Hanjin-Subic hosts international work-safety evaluation exercise

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHC-Phil Inc.) recently hosted an occupational safety evaluation exercise conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Occupational Safety and Health Network (Asean-Oshnet).

Min Hwan Choi, Hanjin’s deputy general manager for external trade, said in a statement here that the Hanjin management took great pride in hosting an exercise that provided “an opportune time for us to really showcase to the rest of the world that our occupational safety and health programs, including our facilities, are at par with international standards.”

“We are greatly honored that an occupational safety and health-related undertaking with global impact such as this [was] carried out in our Hanjin Subic shipyard,” Choi said.

“I guess there is no better workplace for this activity than our shipyard considering our very complex shipbuilding processes that entail enormous efforts to put in place more responsive safety policies to protect the well-being of our huge work force,” he said.

Senior officials of Hanjin welcomed 45 representatives from the ILO and Asean-Oshnet for the one-day General Workplace Evaluation and Risk Factor Identification Exercise that was held in connection with a three-day Training-of-Trainers (TOT) workshop held in the country from February 10 to 12.

The event was sponsored by the ILO and the Asean-Oshnet in collaboration with the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (Kosha) and the Philippine government, through the Department of Labor and Employment and the Occupational Health and Safety Center.

The participants in the workshop were headed by ILO Country Director Lawrence Jeff Johnson; engineer Ho Siong Hin, commissioner of Safety and Health at Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower; Ingrid Christensen, ILO-Bangkok senior specialist on Occupational Safety and Health; Kim Kyung Hun and Kang Dong Lee of the Kosha; Consuelo Manchon of ILO-Hanoi; Nguyen Thai Hoa of ILO Vietnam; OSHC Executive Director Ma. Teresita Cucueco; and Health Control Division chief Maria Beatriz Villanueva.

The TOT workshop was primarily organized for the Asean-Oshnet member-countries that included Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In this training, however, Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste were given an opportunity to learn from and interact with colleagues of neighboring countries in the field of occupational safety and health (OSH).

The Asean-Oshnet has been actively working to share experiences and knowledge on OSH and to enhance safety and health working conditions among the member-countries. It has also planned and implemented various OSH programs, including training for capability-building of government institutions and their officials.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the conduct of the trainers’ workshop “comes at a most auspicious time, as it will address the need to intensify the advocacy of having a safe and healthy working environment, not only in our respective countries, but in the entire Asean region and now including our Pacific Island partners of Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, as well.”

She said the Philippines has been one with the Asean in recognizing that partnerships among the member-countries are essential in building competencies and skills in all aspects to enhance and propel the growth of the nations toward becoming first-class economies.

During the welcome ceremony at the Hanjin shipyard, Baldoz also expressed gratitude to Hanjin for allowing both local and foreign stakeholders to conduct the ocular visit and for showcasing the company’s best practices in addressing its safety and health concerns. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

PHOTO:
Representatives from the International Labor Organization and the Asean-Oshnet confer with safety officers during a tour of the Hanjin shipyard in Subic Bay Freeport.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/hanjin-subic-hosts-intl-work-safety-evaluation-exercise/

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Aquino OKs salary hike for SBMA employees

President Aquino gave the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) the go-signal to implement a 10-percent salary increase for its employees, SBMA Chair and Administrator Roberto Garcia said on Thursday.

Garcia said the President granted their request for the wage increase, which was submitted to Malacañang for approval in 2011.

“A 10-percent [increase] was approved but [there are] no details yet,” Garcia told the Inquirer in a text message.

Garcia met Mr. Aquino early this week to secure the approval for the salary adjustment, said Ameth de la Llana-Koval, manager of SBMA’s planning and development office.

Koval said the approval of 10-percent salary increase was “good news and a blessing.” It’s the first step to justice, she added.

Aside from the pay increase, the employees were also working to get the salary standardization law (SSL) enforced in SBMA. Koval said the SBMA employees’ request to be covered by the government salary standardization program was submitted to the Department of Budget and Management.

On Wednesday, a group of SBMA employees petitioned the regional trial court in Olongapo City for a writ of mandamus to compel Garcia to set their salaries according to the SSL.

Lawyer Michael Tezon, legal counsel for SBMA employees, said they went to court due to Garcia’s “failure to perform his ministerial duties to execute SBMA board resolutions that would pave the way for the workers’ salary adjustment.”

“We believe that a writ of mandamus is the best remedy because the duty of the administrator is ministerial in nature, and that is to execute and implement all policies, orders and resolutions of the SBMA board,” Tezon told reporters here.

He said the SBMA board passed a resolution on Dec. 11 last year approving the salary increase for SBMA employees based on the SSL. (Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon)


Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/674623/aquino-oks-salary-hike-for-sbma-employees#ixzz3SdFzj7Q2
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Spotted! Microsoft mogul's superyacht "Octopus" at Subic Bay Freeport

The massive yacht Octopus, a 414-foot mega-yacht reportedly owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is seen docked at the Nabasan wharf of the Subic Bay Freeport in the afternoon of February 21, 2015. Octopus is currently the world’s 15th largest super yacht and the largest expedition yacht. No detail was made available on the yacht’s port call at Subic, but a source in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said it would be heading towards Palawan the next day. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Sights: Challenge Philippines, Subic Bay

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia, accompanied by grandson Kenzo Malig, prepares to flag off the elite class of professional triathletes during the Subic-Bataan edition of Challenge Philippines held at the Camayan Beach in Subic Bay Freeport ? on? Saturday (Feb. 22) morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SPLASH! Triathletes competing in the foreign-studded professional category of the Subic-Bataan edition of Challenge Philippines triathlon rush through the pristine waters at Camayan Beach during the kick-off at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone ?on ?Saturday (Feb. 22) morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Triathletes competing in the foreign-studded professional category of the Subic-Bataan edition of Challenge Philippines triathlon are seen through foliage as they negotiate the uphill forested areas of Morong in Bataan province? on? Saturday (Feb. 22) morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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ICTSI beefs up container handling equipment in Subic

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has deployed four new mobile container handling equipments to improve its port operations in Manila and Subic.

In a statement, ICTSI said four new generation reach stackers are now stationed at the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and at the new container terminals 1 and 2 at the Subic Bay Freeport which are operated by ICTSI subsidiaries Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. and ICTSI Subic, Inc.

According to Antonio Coronel, ICTSI Purchasing Director, the new reach stackers are the first of their kind to operate in the Asia-Pacific region. Supplied and manufactured by Kalmar, the port equipment and technology unit of Cargotec Oy of Finland, the “Gloria” or “Generation G reach” stacker has a 45-ton total lift capacity, which is considered an “industry-best” for its class.

“They don’t just provide highly productive and reliable equipment; they appreciate the dynamics of the business and as a result, can provide solutions that boost productivity yet reduce our costs of operation. We have an ambitious development strategy to become one of the world’s leading port management companies and on the same global stage, Kalmar is clearly a trusted partner,” he added.

Explaining the features of the new “Gloria” stackers , Kalmar Asia Sales Director Björn Jonasson said that the equipment offers three ECO driving modes, namely power, normal and economy, making it the most energy efficient reach stacker in the market today. “Gloria” also sports an automatic stop-start function, which is responsible for reduced emissions and fuel efficiency of up to 10 percent.

Jonasson hailed the ICTSI for becoming “the first customer to specify Kalmar Gloria reach stackers in Asia and particularly so soon after their launch into the region. We have enjoyed considerable success in launching Gloria into other key territories and the product has now become the benchmark for reach stacker performance throughout the industry.”

MICT, ICTSI’s flagship operation and the Philippines’ largest international container terminal, has an annual capacity of 4.2 million twenty equivalent units (TEUs). Meanwhile, the New Container Terminal Compound (NCT-1) and New Container Terminal Compound (NCT-2) in Subic have a total of 600,000 TEU capacity.

ICTSI is an international operator of common-user container terminals serving the global container shipping industry. ICTSI is the largest port operator in the Philippines and has a portfolio of 29 container terminal operations in 21 countries across six continents. (Kris Bayos, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
The new Gloria 45-ton reach stacker lifts a container at the New Container Terminal-1 in Subic

http://www.mb.com.ph/ictsi-beefs-up-container-handling-equipment-in-subic/

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Passuello, Pooley top 2nd Yellow Cab Challenge Subic

Italian Domenico Passuello and British Emma Pooley endured the scorching heat of the sun and hurdled all the unexpected and challenging obstacles in the second edition of Yellow Cab Challenge Philippine Subic-Bataan last February 21.

The Italian athlete bagged his first Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines title in the Pro Men field after clocking 4:04:22, while her female counterpart snatched the Pro Women field championship after a recorded time of 4:41:51.

“[The race was] really tough and the course was really really hot and windy… but there are a lot of trees and a lot of station [where you can always refresh,]” said Passuello, a first-time racer in the Philippines.

Finishing just few minutes behind the new titleholder is Danish RasmusPetraeus who clocked 4:09:04. The two-time Challenge Phuket champion was leading the race early in the competition but was outperformed by Passuello halfway through the felt bike course.

“Rasmus was too strong today until the half of the bike so I was pretty scared about [that] but I knew I can beat him on the run. I didn’t know about my gap when I change here in transition [from biking to running] so I pushed a lot in the first 10km run,” said Passuello who has plans to compete again in the next Challenge race in the country.

Despite being unsatisfied with her performance in swimming, Pooley said she really enjoyed the beautiful corals and the two historic shipwrecks that Subic Bay offers. She, however, regained control with the bike portion which she considered as her strongest suit in this race.

“It was tough but [it’s a] beautiful course. I came back to try and win and I really had a good day!” said Pooley who made a comeback after a third place finish last year. The new titleholder and former Olympic silver medallist even owed her win to the volunteers who cheered for her during the race, making a tough race more bearable.

At third place in men’s pro category is Australian Mitch Robbins who clocked in after a time of 4:13:11, while Swedish Fredrik Croenberg finished with a record of 4:14:11 and last year’s second place Australian Michael Murphy landed fifth with a recorded time of 4:33:13.

Rounding up the Top 10 are American Brian Fleischmann (4:38:58), German Till Schramm (4:41:42), Spanish EnekoElosegui (4:43:28), Australian Eric Watson (4:51:56), and Hong Kong national Ivan Lo (4:55:46).

American Kelly Williamson also snatched the second place in Pro Women field with a recorded time of 4:52:14. Trailing behind are British Parys Edwards (4:53:19).(The Manila Times)

PHOTO:
Domenico Passuello

http://www.manilatimes.net/passuello-pooley-top-2nd-yellow-cab-challenge-subic/164704/

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2015 Tri United triathlon slated in Subic Bay

THE much-awaited new season of Unilab Active Health’s (ULAH) Tri United series will formally begin at the Subic Bay Freeport with Tri United 1 firing off at 6 a.m. on March 1 by the Dungaree Beach.

Organized by BikeKing headed by Raul Cuevas, the event is composed of a Sprint Distance course of 750m swim-20km bike-5km run and a more challenging Standard Distance course of 1.5km swim-40km bike-10km run for the more seasoned triathletes.

The swim is set at the waters of Dungaree Beach followed by a new and still flat bike course that will stretch out to Argonaut Highway and Rizal Drive for the turning point before heading back to the transition area near the beach.

The run course this time around will be composed of 2.5km loops (compared to last year’s 5km loops) participants will engage in before going back to main venue where the finish line is set.

At stake in the event sponsored by ULAH, Aboitiz, Enervon Activ, Active Health Sports Gel, Enervon HP, AboitizPower, Orbea, Shimano, Maxxis, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), TIMEX, Saucony, Gardenia, Gerry’s Grill, Pocari Sweat, Lighthouse Marina Resort Subic, Camayan Beach Resort and Court Meridian Hotel is P40,000 in total cash prizes with P10,000 each to be awarded to the Elite Male and Elite Female champions.

Meanwhile, the top 3 male and female winners in the age-groups and team categories will receive medals and gift packs in the race also supported by media partners Men’s Health, SBR.ph, Multisport and SPIN.ph.

The top 3 winners in the Team Competition will receive specially designed trophies, medals and gift packs.

Inquiries regarding Tri United 1 are accepted by the organizers at registration @bikekingphilippines.com.

For race details, schedules, start list, partner hotels and other information, visit www.bikekingphilippines.com. (People's Tonight)

http://www.journal.com.ph/sports/other-sports/2015-tri-united-triathlon-slated

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Ironman 70.3 set March 8 in Subic

After holding 5,150 triathlon races in the last three years, Century Tuna has upped the ante after it announced Wednesday it will host the IronMan 70.3 Triathlon on March 8 in Subic Bay.

"Century Tuna has supported the triathlon and fitness community in the Philippines for years now as a way of remaining committed to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for Filipinos," said Century Tuna General Manager Greg Banzon during Wednesday’s event launch at the New World Hotel.

"We felt it was time to offer Filipinos a bigger challenge that keeps pace with the expectations of the community.

"The interest so far, tells us that the inaugural Century Tuna IronMan 70.3 is met with high anticipation and excitement, and will soon be part of the triathletes’ calendar," he added.

A record 20 professionals headed by three-time IronMan world champion and two-time IronMan 70.3 titlist Craig Alexander, Luke Mackenzie and Carolione Steffen are going to Subic to spice up the race.

"We expect a record participation," said organizing Sunrise president and CEO Wilfred Uytengsu.

Uytengsu also said the Century Tuna race will serve as a qualifying race for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Zell am See-Kaprin, Austria late this year aside from the $15,000 total prize purse.

"There will be 30 slots at stake," said Uytengsu.

Interestingly, the Subic event marks the first time that there will be an IronMan 70.3 race in the same year as Sunrise has been holding one during the month of August the past five years now.

The course includes a 1.9-kilometer swim at the Sands of Triboa, a 90-km bike ride that will pass through Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and a 21-km run that will thread through the whole of Subic Bay.

The race is sponsored by The Philippine STAR, Vita Coco, Gatorade, 2Go Express, Saucony, SBMA, Manila North Tollway Corp., NLEX, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Endurance Magazine, Century Bangus, Sante Barley, Prudential Guarantee, Department of Tourism, Timex, David's Salon, Smart, PLDT Subictel, Intercare, FinisherPix, Shotz, Devant and Belo. (Joey Villar, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/02/18/1425136/ironman-70.3-set-march-8-subic

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Pong, Jelik head elite cast in Subic-to-Boracay race

Top sailors from the Asian yachting circuit, led by defending champion Frank Pong and his 75-foot boat Jelik, will set sail in a highly technical and tactical battle in the Standard Insurance sixth Subic Bay to Boracay Race (SBBR) from Feb. 27 to March 2.

Pong, the 2013 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Skipper of the Year, will spearhead the bids of some 30-35 competitors in the grueling 210 nautical mile race that will test their skills tackling the shifting winds of Subic and the treacherous Verde Passage on the way to the scenic island of Boracay.

“This will be a very exciting race considering we will see a lot of participation from highly competitive boats in Southeast Asia,” said Standard Insurance chairman Judes Echauz during yesterday’s press conference at Passion Restaurant in Resorts World.

Sailors from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines will vie for the top plum in the Primary Racing Class, which will feature a mega yacht in the field in the 110-footer Ocean Runner skippered by Dirk Van Straalen.

Action in the waters of Bora won’t stop upon completion of the SBBR as sailors will splash back into competition with the Boracay Cup Regatta from March 2-6.

Stakes in the race are high as, according to Commodore Ricky Sandoval, chair of the organizing committee, and Jun Avecilla, co-chairman of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing and president of The Lighthouse Marina Resort, it will be part of the basis for yearend honors in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

Winners in the SBBR and the Boracay Cup Regatta will earn precious points in the race for the AY skipper and Yacht of the Year honors.

Organizers and their partners sealed their partnership with the signing of a memorandum of understanding yesterday.

Affixing their signatures were Echauz, Sandoval, Avecilla, PLDT Alpha Enterprise business head Richard Echon, PLDT SME AVP and head of SME-marketing Amil Azurin, Cebu Pacific Air CEO Garry Kingshott, Olongapo City sports coordinator David Bayarong, Philippine Coast Guard’s RADM Cecil Chen, RADM William Melad and Capt. Oscar Endeno.

“Over the years, we work tirelessly with our sailing partners toward opening more doors for occasions in spreading the spark of sailing and enliven big boat racing pursuits in the Philippines,” said Avecilla. (Olmin Leyba, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/02/19/1425380/pong-jelik-head-elite-cast-subic-boracay-race

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Celebrities to join Yellow Cab Challenge triathlon in Subic

MANILA, Philippines - A host of TV and news personalities signed up for the Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines, all-geared up for the challenge in the swim-bike-run event set Feb. 19-22 in Subic.

TV host and active triathlete Drew Arellano heads the cast in the first leg of the challenge race this year, which consists of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike, and 21.1km run. GMA news anchor Kara David, on the other hand, will be joining the Powerpops TriKings in the run event, while Onemig Bondoc will also participate in the run relay.

Former PBB housemate Paul Jake Castillo, TV commercial director and entrepreneur Sid Maderazo, and triathlon coach Miguel Antonio Lopez are also competing in the event which offers the biggest prize purse in Asia.

The inaugural race in the country last year drew over 729 athletes from 38 countries, including two crown princes of Bahrain.

On the other hand, the race’s broadcast coverage extends to over 82 countries worldwide, showcasing the Philippines as the most desired lifestyle and sports destination.

On June 14, the team will stage another race, this time in CamSur, where multi-awarded world champs and local celebrities are expected to join. This one is touted to be one of the fastest races in the world.

Aside from the main event, there will be an epic post-race awards party at the Lighthouse Resort in Subic, which will be open to all, and which will be attended by local celebrities and top athletes. This world-class season opener for long-distance racing in the Philippines – and all other festivities – will be held at the Camayan Beach Resort, Subic Bay, and at the rugged and beautiful province of Bataan.

Get social with the Challenge Philippines Family and acquire instant access to live coverage of all Challenge Family races while on the go.

For details, visit the Challenge Philippines website at www.challengephilippines.com.ph. (Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/02/18/1425030/celebrities-join-yellow-cab-challenge-triathlon-subic

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SBMA employees ramp up protest

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) brought their protest to the next level on Thursday with a 30-minute noise barrage to demand the release of what they described as long-overdue salary adjustments.

Beating on empty cans and metal covers, blowing whistles and honking car horns, the protesters converged during lunch break at the SBMA main office where members of the agency’s board of directors were having a meeting.

“Kailangan nang kalampagin ang mga nasa itaas upang marinig nila ang daing naming nasa ibaba [We have to make noise in order for the bosses to pay attention to us small workers],” cried Manang Diding de la Cruz, a utility worker who was beating on a metal box.

Manang Diding is 59 years old and has been an employee of the SBMA since 1993, after serving as a volunteer. As a contractual employee with a salary grade 8, Manang Diding earns P8,200 a month, not enough, she said, to buy a decent meal for her family.

“Gusto naming sabihin kay Chairman [Roberto] Garcia, na bilang ama ng SBMA, kailangan n’yang ipursige ang laban na ito hanggang aprubahan na ni P-Noy ang aming salary increase [We want Chairman Roberto Garcia to know that, as head of the SBMA, he needs to pursue this fight until President Aquino approves our salary increase],” de la Cruz said.

“Marami nang hirap na hirap sa sitwasyong ganito [A lot of us are having great difficulty in this situation],” Manang Diding added.

After launching their protest by wearing black armbands on Monday morning during the flag-raising ceremony, SBMA employees have been conducting candlelight vigils each evening after office hours in front of Garcia’s office.

Ted Peñaflor, chairman of the SBMA Employees Association, said the protesters have petitioned the office of President Aquino since 2011 for salary adjustments because the SBMA salary rates fixed in 2008 are way below the standards set by Executive Order No. 76.

“We have been left way, way behind by our counterparts in other GOCCs [government-owned and controlled corporations]. We know that the SBMA has already completed all the requirements regarding our petition, but nothing has been done about out plight,” Peñaflor said.As the workers began their protest on Monday, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia asked them for more patience, saying that there is no other way than to “follow the procedure” and wait for Mr. Aquino’s action.

He assured the employees that both the petition for the wage adjustments under the Salary Standardization Law and the 10-percent increase sought by the SBMA have been filed with the proper offices and have received favorable review by both the Commission on Audit and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

“The bottom line is, we have to get the approval of the President,” Garcia said.

Manang Diding and the rest of the workers believe, however, that they cannot be complacent amid assurances from the management.

“Mas lalong dapat tayong mag-ingay ngayon; kung hindi, baka mamaya ay makalimutan na naman tayo (We have to make more noise, then; otherwise they would soon forget about us again),” she said. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
SBMA employees gathered together during lunch break for a noise barrage to demand the implementation of the SSL. (AMD)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/sbma-employees-ramp-up-protest/

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Olongapo city supports SSL for SBMA employees

The local government of Olongapo City has passed a resolution in support of the request of workers from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to implement the long overdue salary standardization.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino and SBMA Director Cynthia Paulino attended the regular session of the city council to support the passing of the resolution.

The resolution was passed unanimously by all the councilors Wednesday.

In the resolution, it requested President Benigno Aquino to grant the request of SBMA employees to implement the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) for state workers in Subic whose salaries are way bellow the standards.

Mayor Paulino, a former Subic volunteer himself said that he is all for the implementation of the salary standardization for SBMA employees.

“Isa ako sa unang volunteer dyan, kasama ng mga SBMA employee ngayon, actually ang ID ko ay 002 nung unang nagupisa ang SBMA, kaya alam ko at ramdam ko ang hirap ng mga mangagawa ng SBMA,” Paulino said.

Mayor Paulino added that he had already called on all the mayors of municipalities adjacent to the Freeport to pass the same resolution in their respective towns to show support for SBMA workers.

On Wednesday, the third day of the mass action by SBMA employees, workers lighted candles in front of Bdlg. 229, the administration building of SBMA.

Employees also wore black armbands with the mark "SSL now."

Richard Tabangin, a member of the SBMA Employees Association (SEA) said, SBMA employees have been seeking the approval of the Office of the President since 2011, to no avail.

Tabangin added that the salaries of SBMA employees are way below what other COCC’s and local government units are getting.

Meanwhile, SBMA Director Cynthia Paulino said that the board had already approved the budget for the standardization and that they have already sent a request to the office of the president for his approval.

SBMA had approved in its 2015 budget the amount of P400M for the implementation of the salary standardization and 10-percent increase for the SBMA workers.

Both Mayor Paulino and Dir. Paulino attended the candle light vigil organized by the SBMA workers on Wednesday to show support.

Photos:
Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino talks to SBMA workers to show his support for the standardization of their salaries during a vigil in front of the Administration Bldg. (OCPAO)

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SBMA management supports pay hike, asks workers for patience

The top management of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said it supports employees’ call to implement the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) in the agency, but asked that workers agitating for the long-delayed salary adjustments be more patient for the petition to run its course.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said in a dialogue with employees here on Monday that his office sympathizes with the call by rank-and-file workers to implement the SSL, but is not in a position to implement an increase for some 3,000 employees without any approval from President Aquino.

“The bottom line is, we have to get the approval of the President,” Garcia explained.

“H’wag natin pangunahan ang Pangulo. That could jeopardize the position of the SBMA and the increase we’ve been fighting for in the last three years,” Garcia added.

Garcia pleaded for more patience from the SBMA workforce, as some employees wore black armbands on Monday as a sign of protest against the delayed salary adjustments.

The employees also conducted a candlelight vigil in front of the SBMA main office on Monday night to further express their sentiments.

The employees said that their pay rates set in 2008 have remained way below the standards prescribed by Executive Order No. 76 that was signed by President Aquino in April 2012 and that their salaries are 55 percent lower than their counterparts in other GOCCs and LGUs.

Garcia, however, assured the employees that the SBMA management supports both the request for a 10 percent salary hike and the petition for salary adjustments under the SSL, and that these have already been filed before the proper offices.

“The request for a 10 percent increase has been on the President’s desk for some time now, and he has already called for five meetings, but there have been (inevitable) delays. Last week, the sixth meeting that was called to settle this issue was also cancelled,” he added.

The SBMA official also asked employees to follow the proper procedure and to respect the President’s office which is to give the green light for the salary adjustment.

He revealed that the SBMA has already allocated P400 million in the 2015 budget for the implementation of the SSL.

“Some people say that I am against the implementation of salary adjustments for the employees, but if I were against it, I wouldn’t have that budget approved,” Garcia stressed.

Noting that the petition for salary increase had been filed in 2011, Garcia explained that that his administration had approached the problem by first improving the financial capability of the agency to implement the increase.

“We couldn’t have afforded it in 2011 because we had losses of about P8 billion. But now that we have improved our financial position, then we’re pushing for the salary standardization,” he added.

The SBMA chairman also revealed that his office has already secured recommendations for the retroactive implementation effective January 2013 of the 10 percent pay increase for SBMA employees.

Both the Commission on Audit and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel came out last week with legal opinions allowing the proposed increase under the SSL and under BCDA rates but with the approval of the President, he added. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:

[1) SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia asks employees to be patient in face of delayed salary increase. (AMD)

[2] SBMA employees urge Malacañang to approve the implementation of the Salary Standardization Law. (AMD)

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SBMA workers to Palace: Implement SSL pay raise

Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Monday wore black armbands with the words “SSL Now!” during the flag-raising ceremony here to protest what they described as the “long overdue approval” of their salary increase which has been filed with the office of President Aquino in 2011.

Employees said the wearing of black armbands kicked off a series of mass actions that they will undertake for the government to take action about their plight and implement the salary standardization law (SSL) at the SBMA, a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC).

They also planned to hold a candlelight vigil on Monday night to further demonstrate their pressing need for salary adjustment.

Richard Tabangin, a member of the SBMA Employees Association (SEA) that coordinated the protest, said SBMA employees have been seeking the approval of the Office of the President since 2011, to no avail.

“The SBMA has complied with all the various documents that the national government has been requiring for the past four years, but until this day there is yet no action. In the meantime, the SBMA workers are having a hard time making ends meet and providing their families with even the basic needs. Our children are suffering, and some of us had to resort to doing extra work on weekends for additional income,” he added.

“What the employees ask for is very basic: that the Office of the President grant the SBMA employees the government minimum wage enshrined in the salary standardization law,” Tabangin also said.

According to a letter sent by SEA chairman Ted Peñaflor to President Aquino on January 26, SBMA employees are seeking the implementation of Tranche 4 of the SSL, including its step increment as the base compensation plan for the SBMA.

Peñaflor said the SBMA salary rates since 2008 were unreasonably pegged way below the standards prescribed by Executive Order (EO) 76. Mr. Aquino signed said order on April 30, 2012, to implement the fourth tranche of the modified salary schedule for civilian personnel and base pay schedule for military and uniformed personnel in the government.

He lamented that the SBMA rank-and-file employees are poorly compensated in comparison to their counterparts in other GOCCs and local government units, who receive salaries that are 55 percent higher.

“We believe that laws apply [uniformly] to all, and EO 76, which implements a law, is applicable to all government employees and no one, much less the SBMA, cannot [ignore it] without violating the standard rates set by it,” Peñaflor added.

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia tried to quell the unrest by saying that there is no other way than to “follow the procedure” and wait for President Aquino’s action.

“We have been fighting for this [salary adjustments] for three years now, but the question is, is the salary standardization law immediately executory?” Garcia said during the flag-raising program.

“I know that a lot of you are already impatient, but the bottom line is that we need the approval of the President before we can give the raise. H’wag nating pangunahan ang Pangulo,” he added, pointing out that both the petition for the wage adjustments under the SSL and the 10-percent increase sought by the SBMA have been filed with the proper offices.

Garcia further explained that the SBMA management had responded to the issue of salary increase by first improving the financial position of the agency.

“When I took over in 2011, the SBMA had losses of P8 billion, so how could we have afforded the increase? But we have improved the finances so that we can improve the salary, and we have already allocated P400 million in the 2015 budget for the implementation of the SSL,” he said.

“I understand your needs, but we have to follow the law. Let us not destroy the agency; let us do this the right way,” Garcia added. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
An SBMA employee wear a black armband on Monday to press Malacañang to approve adjustments in their salary.

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/sbma-workers-to-palace-implement-ssl-pay-raise/

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Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce celebrates 20 years

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) is marking its 20th anniversary this 2015.

As part of the celebrations, the chamber will hold a series of events and activities for the local business community and for the residents in the area. The events will begin with a business exposition dubbed as the "SBFCC Business Expo 2015" and will be held on February 12 and 13 at the Promenade area of the Harbor Point Ayala Malls.

The business expo will feature locations inside the Subic Freeport Zone, as well as other businesses from Olongapo, Zambales, and Bataan. The goal of the expo is to showcase the various businesses in and out of the free port zone, and to show how dynamic the area is in terms of variations in businesses: from manufacturing, import businesses, to shipping, maritime, logistics, hotel and leisure, food and entertainment, to wholesale and retail establishments.

The expo will begin with a motorcade around the free port and in Olongapo City. Joining the said motorcade are the Subic Bay Freeport business establishments and companies, businesses from Olongapo City and Zambales province.

On February 12, 6pm, the SBFCC, in cooperation with Harbor Point Ayala Malls, will also hold a pre-Valentine's day dinner-concert featuring the world-renowned balladeer, David Pomeranz.

"These events are the chamber's way of expressing our gratitude to our members, friends in the business community and affiliates in the government service for their relentless support to the goals of the SBFCC. Our 20 years of existence would not be as meaningful as it is without the help of our members and friends in the business sector," said Rose B. Baldeo, president of the SBFCC. (SNL)

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Subic Freeport tax collections continue six-year uptrend

Tax collections in this free port by both the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) continue to break annual records in the last six years, providing concrete proof that the free port economy is steadily growing.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia said that customs collections and income taxes from Subic-registered companies and their employees “never faltered, and mirrored the overall uptick in the Philippine economy in the past few years.”

“This only shows that there has been continuous growth among business locators here in terms of earnings, as well as employment,” Garcia added.

According to data submitted by the BoC and the BIR offices here, their combined collection performance began to improve in 2009 when both collecting agencies netted P5.6 billion, compared to P5.3 billion in 2008, or a growth of 6.18 percent.

In 2010, this increased by 19.25 percent to P6.7 billion; by 8.14 percent to P7.2 billion in 2011; by 5.42 percent to P7.6 billion in 2012; and by 66.28 percent to P12.7 billion in 2013.

Last year, the two agencies collected a total of P17.1 billion worth of taxes from January to December, putting the 2014 collections at 35 percent more than that in the previous year.

Out of the 2014 combined collections, the BoC contributed P15.3 billion, a record that was 36 percent higher than its P11.2-billion customs tally in 2013.

BOC also registered in 2014 non-cash collections of P2.2 billion from government-to-government transactions.

Meanwhile, the BIR here collected a total of P1.8 billion, accounted for income taxes worth P1.4 billion, value-added taxes worth P381 million, percentage taxes worth P1.8 million, and other taxes worth P29.5 million.

Garcia said that a portion of the BIR collection here is the five-percent corporate tax computed from the annual gross income of Subic-registered locator companies.

He added that the SBMA remits to three percent out of the five percent corporate taxes to the national treasury, and releases the other two percent to neighboring communities in the form of local government unit (LGU) shares.

Late last week, the SBMA made available revenue shares worth P105 million to the eight LGUs adjacent to and affected by the operation of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA to resume talks with consortium for Subic coal-fired power plant

Negotiations between the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and RP Energy for a 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant will resume soon after the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the environmental compliance certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the Aboitiz-led consortium.

However, local government officials and an independent group of Subic Freeport locators vowed to press their opposition to the coal-fired plant despite the ruling of the high court, which also denied a petition for a writ of kalikasan against the power plant’s construction.

SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia said they had been locked in negotiations with RP Energy -- the consortium of Aboitiz Power, the Manila Electric Co. and Taiwan Cogeneration Corp. -- when they were forced to stop by the petition for the writ of kalikasan.

The first issue, said Garcia, is the lease rate.

“Under the original lease agreement, the rental was for only P1 million per year. During our last negotiations, we were able to raise that to P200 million per year,” Garcia said.

The second issue was about which environmental standard to adopt in constructing the power plant.

“Because of (the need to protect) tourism, the SBMA board’s sentiment was that we should adopt higher air quality standards, which is the World Health Organization standard,” the SBMA chair explained. “Meralco’s position, on the other hand, was only to meet the Philippine standard, just like what is being imposed on other power plants.”

“Third, there were previous MOUs (memorandums of understanding) that were signed before involving local government,” he said. “Now, under the lease agreement, these rights were distinguished. In fact they did not have rights in the first place because there were only MOUs. That is the third point that we are discussing.”

“Now that the SC has finally decided on the issue, we will now continue discussions on these issues.”

However, the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber for Health and Environment Conservation, a group of locators, believes the fight against the coal-fired power plant is not yet over.

“The reversal of the validity of documents is not to say that the SC Justices favor coal as a fuel,” the SBFCHEC said in a statement.

“We believe that the coal is a dying fuel. It is on its way out of the world stage. We believe it will be banned by the world within 10 years, and it is foolish for RP Energy, Inc. to build something that will soon be banned by the world. It is foolish for the Philippines to allow such investments,” SBFCHEC president Gregorio Magdaraog stressed.

“Two hundred years ago, coal gained prominence during the industrial revolution and has become the basis of development. But since only few coal plants were established then, the plants did little in destroying the environment,” Magdaraog explained.

“Over the years, other energy options were discovered. But the American capitalists have already heavily invested in coal and related industries. The less than one percent who owns the world also owns coal so they are bound to protect coal, despite the existence of other energy generation options. That is the political economics of the coal industry. But sooner or later, they will junk coal, but they will sell coal first,” he added.

Magdaraog predicted that, “in ten years, we will almost be independent from Meralco for power supply because of other options like solar power.”

“If that is so, why should we embrace coal?” he asked. (Ansbert B. Joaquin, InterAksyon.com)

http://www.interaksyon.com/business/104510/sbma-to-resume-talks-with-consortium-for-subic-coal-fired-power-plant

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Nlex-SCTEx integration done by November

THE Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) is aiming to complete the integration of the North Luzon Expressway (Nlex) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressways (SCTEx) by the fourth quarter this year, a senior official said.

This development came after the toll-road company and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed on Thursday the P650-million contract to link the two expressways, thereby making it faster for motorists to transfer from the Nlex) to the SCTEx and vice versa.

“Immediately after this signing, we will start the works. We are just waiting for the approval from the Toll Regulatory Board, but while waiting for that we’ll start the needed preparations,” MNTC President Rodrigo E. Franco said in an interview. “Our target is to complete the integration works by November.”

The integration of the two expressways would speed up the queues on the exit plazas of the Nlex and the SCTEx, increasing the amount of transactions per hour to 800 from the current 200.

“This would pave way for seamless travel between the two expressways, lessening the stops that motorists have to do in the current setup,” Franco said.

The toll-linkage project involves the conversion of separate Nlex and SCTEx toll-collection systems into a single system that should allow more efficient toll collection and faster movement of traffic for motorists.

It also involves the installation and removal of temporary plazas, and the construction of interchange plazas that will also require the widening of existing entry or exit ramps.

BCDA President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova said the integration would facilitate trade to and from three key economic zones of Central Luzon: the Subic Bay Freeport, the Clark Freeport Zone and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac.

“The actual integration may even be faster because MNTC will soon be awarded the contract for the SCTEx as well,” he said. “The BCDA board formally approved the toll-integration proposal, clearing all hurdles to toll integration from our end.”

The tollways arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. will soon take over the reins of the central expressway after the disposition agency failed to muster bids for the price challenge of the thoroughfare’s multibillion-peso operations contract.

The toll-road business of tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan offered P3.5 billion to win the deal way back President Arroyo’s term. It also proposed a 50-percent revenue-sharing scheme.

President Aquino late last year directed the state-run asset-disposition agency to subject the offer of MNTC to a price challenge “in the interest of transparency and for competition.”

The 94-kilometer expressway allows for the merging of Clark and Subic Bay Freeport zones into a single facility resulting in the convergence of land-, air- and sea-based transport.

As of end-November 2014, the number of vehicles that used the toll road was at 10,305,688, a 12.93-percent increase compared to the 9,125,480 vehicles that used the toll road for the same period in 2013. It booked P1.07 billion in revenues during the period under review.

The Pangilinan group also operates the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway. Its parent company, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., has significant interests in toll roads abroad. (Lorenz S. Marasigan, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/nlex-sctex-integration-done-by-november/

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A hero comes home : Subic Bay pays respect to one of SAF commandos slain in Maguindanao

RESPECT: SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (right) lines up along the way with security officers from the SBMA Law Enforcement Department to pay their respect to PO3 John Lloyd Sumbilla, one of the slain SAF commandos in Maguindanao. Sumbilla’s funeral procession passed through the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday from Morong, Bataan on the way to Olongapo City where the fallen hero was cremated. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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NCAA beach volleyball set at Subic Bay

The 90th NCAA beach volleyball tournament will be held on February 11 to 15 at the Baywalk inside Subic Bay in Olongapo City.

San Sebastian College will defend the women's title it won last year, with Shakey's V-League veteran Gretchel Soltones spearheading the campaign with new partner, Charmaine Dalisay.

Dalisay, who was named rookie of the year in last month's indoor volleyball competition after helping the Lady Stags to a surprising runner-up finish behind the Arellano University Lady Chiefs, will fill in the void left by Czarina Berbano, who was the other half of the Soltones-led team a year back.

College of St. Benilde, which will be spearheaded by power-hitting Johnvic de Guzman, will defend its men's crown, while Arellano will seek to retain the high school championship it copped last season.

Letran's athletic moderator Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, said he expects nothing less than exciting action in Subic.

"This will actually be the third time we're going here in Subic after we hold beach volley and basketball games here two seasons ago," said Calvo, who was with NCAA Management Committee chairman Paul Supan of Jose Rizal University and other board representatives when they did an ocular inspection of the venue recently.

Calvo said The Lighthouse Marina Resort will make the event more meaningful as its sponsor. (ABS-CBNnews.com)

http://rp1.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/04/15/ncaa-beach-volleyball-set-subic-bay

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SBMA steps into Korean feud over int’l school

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) took over an international school here to keep the peace on Tuesday, hours after a scuffle erupted between security guards and Koreans claiming ownership of the school, which left three people hurt, including a student and a teacher.

SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia said the agency assumed the responsibility of securing American International School (AIS) of Subic, after SBMA’s law enforcement department removed some 50 security guards from the school.

Lawyer Randy Escolango, SBMA deputy administrator for legal affairs, said the SBMA would secure the campus for an indefinite period.

It was the second skirmish there between two groups fighting over the school’s ownership.

On Jan. 11, a similar commotion injured five people. Tension gripped AIS when men hired by Korean Lee Sangeok tried to secure the campus, triggering a commotion with private security personnel contracted by the AIS board of directors led by his former Korean partners, Bae Myung-hee and Hong Jong-wook.

Earlier, Hong, through an interpreter, said he and his wife were the legitimate owners of AIS since they owned a combined 96 percent of the company’s shares while Lee owned only 1 percent.

On Tuesday, school guards stormed the unit of Hong, shattering the glass windows before forcing people out of the school premises in the afternoon, according to accounts of parents of AIS students.

Korean Noi Yoon, a teacher, was hurt during the clash.

Josie Evans, president of the parents and teachers association of AIS, said a student, who was not immediately identified, was also hurt in the commotion.

Evans said Hong passed out when some of the guards dragged him out of his unit, and was later taken to a hospital. With SBMA in control, Escolango said he expected classes to normalize soon.

Judge Richard Paradeza, of the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 72, recently enforced a writ of preliminary injunction against Bae and Hong’s group, which the judge first issued on Jan. 14, 2013, when this group of Koreans tried to wrest control of the school from Lee’s group in November last year.

But Bae and Hong won a Court of Appeals (CA) ruling on June 26, 2013, which nullified Paradeza’s order and prevented the judge from hearing the case that Lee filed against them.

Paradeza, however, said the CA’s decision was not final as Lee’s camp filed for a motion for reconsideration. (Allan Macatuno, Inquirer Central Luzon)


Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/670222/sbma-steps-into-korean-feud-over-intl-school#ixzz3QmFGSQem
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SC clears way for long-delayed Subic plant

THE SUPREME COURT finally cleared the way for a Meralco-led consortium to build its long-delayed 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Subic, Zambales.

In en banc session on Tuesday, justices voted 13-0 to uphold the validity of the coal power project of Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RP Energy) in Barangay Cawag.

The ruling upheld the validity of the environmental compliance certificates issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on December 2008 and July 2010. It also upheld the validity of the June 2010 Lease and Development Agreement with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Associate Justices Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe and Mario Victor “Marvic” F. Leonen voted in favor of RP Energy, but with qualifications, Supreme Court Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Theodore O. Te said in a briefing.

The high court also unanimously voted to deny the petition for writ of kalikasan filed by former Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro A. Casiño and other individuals, as well as the organizations Advocates for Wildlife and Environment Protection, Wildlife in Need, Subic-Olongapo Cancer Foundation, Inc., and PAMALAKAYA (National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organization in the Philippines).

Associate Justices Arturo D. Brion and Francis H. Jardeleza took no part in the voting, with the former being on leave and the latter inhibiting due to his previous involvement as Solicitor-General.

A full copy of the decision has yet to be issued.

The decision reversed the January 2013 ruling by the Court of Appeals invalidating the project’s amended environment compliance certificate (ECC) due to RP Energy’s failure to conduct a new environmental impact assessment.

The appellate court’s earlier decision was also based on the supposed lack of consent from the local government and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to support the Lease and Development Agreement with SBMA.

RP Energy is a joint venture of Meralco PowerGen Corp., Aboitiz Power Corp., and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp..

The project was originally expected to go online by the this year’s dry season but development was halted because of the writ of kalikasan filed against the project.

The Supreme Court first released a resolution on the writ dated July 31, 2010, against Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus P. Paje, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and RP Energy.

Such writs serve as a judicial remedy to protect against projects inflicting possible environmental damage that affects inhabitants.

The petitioners claimed RP Energy violated its environmental impact statement and environment compliance certificate (ECC).

The petitioners also claimed the ECC was issued without complying with the conditions of affected indigenous people and without prior approval of local government units.

While the project proponents have yet to receive their respective copies of the court’s decision, they welcomed the development saying this would help the energy industry.

“We have yet to read the decision. Assuming it’s all positive, then it’s good for the industry,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, senior vice-president of Manila Electric Co., the parent firm of Meralco PowerGen.

Stephen G. Paradies, senior vice-president of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV), also said AboitizPower has yet to receive a formal copy of the decision.

AEV is the parent company of AboitizPower.

“We intend to pursue this project. It’s very good news,” said Mr. Paradies. (Claire-Ann M. C. Feliciano and Vince Alvic A. F. Nonato, BusinessWorld)

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=sc-clears-way-for-long-delayed-subic-plant&id=102060

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Subic Freeport locators pledge to curb corruption

More than 150 executives from various locator-companies and investors in this free port signed the Integrity Pledge on Friday, marking another significant milestone for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in its fight against corruption.

In a ceremony held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), SBMA officials led by Chairman Roberto Garcia administered the Integrity Pledge (IP) for representatives of investor firms here in support of President Aquino’s reform agenda and to strengthen the agency’s corporate governance initiatives, and create a more conducive investment climate.

“Good governance means good business, and we have seen the fruits of good governance,” said Garcia stressed during the ceremony.

“Aside from being a good corporate citizen, companies that sign this pledge will get certain perks given to clean and ethical companies,” Garcia pointed out.

He added that the SBMA’s Integrity Program has been endorsed by the SBMA Board of Directors through a board resolution last year.

The Integrity Pledge, which was introduced in the country by the Makati Business Club (MBC) and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), is a document signed by heads of companies and government agencies to express their commitment to abide by ethical business practices and to support a national campaign against graft and corruption.

The pledge is regarded as an effective tool aimed at preventing corruption in public contracting, as it enables companies to abstain from bribing by providing assurances that their competitors will likewise refrain from bribery.

At the same time, it enables the government to reduce the high cost and distorting impact of corruption on private procurement, privatization or business licensing, and issuance of permits.

The IP stipulates rights and obligations to the effect that neither side will pay, offer, demand or accept bribes, collude with competitors to obtain contract, or engage in such abuses while executing the contract.

Garcia said that SBMA has institutionalized IP in the Subic Freeport with the creation of a Code of Conduct for all employees and officials of SBMA. With this development, the SBMA will now also require stakeholders like Freeport locators, neighboring local government units (LGUs), and suppliers to sign the Integrity Pledge before any transaction is made.

Garcia praised the Bureau of Customs (Port of Subic) Collector Arnulfo Marcos for joining the IP signing and for being the first to submit his accomplished and signed IP form.

Meanwhile, in his address, Dr. Edilberto de Jesus of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), said that of the hundreds of companies nationwide that applied and were assessed by the Integrity Initiative Office, only 33 had passed and only 12 were given Integrity Pledge certifications.

“Integrity is not easy to find these days,” De Jesus said. “What we have done today is the first step towards a fairly long journey. While the process is very difficult, it is the right thing to do and it should be done.”

In closing the ceremony, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Business Joy Alvarado urged the locators and investors to “start in your heart and in your own office the practice of Integrity Pledge.”

“Fight corruption; start the integrity revolution and see how you will shine as days pass,” Alvarado added. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
Ayala Harbor Point manager Derrick Manuel (Photo 1) and Didet Danguilan, communications manager of Philip Morris Philippines, Inc. (Photo 2) present a signed Integrity Pledge to SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia during the mass signing ceremony for Subic Bay Freeport locators at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on January 30. Looking on are SBMA Deputy Administrator for Business Joy Alvarado, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Rose Baldeo, and Dr. Edilberto de Jesus of the Asian Institute of Management. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

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SBFCC business expo slated

The first business expo will be held by the the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) at the Promenade area of Harbor Point Ayala mall, February 12-13.

SBFCC President Rose Baldeo said the event will feature locators inside the Subic Freeport Zone as well as businesses from adjacent communities such as Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan.

“The goal of the expo is to showcase the various businesses in and out of the Freeport Zone.

To show how dynamic our area is in terms of variations in business; from manufacturing, import-export businesses, to shipping, maritime, logistics, hotel and leisure, food and entertainment to wholesale and retail establishments,” she said. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/luzon-newsbits-for-february-3-2015/

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MNTC keeps SCTEX concession contract

Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) subsidiary Manila North Tollway Corp. (MNTC) has finally won the concession of State-owned Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

This developed as the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) did not receive yesterday any proposal matching MNTC’s P3.5-billion upfront cash bid for the rights, interest and obligations in the operation, maintenance and management of the SCTEX until 2043.

BCDA President Arnel Casanova said neither San Miguel Corp. nor the unidentified firm represented by the law firm of Aguirre, Abaño, Pamfilo, Paras, Pineda, and Agustin submitted proposals to match MNTC’s bid during yesterday’s deadline.

“This just proves that the latest improved offer of MNTC is the best offer in the market,” Casanova said.

As such, the SCTEX concession will be awarded to MNTC following the conclusion of the price challenge. Sought for comment, MNTC president Rodrigo Franco said they are ready to takeover the SCTEX anytime.

“We are happy that the process has finally concluded. We are ready to takeover anytime [since] our operational readiness is already there,” he said, stressing out that MNTC sister company Tollways Management Corp. (TMC) has been operating SCTEX since its opening in April 2008. TMC also operates the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) on MNTC’s behalf.

For the government’s part, Casanova said the SCTEX Price Challenge Selection Committee will sit down with the BCDA Board in a meeting on February 4 to present the result of the price challenge.

“We still have to undergo the process and get the Board’s approval before we finalize the contract and award it to MNTC,” Casanova explained.

Asked if the awarding of the SCTEX concession to MNTC could still face hurdles, Casanova said “we do not see any reason for that,” adding that Malacañang has already approved the SCTEX concession agreement on the condition of a price challenge.

“We have observed all the transparency required for this deal and worked hard to preserve the integrity of the process. We are happy to move on and close this deal, proceed to working for the improvement of the service in SCTEX, and serve the public interest,” he added.

Casanova, however, did not disclose the definite timetable for the SCTEX concession awarding. Franco said the MNTC expects the issuance of the notice of award next week, shortly after the BCDA Board meeting.

To recall, the BCDA and MNTC have signed in 2011 a business and operating agreement (BOA) for SCTEX but the Office of the President has postponed the approval of the BOA and instead directed that the MNTC offer be subject to a price challenge in the interest of transparency and fair competition.

MNTC’s latest improved offer made in February 2012 include the payment of P3.5- billion upfront cash, a 50-50 sharing of gross revenues with the government, assumption of the operation and maintenance costs of running the SCTEX and assumption of cost for the NLEX-SCTEX toll collection integration.

The 94-kilometer SCTEX connects the province of Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac to the NLEX, which in turn links Central Luzon to the National Capital Region and Metro Manila. The world-class toll road has 34 bridges, eight interchanges and a four-lane divided toll road to connect the Subic Bay Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Zambales, the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga, and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac.

The SCTEX was built through a 59 billion yen (P28-billion) loan provided by the Japanese government, through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The loan used to finance the construction of SCTEx will mature in 2041. Since it was opened to the motoring public in 2008, the SCTEX recorded an average daily traffic of 9,302 vehicles, which rose to 30,855 vehicles in 2014. (Kris Bayos, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/mntc-keeps-sctex-concession-contract/

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Subic Bay shows solidarity during national day of mourning for 44 SAF members slain in Maguindanao (images)

 The huge Philippine flag in front of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administration building flies at half-mast on Friday in keeping with the National Day of Mourning ordered by President Benigno Aquino III in honor of the 44 police commandos who were killed in Maguindanao last Sunday. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

photos by Jun Dumaguing

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SBMA to release 41% higher LGU revenue shares

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to release next week some P105 million in revenue shares to local government units (LGUs) adjacent to and affected by the operation of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia announced on Monday that the funds will be made available to the LGUs starting February 6.

The amount consists of P98 million in total revenue shares culled from July to December 2014, and P7 million in refunds of the 10-per cent retention withheld in the second semester of 2012.

According to the SBMA Accounting Department, the P98-milion figure exceeds by 41 per cent the P74.5-million shares given for the same period last year.

Garcia said the distribution of the revenue shares is aimed at spurring development in the eight neighboring LGUs and helping achieve President Aquino's goal of inclusive growth.

In August 2014, the SBMA released a total of P93.7 million in revenue shares for the first half of 2014, for a total LGU share of P199 million last year.

For this period, Olongapo City will receive the biggest share at P25.5 million, while Subic, Zambales will get P15.7 million; Dinalupihan, Bataan, P13.2 million; San Marcelino, Zambales, P12.7 million; Hermosa, Bataan, P10.8 million; San Antonio, Zambales, P9.3 million; Morong, Bataan, P9.1 million; and Castillejos, Zambales, P9 million.

The LGU share is determined according to 50 per cent population, 25 per cent land area, and 25 per cent equal sharing.

The LGU shares come from part of the five per cent corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises, of which two per cent goes directly to the SBMA treasury while the other three goes to the national coffers through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

The direct payment scheme was initiated by the SBMA some four years ago to hasten the release of LGU shares, which augment LGU funds for developments projects in health, education, peace and order, and livelihood generation. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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APEC senior officials’ meeting starts in Subic (updated)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – Delegates from 22 countries are now in the freeport for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation First Senior Officials’ Meeting (APEC-SOM1).

The emergency preparedness working group and senior disaster management officials’ forum preparatory meeting started Wednesday while the counterterrorism working group workshop started Thursday, January 29 until Feb. 1.

The business mobility group workshop and management board meeting began January 30 until Feb. 2 while the electronic commerce steering group data privacy sub-group informal meeting starts on the 31st.

A preparatory meeting on high-level policy dialogue on human capacity building was held on the 29th until Feb. 4.

The Subic Bay Freeport was host to the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November 1996. (with Bebot Sison Jr., Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2015/01/29/1417758/apec-senior-officials-meeting-starts-subic

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APEC avenue for improving RP’s tourism, claims Palace

Presidential communications secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. yesterday noted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) events as a way to promote the Philippines as a key tourist destination, saying that it will pave way to a robust economy and create livelihood for Filipinos.

“We should continue to build the image of our country as a favors tourist destination because this will be the way for a healthy economy and will create opportunities in livelihood for out citizens,” Coloma said.

The Palace official also said that efforts for ongoing talks in the Apec and the Philippines hosting it will help shape the economy in a better way, as preliminary talks begin in Central Luzon.

“The whole year, meetings will be held in different provinces and cities of the country to the point of the actual summit of Economic Leaders which will be held in Manila,” Coloma said.

The Apec’s Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM-1) — the Apec kick-off event — has begun earlier this week, where the Palace reiterated that the event would again tackle pursuing policies and programs on trade and investment liberalization, business facilitation, and economic and technical cooperation.

Representatives from the 21 Apec member-countries are attending the Apec-SOM1 in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga and Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales. (Joshua L. Labonera, The Daily Tribune)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/apec-avenue-for-improving-rp-s-tourism-claims-palace

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Subicwater sets P115-million capex projects for 2015

DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI)-led Subic Water and Sewerage Co. Inc. (Subicwater), which operates the water-service facilities in the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City, has announced that it will spend a total of P115.12 million in capital expenditure (capex) projects this year to further improve its services here.

Subicwater President and CEO Apollo Tiglao said in a media briefing on Wednesday that the bulk of the expenditures will go to a P44.7-million sewerage-system project for the Boton area of the Subic Bay Freeport, and a P38.6-million water distribution rehabilitation project in Olongapo.

“The Boton project is part of our Sewerage Master Plan that was created in as early as 2006,” Tiglao said. “As we have projected long ago, businesses will thrive [in Subic], and the area will need a new sewerage system complete with a dedicated sewage treatment plant.”

Tiglao said that aside from the Boton project, the water firm will invest P8.82 million on new sewage conveyance pipes in Subic’s Central Business District; P9.8 million for the construction of two pumping stations for a newly developed well in the former Naval Magazine area; and P1.2 million for the installation of new water pipelines in the airport area.

Meanwhile, in Olongapo City, Subicwater will be investing P38.6 million on new water-distribution lines; P11 million on two new wells in Barangay New Cabalan; and P1.48 million to replace a portion of its raw-water line in Barangay Santa Rita.

Tiglao said the Olongapo investments will ensure continuous water supply to the city treatment plant, especially during summer.

“As you can see, the two wells we will start developing this year will serve the few remaining Olongapo communities without piped water, as they are located at the highest points of the mountains surrounding the city proper,” Tiglao said.

Still, he said Subicwater faces problems on the identified well sites in the remote barangay of New Cabalan, particularly on lot acquisition.

“We hope the city administration will assist Subicwater on these matters,” he said, adding that the firm wants to finish the wells as soon as possible to solve water scarcity in the hilly barangay during summer.

“We are ready to start the well-drilling anytime soon,” Tiglao said.

With the new capex schedule, Tiglao said the firm has put up more than P1.5 billion in capital expenditure since it started operations here in 1997, with about P605 million for infrastructure development in the period from 2011 to 2013 alone.

“Since Subicwater is operating under a build-operate-transfer [BOT] setup, all of our facilities, along with the improvements we have infused throughout the course of our operations, will be given back to Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority [SBMA] after our franchise term,” Tiglao said.

Subicwater, which implemented the first BOT scheme for a water-and-sewerage system in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, was formed as a joint venture in 1996. It is now owned by Filipino construction firm DMCI, Singaporean water specialist Sembcorp Industries Ltd. (Sembcorp), SBMA and Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/subicwater-sets-p115-million-capex-projects-for-2015/

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