Huge field gears up for CT Ironman 70.3 in Subic

Over 800 athletes, including 22 professionals, make up the early roster in the 2017 Century Tuna Ironman 70.3, which fires off next month in Subic Bay.

Organizers expect the international field to hit over 1,000, when the third staging of the premier swim-bike-run event is held on March 12.

The inaugural run drew 902 participants, while 823 competitors took part in last year's edition of the event.

Craig Alexander of Australia and Swiss Caroline Steffen will return to defend their title, but the duo are in for a tough challenge as other competitors are out to foil their bids for back-to-back crowns.

Among the contenders are: inaugural champion Tim Reed, Sam Betten, Jason Hall and Dan Wilson of Australia, South African Johan Stofberg, Till Schramm of Germany and Eric Watson of Bahrain.

The CT Ironman 70.3 caps a three-day weekend that includes a 2GO Bike Service and Expo on March 10, and the Alaska Ironkids and Century Tuna Superbods: The Underpants Run on March 11.

Great Britain, the US and Australia are fielding in 23, 22 and 20 entries, respectively. Singapore has 16, Guam 14, Japan 12, Germany 11, while Switzerland has 10, guaranteeing a spirited battle for top honors in various age-group divisions.

Other countries participating are Argentina, American Samoa, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Spain, France, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Monaco, Mexico, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Thailand, Uruguay and Vietnam.

Aside from the centerpiece pro and Asian Elite, other titles to be disputed are the 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and the 70-and-above age categories.

Also on tap is the relay competition featuring the mixed and the all male and all female classes, according to the organizing SEI.

The 1.9-kilometer swim will start and end at the Acea Beach in Subic Bay with the 90-km bike course also to fire off at the Acea Subic Bay to the Floridablanca interchange via Tipo Tollgate and back.

The 21-km run will start at the Subic Bay Convention Center (SBECC) and transit the SBMA en route to the turnaround at Acea Beach with the finish line at SBECC. (ABS-CBN News)

http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/02/12/17/huge-field-gears-up-for-ct-ironman-703

Read More

Joven tops stage four in Subic Bay, Roque holds on to overall Ronda lead

KINETIX Lab-Army's Cris Joven outsprinted defending champion Jan Paul Morales of Navy-Standard Insurance and Ryan Serapio of Ilocos Sur to top Stage Four of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017 that started at the Lighthouse Marina and ended at the Harbor Point in Subic Bay.

Joven, 30, checked in with the same time as Morales and Serapio and a big group of riders in two hours, 40 minutes and six seconds but clinched an eight-second bonus for the stage win.

Cris Joven winds up a hair ahead in a bunched sprint finish

"I made my move in the final stretch when I sensed I still have some energy left in me inside," said Joven, who started training for the event only last month as he focused on his job in the Army.

"I wasn't expecting much in this race because I was off cycling for one year and only returned to action last month," said Joven, whose best finish was fourth overall five years ago.

Navy's Rudy Roque managed to stay with the lead group to keep the red jersey with an aggregate time of 11:12:15.

The 31-year-old Morales is now in second spot, a minute and a half off pace with a total clocking of 11:13:45.

After a forgettable start, Morales has topped the Stage Two criterium in Vigan, Ilocos Sur Sunday and the Angeles-Subic Stage Three.

"I was a marked man since I took the lead and I'm just happy to still remain on top even though they keep watching over me," said Roque, of Tibo, Bataan.

Ronald Lomotos slid to third with a time of 11:14:33.

Serapio moved up three places to fourth with a time of 11:16:07.

Joven was also a big gainer as he zoomed from No. 14 to No. 9 with 11:16:48.

Rounding out the top 10 were Navy's Jay Lampawog (11:16:12), Kinetix Lab-Army's Reynaldo Navarro (11:16:21), Go for Gold's Joshua Mari Bonifacio (11:16:28), Navy's Daniel Ven Carino (11:16:35) and Go for Gold's Ismael Grospe, Jr. (11:17:43).

The race will take a two-day breather before resuming action on Sunday with the Lucena-Pili Stage Five, the race's longest stage at 251 kms passing Tatlong Eme in Atimonan, Quezon.

The champion gets P1 million courtesy of LBC in partnership with MVP Sports Foundation, Petron, Mitsubishi, Versa.ph, Partas, Maynilad, Standard Insurance, CCN, Bike Xtreme, NLEX, PhilCycling and 3Q Sports Event Management. (Spin.ph)

http://www.spin.ph/cycling/news/cris-joven-jan-paul-morales-ronda-pilipinas-2017-subic-lighthouse

Read More

Sailors race from Subic to Boracay

WITH top notch sailors and boats coming in from Hong Kong, excitement is building up on the Standard Insurance 8th Subic Bay to Boracay Race.

Organizers led by Ernesto Echauz and Jun Avecilla said this as around 18 boats and more than 200 crack sailors from all the globe come over to take part in this extreme sailing action.

Participants will head down south to one of the country’s famous tropical paradise, Boracay.

“This will be a part of the Asian Yachting Circuit that determines the Skipper of the Year and Yacht of the Year,” said Avecilla during yesterday’s press briefing at the Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura, Manila.

The event is also part of the Philippine Sailing Grand Prix, which is a series of popular racing events in the country that put Subic in the compass of the international sailing community.

The SBBR is just the start. It will be followed by the Boracay Cup Regatta on Monday, Feb. 20.

Then, the 10th Commodore’s Cup Regatta will be on tap from April 19 to 23, also in Subic Bay.

All of these are part of the 2017 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit organized by Asian Yachting.com.

“The coming race is going to be very exciting. Because, we are going to see the top boats from Hongkong coming over,” added Echauz, who is also the president of the Philipine Sailing Association.

Syd Fisher’s Dubois 90 Ragamuffin, skippered by David Witt, recorded the fastest time of 14 hours, 23 minutes and 17 seconds that last time around.

This time, a bigger boat Scallywag, which is the former Ragamuffin 100, will be there to beat the record under new owner Seng Huang Lee.

Last year’s Frank Pong’s Custom Dibley 75 Jelik navigated through the Bataan and Batangas Mountain Range, and cleared the notoriously tricky Verde Passage with ease.

Jelik went on to claim the handicap honors by two hours over defending IRC Cruising Class 1 champion TP52 Standard Insurance-Centennial III, which belongs to Echauz.

This year’s Echauz’s boat will go head on again against Ray Ordoveza’s Excel 53 Karakoa, which lost by a point to Standard Insurance-Centennial III last year.

Also in contention in the IRC Racing Class 2 event is Nick Burns’ Sydney GTS43 Mandrake, which took the class handicap plum. (Peter Atencio, Manila Standard Sports)

PHOTO:
Top contender Jelik, skippered by Hongkong’s Frank Pong, drew first blood as the foreign entries dominated the 7th Standard Insurance Subic Bay to Boracay Race last year.

http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/228757/sailors-race-from-subic-to-boracay.html

Read More

Subic Bay joins World Wetlands Day celebration

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) launched the 1st Subic Bay Wetlands Celebration Wednesday (Feb. 1), joining the international community in celebrating this year’s World Wetlands Day.

With the theme “Wetlands for disaster risk reduction”, the two-day Subic celebration culminated with the holding of Biay Mangrove Adventure with around 150 employees and environmental officers from different companies participating in various activities related to mangrove protection.

SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma said the activity which was spearheaded by the agency’s environment arm, the Ecology Center, was aimed at educating the participants on the importance of wetlands to the coastal communities, the environment and marine life.

“We appreciate the participants for sharing their time in raising public awareness about the importance of the wetlands and contribute to the conservation and protection of our mangrove forests,” she said.

Inside the Freeport’s Binictican-Malawaan Mangrove Area, participants were divided into groups: one group assigned to pick-up, identify and record trash and garbage found inside the mangrove area, and another to plant mangrove samplings to “vacant” portions of the area.

Another group was assigned to count and record how many living crustaceans they could find in the selected one square meter-area of the wetland to determine the biodiversity in the area.

SBMA Ecology Center head Amethya Dela Llana-Koval said the records will be used as reference in formulating a mangrove management plan that will define guidelines and policies related to the protection and conservation of all mangrove areas in the Freeport.

There is an estimated 62 hectares of wetlands in Subic Freeport located in Boton, Binictican-Malawaan, Triboa A, Triboa B, Nabasan and Ilanin, where 37 species of mangroves are found and serve as feeding, spawning and nursery grounds to many marine life and considered as nature’s buffer to natural hazards such as flooding caused by storms, cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis.

Among the objectives of the MMP is to regulate the harvesting of all resources, such as fish, crabs, woods among others, inside the mangrove areas through the help of a community-based monitoring team.

Koval also lauded Administrator Eisma for her support to environment-related activities of Ecology Center, including the launching of 1st Subic Bay Wetlands Day celebration.

In a meeting with environmental officers prior to celebration day, Koval remarked that Eisma is supporting all programs of the Ecology Center, particularly one that penalizes litterers and trash throwers in the Freeport zone.

“Galit ang ating Administrator sa basura na madalas makita sa ating mangrove areas na madalas maging sanhi ng pagkasira ng ating bakawan at pagkaubos ng mga yamang tubig,” she said.

She noted that one may not realize the importance of mangroves until the day we lose our water resources and habitat. “Mangroves are the life of our water resources. When the eco-system is put in danger by destroying the mangrove areas, other parts of the environment are also affected,” she explained.

World Wetlands Day was first celebrated internationally in 1997 and held every 2nd of February by holding activities to raise public awareness and promote the conservation and protection of wetlands including seminars, mangrove adventures, festivities and other activities. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] An indigenous Aeta woman joins other volunteers in planting mangrove saplings during the celebration of World Wetlands Day at the Malawaan-Binictican mangrove area in Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Feb. 02) morning. Celebrated every February 2 each year, World Wetlands Day with this year’s theme “Wetlands for Disaster Risks Reduction”, marks the date of the adaption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 02, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Volunteers conduct an epifaunal survey using a quadrant frame, a method in determining and counting living species in swamplands. The activity was part of the celebration of World Wetlands Day at the Malawaan-Binictican mangrove area in Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Feb. 02) morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA set to attract more Japanese investors to Subic Bay

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is eyeing more Japanese companies to invest inside this premier freeport after the agency bagged a contract with Japanese company Subic Smart Community Corporation (SSCC) to upgrade the Subic golf course.

SBMA Administrator Atty. Wilma T. Eisma said that the upgrading of the Subic golf course will play an integral part in attracting more tourists to the Freeport.

The Subic Bay golf clubhouse 

“When we first envisioned the Subic Freeport during its initial stage, we were thinking of making this into a port city like Singapore. Aside from the usual port operations like cargo and bulk handling, we imagined Subic Freeport as a tourist haven for local and international tourists alike,” she said.

The SBMA has approved a $30-million investment for the upgrade of the Subic Bay golf course by the SSCC. According to Masafumi Miyamoto, the company will develop Subic Bay golf course into a world-class venue for tournaments and a housing facility for the elderly and retirees.

Miyamoto is the founder of the Smart Community Co., Ltd., the first and largest continuing-care retirement community in Japan.

The two-pronged development project is touted as a potential major asset in the Subic Freeport. The first part is the $3-million renovation and redevelopment of the whole golf course within the span of two years.

The renovation will include the clubhouse, sprinkler systems and repair of ponds, improvement of the greens and the upgrade of machinery and equipment such as golf carts and service vehicles.

Miyamoto said the golf course will remain in operation despite the renovation, leaving open a minimum of nine holes.

The second part of the development project is the $27-million expansion of all areas for the Subic Smart Community within a six-year period. This will include the construction of 200 residential units within the span of two years.

Another 1,800 residential units will be added, including various amenities such as a gym, a sports center, arts and crafts studios, karaoke or music rooms, function rooms, library and bars and restaurants.

The plan to create residential areas is part of Miyamoto’s proposal for Japanese retirees after a market study showed that Japan’s elderly care businesses rose to a whopping $252-billion in 2015. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Promising triathletes shine in Subic

Karen Manayon and Inaki Emil Lorbes topped their respective categories in yesterday’s 2017 National Age Group Triathlon-Subic Bay Freeport race, earning precious qualifying points needed for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Manayon defeated Lauren Plaza at the finish line finishing only seconds ahead (51:54 to 52:02). Nicole Eijansantos landed 3rd with 52:47.

Lorbes was locked in a close fight with Joshua Ramos before emerging victorious at the finish line in the Super Sprint (600M swim, 16K bike, 2.5K run) Male YOG race with a time of 47 minutes and 38 seconds. Ramos finished second in 47:46, followed by Russel Villaraza in 48:43.

Still on the youth triathletes, Andrew Remolino survived a tight race with Julius Constantino in the Sprint Distance (750 M swim – 20 Km bike – 5 Km run) 16-19 male race winning by only 20 second at 1:06:37. At 3rd was Tonito Alejo. The Sprint Distance 16-19 female title went to Jacqui Rosee Lampanero who timed 1:19:45 followed by Marga Delos Reyes and Una Sibayan.

Another highlight was the participation of the national team in the Elite Category (Olympic Distance 1.5 Km swim – 40 Km bike – 10 Km run) whose members 2015 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Claire Adorna, John Chicano and 2015 SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas competed with other triathletes aspiring to join their team after doing well in other races (both local and overseas) last year.

Other champions of the race named were Clifford Pusing and Erica Maive Bulatao (Super Sprint), Mark Malolot and Mary Grace Olfindo (Sprint Distance 20-over), Jed Polistico (Standard Male 20-over), Chloe Jane Ong (Standard Female 18-34), Ivan Carapiet (Standard M 30-34), Jet Ramos (Standard M 35-39), Louann Ramos (Standard F 35-39), Rene Tayag and Minnie Beth Tomas (Standard 40-44), Edward Luna (Standard M 45-49), Frank Lacson (Standard M 50-54), Vanj Endaya (Standard F 45-54), Eduardo Francisco (Standard M 55-above), and Kevin Lapena-Patricia Oyson-Juan Paolo Ledesma in the Relay category.

The next race in the 2017 season of the NAGT series will be on March 26 in Cebu. (Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/promising-triathletes-shine-subic/309526/

PHOTOS: 
Scenes from the 2017 National Age Group Triathlon in Subic Bay

(clockwise from top left): Gerald Anderson; John Leerams Chicano poses with daughter at the finish line; Andrew Remolino; Claire Adorna at the finish line; Jake Cuenca; Nikko Huelgas; group shot with Adorna and Huelgas; young triathletes Karen Manayon, Lauren Plaza and Nicole Eijansantos awarded.

Photos by Alan Mauricio Fabricante 
Awarding photo from Karen Manayon's Facebook page

Read More

SBMA execs, locators tackle freeport issues and concerns

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Martin Diño and Administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma met with freeport investors and stakeholders who raised various issues and concerns during a radio program at Grand Harbor Hotel.

The radio program “Pagawa at Iba pa” was the venue for locators such as Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction – Philippines (HHIC-Phil), Global Terminal and Development, Inc. and other companies to voice out some issues that their companies are currently facing.

One of the issues was the repair of the Balaybay-Subic-Cawag Access Road used by shipbuilding personnel to report for work at the Redondo Shipbuilding Facility of Hanjin.

According to Hanjin Executive Director Pyung Jong Yu, the access road is used by tens of thousands of employees who work at the shipyard.

The road, he said, has been incomplete especially near the Club Morocco Beach Resort and Country Club.

He added that a patch of the road there has been wiped off by recent typhoons and has been a bane for them whenever they have to go to Subic Freeport.

Eisma said that the agency will look into the matter, citing that the local government unit (LGU) governing should help in fixing the access road.

She cited contiguous areas such as Morong must take part in fixing roads that connected their area to the Freeport.

Eisma stated that the SBMA will talk to the LGUs to fix the roads using the revenue shares they get from the agency.

She said that these shares should be utilized to further enhance their areas as part of the development scheme of both the municipality and the Freeport.

Another issue that a locator cited was the Common Use Service Area (CUSA) and the environment and tourism administrative fee (ETAF).

But the administrator pointed out that these fees are necessary in maintaining cleanliness and orderliness inside the Freeport zone. (Jonas Reyes. Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Martin B. Dino and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma answer queries from Freeport locators, residents and business organizations in an impromptu forum during the anniversary celebration of Paggawa Atbp. radio program of the SBMA Labor Department held at the Grand Harbor Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/27/sbma-execs-locators-tackle-freeport-issues-and-concerns/

Read More

SBMA expresses keen interest in extending the Freeport fence to contiguous towns

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has expressed its interest in extending the present fenced area to contiguous municipalities based on the provisions of the law.

This was announced to members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) in a meeting Wednesday (Jan 25) sponsored by the SBMA Labor Department in celebration of the 4th year anniversary of its SBMA-run radio program “Paggawa at iba pa” over 89.5 FM Subic Bay Radio.

SBMA Administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma told Subic-based businessmen that according to the provisions of Republic Act 7227, the law that created the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, “the fenced areas should be extended.”

Section 12 of RA 7227 states Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone consist of the City of Olongapo and the municipality of Subic in Zambales, the lands occupied by the former US Naval Base and its contiguous extensions and within the territorial jurisdiction of the municipalities of Morong and Hermosa in Bataan.

Related to this, in November 2007, Executive Order 675 was issued by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo amending EO 97-A allowing the extension of the secured area of the Subic Bay Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFPZ) to areas within the SSEFPZ but are outside the presently fenced-in former US Naval Base.

Under EO 675, SBMA may declare areas outside the former US Naval Base as “Additional Secured Areas” or “Additional Areas” which may be operated as “Special Economic and Freeport Zone” supervised by SBMA.

Additional Secured Areas and Additional Areas are entitled to all tax, fiscal and other investment incentives (except real estate tax for privately-owned property). However, only secured areas may avail the duty-free privileges.

The declaration may only take effect after a concurrence by a resolution of the concerned Sangguniang Bayan or Panglungsod.

“That’s the dream. Fencing outside the existing fenced areas is difficult but I think it can be done and it should be done,” Eisma said, adding that at the very least, the privileges provided to investors and locators inside the Freeport should be extended.

Eisma encouraged the locators and investors to share inputs or ideas with local government officials in the contiguous municipalities and city in a bid to expand their businesses in their areas. “Because at the end of the day, based on the provisions of the law, those areas or parts of those areas are actually part of the Freeport, she continued.

“It is very important to work with the local government units within the contiguous zone. So, we are now working on that,” she said.

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman Martin Diño said the SBMA Board of Directors is now doing all the necessary steps to shorten the documentation process for new and renewing businesses in an effort to make Subic “investor and locator friendly.”

In response, SBFCC president Rose Baldeo said the member-locators and investors are with the new management team of SBMA saying the SBFCC is fully supporting the dream of the SBMA officials. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Martin B. Dino and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma answer queries from Freeport locators, residents and business organizations in an impromptu forum during the anniversary celebration of Paggawa Atbp. radio program of the SBMA Labor Department held at the Grand Harbor Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA administrator buckles down to work, cites priority programs

Newly appointed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma disclosed her priority programs in running the agency as she urged SBMA officials and employees to begin with her a new chapter in revitalizing Subic and chart its future.

“I came here alone with no entourage because I have each and every one of you who are experts in this place. Let us work together for a bigger, better, brighter Subic,” Eisma told SBMA employees following last week’s turnover of the SBMA helm to the new administrator.

Eisma emphasized that strong work ethic, reasonable use of resources, honesty, transparency and following the law will mark her leadership and will serve as a commitment to what she described as a standard each employee should adhere to professionalize SBMA services towards regaining and sustaining the confidence of the investors.

She said her leadership is challenged to increase the container traffic and get the airport running by improving its equipment and intensifying its port marketing campaign by utilizing its P553 million allocated budget.

Among her priorities include targeting zero complaint by eliminating “red tape and waiting time” through streamlining of the process flow in applying for business permits, registration and other necessary documents related to the business needs of investors in compliance to President Duterte’s guidelines to issue all necessary permits, and other similar documents in three days or less.

Eisma exhorted the SBMA Law Enforcement Department to step up in making the Subic Freeport the safest place for locators, tourists and residents by intensifying to professionalize all security officers through trainings and refresher courses.

She also called on the Ecology Center to make the Freeport clean and green by spearheading clean and green initiatives, such as serving tap water, instead of bottled water, during meetings, keeping the surroundings clean of trash and imposing strict laws against litterers.

Introduction of policy reforms and good governance programs, as well as amending Republic Act 7227, if necessary, and intensify programs for a drug-free work place by applying zero tolerance on illegal drugs are also among Eisma’s priority programs.

The new SBMA administrator also cited the importance of professionalizing and developing personnel to bring SBMA to the modern and developed world. She said meritocracy will be the norm where promotion and recognition will be based on capacity on how an employee met his objectives.

Eisma again expressed her gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for trusting her to serve again the country as she expressed her delight in coming back to Subic Freeport saying, “I’m glad that I am finally back home.”

I would like to thank President Duterte for trusting me to serve again our country. I never thought I will get this job, that is why I am very thankful that he believes in me,” she said.

Eisma started her career as a volunteer during the initial years of the SBMA. She worked at the House of Representatives and joined the private sector as a corporate affairs professional with the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International.

On December 21, the President appointed her to the position of administrator and CEO of SBMA replacing former chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia. She assumed office Monday, January 16 and attended her first flag raising ceremony with employees and officers of the agency. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (3rd from left), along with the new members of the Board of Directors, answers questions from the press in her first media briefing. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

3 firms eye Subic airport redev’t

Three firms have expressed interest for the redevelopment of Subic International Airport (SBIA).

Martin Dino, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, in a letter to transportation secretary Arthur Tugade identified these AIA Airways, Intercontinental Pacific Airways and RIL International & Global Link Co., Ltd.

AIA Airways wants to build a $1.5-billion logistics center and transshipment hub for cargo airline operations, supported by a maintenance repair station and a world-class aviation institution in the tradition of the US Dallas Forth Worth. It is projected to generate 800 new jobs.

RIL International & Global Link Co., Ltd has made a $1.5-billion proposal to lease, develop, upgrade, modernize and operate the SBIA to include provisions for a modern airport terminal, hotels, theme parks and a sports complex.

The third, Intercontinental Pacific Airways wants a $48-million airlines operations center including maintenance, repair and overhaul operations. It is projected to employ 610 workers

Dino said the projected P2 billion upgrade will turn the facility, formerly a hub for logistics company Federal Express (FedEx), into a major international gateway for travelers to the Philippines.

“We want the airport to be fully operational again, and to be at par with the best airports in Asia and the world,” he said.

SBIA boasts of long runway fitted to handle long-haul wide-body jets and heavy air transport, Dino said.

The 200-hectare aviation facility, can handle commercial or chartered aircraft operation, air cargo handling and warehousing, aircraft repair and maintenance and other general aviation businesses. It features a 2,700-meter runway and a 10,000-square-meter passenger terminal that can handle 700 passengers.

SBIA has been mostly idle since mid-2009 when FedEx closed down its Asia-Pacific transshipment hub and moved its entire hub operations to Guangzhou, China

Dino expressed optimism the upgraded SBIA can be made operational in six months to one year after construction.

Redeveloping Subic’s airport is part of five priority projects the SBMA under Dino has proposed to President Duterte to decongest congestion in Metro Manila.

“The redevelopment would raise the Subic airport’s facilities to international standards capable of handling thousands of passengers and all types of cargo,” he said.

“It could serve as an inter-modal (airport-seaport) logistics hub and a strategic area for cruise destinations (mother ports), junket trips, VIP Jet services and other-related air travel, Dino added.

Dino said that new tourism and manufacturing investments could generate 100,000 new jobs, and exports, including those from nearby economic free zones in Luzon, could increase to about $43.35-billion per year.

“By enhancing Subic’s importance as a gateway, it could generate foreign direct investments estimated at $13.5-billion,” Dino said.

Dino also proposed the construction of a 100-kilometer multi-modal elevated expressway and railway from Subic Port to the Port of Manila.

The other priority projects within the Freeport include the building of major infrastructure that, Dino said, “will begin to shift the momentum of development north toward Subic and Clark.

Compared to other cities, the Subic-Clark corridor “is the only place that has a sustainable future” and its “full-blown expansion is the key” that would trigger an inflow of investments, Dino said. (Albert Castro, Malaya)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/3-firms-eye-subic-airport-redev%E2%80%99t

Read More

USS John S. McCain Arrives in Subic Bay

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) arrived in Subic Bay Monday (Jan. 24) morning for a brief port call that highlights the strong community and military connections between the Philippines and the United States, January 23, 2017.

The McCain crew will participate in a series of community service projects and sporting events during the crew’s visit to the Philippines.

The ship will also use the stop to conduct some minor repairs with the assistance of Filipino companies.

The Philippines is a longstanding treaty ally of the United States with a more than 70-year history of partnership. The American and Philippine militaries have worked closely together on areas of mutual interest such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter terrorism, cybersecurity and maritime security.

McCain is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (SNL)

PHOTO:
The USS John S. McCain enters the waters of Subic Bay for a brief port call.

Read More

Hanjin Heavy delivers first Philippine-made VLCC

Subic Bay Freeport – Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction – Philippines (HHIC-Phils.) last week delivered the first Philippine-made Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) to its owner after being recognized as the country’s top sectoral exporter by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) last December during the National Export Congress.

Newly installed HHIC-Phil President Chung Gwang-Suk said: “We are very pleased to welcome the New Year with the successful delivery of this state-of-the-art vessel to one of our valued clients overseas. This vessel gives us enormous pride as it is the very first Philippine-made VLCC; hence, another record-setting milestone for the Philippine shipbuilding industry.”

The M/V Gener8 Hector shown during a sea trial conducted by HHIC-Phils.

“Our management wishes to share this accomplishment with all our partners and stakeholders in the shipbuilding industry as we chart our future together amid the challenges in the global economy. More than anything, we are deeply honored to have given the opportunity to showcase time and again our competitive strengths and spirits as we nourish the utmost trust and confidence invested in HHIC-Phils., Inc. not only by our shipbuilding clients around the world – but also the Philippine Government as our equal partner in this quest for business sustainability.”

Named as the M/V Gener8 Hector, the vessel sailed out the waters of the country’s premier Freeport measures 333 meters in length with breath of 60 meters and dead weight of 299,019 metric tons. It was ordered and jointly owned by Gener8 and Nagiva8 based in the United States of America and Singapore, respectively.

Beaming with pride, Chung further stated: “The vessel’s towering size is so breathtaking that it is comparable to US-made Nimitz class 100,000-ton aircraft carriers. Once commercially operated on the high seas, M/V Gener8 Hector could transport as much as 300,000 metric tons of crude oil to any part of the world, or roughly the equivalent of the entire Philippine archipelago’s 13-day fuel supply requirements in 2015. The country imported 65.14 million barrels of crude oil (8.88 million metric tons) that year.”

“While the global shipbuilding market has experienced rough sailing over the past few years, HHIC-Phils., Inc. has taken exception as it continued to maintain its foothold in the international front, capitalizing on our technological advancements and highly skilled workforce to produce cost-efficient and most modern commercial vessels that range from bulk carrier to container ship, crude oil tanker and liquefied petroleum gas carrier,” Chung added.

With HHIC-Phils., Inc.’s aggressive business presence, the Philippines marched toward the elite circle of the largest shipbuilding nations, ranking the country fifth overall as per the report of the highly respected European institution, Clarkson Research, in its August 2016 issue. As of January this year, the Subic-based shipbuilder has delivered 99 vessels and 10 steel structures with a total export value of US$5.8 billion.

Aside from the fleet of high-value vessels on order, HHIC-Phils., Inc. is currently building three 20,600 TEU container ships considered among the biggest container ships the world over. These mega gigantic box ships are due to be delivered this year.

Since its commercial operation in 2008, HHIC-Phils., Inc.’s Subic shipyard has emerged as a top employment destination especially in the countryside, providing descent jobs to more than 33,000 Filipinos and generating various livelihood opportunities for neighboring provinces in Central Luzon.

Chung mentioned “We remain steadfast as always in delivering our commitment to bring long lasting positive change in the lives of many Filipino workers when we poured in our US$2.3-billion investment in the country.” With a strong support system in place nurtured by high confidence from our partners, especially from the Philippine Government, we will double our efforts to cause more inclusive economic growth and development in line with the vision of the Duterte Administration to revive the country’s manufacturing sector in general, which proved to be a growth driver for the Philippine economy.”

The ship was delivered to its owner last week, marking the first biggest ship made by Filipino shipbuilders in the country. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/01/17/hanjin-heavy-delivers-first-philippine-made-vlcc/

Read More

Subic Bay commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of Olongapo's first mayor

Olongapenos and Subic Bay volunteers gathered in this free port Tuesday (January 17) to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mayor James Leonard (Jimmy) Gordon, Olongapo's first elected mayor.

Simultaneous wreath-laying activities led by the children of the late mayor were held in four significant areas in Subic Bay and Olongapo City: Marikit Park, led by the Balikatan Ladies; Kalalake Elementary School; Gordon Park/Kalaklan; and Tappan Park, site of the hospital where Mayor Jimmy Gordon was born.

A program followed shortly at the Riviera wharf where the M/V Susitna, the newly acquired ship of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is docked.

Aside from the Gordon family led by PRC Governor and Senator Richard J Gordon, also attending the celebration were officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) led by Chairman Martin Diño and Administrator Amy Eisma, as well as free port investors.

Socio-civic groups such as the Jaycees of Olongapo City, Rotary Club of Olongapo City, James L. Gordon Council of the Olongapo City Boy Scout of the Philippines, BALIKATAN Ladies of Olongapo Movement, SUGPO, Businessmen/Civic groups participants; Philippine Red Cross Olongapo City Chapter Board, Staff and 143 volunteers; PRC Board of Governors; and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and officials and volunteers of the Bagumbayan Volunteers for a New Philippines Party also attended the celebration.

Mayor James Gordon was born on January 17, 1917 of an American father, John Jacob Gordon, and a Filipina mother, Veronica Tagle Gordon. He was Mayor of Olongapo City from December 30, 1963 to February 20, 1967.

Instead of electing American Citizenship and residing in the United States like his four brothers, he chose to stay in the Philippines as a Filipino Citizen. He raised his children as Filipino Citizens and brought them up according to Filipino values;

Mayor Jimmy Gordon, known as the Father of Olongapo, led the move to free Olongapo from the United States (US). When the rest of the Philippine had been declared independent of the US on July 4, 1946, Olongapo remained under US Government jurisdiction having been declared a US Naval Reservation in the early 1900s).

Gordon, though an American himself, having an American father, could not stomach the strict military regulations that limited the movements of the residents of Olongapo. He exposed and fought the abuses and harassments suffered by Olongapo residents under US military rule. He was also like David trying to defeat Goliath, which symbolized the rampant corruption and abuses in the governing authority. (SNL)

PHOTOS:

[1] The Gordons stand before a statue of their father, the late Mayor James Gordon, at the Tappan park inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Philippine Red Cross Governor Senator Richard Gordon leading the tour of the bridge of the M/V Susitna as SBMA Chairman Martin Diño looks on.  (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA’s first lady administrator and CEO assumes post

Lawyer Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma assumes her post as the seventh administrator and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

A member of original volunteer corps who stepped up to protect the former naval base in Subic after the pull-out of the US bases in 1992, Atty. Eisma was warmly welcomed back to her “home” by SBMA officials and employees in a simple program held during the agency’s flag raising ceremony Monday (January 16).

The program highlights the passing of the SBMA flag symbolizing the turnover of the helm to Eisma, the agency’s first woman administrator and CEO, from her predecessor Roberto V. Garcia.

The ceremony was also witnessed by the members of the SBMA Board of Directors and local government officials from Olongapo City, and the contiguous provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

Eisma was appointed to the post by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on December 21, 2016, vice Garcia.

She formally took her oath of office as SBMA Administrator before President Duterte in Malacañang on January 9, 2017 along with the new members of the SBMA Board of Directors Benny Diaz Antiporda, Maria Cecilia Bobadilla Bitare, Tomas Lahom III and Stefani Creer Saño.

As administrator and CEO, Eisma shall also sit as vice chair to the SBMA Board of Directors.

Born and raised in Olongapo City, Eisma is a seasoned lawyer with over 23 years of experience in both government service and the private sector.

Prior to her appointment, she was the Sustainability and Contributions Manager of PMFTC Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris International (PMI), with 16 years of service in various management capacities looking over corporate, government and regulatory affairs, community and farmer relations, sustainability, contributions, and diversity and inclusion initiatives of the company. She was instrumental in PMI’s decision to locate its regional tobacco warehouse for Asia Pacific in Subic Bay Freeport.

Her stint in the tobacco firm earned her various international awards in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and her work ethic, agility and leadership skills has earned her coveted corporate awards among them the PMI President’s Award in 2005, and the PMI Excellence Award in 2003, 2007 and 2011. She was also an awardee of the PMI Best Contribution Program in 2009 and the PMI Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Award in 2010.

Atty. Eisma is very much at home in SBMA. As a young lawyer, she started her career as the Executive Assistant to the Chairman and member of the Legal Department at the time of the agency’s formation and foundation from 1993 to 1998. During this period, she was also qualified by the Civil Service Executive Board required to hold higher positions in government

She represented SBMA in local judicial courts and oversaw the Housing Department of SBMA in managing negotiation and collection.

She was also a member of the team that successfully negotiated assistance of the World Bank to SBMA including the entry/investment of Federal Express, and various international and local investors resulting to thousands of jobs.

Before joining the private sector, she continued life in the public service as head executive assistant and legal counsel to the majority floor of the House of Representatives, and as chief of staff of the secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry from 2000-2001.

A member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, she holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence, Ateneo De Manila University, College of Law. She was also a member of the Philippine Delegation, 1989 UNIV Forum in Rome, Italy (RBB.RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

[1] SBMA's new administrator Atty. Wilma T. Eisma holds the SBMA flag after it was passed on to her by her predecessor Roberto V. Garcia during the SBMA's flag ceremony Monday (January 16). (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Administrator Eisma answers questions from the media during her first press briefing. Also attending were the new members of the SBMA Board of Directors. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

Eisma, four others take oath as SBMA officials before President Duterte

Lawyer Wilma T. Eisma took her oath of office as administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) before President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in a mass ceremony held in Malacañang Monday (January 9).

Benny Diaz Antiporda, Maria Cecilia Bobadilla Bitare, Tomas Lahom III and Stefani Creer Saño also took their oath as members of the SBMA board of directors.

The SBMA officials were among over 200 appointees who composed the second batch of new government officials sworn in by the president.

Eisma, was appointed by President Duterte as the new SBMA administrator in December 21 last year, replacing Roberto V. Garcia.

Garcia was SBMA administrator from 2011 until his resignation in October last year. He also served as chair of the SBMA board of directors before he was succeeded by Martin Diño.

Prior to her appointment, Eisma was an executive of Philip Morris Phils. Manufacturing, Inc. She was also one of the 8,000 volunteers who initially managed and protected the facilities of the Subic Bay Freeport after the US Navy pulled out of the former US Naval base in 1992. (SNL)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Administrator Eisma chats with President Duterte as they prepare for a photo shoot along with other newly-sworn government officials. President Duterte administered the oath of office of over 200 appointees composing the second batch of new government officials Monday (January 9). 

[2] President Duterte poses with newly-sworn government officials for a souvenir group photo.

-- photos grabbed from RTVMalacanang on youtube

Read More