Russian, US navy ships docked in Subic Bay

Two Russian and four American naval ships are now docked in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The Alligator-class landing ship Nikolay Vilkov, alongside one of Russia's most powerful tugboats and icebreakers Fotiy Krylov are now docked at the Rivera Pier.

The two are among five navy ships that have arrived in the Philippines to deliver military equipment donated by Russia, a statement from the Philippine Navy said. The Russian vessels will be staying at the port of Subic until October 25.

No details were available about the types of equipment donated, but President Rodrigo Duterte had earlier said Russia would provide 5,000 assault rifles to the Philippines.

The equipment has come ahead of a visit by Russia’s top defense official to the Philippines to sign a security deal.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will be joining next week’s meeting of 10 Southeast Asian defense ministers with counterparts from eight other countries, including the US, Russia and China, in the Philippines.

Four naval ships of the United States also arrived in the Freeport Saturday - Expeditionary fast transports USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3) and USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4), as well as the USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) are now docked at the Alava Pier, while the replenishment oiler USNS Pecos is at anchorage in Subic Bay.

Also docked at the Alava Pier is the replenishment ship HMAS Sirius of the Royal Australian Navy. (SNL)

PHOTOS:

[1] Russia's Alligator-class landing ship the Nikolay Vilkov docked at the Rivera Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport. (photo c/o Mocking_Dyey's Instagram)

[2] The USNS Fall River docked at the Alava Pier

[3] As seen along Waterfront Road: The USNS Millinocket docked just behind the USNS Fall River, with Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Sirius berthed behind it at the Alava Pier of the Subic Bay Freeport.

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SBMA waives $200 accreditation fee for container shippers

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has waived the $200 accreditation fee for all port-related businesses for a limited period as part of its efforts to turn Subic into a major transhipment center in the country.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said port users could avail of the free accreditation program if they will guarantee to bring in at least one container within one month from filing of application or renewal of accreditation certificate.

The offer is good from October 18 to December 31, 2017 only.

With the hashtag #GoSubicBay, the SBMA began offering its open-window access initiative for container port-related businesses during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Exposition at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday.

Eisma said the agency’s port marketing program aims to showcase and broaden industry awareness of the use of the container terminal at the Port of Subic, as well as increase container port traffic and utilization rate.

“Subic Freeport has a faster turnaround time, there’s no red tape, has reduced processing time, no congestion, no traffic and no truck ban,” she told prospective port users during the program launch.

Eisma also pointed out that vessels using the Port of Subic can immediately dock upon their arrival, and gain from Subic’s built-in advantages of lower tariff and higher efficiency with ISO quality service by the SBMA.

“The hashtag #GoSubicBay actually has two meanings: first, it is an invitation to go to Subic Bay to use our port facilities, and second, it is a clarion call to let the industry know that the Port of Subic is ready to serve their businesses,” Eisma explained.

Eisma added that the SBMA’s port marketing program would also help decongest the Port of Manila and accommodate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in pursuance of the agency’s commitment to promote inclusive business (IB).

SBMA Seaport Promotions Manager Ronnie Yambao said that under the SBMA’s open window access program, the agency will waive the $200 accreditation fee for the first 80 new business entrants and the first 20 accredited entities due for renewal of accreditation certificate.

The promotion covers ship agents, freight forwarders, brokerage firms and trucking services related to container movement.

Yambao stressed, however, that failure by applicants to guarantee the entry of at least one container would cause the Port of Subic to require the payment of the $200 accreditation fee.

Yambao also assured port users of the quality of service at the Port of Subic, pointing out that container port here is managed by the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC).

The SBITC, he added, is an affiliate of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), which is acknowledged as one of the best port management firms in the world. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma meets with PBC Chairman Jose Leviste Jr. (left) and PCCI President George T. Barcelon at the SBMA booth during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Expo at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday. The SBMA launched the "#GoSubicBay" open access program for container port-related businesses at the PBC exposition. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

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Taiwan firm unveils P2-B Subic seafront condo project

A Taiwanese construction company will be building a luxury beachfront condominium complex at Triboa Bay in this free port, eyeing the growing expatriate business community in the economic zones of Subic, Clark and Bataan as target market.

MSK Group Work Inc., which is into construction and subleasing of warehouses and factories, will construct the Triboa Majestic Bay Residences project near the APEC Villas, the site of the 1996 summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation nations. The project is set for completion in two years.

MSK has initially taken over the former APEC Villas clubhouse and used it as venue for the project launch last Saturday, October 14. The clubhouse will form an integral part of the beachfront condominium complex.

According to company spokesman Kelly Uy, the firm has committed an investment of P2 billion for the project and will be selling the property to the A and B-class market, specifically Asian expatriates and other foreign nationals.

The firm will be offering competitive prices for the 157 condominium units which will all be facing the Triboa Bay, Uy also said.

In the same occasion, Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines, noted that the proposed Triboa Majestic Bay Residences has “good timing,” as it coincides with the New Southbound Policy of Taiwan, which calls for greater economic and cultural ties with Southeast Asian countries.

The Taiwanese official also pointed out that Taiwan was the first country to invest in the Subic Bay Freeport, with a total of 52 Taiwanese companies now operating in the Subic Bay area.

Meanwhile, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Director Stefani Saño , who also graced the project launch, congratulated the investors for their confidence in the Subic Bay Freeport and assured them of full support from the SBMA.

SBMA OIC-Deputy Administrator for Business Kenneth Rementilla also pointed out that the MSK project would likely succeed because Subic is now the biggest free port in the country and is home to more than 1,500 companies with total investments of $10 billion.

The Triboa Majestic Bay Residences project is the first foray of MSK Group Work into residential properties. Officials said the firm will build a “personalized palatial home by the sea,” some of which will feature in-suite sky garage, a first in the country.

Aside from condominium units, MSK will also build public facilities like a 5,000-squre meter atrium garden, basement parking spaces, outdoor swimming pools, business center, conference room, shops and restaurant, library, playroom, gym, yoga room, and multimedia room.

The MSK Group, which is headed by brothers Michael, Simon and Kevin Su, has earlier committed P350 million to expand its warehouse and factory subleasing operations in the Clark Freeport Zone. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Michael Su of MSK Group Work Inc. (4th from right) and guests give the thumbs-up sign after viewing a scale model of the proposed Triboa Majestic Bay Residences project to be located in the Subic Bay Freeport. With him are former SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (5th from right), SBMA DA for Seaport Rani Cruz, SBMA Director Stefani Saño, and SBMA OIC-DA for Business Group Kenneth Rementilla. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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National Duathlon meet slated Nov. 12 in Subic

THE stage is set for the National Duathlon Championships 2017 on Nov. 12 at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the first event in the long selection process that will determine the members of the national team.

Organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the race will have a standard distance course of 10K run, 40K biking and 5K run for the elite and age group participants.

The sprint distance course of 5K run, 20K bike and 2.5K run is for participants aged 16 to 19 and 20-and older.

Remy Field in Subic will serve as the main venue while the bike legs will cover stretches of Rizal Ave., Argonaut Highway and the National Container Terminal road.

At stake in the event sponsored by SBMA Tourism Department, Philippine Sports Commission, Standard Insurance, Gatorade and Asian Center for Insulation are medals as well as gift packs for the Top three male and female age-group winners and Top three male and female winners for Sprint 16-19 and 20-above categories.

Also up for grabs are slots into the Developmental Pool of the Philippine Team. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/sports/national-duathlon-meet-slated-nov-12-subic

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Subic locators show support for new SBMA chairman-administrator

Business locators in this premier free port have expressed their support of the recent appointment of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Wilma T. Eisma as chairperson of the agency.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) congratulated Eisma and reiterated their cooperation to help improve Subic’s business environment.

“Moving forward, the locators of Subic Bay expect many great things from Atty. Eisma, which is both a compliment and a heavy burden on her shoulders,” the SBFCC statement said.

“Being the Chamber and the voice of the business community, we are here to support her endeavors that will improve the business environment of Subic. In the same breadth, we are also here (so) that her leadership and policies will be fair to all the stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone,” it added.

The SBFCC, which is headed by businesswoman Rose Baldeo, issued the statement following the appointment of Eisma as SBMA chairperson after President Duterte issued Executive Order No. 42 that expressly revoked the separation of the positions of chairman and administrator of SBMA under EO 340 signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.

Duterte repealed the Arroyo order after a leadership row erupted between Eisma and former SBMA Chairman Martin Diño, who tried to assume the powers of the administrator.

The conflict, Subic stakeholders noted, has put much strain on the agency and the Freeport itself.

In its statement, the SBFCC recalled that Subic locators had urged for a clear definition of the leadership roles in the government-owned and controlled corporation in order to resolve the issue.

“Like what we said during the height of the recent leadership row, we requested the House of Representatives and Malacañang to step in and make the necessary decisions that would clarify the roles of both parties for the sake of the investors of Subic Bay; if not, then to choose one that would lead the SBMA, so as to avoid further confusion among the locators and even within the ranks of the SBMA,” the SBFCC said.

The statement also thanked Diño for the assistance he gave the locators during his few months Subic. “We are confident that Mr. Diño is more than capable of handling the next government position that the President will assign to him,” it added.

Meanwhile, Eisma, upon acceptance of the unified position two weeks ago, had thanked the various sectors in the Subic Freeport community for their support.

She said that she aims to unite all sectors of the Subic Freeport community by promoting malasakit or caring for each other.

“My purpose is to unite all of us together,” she said, adding that politics had sometimes reared its head in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“We must be brought back to the basics: the basics of caring for each other, the basics of caring for SBMA. Iyon po ang gusto kong kalinga. Because if we will do malasakit for others, we will forget our personal agenda, and just take care of each other and take care for SBMA,” Eisma said. (JRR/RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Australian navy ship HMAS Adelaide in Subic Bay Freeport

The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Adelaide, a Canberra-class landing helicopter dock ship, moors at the Alava Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport on Wednesday (October 11).

The vessel, which earlier docked at the Manila South Harbor, along with another Australian Navy ship, the guided missile frigate HMAS Darwin, is on a five-day tour around the Asian region as part of commitment aimed in strengthening relations with the Philippine Navy in providing maritime security and stability in the region.

The HMAS Adelaide docked at the Alava Pier in Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Part of the exercise is a maritime maneuver in Subic Bay, which is focused on humanitarian aid and joint disaster relief simulated operations.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, October 10, visited the largest ship of the Royal Australian Navy and reiterated full support to the Philippines’ allies.

The President was given a tour of the landing helicopter dock ship HMAS Adelaide anchored at the Port of Manila as part of the regional deployment by the Australian Defence Force to strengthen ties within the region.

In his remarks, President Duterte welcomed the officials and crew of the navy ship that is in its maiden deployment to Southeast Asia.

“I’d like to welcome you officially to the Philippines. And we’re happy that you found time to visit us,” he said.

HMAS Adelaide, weighing 27,800 tonnes and 230 meters in length, is designed to provide medical and humanitarian assistance during regional emergencies with its 40-bed hospital that is complete with two operating theatres.

The ship’s 200-meter flight deck can carry up to 12 helicopters. It can accommodate more than 100 vehicles, 2,100 tonnes of cargo and can transport 1,000 military personnel and equipment for a rapid disaster response deployment.

More than 100 Philippine Armed Forces personnel, including the elite Philippine Marines, will participate in a sea-ride on Adelaide’s landing craft for a hands-on experience of the Australian Defence Force’s humanitarian and disaster relief capability.

The Australian Embassy noted Australia and the Philippines’ long-standing Defence Cooperation Program, which includes counter-terrorism, maritime security, and capability development assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA to tap national gov’t funding for major infra projects

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be requesting for allocations from the national government to fund major infrastructure projects planned for implementation here starting next year.

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma bared in a media briefing here that she has already asked the national government to provide funding to fix two crucial accesses to this premier free port.

“The first order of business is the repair of the Alava Pier and the construction of a new Magsaysay Bridge, which leads to the Subic Freeport main gate,” Eisma said.

“I have asked Finance officials to consider the release of funds for Subic as an investment for the national government, because the SBMA would be giving back bigger remittances to the national treasury once these projects are completed,” she added.

“We need to prioritize these infrastructure projects since they will further push the Subic Freeport’s business potential,” she also said.

According to the SBMA chief, it would be the first time in many years that the SBMA would request for national allocation, as it has been operating as a self-sufficient government agency for at least a decade.

“But it can be done, and I know how to get it done,” Eisma said.

She added that the SBMA would channel its own funds instead to other projects meant to enhance security in the Subic Freeport.

The two priority projects for national funding are estimated to cost more than P2.84 billion, with the repair of Alava and other piers in Subic eating up P2.45 billion.

Eisma, who attended the Asia Cruise Forum Jeju in South Korea last month where she had a discussion with cruise ship firms, said the reason why large cruise ships were unable to visit the Freeport is that the port is already silted.

“Alava Pier is badly in need of dredging since large ships such as US aircraft carriers can no longer dock there. Aside from that, the posts there have already deteriorated and in need of replacement,” she said.

Eisma said that the repair of Subic piers would complement the Duterte government’s “Build Build Build” program, which includes the construction of the proposed Subic-Clark Cargo Railway that will ease the transfer of cargo container from vessels docked in Subic to the nearby Clark Freeport and other destinations in Central and Northern Luzon. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

The Alava Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport is set for repair as a priority project of the SBMA. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Ombudsman clears SBMA officials in hotel takeover case

The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed criminal complaints filed against current and former officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other private individuals in connection with the takeover of the management of a hotel in this free port.

Upon the recommendation of Zarnette Sanceda, graft investigation and prosecution officer, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved the dismissal of criminal complaints filed by the Subic-based company Freeport Elite Resort, Inc. (FERI) against former SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, former SBMA Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Randy Escolango, former SBMA Legal Department manager Von Rodriguez, former SBMA Law Enforcement Department chief Orlando Maddela, and current SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ruel John Kabigting.

Also cleared by the Ombudsman were Kang Il Chan, Choi Byung Kyu, Benito Natividad, Luis Umali, Jun Gallardo, Leonardo Subiela, Leonardo Bernardo, and several John Does, all of FERI, which owns and operates Ocean Hotel, now known as Leciel Hotel, at the Subic Light Commercial and Industrial Park.

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma Eisma welcomed the decision of the Ombudsman, saying it only proved that the Subic agency officials “were acting in the interest of fairness for all Subic business locators and investors.”

“We have no authority to intervene in the internal affairs of companies. However, we have the obligation to maintain peace and order in the Freeport,” Eisma pointed out.

The case stemmed from a management dispute in 2015 between two groups of investors seeking control of the then Ocean Hotel.

Sometime in 2015, Kang Il Chan, who was a majority stockholder of FERI, filed a petition before the Regional Trial Court Branch 72 in Olongapo City for accounting and inspection of financial and transfer records, and for the annulment of one Cho Chan Choon’s subscription payments for using company funds.

The court on March 16, 2015, rendered a decision in favor of Kang, whose group later took management control of the hotel.

The decision of the RTC, prompted FERI director Jo Kwang Rae to file before the Office of the Ombudsman complaints against SBMA officials and Kang’s group, who allegedly conspired for the hotel takeover. The complaint was for violation of the Revised Penal Code, specifically Articles 177 (2), or usurpation of authority of official functions, and 286, or grave coercion.

However, the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint, pointing out that the complainant’s allegation of conspiracy between SBMA officials and Kwang’s group does not establish it as a fact since the statements of the witnesses presented by Cho were not sufficient to establish the existence of conspiracy, but were devoid of details.

The Ombudsman also found no substantial evidence to hold the SBMA officials administratively liable since the presence of the respondents at the hotel during the stand-off was only to mediate between the warring factions.

Moreover, the Ombudsman ruled out that FERI guards at the hotel who were under direction of the complainant were from unaccredited agency and did not possess licenses to carry firearms, hence the presence of SBMA police at the premises of the hotel was justifiable to “prevent tension between the warring factions from escalating into an all-out violence.”

Lastly, the ruling declared that the recognition by SBMA officials of Kang’s group as the majority shareholders, and their election of new set of board of directors and officers of FERI, did not constitute usurpation of authority or grave abuse of authority, “as they never employed fraud, pretense or misinterpretation in their actions, (nor acted) with cruelty, severity or excessive use of authority.” (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO: 

Leciel Hotel is located at Subic’s Central Business District and offers venues for trainings and especial events, as well as fitness center, sauna, and spa. 

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SBMA chief wins ‘Global Filipina’ award

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairperson and Administrator Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma was adjudged a winner in this year’s search for the “100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World” (Global FWN100), which recognizes women of Philippine ancestry who are influencing the face of leadership in the global workplace.

She will receive the award during the 14th Filipina Leadership Global Summit scheduled on October 25-29 in Toronto, Canada.

SBMA Chairperson & Administrator Wilma T. Eisma

The Global FWN100 award, which is handed out by the San Francisco, California-based non-profit association Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), cites women who have reached outstanding status in their respective professions, industries and communities.

Marilyn Mondejar, founder and CEO of Global FWN100, said that in winning the award, Eisma will be joining “an esteemed group of accomplished Filipina women worldwide who are advocating with FWN to increase the socioeconomic, professional, political and educational power of Filipina women as leaders and policymakers.”

Eisma, a lawyer by profession, was nominated in the “Builders” category, one of the eight categories of the award. This recognizes women who have demonstrated exceptional organizational impact at a large workplace environment, deep passion for a cause, and high potential and skill with measurable results in the public or private sector.

She won under the Tertiary Economic Sector for service industry, which covers nominations for government, finance, education, legal, and travel/tourism professions, among others.

According to the Global FWN100 Selection Committee, winners of the award are chosen through a rigorous vetting process which includes determination of the nominee’s global Filipina imprint, personal interview, review of the nomination and answers to criteria questions, social media and internet vetting, and a chat with the nominee’s references and/or nominator.

The scoring is based on the nominee’s activities and projects of the last three years, and around three factors: leadership, challenge, and ownership, or the degree to which the nominee took charge of the challenges she faced for the initiative, project or activity.

Among the winners of the Global FWN100 search last year was Vice President Leni Robredo, who was nominated for the “Nicole” award.

For this year, the awards body accepted a total of 85 nominees from 14 countries across the globe. Fourteen of these were for the Builders category where Eisma won.

Eisma’s selection as one of the most influential Filipinas in the world today was announced after she was appointed on Sept. 25 as the first woman Chairman-Administrator of the SBMA, which manages the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, a key industrial and commercial area in the Philippines today.

Before taking over as CEO of the Subic agency starting January 2017, Eisma served for 15 years as corporate, government and regulatory affairs manager of PMFTC, Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris Intl. where she worked closely with local tobacco farmers and farming communities all over the country, thus earning for the firm international acclaim for farmer programs, best practices systems and leading innovations in agriculture labor relations, communication programs, and government relation strategies in supply-chain setting.

Eisma also provided direction, supervision and management of the company’s public affairs and contribution programs that received international awards in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Her knowledge in government processes, culture and engagement also helped bring about the enactment of the Philippine Tobacco Regulatory Act of 2003 and the amendment to the Excise Law in 2005 and 2012.

Before her stint with PMFTC, she served as chief of staff of the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry from 2000 to 2001, and as Head Executive Assistant and Legal Counsel to the House of Representative’s Majority Floor Leader from 1998 to 2000.

Eisma is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Ateneo de Manila University’s College of Law. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

photo: AMD/MPD-SBMA

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SBMA sets P2.46 billion to rehabilitate Subic seaports

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will prioritize the rehabilitation of piers and wharves in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in order to bring to tip-top form the so-called heart and soul of this premier maritime logistics center.

Newly-appointed SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said in a media briefing on Wednesday that the Subic agency has allotted a budget of P2.46 billion to repair and further develop port facilities in Subic.

“The piers and wharves are undeniably the biggest assets of Subic Bay, and our sea port generates the biggest income among all the SBMA units,” Eisma said, pointing out that her administration will pursue the completion of the repair projects.

“We need to put these assets in top condition so that we can service more vessels and also get top returns for our investments,” she added.

The Subic Bay Freeport has a total of 15 piers and wharves that can serve various purposes from transshipment of containerized and break-bulk cargoes, fuels and lubricants, grains and fertilizer, as well as servicing vessels and passengers.

Aside from this, the port of Subic also offers key services like cargo handling, pilot and tugboat services, ship chandling, bunkering and tendering, ship agents, onboard repair, cargo survey, underwater survey, and vessel lay-up and line handling.

Eisma said that while Subic has its own airport, its seaport is the most viable facility to develop and earn from. “With the money the government is pouring into Clark today, Subic cannot hope to compete with its airport, so we have to prioritize development of our seaport,” she explained.

Eisma said that, in particular, the Alava Pier, which services military and passenger vessels in Subic, needs to be dredged and its piles strengthened in order to accommodate bigger cruise ships.

“We have concluded talks with some cruise liners and the Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will dock in Subic starting next May, but we can’t bring in those with passenger capacity of up to 5,000 because our piers are not yet upgraded,” Eisma said.

She said that it was while attending the 2017 Asia Cruise Forum in Jeju, South Korea last August that she realized it was really necessary to rehabilitate Alava Pier to bring it up to par with global cruise standards.

Other than the repair of piers and wharves, the SBMA also plans to undertake major projects like the construction of the Magsaysay Bridge, which leads to the Freeport main gate; upgrading of facilities at the Subic Bay International Airport; concreting and repair of roads; port dredging; and building of the proposed SBMA-Olongapo Museum.

The Subic agency is also planning to build an SBMA Corporate Center to house the various SBMA offices that are now scattered among several US Navy-era buildings.

According to the proposed SBMA budget for 2018 that has already passed the Senate’s subcommittee on finance, other than the SBMA Corporate Center project which has a price tag of P3.2 billion, the repair of Subic piers and wharves will take up the bulk of the SBMA’s P3.548-billion infrastructure budget for 2018.

The repair of piers and wharves is estimated to cost P2.45 billion, while the other projects are pegged at P489.3 million for road concreting and repair; P390.7 million for the Magsaysay bridge; P83.38 million for port dredging; P80 million for the museum; and P45.4 million for upgrading of airport facilities. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma unveils her administration’s development agenda during a briefing at Bahia Restaurant in the Subic Bay Freeport on Wednesday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Malacañang appoints Eisma SBMA chair and administrator

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday (September 25, 2017) appointed SBMA Administrator Wilma T. Eisma Chairperson and Administrator of the Subic authority for a term expiring on June 30, 2022.

Eisma’s new appointment was made under Executive Order (EO) No. 42, which was signed by the President also on Monday.

The new EO expressly repealed EO No. 340 signed in 2004 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which essentially split the powers and duties of the highest position in the Subic Agency.

Section 3 of EO 42 provides for the appointment by the President of “the Administrator of the SBMA, who shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the SBMA Board.”

Eisma, a lawyer and former SBMA volunteer, was appointed SBMA administrator in December 2016, two months after Malacañang named former Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) official Martin Diño as chairman of the Subic Agency.

However, the two officials had been at odds since May this year following Diño’s issuance of an administrative order that interfered and encroached upon the duties of the administrator, as well as on the oversight functions of the SBMA Board of Directors.

Diño had similarly quarreled with another SBMA official whom Malacañang designated as OIC-Administrator before Eisma took over.

This conflict sparked an investigation by the House of Representative on EO 340, with the lawmakers pointing out that the SBMA Administrator was originally the sole appointee under RA 7227.

Last month, in a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Bases Conversion, Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Menardo Guevarra said they have recommended to President Duterte the repeal of EO 340 to ease the tension in SBMA, hence the issuance of EO 42.

The new EO also noted that EO 340 “has created confusion with regard to the scope of authority, powers, functions and duties of the Chairman of the SBMA Board and the Administrator of the SBMA that has adversely affected the operations of the SBMA, as well as the numerous investors and locators” in the Subic Bay Freeport.

The Palace decision to keep just one top SBMA official was immediately hailed by Subic investors, community leaders and SBMA employees, who had earlier urged Malacañang to resolve the conflict and prevent further confusion among Subic stakeholders.

Business locators in Subic, as well as local government units in Zambales and Bataan, had earlier urged Malacañang to intervene in the conflict, and called for the appointment of a capable administrator-chairman to head the SBMA. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma takes her oath of office before Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra in Malacañang Palace on Tuesday, September 26.

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Senate panel OKs proposed 2018 budgets of BCDA, SBMA

The Senate finance subcommittee approved on Tuesday the proposed 2018 budgets of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

During the deliberations, BCDA president and chief executive officer Vivencio Dizon bared their priority projects which include the expansion of Clark International Airport, construction of the New Clark City, BGC-NAIA Bus Rapid Transit System, and the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Atty. Wilma Eisma, for her part, said they are proposing for a P3.548 billion budget for 2018.

Eisma said that they are eyeing to build an SBMA Corporate Center with a total estimated cost of P3.2 billion.

Meanwhile, the following are the proposed projects of SBMA with its estimated cost:

• New Magsaysay bridge - P390,780,000

• Piers And wharves rehabilitation - P2,459,610,000

• Port dredging - P83,389,950

• Building of SBMA/Olongapo Museum - P80,000,000

• Continuous upgrading of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) Facilities - P45,400,000

• Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) concreting And repair of roads - P489,300,000

The BCDA is seeking a P6.686 billion budget for 2018, of which P4.017 billion will be allotted for the construction of the New Clark city Access Road.

The New Clark City, according to Dizon, is a 120-hectare one-stop shop land which will be located at the Central Business District.

A 46-hectare Philippine Sports City includes facilities such as athletics and outdoor football stadium, aquatics center and athlete's village that will be built within the proposed New Clark City.

Dizon emphasized the need for the national government to provide funding for the construction of roads, as the Philippines will be hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.

He said Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has chosen New Clark City as one of the venues for the SEA Games.

Finance subcommittee F chaired by Senator JV Ejercito, who saw "very big potential" over the proposed projects of BCDA, suggested that the agency should also come up with a master plan that will last for at least 20 to 50 years.

"Instead of the 3-year and 6-year plan that based on the political term. Kasi ganon ang nangyari sa atin, wala tayong long term plans so I think this is very exciting and Clark will play a big role in decongesting Metro Manila and other cities," Ejercito said.

Dizon, for his part, assured that they have a masterplan that is up until 2065.

Ejercito has also suggested that SBMA should create a long-term master plan.

Ejercito has approved the proposed budget of BCDA and SBMA which will be moved to the Senate plenary for final approval. (RSJ, GMA News)

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/626412/senate-panel-oks-proposed-2018-budgets-of-bcda-sbma/story/

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Subic eyeing to be port of choice for North and Central Luzon

With lower rates, faster turnaround time, and 15 piers and wharves to choose from, the Subic Bay Freeport is angling to be the port of choice for shippers and port users in Northern and Central Luzon today.

Atty. Wilma T. Eisma, administrator and chief executive officer of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said during the Northern Luzon Investors’ Conference at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel last Thursday that Subic provides the best solution in terms of the ease and cost of doing shipping and related maritime business.

Eisma told business leaders and prospective investors in the region during the conference that along with its strategic location, the country’s premier free port provides 10 built-in advantages that could spell the difference for players in the shipping business,” Eisma told business leaders and prospective investors in the region during the conference.

She added that Subic’s has 10 plus factors that make for successful shipping operations: faster turnaround time, absence of red tape, short processing time, absence of congestion, absence of traffic, immediate docking upon vessel arrival, no truck ban, lower port tariff, higher efficiency, and ISO quality service.

To start with, the Subic Freeport has a total of 15 piers and wharves that can support the transhipment of a wide range of cargoes. Eisma said the two wharves in Subic’s former Ship Repair Facility are ideal for passenger ships, as well as military vessels because they are located near the Central Business District, while the two other piers further inside the facility would be ideal for repair and boat services.

On the other hand, the two jetties at the former Naval Supply Depot are perfect for break-bulk cargoes and shipments bound for Subic’s industrial parks and manufacturing centers in Central and Northern Luzon, while the three docks at the Boton Logistics Center would best be suited for petroleum products.

Those at Cubi Point, meanwhile, could accommodate containerized cargo, as well as grains and fertilizer, while the single landings at Nabasan, Camayan and Grande could be used for specialized purposes, including tourism.

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Eisma also pointed out that Subic is already the port of choice for Hanjin, the fourth largest shipbuilder in the world; China’s Jovo Group, which operates the country’s first ship-to-ship transfer of liquefied petroleum gas; as well as Subic Bay Int’l Terminal Corp., an affiliate of the International Container Terminal Services Inc., which is one of the five major maritime terminal operators in the world.

“We have also attracted nine container shipping lines that now connect Subic Bay to major commercial centers in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and this is because we have some of the lowest rates in stevedoring and arrastre, as well as export, import and transshipment fees,” Eisma said.

She cited as an example Subic’s stevedoring charges for a loaded 40-footer container that is only $94.33, while that for Manila goes for $137.87 excluding VAT, or a difference of $43.54 or 31.58%. On the other hand, Subic’s arrastre rates for the import of a 40-footer container is just P4,787.05, while that for Manila is pegged at P9,235.00 excluding VAT, or a difference of P4,447.95 (48.16%).

As a center for maritime operations, Subic also offers key port services like cargo handling, pilot and tugboat services, ship chandling, bunkering and tendering, ship agents, onboard repair, cargo survey, underwater survey, and vessel lay-up and line handling. It likewise provides facilities for fuel storage and handling, grains storage, maritime training, ship repair, warehousing, and vessel lay-up.

Eisma also said that because the Port of Subic is uniquely accessible by sea, land and air, more and more manufacturers and export producers, as well as importers in Luzon are shipping through this free port.

Among the top exporters using the Port of Subic now are Yokohama Tires Phils., which is located at the Clark Freeport; Juken Sangyo (Subic), Petron Freeport Corp. (Bataan), HLD Clark Steel (Clark), Tong Lung Phil Metal Industry (Subic), Johnson Control-Hitachi (Subic), Limech Manufacturing and Trading (Subic), Orica Phils. Inc. (Bataan and Subic), Hitachi Terminal Mechatronics (Subic), and Philip Morris Int’l (Subic).

On the other hand, the top 10 importers through the Port of Subic are: Foton Motors Phils (Subic), Yokohama Tires Phils (Clark), TIPCO (Pampanga), Nestle Phils (Bulacan), San Miguel Brewery (Pampanga), United Auctioneers Inc. (Subic), Tong Lung Phil Metal Industry (Subic), Masinloc Power Plant (Subic), HHIC-Phils Inc. (Subic), and Transam Waste and Rags (Clark).

In the same occasion, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade spoke on the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program for Subic and Clark, while Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Vivencio Dizon discussed the proposed Clark Green City, among other speakers.

On the other hand, Roberto Locsin, SBITC president and general manager, talked about Subic Port and how it facilitates trade for Northern Luzon shippers. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Aerial view of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with its container terminals, piers and warehouse facilities.

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New firm takes over Lyceum Subic

A new company has taken over the operations of Lyceum of Subic Bay Inc. (LSBI), allowing the debt-ridden firm to pay more than P31 million in overdue rentals and other arrears to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and to honor its development commitments for its two campuses here.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma T. Eisma said the SBMA, through a board resolution, has approved the reassignment of LSBI’s leasehold rights to Premium Technical Training and Facilities Inc. (PTTFI), which assumed the financial and developmental obligations of the original lessee.

The PTTFI is 30-percent owned by LSBI.

“As far as we can see, this is a win-win solution to a problem that has been hounding the SBMA since October 2015, when it preterminated the contract of Global Daeil, over the Cubi property,” Eisma said.

Eisma added the SBMA repossessed the property in January last year and later awarded it to Lyceum, which had the best business model.

“Unfortunately, Lyceum was not able to operate immediately and market the business properly because of some issue with the previous occupant, so we had a problem that compounded itself over time,” she said.

Eisma added the compromise agreement was made possible with the withdrawal by LSBI from coverage of the SBMA policy-granting educational institutions a 75-percent discount on rentals, which are to be plowed back to scholarship programs and facilities improvement.

Under the new agreement, PTTFI took over the 34,196-square-meter Lyceum campus at Subic’s Cubi-Triboa District, which had P23 million in rentals and utility fees arrears, as well as P16.68 million in unpaid accounts left by its previous operator, Global Daeil Subic Inc.

The deal also required LSBI to pay its debts for the Lyceum campus at Subic’s central business district (CBD).

The new operator initially paid the SBMA P31 million for the arrears, and issued checks to cover outstanding obligations for both the Cubic and CBD campuses.

Beatrix Anagaran, manager of the SBMA General Business and Investment Department, said the amended lease and development agreement for PTTFI was “overwhelmingly beneficial to the SBMA”, as it called for an increase in monthly rent from the discounted rate of P1.22 million to the appraised-value rate of P4 million.

The agreement also provided for an increase in escalation rate from 2 percent per annum starting on the third year to 6 percent per annum starting the second year.

Anagaran said upon taking over the Cubi property, Premium Technical, likewise, committed to pay the P16-million debt of Global Daeil within a three-year amortization period, and retained LSBI’s committed investment of P50 million to P100 million, a committed employment of 180 workers, a development commitment of P10 million to P20 million, and the provision of 36 scholarship grants per year.

She said the new operator also committed to put up a business process outsourcing (BPO) facility at the Cubi campus, as well as a modern training laboratory. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://businessmirror.com.ph/new-firm-takes-over-lyceum-subic/

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LOOK: International Coastal Cleanup in Subic Bay Freeport

Freeport locators, residents and employees take part in the annual International Coastal Clean-up on Saturday (September 16) along the Waterfront area of the Subic Bay Freeport, in consonance with millions of other volunteers in the global effort to protect the sea and coastal areas.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma T. Eisma joins Freeport locators, residents and employees in cleaning up the Waterfront area of the Subic Bay Freeport during the 32nd edition of the annual International Coastal Clean-up, a global initiative to protect the sea and coastal areas.

Volunteer workers from a Freeport company in the Subic Bay Freeport sort trash they collected  along the Waterfront area of the Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday during the International Coastal Clean-up, a global initiative to protect the sea and coastal areas.

All photos by Jun Dumaguing, MPD-SBMA

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