Tan formally assumes SBMA post

Former Pandan, Antique mayor Jonathan D. Tan has formally assumed post as chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in a modest turnover ceremony on Tuesday (May 16) at the grand lobby of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC).

Tan symbolically received the reins of the SBMA as Board of Director Atty. Tomas Lahom III handed over the SBMA flag, with the rest of the directors behind him.

Agency officials and members of the media witnessed the rites.

Tan, a public servant and businessman who served as mayor of Pandan, Antique for three consecutive terms, was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. last April 28 and was sworn in to office by Palace’s executive secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 3.

During his acceptance speech, Tan acknowledged the support he has been receiving since day one. At the same time, he also urged everyone to continue that synergy and cooperation as he cited an African philosophy.

"'I am because we are' – an African philosophy of Ubuntu, which reminds us that our sense of self is shaped by our relationship with others. My success is your success, and your failure is my failure. Let’s not just lift ourselves up, but lift our colleagues, as well. And whatever it is that we do individually and collectively, reflects the leadership of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority,” he said.

“My dear colleagues, some say that public service is a thankless profession. But I encourage you to look at your glass half-full rather than half-empty because when you change your perspective, you begin to see the world from a different light. We can all be great when we serve others,” he added.  

As a committed public servant, he vowed to continue his trademark initials “JDT,” which stands for Jobs, Development, and Tourism.

Tan replaced former Olongapo City mayor Rolen C. Paulino, whose courtesy resignation was accepted by Malacañang on April 15. Paulino has recently been appointed to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) as a member of the Board of Directors. (MPD-SBMA)