SBMA considers more financial relief to stakeholders

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is undertaking more  financial relief measures for its stakeholders as discussed in a public consultation at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) here on May 11, 2026.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon O. Agregado said that these temporary measures, stipulated in Board Resolution No. 26-04-1768, and approved on April 21, extend financial relief to affected Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) stakeholders. This action responds to Executive Order No. 110 by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., which declared the entire country under a State of National Energy Emergency.

These measures include a 50% reduction in the Road Users' Fee (RUF); the suspension of the Environment and Tourism Administrative Fee (ETAF); free renewal of SBMA IDs in electronic ID (e-ID) format for SBF workers; a reduction of fees for renewing SBMA IDs in physical card format; and the implementation of the Economic Relief Assistance Program (ERA 4) for locators here.

 

Agregado said that the RUF is imposed only on Class 3 vehicles such as trucks, heavy equipment, and other vehicles except mass transit buses with a 45-passenger seating capacity, that utilize the road on a daily, monthly, or annual basis to partially recover the cost of repairing and maintaining the SBF road network.

 

“Please note that the RUF has not been adjusted since 1997 despite inflation and the fact that the prices of services and materials have increased numerous times throughout the years. Notwithstanding the above, the SBMA Board of Directors likewise approved in the same Resolution to defer the implementation of the programmed increase or adjustment of the RUF,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, ETAF, which covers all guests with short-term stays in SBFZ Accommodation Establishments, is suspended. These establishments include hotels, inns, daily rental housing facilities, condotels, and all other such establishments.

 

Other tourism establishments include restaurants, wellness centers, massage and health spas, golf courses, beach resorts, and theme parks, and all other tourism-related establishments, except duty-free shops and retail stores.

 

“The SBMA Board of Directors, through Resolution No. 26-04-1789, approved the temporary suspension of ETAF payments effective 24 April 2026. The same Resolution provides that the temporary suspension of ETAF payments shall remain in effect until otherwise lifted or modified by the SBMA Board of Directors,” Agregado said.

He added that to provide tangible financial relief specifically targeted to and in support of SBF workers, SBMA is launching the SBMA e-ID for renewals and temporarily waiving renewal fees for workers who opt for the e-ID instead of a physical card.

 

The Board also approved, through Resolution No. 26-04-1788, the temporary adjustment or reduction of the fee for the renewal of the SBMA ID of SBF workers who opted for a physical card instead of the e-ID format, from ₱200.00 to ₱130.00. This adjustment shall be effective upon receipt of a positive review by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel.

 

The Board has also approved the ERA4 through Resolution No. 26-04-1784, allowing SBF locators a 50% deferral of payment for monthly lease rental/sublease share billing for a maximum period of six months, starting in May 2026.

 

“Locators will be allowed to pay half of their monthly billing without penalty for late payment for billings issued by the Accounting Department from May to October 2026, provided they have no past-due accounts as of April 30, 2026,” the SBMA official said.

 

The 2026 Middle East war has triggered the largest global oil supply disruption in history, with over barrels per day lost in March due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Fuel prices have skyrocketed—jet fuel doubled in price by April—causing severe shortages, rationing in Asian nations like Sri Lanka and the Philippines, and widespread economic fallout.

 

President Marcos signed Executive Order (EO) No. 110, s. 2026 on March 24, 2026, declaring a State of National Energy Emergency in the Philippines. This move was prompted by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East that threaten global oil supply, and it aims to ensure energy stability, control prices, and protect consumers through a “whole-of-government” approach. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA Expands Relief Measures: Lower Port Fees, 50% Road Charges Cut, Free E-Bus Rides Continue

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has announced a new round of relief measures aimed at cushioning businesses, workers, and consumers from the effects of the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by tensions in the Middle East.

In a move expected to benefit shipping, logistics, and transport sectors operating in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the agency approved deeper reductions in port tariffs, slashed road-user fees, suspended environmental charges, and extended free rides on the Freeport’s electric bus system.

The measures were approved under SBMA Board Resolution No. 26-04-1768 during the 79th Meeting of the Board of Directors held on April 21, 2026. According to the agency, the package supports Executive Order No. 110, which declared a State of National Energy Emergency and launched the government’s Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) Program.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the agency will further reduce port tariff rates by an additional 30%, on top of an earlier 5% reduction, bringing the total tariff cut to 35%.

The discounted charges cover vessel fees, harbor fees, berthing and anchorage fees, harbor cleaning charges, cargo fees, and wharfage charges. The reduction is expected to lower operating costs for shipping companies and help stabilize prices of imported goods and raw materials entering the country through Subic.

Beyond port operations, the SBMA also announced a 50% reduction in road-user fees inside the Freeport and deferred planned increases in transport charges.

At the same time, the agency confirmed that free rides on the Subic electric bus system will continue for workers, residents, and visitors, helping commuters cope with rising fuel and transport costs.

Another key measure is the temporary suspension of Environmental and Tourism Administrative Fees (ETAF), which will remain on hold until the national energy emergency is lifted.

Aliño emphasized that the interventions are temporary and will remain in effect only while supply disruptions and geopolitical instability continue.

He said the goal is to keep the movement of goods steady while protecting businesses and consumers from inflationary pressures caused by higher global oil prices.

Broad Economic Impact

The latest relief package is expected to benefit a wide range of sectors, including importers, exporters, suppliers, consignees, vessel owners, shipping lines, terminal operators, customs brokers, cargo handlers, and end-users.

Industry observers say the reductions could further strengthen Subic’s position as a competitive trade and logistics gateway at a time when businesses are looking for lower-cost ports and efficient supply chain hubs.

Strategic Support for National Stability

The SBMA said the measures are aligned with the economic stabilization efforts of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and are intended to help preserve jobs, maintain supply flows, and shield industries from prolonged energy-related disruptions.

With global fuel markets still volatile, the latest steps by SBMA underscore Subic’s growing role as a strategic buffer zone for trade, logistics, and economic resilience in the Philippines. (SNL)

Read More

SBMA extends payment period for Subic locators

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has given business locators in this premier free port more time to pay for their overdue accounts to help them weather the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Willma T. Eisma said the Subic agency has recently approved the Economic Relief Assistance (ERA) Payment Scheme that would allow longer amortization period for bills that had remained unpaid since the pandemic hit in March last  year.

“With this ERA scheme, Subic locators can amortize their bills for up to 24 months, or ever more than 36 months, at a fraction of the usual interest and at diminishing rates,” Eisma said.

“This is actually just the latest in a series of SBMA board approvals that gave our business community, as well as residents, grace periods and other forms of economic relief to help ease their difficulties during these trying times,” she added.

Under the ERA Payment Scheme, companies without arrears before March 2020 could avail of longer payment amortization for unpaid billings from March 2020 onward under three options: up to 24 months amortization, with just one-fourth of 1% interest and at 3% diminishing rate; over 24 to 26 months amortization, with one-half of 1% interest and at 6% diminishing rate; or over 36 months amortization, with three-fourths of 1% interest and at 9% diminishing rate.

On the other hand, those with arrears before March 2020 could avail of a longer amortization period at the following terms: up to 24 months, with one-half of 1% interest and at 6% diminishing rate; over 24 to 36 months, with three-fourth of 1% interest and at 9% diminishing rate; or over 36 months, with 1% interest and at 12% diminishing rate.

Eisma also said the SBMA further sweetened the deal by offering 10% upfront payment instead of 20%, with 90% payable through equal amortization and with the first month amortization due the following month after the upfront payment.

The scheduled repayments should be covered by post-dated checks or deed of undertaking to be submitted on or before January 31.

Guidelines issued by the SBMA for the ERA Payment Scheme also required locators to submit promissory letters to the Office of the Deputy Administrator (ODA) for Finance, along with their application for the amortization program.

The statement of account (SOA) as of December 31, 2020 shall be considered for application under the ERA Payment Scheme. The SBMA Accounting Department shall provide the SOA balances as of December 31, 2020 of the locators who applied, and identify those who are with or without arrears before March 2020.

Locators who applied under the ERA Payment Scheme shall be allowed to pay only their current January 2021 billings while their request for ERA Payment Scheme is being processed.

Eisma said that aside from the ERA scheme, the SBMA has also temporarily suspended from March to June last year the collection of penalties and other fees from business locators and residents to help ease economic difficulties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This covered penalties on late payment of billings, fees on deferment of deposit for maturing post-dated checks, and due dates covering payment schemes with deed of undertaking.

In June last year, Subic locators received yet another economic relief when the SBMA board of directors passed a resolution giving a 119-day grace period for the collection of all due accounts that included lease rentals, common use services area fees, port charges, garbage collection fees, sublease shares, and gross revenue shares since March 2020. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More