Gov’t pushes use of Subic container port

In the aftermath of the controversial expanded truck ban, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pushing for the use of a new container port in Subic.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia in his state of the Freeport address last week reported an 800-percent increase in investments in 2013. The SBMA is targeting P23 billion in new investments this year.

This brings cumulative investments to $9.4 billion from 1992.

Total jobs in SBMA rose nearly 70 percent to 4,402 or net jobs of 1,805 from 2,595 in 2012.

Garcia said SBMA’s goal is to transform Subic into a major logistics hub in Asia.

In 2013, port revenues rose 56 percent to P626.54 million, compared with P402.44 million in 2012. Cargoes handled at the ports also increased in 2013.

Containerized cargo rose 3.2 percent to 37,460 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2013 from 36,304 TEUs in 2012. Non-containerized cargo increased 8.6 percent from 2.21 million metric tons from 2.4 mmt in 2012.

There are two new container terminals in Subic, NCT-1 and NCT-2 both operated by Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., a unit of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. At full development, these ports can handle 800,000 TEUs per year. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/gov%E2%80%99t-pushes-use-subic-container-port

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TRAP, partners relaunch Green Triathlon in Subic

MANILA, Philippines - The Green Triathlon initiative of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) shifts to high gear year with the help of its strategic partners.

With the staging of the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) April 26-27, the TRAP and partner hotels Subic Bay Travelers Hotel and Event Center Inc., Lighthouse Marina Resort, Buena Casa Hotel and Subic International Hotel will emphasize through examples the ways on how to preserve the natural environment through the proven methods of reusing, reducing and recycling waste materials.

The strategies are in line with the pro-environment policies not only of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) but also of the Subic Bay Freeport which itself banned the use of plastic and Styrofoam since early 2013.

Since 2011, the Green Triathlon initiative in the Philippines has been promoted by the TRAP with the help of a grant from the Olympic Solidarity (OS) through its Sports and Environment program.

The initiative focused on reducing waste and pollution in triathlon events and those of its related sports. The environmental awareness of the program is used as a model of positive lifestyle change among triathletes, coaches, fans, sports clubs, venue hosts, the media, sponsors, suppliers, volunteers and the general public.

Meanwhile, Daniel Sng of Singapore has been named as the technical delegate of the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon while Uzbekistan’s Ms. Olga Blokhina is the assistant technical delegate.

The event is sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Gatorade, Speedo, Standard Insurance, David’s Salon, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department and Green Triathlon.

Interested parties who wish to learn more about Green Triathlon Philippines are free to join the online community at https://www.facebook.com/greentriph. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2014/03/03/1296513/trap-partners-relaunch-green-triathlon-subic

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SBMA eyes P23 billion in new investments

Riding on its record-breaking accomplishments last year and the strengthening of systems in the past two years, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has set its sights on generating P23 billion in new investments in 2014.

In his State of the Freeport Address (Sofa) on Thursday, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency had set investment promotion as a major program to capitalize on the successful capacity-building efforts of his administration in the past two years.

“Let us unite to make Subic a better place,” Garcia told members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the annual Sofa event, as well as officials and employees of locator-companies here, and other community stakeholders who attended the forum at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

He added that achieving excellence must be a continuing effort for everybody in the Subic Freeport, as he unveiled the agency’s major program for 2014.

Garcia also said that aside from targeting new investments, the SBMA would focus on creating new jobs to achieve inclusive growth; aggressively pursue the use of Subic’s container port to decongest Manila ports and vehicular traffic; and attract more tourists and visitors by launching a creative tourism campaign and hosting more events.

He said the SBMA would also implement “major reorganization” to effectively achieve its strategic initiatives; simplify business processes to deliver better service to locators and residents; improve the status of agency employees by implementing the long-delayed salary increases; and intensify its good governance program.

As one means to promote the attractiveness of Subic as an investment hub, the SBMA has “substantially increased capital expenditures from P9 million in 2013 to P620 million this year,” Garcia said.

The programmed expenses, Garcia added, include more than P90 million for land and land improvements; P2.6 million in buildings and structures; P133.96 million in information-technology equipment; and P393.4 million in equipment outlay.

In his address, the SBMA head largely painted a rosy picture of increasing opportunities and potentials in this premier free port brought about by the agency’s record-breaking performance in investment generation, tourism promotion and revenue collection last year.

Starting with the agency’s investment-promotion performance, Garcia said total committed investments in Subic substantially increased by 800 percent from P3 billion in 2012 to P27 billion in 2013, thus increasing cumulative investments here by 7 percent, or from $8.8 billion in 2012 to $9.4 billion last year.

The new investment projects also created a total of 2,597 new jobs, the SBMA official said.

To further generate new investments, the SBMA acquired new additional areas for development last year, Garcia said. These consist of 10,000 hectares in San Antonio, Zambales, which is ideal for tourism and resort development; and a 650-hectare expansion area in Subic town, which was set for shipbuilding and ship repair.

In other areas, Garcia said the Subic Bay Freeport registered a 3-percent increase in tourist arrivals, a 6-percent growth in sports events, an 8.7-percent increase in ship calls, and a 56-percent increase in seaport revenue, an 8.9-percent growth in income-tax collection, a 71-percent increase in customs collection, a 0.5-percent increase in manpower, a 13-percent increase in remittances to the National Treasury, and a 12-percent increase in revenue shares given to neighboring local government units.

Garcia also pointed out that the SBMA broke several records in financial performance last year: its P2.09-billion gross revenue was the highest ever in the 21 years of the Subic Bay Freeport; a 52-percent increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, was also the highest in SBMA history; a 35-percent increase in SBMA net income became the biggest in 21 years; and its P1.15-billion cash position also was the highest since 2005. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)
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http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/economy/28244-sbma-eyes-p23-billion-in-new-investments

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NCCA awards five writers during Taboan 2014

Held in Subic Freeport Zone in February, the 2014 Taboan Literary Festival awarded five writers the coveted Writers’ Prize.

A biennial award given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the prize included cash prizes and a one-year off from work to complete the manuscript.

This year’s awardees were Ariel Tabag (Novel, Ilokano language), Joselito Delos Reyes (Short Story, Filipino language), Hope Sabanpan-Yu (Essay, Cebuano language), Rafael Banzuela, Jr. (Poetry, Bikolano language) and Jeremy Alexandre Evardone (Drama, Waray language).

Taboan (a Visayan word for “marketplace) is organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through the National Committee on Literary Arts, for the National Arts Month every February.

Meet the winners

Tabag, fellow of the 2002 the University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop, has earned awards for his fiction and poetry in Ilokano and Filipino. His publications include Karapote (Curion) (2011, anthology of Ilokano short stories), Ay, Ni Reberen!(OMG, Reverend!) (2013, short novel), and Samtoy (2011, Filipino translation of Ilokano short stories). His novel Kabessat Ti Bagis won the novel category in Ilokano Language in the NCCA Writers’ Prize.

A fellow of the University of the Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies, Delos Reyes was named 2013 Makata ng Taon, an award given by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. His entry, “Kuma-Camanava: Mga Kwento sa Gawi Namin,” was awarded the Writers’ Prize for Short Story Category in Filipino Language.

Sabanpan-Yu, director of the Cebuano Studies Center, is author of four collections of poetry: “Paglaum” (2000), “Ang Tingog ni Maria” (2001), “Beads” (2002) and “Mga Dad-onon sa Biyahe” (2004). She won the Essay Category for the NCCA Writers’ Prize for her entry, “Naglangoy sa Langit.”

Meanwhile, Banzuela writes rawit-dawit (poetry) in Albay-Bikol to reflect on the Albayano values, attitudes, and introspection on his own stories and history perchance to excite some kind of pride of culture and time. NCCA awarded him the Writers’ Prize for his poem, “Dios Makina,” which is written in Bikolano.

A native of Palapag, Northern Samar, Evardone, a writer of poetry and fiction, won the NCCA Writers’ Prize for the Drama Category in Waray Language for his piece, “Epiko ni Sumuroy.” (Manila Times)

http://manilatimes.net/ncca-awards-five-writers-during-taboan-2014/79332/

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US Navy, Subic Locator bring joy to orphans in Olongapo

OLONGAPO CITY: US Navy personnel from the USNS John Ericson and representatives from Subic locator Aviation Concepts recently shared half a day of joy with orphans from the Center for Youth, Women and Social Welfare (CYWSW) as part of their Community Relations (COMREL) program.

US Navy personnel headed by Captain Anthony Bourdouin, prior to the celebration dubbed as a “Big Day Celebration” organized by the City Social Welfare Development Office, conducted repairs, painting and other refurbish works inside the CYWSW.

Aviation Concepts, a locator inside Subic Bay Freeport, also donated filing cabinets, office desk and chairs, clothing, bikes, a lawnmower, and books for the children.

“This is only the beginning. I will request our Navy Commander to allow our ship to visit your city more frequently,” Bourdouin said.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino welcomed the US Navy personnel and Lyn Habeck of Aviation Concepts, and thanked them for the work they have done and the donation they have made.

“Nakakatuwa na marami talagang magaganda loob, na tumutulong sa syudad ngayon, napakalaking tulong yung mga bagong gamit para sa mga bata dito sa center at pag repair ng mga sirang lugar sa facility na ito” (We are elated that there are so many good-hearted people who are now helping the city. Their donations for the kids, and repair works done on some of our facilities are really of big help to us), Paulino said.

“Olongapo is our second home,” Bourdouin said as he vowed to continue to extend help to the city’s Social Welfare Development programs.

City Social Welfare Officer Gonzalo Pascua, in charge of the center, also thanked the US Navy personnel and Aviation Concepts.

Song numbers, dance presentation and a surprise number by Mayor Paulino who sang “If We Hold on Together” with social workers of the city capped off the activity. (Olongapo City PAO)

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SBMA sets P617-million capex for 2014

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has set aside a total of P617 million for its capital expenditure (capex) program this year, as the agency embarks on more projects to improve infrastructures and facilities, as well as to further promote the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia said the 2014 capex schedule was approved by the SBMA board of directors recently on the strength of the agency’s record-breaking financial performance for 2013.

“Because we achieved last year an all-time net profit of P1 billion, which is the biggest in the last 21 years that the SBMA existed, our board of directors approved our capital expenditure budget as presented,” Garcia said.

“Our capex this year is really a big departure from past allocations, but we really worked hard for this,” he added.

“We will be spending for dump trucks, for more service vehicles, beautification of the Freeport, roads, repair of infrastructure, for our airport, and other projects to make the Freeport more attractive to foreign investors,” Garcia said.

According to figures released by the SBMA Finance Group, the agency’s 2014 capex budget of P617 million represents a whopping 6,740 percent increase over last year’s capex of P9 million.

Of this, around P2.6 billion will be spent on buildings and structures; P90 million on land and land improvements; P391 million on equipment outlay; and P134 million on information technology equipment, which received a budget of only P13,000 in 2013.

Last week, as Garcia presented eight new pickup trucks that were acquired as initial purchases under the 2014 capex, he also appealed to SBMA officials and employees for them to continue looking for new sources of revenue to further improve the agency’s financial performance.

“We are already here at this level where we can provide for what we need. We are committed to spend not only for equipment and facilities, but for our people most especially,” Garcia assured. “But we must help each other to take SBMA up to a higher level,” he added. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Triathlon highlights Subic Freeport’s ‘perfect’ eco-tour race course

Challenge Philippines, the latest addition to the 15-country Challenge Family triathlon series, kicked off here early Saturday morning and provided a window to the world of Subic’s unparalleled sports venue.

Along a race course that featured the pristine waters of Ilanin Bay, and the rolling hills and coastal forests that extended to some of the remotest parts of Bataan province, Challenge Philippines again showed why the Subic Bay Freeport is being hailed as the triathlon capital of the Philippines.

“The race course was designed by athletes for athletes,” said Dave Voth, CEO of Endurance Entertainment Asia, which manages the event.

“Arguably, it is one of the most beautiful courses in Asia,” he added.

Among the more difficult parts of the course is the “Killer Bike Route” that takes athletes through seven hills in Bataan. It comprises roughly two-thirds of the race with a 4-kilometer downward glide back to the Camayan Beach Resort in Subic before the 21-kilometer forest run that provides the finale.

Because of the challenging but scenic course, Challenge Philippines attracted some of the world’s top athletes, including four-time Challenge Roth champion Chris McCormack of Australia, Greg and Laura Bennet of Australia, 2013 Phuket Challenge male winner Rasmus Petreus of Denmark, Phuket female winner Melissa Hauschildt of Australia, Czech Republic’s national triathlete star Radka Vodick, up-and-coming triathlete star Till Schramm of Germany, and Olympian cyclist Emma Pouly of the United Kingdom.

Fil-Am Arland Macasieb was the lone Philippine representative in the elite professional category.

Prince Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad al Khalid of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who is also chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth and Sports and president of the Olympic Committee, also joined triathlon event, along with his brother Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

McCormack, who is also known as Macca, said Challenge Philippines will become one of the best events in the 2014 race calendar.

Vodick meanwhile said that he was very delighted by how the course was designed, thanking the organizers “for treating us with unique and completely new course.”

From Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Chairman Roberto Garcia said that Challenge Philippines “will surely push Subic’s status as Triathlon Capital of the Philippines.”

“We have a race course here with features you can’t find elsewhere—pristine waters, shaded roadside tracks, and undisturbed forest trails—all within an area that has no fumes nor traffic distractions and is considered very safe,” Garcia pointed out.

The official added that Subic also has modern amenities for athletes and their families—factors that led the Department of Tourism to recognize the Subic Bay Freeport as one of the “Top Destinations in the Country” and “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon.”

Challenge Philippines, which adopted the theme “Challenge Your Self, Race for a Cause,” is the concluding part of an entire weeklong celebration of lifestyle, cultural and community engagements and sports for the entire family celebrating the “Pinoy” spirit. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Challenge Philippines lure royalty, international triathletes to Subic Bay

Winning People’s Hearts: An ecstatic crowd greets His Highness Prince Shaik Nasser bin Hamad of the Kingdom of Bahrain as he negotiates the 21-kilometer run leg of the Challenge Philippines triathlon in Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday morning. The Bahraini royal earlier had committed some $3-million worth of humanitarian projects for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. The projects include the construction of 500 houses and a vocational center for residents of Tacloban City, as well as a vocational and training center for the youth in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Australian Matt Burton celebrates after crossing the finish line and emerging as champion of the first Challenge Philippines Triathlon held on Saturday at the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Bahrain, Philippines sign agreement for dev’t projects for Yolanda survivors

The Kingdom of Bahrain has signed an agreement with the Philippines to carry out two development projects for the country, including a shelter program for victims of Typhoon Yolanda, which devastated Eastern Visayas in November last year.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, secretary-general of Bahrain’s Royal Charity Organization, and Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, at The Lighthouse Marina Resort here on Friday.

The signing was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto V. Garcia.

The development projects include the construction of 500 houses in a complex in Tacloban City and two vocational centers for the youth—one in Tacloban and another in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Sayed said the projects were the kingdom’s “additional response” to the Yolanda calamity, which nearly wiped out Tacloban City and other neighboring areas in Southern Philippines.

Sayed also said that it was the wish of Sheikh Nasser to look for ways to make his visit to the country worthwhile. The Sheikh was in Subic to participate in the Challenge Philippines triathlon held last Saturday.

“The first thing that came to his mind was not to win the triathlon. His mind was on how to link this event with something of charity, of humanitarian work and something that would encourage the youth to get the same value of winning the social responsibility challenges, as much as you win the sporting challenges,” Sayed explained.

“I think this is a fantastic principle and it assured that His Highness is already a winner. He has won the hearts of the people. That’s fantastic,” Sayed added.

Sheikh Nasser said for his part that he wanted to encourage the youth to have a healthy lifestyle by building the vocational centers.

He also said that he finds the Philippines, particularly Subic Bay, a beautiful place.

“I will try to be here more often, and this will definitely not be my last visit,” the Sheikh said.

Meanwhile, Gordon thanked the Royal Charity Organization and the Sheikh, and acknowledged their continuous support for the country’s rehabilitation efforts.

He noted that this was the first time for Bahrain and the Philippines to sign an agreement.

“This is a huge step because it not only alleviates human suffering, but definitely shows the kindness of the Bahraini people who have come here all the way from their country and even brought their prince to be with us here,” he said. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Bahrain Prince in Subic, signs projects with PNRC

His Highness Prince Shaik Nasser bin Hamad of Bahrain (left, standing), Vice President Jejomar Binay (center, standing) and SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, witness the signing of a memorandum of agreement by (left to right) Bahrain Red Crescent Society secretary-general Fawzi Amin, Royal Charity Organization of Bahrain secretary-general Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, and Philippine National Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon, for two humanitarian projects to be carried out by the Kingdom of Bahrain for the people of the Philippines affected by typhoon Yolanda. The projects include the construction 500 houses and a vocational center for residents of Tacloban City, as well as a vocational and training center in the Subic Bay Freeport.

His Highness Prince Shaik Nasser bin Hamad of Bahrain (left) presents SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia with a gilded memento from the Royal Charity Organization of Bahrain to mark his visit to the Subic Bay Freeport. Looking on are Vice President Jejomar Binay and Philippine National Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon.

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SBMA achieves rare feat in ISO certification leading to banner year

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority attained its ISO 9001:2008 certification with absolutely "zero minor and major non-conformities" on its first audit, a rare feat that no other Philippine government agency has ever achieved.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia said that when the agency began working for its ISO certification, it began paving the way not only for sustained world-class quality management system, but also toward superior financial performance. The agency started working to meet the requirements for an ISO 9001:2008 certificate from AJA Registrars in October 2012.

“Quality management is one of the reasons why 2013 became a banner year for the SBMA,” Garcia revealed.

Garcia said that unknown to the various departments that toiled hard to meet the standards, they were also working on something that would soon yield a record-shattering net income of P1 billion in 2013, the biggest in SBMA’s 21-year history.

“On the surface, we were aiming for quality certification, but deep down in the core of the organization we were building something more significant—a better system, and a culture of excellence that helped us achieve something big,” Garcia added.

“Now, with the quality management system in place and the SBMA reporting a net profit of P1.2 billion last year, more investors are showing interest to invest in Subic,” the SBMA official added.

Meanwhile, SBMA Total Quality Management (TQM) manager John Aquino said that the “zero major non-conformity, zero minor non-conformity” findings by AJA Registrars on its first surveillance audit can be considered a legacy in the history of government offices.

“It is a very rare situation that a government agency could maintain this level of conformance,” said Aquino, who is also an assessor of the Philippine Quality Award, a presidential project to recognize public and private institutions committed to quality and excellence.

Aquino also explained that because the SBMA not only maintained the quality management system but also has shown improvement by resolving one observation recorded during the AJA audit on October 3 2012, AJA recommended that SBMA continue with its ISO certification program until 2016.

The ISO 9001:2008 certification specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

It aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

All departments of the SBMA completed the requirements in April 2013 in pursuance of the ISO 9001:2008 certification.

The scope of registration included the Internal Services Group with 10 offices or departments; Maritime, Business and Investment Group with seven offices/departments; Regulatory Group with six offices/departments; and the Chairman and Administrator-CEO Group, which has six offices and departments.

ISO certification and quality management in government institutions were required, respectively, through Executive Order 605 and Administrative Order 161, which were both signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay hosts Asian Paratriathlon on April 26

THE Asian Paratriathlon Championships will be hosted at the Subic Bay Freeport on April 26, the first day of the K-Swiss ITU Subic International Triathlon.

This year a new classification system will be implemented in line with the International Triathlon Union’s standards for paratriathlon. Effectively, all athletes are required to undergo classification at a designated ITU competition. The ITU will send an official to conduct this classification.

Prior to the event sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, David’s Salon, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department and Green Triathlon, the ITU will also conduct a technical course for paratriathlon officials on Apr 24.

Last year, Filipinos debuted at the paratriathlon event and acquitted themselves very well. Andy Avellana and Arnel Aba finished 1 & 2 in the the Tri- 2 (one /no leg, no prosthesis) and Sixto Ducay got the silver in the Tri-4 category (no/one arm). They will come back this year to improve on these performances.

Paratriathlon has been accepted for inclusion for the IPC’s 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/02/17/subic-bay-hosts-asian-paratriathlon-on-april-26/

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SBMA beefs up law enforcement capacity to enhance Subic’s investment climate

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is further strengthening its law enforcement capacity to make the Subic Bay Freeport more attractive to investors and more conducive to trade and tourism.

Towards this end, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency has acquired eight new service vehicles that will be used for patrol operations by the SBMA Law Enforcement Department. One of these will be used for emergency response by the SBMA Fire Department, as well.

The vehicles are black, four-wheel drive manual versions of the locally-available Ford Ranger pick-up trucks that can tow and carry huge loads, yet are easy to drive.

The trucks cost a total of P9.8 million and were acquired through the agency-to-agency procurement service of the Department of Budget and Management.

“It’s part of our desire to level up security and safety in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Garcia said of the procurement. “We need reliable service vehicles so that we can respond to security and emergency calls faster and safer.”

Garcia said the procurement of the patrol vehicles is just the start of the SBMA’s capital expenditure program this year, after the agency made an outstanding financial performance in 2013 with a recorded all-time high net profit of P1 billion.

“More good things are coming our way, because we now have the means to have them,” he said.

Garcia added that the SBMA also intends to buy new dump trucks, undertake road repairs and improve infrastructure as part of its investment promotion program.

During the symbolic presentation of the vehicles on Monday, Garcia told SBMA employees that seven units of the new pickup trucks will be assigned to law enforcers and one to the Fire Department as a reward for winning the Gawad Kalasag Award in October 2013.

The new vehicles “will surely augment our capability to respond to emergencies,” Garcia added.

The SBMA head also congratulated the SBMA Procurement and Property Management Department (PPMD) for successfully going through a complicated process to acquire the new vehicles.

According to PPMD manager Marco Estabillo, the agency-to-agency mode of procurement was made possible through R.A. 9184, which provides for the modernization, standardization and regulation of the procurement activities of the government.

Estabillo added that for this particular procurement, the SBMA saved P2.2 million from the approved budget allocation of P12 million.

He also disclosed that some P224 million is yet to be spent for 70 more units of service vehicles for 2014, which include some watercraft and fire trucks.

According to PPMD records, prior to this procurement, the last time the SBMA procured vehicles was in 2008 when it bought five new service vehicles worth P10.2 million. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

Photo:
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia inspects newly-delivered patrol vehicles for the SBMA Law Enforcement Department, as he announces the agency’s thrust to enhance security and safety in the Subic Bay Freeport to enhance investment generation.

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Parade of classic cars in Subic Bay

[1] A vintage 1938 MG TA Tourer wows tourists along the Waterfront Road at the Subic Bay Freeport during a parade of classic cars held as part of the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference.

[2] Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez waves while passing by the historic Spanish Gate landmark in the Subic Bay Freeport during a parade of classic cars held as part of the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference.


 (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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DILG awards Olongapo with Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) awarded the city of Olongapo the Silver Grade Seal of Good Housekeeping for its exemplary standards of front line service, procurement and audit system.

No less than DILG Secretary Mar Roxas congratulated the city of Olongapo headed by Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino for the city’s effort in its full disclosure policy which encourages local government units to conform with transparency to minimize, prevent and completely rid out graft and corruption.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino said that the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping only proves that the city is serious with it transparency and good governance stance.

“It’s very hard to get that award, it takes time, requirements and scrutiny by DILG, NGO and other groups and that is why I am very happy that we (Olongapo) got it.” Paulino said.

DILG Olongapo OIC City Director Amada Dumagat said that along with the citation, the city will have access to grassroots participatory budget process that would provide a P15million budget cap to LGU’s for priority poverty reduction projects and special local road fund.

She added that the city scaled up from being a bronze awardee to silver and that the next step for the city of Olongapo would be the Seal of Good Local Governance, which is the highest grade any city, municipality or Provincial government would receive.

The Seal of Good Local Governance covers a wider range of LGU performance such as good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection for the basic sector, business friendly and competitiveness, environmental compliance and law and order and public safety.

The DILG devised the Seal of Good House Keeping program to “aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, participation, and performance.” (Olongapo City PAO)

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SBMA posts new profit record of P1.2-billion

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has shattered its 2012 net profit record of P824 million when based on preliminary reports, it posted last year a net profit of P1.2 billion, the agency’s highest in its entire 21-year history. SBMA 2013 gross revenues of P2.09 billion and EBITDA of P992 million likewise posted the highest levels in the Agency's history.

Comparatively, the gross revenue of P2.1 billion that the agency generated in 2013 was 26.6 percent higher than the gross revenue of P1.6 billion in 2012. The growth in revenue came mainly from Seaport operations of P588 million an increase of 46% over 2013 and Regulatory operations of PP404 million which increased by a hefty 82% over the previous year.

While net income was buoyed by favorable exchange rates, Chairman Roberto Garcia noted that SBMA’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased significantly by 52.2 percent from P652 million in 2012 to P992 million in 2013. This is the true test of the Agency's effective strategic initiatives and the efficiency in the execution of such initiatives.

“This has made 2013 another banner year in succession for SBMA, and we are pleased to report that our financial performance continues to improve substantially while investments also significantly exceeded the 2012 level,” Garcia said. Approved investments in 2012 of P3 billion spurted to P24.7 billion in 2013 or an increase of 723%. This will provide over 10,000 jobs over the next few years as these projects get implemented.

Through the continuing austerity program and effective cost control measures, the Agency was also able to minimize the rise in operating expenses to 10%, thereby increasing its net income substantially.

To cap off 2013, SBMA was able to secure final approval of its USD27 million loan refinancing package. Garcia said that this will strengthen SBMA's balance sheet and will allow the Agency to invest in much needed capital expenditures to improve security and vital Freeport infrastructure. To this end, SBMA has programmed P617 million in capital spending for 2014.

Garcia is set to deliver the his State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) before the Freeport community and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce Inc. (SBFCCI) on February 27 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC). (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Country’s first Road Safety Park to rise in Subic Freeport

Well-known for enforced traffic rules and road discipline and safety, this premier free port will soon be the home of the country’s first Road Safety Park.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., assisted by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia and Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt, broke ground on Wednesday the construction of the park at the former US naval magazine complex here.

The park groundbreaking was part of the five-day Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference that opened at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on January 29.

Jimenez said the park project was “one of the most important part of the Drive Tourism conference in Subic.”

“Drive tourism” refers to tourists taking leisure trips to destinations in their own or rented vehicles. It is now a rapidly growing sector of the tourism market in the Philippines and abroad.

Jimenez described the park as a miniature community complete with established traffic rules such as traffic signs and pavement markings. It will also have buildings like fast-food restaurants, bank, supermarket, library and shops.

The park’s mission is to inculcate road safety values among children and to improve their knowledge, skills and behavior as road users.

“Safety is part of the sustainability that will make driving a most pleasurable part of going around the Philippines. When we are all safety-conscious, we will all feel the pleasure of the driving,” Jimenez also said.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, meanwhile, welcomed the construction of the Road Safety Park here, saying there is no other place in the Philippines where every motorist observes traffic signs and stops at the corner of the road even there is no traffic enforcer in the area to flag him.

“When in Subic, local motorists learn the way of road courtesy and follow traffic rules. That is why, Subic is the ideal place for the Road Safety Park where people will learn more about road safety,” Garcia added.

With the theme “Saving Lives, Saving Costs, Saving the Planet,” the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference features discussions and presentations on the latest innovations in the automobile industry, road safety, mobility, motorsports, as well as travel and tourism from both local and international specialists.

The conference was organized by the Automobile Associa­tion of the Philippines (AAP), the country's largest auto club with over 50,000 members, the Department of Tourism, and the SBMA. (RAV/FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (left) and Jean Todt, president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, lower a time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of the AAP Children’s Road Safety Park at the Subic Bay Freeport. Looking on are: Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, International School of Sustainable Tourism president Mina Gabor, and other delegates to the ongoing Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

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SBMA to release P81.3-M LGU share for 2nd sem 2013

Staying true to its commitment to “spur development” in neighboring areas, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be releasing a total of P81.3 million in revenue shares to local government units (LGUs) in communities adjacent to and affected by the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the funds will be made available starting the first week of February.

The total amount to be released consists of P73.82 million, which is the net amount due for the current period, and P7.48 million, which serves as refund of the 10 percent retention withheld in the second semester of 2011.

The LGU shares to be released are part of the five percent corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises from July to December 2013. Two percent of this is being paid directly to the SBMA treasury, while the other three percent is remitted to the national treasury through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The direct payment scheme was implemented by the SBMA starting August 2010 to ensure the prompt release of LGU shares.

In the scheduled release, Olongapo City will receive the biggest share of P19.76 million, while Subic, Zambales will get P12.06 million; Dinalupihan, Bataan, P10.2 million; San Marcelino, Zambales, P9.84 million; Hermosa, Bataan, P8.3 million; San Antonio, Zambales, P7.17 million; Morong, Bataan, P7.03 million; and Castillejos, Zambales, P6.94 million.

The LGU shares, Garcia said, are intended to support developments projects in the recipient communities, specifically for health, education, peace and order, and livelihood generation programs.

The LGU share is determined according to the following criteria: 50 percent population, 25 percent land area, and 25 equal sharing.

Garcia said the SBMA is intent on helping neighbor LGUs attain a faster pace of development by providing regular and timely assistance.

“The SBMA continues to implement an intense marketing strategy to attract new investments, because aside from the jobs it will create for the residents, it will also generate revenue shares for the local government units,” Garcia explained.

Garcia also said that the SBMA is now eyeing to attract investors to the San Antonio Economic Development Area in Zambales. This is after the San Antonio municipal government converted a 10,000-hectare area in the municipality for development into an additional secured area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA welcomes new board member

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) board of directors last Friday welcomed its newest member, Cynthia Co Paulino, as Olongapo City representative.

SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia introduced Paulino to the rest of the board members during the 256th regular meeting of the SBMA’s policy-making body.

Garcia said that with Paulino in the SBMA board, both the Subic Bay Freeport and its next-door neighbor Olongapo will benefit from closer coordination between the SBMA and the city government, especially in undertaking joint projects for the mutual benefit of the Subic Bay community and the city.

“I believe things will work out better for the two agencies now. We welcome this development, and we look forward to a successful team-up between the SBMA and Olongapo City,” Garcia said.

In October last year, Garcia and Olongapo City mayor Rolen Paulino discussed matters such as river clean-up, the night market, job fair and the perimeter fence that concern the local community.

Garcia added that with an Olongapo representative in the board, local concerns will be addressed immediately.

Paulino, who is the wife of Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino, replaced Anne Marie Gordon, the wife of former Olongapo Mayor James Gordon Jr., who resigned from the SBMA board early last year upon filing her candidacy for the 2013 mayoralty race.

Paulino who holds a degree in accountancy from Columban College in Olongapo is a native of Subic, Zambales. She has four children with Mayor Paulino.

Olongapo, which is a highly urbanized city with a population of more than 221,000 as of 2010, is among the communities adjacent to and affected by the operations of the Subic Bay Freeport.

It receives a little more than 24 percent of the total LGU share given regularly by SBMA to the eight affected communities. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic tourism prospects for 2014 ‘very positive’

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is expecting another “record-breaking year” in tourism this year, as it intends to ride on last year’s accomplishments and whip up greater momentum with bigger events and more attractions this year.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia said in a recent report to tourism stakeholders here that Subic faces a “very positive” period this year because of increasing tourist arrivals brought about by the hosting of more sports events, as well as meetings and conventions, in the free port.

“We have been gaining much ground in tourism in the past three years, and in 2014 we intend to do better as we host several major events here in Subic,” Garcia said.

“We have the product—the Subic Bay Freeport, and we just need to get it out there so that we can maintain, if not surpass, the big numbers we attained in 2013,” he added.

According to figures released by the SBMA last week, there was a 20-percent increase in sports-oriented events staged in the Subic Bay Freeport in 2013.

These major events included the Subic Bay to Boracay Race on February 16, the Commodore’s Cup Regatta from April 2 to 6, the Asian Triathlon Championship and the TRAP National Triathlon Championship from April 26 to 29, the Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon on June 23, the Safeguard 5i50 Triathlon on October 6 and the Subic Duathlon Open Championships on December 1.

Garcia said the unprecedented 134-percent increase in the number of participants joining sports events here has made Subic Bay “arguably the sports tourism capital of the Philippines.”

He added that Subic also hosted several meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) events in 2013, leading to a 52-percent increase in participants as of September, compared to the level of participation as of September 2012.

“Visitor, tourist and hotel guest arrivals have all increased respectively by 8.3 percent, 0.86 percent and 0.89 percent as of October 2013, as compared to levels as of October 2012,” Garcia also said in his report.

Garcia also said aside from aggressively promoting Subic Bay as a must-see tourist destination, the SBMA had undertaken regular projects to protect and enhance the natural environment of the free port, which is Subic’s core tourism product.

Among the measures SBMA had taken for the environment in 2013 was the full implementation of a “no plastics” policy in January, regular beach and river clean-up projects in coordination with neighbor-communities, and the holding of a water summit to ensure adequate clean water supply in the area.

To provide more momentum to SBMA’s tourism initiative for 2014, the agency had booked major events like the 1st Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference, Auto and Travel Show, which opened here on Tuesday.

Subic will also be the venue of the Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014 scheduled from May 7 to 11, and is eyeing to host the International Table Tennis World Championships this year, Garcia said.

The “Drive Tourism” event, which will last until Sunday, February 2, is a joint project of the Department of Tourism and the Automobile Association Philippines.

The Ad Summit Pilipinas, which is touted to rock the core of the country’s advertising industry, is organized by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines. (Henry Empeno, Business Mirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/economy/26699-subic-tourism-prospects-for-2014-very-positive

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Subic to host ‘Drive Tourism’ conference

Consistent with Subic’s image as a popular drive-in destination for tourists, this free port will be the venue for the Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference, Auto and Travel Show slated on January 29 to February 2 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

The five-day conference will feature discussions and presentations on the latest innovations in the automobile industry, road safety, mobility, motorsports, as well as travel and tourism from both local and international specialists.

Capping the event are the Auto and Travel Show, which will begin on January 31, and the International Kite Festival on February 2.

For this project, the Automobile Association Philippines, the country’s largest auto club with over 50,000 members, and the National Auto Club have teamed up with the Department of Tourism and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Organizers said the event will be graced by Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt and Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

Drive tourism, where people take leisure trips in their own vehicles or hired vehicles, is a rapidly growing sector of the tourism market both here and abroad.

The event supports the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 with the objective to save five million lives and prevent 50 million road injuries through the theme, "Saving Lives, Saving Costs, and Saving the Planet."

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the “Drive Tourism” conference will be the first major conference to be held in this free port this year.

Another big event slated this year is the Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014, which will be held on May 7-11. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Country’s biggest literary fest set in Subic Freeport

Top literary writers from all over the country will converge in this free port on February 24-26 for “Taboan 2014,” the biggest literary festival in the country that will be held in line with the celebration of the National Arts Month (NAM).

Billed as “Wind and Waves, Wars and Words,” the three-day festival is a landmark project of the National Committee on Literary Arts of the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA).

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia expressed gratitude to the NCCA for bringing to Subic Bay the biggest literary event in the country.

“This will not only showcase the beauty of Filipino literary arts, but also the well-preserved natural beauty of Subic Bay for all Filipino and foreign visitors to see,” Garcia said.

Festival director Dr. Juliet Mallari said that top literary writers and enthusiasts, as well as teachers and students from various regions, are expected to join forums, lectures, book fairs, literary readings, performances, arts and crafts exhibits, and cultural tours during the event.

Mallari noted that the festival will also serve as a venue to encourage local writers in Zambales to group themselves together and revive literature in the province.

“We can help them to form a group with the objective to revive literature in Zambales. And soon they could present stage plays, Zambaleña dances in events like this,” she said.

Meanwhile, NCCA chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. said that also in celebration of the NAM, the Philippine Arts Festival has taken the theme “Art on the Edge” to focus on the healing capacity of the arts.

He explained that art is some kind of power that heals the suffering of those affected by calamities—be they man-made or natural—such as those in the coastal communities in the Visayas that were recently hit by typhoon Yolanda.

“In Tacloban and other areas in Visayas, people have received very little help to survive each day. But by using art, like singing, dancing and others, as tool, we can help people ‘on the edge’ to recover from crises or calamities,” De Leon said.

He also noted that when arts of various forms were to be put in the same “boat” and nurtured, they could contribute to economic development by influencing the tourism industry in the area.

He noted that Zambales, for one, has much artistic and creative assets that can be turned into income- generating projects, boost the tourism industry and create jobs.

Among the products of creative arts here are the bows and arrows that native Aytas are selling, and the famous jungle survival demonstrations of the Aytas in the Subic Freeport Zone.

“PAF 2014 promises to be an exhilarating celebration of the arts with workshops, exhibitions, forums, performances, and many other events participated in by numerous artists,” de Leon said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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K-Swiss Subic International Triathlon is its biggest ever

THE 2014 K-Swiss ITU Subic International Triathlon, slated April 26 and 27 at Subic Bay Freeport, is set to be the biggest edition ever as it enters its third decade.

Secretary general Mon Marchan of the organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines said stakes will be higher as the event serves as a 5-in-1 affair, laced by its lofty status as one of the legs of the Asia Cup series.

Marchan is joined by in the local organizing committee by Sarita Zafra, Ting Joson, and Anton Tangan.

As an Asia Cup series leg, SUBIT stakes ITU points for local and international elite athletes, who are bidding to improve their World and Asian rankings. Adding to the international flavor of the SUBIT is the second Asian Paratriathlon Championships, whose inaugural event was held in conjunction with SUBIT.

The SUBIT, sponsored by Century Tuna, Asian Center for Insulation Phil., Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, David’s Salon, SBMA and Green Triathlon, will also serve as a National Age-Group Championships, Inter-Club Competition and National Triathlon Tryouts.

The winners of the male and female age-group categories will receive from TRAP an all-expenses-paid participation in one of the tourneys of the Asia Cup series this year as incentive.

The Inter-club competition within the SUBIT event will stake the National Triathlon Club Championship trophy to the winning squad.

SUBIT will also serve as a tryout event for berths in the national pool and the national team that will compete in various international triathlon events, including the Incheon Asian Games and the Asian Beach Games in Phuket. (Randy Caluag, Manila Bulletin)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/01/27/k-swiss-subic-international-marathon-is-its-biggest-ever/

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Ad land enters “Age of Enlightenment” with Ad Summit Pilipinas

The Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As) has just revealed the theme and overall look of the much-anticipated first-ever Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014 scheduled this May in Subic Bay Freeport.

A colorful rendition of the All-Seeing Eye, an ancient symbol for secret knowledge, made by creative AOR DDB Philippines serves as the logo for the summit with the theme “Age of Enlightenment.”

In much the same way with the intellectual revolution in Europe in the 1700s, Ad Summit Chair and Publicis CEO Matec Villanueva said that the advertising industry is craving for fresh, bold and socially-relevant ideas – a hunger that only the industry’s most respected gurus can satisfy.

The 4As is currently finalizing the speakers for the five-day event to be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center from 7 – 11 May. Asked who are on the list, Villanueva shared with Marketing that experts from digital and big global media networks were invited.

Ad Summit Pilipinas will also now become the new home of the Creative Guild’s Kidlat Awards, which is currently being pushed as the country’s most prestigious creative advertising competition.

The event is believed to be the successor to the AdCongress of the Advertising Board of the Philippines. The 23rd Ad Congress was originally set for November 2013 in Davao City.

AdBoard chair Bienvenido Niles Jr. cancelled the event last July, citing lack of internal support primarily from the exit of its biggest members. KBP has left the Adboard in 2005 which PANA and the 4As followed in November 2012 and February 2013, respectively.

Before 2013 ended, the Media Specialists Association of the Philippines (MSAP) and the the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association (IMMAP) also followed suit.

Registration forms for delagates are available at the official Ad Summit website, official Facebook fanpage and through the 4As secretariat at 8134397 and 8931205 or 4asp@pldtdsl.net. (Oliver Bayani, marketing-interactive.com)

PHOTO:
SBMA deputy administrator for business, investment and tourism Reuel John Kabigting (3rd from left) join officers of the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines (4As) during the press launch of Ad Summit Pilipinas 2014, which shall be staged on May 7 to 11, 2014 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. With him are (from left) 4As chairman Alex Syfu, Ad Summit chair Matec Villanueva, and 4As president Norman Agatep.

http://www.marketing-interactive.com/ad-land-enters-age-enlightenment-ad-summit-pilipinas/

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RP Energy launches project to protect Subic Bay ecology

The Manila Electric Co.-led Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. power consortium (RP Energy), proponent of a 600-megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant in this free port, has launched a project supporting local initiatives to protect Subic Bay.

Victor Chan, the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) officer, said that RP Energy recently conducted a two-day seminar-workshop on marine environmental laws and best practices in coastal marine management.

Chan said that despite Subic Bay’s importance to both the local fishing and tourism industry, residents here believe the bay is already suffering from over-exploitation, tourism pressure, marine pollution and destructive fishing practices.

He said that with its “Protect the Bay” initiative, RP Energy wants to help ensure the sustainability of Subic Bay by supporting the local government unit’s rehabilitation and protection efforts, as well as the local enforcement of environmental policies.

“Citizen’s participation through vigilance is crucial for the success of these efforts since the surrounding communities are also the ones directly affected by pollution in the bay,” he added.

Chan said RP Energy organized the seminar-workshop under its “Katuwang Natin sa Buhay” CSR program and in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the College of Human Ecology of the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, the Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (SB-IFARMC), and the international non-profit organization Blacksmith Institute.

The Blacksmith Institute, an organization founded in 1999 to help solve pollution problems in developing countries, has reportedly completed more than 50 clean-up projects in 21 countries.

Restituto del Rosario, chairman of the SB-IFARMC, said the fishing communities around the bay would be among those who will benefit from the project.

Thanking RP Energy for the initiative, del Rosario added that local fishermen welcome the support from the company: “Nakakatuwang isipin na ang RP Energy ay aming katuwang sa pangangalaga sa Subic Bay sapagkat ito ay karugtong na ng aming buhay.”

Meanwhile, SBMA Public Relations Department Head Armie Llamas said that the “Protect the Bay” project would also boost Subic’s tourism program and help push other stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport to join in protecting local marine resources.

Chan said that aside from conducting the seminar-workshop, RP Energy is looking at other activities that will be organized under the initiative.

These include the establishment of mangrove forests along the bay, the expansion of RP Energy’s giant clam farm, and the launch of Task Force Subic Bay monitoring group that will be composed of various community stakeholders. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/26423-rp-energy-launches-project-to-protect-subic-bay-ecology

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SBMA earned P1.07 billion in 2013

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which manages the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, continues to improve its financial performance, keeping its financial books in the black for the second year straight, recording more than P1 billion in net income, and increasing the level of investments by eightfold last year.

In a preliminary accomplishment report released last week, the agency said that as of November 2013, it has raked in a total of P1.85 billion in revenue, which represents a 25-percent increase over the P1.48-billion total recorded in November 2012.

This, minus expenses and taxes, left the SBMA with P1.078 billion in net income, a 100-percent increase over the P538-million net income in November 2012 that came after a P1.2-billion loss in 2011.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said his administration delivered the financial turnaround beginning 2012 when it drastically reduced operating expenses that resulted in a 91-percent increase in earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation.

“2013 was another banner year for the SBMA—particularly as to financial performance, investment promotion and other key performance areas,” the SBMA report said.

“We are pleased to report that based on the numbers as of November 2013 and as projected, the financial performance of the SBMA continued to improve substantially and investments significantly exceeded 2012 levels,” the report added.

The SBMA added in its report that its actual 2013 revenue and net income broke the agency’s all-time record because figures posted as of November 2013 “are actually higher than levels for the entire year of 2012.”

The report said the administration’s sound fiscal management was further proven by the fact that the agency paid all three foreign loan amortizations for 2013 and managed to secure approval by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last December 16 for the restructuring of SBMA’s $27-million loan.

The restructuring is expected to reduce interest expense and allow the agency to invest in badly needed infrastructure, thus strengthening further the fiscal position of the Subic authority.

“These strides in the financial stability and viability of SBMA complements the substantial 8.9 percent increase in Bureau of Internal Revenue collections from roughly P1.278 billion in 2012 to approximately P1.392 billion in 2013, and the country-wide best Bureau of Customs collection of approximately P10.840 billion in 2013, a staggering 71-percent increase from roughly P6.329 billion in 2012,” the SBMA said.

Meanwhile, in terms of investment promotion the SBMA reported that its actual performance has exceeded 2013 projections.

“By the end of 2012, the agency predicted that investment promotion in 2013 would increase fivefold. The agency did not increase investments in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone fivefold in 2013—it increased investments eightfold,” the SBMA said in its report.

It added that from the P3-billion year-end record in 2012, fresh investment commitments in tourism, export industries and other businesses increased to more than P24 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2013.

To further enhance investment promotion and revenue generation in the Subic Bay Freeport, the SBMA also said it has negotiated for the expansion of the free port in neighboring communities.

The additional areas for development included 650 hectares in the municipality of Subic, which is ideal for shipbuilding and ship repair, and 10,000 hectares in San Antonio, Zambales, which is ideal for tourism and resort development. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/economy/26361-sbma-earned-p1-07-billion-in-2013

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All systems go for Subic International Marathon 2014

It's all systems go for the 2014 Subic International Marathon this weekend (January 25)at the Remy Field in this Freeport.

This event features a spectacular 42-kilometer scenic course confined within boundaries of the Subic Bay Freeport Complex.

Corollary events are a 21-km half-marathon and a 10-km distance run. Secondary events include a 5-km and 3-km fun run.

The Subic International Marathon is a joint venture between eXtribe and SIM Foundation, which is headed by retired Philippine National Police General Samson Tucay.

First staged in 2005, the event was primarily intended to be part of the graduation rites of a special school for members of the national police.

Since then it has gained popularity as an annual running event with the local running community and then into the mainstream running community of other metropolitan areas.

Fate has worked its way and eXtribe eventually found itself at the helm of the technical working group of the event.

The partnership initially materialized in the 2011 staging of the race. It was eventually firmed up in 2012 and continues to be strenghtened into 2013 and beyond.

The event's slogan, "run for fun and transformation", embodies the overall ideals and advocacy of the venture. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

http://www.active.com/olongapo-city-zambales/running/subic-international-marathon-2014

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Subic’s Grande Island Resort delivers gifts to Samar town

More than a thousand kilometers of road travel did not dampen the enthusiasm of the 17 workers from a tourism facility here when they journeyed for five days to bring joy to children in the typhoon-ravaged coastal town of Hernani in Eastern Samar.

Hernani, a fifth-class municipality of more than 8,000 people, was among the communities hardest-hit by Typhoon Yolanda when its storm surge flattened coastal areas in Eastern Visayas last November 9. The tragedy claimed a total of 57 lives in Hernani.

To help cheer up the typhoon victims, Grande Island Resort (GIR), an upscale tourist destination in Subic Bay, which is operated and managed by GFTG Property Holdings Corporation, dispatched three vans to transport food, school supplies, toys and emergency items for its feeding and gift-giving activity last week.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia said that a number of business locators in Subic sent their donations via the Philippine Red Cross or shipped them directly to beneficiaries, but it was only Grande Island Resort that personally delivered its donations to the victims.

“We take note of the generosity of the Grande Island management and staff who volunteered to deliver their gifts personally. It was a very long and exhausting trip, but they made it happen,” the SBMA official said.

Dubbed as “3G (Grande Gift Giving) Campaign,” the mission was led by Cristina Garcia, vice president for administration and operations of GFTG, in coordination with Dr. Socorro Ponferrada of Hernani and Fr. Francisco Corado, the parish priest of the Our Lady of Seven Dolors Parish.

Some of the staff-volunteers trace their roots to Samar and Leyte and wanted to personally lend a helping hand to the children in their hometowns. Among them were Karisha Cinco, a nurse by profession and Garcia’s executive assistant who is from Catbalogan, Samar; GIR kitchen manager Alex Berin, and Harvey Ico whose parents are from Barugo, Leyte.

“It is part of the GIR's corporate social responsibility to give back to the needy the blessings that we received the whole year round,” Garcia explained. “We hope that in our little way, we could help boost the morale of residents and give the children of this town a feeling of new hope.”

The convoy from Subic traveled for five days, covering more than 1,200 kilometers by land from the GIR Terminal in Subic Bay Freeport to Matnog, Sorsogon, and then from Allen, Western Samar, to Catbalogan and Borongan until it reached Hernani.

Members of the convoy, composed of 17 Grande Island personnel and two media officers from the SBMA, merely stopped awhile at roadside eateries to eat and freshen up in rest rooms. The rest of the journey was spent inside the vehicles where the travelers also slept.

“The discomfort, almost sleepless nights, and exhaustion that we experienced are nothing compared to the suffering, trauma and agony that the residents, specially the children, are having now,” Garcia said during the trip.

In Hernani, the group was warmly welcomed by residents led by Fr. Corado and Dr. Ponferrada.

“It is very important that the children feel that they are loved, even by those kuyas and ates from faraway places like Subic,” Fr. Corado told the group.

“Your gifts will somehow bring back the joy to these children who are still traumatized by the loss of some of their friends during the typhoon,” he added.

In a brief walk around Hernani, the group witnessed how the typhoon and storm surge leveled to the ground hundreds of houses, school buildings, market, library, and other public and private structures. Roads were destroyed, and potable drinking water became scarce.

Before heading back home to Subic, Garcia left ten sacks of rice, emergency lanterns, and a battery-operated public announcement system. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Dayanan (standing), admin assistant at the Grande Island Resort in the Subic Bay Freeport, initiates games for more than 250 children during a gift-giving activity in Hernani, Eastern Samar. Hernani was among the communities hardest-hit by typhoon Yolanda last year.

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Taboan 2014 to take place at Subic Freeport Zone

Top writers will once again gather in the country’s biggest literary festival, “Taboan,” at the Subic Freeport Zone on February 24-26 in line with the National Arts Month (NAM). This is organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Billed “Winds and Waves, Wars and Words,” the 2014 Taboan (a Visayan word meaning “marketplace”) is the landmark project of the National Committee on Literary Arts of NCCA's Subcommission on the Arts headed by Priscilla Macansantos for the Philippine Arts Festival (PAF). The festival director is Juliet Mallari.

This will gather writers, teachers and students for forums, lectures, a book fair, literary reading, performances, arts and crafts exhibits, cultural tours, other satellite projects, and an awards ceremony for outstanding writers from the regions.

The Philippines celebrates NAM during February since the signing of Presidential Proclamation 683 in 1991. As the country’s main agency for the arts and culture, the NCCA, headed by its chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., leads in celebrating NAM with the Philippine Arts Festival.

For 2014, PAF has taken the theme "Art on the Edge,” highlighting the advancements achieved in different art forms, the innovations, the modern evolution of art, and the artistic creations in the peripheries.

Spearheaded by the NCCA’s Subcommission on the Arts, PAF consists of the flagship projects of the seven committees of the subcommission—architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theater, and the visual arts. It aims to highlight the artistic talent and brilliance of the Filipino people. Initially centering around the National Capital Region, PAF activities will be held all over the country in order to reach as many people as possible.

With private and government agencies as partners, PAF 2014 promises to be an exhilarating celebration of the arts with workshops, exhibitions, forums, performances, and many other events participated in by numerous artists. (NCCA-PAIO)

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Tourism confab set

EXPLORE THE Philippines' countryside charm and cultural gems through driving at the first Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference, Auto and Travel Show scheduled at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on Jan. 29 to Feb. 2.

A first of its kind in the country, the five-day confab and expo is presented by the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), the National Auto Club and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Keynoting the event are Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. and Jean Todt, president of the Paris-based Federation Internationale d'Automobile (FIA), the world's largest group of car clubs and motorsports associations with over 200 member organizations in 132 countries.

Other invited speakers are the transport ministers of Sri Lanka, Malaysia and New Zealand, and the tourism ministers of Nepal, Maldives, Palau, Bhutan and Thailand, Automobile Association of Upper India President TK Malhotra and flA Region 2 President Ross Heron, as well as representatives from the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

The conference will serve as the market launch of the DoT's Drive Tourism program in coordination with AAP which aims to consolidate the components of all tourism-oriented road and driving activities.

"Drive Tourism is where participants move through a tourism highway or road network that allows them to see diverse attractions on the road and experience the local way of life," says Secretary Jimenez.

He added that the pioneering event will include presentations on the latest innovations in the automobile industry, road safety, mobility, motorsports, travel and tourism from both local and international specialists during the conference and exhibition.

He said that AAP has been undertaking caravans in various provinces to boost domestic tourism and provide income opportunities in the countryside.

Unlike seat-in-coach tours; allows participants to tailor fit itineraries based on their preferences, such as culture and heritage, water sports or culinary adventure for a complete travel experience.

The conference will also see the groundbreaking of the Subic Children's Road Safety Park, which will serve as an educational stage to teach the culture of road safety and discipline among children.

The first of its kind in the country, it will serve as the model of similar projects envisioned to be set up in every region.

With the theme, "Saving Lives, Saving Costs, and Saving the Planet," the event supports the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 with the objective to save five million lives and prevent 50 million road injuries.

After the conference proper, the Auto and Travel Show runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2 which will feature super deals in automobiles, accessories, tour packages, travel essentials, Filipino regional cuisine and recreational activities at the Children's Fun plaza rides.

For more information, visit www.aaptraveI.com/drivetourism or call 5510025, 5510014. (BusinessWorld)

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