Palace appoints Antique ex-mayor Tan as new head of SBMA

Malacañan Palace has appointed Jonathan Dioso Tan as the new chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on April 28, 2023.

The former mayor of Pandan, Antique has replaced former SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino after the latter filed his courtesy resignation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last month. Paulino, the former mayor of Olongapo City, stepped down from his office on April 15.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan Tan is a Filipino politician and businessman who served as mayor of Pandan, Antique from 2010 to 2019.

He was one of the Philippines' Most Outstanding Mayors in 2012 together with city Mayors Alfredo Lim of Manila, Benjie Lim of Dagupan, Meynardo Sabili of Lipa, Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles, Jennifer Austria-Barzaga of Dasmariñas, and Len Alonte-Naguiat of Biñan. He was the only municipal mayor who bagged the award on that year.

He served as President of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Antique and elected as PRO of LMP-National from 2013 - 2016. He was also the Secretary of the Northwest Panay Peninsula Biodiversity and Conservation Council.

One of his major accomplishments was making Pandan a recipient of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4P's, an anti-poverty project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Tan's initiative to source out funds from Senators paved the way for more development projects in the municipality. 

His trademark, JDT, aside from it as an abbreviation of his name, stands for Jobs, Development and Tourism. He managed to enhance the tourism industry in the town as Pandan was included in the 77 Tourism Development areas identified by the Department of Tourism.

Preparations for the turnover of post is underway. (MPD-SBMA)

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Australians, HK ruled in 2023 Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT)

Australians Oscar Dart and Charlotte McShane ruled the sprint senior elite category in the 30th Subic Bay International Triathlon (SuBIT) over the weekend.

Dart claimed the gold medal in the men's division after posting the best aggregate time of 52 minutes and five seconds in the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer (km), bike and 5-km run race of the event billed as the 2023 NTT AST Subic Bay Asia Cup.

Joshua Ferris, also from Australia, placed second (52:12), while 2022 champion Ren Sato of Japan was third (52:23).

Sato's teammates, Genta Uchida (52:29) and Jumpei Furuya (52:38), finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

McShane, who was born in Scotland but moved with her family to Australia in 2005, topped the women's division in 58:43.

Chinese Yifan Yang registered 58:54 to settle for second place, followed by Australian Ellie Hoitink (58:58).

The rest of the top 10 finishers were China's Meiyi Lu (58:54) and compatriot Angi Huang (59:07), Japanese Manami Hayashi (59:21), Hungarian Zsofia Kovacs (59:23), Slovakians Zuzana Michalickova (59:30) and Romana Gajdosova (59:37), and Japanese Chisato Nakajima (59.40).

On the other hand, Renz Wynn Corbin and Karen Andrea Manayon of Talisay, Cebu ruled the Under-23 Elite category.

Corbin clocked 1:01:38 to beat Irenold Reig Jr. (1:04:13) and Mark Joshua Perez (1:04:58).

Meanwhile, Hong Kong swept the Super Sprint Youth (13-15 years old) category.

The 15-year-old Nok Hei Wong finished the 750m (swim)-20km (bike)-5km (run) race with an aggregate time of 32 minutes and 05 seconds to pocket the gold medal in the boys' division.

Lok Shi Lam won the silver medal in 33:04 while Kwong Hei Anson Tsang clocked 33:07 to settle for the bronze medal.

Lai Ki Nicole Man, 15, captured the gold medal in the girls' division with a total time of 36 minutes and 17 seconds.

Petra Stamenovic placed second (36:53) followed by Sarah Elise Modiano (37:52).

In the Sprint Para-Triathlon, Cebu City's Alex Silverio bagged the gold medal in one hour, 18 minutes, and 26 seconds while teammate Cedei Nemeño Abellana got the silver medal in 1:44:22 in the men's PT4 category.

Michael Bayani topped the men's PT5 category in 1:22:39 while Edison Badillo ranked second (1:34:57).

National team coaches Ani de Leon Brown and George Vilog lived up to expectations as they ruled the “Battle of the Legends.” 

Brown, who mentors the Philippine women’s squad to next month’s Phnom Penh SEA Games, clocked 43 minutes and 38 seconds to beat the field that included Mimi Lucas and Maris Bondoc, second and third with a 54:12 and 54:49, respectively. 

Vilog, a former national titlist and Arafura Games junior champion, topped the men’s side in 38:22 ahead of Noel Salvador (39:20) and Allan Barredo (40:55), who completed the podium in the race covering 500 meters of swim, 10 kms of bike and 2.5 kms of run. 

The SuBIT, which is the longest-running Olympic distance triathlon in Asia, is co-organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and presented by NTT and Asian Triathlon with the Philippine Sports Commission, Standard Insurance, and Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Inc. (SNL)

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SBMA all set for series of events in celebration of Labor Day

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is all set to kick-off a series of activities in celebration of Labor Day with the agency’s Labor Department spearheading the activities.

According to Labor Department Manager Atty. Melvin Varias, this annual activity aims to strengthen the camaraderie between the employees of the SBMA and Subic Bay Freeport locators.

Kicking off the series of activities is the Zumbathon on April 28, where participants in green shirts will take part in the human cross formation at the end of the session to celebrate the annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Varias added that free refreshments and food, along with a few giveaways will be raffled during the Zumbathon to be held at the Remy Field around 4:00 in the afternoon.

“On May 1, we will also have a 3k Fun Run for Freeport workers. The fun run will have categories for the young and the young-at-heart. Registration is free for Freeport workers and their immediate family members. The activity will start at around 5:30 in the morning at the Harbor Point, Ayala Mall,” he disclosed.

Along with the celebration, the SBMA will also conduct a job fair that will be held at the Harbor Point at 10:00 in the morning. Varias said that 43 participating companies, who are collectively offering more than 5,500 job opportunities, are determined on hiring workers “on-the-spot” to ensure immediate processing of their papers.

“We have generated QR codes, which are available at the Labor Department Facebook page, so that interested parties can scan and register online. If they have any other questions, they can call the Labor Department at 252-4092, 252-4496, and 252-4101,” he added.

Varias urged jobseekers to prepare their resume/biodata along with photocopies of their diploma or Transcript of Records (TOR), Birth Certificate, NBI or Police Clearance (if available) and other documents such as Training Certificates and Employment Certificates from previous employer. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Former SBMA chief wins 2nd Stevie for innovative COVID-19 contingencies in Subic

Former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma has won another Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards this year as  “Thought Leader of the Year.”

According to the award-giving body, the award is given to individuals with innovative ideas who demonstrate the confidence to promote or share them as actionable or distilled insights.

Eisma, who is now a director of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), was bestowed the silver Stevie for her Covid-19 contingency plans for the Subic Bay Freeport that paved the way for businesses inside the Freeport to endure the effects of the pandemic.

During her term, the agency has implemented measures that ensured, not only for businesses to thrive but the safety and security of the stakeholders in the Freeport as well.

Innovations such as business teleconferencing; disinfection protocols and mass testing; emergency isolation facilities; online bidding for products and services; virtual job fairs; online medical consultation; and a “bubble” concept for sports tournaments, seminars and workshops, and other events to boost local business operations, were maximized during that time.

These measures not only sustained jobs and investments in Subic, but also led to significant economic growth during the worst period of the pandemic: P3.2-billion revenue, P1.3-billion new committed investments, 682 new jobs, and $1.12-billion imports and $1.03-billion exports in 2020, the first year of the pandemic.

These records were even eclipsed in 2021 with a P3.47-billion revenue, or an 8 percent income growth; 142,177 workers, or an employment increase of 2.31 percent; 1,737 business locators; and P17.29-billion new investments that topped the 2020 record by P15.74 billion or 1,011 percent.

This was the second time that Eisma received a Stevie award. In 2018, a year after becoming SBMA’s first female CEO, Eisma also won a silver Stevie as “Female Executive of the Year for Government or Non-profit” under the individual women awards category.

Meanwhile, she also received a bronze Stevie for the SBMA for “Organization of the Year” under the category for government or non-profit with more than 10 employees.

Eisma felt “humbled and honored” with the recent recognition and expressed her gratitude to the public for their continuing support, she said in a social media post.

The winners in the 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards were announced last week from more than 800 nominations for innovative achievements in the 29-nation Asia-Pacific region.

Gold, silver, and bronze Stevie Award winners were determined by the average scores of more than 150 professionals around the world, organizers said.

The “Stevies,” which is considered as the business equivalent of the Oscars, is given annually by the American Business Awards organization to recognize accomplishments and contributions of companies and business people around the world.

The winners will be celebrated at a virtual ceremony on June 27. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Statement on resignation as SBMA Chairman and Administrator

I have formally tendered my courtesy resignation as Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, effective April 15, 2023, TO GIVE THE President A FREE HAND to choose who he deems best to steer the SBMA/ Subic Bay Freeport Zone to greater heights in terms of management and new business opportunities.

Despite having a fixed term of 6 years as provided in Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion Development Act”, I shall adhere to instructions from the Office of the President as an obedient soldier and dedicated public servant. I trust the good judgement of the President as he knows better.

It has been a challenging yet fulfilling journey for me when I was appointed to the position last March 1, 2022, since the country was just graduating from the onslaught of the Covid19 pandemic. However, with the support of employees and stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, coupled with the “Fast, Friendly and Flexible” business motto which I have implemented to help locators get back on their feet, the SBFZ is now fast AND FIRMLY ON THE road to recovery and economic upturn.

My sincere gratitude goes to the men and women of the SBMA who have supported me in my brief but memorable and heartwarming time as their leader, mentor, friend and ally, and to the local and national leaders who have helped me realize my plans and programs for the Freeport.

My dedication and passion to serve the country does not end here.

I will always be of service to the public even in my capacity as a simple citizen of the Republic of the Philippines.

I am grateful. I am blessed. Godspeed!

Rolen C. Paulino

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SBMA gets $1.225M in cash dividends from SBDMC

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) received US$1.225 million in cash dividends from the Subic Bay Development and Management Corporation (SBDMC) during a ceremony in Taipei.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the dividends is part of the agency’s share from the SBDMC. He added that the company has declared US$2.5-million in cash dividends for its shareholders, wherein the SBMA has a 49 percent stake in the company.

The SBDMC Board of Directors approved the declaration of the US$2.5-million cash dividend during the board’s 68th meeting held on March 29, 2023 in Taipei. 

The SBDMC Inc. is a joint venture company formed in 1995 between the SBMA and Taiwan’s United Development (UD) Corporation to establish, construct, operate and manage the then Subic Bay Industrial Park, now named the Subic Bay Gateway Park (SBGP).

“The SBDMC, Inc. declared US$2.5M cash dividends with the SBMA having a 49 percent equity share. Meanwhile, UD Corporation, with 51 percent equity share in the company, received US$1,275,000,” Paulino said.

Chairman Paulino represented the SBMA in Taipei, Taiwan, along with Directors Cynthia Paulino, Rolando Ampunin, Raul Marcelo, Ma. Cecilia Bitare, and Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado.

The SBMA Chief also cited that this is first time that the SBDMC has distributed cash dividends from 1994 since the company has been paying religiously to the agency relative to the Supplemental Agreement until 2025.

The SBMA officials were in Taipei for a trade mission, where they attended the inauguration of the Taipei Bioinnovation Park.

During the visit, Paulino expressed his gratitude to TECO Group of Companies Chairman and Century Development Corporation Chairman Theodore Huang, and SBDMC Inc. Chairman Willy Wang for the warm reception.

He cited that the public-private collaboration formula being used by the companies is beneficial for the growth and development of the community, adding that the formula can also be applied in Subic Bay Freeport. (MPD-SBMA)

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Paulino reports banner year for Subic in State of the Freeport Address (SOFA)

“New investments, increase in revenues, new infrastructures, and influx of tourists highlighted 2022.”

This was the statement made by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino during his State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on Tuesday.

Paulino cited, “2022 was a banner year for the SBMA despite the challenges during the past year. All revenue collections of the Trade Facilitation and Compliance Department, Business and Investment Departments, Seaport, Airport, Labor and Tourism Departments have increased compared to 2021 figures. And even surpassed pre-pandemic performance.”

Paulino reported that from these revenues, the SBMA has turned over P1.33-billion worth of dividends to the National Treasury in 2022. He added that this is higher by 20.21 percent to 2021’s P1.11-billion worth of dividends.

The SBMA was also able to help provide revenue shares to the contiguous communities of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as stated in Republic Act 7227 as part of their revenue shares.

Paulino said that in Zambales, Olongapo City received P74.88 million, followed by Subic Town with P48.77 million, Castillejos with P29.74 million, San Marcelino with P38.54 million and San Antonio with P27.45 million.

He added that in Bataan, the town of Morong received a revenue share of P28.1 million, Hermosa with P33.81 million, and Dinalupihan with P39.98 million. Paulino said that the total revenues that the SBMA shared for the contiguous communities here amounted to P321.27 million for 2022.

“Back in July, Subic Bay Freeport was conferred as the Number 1 Tourist Destination in Central Luzon, and Number 5 in the Philippines in 2021 despite the Covid-19 Pandemic. We are determined to keep that reputation as by the end of 2022, we recorded 9.4 million same-day visitor arrivals in the Freeport,” he said.

The official also cited that his Fast, Friendly, and Flexible business practice has increased the number of approved new investment projects inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“As an indicator of investor confidence, 38 Subic Freeport locators will be implementing their expansion projects amounting to P36.34 billion. That is a significant jump from P591 million in 2021, let alone P160 million in 2020, which were still during the pandemic,” he cited.

He added that during the same year, 133 new investment projects with committed investments amounting to ₱14.06 billion.

Paulino added  that the top new projects in terms of committed investments are Northern Palawan Power Generation Corporation with P7 billion, followed by UNCO United Oil and Gas Philippines, Inc. with P1.9 billion, then Tawi Tawian Petroleum Trading Corporation with P1.5 billion, and Agila Subic Compass, Inc. with P1.1 billion.

“For the expansion projects, Vectrus topped in terms of committed investments, committing an additional P14.52 billion, followed by Agila South, Inc. with P10.74 billion, and Agila NY Naval Inc. with P6.28 billion, and of course, Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation with P4.2 billion,” Paulino said.

Meanwhile, the current workforce of the Subic Bay Freeport recorded 149,681 employees in 2022 and is expected to augment another 4,700 workers as new approved projects commence operations and current investors start implementing their expansion projects.

For this, he acknowledged the neighboring local government units for augmenting the manpower requirements of the Freeport investors.

The SOFA is an annual event of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) where members are given a heads-up on the accomplishments of the SBMA from the previous year as well as a glimpse of the plans and programs for implementation by the Agency. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA holds Fire Olympics w/ Subic Freeport locators

In line with the nationwide observation of the fire prevention month, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), thru its Fire Department, conducted a Fire Olympics held at the Subic Bay Gateway Park on Thursday.

According to SBMA Fire Department Manager Ranny Magno, the Fire Olympics is held every March to coincide with the Fire Prevention Month. A total of ten Subic Bay Freeport companies participated in the Fire Olympics.

“This activity aims to instill fire suppression readiness among workers in their respective companies. We want them to be the first responders to any incident that might happen in their workplace, and be prepared for the worst,” he said.

The companies that took part in the Fire Olympics were Philippine Easepal, Anglo Asia Commodities, Tong Lung Metal Industry, Nakano Tonye, GrainPro Phil's Inc., GGG Technology Inc., Word Cup Security Agency, Tailin Abrasive, Wistron Infocomm Phils., and Hudson Outdoor Industrial Inc.

During the awarding, Tong Lung Metal Industries won the Fire Hose Relay, while GrainPro Phils. Inc. won the Tug of War, and the Nakano Tonye won the Fire Extinguishers Relay.

2023 Fire Prevention Month’s theme “Sa Pag-iwas ng Sunog, Hindi ka Nag-iisa” cited the importance of the role of the community in preventing the spread of fire in an area. Magno said that with the vigilance and active participation of the community, fire prevention would be easier. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Taiwan business mission eyes more economic activities in Subic Bay Freeport

Top honchos of the Taiwanese business community are eyeing new investments inside this premier Freeport during their visit here recently thru the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) of Taipei. 

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III, the Taiwanese businessmen came to the Freeport for the Integrated Investment Campaign: New Southbound PH Taiwan Delegation to the Philippines. 

Lee said that the business mission here is an offshoot of the Integrated Investment Promotion Campaign in Taiwan back in October 2022 where the SBMA participated. 

The group led by Terry Lin, Investment Officer of PTIC-Taipei was welcomed by Lee and other SBMA officials at the Formosa Hall of the Subic Bay Development and Management Corp. (SBDMC) admin building where the delegation was given a presentation of the Subic Bay Freeport business climate as well as advantages of investing here.

Manager of the Business and Investment Department (BID) for Manufacturing and Maritime Karen Magno facilitated the presentation for the Taiwanese delegation, providing insights on the many perks that this premier Freeport has to offer.

Magno cited that there are two Taiwanese industrial parks situated here, the Subic Bay Gateway Park and the Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP). She said that both industrial areas are conducive for businesses that intend to make it happen in the Philippines because both are good for businesses dealing in manufacturing various items such as packaging materials and appliances.

Also present in the event was Subic Taiwan Chamber of Commerce President Andy Liu who gave his welcome message to the delegation, sharing that the number of Taiwanese investments in the Freeport is among the biggest in terms of nationality.

Delegates representing ten Taiwanese companies came to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to conduct an ocular inspection of the area. The group was welcomed by fellow Taiwanese businessmen who located here including SBDMC Inc. President Willy Wang, Wistron Infocomm Philippines Corp. Director Wallice Wang, Subic Technic Inc. EVP Louis Kuo, and Limech Manufacturing and Trading Corp. President Sammy Chou.

Meanwhile, Taiwan investors here also boasted of a diligent and capable workforce who are proficient in English, logistical advantages for having an airport and a seaport, tax incentives due to being an economic zone, capable utilities, electricity and telecommunications.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Administrator for Business Group Atty. John Aquino said that Subic Bay Freeport is not just an industrial and manufacturing area but Freeport also an ideal destination of tourism amenities that will provide rest and relaxation to Taiwanese businessmen who plan to live here with their family.

He also added that Subic Freeport is the number one tourist destination of the region since there are numerous beach resorts, theme parks, and other tourism-related businesses here. (MPD-SBMA)

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Gov’t agencies seize shipment of ₱190-M misdeclared items at Subic Port

Coordinated efforts by government agencies have led to the seizure of misdeclared items worth a total of ₱190-million at the Port of Subic.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino revealed that the BOC Port of Subic, thru information from the Department of Agriculture (DA), discovered 58 containers loaded with 30,000 sacks of misdeclared refined sugar worth ₱150-million. 

Following the issuance of Pre-Lodgement Control Orders and Alert Orders by District Collector Maritess Martin, Paulino, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, and DA Assistant Secretary James Layug conducted an examination of the shipment on Thursday.

Aside from the 58 containers, two more containers of misdeclared assorted frozen meat products were seized which cost around ₱40 million. 

Martin said that the agency is set to issue a warrant of seizure and detention (WSD) against the subject containers for violation of Section 1400, in relation to Section 1113 (f) of the Republic Act 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sugar Regulatory Authority and BOC Joint Memorandum Order No. 04-2002.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio lauded the vigilance of the pertinent agencies, citing, “the BOC continues to maximize its intelligence resources and intensify enforcement measures to thwart all attempts of smuggling, especially those involving agricultural products that negatively impact our local farmers and businesses.”

“It has always been a priority of the BOC to protect local consumers against the health hazards posed by these illegally imported goods,” he added.

SBMA Chairman Paulino lauded the personnel of the agency, together with the BOC and the DA for foiling the attempt to smuggle ₱150-million worth of misdeclared sugar, along with the P40-million worth of misdeclared frozen products.

“We will follow President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s thrust in ensuring that Subic Freeport will not be an entry point for smuggled items. The SBMA, BOC Port of Subic, and the DA are working hand-in-hand to thwart any illegal trade happening in Subic Freeport,” he said. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBF committed investments and expansion projects skyrocket in 2022

Committed investments infused by new investors and expansion projects in the Subic Bay Freeport have surged dramatically in 2022 following the easing of pandemic restrictions in the country. 

The Business and Investment Group of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), in its yearend report, said that committed investments in 2022 accrued to ₱50,408,031,828.06, which is 2,128 percent more than committed investments in 2021 of ₱2,262,774,109.78.

The report said that the number of new investors has increased from 115 companies in 2021, to 133 in 2022 whose committed investment amounted to ₱14,063,061,938.70.

These 133 new companies aim to employ 1,874 new workers that will add to the workforce of this premier Freeport.

Northern Palawan Power Generation Corporation tops the list of new investors, committing a total of Php7-billion in new investments. the company will locate at Cawag, Redondo Peninsula to engage in real estate development for power generation and other energy sources. 

This was followed by UNCO United Oil and Gas Philippines with ₱1,948,096,000 and Tawi Tawian Petroleum Trading Corporation with ₱1,500,000,000. Both companies are engaged in petroleum importation and trading.

On the other hand, expansion projects of existing SBF locators committed in 2022 has accrued to ₱36,344,969,889.30, which is 6,040 percent more than 2021’s ₱591,914,600.00.

Existing locators with the biggest committed investments in expansion projects include Vectrus Subic Corporation with ₱14,522,658,219.30, Agila South Inc. with ₱10,737,616,537, Agila NY Naval Inc. with ₱6,283,079,863, and Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation, which was recently signed during President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s official visit to Japan, with ₱4,200,000,000. 

The number of investors who plan to implement expansion projects have increased from 24 in 2021 to 38 in 2022. The expansion projects of these 38 investors will hire 2,832 additional workers.

“This proves that my appointment as SBMA Chairman and Administrator is indeed a very big blessing. I am so blessed to be working with a team of hard-working men and women; equally blessed to be appointed at a time when pandemic restrictions started to ease up,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said.

This manifestation of investor confidence, he said, makes the Subic Bay Freeport Zone more attractive to foreign and local investments who want to make it happen in the Philippines by doing it in Subic Bay.

Meanwhile, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III said that the operating expenses of the agency recorded as of November 2022 is at 4.14 percent, citing that the agency was able to generate ₱24.17 in revenues for every ₱1 spent.

He added that the revenue from January to November has reached ₱1,690,541,578.00, which is 134.81 percent higher than the target ₱719,949,783.68, resulting in a difference of ₱970,591,794.33.

Lee also said that the number of Certificates of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTEs) that were processed almost doubled from the target CRTEs, disclosing an increase of 84.91 percent. He added that the target this year was pegged at 464, while the actual number of processed CRTEs have a total of 858.

The official also revealed that the 879 term sheets processed by the SBMA’s Business and Investment Departments (BIDs) has surpassed the target of 448, a discrepancy of 431 term sheets, or 96.21 percent surplus.

Paulino said that the agency will continue to follow the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. aiming to make this premier Freeport into the country's bastion of economic prowess. He added that with President Marcos at the helm, foreign investor confidence in Subic Freeport will remain strong. (SNL)

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Pacific Ace, IWG to introduce hybrid workspace in Subic Freeport

Pacific Ace Subic Bay Corp. has partnered with International Workplace Group (IWG) for the establishment of the first-ever hybrid workspace in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in anticipation of the strong demand for flexible office spaces. 

The partnership was sealed in a simple contract signing ceremony between IWG Country Manager Lars B. Wittig and Pacific Ace President Virginia S. Dio on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the latter’s headquarters in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. 

“It’s a match made in heaven,” according to Dio citing IWG’s established global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands and Pacific Ace’s Green Building advocacy to lessen the negative impact of carbon footprint to environment and to human health. 

Under the contract, IWG and Pacific Ace will utilize the 2nd floor of The Gardens by Pacific Ace and is set open the shared workplace on August 2023 with a number of co working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. 

IWG’s unrivaled network coverage includes 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries and 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies amongst their growing customer base. 

“Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the IWG application,” Wittig said. 

“Subic has been ready for this business concept for at least 8 years and we’re now ready for Subic,” Wittig said. 

He added that Subic is a strategic location that they have targeted for expansion since the opening of Regus in Clark Freeport Zone in 2015. And since the business is well proven in Clark, Subic is a logical extension for it offers excellent logistics, free port, and development zones. 

According to Renato W. Lee III, Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, he is certain that the new business concept in the Freeport is set to bring business to a whole new level. (SNL)

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Dugo para sa Puso, a Valentine's Day blood drive

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) OIC-Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications Armie Llamas joins personnel of the Regional Maritime Unit-3 led by PLtCol Sami Lorenzo RMU3 and Olongapo Maritime Police Station chief Police Lt. Mariel Cuizon for a photo souvenir during a bloodletting activity held on Valentine’s Day, February 14 at the Subic Gym of Subic Bay Freeport.

The SBMA and the Philippine Red Cross-Olongapo Chapter spearheaded the bloodletting drive dubbed "Dugo para sa Puso”, which aims to augment the blood requirements in the City of Olongapo and nearby areas in the Freeport.

 

Other organizations such as the Rotary Club of Subic Pearl, Philippine Navy, Batas Eagles Club, and different SBMA departments supported the said activity. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA lauds PBBM signing of ₱4.2-B Nidec Subic’s new venture

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) lauded the signing of Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation’s venture into a new product, which will infuse an additional ₱4.2 billion.

In his recent official visit to Japan, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed the contract with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who invited him to Japan during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York back in September.

“We are very thankful for President Marcos’ successful official trip to Japan where he signed another blessing for us in the Subic Bay Freeport because this will create more jobs for our community, and bring better industrial peace,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said.

Paulino added that the President's five-day trip to Japan entailed reaffirming the strong and vibrant relations between the two countries, as well as maximizing its partnership thru defense, security, political, economic, and people-to-people ties.

“This new venture by Nidec Subic is a validation of the foreign investors’ strong confidence in the leadership of President Marcos, and in the Subic Bay Freeport, especially now that we have adopted a Fast, Friendly and Flexible customer service. Because of that, we are now expecting to draw more foreign investments to make it happen in the Philippines, particularly in Subic,” he said.

According to the SBMA Business and Investment Department for Manufacturing and Maritime, Nidec Subic will be producing precision gearboxes that ensure smooth and efficient gear operation in a wide range of applications such as robotics, aerospace and solar tracking. It will initially require 1,074 workers.  

Nidec is the world’s top manufacturer of small precision motors, and currently maintains the largest market share in the world for spindle motors, which rotate disks and are at the heart of hard disk drives used in personal computers.

In 2019, Nidec Subic launched their expansion program to produce industrial robotic gears with an actual investment worth US$250 million, generating additional employment of 632.

The company ventured into manufacturing reduction gears which are considered vital in controlling the speed and traction of electronic equipment.

Nidec Subic was named among the top ten exporters of 2022 with an export value totaling to US$49.43 million. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA joins PH humanitarian contingent to Türkiye

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's multi-awarded Search and Rescue team joins the Philippine contingent deployed to help victims of the Feb. 6 magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Türkiye.

SBMA's 9-man SAR team headed by Fire Department Chief Ranny D. Magno is part of the Filipino Search and Rescue contingent that arrived in Istanbul on Thursday noon (February 9).

"Our response team just confirmed that they landed at Istanbul. Our OCD (Office of Civil Defense) representative messaged at 12:08 p.m. (PST) that they landed," said OCD joint information center head Diego Agustin Mariano in a message to reporters.

He added that the Philippine contingent departed from Manila for Istanbul around midnight.

These personnel were aboard Turkish Airlines Flight TK 85.

The Filipino contingent consisted of 85 personnel, of which 33 are from the Armed Forces of the Philippines; 21 from the Army's 525th Engineer Combat Battalion, 51st Engineer Brigade; and 12 from the Air Force 505th Search and Rescue Group.

Other contingent members are as follows, two from the OCD, 10 from the Metro Manila Development Authority, nine from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and 31 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) from the Department of Health.

Earlier, Defense officer-in-charge Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said they aimed for this team to rely on their own and not be a burden to the host country.

The contingent will also bring goods to be donated to the quake victims. These goods include clothing and sleeping kits for winter, and hygiene and sanitary kits, which will be provided by the OCD, together with the private sector and local government units.

"This is our contribution to humanity, and the President ordered us for the response teams to prepare for deployment, for the people of Türkiye," Galvez said.  (SNL/PNA)

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