philippines, including Cebu (2009), Subic Bay (2010), Puerto Princesa City (2011) and General Santos City (2012).

The training events in each CARAT phase are tailored based on available assets and mutual training goals across a broad range of naval capabilities, according to the US Embassy Information Office advisory.

CARAT Philippines 2013 will focus on maritime security operations, maritime domain awareness and information sharing.

The exercise will also feature extensive training in diving and salvage operations, jungle warfare and marksmanship, tactical combat casualty care, civil affairs, riverine and boarding team scenarios, sporting events, community service projects and public band concert.

On Friday, two more supply ships, the USNS Washington Chamber and USNS Salvor, will arrive in Subic Bay for the offloading of supplies and equipment for the CARAT exercise. (PNA)

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Subic is the next Guam, says real estate mogul

Tagged as among Asia’s icons in real estate and business development, Ronald Wang, chairman of property developer Century 21 Subic Bay, said that the Subic Bay Freeport could be the next Guam.

Wang, who is also chairman and chief executive officer of Century 21 Taiwan, Century 21 Asia Pacific, and Fantai Real Estate Management Co., expressed high hopes for Subic as the next best thing in real estate business.

“Subic is the next Guam in terms of economic growth,” Wang said in a statement read here by Dr. Johnson Yang, chairman of the Subic-based Grand Pillar International Development, Inc.

Wang was the guest speaker in the groundbreaking ceremony for Grand Pillar’s Mi Casa Terrace, a P170 million three-storey commercial and office building project to be constructed in the Freeport.

Wang said that when he was invited by Dr. Yang to Subic several years ago, he felt the passion in Subic and the opportunity that awaited in terms of leisure and commercial development.

“This is the reason why when I attended the 10th Asian Real Estate Association of America Global Summit held in Hawaii in May [2013], I was inspired and had the confidence to present to all the delegates and participants of the summit that Subic could be the next Guam,” he said.

Guam is a tiny island in the Western Pacific, which attracts more than one million tourists annually from Asia and America because of its more than 20 luxury hotels, duty free shops, indoor aquarium, entertainment venues, and several golf courses in what is dubbed as the Pleasure Island District.

Subic is said to have the potential to replicate Guam’s real estate boom because of its natural attractions that include mountain forests and a bay.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Roberto V. Garcia, meanwhile, said that the proposed three-storey commercial building is another manifestation of the increasing demand for spaces intended for tourism-related businesses.

“There is now a continuous increase of tourist arrivals in the Freeport that investors see it as a good sign to start tourism-related businesses,” Garcia said.

He also noted that the Department of Tourism (DoT) cited the Subic Bay Freeport in December 2012 as “one of the top destinations in the country” due to the high influx of local and foreign tourists.

The DoT has also announced in October last year its choice of Subic as the “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon.”

Dr. Yang, for his part, lauded the SBMA chairman and other officials of the agency for the support they have given to Grand Pillar in setting another milestone for the real-estate company.

“I believe that Subic is in the right direction,” Yang said. “It is doing great business again,” he added. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA investment officer Kenneth Rementilla lowers a time capsule during the ground-breaking rites for the P170-million Mi Casa Terrace commercial building at the Subic Bay Freeport. With him are (from left): SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon O. Agregado, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia, and Grand Pillar chairman Dr. Johnson Yang.

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Subic packs in 900 athletes for 5i50 triathlon

Close to a thousand triathletes, including elite contenders from other countries, conquered on Sunday the 2013 Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon, acknowledged as the biggest Olympic-distance race in the country today.

Organizers said that local and international triathletes faced the daunting challenge of completing a difficult long-distance course with the Subic Bay providing a picturesque backdrop for the event.

The elite field was represented by participants from 23 countries, including top contenders from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United States, Singapore, France, Germany, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines.

Former Ironman champion Luke McKenzie topped the men’s pro elite division after completing the course that involved three legs: a 1.5-kilometer swim leg, followed by a 40-kilometer bike leg, and then a 10-kilometer run course.

The Australian champion finished the race in 1 hour 59 minutes and 25 seconds.

McKenzie was followed by Xterra Off Road Triathlon champion Ben Allen who clocked in at 2:02:40 and by Australian triathlete Michael Murphy who finished with 2:05:46.

Meanwhile, Belinda Granger finished first for the women’s pro elite with 2:17:33, followed by Michelle Gailey with 2:24:09 and Jaqui Slack with 2:26:05.

John Leerams Chicano led the local bets in the Filipino men’s elite with 2:09:45 and finished fifth overall.

Chicano was followed by Jonard Saim with 2:10:29 and Olympic hopeful Nikko Huelgas with 2:11:00. Another local bet, Monica Torres, finished fourth in the women’s pro elite with 2:26:19.

This is the second year that Subic has hosted the 5i50 triathlon. Last year’s race was voted by triathletes as the second best triathlon event in the Philippines for 2012.

The Century Tuna 5i50 triathlon has become one of the major sports events held in the Subic Bay Freeport, as Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto Garcia has put his focus on developing Subic as a premier sporting destination in the country.

"The 2013 edition of the Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon not only featured a scenic and challenging route but also enjoyed a substantial increase of 52 percent in terms of participants, compared to last year'," SBMA deputy administrator for tourism Raul Marcelo said.

According to Marcelo, with SBMA chairman Garcia's focus on sports tourism and environmental protection, Subic Bay has become an environment- and sports-friendly destination. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Participants in the 2013 Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon brave the waters of Subic Bay during the 1.5-kilometer swim leg on Sunday.

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SBMA forbids feeding of wild monkeys

When in Subic, keep in mind not to feed the monkeys.

This is the warning given by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to visitors and residents alike, as it recently issued a policy strictly prohibiting the feeding of monkeys and other wild animals in pursuance of the agency’s wildlife conservation program.

“Feeding the monkeys is not doing the monkeys a favor,” SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto V. Garcia stressed, as he announced the policy approved by the agency’s board of directors.

“In fact, feeding them teaches them bad habits like stealing food and, more importantly, it creates a dangerous dependency that diminishes the survival abilities of these animals,” Garcia explained.

“You would actually be doing the monkeys harm when you give them food,” he added.

Garcia said the SBMA enacted the policy, firstly, to conserve wildlife in the Subic Bay Freeport pursuant to the Subic Bay Protected Area Management Plan (SBPAMP) and in accordance with the Philippine Wildlife Conservation Act.

Secondly, the policy is also meant to protect the public from harm because there have been cases when residents and visitors in the Freeport were bitten by monkeys, he added.

According to the SBMA Ecology Center, the long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis philippensis), which also known as the crab-eating macaque or cymologous monkey,can be found all throughout the Subic Watershed and Forest Reserve.

A population survey made in 2010 indicated that there were around 11 individual macaques within a square kilometer of Subic forests. The monkeys preferred to live in forest areas near water sources, but with rapid urban development in the free port, they have increasingly gravitated to housing and commercial areas where they find food.

Local conservationists, however, pointed out that with this development, the monkeys have begun to scavenge for scraps of food from garbage bins instead of feeding on wild fruits and tubers, seeds, insects and small animals.

Lilia Alcazar, head of the Ecology Center’s Protected Area Management Division, warned that the availability of food from humans has altered the feeding habits of monkeys and may ultimately cause their extinction.

“Monkeys are wild animals and should not be made dependent on human food. It is their nature to hunt and travel long distances in search for food. Like humans, without physical activity they will become weak and may not be able to face the rigors of wildlife,” Alcazar explained.

Garcia said the policy prohibiting the feeding of wild monkeys and other wild animals here would be enforced strictly, with members of the SBMA Law Enforcement Department conducting patrols of areas where monkey-human encounters are common.

Meanwhile, the Ecology Center would undertake measures to educate the public about this policy, disseminate information about monkeys and other Subic wildlife, and promote safety precautions in encounters with Subic wildlife. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Long-tailed macaque monkeys could be found almost everywhere in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, but Subic authorities have prohibited feeding them as part of wildlife conservation.

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McKenzie, Granger top Subic 5150

Australian triathlete Luke McKenzie and Belinda Granger humbled their respective rivals to share the limelight in the Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon yesterday in Subic.

McKenzie crossed the finish line in one hour, 59 minutes and 25 seconds to beat closest pursuer Ben Allen by three minutes in the men’s division while Granger ruled the distaff side in 2:17:33, seven minutes off runner-up Michelle Gailey.

John Leerams Chicano, meanwhile, won the Filipino Elite Group in 2:09:45. Jonard Saim placed second at 2:10:29 while Nikko Huelgas took third at 2:11:00.

Jenny Rose Guerrero captured the Filipina Elite category at 2:41:48, defeating Rochelle Tan (2:52:56) and Marion Kim Mangrobang (3:03:20).

Wetshop Para Tri A team bagged the male relay event at 2:23:47 while David Salon B team secured the female team relay title in 2:47:36. The mixed relay division was dominated by the LM10 team composed of celebrity Solenn Heusaff, Rayzon Galdonez and Nicolas Bolzico at 2:25:25.

Nine hundred forty triathletes swam for 1.5 kilometers, rode the bike for 40 kilometers and ran 10 km in what is dubbed as the country’s largest Olympic distance triathlon series. (Manila Bulletin)

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SBMA, Resom sign P20-billion tourism project

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently signed a contract with Korean-owned Resom Resort Phils. (Resom) for the development in the Freeport of a world-class tourism resort complex worth P20 billion.

In a simple ceremony held June 13 at the Freeport, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia and Resom Chairman Sang So Shin signed lease development agreements that would pave the way for the construction of this landmark tourism project.

The first phase of the project involves the development of a prime waterfront property previously known as the mini-golf course with a gross area of two hectares and a buildable area of 6,000 sqm.

Resom is committed to invest P1.2 billion for the construction in this area of a luxury hotel with around 300 rooms, convention facilities, pool, spa, restaurants and other support facilities. This project is being targeted to be ready to serve the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in November 2015.

The second phase of the project will cover the development of the Resom City tourism complex involving several properties in the Naval Magazine area amounting to around 300 hectares.

This will include the construction of a world-class resort complex that will have hotels, condominiums, a theme park, luxury pool villas, casino and gaming operations, a waterpark and spa, health and wellness center, duty free shopping, and a championship golf course.

This phase involves an investment commitment of around P19 billion and is expected to take around 4 years to complete.

According to Resom Chairman Shin, the Subic Resom City project will be their centerpiece development.

Resom presently owns and operates four world-class resorts namely, Ocean Castle, Resom Waterpark and Spa, and the Forest Villa resort all in Korea, and a championship golf course and resort in Weihai, China. Resom operates a time-share membership chain and certain of their facilities are open to the public as well.

During the contract signing, Chairman Shin said that he loves nature and that Resom always develops their resorts by keeping and preserving the environment as a main priority.

He said the natural beauty of the forests and waters in Subic are the main features that convinced him that Subic is the ideal choice for their centerpiece resort.

On the SBMA side, Chairman Garcia welcomed this world-class resort project as a great tourist attraction that would draw millions more of local and international visitors to the Subic Bay Freeport and establish it firmly as one of the country’s major tourism destinations.

“This hopefully will contribute substantially to the country’s tourism campaign,” Garcia added. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia and Resom Phils. Chairman Sang So sign an agreement for the construction of a P20-billion resort complex in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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World-class triathletes gear up for Century Tuna 5150

Some of the world’s most respected triathletes are all set to take on the largest global Olympic distance triathlon series, Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon happening on June 23 in Subic Bay.

Headlining the list of high-profile triathletes who will join the 5150 Triathlon is two-time Ironman World Champion (2010 and 2007) and triathlon legend Chris “Macca” McCormack. The five-time International Triathlete of the Year, McCormack has won over 200 races around the world since 1993. His long list of accomplishments includes 2012 Long Distance Triathlon World Champion (Vitoria-Gasteiz), Ironman Australia Champion (2002-2006), and both ITU Triathlon World and ITU Triathlon World Cup Champion in 1997.

Top professional triathletes from Australia are also set to fight for podium finishes. The elite group includes 2013 & 2012 Vaseline Men XTERRA Philippines Champion and 2012 XTERRA Pacific Triple Crown Champion Ben Allen, 2011 Rowing World Champion, and 2012 Dextro Energy (Sydney) Triathlon Champion and 2012 Northeim (Germany) Triathlon Champion Michael Murphy.

The female triathletes joining the 5150 Triathlon should not be taken lightly as well. Last year’s Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon Champion Belinda Granger is set to defend her title. Having competed in numerous triathlons for 18 years, Granger takes pride of her career record including 2011 Ironman 70.3 Japan Champion and 2011 Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines Champion.

Another lady to look out for during the 5150 race is 2012 XTERRA World Tour Italy Champion and 2013 Vaseline Men XTERRA Philippines 4th Placer Jacqui Slack.

Also participating in the second run of the race in the country are global pro triathletes Luke McKenzie, Justin Granger, Fredrik Croneborg, Luke Gillmer and Matt O’Halloran.

International triathlon pros gear up…

Overall, the Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon brings together triathletes from 23 countries including United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, United States of America, Singapore, France, Germany, Taiwan, Japan, and Philippines.

Century Tuna 5150 Triathlon Philippines is organized by Sunrise Events Inc., the same group producing the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Philippines. The event is also sponsored by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, 2XU, Air Asia, Alaska, Aqua Sphere, Cupcakes by Sonja, David’s Salon, Department of Tourism Region 3, Devant, Finisher Pix, Gatorade, Globe, Intercare, LBC Solutions, Manila Beer, Mastercard, Multisport, Oakley, Prudential Guarantee, Philippines Star, Planet Sports, Regent, Safeguard, Samsung, Shotz and Timex. (Manila Standard Today)

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US nuclear submarine docks at Subic for provisioning

ANOTHER nuclear-powered submarine arrived in Subic Bay on Monday for rest and recreation (R&R) of its crew and provisioning.

It was the second visit of the same submarine in the country in 13 years. It is docked at the Alava Wharf beside the submarine tender USS Frank Cable and two other US surface ships.

The 6,200-ton USS Asheville is a fast-attack submarine that is armed with 12 Tomahawk missiles and 21 MK-48 torpedoes and can cruise at depths in excess of 800 feet at 25 knots.

Three Filipino-Americans are among the ship’s complement of 15 officers, 16 petty officers and 115 ratings.

Frank Cable, on the other hand, is based in Guam but conducts maintenance and support on submarines and surface vessels deployed in the US 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility. More than 700 sailors and civilian mariners are aboard the USS Frank Cable (AS 40), which arrived in Subic on June 7.

Frank Cable personnel will participate in several community service events in Olongapo—at the Niños Pag-asa Orphanage, Association for Differently Abled Persons in Zambales and a local women’s and youth’s center.

The American Embassy invited some journalists to tour the submarine on Wednesday. Cmdr. Douglas A. Bradley, the Asheville’s skipper, showed members of the media the killer-sub’s tightly-packed innards, including the three-level bunk for the crew to sleep on, his 10-square-foot command post, the mess hall, laundry area, the ship’s auxiliary power system, its diesel engine, the command center where dual periscopes are located and the forward section containing 21 MK-48 torpedoes.

Bradley says only “the best and the brightest” naval personnel make the cut as submariners, eschewing claustrophobia and loneliness in a sardine-packed environment that would not see sunlight, “sometimes for six months.”

Guiding the submarine as it navigates Subic harbor to dock is 24-year-old Filipino American, Lt. Densel Mejia, whose roots are from Pangasinan.

“This is the proudest moment of my life, coming back to the Philippines at the helm of my submarine,” he says.

The two other Fil-Ams, Bryan Santos, 21, who comes from a US Navy family, is responsible for the submarine’s fire control system, while Gabriel Pajas, 22, is the submarine’s electronic expert.

The Los Angeles-class Asheville is the 47th of its class. It is armed with vertical-launch cruise missiles and has a state-of-the-art submarine combat control system and electronic counter measures, and highly advanced sonar for navigation.

In February one of the US Navy’s most advanced warships, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale, also called on Subic Bay to replenish supplies, as well as provide its crew rest and recreation. (Recto Mercene, BusinessMirror)

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