The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a measure that primarily aims to strengthen the administration and operational governance of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
Approved by the chamber in plenary via vote of 200-6 (yes-no), without abstention, was House Bill (HB) no.8720, or the proposed Act Revitalizing the Bases Conversion Development.
The bill was principally authored by former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Reps. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan), and Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City).
It seeks to amend two sections of Republic Act (RA) 7227 or the “Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.”
In particular, HB no.8720 amends Section 13 of RA 7227 to mandate that the SBMA shall have authority and jurisdiction over all economic activities within the Subic Special Economic Zone. This covers the power to inspect and register leisure ships and pleasure yachts of any ship owner.
For this purpose, the SBMA shall administer and maintain an open register of leisure ships and pleasure yachts subject only to such rules and regulation to be promulgated by the SBMA in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) without prejudice to the requirements of the Constitution.
The bill also mandates the SBMA to administer and implement incentives granted to its registered business enterprises.
Likewise, the SBMA shall fix and impose just and reasonable rates and prices for the establishment, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, services and businesses in the Subic Special Economic Zone pertaining to electronic, web and cloud data operators and providers and telecommunications; shipping and maritime business and activities; airport operations; and all other similar matters inside the economic zone.
The bill also aims to improve the revenue collection of SBMA and thereby increase the shares of the local government units (LGUs) affected and the share of the national government. Specifically, the measure fortifies the territorial jurisdiction of the Subic Special Economic Zone by amending Section 12 of RA 7227.
Among the changes introduced by HB 8720 to Section 12 is the inclusion of a provision that the municipalities of San Antonio, San Marcelino, and Castillejos of the province of Zambales and the municipalities of Morong, Hermosa, and Dinalupihan of the province of Bataan may cede in whole or in part their entire municipal territory to the Subic Special Economic Zone for a period of not less than 50 years.
The measure also seeks to ensure and strengthen the public safety and security of SBMA through further amendments to Section 12 of RA 7227.
It revises the section to state that in the event that an assistance of the military is necessary, the expenses shall be borne by the national government. HB 8720 adds that military shall not interfere in the internal affairs of SBMA except to provide necessary security and defense.
The bill designates one seat each in the board of directors of the SBMA to represent Olongapo City, the municipalities of Castillejos, San Antonio, San Marcelino, and Subic of the province of Zambales, and the municipalities of Morong, Hermosa, and Dinalupihan of the province of Bataan.
It also provides for one representative for the Board of Director of Bases Conversion Development Authority from the indigenous peoples (IPs) residing within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (Ellson Quismorio, Manila Bulletin)
https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/24/house-oks-proposed-law-to-revitalize-sbma/
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