Subic landslide clearing finished next week

With a small army of workers and volunteers, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) expects the massive landside that killed one person at the Aparri Road here to be finally cleared by next week.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the agency’s technical group estimated that it would take about 400 dump-truck loads to finally clear about 4,000 cubic meters of muddy soil that collapsed from a hill here early Monday.

“We are already working from both ends of the landslide to clear it faster, but at the rate the crew can go with the continuous rain, clearing operations that started last Monday may be completed only by Friday next week,” Eisma said.

“It’s good that we have enough pay-loaders, dump trucks and backhoes because a lot of locator-companies volunteered their heavy equipment, but what we lack is manpower. We need alternate operators because work continues until night time,” she explained.

Eisma also pointed out that continuous rains have resulted in other minor landslides in other areas in the Freeport. The multiple landslides started Sunday as heavy rains from Tropical Depression Josie and the southwest monsoon soaked the Subic Freeport and surrounding areas.

At least three companies in the Freeport were affected by landslides, while three others reported flooding that damaged some facilities, the SBMA Business and Investment Department said.

Meanwhile, two persons were caught in the Aparri Road landslide that occurred before 4 a.m. Monday, July 23. One was pulled out alive from the rubble after three hours, but the other one did not make it.

According to Engr. Marco Estabillo, SBMA deputy administrator for public works and technical services, aside from clearing Aparri Road, a lot of slope protection work needs to be done at the landslide site.

“As an interim measure, we are diverting water into the drainage through sandbagging, so that water will not seep into the soil further. The permanent solution, however, is to construct gabions, which are basically wire cages filled with rocks, to make the slope stable,” Estabillo said.

A report from the SBMA Ecology Center indicated that the heaviest rain in Subic since January 2013 fell last Sunday, July 22. The most amount of average precipitation, or rainfall, was also recorded this year at approximately 400.21 millimeters (mm). One millimeter of rainfall means that one square meter of space has one liter of water in it.

Before this, the heaviest average rainfall in the Subic Freeport since 2013 was posted in 2016 at 339.48 mm, while the least amount was in 2015 at 180.17 mm.

SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya dela Llana added that landslides broke out in areas where the soil composition has poor water-holding capacity. Most areas in the Subic Freeport are considered “moderately susceptible” to rain-induced landslide, she added.

As of now, the SBMA is doing both prevention and cure—deploying sandbags to fortify erosion-prone slopes, while clearing eroded slopes of the rubble.

Eisma said volunteers from the SBMA, Philippine Navy and some business locators in Subic are working overtime and have produced close to 14,000 sandbags since Tuesday.

“We’re doing everything to hasten normalcy of operations that were disrupted by natural disasters,” Eisma said. “It may take another week for us to clear Aparri Road, but eventually we will.” (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA firemen and maintenance workers clear the road of debris left by flooding and erosion in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma joins volunteers in filling sandbags for use in slope protection at erosion-prone areas in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

[3] A pay-loader and backhoe dump debris onto a truck, as the SBMA fast-tracks clearing operations at the massive landslide site in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[4] SBMA maintenance workers repair road damaged by floodwaters in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

(Photos by MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay community deals with storm debris the ‘bayanihan’ way

Stakeholders in the Subic Bay area gathered by the hundreds here on Monday to help the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) clean up a shoreline littered with tons of debris brought about by the storm last week.

Heeding a call for “bayanihan” from SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, agency employees, company workers, and students trooped to four cleanup stations at the waterfront, armed with nothing else but rakes, shovels, brooms, and a strong sense of community.

A delegation from Olongapo City headed by Mayor Rolen Paulino and Vice Mayor Jong Cortez also arrived to boost both spirit and manpower during the clean-up, bringing with them two pay-loaders to help speed up the hauling of mostly tree branches, plastic materials and other solid wastes.

Meanwhile, Subic Grain Pro, a company based in the Freeport, donated gloves, broomsticks, garbage bags and empty sacks, as well as bread and sandwiches, water and noodles for use by the volunteers.

An automotive seller, the Subic Truck Boy, also lent a pay-loader and a dump truck to augment SBMA equipment used in digging, collecting and hauling trash from the beach.

SBMA Chairman Eisma made the call for beach cleanup and waste segregation over the weekend, as various trash washed up on the shores of this tourism center following a week of incessant heavy rains.

“We had to remove the debris that piled up, and then segregate and dispose of them, and that was a huge job,” Eisma noted. “It is really heartwarming to see the whole community responding to our call for assistance, for them to show their ‘malasakit’ for the Subic Freeport.”

Vice Mayor Cortez said the instantaneous collaboration between the SBMA and the city government “showed that the two government institutions can come together swiftly as one for the love of the community and concern for environment.”

“The residents of Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan have a deep sense of community, especially in matters of the environment. After all the sea, forest, air and water are resources that are common to all,” he added.

Eisma said the pile-up of storm debris is a constant problem during the rainy season for the SBMA, which has been promoting Subic not only as a business enclave, but also as a tourism center.

At least seven major rivers empty into the bay of Subic, which straddles a good part of the 67,000-hectare area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. These are the Pamulaklakin and Boton rivers in the Subic Bay Freeport; Kalalake, Sta. Rita-Kalaklan, and Maquinaya rivers in Olongapo; and Matain and Calapandayan rivers in Subic, Zambales.

Subic Bay, which forms the communal waters of Olongapo, and Zambales and Bataan, had been described as a threatened resource largely due to trash inflows from its tributaries.

Eisma said this is an environmental problem that transcends the geographical boundaries of communities near the Subic Bay.

“We’re all affected by this problem, and that is why we—the Subic Freeport, Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan—should work together to deal with it and come up with effective solutions,” she said.

Eisma said that another clean-up has been scheduled this week to cover the rest of the two-kilometer waterfront at the Freeport’s Central Business District, and that she hopes again to muster support from various Subic stakeholder groups.

“We’re getting better at this bayanihan projects because we have ingrained upon our stakeholders the value of malasakit,” Eisma said. “Everybody helps, and everybody wins.” (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Volunteers troop to the waterfront in the Subic Bay Freeport to help clean up debris washed on the shore during Typhoon Domeng. (FLP/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Chairman Amy T. Eisma (in cap and eyeglasses) directs the clean-up project along the waterfront in the Subic Bay Freeport after Typhoon Domeng. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Volunteers pass around debris to be hauled away by trucks during a shoreline clean-up project in the Subic Bay Freeport after Typhoon Domeng. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA prepares for 25th founding anniversary

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is preparing for a grand celebration this year in connection with its silver anniversary this coming November.

According to SBMA Administrator & CEO Wilma T. Eisma, agency officials have approved a month-long schedule of activities to mark the organization’s 25th year of existence and the establishment of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, now considered as one of the best success stories of military base conversion in the world.

“Turning 25 is a very special milestone, and so we are going for some very special program for the SBMA,” said Eisma, an Olongapo City native who was among the legendary volunteers that helped protect and preserve Subic Bay facilities after the U.S. Navy withdrew its forces here in 1992.

“Subic has come a very long way—thanks to the sacrifice and hard work of a lot of people over the years, and honoring these people for what they did will be a big part of the celebration,” she added.

PAST REVISITED

The celebration will carry the theme “SBMA at 25: Celebrating the Past, Forging the Nation’s Future.”

Under a program prepared by the SBMA 25th Anniversary Celebration Committee, activities will start on November 6 with a flag-raising ceremony at Bldg. 229, which is the SBMA main office, followed by a motorcade around Subic’s Central Business District.

All the while, some aircraft will undertake streamer and confetti drops, while boats will execute water cannon salutes at the bay.

Also on the first day of celebration, the SBMA Labor Department, in collaboration with registered business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport, will hold a job fair to match job-seekers with prospective employers.

SPORTS SPECTACULARS

The next event in the anniversary program will be a fun run in the morning of November 11, a Saturday. With 2-km, 5-km and 25-km categories, this sports spectacular will kick off at the Remy Field and progress along the length of Waterfront Road.

Nearby, some water cannon salutes will again take place on the bay, while the Philippine Air Force (PAF) makes some aircraft formation and skydiving display overhead.

The PAF will also present a static aircraft display at the Subic Bay International Airport.

On November 18, also a Saturday, Remy Field will be the venue for several events, including the SBMA Family Day that will feature fun games like the Amazing Race, giant volleyball, and “Laro ng Lahi.” The latter will include traditional Filipino games like “kadang-kadang”, catching the greasy pig, and “patintero.”

At 2:00 p.m., the talent show “SBMA Got Talent” will start at the Subic Gym, to be followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Boardwalk Park.

Meanwhile, there will be a three-day “Subic Bay Grand Sale” at Remy Field and all tourism establishments in Subic from Nov. 24 to 26.

This will include night bazaar and food festivals, night entertainment, discount sales from tourism stakeholders, and fireworks display.

FINALE

On Nov. 24, which marks the actual turnover of Subic Bay from the U.S. Navy to the Philippine government, the activities will start at 8:00 in the morning with an ecumenical mass in front of Bldg. 229.

This will be followed by an awarding ceremony to recognize pioneer investor companies, as well as pioneer SBMA employees. The awardees will also be honored with aerial and water salutes.

The morning program will be capped by a silent drill demonstration by cadets of the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, and by performances from the SBMA Law Enforcement Department brass band and the Philippine Air Force band.

In the afternoon, a new museum featuring photo exhibits and memorabilia displays will open at the Harbor Point mall. The museum displays will be available for public viewing until Nov. 26.

At 3:00 p.m., a float and foot parade involving representatives from local government units will start at the Waterfront Road.

The parade will end at the Volunteers’ Shrine where the unveiling of commemorative items and a tribute to volunteers will take place. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay now 4th leading Philippine destination - DOT

Subic Bay is now the fourth most popular tourism destination in the Philippines.

Department of Tourism Region III Director Ronaldo P. Tiotuico announced in a press statement that the Subic Bay Freeport and the rest of Zambales soared to the fourth slot among the top ten destinations throughout the country, bested only by Cebu, Davao and Camarines Sur.

Tiotuico said the Subic Bay Freeport made big strides by hosting some 1.67 million domestic and foreign visitors in 2015, thus marking a 28-percent increase in the number of visitors from 1.265 million in 2014.

The DOT official also cited the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as instrumental in developing Subic as a major tourist destination in Central Luzon.

“Such a success is attributed to the collective determination of the entire manpower complement of the SBMA under the leadership of Chairman Roberto Garcia,” Tiotuico said.

SBMA Chairman Garcia welcomed the development, pointing out that Subic gained significant attention after it was first recognized by the DOT as the number one tourist destination in Central Luzon in 2013.

“This only validates Subic’s attractiveness not only as top tourist destination, but also as the convention capital of Central Luzon – titles bestowed upon Subic by the DOT,” Garcia said.

Mary Jamelle Camba, SBMA Tourism Department manager, said Subic has become a favorite location for watersports tourism and nature-related activities.

She also said the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) has become a prominent venue for international events and conferences as it has a capacity of 10,000 seats.

Camba added that the Subic Bay Freeport can now accommodate a bigger number of visitors, as it currently boasts of 44 hotels with a total of 3,244 rooms.

The SBMA Tourism Department recently participated in the Asia Cruise Destination Forum in Jeju, South Korea to promote Subic Bay to the world tourism community as an emerging pivotal hub for international cruise tourism.

In the same statement, Tiotuico made a fearless forecast that Subic may just become the number one destination in the future, as the full transformation of Clark International Airport as a major hub for both international and domestic airlines may also benefit Subic tourism.

“Subic is just a 45-minute drive from Clark. DOT Region III has always recommended the partnering of Clark and Subic as one great holistic destination, the two being connected by a world-class seamless freeway called SCTEx,” Tiotuico explained.

Tiotuico also described Subic Bay as a well-preserved eco-tourism destination, with triple-canopied rainforests and mangroves, mountain trails and indigenous culture, nature-based theme parks and bird-watching sites.

Among the rest of the top ten destinations in 2015 were Boracay, Albay/Legazpi City, Metro Manila, Clark/Pampanga, Laguna and Benguet/Baguio City. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport to welcome 2016 with Grand Pyro-Musical Show

In view of the growing number of residents and visitors joining the annual New Year’s Eve Countdown at the Boardwalk Park here, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will present a Grand Pyro-Musical Show to welcome the New Year in this free port​.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that as more and more people spend the New Year’s Eve and have media noche at Subic’s outdoor activity venue, the SBMA over the years has been putting up fireworks display and free musical concerts as entertainment.

“But this year, we expect that spectators will be more delighted with our spectacular Grand Pyro-Musical Show, which is similar to the local entry of Dragon Fireworks and Perpetual Wave to the international competition held last year at the Mall of Asia,” Garcia said.

A pyro-musical show is actually a fireworks display where each explosion rhymes with the beat of music.

In the planned New Year’s Countdown here, the spectacular fireworks will be synchronized with the music to be played over the SBMA’s radio station Subic Bay 89.5 FM for a grand display of musical artistry and superb pyrotechnical design.

Garcia said that aside from the pyro-musical show, spectators will also be getting the usual Christmas treat of free live-band concert featuring the Buganda Tribe, homegrown musicians, ​and special guest performers from different parts of the region.

Accordingly, spectators may enjoy the spectacular fireworks display free of charge at the Boardwalk Park, the Moonbay Marina Beachfront, or from any of the hotels and restaurants along Waterfront Drive.

The Lighthouse Beach area, meanwhile, will be open with tickets starting at P1,990 inclusive of dinner buffet. The program starts at 7:00 in the evening.

“The SBMA New Year’s Countdown is all about uniting the whole Subic Bay Freeport Zone in a hallmark event,” Chairman Garcia also noted. “So we are inviting the public to be inspired and spend time with their loved ones while sharing a backdrop of colorful lights and a colorfully-lit sky that symbolizes a bright future ahead.”

The event, which will be presented by the SBMA with the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), in cooperation with the Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Stakeholders Visitors Board (SBHATSVB) will have the official hashtag of #For the love of #1SubicBay. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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