Tan bares 10-pt. agenda as new strategic direction for SBMA, SBF

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan bared his ten-point priority development plan before the officers and members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) early this week. 

Tan was guest of honor at the SBFCC Membership Meeting and CEO’s/President’s Forum held at the LeCharmé Suites-Subic where he gave an update about the developments and plans for his term. 

Looking back at the past four weeks he spent as SBMA Chairman and Administrator, he said that he already learned an important lesson. 

“Pressure and challenges are opportunities for us to step-up and rise. While it takes a lot of courage to believe in yourself, but strength doesn’t come from what you can do, but from overcoming the thought that you can’t do it. Adversity may have its way of challenging our inner strength, yet it is necessary to build our character as leaders. Thus, I stand before you today, guided by a clear purpose and direction for the Subic Bay Freeport,” he said. 

During his speech, he challenged everyone that moving forward means letting go of “what’s no longer working,” which is not only applicable to the agency but to the entire Freeport as well. 

With this, Tan said that his administration would be implementing a new strategic direction taken after his name’s initials, which is anchored on three economic thrusts, namely: J for jobs, or creating more jobs for the people; D for development, or encouraging more investors by making the Freeport a competitive business hub; and T for tourism, or making one’s stay at the Freeport relaxing while doing business. 

He added that the development agenda is in support of the socioeconomic targets of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., which is in line with the “whole-of-society approach” of the national development. 

His extensive update tackled the following points: (1) Implementation of “Ease of Doing Business; (2) Improvement of Investment Climate at the Freeport; (3) Increase Job Opportunities for the People; (4) Construction of the Corporate Center; (5) Adoption of Smart City Initiative; (6) Prioritization of Infrastructure Development; (7) Improvement of Public Transport Services; (8) Enhancement of Ground Maintenance and Street-lighting; (9) Reinforcement of Safety and Security within the Freeport; and (10) Creation of a Tourism Development Plan. 

Meanwhile, SBFCC President Benjamin Antonio III, on behalf of the members of the chamber, expressed support and cooperation with the SBMA with Tan at the helm. 

Likewise, Tan expressed commitment to uphold the agency’s partnership with the chamber by constantly improving and establishing a business-friendly environment. 

The event culminated with a moderated forum between the members of the chamber and the SBMA Chairman and Administrator. 

The SBFCC is an organization of businesses founded in 1995 to serve and represent the interests of its members, who come from more than 20 countries around the world. It represents 80% of the economy flow in the Freeport. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic road projects nearing completion

The road rehabilitation program initiated by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to replace decades-old streets in this free port is now in full swing, with major construction projects expected for completion by the end of this year, officials said on Friday.

These include sections of the Rizal Highway, which is the main road at Subic’s Central Business District, as well as roads leading to the container terminal, sea port, and residential areas.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the agency’s ongoing road rehabilitation and construction program is now substantially completed with a 95% accomplishment rate for the 40 road projects in the program.

“The remaining project we’d like to see fully-completed is the Argonaut Highway-14th Street segment of the Rizal Highway, and I’ve taken the contractors to task because of the resulting inconvenience to motorists,” Eisma said.

“Work on this segment of the Rizal Highway started in October and with 66% of it completed, our engineers are confident that this will be finished by December,” she added.

According to the SBMA Public Works Group (PWG), which oversees infrastructure work undertaken by private contractors, half of the current batch of road works are in various stages of construction, but all with December 2021 target substantial completion projections.

These are the Rizal Highway sections 2 and 3, which is 66.36% complete; San Bernardino Road, 80.76%; Boton Road, 91.36%; Palm Street, 74.68%; El Kabayo Road, 98%; Road to Leyte Wharf, 31.27%; and Binictican Road, 79.32%.

Meanwhile, among the early road works that were 100% completed are the Remy Field complex, Canal Road, Dewey Avenue, Subic Bay Gateway Park access road, Sunset Calesa Street, Binictican Drive, Cubi-Apparri Road, Cubi-Tarlac Road, Cubi-Zambales Highway, as well as the El Kabayo entrance. Only the Perimeter Road remains unfinished at 85%.

The SBMA-PWG said some projects were delayed due to variation orders adapting to existing site conditions, bad weather, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic when public works projects were stopped for several months. In 2020, the road program lost 79 days of work and 55 this year because of inclement weather, as well as work stoppages due to Covid-19 lockdowns, it added.

For the mid-batch projects, those fully-completed are the Malawaan parking area, Waterfront Road, St. Michael St., Finback St. sections 1, 2 and 3; Bonita St., Archerfish St., Dolphin Terrace, Triton Circle, Easy St., portions of Rizal and Maritan Highways, Greyback St., intersection of Efficiency Ave. and Argonaut Highway, and Finback 1 parking. Soon to be finished is the road leading to the New Container Terminal, which is now at 98%.

The NSD road projects, on the other hand, include seven fully completed components: Main Road 2, and Service Roads 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Both Main Road and the access road to the Marine Terminal are 99.5% completed.

Eisma said three other SBMA road work programs with a total of 80 segments have recently commenced under the SBMA’s own Build-Build-Build program, which is a major part of her administration’s 10-Point Agenda.

“We are intent on implementing and completing these road projects now because the structures built during US Navy days have already deteriorated. This is the first time that the SBMA is undertaking a massive overhaul of these old infrastructure,” Eisma explained. (MPD-SBMA)

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Eisma: Subic to maximize opportunities in ‘new normal’

While the Covid-19 pandemic continues to bring about economic slowdown and affect growth areas like the Subic Bay Freeport, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will make best use of the evolving local and global economic situation, said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma.

“We will capitalize on opportunities under the new normal and find new ways to handle new problems,” Eisma said on Monday when asked about agency plans for this year.

“While we foresee more difficulties ahead, as it appears Covid-19 won’t be eradicated anytime soon, our development program for Subic Freeport is intact, operational, and we are moving on,” she added.

In her recent State of the Freeport Address (SOFA), Eisma identified challenges Subic faces this year: the continuing Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting weakened financial position of the SBMA; effects of Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Law on businesses here; and the proposed cancellation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) that may adversely SBMA revenue.

However, she said the SBMA will meet problems head on through well-laid out plans. “If we can’t change the direction of the wind, we can always adjust our sails to favor the ship and continue with our journey,” the SBMA chief said. “Chance always favors those who are prepared.”

Under it 10-Point Development Agenda, Eisma said the SBMA will undertake the following:

• Policy Reforms and Good Governance: Update policies, guidelines, and best practices, and solidify partnership with relevant sectors in the fight against Covid-19; intensify campaign against corruption, illegal drugs, smuggling, and illicit trade; lobby for laws that would provide broader revenue base.

• Sustainable Development: Pursue better environmental management systems and health and safety standards; develop alternative water sources, and improve sewage and septic facilities; identify new revenue-generating measures.

• Safety and Security: Come up with better monitoring and surveillance systems, upgrade perimeter security, and update hardware for law enforcement and fire protection; strengthen partnership with PNP, PDEA, NBI and other agencies and intensify drive for a drug-free Freeport.

• Community Engagement: Strengthen cooperation projects, including anti-Covid 19 programs, with local government units and stakeholder groups; initiate more community-oriented projects, town-hall meetings, and other interaction.

• Locator Service Excellence: Further cut red-tape, streamline processes, and promote better access for investors; further support locators with economic relief measures; enhance Subic appeal to business.

• Subic Bay Freeport as Gateway: Upgrade facilities for air and sea ports, and set up modernization and marketing programs; support government initiatives in establishing better linkages with nearby economic zones and markets.

• FDIs and MSMEs: Developing new areas for industrial and commercial use; encourage pioneering investments to open up new industry sectors and shift to newer business models; closely work with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to give access and opportunities to micro, small and medium enterprises.

• Tourism Star: Establish Subic as the must-go destination for sports, pageants, conferences and other events under the “bubble” concept; promote Subic as the capital for theme parks, triathlon, sailing, and the next cruise ship playground; capitalize on domestic tourism to revive local businesses.

• Build, Build, Build: Replace decades-old roads, bridges, drainages and other public facilities; support government initiatives to improve the viability of Subic as a special economic zone and growth center; and

• Freeport Expansion: Develop a new Subic masterplan with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and study reclamation as strategy to address limited land spaces; develop Tipo and Redondo areas for industrial and commercial uses; work with neighboring LGU’s to identify and develop expansion areas. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] A cargo ship docks at/steams out of the Subic port: SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma says the Subic Freeport will capitalize on trade opportunities under the “new normal” 

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma lays down the SBMA action plan for 2021 during her State of the Freeport Address

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SBMA cites positive outlook for Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) foresees better days ahead for this premier Philippine free port, as the new administration seeks to build on past accomplishments to bring the Subic Bay Freeport to greater heights.

Expressing optimism for better performance by the Subic agency in terms of revenue, job generation and contribution to the economy this year, SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma outlined measures to improve and expand Subic operations and urged both locator-businesses and workers here to do better.

“We must look back into the past, so we could build a brighter future,” Eisma said during her State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on Monday.

“Taking into account our performance last year, what we have accomplished can certainly be improved upon,” she added.

According to the Subic official, the Subic agency earned a total of P727.6 million in the first quarter of this year, compared to P676.3 million in the first quarter last year.

Similarly, she pointed out that the SBMA posted a net income of P46.7 million in the first quarter of 2017, which represented a 148 percent increase over last year’s P18.8 million net income.

Eisma also announced that the total cash and investments made by the Subic agency in the first three months of 2017 amounted to P4.57 billion, or a 24.84 percent increase over last year’s P3.6 billion record.

On the other hand, the agency’s total debt decreased by 8.79 percent in the first quarter, with a total of P6,644,026,284.10 for this year compared to P7,284,520,865.20 last year.

The administrator also pointed out that the agency’s key performance indicators such as the number of investments, new locators, import value and export value all rose significantly for the Subic Bay Freeport in the same period.

“The number of total new investments here have slightly increased by one percent, from last year’s P1,406,476,765 to P1,420,747,404 this year,” Eisma announced during the SOFA, adding that the agency registered 47 new business locators in the first quarter.

Eisma also noted a similar increase in import value, from US$653.8 million last year to US$2.75 billion— or a 321 percent increase, and a 10 percent increase in export value, which rose from U$406 million last year to US$536.3 million this year.

Eisma added that companies such as Datian Subic Corp. and Toyota Subic, which located in the Subic Freeport this first quarter, have improved Subic’s business outlook, along with the approval of Dynamic Konstruct Corp.’s P42-billion investment for industrial park development and renewable energy project.

She also said that the SBMA sees more revenue outflow from the ship-to-ship transfer operations of liquefied natural gas by Jovo, the largest clean energy provider in China which is expected to contribute an annual port revenue of P200 million, as well as that of Teekay Swan, a joint venture that controls the world’s most expensive fleet of gas carriers.

Another billion-peso investment that the SBMA recently approved is the DM Leisure Corp.’s P4.6-billion golf course and leisure complex project. Eisma said that this will not only increase investments in the Freeport, but also boost the number of workers employed and the number of tourists visiting Subic.

Administrator Eisma made the State of the Freeport Address along with SBMA Chairman Martin Diño, who enumerated several development projects planned for implementation by the Subic agency. The SOFA is an annual event presented and organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman Martin Diño (right) and SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma (second from right) receive recognition from Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Rose Baldeo (second from left) and SBFCC treasurer Edna Canlas, along with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Sergio R. Luis-Ortiz Jr., during the State of the Freeport Address on April 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma outlines measures to further develop the Subic Bay Freeport during her State of the Freeport Address on April 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA reveals 10-point Agenda for the next six years

The new management team of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) revealed its 10-Point Agenda which defines the direction of the agency in the next six years.

“The Ten-Point Agenda is a set of priorities we would like to achieve. It is a direction that would guide us where we want to go and that is revitalizing the Subic Freeport,” SBMA Administrator Atty.Wilma Amy T. Eisma said.

The Agenda she said focuses on Locator Service Excellence, the Green Initiative, Safety and Security, Build, Build, Build, Subic Freeport as the Gateway, Community Engagement, Policy Reforms and Good Governance Program, FDIs and MSMEs, the Freeport Expansion, and Tourism Star.

Under the Locator Service Excellence, the SBMA will create a Non-Stop Shop which is a 24/7 on-line customer service and virtual complaint desk, and One-Stop Shop that would receive suggestions and complaints of the visiting public to Subic Bay thru Dial 888 Hotline or personal appearance.

Along with this, the SBMA is institutionalizing the Red Carpet Treatment to all locators and investors by implementing the Cut the Red Tape Project which will shorten to three days the releasing of certificates of registration and tax exemptions (CR/CRTE), building permit, Environmental Compliance Certificate, among others.

For the Green Initiative, this Administration will commence its improved climate change adaptation program thru broader coastal clean-up drives and tree planting activities and the use of renewable energy to mitigate any negative effect of the agency’s operations on the environment and, possibly, to secure ISO 14000 Certificate compliance before the end of the year.

SBMA will institutionalize safety programs across the Freeport by improving its safety and security capabilities in land, sea and forest with the acquisition of new equipment such as speed boats, motorcycles, patrol cars, as well as the prohibition of walk-in vendors and mendicants. These also include the establishment of security protocols, like using the SBMA website and the radio station, and the intensified campaign to make the Freeport drug-free area.

“The Agenda focuses on SBMA’s investment campaign to meet our vision of becoming a highly-urbanized Freeport in the near future. We must immediately start building and improving our facilities,” Eisma said.

The Administrator also said that under the national government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, agency’s engineering department will be able to finalize the feasibility study on Subic’s port development plan, Tipo Road expansion, bulk terminal expansion for PPP, improvement of access roads to Morong and surrounding municipalities, and the construction of SBMA’s corporate center that will house all of the agency’s offices and departments.

Meanwhile, Subic Freeport will be promoted as the Gateway to Southeast Asia and the world by intensifying marketing campaigns for its airport and seaport with the former reviving domestic and international flight operations, regaining status as an international airport and settling pending issues with CAAP; and the latter by introducing more competitive port-related tariffs and fees and promoting ship-to-ship business model to increase container traffic by at least five percent annually.
Complementing its infrastructure development programs, SBMA will step-up promotion the of high technology industries prioritizing research and development (R&D), creative, BPO and ICT while maintaining Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and USA as key sources of foreign direct investments (FDIs).

In the area of the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the agency will push for the signing of an agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to provide MSME-investors easy access to their respective investment–related programs. On top of this, SBMA will allocate a marketing budget to launch an aggressive marketing campaign to promote SBFZ, especially in the new frontiers like Russia and China.

Moreover, the SBMA will also drum beat its tourism industry thru Tourism Star programs by organizing an aggressive marketing campaign to promote Subic Bay as the next cruise ship playground, launching several landmark events such as hosting a one-week festival or conference featuring science and engineering design of modern world watercrafts to be dubbed Ultra High Speed Watercraft Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival, music fest, Christmas fest, grand Subic sale, and the like.

To address the shrinking available land for new investments, SBMA will identify areas for possible expansion outside the Freeport and sign a memorandum of understanding with local government units (LGU) as prescribed under the Presidential Proclamation 532 before a master plan will be developed.
For the Community Engagement, SBMA will develop capability building programs with indigenous peoples (IPs) and volunteers in the contiguous LGUs to increase competencies and generate more quality jobs; institutionalize an employment program for Subic Bay volunteers and an educational assistance plan in close coordination with TESDA and DOLE.

“The very important part of the Agenda is the policy reforms and good governance program the SBMA will be initiating that will guarantee the realization of all other initiatives in the agenda,” Eisma explained.

First under this agenda is the filing in Congress the amendment of RA 7227 which will seek to allocate for SBMA the use the one percent (1%) of the five percent (5%) gross income collected in the Subic Freeport; implementation of the moratorium on expansion of leased areas by locators engaged in trading of used trucks and construction equipment; expansion of the Integrity Pledge Program by including port users and other customers.

Also included are an intensified campaign against corruption, smuggling and illicit trade; improved incentive package of investors thru modernizing the Philippine Incentive Regime, and institutionalized programs under the “End Contractualization Initiative.” (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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