DICT, SBMA lead GovNet site Subic Bay launch

In its thrust to boost connectivity between 47 government agencies for faster communication, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) launched the Government Network (GovNet) Project in this premier Freeport.

Held at the Best Western Hotel on June 24, the GovNet interconnects national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), public schools, and state hospitals through a secure, high-speed fiber-optic network to streamline public services and data sharing.

“GovNet is more than infrastructure; it is the backbone of a unified digital ecosystem for government. As a high-speed interagency facility, it will connect 44 government agencies, ensuring faster communication, better coordination, quicker document processing, and easier access to online services,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said.

Aliño said that GovNet will help modernize government operations and bring public services closer to the people, as the National Broadband Program (NBP) was created to bridge the digital divide, provide intervention policies, and infrastructure.

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Philippine government’s strategic blueprint to build a nationwide digital infrastructure, accelerating the deployment of fiber optic cables and wireless technologies to provide universal, fast, reliable, and affordable internet services.

“Subic has long been recognized as a center for trade, logistics, investment, tourism, and innovation. But in today’s digital economy, roads, ports, and airports are no longer enough,” DICT Central Luzon Assistant Regional Director Atty. James Francis Villanueva said.

He added that digital infrastructure has become just as important as physical infrastructure, and through the GovNet, the department is helping to ensure that Subic Bay remains globally competitive and fully prepared for the opportunities of the digital economy.

The GovNet project provides a dedicated fiber-optic internet with bandwidth capacities reaching up to 10Gbps, which connects isolated agency databases to improve inter-agency communication and ease government transactions.

The said project eliminates the need for multiple, expensive individual ISP subscriptions by centralizing government network infrastructure. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA forges partnerships for maritime incidents, US embassy donates UAVs to augment emergency response

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently forged partnership with its counterparts to establish the Inter-Agency Task Force for Maritime Incidents and Emergency Response (IATF-MIER) which primarily aims to ensure efficient handling of environmental emergencies in the country’s premier free port. 

The United States Embassy in Manila also donated equipment that will augment the emergency response of the IATF-MIER. The Deed of Donation was formally signed following the MOU signing of the task force. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the creation of the task force was signed at the Corporate Boardroom of the Administration Building last November 21 by and among the SBMA, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Customs (BOC), PNP Maritime Group, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the creation of the IATF-MIER is timely because of recent incidents of oil spills that happened along the coast of Bataan, wreaking havoc on its marine life, as well as in the livelihood of maritime stakeholders in the area. 

He added that the IATF-MIER is a whole-of-government approach towards maritime-related incidents as the task force is composed of government agencies that have specialized in their fields of expertise, and would collaborate with other pertinent units to prevent any incidents within our navigational waters.

Aliño also said that the IATF-MIER will also undertake information and education campaigns for communities in nearby coastal areas to heighten awareness in the prevention of maritime incidents and in the provision of emergency response in the shortest record time possible. 

Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao added that the SBMA Seaport Department has already procured oil spill equipment to handle environmental emergencies such as oil spill incidents that have become more frequent these past few months. 

These include a sopep oil spill kit that has a capacity of around 416 liters, foam-filled oil spill boom, and a PCG-certified oil spill dispersant. 

Yambao also said that the procurement of the oil spill response equipment is crucial for effective preparedness and response to pollution-related incidents with the impact of oil spills taken into consideration.

In 2025, the Seaport Department has planned a P100,000,000-project for the installation of oil spill equipment in various port terminals, including the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) Compound, Ship Repair Facility (SRF) Compound, Boton, and the New Container Terminal (NCT)/ Leyte. The said equipment will aid the IATF-MIER during oil spill response incidents.

Among the tasks of the IATF-MIER is the identification of potential emergency situations that can cause illness or injury to humans and the environment under a code of guidelines for preparedness and response, to address emergency situations, and propose mitigation efforts for associated adverse environmental impacts or effects to humans and prevention of accidents.

Meanwhile, Aliño said that the donation of six units of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones that will be paired with Starlink Mobile Internet will boost the monitoring and response capabilities of the SBMA Seaport, Fire and Law Enforcement departments.

“The US Embassy has also provided comprehensive training to our personnel for the effective and proper use of the said drones,” he added.

The chairman expressed his gratitude to the US Embassy in Manila because the equipment donated will be used not only for the Subic Freeport, but also when the agency sends a contingent to areas that require emergency response support.

The signing of the IATF-MIER MOU and the donation of the UAVs and Starlink Mobile Internet were part of the pocket activities during the 32^nd anniversary of the SBMA. (MPD-SBMA) 

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For transparency: SBMA to conduct projects bidding online

As the Internet, and even social media, take on greater role in the delivery of government services during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that it will henceforth conduct public bidding for big-ticket projects online.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said on Friday that the agency’s various Bids and Awards Committees (BAC’s) had decided that all future bidding processes will be conducted via online platforms and will be broadcast live through social media.

“Going online ensures transparency, efficiency, and safety,” Eisma stressed.

“The bidding process becomes faster, more transparent and credible, and at the same time it keeps participants secure from the Covid-19 virus,” she added.

For this purpose, the SBMA had recently created the Facebook page “SBMA Procurement Service”, which will be managed by the various BAC’s, Eisma said.

According to Atty. Michael Quintos, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs, the move to conduct bidding online is in accordance with Administrative Order 34, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte just last week, on  October 23.

While the AO requires all government offices to conduct online bidding of big infrastructure projects, the SBMA went one step further and decided to use social media platforms to go live during biddings for public viewing, Quintos said.

He also pointed out that in pre-pandemic times, and for projects worth P50 million and above, the SBMA Bids and Awards Committee already opened bids in the presence of observers from the Commission on Audit and disinterested non-government organizations to ensure transparency.

Eisma also noted that even before AO 34, the SBMA was already posting pre-bid announcements on the SBMA website and other online platforms on top of the required publication in newspapers of the invitation to bid.

“But putting the actual proceedings available for public viewing via social media would be one huge stride in SBMA’s efforts toward greater transparency. This will further strengthen the system,” Eisma added.

The SBMA chief also said that as the Covid-19 pandemic pushed practically the whole world to utilize Internet applications for business, the SBMA has been stepping up its adoption of new systems that would address new requirements and changing protocols.

She also noted that the agency has already established an online system of processing transactions with locators, suppliers, and other business entities a couple of years ago.

Among the online transactions that the SBMA has established are services provided for port users, electronic billing and payment, filing for regulatory requirements, and lately online job application and medical consultations. (MPD-SBMA)

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Facebook page of SBMA Procurement Service

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SBMA launches online clinic for employees

In an effort to continue delivering medical and dental care to its employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) came up with another innovation— “Click-nika”, its own online health clinic.

Like the previous process at the SBMA Dispensary where employees consult with doctors who prescribe medications and provide advice on health care, SBMA’s “Click-nika” also dispenses patient care but through videoconferencing.

“This is clinic at one click—a marriage of modern technology and classic doctor’s advice,” said SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma, who witnessed the launch of the telemedicine project by the SBMA Public Health and Safety Group on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

“This is really important because most of those in the health industry are now focused on the fight against Covid-19, and most people are apprehensive about visiting hospitals and clinics because of the risks of virus transmission,” Eisma said.

“Still, there is a need to take care of the health of our employees, and much more so amidst this pandemic. The SBMA Click-nika project not only provides essential health care, but also allows for peace of mind among patients and even medical staff,” she added.

The online clinic is already operational since its launch, said Ronnie Yambao, who is SBMA deputy administrator for health and safety and proponent of the project.

Yambao said the concept has been hatched months ago in the middle of the community quarantine imposed all over the country.

He said the program runs on a simple system, as employees only have to make an appointment through email to sbmaclicknika@gmail.com, and state the preferred date of consultation and indicate their Facebook account name.

PHSD personnel will then respond to the email within 24 hours, sending a consent form to be filled out by the patient and sent back through email.

Thereafter, consultation will be done through video call, Yambao explained.

In some demonstration during the project launch, a patient was seen taking his own vital signs and reporting the data to the consulting doctor. Another patient, meanwhile, showed photos of his teeth that need the services of a dentist.

Eisma said that the SBMA Click-nika would especially be useful to employees who have had to work from home either because they are among the elderly age or because they have comorbidities. “These ones are those who require regular check-ups,” she pointed out.

Yambao also said that with this project, the SBMA may yet be the first government agency in Central Luzon to have adopted telemedicine for its employees.

He added that the project may yet expand to encompass other stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport once additional manpower and other resources have been set up. (30)

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SBMA deputy administrator for health Ronnie Yambao, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, and Dr. Joane Sorvik discuss telemedicine procedures as a patient seeks medical advice online during the launch of the SBMA “Click-nika” online clinic last Wednesday

 

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59 hired on-the-spot in 1st SBMA virtual job fair

A total of 59 job applicants were hired right there and then by business locators during the first online job fair conducted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last week.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that more workers are expected to join the Subic Bay Freeport workforce, as business locators here continue interviewing prospective employees and processing job application of those who joined the recent three-day job fair.

According to data from the SBMA Labor Department, 50 of the 59 workers hired on the spot were taken in by Philippines Easepal Technology Corp., a manufacturer of sports and athletic goods, outdoor bags, and waterproof backpacks. The firm hired 25 female and 25 male workers on the spot.

The rest were hired by Strategic Channel for Career Development (SCCD) Corp., a manpower placement firm, which accepted seven applicants; and Sam’s Group of Companies, a food service business, which hired two.

As of now, 174 other applicants have been scheduled for interview by various companies, said Rommel Aquino, head of the SBMA Labor Department’s Manpower Services Division.

These include 20 applicants set for interview by Sam’s Group of Companies; five by SBDMC, Inc.; 53 by SCCD Corp.; 35 by Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc.; and 11 by FFP Concept Planning Solutions Corp.

Chairman Eisma said a total of 695 jobs were offered by 16 Subic Bay Freeport locators and 18 other companies.

Meanwhile, a total of 2,609 jobseekers were served during the three-day event, out of a total of 4,605 applicants who pre-registered for the job fair.

The three-day online job fair, which was conducted via video conferencing, was hailed as a game-changer in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic when face-to-face interaction is considered risky.

“Thank you for building this site. It's super easy to access and very helpful to applicants, while lessening the chance of spreading virus,” said Xyreile T. Gonzaga, an applicant from Olongapo City.

Marie Carilanda Francel Pamintuan, an applicant from Zambales, meanwhile observed that company representatives who received her virtual application during the job fair were very accommodating.  

“Congratulations for this initiative. In these times of crisis, putting up a job fair provides great hope to the unemployed,” Pamintuan added.

The virtual job fair was part of the National Tourism Week celebration here that was organized to promote Subic Bay in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and NLEX Corporation.

Other online activities during the weeklong program were a free web seminar on the “Filipino Brand of Excellence” and the “Subic Bay Got Talent” online singing competition. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA Labor Department staff monitor the conduct of the online job fair

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SBMA virtual job fair keeps job-hunting safe under pandemic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) launched on Monday a three-day virtual job fair to provide employment opportunities to job-seekers via video conferencing.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma the project is a game-changer as applicants can meet potential employers, fill up forms, and file application letters without leaving the safety of their homes.

A total of 16 Subic Bay Freeport locators, as well as 18 other companies, and two government agencies—the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Zambales—have joined the event to roll out a total of 695 jobs.

On the other hand, at least 3,670 job applicants have pre-registered as of last Saturday for the job fair scheduled via Google Meet on Sept. 21 to 23, at 8 am to 5 pm.

“This online jobs fair is an answer to the prayers of our people,” Eisma said in her message during the virtual opening program on Monday morning. “This is the first online jobs fair in Subic, and under the present circumstances, it will not be the last.”

“The pandemic also affects us here in Subic, but we are proud to say that we try to find solutions, to look for ways by which we can continue providing for our loved ones in these abnormal times,” she added.

Among the firms that offered jobs are: Tokiwa Subic Corp.; Subic Xin Hong Corp.; Sam's Group of Companies; Juan Fong Industrial Corp.; PA Support Subic Ltd. Inc./Play-Asia; Pactec Subic Bay Inc.; Materion Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Philippine Branch); Toyota Subic Inc.; Strategic Channel for Career Development (SCCD) Corporation; Subic Asia Pacific Marine Resources Inc.; Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc.; Uptimised Corporation; SBDMC, Inc.; Philippines Easepal Tech. Ltd Corp.; and FFP Concept Planning Solutions Corp.

Among the positions offered were: Quality control staff, warehouseman, loading clerk, nurse, accounting staff, chef, cook, kitchen staff, restaurant manager, marketing staff, sewer, pattern maker, customer service staff, sales representative, credit and collection staff, audit staff, mechanic/ welder, production operators and helpers, mechanical technician, painter, fabrication helper, human resources assistant, office aide, utility worker, finance manager, mason, architect, civil engineer, and driver.

The virtual job fair was part of the National Tourism Week celebration here that was organized  to promote Subic Bay in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and NLEX Corporation.

Other online activities during the weeklong program were a free web seminar on the “Filipino Brand of Excellence” to be conducted by DOT Region 3 office on Sept. 21-23; and the “Subic Bay Got Talent” online singing competition with elimination rounds on Sept. 22 and 23 and finals on Sept. 25. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA Labor Department personnel monitor the virtual job fair platform on Monday, as job applicants browse for job openings offered by Subic Bay Freeport locators and other project participants.

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SBMA to conduct virtual job fair Sept. 21-23

In keeping with safety protocols in these times of a pandemic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be conducting for the first time a virtual job fair wherein jobseekers would meet potential employers via videoconferencing.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the virtual job fair will be held on Monday until Wednesday (Sept. 21 – 23), 8 am to 5 pm, by means of Google Meet.

She said that 16 Subic Bay Freeport locators, as well as 18 other companies, and two government agencies—the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Zambales—have joined the event to roll out a total of 695 jobs.

Among the firms that will open up positions are: Tokiwa Subic Corp.; Subic Xin Hong Corp.; Sam's Group of Companies; Juan Fong Industrial Corp.; PA Support Subic Ltd. Inc./Play-Asia; Pactec Subic Bay Inc.; Materion Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Philippine Branch); Toyota Subic Inc.; Strategic Channel for Career Development (SCCD) Corporation; Subic Asia Pacific Marine Resources Inc.; Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc.; Uptimised Corporation; SBDMC, Inc.; Philippines Easepal Tech. Ltd Corp.; and FFP Concept Planning Solutions Corp.

On the other hand, a total of 3,670 job applicants have already pre-registered for the virtual job fair as of Saturday.

“This is something new for everybody, but we are encouraged by the huge number of participants who have stepped up either to fill or avail of a need—jobs that are necessary to sustain our economy ,” Eisma said.

“Like in face-to-face job fairs, applicants must also prepare copies of their resume, recent 2”x2” pictures, PSA birth certificate, diploma or transcript of records, NBI and police clearances, and other certificates—only this time, these documents must be in digital form,” she added.

The SBMA Labor Department said that applicants must first register online at https://forms.gle/nWZ3Myy13vL63vgW9 in order to receive the link for the virtual job fair platform.

The links will only be accessible at 8 am to 5 pm during the three days of the virtual job fair.

“We have resorted to this novel job-hunting scheme to do away with mass gathering and face-to-face interaction, while allowing prospective employees to meet up with recruiters, fill up forms, and file application letters,” Eisma said.

According to the SBMA Tourism Department, the virtual job fair is part of the National Tourism Week celebration that was organized  to promote Subic Bay in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT), NLEX Corporation, and 89.5 FM Subic Bay Radio.

Other online activities during the weeklong program are a free web seminar on the “Filipino Brand of Excellence” to be conducted by DOT Region 3 office on Sept. 21-23, 9:30 am to 11:30 am. This will be open to frontline workers among stakeholders in Subic Bay, said SBMA tourism head Jem Camba.

On Sept. 25, meanwhile, the “Subic Bay Got Talent” online singing competition will be launched at 2 pm, with elimination rounds on Sept. 22 and 23 at 2 pm to 5 pm.

Camba said the contest will take in contestants in two categories: employees of the SBMA or Subic locator-company, and students. Winners will get prizes that include P15,000 for first prize; P10,000 for first runner-up; and P5,000 for second runner-up. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic chapel masses go live streaming for Holy Week

In face of quarantine rules that prohibit mass gatherings to prevent transmission of the new coronavirus (Covid-19), masses and other religious activities at the San Roque Chapel here will be streamed live on the Internet during the Holy Week.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said the first live streaming, which involved the simultaneous recording and broadcasting of the event in real time, covered the Palm Sunday mass celebrated at 9:00 a.m. today, April 5, by Fr. Audie Mozo Jr.

It was simultaneously broadcast live on the facebook pages of 89.5 Subic Bay Radio, an FM channel operated by the SBMA, and FUNtastic Subic Bay, the agency’s official tourism page, Eisma said.

The online broadcast of the holy mass here was the response of the SBMA and St. Columban Parish to the directive of Bishop Bartolome Santos, Jr. of the Diocese of Iba that “all celebrations shall be done on live stream so that people can virtually participate.”

The directive, dated the March 21, also indicated that the religious activities were to be programmed “so that we make our celebrations in the diocese simultaneously.”

To make the live streaming of religious activities here possible, Eisma said the SBMA Tourism Department consulted with Fr. Mozo, the parish priest of the Columban Church in Olongapo City, and came up with the following schedule for the San Roque Chapel:

• April 5 and 12: Sunday masses — live streaming at 9:00 AM;
• April 9: Evening mass of the Lord’s Supper — live streaming at 5:00 PM; and
• April 11: Easter vigil mass — live streaming at 7:00 PM.

Meanwhile, the directive from the Diocese of Iba also indicated that the processions on Holy Thursday and Good Friday may be undertaken with the public observing social distancing.

“After the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, without the faithful, the presider rides a pick up vehicle as he carries a Crucifix and goes to all the streets of the parish (and) people with lighted candles shall wait in front of their homes to venerate the Cross by kneeling down,” the directive said.

It added that because of the enforced curfew hours, the traditional “Salubong” will be omitted this year and may transferred to one of the Sundays of May.

Bishop Santos also said that the Chrism mass will be celebrated on April 30, Thursday, “to give our people the chance to participate in this joyful gathering.” He said the Vatican has given bishops the authority to change the date of the Chrism mass to a more suitable schedule. (MPD/SBMA)

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Schedule of Holy Week masses at the San Roque Chapel to be streamed live over SBMA's social media accounts.

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