Subic Bay Freeport tops tourist arrivals in Central Luzon

Subic Bay Freeport is Central Luzon's most visited tourist destination in 2014.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Ronaldo Tiotuico, in a press statement, said "Subic Bay Freeport and Zambales was the most visited at 1.2 million arrivals followed by Clark Freeport, Pampanga and Angeles City- 621,000; Bataan- 199,000; Bulacan- 109,000; and Aurora- 108,000.”

DOT region III reported that tourist arrivals in Central Luzon rose to 21% in 2014 compared to 2013.

3.1 million domestic and foreign travellers went to the region last year compared to 2.7 million in 2013 based on monthly survey reports submitted by accommodation establishments.

Chinese topped the most number of foreign travelers in Central Luzon last year at 390,431 or 12.5% followed by Americans- 95,737 or 3.08%, Koreans- 55,692 or 1.8%, and Singaporeans- 31,200 or 1%.

Average occupancy rate for accommodation establishments in the region stood at 62% while length of stay for travellers was at 22 nights with over 1.2 available rooms during the year.

“The unprecedented increase can be attributed to the significant developments in Clark and Subic Bay Freeports along with the recent infrastructure improvement at the Clark International Airport which allows it to have the ability to welcome as high as four million passengers,” Tiotuico explained.

Also, the conduct of festival planning and management seminars for members of the Association of Tourism Officers of Central Luzon as well as the participation of DOT and government and private stakeholders in tourism and travel expositions in Makati, Cebu, and Davao were likewise named as contributory to the surge.

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/561425818418/tourist-arrivals-in-cl-up-by-21-

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Reed, Edwards rule Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic

THE INAUGURAL Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 in Subic Bay proved to be a resounding success with an Australian and a British topping the male and female professional categories, respectively.

Tim Reed of Australia and Parys Edwards of Great Britain bested the field that took the competitors to different parts of the recognized “triathlon capital of the country” on Sunday.

Mr. Reed, coming off a win in the 2015 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championships in Auckland, added the inaugural Century Ironman 70.3 title to his growing list of achievements that has made him one of recognized rising stars of the sport.

The 30-year-old Reed finished the course in just three hours and 52 minutes, three minutes ahead of second placer Mitch Robins (three hours and 55 minutes) and five of third-running Josh Amberger (three hours and 57 minutes). Messrs. Robins and Amberger are also from Australia.

Mr. Amberger was actually leading some three-fourths of the way, finishing ahead in the swim and bike legs of the race.

In the 21-K run stage was where Mr. Reed proved his mettle, overhauling the lead of Mr. Amberger.

“The race panned out as I expected. I expected Josh to be up a couple of minutes off the bike. I just tried to be relaxed and hoped that Josh’s legs would give way because he is a strong bike rider and they did,” Mr. Reed said of his come-from-behind win.

Incidentally, five-time Ironman world champion Craig Alexander had to withdraw at the last minute because of a lingering back injury.

Ms. Edwards, meanwhile, came out strong right from the swim all the way to the end, clocking four hours and 18 minutes. Her win was her first in an Ironman race, adding to her collection of triathlon hardware.

New mother Beth Gerdes of the United States came in second at four hours and 24 minutes while Australia’s Dimity Lee-Duke finished third at four hours and 27 minutes.

Topping the local male elite was Banjo Norte of Alaska Tri Aspire with a time of four hours and 23 minutes.

The Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 is a half-Ironman distance triathlon -- 1.9-kilometer (km) swim, 90-km bike ride and 21-km run -- produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. (Michael Angelo S. Murillo, BusinessWorld)

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Sports&title=reed-edwards-rule-century-tuna-ironman-70.3-subic&id=103942

Photo/ banner from http://ironman703subicbay.com/ct703/results/

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Subic gears up for summer sports crowd

Subic Bay is now gearing up for the summer crowd with tourist spots enhancing the fun factor with not just the usual leisure amenities but hardcore sports facilities, as well.

One of the many great tourist destinations here is the Zoobic Safari. Tigers, lions, crocodiles, and other exotic wildlife are found at the facility, making the experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see animals that are not endemic in the country. A ride on a caged jeepney lets you peek into the tigers’ habitat as they roam around in an enclosed area.

Another great place to go to in Subic is the Ocean Adventure Marine theme park. Dolphins, sea lions and other aquatic animals will entertain you while educating you on the importance of wildlife preservation.

And if thrill is what you’re seeking, then you could always go to Tree Top Adventure. Tree Top Adventure boasts of having the first motorized zipline in Asia, making sure that safety is the facility’s number one concern.

But in recent years, Subic’s many beautiful beaches are attracting more and more health buffs with major triathlon events held here. Camayan Beach Resort for one has been the area for the country’s prestigious triathlon event Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines.

International triathletes were at awe over the pristine waters of Subic Bay and vowed to return to the area next time Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines is held here. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
SPORTS TOURISM — Local and international triathletes hit the water in Subic Bay at the recent 2015 Yellow Cab Challenge Philippines Subic-Bataan. Subic Bay Freeport is poised to become the triathlon capital of the country, assuring that sports tourism is alive here. (Jonas Reyes)

http://www.mb.com.ph/subic-gears-up-for-summer-sports-crowd/

More photos:

A maintenance worker plows through a heap of fallen leaves during a clean-up drive by the SBMA Maintenance Department at the Mini-Golf Course in the central business district of the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday (March 6). The clean-up project is in anticipation of the influx of tourists this summer. (Jun Dumaguing)

Participants in the “Century Tuna Superbods Underpants Run” start the two-kilometer run at the Remy Field in the Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday morning (March 7). (Jun Dumaguing)

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WIN holds fundraising for rescued animals in Subic

A fundraising event was held in this premier Freeport on Saturday to help support animals that were rescued by the Wildlife In Need (WIN) Foundation, a non-profit organization that operates a wildlife rescue center here.

Dubbed as “Unbridled at El Kabayo,” the fundraising event aims to get financial assistance from Freeport residents and visitors to help provide food for the 21 horses at the El Kabayo riding stables here and maintain the area in tip-top shape.

The event, which also served to re-launch the operation of the riding stables, showcased a quadrille by El Kabayo cowboys, a bull whipping demo, a show-and-tell of rescued animals by WIN, an Aeta cultural show, a horse jump exhibition, line dancing, barrel race, and other outdoor activities.

According to Ocean Adventure CEO Gail Laule, all the proceeds from the rides and other activities during the fundraising would go to the care of horses at the El Kabayo stables, which offer horse rides to paying tourists.

“We (WIN) have formed a great partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to provide care for the horses here while giving a great experience to tourists,” Laule said.

SBMA Chairman Robert Garcia, meanwhile, said that he was glad that the El Kabayo stables, which is one of the establishments synonymous with the Subic Bay Freeport, is still in operation.

He noted that during the early years of the Subic Bay Freeport, the El Kabayo stables were used to house the horses that were used during SBMA parades by former SBMA chairs like Senator Richard Gordon and Congressman Felicito Payumo.

The area used to be a commercial tourist destination, but is now under the WIN Foundation, which entered into an agreement with the El Kabayo stables in 2008 for the care of the 21 horse there.

In 2011, WIN signed a memorandum of agreement with the SBMA to take over the complete management of the horses and operations of the stables. Today, the stables offer horseback riding, riding lessons and educational programs to support the care of the horses.

WIN is a non-profit organization focusing on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, the campaign against the wildlife pet trade, and community education. WIN operates and has headquarters at its Wildlife Rescue Center in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The WIN Rescue Center provides care and housing for sick, injured, and confiscated wildlife. Many of the animals that come to WIN were rescued from the illegal wildlife pet trade. The majority of animals are successfully rehabilitated and returned to the wild.

However, for animals that have lost the ability to live on their own, WIN provides a permanent home for them at the Rescue Center.(JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:
The cowboys of the El Kabayo riding stables in the Subic Bay Freeport show off the horses during the “Unbridled at El Kabayo” fundraising event on Saturday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA launches awareness campaign on climate change adaptation

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), through its Ecology Center, has launched an awareness campaign on climate change adaptation in upland communities adjacent to the Freeport.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the campaign aims to educate residents on the impact of climate change world-wide, as well as in their locality, and how to minimize it.

The campaign includes educating residents on how to prevent forest and bush fires and what they can do to help bring back the healthy environment and the forests, Garcia added.

Accordingly, the campaign, which started at Barangay Mabiga in the town of Hermosa, Bataan, was a kick-off to a series of seminars to be held in four barangays outside the perimeter fence of the Freeport. These include the upland communities of Mabiga, Tipo, Bangal, and Pastolan, which serve as buffer areas under the SBMA’s “social fencing” program.

Participants in the one-day awareness campaign seminars included members of farmers’ associations in the four upland communities.

Garcia explained that the local farmers’ associations serve as a vital component of the SBMA Community-Based Forest Management (SCBFMA) system, which watches over the forests and helps protect them against bush and forest fires, illegal cutting of trees, and illegal hunting of animals and birds near and inside the fenced areas of the Freeport.

The SCBFM program also aims to promote the biodiversity of the forests through tree-planting projects and the implementation of livelihood programs that are not dependent on forests such as kaingin, and charcoal-making.

Hermosa Mayor Danilo Malana, who joined the launch of the awareness campaign, lauded the SBMA and the team from Ecology Center for conducting the awareness campaign, saying it was very timely.

“It is very important that we start protecting and preserving our fast diminishing forest areas that give livelihood and food to many of our farmers,” he said.

The mayor, who is known as an advocate of environmental protection, added that there is a need to boost the awareness of residents on how badly climate change affects people’s lives and livelihood so that they could start adapting to it to secure their future. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Community leaders and officials of Brgy. Mabiga, Hermosa in Bataan province pledge to protect the environment during a Climate Change Symposium conducted recently by the SBMA Ecology Center. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport observes Fire Prevention Month

Fire trucks bedecked in balloons go around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Monday morning, as the SBMA Fire Department mounts a motorcade to enjoin Freeport business locators, residents and workers to take safety measures in observance of the Fire Prevention Month. (AMD/MPD/SBMA)

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Subic unveils 1st motorized zipline in Asia

The Tree Top Adventure theme park has announced the upgrading of its facility in the Subic Freeport, including the introduction of the first motorized zipline course in Asia.

Tree Top Adventure CEO Ma. Camille Montejo said in a press conference on Saturday that their team-building facility at the Jungle Environment Survival Training (JEST) Camp here contains facilities for two slow-paced and four fast-paced activities.

These include the so-called “Superman Ride,” which is the only motorized zipline course in Asia, Montejo added.

“If you want to see the forest and appreciate nature from the top of the trees, you could try the Canopy Ride,” Montejo said.

The entire ride, she added, has a hanging bridge and five stations, which can carry three persons at a time. The ride transfers from one tree to another.

“Meanwhile, for heart-pounding action, try the Superman Ride. It’s a horizontal motorized zipline where you’ll be soaring back and forth in less than a minute,” she added.

One slow-paced activity in the park is the Trekking Adventure, which is basically a tour of the area. During the trek, however, the tour guide introduces the visitor to local plants and trees, and share interesting facts about them.

Another activity is the “Parachute Fall” wherein the tourist goes upwards slowly, and is then quickly dropped after reaching the height of 75 feet. This activity, like that stunt in the movie “Mission Impossible” brings you back to the ground in a matter of seconds.

Members of the media who were invited for the team-building activity noted that the new Tree Top Adventure facility provides a venue to teach and gain camaraderie and leadership. While the activities are all motorized, participants learn to help each other and to lift their own weight.

With the newest attractions, the Tree Top Adventure park aspires to be among the most popular tourism draws here as the Subic Bay Freeport gears up for summer.

Montejo added that while some of the rides are high-adrenaline, the facilities are safe for everyone.

“We want to assure everybody that the facility is as eco-friendly as it can be. Safety is certainly our main concern here,” Montejo added. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:

[1-2] Visitors try out the various rides at the Tree Top Adventure theme park (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3-5] Tree Top Adventure visitors try out various team-building activities in the theme park (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA hosts job matching congress to address hiring problems

The Labor Department of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) hosted on Friday the Subic Bay Freeport Labor Matching Congress to help reduce mismatch between labor demand by existing companies and the available workforce in this Freeport.

SBMA labor manager Severo Pastor said the congress served as a venue for dialogue among students, the academe, business locators, and the government to fill employment gaps in an overall effort to achieve industrial peace.

The congress was held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) and was attended by sectoral representatives from the Subic Freeport, Olongapo, and Zambales. The event also drew participation from the SBMA Business Group, which communicates with business locators in manufacturing, maritime, leisure, logistics, ICT, and general business and investment.

“It is a continuing activity of SBMA as part of its corporate social responsibility to extend to students and the community its services of finding or creating suitable jobs matching their skills,” Pastor said.

He noted that employment problems in the Philippines are often caused by labor mismatch, which results in underemployment, if not unemployment.

He recalled that when South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction-Philippines, Inc. started its operation in Subic Bay, it asked the SBMA for 10,000 workers as welders, plumbers, electricians, painters, and others.

“Unfortunately, we could only provide a tenth of the number asked. And the rest had to undergo trainings,” Pastor said.

He added that with the SBMA’s target of creating 100,000 jobs by the end of 2015, the SBMA Labor Department is now intensifying its efforts with the help of business locators, schools, and related agencies of the government like the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

“This why we in TESDA recommend that all high school graduating students must undergo skills development training to develop skills and interest, and later choose the right college or vocational course after graduation,” explained TESDA Officer (R3) Nomer Pascual during the congress.

Meanwhile, some business locators in the Freeport pointed out their concerns about labor mismatch to help identify and address the problems.

Quintin Ellick, owner of Contex Call Center and concurrent vice chairman of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone ICT Advisory Council, admitted that most courses offered in local schools cannot be applied in most companies in the Freeport.

Nicera Philippines Inc. human resource manager Myra Concepcion, on the other hand, revealed that they have been experiencing difficulty in hiring new applicants because most of them failed simple tests and have attitude problems.

“In one hiring, out of 1,200 applicants only 25 percent passed the simple abstract reasoning and arithmetic items; and of those who passed only 38 percent passed the interview,” she said.

Given the problems faced in hiring new applicants, the company representatives suggested that the academe should enhance the teaching of English and mathematics subjects starting in high school and also offer courses in personal development, including 5S in the workplace. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Centennial III reigns in Subic-to-Boracay race

JUDES Echauz steered Centennial III across the finish for a win, edging defending champion Hong Kong’s Reichel/Pug 76 Jelik in the sixth Standard Insurance Subic-to-Boracay Race Sunday afternoon off Boracay in Malay, Aklan.

After sailing a highly and tactical battle, Centennial III topped the IRC Racing Class, with a time 27:37:39, while Frank Pong’s Jelik was a close second with 27:45:06.

The race was a 200-mile ISAF Cat 3 offshore one and started off the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, last Saturday noon.

Depending on the size of the boat, the race takes between 20 to 40 hours.

Finishing third was Malaysia’s Ulumulu, skippered by Troy Yaw and Jeremy Koo with 28: 11:52, while highly regarded Hong Kong sailor Geoff Hill and his Antipodes placed fourth with 28: 13:32.

American Race Officer Jerry Rollin said Ragamuffin 90-Dubois 90 Custom-designed and skippered by David Witt, arrived fifth with 28: 37:48 and veteran campaigner and 2013 winner Karakoa, led by Ray Ordoveza, was sixth overall with 28: 42:44.

Action in the waters of Boracay won’t stop upon completion of the SBBR as sailors will splash back into competition with the Boracay Cup Regatta, which started yesterday up to March 6.

Stakes in the race are high as, according to Commodore Ricky Sandoval, chair of the organizing committee, of the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailing, 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.

The twin event is organized by the Philippine Sailing Association and Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen’s Sailing Club, in cooperation with the Subic Bay Yacht Club, and The Lighthouse Marina Resort and in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Department of Tourism, Philippine Coast Guard, and Municipality of Malay.

Sponsors include Cebu Pacific, PLDT Alpha , Resort World Philippines, Tanduay, Seawinds Resort Boracay, Business Mirror and Manila Bulletin. (Manila Standard Today)

PHOTO:
Centennial III (left) of Judes Echauz leaves its rivals behind.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/03/03/centennial-iii-reigns-in-subic-to-boracay-race/

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SBMA 2014 record income up 40%

For the third consecutive year, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) hit new record highs in its 2014 financial performance, as it scored a net income of P1.556 billion vs the 2013 income ofP1.11 billion, a substantial increase of 40%.

“Revenues from port operations, tourism and industrial commercial leases rose to P2.442 billion or 21% vs 2013 figures, while EBITDA or operating profit hit P1.391 billion or 51% over the previous year,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia announced recently.

With the port congestion in Manila, many importers shifted to Subic, causing port revenues to hit P909 million or an increase of 45%. Significantly, containerized volumes jumped to 77,000 TEUs or an increase of 105%. Locator export volumes likewise increased to U$2.3 billion or a 59% increase from the previous year.

Tourism likewise registered substantial revenue gains with a substantial 61% jump driven by a 12% hike in tourist traffic. MICE events (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) chalked up an increase of 150% while sports events rose 75% to make Subic Bay the number one tourist destination in Central Luzon according to DOT records.

Industrial and commercial leases likewise hit P1.050 billion, up 13% from previous years, as more businesses flocked to the Freeport. These and other expansion projects of existing locators caused jobs to increase from 89,584 in 2013 to 96,958 in 2014, providing 7,374 new jobs or an increase of 8%.

Reflecting the Agency’s robust growth on all fronts are the cash collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s P1.8 billion and the Bureau of Customs’ P15.290 billion, which improved by 27% and 36% respectively in 2014.

Lastly, the 5% tax collected from locators in the Freeport rose to P497 million, or a 35% increase over 2013. SBMA remitted this amount with P199 million going to the eight local government units surrounding the Freeport, while P298 million was remitted to the National Government Treasury. The total contribution of SBMA to the national economy therefore amounted to P17.638 billion.

According to Garcia, the agency’s sterling three-year record performance could be attributed to good governance, the implementation of its strategic initiatives, and the hard work of the agency’s management and employees. (KMF/CorCom-SBMA)

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Aussie, Adorna top ULAH Tri United 1

Australian Mitch Robins put on a blazing show even as Claire Adorna, only on her second year in the sport, imposed her class to share the podium in yesterday’s ULAH Tri United 1 at the Dungaree Beach, Subic Bay.

Robins, 26, and Adorna, 21, drowned the opposition with their impressive performances in the swim leg to anchor their wire-to-wire victories.

A regular competitor in triathlon races in the country since 2012, Robins negotiated the 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run race organized by BikeKing headed by Raul Cuevas, in one hour, 55 minutes, 42 seconds.

A distant second and third were Unilab Active Health (ULAH) triathletes John Chicano (2:02:44) and Benjamin Rama (2:05:01).

“It was a fast course and very well organized race,” said Robins.

The event was sponsored by Unilab Active Health in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) tourism department and supported by Aboitiz, Enervon Activ, Active Health Sports Gel, Enervon HP and AboitizPower.

“I was not sure of winning because the Filipino triathetes are very fast. I will be spending more time in the Philippines and absolutely you can expect me to compete in the next Tri United races,” added Robins.

Two other foreign pros – Saranon Chantaraj from Thailand and Eneko Elosegui from Spain – failed in their bid for a podium finish in the race backed by Orbea, Shimano, Maxxis, TIMEX, Gardenia, Gerry’s Grill, Pocari Sweat, Lighthouse Marina Resort Subic, Camayan Beach Resort and Court Meridian Hotel.

Adorna, also from ULAH, primed up for a possible gold medal in the SEA Games in Singapore this June as she dominated teammates Anna Stroh and Ani Karina Brown.

A member of the national team and owner of the Philippine record in the female division, Adorna, the UAAP most outstanding swimmer on her last year with champion team UP, timed 2:15:55. She highlighted her showing with a surprising second place finish in the swim behind Robins.

“Our training for the SEA Games is intensive and that’s what I put into the race,” said Adorna, who like Robins, pocketed P10,000 in the race covered by Men’s Health, SBR.ph, Raceday, Multisport and SPIN.ph.

Series defending women’s champion Stroh finished second (2:23:40) while Ani Karina de Leon-Brown took third (2:33:05).

The first of four Tri United races for 2015 drew 780 participants in the race which also featured the sprint distance and titles also disputed in the different age groups and team competition. Sante Barley dominated Fitness First and Herbalife for the team championship.

Completing the winners in the standard distance were Mervin Santiago and Irish Ivy Domingo (18-24), Robinson Esteves and Karen Kate Pascual (25-29), John Mark Yamoyam and Chloe Ong (30-34), Jefferson Valdez and Alisa Dicaprio (35-39), Raymond Galdonez and Lezette Albarote (40-44), Mariela Powell (female 45-above), Jojo Macalintal (male 45-49), Frank Lacson (50-54) and Tatsuya Kanai (55-above).

Sprint champions were Samuel Ranque (16-17), Jimuel Patilan (18-29), Jeric Saclauso (30-39), Reuben Lista (40-49) and Albert Bartilad (50-above) in the male and Maria Antonniette Balagtas (18-29), Kareena Maclang (30-39) and Jennifer Soto (40-49) in the female class. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/03/02/1429167/aussie-adorna-top-ulah-tri-united-1

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‘Green’ film fest in Subic

A FILM festival focusing on “green” films will be held this weekend at the Subic Bay Freeport.

The 1st Subic International Ecofilm Festival will be presented at the ISST FilAm Theatre on Feb. 27 and 28. This is a project of the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) together with Cinema Verde of the United States.

The two-day festival will screen six international films and three local award-winning independent films and will have the Cinema Verde founding director as the guest of honor.

According to ISST President Mina Gabor, the Ecofilm Festival intends to bring environmental awareness to the audience and inspire, educate and engage participants in sustainable business and lifestyle solutions.

“If the Cannes Film Festival is for commercial films, we intend Subic to be known for environmental films,” the former Tourism secretary said.

Among the foreign films to be shown is Love Thy Nature, directed by Sylvie Rokab and narrated by Hollywood star Liam Neeson. It is a cinematic immersion into the beauty and intimacy of human’s relationship with the natural world.

The other films that will be screened are: Confessions of an Eco-Terrorist, Deep Green (Final Cut), Silent Now (The Poisoning of the Arctic), El Perro del Hortelano, and Radio Love.

The Filipino films in the festival are Brutus: Ang Paglalakbay, which stars Ronnie Lazaro; indie film Batad, which won multiple awards at Cinemalaya; and the Batanes-inspired Kadin The Goat.

The festival will also hold group discussions on “Best Practices on Environmental Conservation,” and “Challenges in Producing Environmental Films,” as well as bird shows and photo exhibits by the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines. (BusinessWorld)

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Arts&Leisure&title=green-film-fest-in-subic&id=103403

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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)


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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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