Luzon businesses urged to use Subic port

Pampanga businessmen are urging their colleagues in Central and Northern Luzon to utilize Subic Bay Port to improve cost efficiency and logistics turnaround time.

Levy Laus, chairman emeritus of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., at the group’s 53rd quarterly general members meeting on September 8, said choosing Subic port as point of entry and exit for import and export of goods will not only help reduce costs but will also save another business critical resource – time.

Container ship unloads at the new container terminal of the Port of Subic

“Doing business in Subic is the most logical decision. It should be the primary port for businesses in North Luzon,” Laus said.

According to Laus, since there is no congestion in Subic, business transactions are not delayed.

Laus noted Subic Bay port was among the few ports in the country that can meet the Bureau of Customs’ goal to reduce turnaround time for cargo handling and releasing by less than five hours.

For Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), turnaround time for cargo handling, gate in to gate out for trucks, is less than one hour while processing of documents for cargo releasing takes about four hours.

Roberto Locsin, SBITC general manager, said the one-stop-shop (OSS) in Subic Bay Port reduces processing time and complexity as well as simplifies transacting in Subic for the release of cargos.

“We pulled the necessary offices in one building for faster dispensation,” he said.

Also, the processing time for brokers and truckers’ accreditation only takes a day.

“If the brokers cannot finish the accreditation in one day, the port will still release their cargo; they only need to show proof that they have started with the documentary requirements,” Locsinsaid.

Locsin added that brokers or truckers, once accredited, are not required to have an office in Subic to transact.

The OSS Brokers Lounge, equipped with workstations and free internet connection, may be used to complete their transactions.

Locsin said the Subic Port is well equipped to handle both twenty foot containers and forty foot containers.

To date, SBITC has a rated capacity of 600,000 TEUs.

As of end-2015, containerized cargos that went to Subic jumped 60 percent to 123,000 TEUs from 77,000 TEUs the year before. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/luzon-businesses-urged-use-subic-port

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SBMA, Zambales LGUs celebrate 116th CSC anniversary

Hundreds of government employees representing the 13 local government units (LGUs) in Zambales and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) converged in this Freeport on Friday for the 116th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Civil Service.

With the theme, “Sigaw ng Lingkod Bayani: Malasakit para sa Taumbayan, Kapwa Kawani, at Kalikasan”,this year’s celebration kicked off with a fun walk at the Boardwalk Area, followed by a tree-planting activity led by Commission on Civil Service (CSC) Zambales Director Maria Cristina Gonzales, SBMA Deputy Administrator Ruel John Kabigting, and Zambales Vice Gov. Angel Magsaysay.

To  the delight of the participants, Vice Gov. Magsaysay personally scooped hot arroz caldo for everyone’s snack after the field events.

During the program, Kabigting welcomed the Zambales delegates to what he called the fount of economic progress and showcase of civil service excellence in the region.

“We are honored to welcome you to Subic Bay Freeport, the place where civil servants are united in the essence of public service,” Kabigting said. “We are all here from different government agencies to show that we are committed to serve with malasakit,” he added.

Gonzales explained that the inclusion of malasakit in the theme is a reminder for civil servants to provide quality service to clients with passion and honesty.

“No government service is perfect in its nature. But the public should, somehow, learn to expect a public servant to be reasonable rather than perfect,” she said.

“That is why the government is the one who motivates you,” she told the delegates, pointing out that these may come in terms of higher salaries, better career opportunities, more benefits and more training for personality development.

“While you are seeking the happiness of your clients, the government is seeking ways to give happiness to the employees,” Gonzales added.

Meanwhile, Olongapo City Vice Mayor Jong Cortes called on the government, through the CSC, to start ending contractualization or “endo” in its ranks in order to motivate the private sector to do the same.

Cortes noted that there are still so many employees in government service who are hired under job order (JO) or contract of service (CS), despite their decades of dedicated service in the same position.

“If there is one that should start eradicating the ‘endo’ practice in the labor system, it is the government office. Let us work together to find ways to end 'endo' in the government service,” he urged.

The celebration was concluded with a friendly mini-sports competition and awarding of certificates. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[left] Delegates from various LGUs in Zambales march past the old Spanish Gate in the Subic Bay Freeport, as they participate in a fun walk during the 116th anniversary celebration of the Civil Service Commission on Friday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[right] Delegates from various LGUs in Zambales participate in fun games held at the SBMA Gymnasium, as they joined the celebration of the 116th anniversary of the Civil Service Commission in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBITC services largest ship to call at the Port of Subic

Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) recently serviced the largest container vessel to call at the New Container Terminals 1 & 2 at the Port of Subic, the APL Tourmaline.

The Singaporean vessel is part of American President Line’s (APL) Manila Express Service (MNX), which features weekly direct calls to Subic Bay and Manila’s North and South Port. The service starts from Kaohsiung, Taiwan then heads to Subic Bay and Manila in the Philippines, before returning to Kaohsiung.

The APL Tourmaline during its maiden call at New Container Terminal 1 of the Port of Subic

The service also connects the Philippines to Japan through Kaohsiung via APL’s Japan-Thailand-Vietnam (JTV) and Japan-Thailand 2 (JT2) services.

With a length overall of 294.11 meters and capacity of 4,500 TEUs, APL Tourmaline replaces the 259.80-meter long, 4,330-TEU capacity APL Bahrain as the largest vessel to be serviced by SBITC. APL Bahrain made its maiden call to the Port of Subic in 2010.

The vessel highlights the port’s capability to handle large ships and increased container traffic as more businesses start using Subic for its logistical advantages.

SBITC is a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI). ICTSI is in the business of port operations, management and development. ICTSI’s portfolio of terminals and projects spans developed and emerging market economies in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, and Africa. ICTSI has received global acclaim for its public-private partnerships with governments divesting of their port assets to the private sector. (Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/sbitc-services-largest-ship-to-call-at-the-port-of-subic/

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Alvarez, Belmonte back Subic port upgrade

MANILA – Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. supported yesterday the proposal of their colleagues for the modernization of the Subic port to ease vehicular congestion in Metro Manila.

Alvarez said the proposal is a “good idea” that will not only benefit Metro Manila in terms of fewer cargo trucks crisscrossing it but will spur economic growth in the central and northern parts of Luzon as well.

Gantry cranes at the New Container Terminal 1 of the Port of Subic

He  said modernizing the Subic port and maximizing its use would definitely ease traffic congestion in the National Capital Region, which causes productivity losses of at least P2.4 million a day based on a recent study.

He noted that the Subic port, which has an annual capacity of 600,000 containers, received only 123,000 containers last year.

Alvarez’s predecessor Belmonte also supported his colleague’s proposal, describing it as a “great idea.”

Another Quezon City congressman, Alfred Vargas, said the suggestion, if adopted, would result in more economic activities in Subic and neighboring areas.

“This means more jobs and more opportunities. These can hopefully translate to economic and social development in that part of the country,” he said.

“This plan, coupled with increased infrastructure spending particularly on interconnecting roads, alternative highways like C6 and bridges across the island of Luzon, will definitely solve a lot of urban management, environmental and economic issues,” Vargas said.

He noted that most imported cargoes enter the country though the port in Manila, where the flow of cargo trucks has to be carefully managed to lessen traffic jams.

Several congressmen, including Rodolfo Albano lll of Isabela and Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, suggested over the weekend the full use of Subic port where they said importers from the northern part of Metro Manila, and central and northern Luzon could unload their cargoes.

This will greatly reduce the number of cargo trucks entering the National Capital Region to pick up or deliver imported goods, they said.

They said the Manila port and its environs are among the highly congested areas in Metro Manila.

For his part, deputy speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said importers based in areas south of Metro Manila should use the Batangas City port.

He said a large part of imported cargoes, equipment and raw materials that arrive at the Manila port is destined for manufacturing plants in the Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) region.

These need not be unloaded at the Manila port and transported to their ultimate destinations through the National Capital Region, he said.

He stressed that the cargoes could be unloaded in Batangas City, which is nearer to their destinations than if these would be transported from Manila.

According to a recent Japan International Cooperation Agency study, the country loses billions in fuel cost and lost opportunities due to traffic congestion. (Jess Diaz, The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/09/15/1623989/alvarez-belmonte-back-subic-airport-upgrade

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Frank Cable visits Subic Bay during Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment

The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, Sept. 10, and the ships seventh port call during its deployment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The Frank Cable team consisting of more than 500 sailors and civilian mariners is currently on deployment to provide vital flexibility to the fleet commanders, extending the range and impact of U.S. naval forces.

American submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS-40)

While in Subic Bay, Frank Cable's Repair Department will provide support services to the guided-missile submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772), and her crew will participate in community outreach events and take advantage of various tours offered by Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

USS Frank Cable is one of two forward-deployed submarine tenders and is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to conduct maintenance and support of deployed U.S. naval force submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

For more information on the USS Frank Cable, find us on Facebook at USS Frank Cable (AS 40), or http://www.csp.navy.mil/frankcable

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS Frank Cable (AS 40), visit www.navy.mil/local/as40/.

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=96617

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New finds shine in Philippine aquathlon

New faces emerged in the standard and sprint distances in the Triathlon Association of the Philippines’ (TRAP)-organized first Philippine Aquathlon Championships held yesterday at the Camayan Beach Resort inside the Subic Freeport Zone.

Iligan trackster and UST alumnus Leyann Ramo finished strong in the final run leg to become the country’s first female national aquathlon champion, clocking 41 minutes, 17 seconds, in the event which drew 164 entries. Vicky Deldio, unable to conquer the strong currents in the open water swim, finished a far second in 43:49, with Marga de los Reyes third in 46:15.

The race was backed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Camayan Beach Resort, Ocean Adventure, Standard Insurance, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines, Century Tuna, The Light House, Subic Holiday Villas and Vita Coco.

La Salle Zobel’s Inaki Emil Lorbes, a member of the Philippine Swim League under coach Susan Papa, ruled the 1K run-600 swim-1K run for Aspirants 13-15 where TRAP will select the country’s representatives to the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires.

Lorbes was able to catch up with the lead group in the swim leg and shocked the more favored national team members en route to a solo finish in the race. He clocked 18:25, beating Juan Baniqued (18:27) and Marcus Faytaren (18:37).

Borlain sisters Samantha (18:42) and Tara (19:19) finished 1-2, relegating national junior team member Lauren Plaza to third (19:21). (Philippine Star)

Photo from TRAP facebook page

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/09/12/1622956/new-finds-shine-philippine-aquathlon

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Lawmakers push Subic modernization

LAWMAKERS are urging the Duterte administration to prioritize the modernization project of the Subic Container Port to decongest Metro Manila and ease the traffic jams in the capital which have caused productivity losses of at least P2.4 million a day.

Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III said Saturday goods and commodities intended for Central and Northern Luzon no longer need to pass through Metro Manila if Subic’s operations are optimized.

“It is indeed a great idea. It is about time we discussed the Subic Port modernization project,” Albano said.

Albano’s statement followed a study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency which showed that Subic, given its strategic assets, is equipped to acquire a higher share of the country’s growing container cargo volume.

Subic’s location will also ensure a shorter point of entry for cargoes arriving from or going to Singapore.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone also said prioritizing the Subic port modernization project in the government’s menu of solutions to the traffic woes in Metro Manila will also spur economic growth across Central and North Luzon.

“I fully support such proposal. It will greatly help decongest Manila,” he said.

“Anything that will lessen the movement of people and vehicles in Metro Manila is a welcome development,” Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting himself added.

The Subic Container Port is a significant component of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) strategy, which includes the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTex), and the Clark International Airport to form a global logistics hub and international gateway for Central Luzon.

However, the port, which can easily absorb northbound cargoes, has remained underutilized.

The Jica study showed there is a capacity shortage of 14 million 20-foot equivalent units or TEUs (the capacity unit of container ships) for the Pacific Region, with Singapore already reaching its limit and Hong Kong remaining severely silted.

Subic Container Port has a capacity of 600,000 TEUs, but by 2012, the volume remained at less than 40,000 TEUs.

Albano stressed that a fully modernized port in Subic means that there is a sufficient volume at Subic Port that is worth marketing to vessel lines.

There is also cost advantage ranging from $100 to $200 per TEU for shippers from Pampanga and Zambales to ship through Subic rather than from the traffic congested Manila ports, he said.

A 2014 Jica study has warned that productivity losses could reach P6 billion a day in 2030 if the traffic mess is not solved.

Lawmakers have cited this as basis for proposals to grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila. (Maricel Cruz, Manila Standard)

PHOTO:
Overview of Subic Bay's port facilities- a legacy of the former US Naval Base, with the New Container Terminals 1&2 developed recently by the SBMA through JICA.

http://thestandard.com.ph/news/-main-stories/top-stories/215819/lawmakers-push-subic-modernization.html

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Subic bible park hosts mass baptism for Ayta tribesmen

At least 25 Ayta tribesmen in Subic Bay Freeport converted to Christianity on Saturday during a mass baptism held at the Holy Land Subic Sanctuary and Biblical Theme Park.

The natives, who belonged to the Pastolan Ayta community, received the sacrament at the “Jordan River” of the Holy Land theme park here, where the likeness of Jesus Christ being consecrated by John the Baptist could be seen.

The natives were baptized by Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga, Bataan, on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the “Mahal Ka Ng Dios” Outreach Ministry of the Bethesda Springs of Hope Healing Foundation, Inc.

The event coincided with the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Joint Management Agreement (JMA) between the Pastolan Ayta tribe and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which covered the development of the Ayta ancestral lands in Subic Bay Freeport.

It also marked the 63rd birthday of Mrs. Maribi Garcia, wife of SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, and leading light of the Bethesda Springs of Hope ministry.

The day-long event was also highlighted by the distribution of scholarship grants for deserving Aeta students, as well as gifts from Bethesda Ministry sponsors.

“This is the best birthday gift for me,” Mrs. Garcia said, as she presented the Pastolan natives who have come for the sacrament of baptism.

Those baptized included toddlers, as well as teenagers and young adults. Among them was Neneng Pelayo, a Pastolan housewife who said she was miraculously cured of her kidney ailment after Bethesda members prayed over her last year.

The Holy Land Holy Land Subic Sanctuary and Biblical Theme Park is a unique attraction in this free port, which is otherwise known for nature-themed parks featuring exotic animals like tigers and false killer whales.

The biblical park is popular among Christian pilgrims because of its life-sized statues depicting the Way of the Cross, as well as other events in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Holy Land Subic straddles foothills and forest areas that form part of the more than 4,000-hectare ancestral domain awarded to the Ambala Ayta tribe in Subic Bay Freeport. The Ayta land also covers part of housing areas, industrial parks and tourism attractions here. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Members of the indigenous Pastolan Ayta tribe line up to receive the sacrament during a mass baptism held on Saturday at the Holy Land Sanctuary and Biblical Theme Park in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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No need to worry, Garcia assures Hanjin-Subic workers

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia has assured workers of Subic shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) that their company is not affected by the problem besetting Hanjin Shipping Corporation.

“I think that the Hanjin workers in Subic have nothing to worry about because the financial woes affecting Hanjin Shipping has no impact on Subic,” Garcia said.

The Hanjin shipbuilding facility at the Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

“They can rest assured that the Hanjin company in Subic is a separate entity and the one here is very stable,” Garcia added.

The Subic official issued the statement following inquiries from workers at HHIC-Phil’s Redondo Peninsula shipyard in this free port after Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd., reputedly the world’s seventh largest shipping line, filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States last Friday.

Accordingly, the Korean shipping line was left bankrupt when creditor-banks rejected its debt-restructuring plan. Lately, Hanjin Group, which is its parent company, has announced it will out up $90 million to bail out the shipping line.

Garcia pointed out that the shipbuilding firm Hanjin in Subic Freeport and the bankrupt company Hanjin Shipping are two separate entities.

“HHIC-Phil is not related to Hanjin Shipping, so there is no need to worry,” he said, pointing out that the Subic shipbuilder has separated from the Hanjin Group in 2005.

Earlier, HHIC-Phil Managing Director for External Trade Yoo Hoan Jo also said that the Subic shipbuilding firm remains financially healthy and stable.

“Despite what is happening in the shipping industry, orders for container ships are still coming,” Jo said in a statement. He said the new orders include three Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) that will have the capacity to carry 20,600 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers in one hauling.

The HHIC-Phil official added that the new projects “would likely mean additional workers for the completion of these three ULCVs.”

Jo said that “the tried and tested Filipino workers at the Subic shipyard” has helped Hanjin deliver 91 vessels since it started full operation at the Redondo Peninsula in 2008.

He added that the company has delivered 16 vessels last year and has numerous orders this year, including the three ULCVs.

Jo also said that the Subic shipbuilder now has 35,000 direct and indirect employees working on various operations at HHIC-Phil’s Subic facility. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

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ICTSI offers Subic port to ease Port of Manila congestion

THE International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), operator of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), is renewing its proposal of an infrastructure “master plan” to the Duterte administration to improve the flow of trade in the country’s key port.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the Management Association of the Philippines’ (MAP) 14th International CEO Conference, ICTSI Senior Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific Operations Christian Gonzalez suggested a holistic approach to facilitate goods inflow into the country.

Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Senior Vice President and Asia Pacific Region Head

“We all need roads, we know how many cars there are in the streets and public transportation needs to be improved. What we’ve heard from the current government is positive because they intend to build more roads, but they need to fast-track it. The critical one is really the roads,” Gonzalez said.

The establishment of a proper logistics network should be looked at outside of Metro Manila, such as in Subic port, where ICTSI operates Terminals 1 and 2 through its subsidiaries.

Aside from road infrastructure, creation of inland facilties, such as warehouses, can incentivize more businesses to use the Subic port instead of the crowded Manila port. These initiatives can encourage the shift of more cargo from the Port of Manila to Subic.

Last year ICTSI moved 100,0000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEUs) of cargo previously accommodated in Manila, to Subic. The Subic port’s installed capacity is at 600,000 TEUs.

The port operator is constrained from moving more because of the disjointed infrastructure network in the area.

Creating alternative modes to deliver cargo, such as water transport, and a dedicated railway track for cargo to connect Subic and Bataan, is also a welcome move, he said.

“If the government wants to talk about this, we are open to it,” Gonzalez said. (Catherine Pillas, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/2016/09/06/ictsi-offers-subic-port-to-ease-port-of-manila-congestion/

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Revival of Subic Airport eyed

The government is looking to revive the Subic Airport to ease congestion in the country’s main international gateway.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said the government would want to study if the Subic Airport can be restored into a fully functioning airport.

“It is a good airport but the equipment is no longer there. Maybe we can revive it,” he said.

In 2010, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority planned to convert the airport after the Federal Express transferred its Asia Pacific hub from Subic to Guangzhou in China.

The revival of the airport is seen to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

At present, 87 percent of the country’s air traffic goes through Manila.

Last year, NAIA’s terminals served over 36 million passengers, higher than its annual maximum capacity of 35 million.

To help decongest the NAIA, the government wants to use Clark International Airport.

Tugade said earlier that the government is looking to upgrade Clark International Airport through public-private partnership program.

He said the private sector is competent in building and operating airports.

“Clark Airport has to be addressed by improving the facilities. There are programs to put up additional equipment. Some (pieces of) equipment there are no longer operable,” he said. (Louella Desiderio, The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/09/05/1620537/revival-subic-airport-eyed

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Aquathlon championships set in Subic

The Triathlon Association of the Philippines will stage two races for the derivatives of triathlon in September a week apart in separate traditional venues.

The Philippine Aquathlon Championships 2016, held in cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, unwraps at Camayan Beach Resort and Ocean Adventure in Subic Freeport on Sept. 11.

Kick-off event of the Philippine Youth Olympic Games Qualifying Series for those born in 2001-02, the aquathlon is also the national championships for junior high school and collegiate levels, youth and junior not representing any school, para athletes and open category.

The race course of the standard aquathlon is 2.5K run-1K swim-2.5K run; sprint is 1K run-600m swim-1K run.

Philippine Sports Commission and SBMA Tourism Department co-present the aquathlon tilt with Camayan Hotel, Subic Holiday Villas and The Lighthouse Marina Resort as partner hotels.

Green Triathlon, Blueseventy, Singphil, Gatorade, Standard Insurance, Asian for Center and Insulation, Bert Lozada Swim School, Subic Holiday Villas, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Century Tuna, Vita Coco, C-lium and Statmed are the sponsors; and Raceday Triathlon, SBR.ph, Swim Magazine, Trilife Magazine, Kikay Runner, Multisport, Endurance Sports Magazine and Sports Radio the media partners.

In the meantime, The National Duathlon Championships 2016 “Race for the Iloilo River” rolls off in partnership with the City Government of Iloilo, headed by Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, at the Esplanade 1 in Iloilo City on Sept. 18.

Veteran internationalists Mirasol Abad, Miscele Gilbuena, Bigboy Estevez and John Chicano, the country’s top duathletes banner the tough field in the PSC-supported duathlon which aims to support efforts to clean and re-develop the Iloilo River, according to Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa.

Elite and age group duathletes cover the 8.5K run- 40K bike-6K run course with the latter not allowed draft in the bike leg.

The sprint distance in duathlon is 1.6K run, 20K bike and 2.6K run. Run 1.6k, Bike: 20K, Run2:6k.

Deadline for registration in the run-swim-run event is Sept. 7. Entry fee is P 1,500 for youth, P2,000 for junior, P2,000 for individual age groupers and P3,000 for the two-man relay.

Inquiries: email trap.aquathlon@gmail.com or call TRAP 710-8259 or 399- 6598.

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Subic operations not affected by Hanjin woes

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) yesterday said that shipbuilding operations of Hanjin Heavy Industries Subic Bay Shipyard is not affected by the filing for bankruptcy of a member of the Korean conglomerate, Hanjin Group.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said that after checking with the accountant of Hanjin Heavy which is registered with the Board of Investments, “there is no relationship between the two companies”. Hanjin Shipping which filed for bankruptcy is a different entity, he added.

Hanjin's shipyard at the Redondo Peninsula in Subic Bay Freeport

Hanjin Heavy separated from the Hanjin Group in 2005 and currently has no business transaction including ship building orders with the Hanjin Group.

Roberto Garcia, SBMA chairman said the ship building in Subic is owned by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd. which provides shipbuilding, construction, and plant services in South Korea.

“There is no impact on Subic,” said Garcia in a text message.

Hanjin is the biggest employer in Subic with 28,000 workers.

Current energy secretary and former Philippine Ports Authority general manager Alfonso Cusi said that the Subic shipyard is separate from the shipping line.

Cusi in a text message also said that the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping won’t have much effect on the Philippine-Korea cargo traffic. He said other shipping lines will easily take the vacuum.

The Subic shipyard is the fourth largest shipyard in the world. It is the largest shipyard in the Philippines. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/shipyard-safe

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Subic Bay now 4th leading Philippine destination - DOT

Subic Bay is now the fourth most popular tourism destination in the Philippines.

Department of Tourism Region III Director Ronaldo P. Tiotuico announced in a press statement that the Subic Bay Freeport and the rest of Zambales soared to the fourth slot among the top ten destinations throughout the country, bested only by Cebu, Davao and Camarines Sur.

Tiotuico said the Subic Bay Freeport made big strides by hosting some 1.67 million domestic and foreign visitors in 2015, thus marking a 28-percent increase in the number of visitors from 1.265 million in 2014.

The DOT official also cited the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as instrumental in developing Subic as a major tourist destination in Central Luzon.

“Such a success is attributed to the collective determination of the entire manpower complement of the SBMA under the leadership of Chairman Roberto Garcia,” Tiotuico said.

SBMA Chairman Garcia welcomed the development, pointing out that Subic gained significant attention after it was first recognized by the DOT as the number one tourist destination in Central Luzon in 2013.

“This only validates Subic’s attractiveness not only as top tourist destination, but also as the convention capital of Central Luzon – titles bestowed upon Subic by the DOT,” Garcia said.

Mary Jamelle Camba, SBMA Tourism Department manager, said Subic has become a favorite location for watersports tourism and nature-related activities.

She also said the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) has become a prominent venue for international events and conferences as it has a capacity of 10,000 seats.

Camba added that the Subic Bay Freeport can now accommodate a bigger number of visitors, as it currently boasts of 44 hotels with a total of 3,244 rooms.

The SBMA Tourism Department recently participated in the Asia Cruise Destination Forum in Jeju, South Korea to promote Subic Bay to the world tourism community as an emerging pivotal hub for international cruise tourism.

In the same statement, Tiotuico made a fearless forecast that Subic may just become the number one destination in the future, as the full transformation of Clark International Airport as a major hub for both international and domestic airlines may also benefit Subic tourism.

“Subic is just a 45-minute drive from Clark. DOT Region III has always recommended the partnering of Clark and Subic as one great holistic destination, the two being connected by a world-class seamless freeway called SCTEx,” Tiotuico explained.

Tiotuico also described Subic Bay as a well-preserved eco-tourism destination, with triple-canopied rainforests and mangroves, mountain trails and indigenous culture, nature-based theme parks and bird-watching sites.

Among the rest of the top ten destinations in 2015 were Boracay, Albay/Legazpi City, Metro Manila, Clark/Pampanga, Laguna and Benguet/Baguio City. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

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Bataan town gearing up for Subic investments expansion

Hermosa, Bataan – To accommodate the growing needs of investors at the Subic Bay Freeport, local officials led by Mayor Jopet Inton are planning to develop industrial zones in parts of the fast growing municipality.

“We need conversion immediately so we can accommodate the growing number of investors including those who are coming in,” Inton told the members of the municipal council during a recent session.

The municipal hall of Hermosa, Bataan

The council, headed by Vice Mayor Chris Vitug and opposition councilor Danilo Blade vowed to support the mayor’s economic program.

According to Inton, a major investor is now working on its Philippine Economic Zone Authority accreditation before setting up shop in Hermosa.

Inton said that a possible site for the industrial zone is a 200-hectare tract of land in Sitio Mabiga in Barangay Tipo in the western part of town.

The area is just a 10-minute drive away from Subic Freeport and 25 minutes away from Clark Freeport.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials earlier said they are planning to expand the Freeport’s industrial area to Hermosa.

A large part of Subic Freeport is actually under the political jurisdiction of Hermosa, which has been receiving a part of the SBMA’s annual income. (Mar T. Supnad, Manila Bulletin)

http://www.mb.com.ph/bataan-town-gearing-up-for-subic-investments-expansion/

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