SBMA Chief Aliño wins Stargate PeopleAsia’s People of the Year 2026

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño was among those hailed by Stargate PeopleAsia as People of the Year 2026. 

Awardees were chosen for their achievements and advocacies, most significant of which is Aliño’s belief in choosing “not what is easy, but what is right.”

Aliño is recognized for his “industrialist” leadership, bringing decades of business savvy to his role as SBMA Chairman and Administrator. He embarked on projects that aim to transform Subic Bay into a dynamic economic hub and “green port.” Under his leadership, the authority secured nearly ₱600 billion in investments in 2025 alone.

Other 2026 Awardees include: Ramon S. Ang as a Lifetime Achievement Awardee (San Miguel Corp. Chairman/CEO); Jessica Soho, a veteran journalist and “beacon of truth”; Martin Nievera, known as “The Concert King”; Sheila Romero, founder of I Want to Share Foundation. Adding to the prestigious list of awardees are Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, founder of Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center; DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon; and Dr. Hayden Kho Jr., Managing Director of Belo Medical Group.

Since assuming the top leadership role at the SBMA in January 2024, Aliño has focused on enhancing the Freeport's revenue, attracting new investments, and integrating sustainability into its operations.

Under his leadership, the SBMA breached its ₱4 billion operating revenue target. In 2025, the agency remitted P1.465 billion in revenue earnings to the national government, landing among the top dividend contributors to the national coffers.

In 2024 alone, Subic welcomed 159 new locators, bringing in a total committed investment worth ₱20.6 billion and generating 6,466 new jobs for the community.

Aliño also launched the Green Anchor Awards to recognize partners excelling in sustainability and trade facilitation. His "Greenport" vision includes developing sustainable industrial parks and expanding digital infrastructure.

In early 2026, the SBMA was ranked 1st in Overall Performance in the Quarterly Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (QSPBI) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

He secured major global players like Hyundai Heavy Industries, which is seen as a significant boost to Subic’s long-term maritime and industrial development.

Aliño spearheaded projects such as the Subic Bay Residencias socialized housing project for SBMA employees, the electric bus public transportation vehicle, the redevelopment of the Boardwalk area, and facilitated the entry of new leisure developments, such as the IBIS Styles Subic Hotel. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA keeps Subic Freeport locators abreast on logistics automation, other services

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) held a Locators’ Forum at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel on May 26, 2025 with 170 locators in attendance.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, the Subic Bay International Container Terminal Corp. (SBITC), SBMA Seaport Department, and SBMA Trade Facilitation and Compliance Department (TFCD) collaborated to stage the forum, which was also graced by SBMA Director Cecile Bobadilla-Bitare.

During the forum dubbed “Updates on Logistics Services, Port Projects and Automation,” Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao cited in his opening message the ₱233-million state-of-the-art Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) launched in February 2024. The VTMS significantly improved the safety and operational efficiency of vessel tracking across the Freeport.

Yambao added that the agency is in the initial stages of procurement to implement the Shore Power Connection project, which would reduce air pollution from ships at berth by 95 percent.

“Phase 1, focusing on the New Container Terminal, is set to commence in 2026 with a budget of ₱100 million, followed by Phase 2 covering the Naval Supply Depot and Ship Repair Facility from 2027 to 2028, requiring P150 million,” he said.

He also mentioned the numerous port expansion projects with a total approximate budget of US$878.7 million, including a new Container Terminal 3 with a capacity of 300,000 TEUs, estimated at US$359 million; a multipurpose terminal at Redondo Peninsula, valued at US$162 million; a multipurpose terminal in Lower Mau, supporting bulk and break-bulk industries, costing US$182 million; and a dedicated cruise terminal to boost tourism, with an investment of ₱10.2 billion.

Furthermore, he added that the SBMA is enhancing its logistics capabilities to support multi-modal transport.

“The Freeport boasts a modern container terminal with a capacity of 600,000 TEUs, expandable to one million TEUs, and is accessible by land, sea, and air. Plans include integration with the Luzon Economic Corridor via railway,” he said.

The official also stated that the SBMA has implemented various automation initiatives to streamline cargo movement and enhance efficiency, including the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), Electronic Transit Admission Permit System (ETAPS), and Automated Export Documentation System (AEDS).

The agency is also considering a partnership with the Port of San Diego to transform Subic Freeport into a smart port city.

“This collaboration aims to integrate artificial intelligence, automation, break bulk cargo handling, shore power connections, cruise ship terminal development, and ship repair capabilities,” he said. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA chair Aliño highlights Subic Bay’s Green Port vision in his 1st SOFA

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño disclosed the agency's new vision to transform Subic Bay into a Green Port City and a key player in the regional cruise industry. 

The SBMA chief made this revelation during his first State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), while sharing his accomplishments during the past year.

Aliño delivered the 17th SOFA before members and the board of directors of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), officials from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), SBMA Directors, LGU officials, and other stakeholders, in line with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the SBFCC. 

In his address, Aliño revealed that the SBMA is positioning the SBF as a leader in sustainable port operations, highlighting the shore power system initiative that will reduce air pollution by 95%.

 

“Our growth to be the green port city, driven by collaborative growth in business and investment, channels a new dimension to pursue our mandate. But this channel is not just the SBMA's vision and mission; we will need your help, your partnership, and your commitment,” Alino stated.

To support this vision, the SBMA is set to construct a dedicated cruise terminal within the next few years, further enhance its port facilities, and expand its international network through sister port agreements with the Port of San Diego in California, Osaka Port in Japan, and other key locations.

 

He highlighted the SBMA’s success in regaining investors that led to a surge in infrastructure investments, economic activities, and a plan to develop Subic Bay into a major regional cruise hub and stopover for cruise ships both as a home port and turnaround hub.

 

Technological advancements to improve port navigation and security were also introduced with the installation of the country's most advanced Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS), which enhances real-time vessel monitoring and ensures safer, more efficient port operations.

 

Aliño also cited the SBMA’s ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into its development plans, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of the country's natural environment.

 

He then outlined a series of projects aimed at boosting the Freeport’s position as a leading investment destination, including the development of new industrial parks, expansion of digital infrastructure to support the growing tech sector, and the establishment of Subic Bay as a hub for sustainable and green industries.

 

Key accomplishments of the past year were reported, underscoring the SBMA's dividend contribution to the national coffers, which landed the agency in the top seven.

 

“Aside from the dividends that we contribute to the national government, neighboring communities also get their share of revenues derived from corporate taxes. So I would like to thank our locators for paying their taxes because as you can see, here, your taxes go a long way, especially in funding infrastructure projects in road rehabilitation and other development projects for our communities,” Alino said.

 

He also discussed the expansion projects of two locators, namely, Sanyo Denki and Nidec, that are poised to generate a total of 6,500 jobs.  Employment generation is a primary mandate of the agency that is anchored on the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) for 2023-2028 of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, to strengthen and build a good community here in Subic Bay by improving the quality of life of its stakeholders.

 

“We hope that the plans and programs we have shared with you pave the way toward even closer cooperation among us.  Because in Subic, we care...for our shared future, and our shared aspiration of growth and progress for all,” he added. (SNL)

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SBMA, Port of San Diego eye partnership to make Subic Freeport into a smart port city

With its vision to transform this premier Freeport into a smart port city, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is considering a partnership with the Port of San Diego.

During their visit here on February 6, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and Port of San Diego officials agreed to discover and identify areas of collaboration between both ports.

“We offered to the Port of San Diego to explore areas in Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Break Bulk Cargo Handling and Management, Shore Power Connection, Cruise Ship Terminal and Market Development and Ship Repair,” SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao said.

He added that the officials of the San Diego Port extended the invitation to Chairman Aliño to visit the Port of San Diego and explore other port-related initiatives since both ports proclaimed a partnership as sister ports in 2018.

“We see the potential of Subic Bay Freeport in developing trade and commerce between our two ports,” Port of San Diego Commissioner Gil Anthony Ungab said expressing his desire to further explore opportunities that will benefit both ports.  

Also, Port of San Diego Director for Maritime Joel Valenzuela said there are many similarities between the Ports of San Diego and Subic Bay; and that they are excited to strengthen and continue to develop our partnership in maritime and other related industries.

Meanwhile, Chairman Aliño said that the SBMA welcomes the partnership between the two ports as the vision to develop concrete projects will be mutually beneficial to both ports.

According to the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the Port of San Diego is one of America's top 30 containership ports, bringing in nearly 3 million metric tons (3,000,000 long tons; 3,300,000 short tons) of cargo per year through the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal and the National City Marine Terminal.

Aliño said that the proposed partnership is in line with the SBMA’s vision of becoming a port city and that the partnership with the Port of San Diego is a vital step in advancing Subic Bay Freeport’s interests in maritime project development, automation, cruise terminal development and operations, artificial intelligence, and trade development.

SDA Yambao said, “This is a positive step in expanding the global reach and trade network of the Port of Subic Bay in the United States.”

The SBMA also has a sister-port agreement with the Virginia Port Authority to develop trade and exchange best practices in breakbulk and cruise ship logistics management and operations. (MPD-SBMA) 

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