LOOK: More scenes from the month-long celebration of SBMA's 25th Anniversary

Runners take on various hues at the start of the “Color Run”, one of the more colorful activities in the run-up to the 25th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on Nov. 24.

Workers and residents in the Subic Bay Freeport participate in a Zumba session along the Waterfront Road in the Subic Bay Freeport, as part of the program in the run-up to the 25thFounding Anniversary Celebration of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on Nov. 24.

Visitors take photographs of various military aircraft on display at the Subic Bay International Airport in the run-up to the 25th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on Nov. 24.

[AMD/MPD-SBMA]

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Philippines’ biggest national flag to be hoisted permanently in Subic Bay

Local visitors and tourists alike can now enjoy the majestic view of Subic Bay with the dignified Philippine national flag flying on its pole 24-hours a day, including weekends.

This developed following the amendment of Republic Act No. 8491, also known as “The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,” to designate the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as a place where the Philippine flag should be permanently hoisted.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that she has received from Executive Director Ludovico Badoy of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) a copy of NHCP Board Resolution No. 8, s. 2017, which amended Section 19 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 8491.

“This allows us to fly the Philippine flag 24 hours a day, and every day of the week,” Eisma said. “And this is an honor we gladly receive, and a matter of deep pride for the SBMA,” she added.

Eisma said that as the SBMA is holding a month-long celebration for its 25th year anniversary that will culminate on November 24, the Philippine flag would again be at the center of the celebration because most of the activities are held in front of the SBMA administration building where the huge flag is located.

She added that a plaque from the NHCP attesting to the agency’s privilege to continuously fly the Philippine flag will be installed on the base of the flagpole fronting the SBMA office along the Waterfront Road here.

In June this year, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Administration Ruel John Kabigting wrote the NHCP regarding the SBMA’s intention to keep the Philippine flag, the biggest in the country, constantly flying, even during weekends and holidays.

“We wanted to give thousands of tourists who come to Subic Freeport the opportunity to behold and pay homage to the Philippine flag,” Kabigting said.

He noted that Philippine flag at the SBMA office is 44 feet long and 22 feet wide, and because it is flown atop a 120-feet high flagpole, is highly visible from many points in the Freeport.

“However, it is pitiful that visitors coming during weekends only see the flagpole without the huge Philippine flag flying at its top,” Kabigting said.

Kabigting said that flying the biggest Philippine flag in the country is a matter of pride and honor for every Filipino, “especially at this time when our sovereignty, territorial and exclusive economic rights are being challenged in the West Philippine Sea, and most recently the rebellion in the Marawi City.”

According to SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Public Works Marcelino Sanqui, the flagpole upon which the biggest Philippine flag is hoisted also has historical symbolism.

He said the 94 feet in its total height of 120 feet stands for the 94 years of American occupation of Subic Bay; the next 18 feet for the heads of states who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference in Subic in 1996; and the remaining eight feet for the 8,000 volunteers who helped preserve Subic Bay facilities when the United States Navy withdrew in 1992.

Sanqui, who supervised the erection of the said flagpole in 1997, said the flagpole itself symbolizes national dignity and liberty, volunteerism and malasakit, and progress and development.

“It is dedicated to all volunteers who served and contributed their time, effort and skills to preserve and protect the former US Naval Base, which is now a bustling industrial center and tourism destination,” he added. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

The biggest Philippine flag in the country flies proudly at the SBMA main office in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay named Asia’s ‘Fastest Growing Free Trade Zone’

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone has again gained international attention when it garnered two awards in the International Finance Awards 2017 given out by the London-based International Finance Magazine (IFM), a financial market information group.

Under the Financial Awards category, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone was named the “Fastest Growing Free Trade Zone” in Asia while the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was recognized in the same category for its “Best Social Responsibility Initiative”.

The IFM awards recognize and honor individuals and organisations in the international finance industry that make a significant difference and add value, as well as herald the highest standards of innovation and performance.

Organizers said the IFM awards make a concerted effort to shine the spotlight on organizations in niche segments and those that exhibit brilliance in the unsung corners of the finance industry.
The other winners from the Philippines are: BPI Asset Management, as “Best Asset Manager”; Omnipay, as “Best Payment Solutions Provider”; and RCBC Bankard Services Corporation, “Best Credit Card Offerings”.

The awards will be handed out next year during the IFM Annual Award Ceremony scheduled on January 26 in Singapore.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said it is “both an honor and privilege to be counted among IFM’s roster of excellence.”

“These awards, which come on the eve of SBMA’s 25th year anniversary, inspire us not only to celebrate our past but more importantly, to forge our country’s future for the sake of our children and future generations by continuing to make a difference and adding value to Filipino lives,” she added.

Subic Bay’s first award recognized its emergence as a flagship of the Philippine economy and a catalyst of growth in the region.

To date, the Subic Bay Freeport has a total of more than 126,000 workers employed by a total of 2,897 companies variously engaged in shipbuilding and other marine-related business, tourism, ICT, manufacturing, and services. With committed investments surpassing the $1.4-billion mark in the first quarter of this year, SBMA officials expect Subic to make more significant strides in the Philippine economy in the coming years.

The second award cited the SBMA for identifying the social needs of the indigenous Ayta community in the Subic Freeport area and taking the initiative to positively impact the social status, earning potential and access to services of the members of the tribe.

Last week, the Subic Bay Freeport was also recognized as the Best Sports Tourism Destination of the Year during the Third Sports Industries Awards and Conference Asia held in Bangkok, Thailand.

In the same event, the SBMA won the silver award for Best Sponsorship of a Sport, Team or Event for sponsoring triathlon events here in 2014 to 2016.

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman Eisma was adjudged among this year’s winners in the search for the “100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World”, which recognizes Filipino women who are influencing the face of leadership in the global workplace.

Eisma received the award during the 14th Filipina Leadership Global Summit scheduled on October 25-29 in Toronto, Canada. (JRR)


PHOTOS:

[1] Fastest Growing Free Trade Zone in Asia award

[2] Best Social Responsibility Initiative award

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Subic Freeport wins ‘Best Sports Tourism Destination in Asia’ award

This premier free port reaped the highest recognition as Best Sports Tourism Destination of the Year during the Third Sports Industries Awards and Conference Asia (SPIA Asia) held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 7.

With the tourism theme “Funtastic Subic Bay”, Subic bagged the gold award in the sports destination category, followed by “Visit Victoria” of Australia which received silver, and “Amazing Thailand” which won bronze.

Aside from this prestigious award, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) bagged the silver for Best Sponsorship of a Sport, Team or Event (USD$250,000), which was one of the 17 international awards given in the occasion.

The awards were received by SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, SBMA tourism manager Jem Camba, and tourism officer Raquel Junio during the awards ceremony held at the Centara World Convention Center in Bangkok.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said the award “validates efforts by the agency and the whole Subic Freeport community to elevate the local tourism industry and draw more visitors via sports events.”

“It also speaks well of the natural drawing power of Subic’s unspoiled environment combined with modern amenities that visitors find very appealing,” Eisma added.

Camba, meanwhile, said the award stands as an accomplishment for “Team Subic Bay” because Subic stakeholders gave their full support and best service for every sporting event held in the Freeport.

She also expressed gratitude to the Department of Tourism in Region 3 (DoT-3) and DoT-3 Dir. Ronnie Tiotuico for being supportive of Subic’s efforts to become the sporting capital of the Philippines.

Camba also explained that the SBMA received the Best Sponsorship recognition for sponsoring triathlon events here in 2014 to 2016.

Industry records show that the Subic Bay Freeport earned a ranking of 85.80 percent in the 2015 Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship (APAC) overall satisfaction scores. The race ranking was just .09 percent shy of the global standard’s 85.89 percent and pushed Subic’s ranking above the Asia-Pacific standard of 83.95 percent.

The 2015 Ironman 70.3 APAC overall satisfaction scores placed Subic, along with Cairns in Queensland, Australia, at number six among the best triathlon sites in the Asia Pacific Championship series.

The list was topped in 2016 by Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia with a satisfaction rating of 90.20 percent. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado (left), Tourism Manager Jem Camba (2nd left) and Tourism officer Raquel Junio (right) pose with SPIA Asia Judge Cynthia Carreon after receiving two prestigious awards: gold for Best Sports Tourism Destination in Asia, and silver for Best Sponsorship of a Sport, Team or Event (USD$250,000).

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SBMA kicks off 25th year anniversary celebration

A helicopter dropping confetti from the air and tugboats giving water salute highlighted the opening of the month-long celebration for the 25th founding anniversary of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority on Monday.

Led by senior officials of the agency, the program officially started with a flag-raising ceremony that was followed by a motorcade from the SBMA administration building to the Harbor Point Ayala Mall where a job fair and a regional oratorical competition were held.

In his message during the opening program, SBMA Director Tomas Lahom III noted that the dream of transforming the former US Naval Base into a bustling free port like Singapore and Hong Kong has not yet been fully realized.

“Fortunately, the SBMA now has a chairman and administrator in the person of Atty. Wilma Eisma whose vision is that the agency can reach its target by the year 2022,” Lahom added. “So, perhaps, we should now aim to do in five years what we have thus failed to do in 25 years — the full development of Subic Bay.”

Meanwhile, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations and 25th Anniversary Committee Chairperson Marcelino Sanqui said the theme “SBMA @25 Celebrating the Past, Forging the Nation’s Future” was chosen for the occasion in recognition of the historical role that the Subic agency has played in the economic growth of the country.

Sanqui pointed out that Subic literally rose from the ashes of the Mount Pinatubo eruption and the subsequent pullout of the US Navy in 1991 to become the premier free port in the country, and a model for military base conversion in the world. “If only for this, the SBMA has a very rich history worth remembering,” he added.

Under the month-long celebration, the SBMA has scheduled various events on the following dates: Nov. 11, 5:30 a.m. onwards — Color Run, Zumba Party, Water Salute (Waterfront Road); PAF Static Aircraft Display (Subic Bay International Airport);

Nov. 18, 7:30 a.m. onwards — SBMA LED Brass Band Exhibition, Games (Remy Field); SBMA’s Got Talent (Subic Gym); and Lighting of Christmas Tree (Boardwalk Event Center); Nov. 24, 8:00 a.m. onwards — Ecumenical Mass, Awarding of Pioneer Investors and Employees, Air Show, Water Salute (Bldg. 229/Waterfront Road); PMMA Silent Drill, PAF Band Drill (Mini Golf Open Field); Opening of Photo Exhibit and Memorabilia Display, Unveiling of New Museum (Harbor Point Ayala Malls); Float and Foot Parade (Waterfront Road); and Tribute to Volunteers, Fireworks Display (Volunteers Shrine).

Meanwhile, on Nov. 24 to 26, there will be the Subic Bay Grand Sale at the Remy Field and all tourism establishments in the Freeport, which shall also be the venue for the nighttime Entertainment Bazaar and Food Festival. The participating hotels, restaurants, theme parks, and shops will offer discounted prices on products and services, with booths offering items from Subic locators and the surrounding communities.

The SBMA will also sponsor a music festival with the country's top DJs performing at the Remy Field for two nights.

The anniversary program will be capped by the Subic Pride Parade at 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 26 from the Magsaysay Gate to the Boardwalk Event Center. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:
(clockwise from left) 

[1-2] SBMA officials led by Directors Tomas Lahom III, Stefani Saño and Julius Escalona lead the raising of the Philippine flag at the kick-off of the SBMA 25th Anniversary celebration on Monday, Nov. 6. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Tugboats execute a water salute near the Alava Pier during the kick-off of the SBMA 25th Anniversary celebration on Monday, Nov. 6. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[4] SBMA vehicles and a motorbike group join a motorcade during the kick-off of the SBMA 25th Anniversary celebration on Monday, Nov. 6. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA shelves Redondo industrial estate project

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has temporarily set aside the development program for the Redondo Peninsula following the collapse of an agreement with a firm that proposed the construction of an industrial estate and solar farm in the area.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the agency’s Board of Directors has decided to take a step back and called for the development of a master plan for the entire Redondo Peninsula before opening it up again to investors.

“We’re basically back to square one, because the project proponent was not able to honor the commitments under its very own proposal,” Eisma said.

“The SBMA is still open to receiving proposals though, should these be consistent with the SBMA’s objective of developing Redondo into an industrial and maritime hub,” she added.

The SBMA Board of Directors had earlier revoked the lease and development agreement (LDA) with Dynamic Konstruk International Eco Builders Corp. (DKIEBC), invoking an automatic revocation clause under the agreement in case the proponent did not meet its obligations.

Eisma said that despite several extensions given by SBMA, DKIEBC still failed to deliver the required advance rentals and security deposit, thus leaving the Subic agency with no other recourse but to revoke the contract.

According to SBMA records, Dynamic Konstruk initially proposed in May 2016 to develop 982 hectares of land at the Redondo Peninsula, which also hosts the Hanjin shipyard and the coal-fired thermal plant project of Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc.

Calling the project “Redondo 200MW Solar Farm and Eco Dynamic Industrial City”, DKIEBC said it will devote 400 hectares of the project site to a solar-power generation farm and 582 hectares to an industrial hub.

During negotiations for the project’s 50-year lease, however, it became apparent that DKIEBC, a certified “A” PCAB licensee, as well as its partners, lacked adequate experience in solar power generation. It also seemed not to have enough funding to back up its US$798-million investment commitment.

Eisma said the SBMA Board required a P2.2-billion paid-up capital, and DKIEBC made a counter-offer to pay upfront the amount of P472 million, which is equivalent to 50 percent of its rental and security deposits.

“When DKIEBC also failed to honor this commitment, the project was considered revoked pursuant to a resolution of the SBMA Board,” Eisma added.

As of now, the SBMA has stopped dealing with the company on the aborted project. It had also warned the public on reports that some parties are still seeking investors to fund the project despite official revocation by the agency.

“This is already a closed issue. Anybody seeking funds for the Redondo industrial city and solar farm project is probably doing some scam operation, so we urge everyone to beware,” Eisma concluded. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Perspective of the supposed development project proposed by Dynamic Konstruct at the Redondo Peninsula in Subic Bay Freport.

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LOOK: Giant human pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness

Factory workers, government employees, students, medical practitioners and members of community advocacy groups form a giant human pink ribbon at the Remy Field of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone Friday afternoon (Oct. 27, 2017) to promote breast cancer awareness.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is marked in countries worldwide every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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LOOK: Marawi peacekeepers in Subic for fun run

Troopers from the Subic-based 2nd Battalion of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) attend the “Run for Marawi Peacekeepers” fun run held on Friday (Oct. 27, 2017) at the Remy Field of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The 42-man PNP-SAF contingent (shown here being welcomed by Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino) served in the frontline during the battle against the ISIS-inspired Maute terror group in Marawi City. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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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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