SBMA, BJMP sign MOA for Adopt-A-Mangrove Program

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)  for the Adopt-A-Mangrove Program at the corporate boardroom of the administration building here on March 12, 2026.

The MOA, which was signed between SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and BJMP Regional Office 3 (BJMPRO3) Regional Director, Jail Chief Superintendent (JCSupt) Paulino H. Moreno Jr., stipulates the development of approximately 400 square meters of mangrove area within Subic Bay Freeport. 

Aliño explained that under the MOA, SBMA will designate an area within the SBFZ mangrove forest to be adopted by BJMPRO3. Mangrove seedlings from the agency’s Mangrove Nursery will also be provided. He added that SBMA will monitor and evaluate the adopted area annually.

“And after completing the three-year program, SBMA will award BJMPRO3 with a Certificate of Completion upon turnover of the area to SBMA,” he added.

Meanwhile, JCSupt Moreno assured that BJMPRO3 personnel will plant at least 100 seedlings and ensure the survival of the planted mangrove propagules in the SBMA-designated area. 

He also said that BJMPRO3 personnel will conduct regular cleanup activities, provide adequate manpower, and hand over the area to SBMA after three years.

SBMA Ecology Center OIC Rossell L. Abuyo and BJMPPO Zambales Provincial Jail Administrator JSupt. Ferdinand G. Malabo witnessed the signing of the MOA along with other officials from the SBMA and BJMP.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone hosts approximately 61 to 65 hectares of protected mangrove forests, primarily in areas such as Triboa Bay, Binictican, and Malawaan. 

These areas serve as crucial coastal protection, wildlife habitats, and ecotourism sites, with ongoing conservation efforts, including tree planting and rehabilitation, conducted by the SBMA Ecology Center and its partners. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Subic stakeholders, employees join Biay Dagat 2022 coastal cleanup

Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and close to 2,000 stakeholders of this premier freeport joined the coastal clean-up on Friday as a culminating activity of Biay Dagat 2022.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the SBMA Coastal Clean Up: Biay Dagat coastal clean-up is part of the agency’s effort to make Subic Bay Freeport attractive to tourists, and investors who intend to make it happen in the Philippines by infusing capital funds in Subic.

The participants conducted clean-up drives at the Waterfront Beach, Lighthouse Resort, Malawaan Beach, Triboa Bay Mangrove Park, Tago Beach, Nabasan Beach, Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) Mangrove Area, Binictican Mangrove, and San Bernardino Road jetty area.

He added that some of the participants also conducted an off-shore cleanup, citing that these participants are called SCOOPsurero who were detailed at the  river mouths of the Subic Bay Freeport found in Matain, Kalaklan, and other nearby areas.

“The coastal clean-up is the culminating event of the Biay Dagat. We also conducted online lectures such as the importance and conservation of mangroves and corals, and the role of the public in marine conservation and preservation earlier this week, and a Pawikan online lecture was also conducted on Thursday,” he said.

An infomercial video making contest that started from August 26 and ended on September 19 was also an initiative of the SBMA to give more meaning to this year's ICC. Paulino said that contestants must adhere to the theme “Anong SilBay Mo?” that should focus on the importance of protecting marine biodiversity and the public’s role in protecting Subic Bay’s marine ecosystem.

The agency also took part in the International Coastal Cleanup 2022 on Saturday at the Lighthouse Marina Resort where more than 200 participants from various stakeholders here joined the coastal clean-up.

Lighthouse management, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Cubao West also launched a recycling machine that converts collected plastic trash into more durable everyday items such as chairs, trash bins, planting pots, and lumber. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay joins World Wetlands Day celebration

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) launched the 1st Subic Bay Wetlands Celebration Wednesday (Feb. 1), joining the international community in celebrating this year’s World Wetlands Day.

With the theme “Wetlands for disaster risk reduction”, the two-day Subic celebration culminated with the holding of Biay Mangrove Adventure with around 150 employees and environmental officers from different companies participating in various activities related to mangrove protection.

SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma said the activity which was spearheaded by the agency’s environment arm, the Ecology Center, was aimed at educating the participants on the importance of wetlands to the coastal communities, the environment and marine life.

“We appreciate the participants for sharing their time in raising public awareness about the importance of the wetlands and contribute to the conservation and protection of our mangrove forests,” she said.

Inside the Freeport’s Binictican-Malawaan Mangrove Area, participants were divided into groups: one group assigned to pick-up, identify and record trash and garbage found inside the mangrove area, and another to plant mangrove samplings to “vacant” portions of the area.

Another group was assigned to count and record how many living crustaceans they could find in the selected one square meter-area of the wetland to determine the biodiversity in the area.

SBMA Ecology Center head Amethya Dela Llana-Koval said the records will be used as reference in formulating a mangrove management plan that will define guidelines and policies related to the protection and conservation of all mangrove areas in the Freeport.

There is an estimated 62 hectares of wetlands in Subic Freeport located in Boton, Binictican-Malawaan, Triboa A, Triboa B, Nabasan and Ilanin, where 37 species of mangroves are found and serve as feeding, spawning and nursery grounds to many marine life and considered as nature’s buffer to natural hazards such as flooding caused by storms, cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis.

Among the objectives of the MMP is to regulate the harvesting of all resources, such as fish, crabs, woods among others, inside the mangrove areas through the help of a community-based monitoring team.

Koval also lauded Administrator Eisma for her support to environment-related activities of Ecology Center, including the launching of 1st Subic Bay Wetlands Day celebration.

In a meeting with environmental officers prior to celebration day, Koval remarked that Eisma is supporting all programs of the Ecology Center, particularly one that penalizes litterers and trash throwers in the Freeport zone.

“Galit ang ating Administrator sa basura na madalas makita sa ating mangrove areas na madalas maging sanhi ng pagkasira ng ating bakawan at pagkaubos ng mga yamang tubig,” she said.

She noted that one may not realize the importance of mangroves until the day we lose our water resources and habitat. “Mangroves are the life of our water resources. When the eco-system is put in danger by destroying the mangrove areas, other parts of the environment are also affected,” she explained.

World Wetlands Day was first celebrated internationally in 1997 and held every 2nd of February by holding activities to raise public awareness and promote the conservation and protection of wetlands including seminars, mangrove adventures, festivities and other activities. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] An indigenous Aeta woman joins other volunteers in planting mangrove saplings during the celebration of World Wetlands Day at the Malawaan-Binictican mangrove area in Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Feb. 02) morning. Celebrated every February 2 each year, World Wetlands Day with this year’s theme “Wetlands for Disaster Risks Reduction”, marks the date of the adaption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 02, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Volunteers conduct an epifaunal survey using a quadrant frame, a method in determining and counting living species in swamplands. The activity was part of the celebration of World Wetlands Day at the Malawaan-Binictican mangrove area in Subic Bay Freeport Thursday (Feb. 02) morning. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA continues private sector partnership for mangrove management

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has continued its partnership with the private sector in the restoration and management of mangrove forests in this free port, gaining more support this year for planting and clean-up projects, as well as public awareness campaigns.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the agency has again successfully tapped business locators in the Subic Freeport for sustaining its mangrove restoration program, which was launched by the SBMA Ecology Center early last year.

He said the companies that joined SBMA mangrove projects in the first half of 2016 were Asia International Auctioneers, Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Services, Chowking, Sankyo Denki Corp., and Anscor Swire.

The project participants since January also included the International School of Manila, international delegates to the Asia Forestry Week Convention, and SBMA employees.

“We’re evidently getting more support for this program,” Garcia said, pointing out that five business locators and two schools joined restoration projects last year.

“I believe that through our diligent information program, more and more stakeholders in the Freeport as well as other areas have come to appreciate the importance of mangroves not only in food production, but also in coastal protection and tourism,” the SBMA official added.

He said the project participants helped plant mangrove seedlings, clean mangrove areas and collect saplings, tag mangrove trees, construct seed plots and establish mangrove nurseries, donate nursery materials and equipment, and conduct lectures to local students.

According to Rhea Jane Mallari, senior forest management specialist at the SBMA Ecology Center, project participants have planted saplings at the Binictican, Malawaan and Maritan mangrove areas here.

Mallari said the SBMA mangrove reforestation program followed the natural zoning of species. Hence wildlings of the pototan, bungalon, and saging-saging species were planted at the Binictican site, bungalon wildlings at Malawaan, and nursery-propagated piagau and bakawang lalaki at Maritan.

Based on the Ecology Center’s monitoring, it was found out that nursery-raised seedlings had a higher survival rate compared to wildlings that were harvested from the planting sites.

The SBMA initiated the mangrove awareness and restoration campaign in early 2015 to increase public awareness on the importance of mangrove ecosystems; encourage stakeholder participation in mangrove management; protect and maintain the integrity of mangrove forests in the Subic Bay Freeport and ensure their sustainability; and attract research and ecologically-sound activities in the mangrove areas of Subic Bay. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and volunteers from business companies at the Subic Bay Freeport plant mangrove seedlings at the Triboa Mangrove Park during the Earth Day celebration in Subic Bay Freeport last April. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Earth Day 2016: Subic Bay stakeholders undertake mangrove, reef restoration projects

Stakeholders in this free port banded together on Friday for mangrove and reef restoration projects in celebration of Earth Day 2016.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said more than 500 representatives from various groups in the Subic community volunteered to collect talisay seedlings and mangrove saplings and planted them at the Apaliin Mangrove Trail inside the former naval magazine here.

“We are doing this not for ourselves, but for our children and the future generations,” Garcia said as he joined a tree-tagging project organized by the SBMA Ecology Center.

Garcia said that the successful Earth Day activities here “only show that more and more people are getting involved in protecting and preserving Mother Earth.”

Aside from SBMA employees, those who participated in the mangrove project included representatives from the Olongapo City Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) Squadron 111, workers from locator-companies and students.

On Wednesday, the PCGA also constructed six artificial reef units in Subic Bay to fulfill its commitment to the protection of the marine environment and its resources here.

The artificial reefs were installed approximately 15 meters deep and 100 meters from the shoreline of the SEA Beach Resort (former Dungaree Beach) inside the free port.

PCGA National Director Vice Admiral Valentin Prieto Jr., who witnessed the “Build-A-Reef” Project along with other senior officers of the auxiliary group, lauded the officers and members of Squadron 111 headed by its captain, Randy Escolango, who is also SBMA deputy administrator for legal affairs.

“Very impressive,” Prieto described the project, adding that the artificial reef will not only help boost the eco-system in the area, but also the local tourism industry.

At another site nearby, the non-government organization Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative, with full support from the management of the All Hands Beach and Resort here, also implemented a project to revive corals that were dying or damaged by pollution and other destructive human activities.

A group of divers from Sangkalikasan began doing the government-funded Reef Restoration Program in Subic Bay in August last year in an attempt to restore coral fragments.

Jose Rodriguez, project leader of Sangkalikasan, said that they are managing four coral nursery units (CNU) near Grande Island in Subic Bay, but had to transfer them to All Hands Beach for accessibility.

Each CNU is designed to hold at least 500 attachments of “corals of opportunity” which are a collection of dislodged live coral fragments for quick recovery and regeneration to increase survival rates upon transplantation in degraded coral reef sites.

“The management of All Hands Beach is dedicated to make this program successful and we are hoping that other beach resorts and coastal communities will follow suit,” Rodriguez said. (30)

Trash-to-Cash initiative

Meanwhile, A retail chain mall in Olongapo City joined other malls nationwide in the celebration of Earth Day through a simultaneous Trash to Cash Project.

In partnership with Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the activity aims to encourage people to protect and respect Mother Earth though recycling and proper waste disposal.

The project was started five years ago by SM Olongapo through its Trash to Cash Recycling Market, which invites and encourages local government and the community, haulers, recycling groups, social/environmental recycling project groups and private companies to bring their trash in the mall and exchange them for cash.

They could exchange for cash the following waste: plastic and PET bottles, tin and aluminum cans, cartons, papers and more.

However, batteries, car batteries, ink cartridges, computer, television and other electronic wastes are not accepted due to their hazardous content. (SNL)

PHOTOS: (Clockwise from left)

[1] SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia joins a tree-tagging activity at the Triboa Mangrove during the Earth Day celebration in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, April 22.

[2] Women volunteers planting mangrove seedlings at the Triboa Mangrove Park.

[3] A volunteer is reflected on the water as he plants a mangrove seedling.

(Photos by Jun Dumaguing, MPD-SBMA)

Other sources:
http://www.mb.com.ph/subic-bay-marks-earth-day-2016-with-reef-projects/
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=878712

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SBMA partners with private firms for mangrove reforestation

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has successfully harnessed the support of the private sector in implementing a project to restore mangrove forests here and increase public awareness on the importance of mangrove ecosystems.

According to SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, five business locators here and two schools from as far as Manila and La Union, have already participated in the agency’s mangrove restoration program since it was launched by the SBMA Ecology Center early this year.

The program has resulted in the planting of about 300 mangrove propagules, as well as a total of 130 nipa seedlings, with survival rates averaging at 70 percent in most planting areas in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Garcia said the program has gained much support from local stakeholders and visitors because the reforestation project is complemented by an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to help increase public appreciation of mangroves and their role in biodiversity.

“Once people learn that mangroves are not just putrid swampy areas, but in fact serve as home and breeding places for a large variety of fish, crab, shrimp and shells, they volunteer their help in planting and cleaning the mangrove areas here,” Garcia said.

“And because of the importance of mangroves not only in food production, but also in coastal protection and tourism, we hope to engage more and more companies and private groups in keeping the mangroves in Subic healthy and well,” the SBMA official added.

“Since February this year, the SBMA Ecology Center has undertaken several mangrove planting, cleanups, IEC tours, and species identification projects in partnership with companies and schools,” said Rhea Jane Mallari, a senior forest management specialist of the SBMA Ecology Center.

These include the International School of Manila, which planted “busain” and “piapi” species of mangrove; Subic Golf, which planted nipa seedlings for erosion control; Aikon Subic and Orica, which both undertook planting and IEC activities; Petron Corporation and Hitachi Mechatronics, both for planting and cleanup; and Don Mariano Marcos State University in La Union, which planted mangrove and helped in species identification and phenology.

The participants also donated tools and equipment, and some seed bags used in the planting activities.

Mallari said that most of the trees planted by the program participants had survived, although the Ecology Center and its partners “are still in the process of learning the best practices in mangrove restoration.”

“There is so much to be done, and in this regard we are seeking more partners and supporters to help us establish and operate a mangrove nursery,” Mallari said.

Lilia Alcazar, chief of the SBMA Ecology Center’s Protected Area Division, said the nursery project is important because nursery-raised mangrove seedlings have better-established root systems, and hence,higher survival rates.

The Center is also hoping for assistance in patrolling the mangrove areas here to discourage encroachment and indiscriminate harvesting of mangrove forest products.

Alcazar added that aside from raising public awareness on the importance of mangrove ecosystems, the Center’s Mangrove IEC and Restoration Program seeks to encourage stakeholders in joining the conduct of mangrove management strategies, the protection and maintenance of the integrity of mangrove forests, and the conduct of research and ecologically-sound activities in mangrove areas at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:
[1] Members of the SBMA Ecology Center’s mangrove restoration team harvest mangrove wildlings for transplanting at the Binictican-Malawaan mangrove forest in the Subic Bay Freeport.(AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA senior forest management specialist Rhea Jane Mallari (left) leads the Ecology Center mangrove restoration team in harvesting wildlings for transplanting at the Binictican-Malawaan mangrove forest in the Subic Bay Freeport. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay stakeholders plant trees to celebrate Arbor Day

Volunteer groups and workers in this free port joined the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in a tree-planting activity here in celebration of Arbor Day on Thursday.

More than a thousand SBMA employees, workers from Freeport companies, and volunteers from various civic organizations in Olongapo City planted around 1,500 saplings of different tree species at the reforestation site in Mount Santa Rita.

Forester Patrick Escusa, head of the SBMA Ecology Center’s Social Development Division, which coordinated the event, said the participants included delegates from the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of Olongapo City, the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary 111th Squadron in Hermosa, Bataan, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Philippine National Police offices in Olongapo and Hermosa.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the project is part of the agency’s environmental preservation and conservation advocacy program under Republic Act 10716, which revived the observance of Arbor Day in 2012 and authorized government units to observe the annual event with tree-planting activities.

The same law requires all able-bodied citizens, who are at least 12 years of age, to plant at least one tree every year.

“What we’re doing here is taking care of the environment; yet we are also ensuring the sustainability of our future with this activity,” Garcia said. “With the help of stakeholders in the Freeport, the SBMA is committed more than ever to continue with this project and pave a brighter, greener tomorrow for Subic.”

The Arbor Day celebration, which was the first to be held here in the Subic Freeport, kicked off with a simple program in front of the SBMA administration building, and then proceeded with an 80-vehicle convoy to the reforestation site in Mount Santa Rita.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Randy Escolango, who is also commander of the PCGA 111th Squadron, said that the celebration was successful, considering the high turnout.

“The celebration was a big success. It only manifests that most us still care for the environment and are willing to give time and effort to preserve it,” Escolango said.

Meanwhile, dozens of employees and senior officials of Hitachi Terminals Mechatronics Philippines (HTMP), a Japanese company, which manufactures ATM parts and components, planted 150 mangrove wildlings at the mangrove sanctuary in the Freeport zone.

Catherine Dizon, HTMP assistant manager for administration, said that the activity is part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility program that also aims to promote awareness on environment preservation among the company’s workers.

“While it is harder to plant mangrove than tree saplings, this is a new experience for all of us and our Japanese bosses enjoyed doing this,” Dizon added.

The mangrove-planting activity was led by Hitoshi Ito, HTMP general manager for production; Hiroto Konoke, general manager for administration; Kenji Hattori, department manager for purchasing; and Tokunobu Asami, deputy department manager for engineering. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:
[1] SBMA employees and workers from locator-companies plant trees at Mount Santa Rita in celebration of Arbor Day in the Subic Bay Freeport on Thursday, June 25. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Employees of Hitachi Terminals Mechatronics Philippines conduct a mangrove reforestation project at the Malawaan mangrove sanctuary as part of the company's corporate social responsibility program. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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