SBMA to hold Labor Day jobs fair with 2,300 job opportunities

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will hold a jobs fair in time for its Labor Day celebration at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall here, with more than 2,300 job opportunities available to job-seekers on May 1, 2025.

 

Labor Center Department Manager Atty. Melvin Varias disclosed that around 45 companies in and around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone will participate in the said jobs fair.

 

Varias added that aside from the jobs fair, a 3-kilometer Fun Run will jumpstart the Labor Day activities. There will also be the Relax Enjoy Siesta Timeout (REST) Free Massage, and the Sulong SBMA Singing Competition, which will all be held at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall’s Activity Center. 

 

“Last year, 26 job seekers were hired on-the-spot. Of the 26 hired, 21 applicants were hired by Da Tian Subic Shoes Inc., manufacturer of popular shoe brands here. While two of them were hired by YZ Consultancy Services Incorporated, and the other three were hired by Coffee & Tea Connection,” Varias said.

 

“We hope that we can fill the number of vacant positions to ensure that the companies in need of workers would operate smoothly. The high demand of our locators’ products has resulted in the need for higher production, hence, the higher demand for employment,” he added. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Subic Freeport workforce pegged 4.8% increase at 164,400 in 2024

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has pegged its 2024 workforce at 164,400 showing a minimal but steady increase of 4.8 percent.  

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño attributed the increase in the workforce to the number of orders in the manufacturing sector that drove the workforce from 2023’s 156,811 workers to this year’s 164,400.

He said that the manufacturing sector of the Subic economic zone employed 27,484 workers by 110 companies in 2024, compared to 21,433 workers in 2023.  

“And we are anticipating more employment opportunities in Subic Freeport because of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s aggressive efforts to bring more foreign companies to invest in the country since it has been his administration’s thrust to create more jobs for Filipinos through foreign direct investments,” he said.

The manufacturing sector of Subic Bay Freeport has employed workers from Olongapo City (13,738), Bataan (3,843), Zambales (8,154), Pampanga (188), National Capital Region (140), Tarlac (79), and other areas (1,342).

Aliño added that the services sector of Subic’s workforce still has the biggest number of workers with 116,776 employees employed by 4,014 companies in 2024. It recorded an increase of 1,134 workers from 2024’s 116,776 employees, compared to 2023’s 115,642 employees.

The companies in the services sector employed workers from Olongapo City (46,857), Bataan (14,984), Zambales (17,999), Pampanga (4,419), National Capital Region (5,441), Tarlac (1,727), and other areas (25,349).

The shipbuilding/marine-related services sector, with 153 companies, recorded an increase of 309 workers to 6,187 employees in 2024 compared to 5,878 employees in 2023.

The male-dominated sector recorded 5,512 male workers and 675 female workers. It employed workers from Olongapo City (2,742), Bataan (693), Zambales (1,543), Pampanga (59), National Capital Region (347), Tarlac (11), and other areas (792).

Meanwhile, the number of employees in the construction sector reached 13,953 and employed by 320 companies. Another male-dominated industry, these 320 construction companies employed 13,357 male workers and 596 female workers coming from Olongapo City (4,749), Bataan (1,747), Zambales (2,214), Pampanga (603), National Capital Region (916), Tarlac (296), and other areas (3,428).

Aliño said that an increase of 95 workers was recorded in the construction sector, with 13,953 workers recorded in 2024, and 13,858 workers recorded in 2023.

The SBMA chief said that with the current trend the Subic Bay Freeport workforce is experiencing, any fluctuation in the country’s unemployment rate would not adversely affect the number of workers here since the steady increase is a good sign of a constant upward pace in the employment sector. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA Tourism job fair yields 43 HOTS

43 jobseekers emerged as hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) during the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)’s National Tourism Month Job Fair at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall here on Monday. 

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that these 43 HOTS were among the 759 registered applicants for the said job fair, which is part of the agency’s celebration of Tourism Month in Subic Bay Freeport. 

He added that the job fair was participated in by around 50 companies, mostly from the tourism sector of the Freeport, providing 2,600 job vacancies to jobseekers who wish to work here. 

The official expressed his gratitude to participating companies, and government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Zambales Field Office, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Olongapo, Olongapo City Government and the Olongapo City Tourism Department for partnering with the SBMA to ensure the success of the project. 

 The National Tourism Month Job Fair spearheaded by the SBMA Tourism Department is in collaboration with the SBMA Labor Department. (MPD-SBMA)  

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50 PWDs experience work immersion in SBMA offices, other establishments

Some 50 persons with disabilities (PWDs) experience work immersion in various offices of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), other business establishments here and in Olongapo City. 

This came after the SBMA recently forged a partnership with the local government of Olongapo City to facilitate the work immersion of PWDs inside this premier Freeport. 

The SBMA’s Labor Department, as well as the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Olongapo City, the Work Immersion Program for PWDs in Government and Private Business Establishments are aimed at providing PWDs a ten-day actual work experience in companies here and in Olongapo City.

According to Labor Department Manager Atty. Melvin Varias, there are a total of 50 PWDs who were given the chance to work—34 of them are deployed to companies inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. 

“Of the 34 PWDs, ten worked at the Grand United Property and Service Management, Inc.; eight were sent to the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel and Event Center; four worked at the Eddie and Julie G Food Corp. at the Jollibee Main Gate; three worked at the SBMA’s Financial Planning and Budget Department; three went to the SBMA’s Accounting Department; five worked here at the SBMA Labor Department; and one was sent to the SBMA Office Services Department,” Varias said.

Meanwhile, PDAO Head Rizalino Jose bared that the proposal for the Work Immersion Program was conceptualized in March of this year. He said that during this program, PWDs will be given opportunities to value, experience and prove their worth as equals with the typical workforce.

“Our target PWD beneficiaries range from mild to manageable disabilities,” he added.

Jose said that their daily minimum wage salary rate of P580 will be funded by the Office of City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., adding that the first batch of internship was held last May 27 to June 7, while the second batch is from June 10-21, 2024.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño lauded the work immersion program for PWDs, citing that the Subic Bay Freeport is the perfect venue for PWDs to experience that there is equality in the workplace. 

“Our Labor Department is working hard to provide a harmonious working environment inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. By providing PWDs with the opportunity to work at companies here, it only proves that the SBMA does not tolerate discrimination in the workplace,” he said.  

Currently, the Subic Bay Freeport zone has a workforce of 159,762 as of April 2024. This will eventually increase as new investors continue to establish their businesses here. 

“These new companies investing in Subic Freeport would mean a possible expansion of the workplace immersion program for PWDs, giving more opportunities for them to prove that they can be productive citizens of the country,” Aliño said. (MPD-SBMA) 

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26 HOTS at Subic Freeport’s annual Labor Day jobs fair

A total of 26 jobseekers were hired on the spot during the jobs fair held at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on Labor Day, as part of the Labor Day celebration of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). 

21 applicants were hired by Da Tian Subic Shoes Inc., manufacturer of popular shoe brands here; while two of them were hired by YZ Consultancy Services Incorporated, and the other three were hired by Coffee & Tea Connection. 

 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo L. Aliño said that the agency is aggressively attracting more businesses to locate in the Subic Bay Freeport zone and generate not only revenues for the national coffers, the agency and neighboring local government units, but also job opportunities for residents of nearby communities. 

 

Around 71 Freeport locators participated to offer a total of 4,463 job opportunities for the job seekers. 

 

Out of the 4,463 total manpower needs of participating Freeport locators, 2,146 applications were received from 500 applicants. 1,157 were interviewed before the job fair ended. 

 

Earlier that day, a three-kilometer fun run was held to kick-off the Labor Day events prepared by the SBMA Labor Department, where Freeport workers from various locators participated together with their family members. 

 

The Labor department also launched the online Labor Tiktok Dance Challenge, where worker participants filmed themselves at their workplaces. 

 

Last Friday, participants of the Zumbathon formed a human cross in support of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. 

 

Meanwhile, a Symposium will also be held on May 8 at the Labor Training Room that will tackle the Department of Labor and Employment’s Department Order number 175, series of 2017 for locators engaged in Manpower Services/Agencies (MPD-SBMA)

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₱4-B Nidec Subic Investment to generate close to 5,000 jobs in the Freeport

Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation will soon be opening approximately 5,000 jobs from its expansion here in Subic Bay Freeport.

This was disclosed by Nidec President Takeshi Yamamoto in a simple awarding ceremony of the Certificate of Registration (COR) with Incentives under the CREATE law to Japanese company Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation for its ₱4.2-billion expansion project.

While Nidec Subic currently has a workforce of 622 employees, the company’s expansion project is expected to generate close to 5,000 job opportunities until the last incentivized year.

Yamamoto proudly shared that the company chose Subic Bay Freeport for its expansion due to its strategic location, making it possible for them to market their product to the European Union, United States, Brazil, Korea and China.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan led the simple ceremony, together with Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment (SDA) Renato Lee III and Business and Investment Department (BID) for Manufacturing and Maritime manager Karen Magno, in awarding the COR to Nidec Subic President Yamamoto and General Manager Marissa Tamayo.

Tan explained that Kinematix is a new product that is a high accuracy gearbox used as base, arm or shoulder for industrial robots for auto tool changer/ loader of machines. He added that the aim of the expansion of Nidec Subic Philippines is to produce these gearboxes outside of Japan.

“This is certainly a milestone for Subic Freeport as this new product will be solely manufactured by Nidec Subic,” the official cited, adding that these gearboxes will be “Gawang Pinoy.”

He further stated that this is the first expansion of the company outside of Japan which was made possible due to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) law, revealing that the tax incentives have made it easier for them to expand in the Philippines.

Lee explained that the CREATE law has enabled the granting of the company tax incentives namely: a six-year income tax holiday; ten-year special corporate income tax; 16-year Customs Duty Exemption on Importation of Capital Equipment, Raw Materials, Spare Parts and Accessories; 16-year value-added tax (VAT) zero-rating on local purchase; and a 16-year VAT exemption on importation.

Meanwhile, Tamayo also averred that the company decided to expand its operations in the Philippines because of its highly-skilled and resilient Filipino labor force, plus the fact that the Philippines is an English-speaking country.

Nidec Subic is a Japanese manufacturing company that was established inside Subic Freeport on July 14, 1998. It is located at the Subic Technopark, Argonaut Highway, Boton Area, occupying a total of 96,472 square meters of land area.

The expansion project dubbed as Project Kinematix aims to manufacture and assemble medium to large size gearboxes for industrial robotics gears. Valued at ₱5.065 billion, Nidec will be directly exporting 100% of its annual production of 288,000 gearboxes overseas. (MPD-SBMA)

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Job seekers hired on the spot at SBMA Labor Day job fair

12 job seekers instantly landed a job during the Labor Day job fair organized by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Out of the 12 hired on the spot, Da Tian Subic Shoes Inc., a shoe-manufacturing firm that produces branded vulcanized shoes for export, hired nine applicants.

The other two were hired by Wistron Infocomm Philippines Corp., an affiliate-member of the Acer Group of Companies, and one was hired by 01 Property Ventures Corporation, proprietor of Magic Lagoon Bar and Grill Restaurant.

“The SBMA Labor department is committed to provide the locators and investors with not only the needed number of workers with proper skills but also attain harmony, productivity, work values and industrial peace here,” said Department Manager Atty. Melvin Varias.

Varias also disclosed that there were 568 applicants registered to apply for the 6,310 manpower needs of 57 locators.

Out of the 6,310 job opportunities, Da Tian Subic Shoes Corporation alone already opened 2,023; while YZ Manpower Agency with 1,190; followed by Powerlane Resources Inc. with 625.

A wide range of opportunities were opened from production operators, engineers, quality control officer, accounting staff, marketing and sales officers, service crew, data encoder, electrician, company nurse, customer service representatives, supervisor, cashier, animal handler, and a lot more.

Meanwhile, Senior Labor Employment Officer Arvin Fabian of the Department of Labor and Employment-Zambales Field Office lauded the efforts of the SBMA Labor department for bringing job opportunities closer to the job seekers.

“We have several job fairs. And I think the SBMA Labor department deserves an applause,” Fabian said during the opening program of the job fair.

The SBMA Labor department has been hands-on all year long, not only during Labor Day, to bring job opportunities closer to the job seekers from neighboring communities of Subic Bay Freeport Zone by establishing close coordination with the locators for their manpower requirements.

During the job fair program, the SBMA Labor department also launched the QR code, which the job seekers used as a registration tool, and will be used as well by job seekers who were not able to join the job fair.

Varias said that with the QR code, it would be like having a job fair every day. He added that the QR code is available for scanning at the SBMA Labor department’s FaceBook page for job seekers who are not able to join the job fair.   

The Labor Day job fair is an annual activity spearheaded by the SBMA Labor Department through its Manpower Services Division, Workforce Development Division, Conciliation and Employee Welfare Division and Service Contracting Office, in collaboration with the DOLE-Zambales Field Office, Public Employment Service Office, Subic Bay Town Center, Inc.- Ayala Malls Harbor Point, and various SBMA departments. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA all set for series of events in celebration of Labor Day

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is all set to kick-off a series of activities in celebration of Labor Day with the agency’s Labor Department spearheading the activities.

According to Labor Department Manager Atty. Melvin Varias, this annual activity aims to strengthen the camaraderie between the employees of the SBMA and Subic Bay Freeport locators.

Kicking off the series of activities is the Zumbathon on April 28, where participants in green shirts will take part in the human cross formation at the end of the session to celebrate the annual World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Varias added that free refreshments and food, along with a few giveaways will be raffled during the Zumbathon to be held at the Remy Field around 4:00 in the afternoon.

“On May 1, we will also have a 3k Fun Run for Freeport workers. The fun run will have categories for the young and the young-at-heart. Registration is free for Freeport workers and their immediate family members. The activity will start at around 5:30 in the morning at the Harbor Point, Ayala Mall,” he disclosed.

Along with the celebration, the SBMA will also conduct a job fair that will be held at the Harbor Point at 10:00 in the morning. Varias said that 43 participating companies, who are collectively offering more than 5,500 job opportunities, are determined on hiring workers “on-the-spot” to ensure immediate processing of their papers.

“We have generated QR codes, which are available at the Labor Department Facebook page, so that interested parties can scan and register online. If they have any other questions, they can call the Labor Department at 252-4092, 252-4496, and 252-4101,” he added.

Varias urged jobseekers to prepare their resume/biodata along with photocopies of their diploma or Transcript of Records (TOR), Birth Certificate, NBI or Police Clearance (if available) and other documents such as Training Certificates and Employment Certificates from previous employer. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Subic Bay Freeport opens more jobs in the tourism sector

A total of 6,723 job openings were posted during a job fair held at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on Monday with a number of applicants hired on-the-spot.

This, according to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, proves that this premier Freeport is bouncing back from the hurdles brought by the pandemic.

Paulino added that the job fair is the culminating activity of the agency’s celebration of National Tourism Week 2022 that was moved to a later date due to super typhoon Karding.

“It was originally among the activities to kick off the National Tourism Week, but due to super typhoon Karding, we had to postpone it for the following week,” he added.

Paulino said that 57 companies in and around Subic Freeport participated in the event, most of them from the tourism sector, which was gravely hit during the Covid-19 pandemic from restrictions of social distancing.

He added that since the restrictions are easing off, it is likely that companies engaged in tourism-related activities will need more employees as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone expects an influx of tourists during the next few months.

In their social media page, FUNtastic Subic Bay, the SBMA Tourism Department posted the companies that are currently hiring. Companies such as Zoobic Safari, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, and The Shoreline are currently looking to expand their workforce since they are expecting an increase in guest arrivals towards the end of this year.

Atty. Melvin Varias, SBMA Labor Manager, said that among the companies hiring, 7 are into business process outsourcing (BPOs), 8 manpower companies, 12 construction services, and 9 manufacturing companies.

The applicants hired on-the-spot were in fact already welcomed into the workforce by DaTian Subic Shoes Corporation, a shoe manufacturing company here.

Varias disclosed that Subic Bay Freeport workforce is 146,711-strong who are employed with 3,731 companies here. He added that Olongapo has the biggest number of workers with 65,363 employees, followed by Zambales with 27,027.

He also said that most of the workers are male, with 102,070 compared to 44,641 female workers, mostly working in the service providing companies. The service sector which comprises 74.25 percent of the workforce, is followed by the manufacturing sector with 13.76 percent.

The two categories are followed by the construction sector at 8.38 percent, while marine-related services follow with 3.61 percent. (MPD-SBMA)

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Japanese manufacturing company eyes ₱4B expansion in Subic

Japanese company Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation, manufacturer of reducer gears for robotic application, is eyeing a P4-billion expansion project inside its manufacturing site at the Subic Techno Park (STEP) in this premier Freeport zone.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the expansion will generate employment to some 3,400 skilled workers as the company intends to engage into producing a new product called Flexwave, a middle-sized speed reducer for robots.

Paulino disclosed that the company plans to increase the number of workers from its current 625 to 4,028 once the expansion project has been completed by 2025. This is to fulfill its production target of 350,000 per year, all of which will be exported to the USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, China, India, and Brazil.

“The number of skilled workers in the Freeport’s adjacent communities is certainly in high demand. The SBMA will help in any way it can to provide the company the manpower needed for its expansion operation,” he added.

The SBMA chief lauded Nidec Subic for showing their confidence with the SBMA and pursuing its goal to make it happen in the Philippines, even choosing the Subic Bay Freeport to implement the expansion project.

The said expansion will entail two phases. First phase will be the renovation of two of their buildings, which are expected to be completed by third quarter of 2022. Second phase will be the construction of a new building, which is expected to be completed by November or December of 2022.

During the height of the pandemic, the firm had to cut down on its employees due to the closure of their base production of spindle motors to ensure the financial stability of the company.

As a result, the company retrenched 70 percent of its workforce due to the adverse effect on the global economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The company was forced to give 784 workers their separation pay.

Meanwhile, Chairman Paulino assured Nidec Subic that the SBMA is keen on helping them find skilled workers for the imminent expansion as the SBMA recently signed an agreement with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to establish a skills training and assessment center to train potential workers who will complement workforce requirements of industries in the Freeport. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, TESDA agree to produce more highly skilled, reliable workforce in Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to rekindle its partnership to produce more highly skilled and reliable workforce.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino and TESDA Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña signed the agreement at the Hilton Clark Hotel in Clark Freeport on Thursday during TESDA’s 17th General Directorate Conference.

“Subic Bay Freeport is well-known to be the center of highly skilled and English-speaking workers. That is why a lot foreign investors have been confidently setting up their businesses here,” Paulino said.

He added that even during the height of the pandemic foreign investors remained in the Freeport still hoping to make it happen in the Philippines and help revive the economy.

According to the MOA, building 309 located at Canal Road in Subic Bay Freeport will be utilized as a skills training and assessment center to train potential workers who will complement workforce requirements of industries inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

He added that the center also intends to address the training and assessment improvement requirements of the Freeport zone workers, which include the displaced workers due to the pandemic, the indigenous peoples and the disadvantaged sectors in the area. 

Secretary Lapeña said, “For skills and livelihood programs, the training center will offer programs in agriculture, construction, automotive and land transportation related sectors for the displaced workers and others in need of skills training and upgrading of skills or reinskilling.”

The MOA also stated that the SBMA shall provide the training venue or facility including cost of utilities, while TESDA shall ensure that qualified trainers and assessors, as well as appropriate tools, supplies, equipment and materials are available in the conduct of training and assessment.

“TESDA shall also provide free training and assessment and other related services thru available scholarship programs. Both parties shall jointly implement minimum health protocols in the conduct of training and assessment under the new normal,” Lapeña added.

The duration of the MOA is within five years, providing the two agencies a long-term partnership. It also ensures that the appropriate training and assessment programs and services are extended to the intended beneficiaries of the SBFZ.

The training facility is a two-storey building with an area of 2,000 square meters, initially costing P6.5 million allotted by the SBMA for refurbishment. The first phase will include workshop areas in welding, electrical training program, and other support amenities.

The SBMA’s expansion project for the facility includes the creation of workshop areas on electronics and photovoltaic system at the second floor.

Witnessing the event were Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President Emmanuel Gaerlan, TESDA Board Members Randy Nonato and Nonita Ortiz, SBMA Labor Manager Atty. Melvin Varias, SBMA Public Relations Manager Armie Llamas, TESDA Region 3 Director Balmyrson Valdez, TESDA Deputy Director General (DDG) Lina Sarmiento, DDG Rosanna Urdaneta, DDG Aniceto Bertiz III, DDG Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, and other officials of the two agencies.

Back in 2018, the SBMA and TESDA also collaborated with a company engaged in trading of motor vehicles here for the training of workers in the automotive industry.

Subictrak International Inc., a Subic-registered enterprise engaged in importation, remanufacture, rebuilding and re-export of motor vehicles and heavy equipment, joined TESDA for an in-plant Dual Training System to help increase standards in truck rebuilding. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA conducts inspection of future Agila Subic facility

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), along with local and foreign dignitaries, conducted a site inspection of the future Agila Subic facility last May 15 at the Redondo Peninsula here in this premier Freeport Zone.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino led the delegation along with Olongapo City Mayor Lenj Paulino, and the Philippine Navy.

Paulino said that one of the mandates given to him by President Rodrigo Duterte is to ensure a smooth transition of the company to the former Hanjin shipyard facility, and bring to fruition what the former administration of the agency had started.

Now called Agila Subic, the former Hanjin shipyard will be housing two tenants.

One tenant Vectrus, will be occupying most of the shipbuilding area of the facility, including the quays.  Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy is currently occupying the former Hanjin administrative office, mess hall, and barracks.

Vectrus is a global service solutions provider to the United States government and across the world, which offers facility and base operations, supply chain and logistics services, information technology (IT) mission support, and engineering and digital integration services.

Former Hanjin workers who have been skills-trained will be hired by the company since it will require skilled workers.

29 workers have already been hired and the company hopes to employ more workers who used to work for the shipbuilding company.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lenj Paulino said that the city government plans to provide skills training to its residents as the re-elected official sees a boom in employment in the ship repair industry in the area. He added that companies, who are looking for skilled workers, would only need to contact the city government.

Recently, the Department of Finance stated that the Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB) has approved the proposed tax perks as endorsed by the SBMA, for the rehabilitation of the ageing shipyard.

The project will be receiving special corporate income tax (SCIT), value-added tax (VAT) exemption from importation, VAT zero-rating on local purchases, and duty exemption on importation.

The total project cost is estimated at Php17 Billion. (MPD-SBMA)

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1st face-to-face job fair kicks off SBMA’s month-long Labor Day 2022 celebration

For the first time after two years of stalled activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) kicked off its month-long celebration of Labor Day 2022  with a face-to-face job fair early Monday morning.

Hundreds of job-seekers from Olongapo City and nearby towns trooped to Ayala Mall Harbor Point to grab their opportunity to bounce back from economic difficulties that the pandemic had caused.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said that more than 3,000 job vacancies from 55 companies in the Subic Freeport and Olongapo City are up for grabs in the said job fair.

“I hope every one of you gets a job today. And when you get hired, always be a good and hardworking employee. Always put your family at the top of your priorities,” Paulino told applicants,  emphasizing the pros and cons of joining labor unions.

“When you have problems with your employers, seek help of our SBMA Labor Center who is always ready to help you resolve your problems. There is nothing that could not be resolved in a peaceful dialogue,” he assured.

Chairman Paulino also reported that the takeover of Cerberus Management Capital and Agila Naval, Inc. of the former Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) facility, has been finalized.

“That is why, we will be coordinating with TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) for the skills training that maybe needed when Cerberus starts operation any time soon,” he said.

Atty. Melvin Varias, manager of the SBMA Labor Department, noted that locators and investors in the Subic Freeport were very much pleased with the turnout of the job fair after being stalled for two years.

“Subic companies are pleased with today’s job fair because for the first time in two years, they are able to screen applicants face-to-face, which is more convenient in hiring on-the-spot,” Varias said.

Varias reported that the number of companies joining the job fair has increased to 60 with 3,415 job vacancies to offer.

The job fair is in partnership with the Olongapo City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), and is part of the month-long Labor Day 2022 celebration.

Other activities lined-up are Zumbang Pampalakas, Obrerong Matikas, a zumbathon for all Freeport workers at the Boardwalk on May 6; a 3K Fun Run  on May 7 around the Central Business District; Diskwento Caravan at the Harbor Point parking area from May 18 to 20; and Job Fair Part 2 at the Harbor Point on May 18. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic workforce grows to 142,177 in 2021

Despite some business difficulties during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of workers in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone registered a continuing growth and reached a yearend total of 142,177 last year.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said Subic’s job generation effort was buoyed by new investments and expansions in the services and manufacturing sectors, which now respectively hire 72% and 15% of the current workforce in the Freeport.

Eisma said the 3,190 Subic-registered companies that now provide various services here employ a total of 102,540 workers, while 93 manufacturing firms have a total of 21,529 employees.

On the other hand, the 237 construction companies operating in Subic employ a total of 12,225 workers, while 112 companies engaged in shipbuilding and marine-related services hire a total of 5,884 workers.

 “It’s true that some of the companies here have closed or were forced to reduce their manpower complement because of the pandemic, but overall, the number of workers in Subic actually increased by 1.03% in 2020 and by 2.31% last year,” Eisma said.

“So, this means that Subic has been coping very well with the challenges posed by the current health crisis, and was finding new opportunities for businesses to survive and even prosper,” she added.

Eisma also pointed out that except for a .32% decrease in workforce count in 2009, the Subic Freeport has been riding an upward trend in job generation since 1999 when the total number of workers stood at 19,969.

“From there, our count continuously climbed to 55,875 in 2004; 88,450 in 2010; 112,653 in 2016; and finally, 142,177 in 2021,” Eisma said.

She added that even with the closure in 2019 of the Hanjin shipyard, which used to employ some 35,000 workers, Subic still registered a manpower increase of 1.37% that year.

“This was because job generation has been the top priority in Subic, as this was the reason for its being—to provide jobs, especially to those who lost theirs when the Subic Naval Base closed in 1992. And we’re proud that since then, Subic has been able to fulfill its mandate,” Eisma said.

According to SBMA Labor Department manager Melvin L. Varias, most of the workers employed in the Subic Freeport come from Olongapo City, which contributed a total of 62,201 or 43.75%, and Zambales, with 25,756 workers or 18.12% of the total.

Next is Bataan with 17,764 (12.49%); National Capital Region with 5,310 (3.73%); Pampanga, 4,388 (3.09%); Tarlac, 1,950 (1.37%); and other areas, 24,808 (17.45%).

Just last December, Varias said that a total of 2,062 workers were hired by Subic firms, mostly in the services (1,519) and manufacturing (494) sectors.

Varias said that as of December 2021, the Subic workforce is comprised of 101,113 male workers, or 71.12% of the total, and 41,064 females, or 28.88%.

He added that the biggest employers in Subic today are Datian Subic Shoes, Inc. with a total of 4,697 employees; Philippine Easepal Technology Ltd. Corp. with 2,766; EZ Set Tong Lung (Phils,) Metal Industry Co., 2,681; Sanyo Denki Phils. Inc., 1,375; and Exact Star Subic Bay Corp., 1,247 workers. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport posts P1.22-billion new investments in 2020

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone still attracted new business projects last year, proving that opportunities abound even during challenging times in this competitive investment destination.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, a total of 63 new projects were put up by business locators here in 2020, mostly in the fields of construction, health and wellness, logistics, and information and communication technology (ICT).

Said projects yielded total commitment investments amounting to P1.22 billion, and generated a total of 682 new jobs.

On the other hand, expansion projects by existing business locators in the Subic Freeport totaled 16 in 2020, Eisma said. These are concentrated in construction, leisure, real estate, logistics, and petroleum trading.

The expansion projects generated a total of P163 million in new investments, as well as 264 additional employment.

“Apparently, there emerged some winners and some losers in Subic ever since the Covid-19 pandemic drastically changed how business is done globally. But the SBMA has done its best to help the businesses survive,” Eisma said.

She said that of the more than 3,300 companies operating in Subic when the pandemic broke out early last year, a total of 83 had since opted for non-renewal or pre-termination of their contracts with the SBMA.

“As of last month, there are still more than 200 companies that are not operating, including a few which are not yet allowed to operate under Covid-19 restrictions,” Eisma pointed out.

She said that most, or about 70 percent, of these are in the leisure industry, followed by manufacturing with 22 percent, and ICT at six percent.

As a result, a total of 8,129 workers were also affected by the business slowdown, she said. A total of 4,138 workers were put on forced leave; 2,265 were retrenched; and 3,642 entered into work arrangements with irregular work hours.

Eisma said that Subic had since gradually eased down on business restrictions, but with strict compliance of protocols laid down by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

She said that aside from giving business locators various economic relief assistance during the pandemic, the SBMA will continue to be proactive in managing the Covid-19 situation in the Subic Bay Freeport to further stimulate the local economy and generate better benefits for Freeport stakeholders. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (center) joins the groundbreaking for a two-storey commercial building at the Subic Bay Gateway Park on Jan. 15 with (from right) Subic Bay Development Management Corp. president Willy Wang, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Benjamin Antonio, and Dinalupihan Mayor Ma. Angela Garcia. 

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