Warehouse for US Marine Corps humanitarian efforts opens in Subic Freeport

This premier Freeport is set to be the staging area for the United States Marine Corps humanitarian aid and disaster relief as it opens a warehouse facility at the Naval Supply Depot here on Tuesday. 

US Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson and officials from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the warehouse that will be used by the US Marine Corps for storage.

Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command, said that the site will enable them to preposition equipment for humanitarian aid and disaster relief that will be utilized for its Indo-Pacific region operations. 

 

“This is one of our ashore sites for humanitarian aid and disaster relief. As part of the Marine Corps’ global prepositioning network, there will be no ammunition, just motor transportation, communication, and engineering,” Watson explained. 

 

Blount Island Command plans to stage humanitarian aid and disaster relief equipment for the Indo-Pacific region.

 

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño expressed his full support for the ingress of the equipment to Subic Bay Freeport. “This is a great stride for the Subic Bay Freeport in assisting foreign allies in their thrust to provide humanitarian aid and relief assistance in the Indo-Pacific Region.”

 

He added that Subic Bay Freeport is one of the most strategic areas to deploy aid to other areas around the Indo-Pacific Region, as the area has become the logistics hub for maritime and aviation industry in the country.

 

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Blount Island Command is the hub for US Marine Corps prepositioning programs, including afloat squadrons and ashore sites. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA-HCPTI deal to spur growth in Subic Port

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan predicts that the P5.5-billion joint venture between the agency and the Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) will spur growth in the port businesses of this premier Freeport.

During the inauguration of the Subic Port at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) here, the 10-year Subic Port joint venture will revitalize the ports, yards, and cargo handling inside this Freeport. The JV also includes the development, operation and management of several ports inside the former US naval base.

“Our goal at SBMA is in line with HCPTI’s goal of creating more employment opportunities, generate new income, boost the tourism, attract more foreign and local investments, and expand the trading business in Subic,” he said.

He added that the upgrade of the port facilities is expected to improve cargo processing efficiency, reduce ship turnaround times, and increase the volume of bulk and break bulk cargo handled.

HCPTI Chairman Regis Romero II said that with the inauguration of the Subic Port operation, the country is now able to provide enough buffer from global inflation and regional conflicts. He cited that unrest in Ukraine and Israel has put a damper on the global economy.

“Sustainability in business may face threats due to some uncertainties, especially from external forces like the unrest in Ukraine and Israel. But I remain confident, considering that our economy can withstand external shocks which has been proven many times over – from the 1997 Asian financial crisis to the 2008 global economic meltdown and all the way to the recent covid-induced market slump and worldwide inflation,” Romero said.

“Thanks to the fact that our economy is driven by consumption such that the nation can consume what it can produce. To a large extent, it makes our economy virtually self-sustaining. But to ensure economic expansion amid the growing domestic requirements, we have to trade beyond our borders and attract foreign capital and technologies,” Dr. Romero II stressed, apparently hinting at the priority goals of the SBMA-HCPTI joint venture. (MPD-SBMA)

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BOC seizes 7,029MT sugar from Thailand in Port of Subic

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic seized around 7,029 metric tonnes of sugar on Thursday evening as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to thwart the illegal hoarding of sugar imports in the country. 

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the BOC Port of Subic held the Taiwanese cargo ship MV Bangpakaew at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) on Thursday evening.

He said that the ship that came from Bangkok containing 142,798 bags or equivalent to 7,029 metric tonnes of imported sugar arrived on August 17, 7pm. A part of the shipment have already been unloaded into three trucks supposedly en route to Oro Agri Trade in Rosales, Pangasinan.

According to Paulino, the vessel has allegedly been using recycled import documents and has already paid its taxes worth P44 million. The cargo vessel is currently on hold for further investigation.

“We are following President Marcos’ mandate to ensure that there is no hoarding of sugar in the country. The President made it clear that he does not want to import sugar, and certainly he does not want the illegal hoarding of sugar that causes prices to skyrocket,” he said.

Recently, the BOC Port of Subic intercepted various illicit cigarettes worth P253 Million from June to July 2022.

According to Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin, previously, 972 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Thousand Sunny valued at P40.09 million were confiscated in June. She added that the Port also intercepted 1,003 master cases of cigarettes worth P41.3 million, consigned to Russhi Knish Consumer.

“Another shipment of Thousand Sunny Enterprise arrived at the Port despite the revocation of their accreditation. It contained 1,000 master cases of assorted cigarettes valued at P42.2 million,” she added.

In July 2022, the Port seized another 2,157 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Proline Logistics Philippines Inc. amounting to P84.9 million.

The BOC-Subic also received information that another shipment consigned to Proline Logistics Inc. would arrive at the Port.

The BOC immediately issued a Pre-lodgment Control Order against the subject shipment, which contained 1,122 master cases of Marvels Filter Kings Cigarettes valued at P46,276,890.00. Martin vowed to protect the national borders against unscrupulous importers and illicit traders through intensified profiling and monitoring of import goods. (MPD-SBMA)

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LOOK: SBMA Chairman inspects Magsaysay Bridge construction; Clean-up drive at the NSD compound

 [1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino (in white polo shirt) inspects the on-going construction of Magsaysay Bridge which links the city of Olongapo and the Subic Bay Freeport zone on Friday, March 25. He urged the contractors to expedite the construction of the said bridge as it delays the development of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

[2-3] Various employees from different Freeport companies join a clean-up drive at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) Compound on Friday March 25. The said activity was initiated by the SBMA Seaport Department to ensure a clean environment in this part of the Subic Freeport zone.

(Photos by MPD-SBMA)

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House leaders back vital Subic-Manila coastal highway

HOUSE Leaders yesterday endorsed the construction of the 65-km coastal highway from Subic Bay to Manila to dramatically unclog the premier international shipping gateway to the country and decongest traffic in the metropolis.

In separate interviews, Quezon City Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe, and Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone joined Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Martin Diño in seeking the approval of President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte to prioritize the project.

“Any road development towards MM is welcome due to the magnitude of the traffic problem. However, we should study further the best infrastructure available as the best alternative,” Castelo said.

“I am one hundred percent behind this proposal. However, let us start to lessen the centralization of economic activities in Metro Manila and prioritize the dispersal of industries to the provinces. And we can not start this process if we continue building structures going to Manila,” Batocabe, president of the Party-List Coalition (PLC) and chairman of the House special committee on climate change.

For his part, Evardone, who chairs the House committee on bank and financial intermediaries, said: “Any good plan that will help decongest Manila and its worsening traffic should be supported.”

Diño was referring to the new multi-modal highway for rail cargo and vehicular traffic, linking the Subic and Manila ports by the shortest route possible, dovetails with the Freeport’s planned expansion of its Container Terminals 3 and 4 to increase its handling capacity to 1.2 million TEUs or Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit.

He said the SBMA would boost as well the handling capacity of the Naval Supply Depot Compound and Bulk Cargo Port Wharves for loose cargoes, and rehabilitate the Sattler Pier, as modernizing its port facilities and rebuilding its aging infrastructure shift to high gear.

Diño said he has also sought the help of Public Works Secretary Mark Villar to provide technical assistance for the proposed widening of the narrow Tipo Road, which links the Freeport facility to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), into a four-lane highway and the construction of a new tunnel and bridge to accommodate the new lanes are also among his priorities.

He stressed that these projects should be undertaken simultaneously in this “golden age of infrastructure” as the Philippines rides the momentum as the best-performing economy in the region.

Also considered a vital part of the new road network is the 17.273-km bypass road for cargo trucks that would connect the Freeport terminals directly with the SCTEX in Hermosa, Bataan to provide easy transport for goods and services at the export processing zones in the area and in nearby towns in Pampanga, he said.

The bypass road would also relieve traffic buildup at the steep Tipo Road for vehicles and heavy trucks going in and out of the Freeport.

“Our goal is to connect Subic to Manila and the economic zones in Luzon,” Diño said. (Ryan Ponce Pacpaco, Journal Online)

PHOTO:
Aerial shot of the Port of Subic showing its container terminal, piers and warehouses.

Read More: http://www.journal.com.ph/news/top-stories/house-leaders-back-vital-subic-manila-coastal-highway

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SBMA infra expenditures rise by 957%

As a result of outstanding financial performance in the past three consecutive years, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) increased its capital expenditures (CAPEX) on infrastructure by 957 percent in 2015.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the SBMA approved a total of P302.5 million last year to fund eight major infrastructure projects, compared to only P28.6 million in 2014.

The amount is part of the P800-million CAPEX being utilized by SBMA to fund the repair of service roads, purchase of new vehicles, and renovation of SBMA buildings and facilities in the free port.

Garcia said that in 2013, the agency had very limited cash to fund even the minor repair of its roads and buildings. However, because of the dedication of SBMA officials and employees to improve the agency’s performance in 2014, the agency managed to allocate P28.63 million for infrastructure.

“The amount was insufficient but at least, we were able to start minor repairs on our roads and buildings,” the SBMA official said.

Garcia said that the shortage of funds in the past years had led to some embarrassing situations like when a group of investors visited him one rainy day and water started to drip from the ceiling.

“That is why as a reward for another successful year, we have allotted P3.19 million for the repair and waterproofing of the concrete roof at Building 229, which is the SBMA administration building,” he said.

Garcia said other projects completed under the 2015 infrastructure program include the improvement of road networks at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) area, the renovation of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), and the construction of a sentry booth and a medical-dental clinic at the Aeta tribal village in Pastolan, Hermosa, Bataan.

NSD is being utilized as unloading, warehousing, and stockpiling area for imported bulk grains, as well as containerized and non-containerized items.

Meanwhile, the SBECC is undergoing major renovation, general repainting, and upgrading of interior fixtures, including modern lights and sound systems in preparation for some upcoming big events, one of which is the Ad Summit 2016, the third time it will be hosted by Subic in a row.

Ad Summit Pilipinas 2016 is the country’s largest gathering in the advertising and marketing industry and more than 5,000 delegates from the industry in the country and abroad are expected to attend it.

Garcia said the use of choice materials in refurbishing the SBECC would help make Subic live up to its title as “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon” which the Department of Tourism bestowed in 2012.

Garcia added that the SBMA is ready to spend a significant amount for the repair and rehabilitation of infrastructures because the Subic Bay Freeport has a total asset of P28 billion, considered the largest among site-specific Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the country like the Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

“Subic is not only the first Freeport, but the largest and most progressive in the country, and we want to keep it that way,” Garcia said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Before and after photos of a slope protection project undertaken by the SBMA under its 2015 infrastructure development program (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] A road repair crew rehabilitates a portion of the road at the Central Business District of the Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Criminal raps ordered vs HCPTI’s Romeros

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Monday ordered the filing of criminal charges against Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI) Chairman Reghis Romero II and Chief Executive Officer Michael Romero.

In a resolution approved on April 7, Morales said that besides Reghis and Michael, she ordered the filing of information against 18 officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

According to Morales, on February 24, 2010, the SBMA entered into joint-venture agreement (JVA) with HCPTI for the development, operation and management of the Naval Supply Depot and the ports in Boton, Alava, Rivera and Bravo.

“The Terms of Reference granted it concession as exclusive port operator of the five ports and exclusive cargo handling for foreign and domestic break-bulk and bulk cargoes for the entire zone. In exchange, the SBMA stood to receive a fixed and guaranteed share of $32,000,000 for the 25-year agreement, as well as a variable revenue share,” she said.

The case stemmed from separate complaints filed by port operators Amerasia International Terminal Services Inc. (AITSI) and Subic Seaport Terminal Inc. (SSTI), which contested the award to HCPTI.

The Ombudsman determined that as officers and beneficial owners, Reghis and Michael Romero were at the receiving end of the unwarranted benefits as they failed to show that the company was legally entitled to its grant.

“Respondents’ above-described acts readily show that they acted in conspiracy, that is, they came to an agreement concerning the commission of a felony and decided to commit it,” the resolution said.

However, Reghis and Michael Romero’s other criminal charges for violation of Section 3 (g) and (j) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, and Article 186 (Monopolies and Combinations in Restraint of Trade) of the Revised Penal Code were dismissed for lack of merit.

For the SBMA, Morales ordered the filing of an information for violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019 against former SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, former Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Armand Arreza, Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon Agregado, former Senior Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez, former Deputy Administrator Ma. Cristina Millan, Deputy Administrator Marcelino Sanqui, former Board Members Edralino Cajudo, Member Antonio Rex Chan, Ricardo Coscolluela, Angelita DJ Cruz and Teodoro del Rosario.

Also included as respondents are former Board Members Jorge Estanislao, Ma. Angela Garcia, James Lorenzana, Ma. Victoria Pineda, Stefani Saño, Jennifer Khonghun-Ting and Eddie Tamondong.

Morales said the SBMA officials “displayed manifest partiality and evident bad faith in the performance of their functions.”

The resolution cited the guidelines issued by the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) that a JVA shall only be executed after the conduct of the competitive challenge (bidding) where a private-sector participant has been declared winner and issued a Notice of Award. It also noted that the SBMA resorted to procedural shortcuts and undertook material deviations, including changes in the eligibility requirements.

Morales also said she found that the SBMA pegged the project cost at only P763 million to allow HCPTI to post a lower bid security of P15.26 million, even if the original cost of the JVA was set at P5.537 billion, which should have required a bid security of P100 million.

“By changing the project cost after the publication of the Invitation to Submit Comparative Proposals and imposing additional eligibility requirements, it appears that respondents manipulated the process by enabling HCPTI to post a significantly lower bid security and, at the same time, discouraging prospective JV partners from participating in the competitive challenge by imposing conditions for participation based on the higher project cost,” the resolution explained.

Meanwhile, in a 20-page decision on the administrative aspect of the AITSI complaint, Morales said she found the commission of grave misconduct and ordered the dismissal from the service of Agregado, Sanqui and Salonga with the accessory penalties of absolute disqualification from holding any public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, cancellation of civil service eligibility, and bar from taking any civil service examination.

The same principal penalty would have been imposed on Arreza, Millan, Cajudo, Coscolluela, Cruz, del Rosario, Estanislao, Lorenzana, Pineda, Saño, Ting and Tamondong had they not been separated from the service during the pendency of the case. They were, however, each ordered to pay a fine equivalent to their salary for one year deductible from their retirement benefits, accrued leave credits and other receivables, aside from facing the same accessory penalties.

The Ombudsman, however, said the administrative case against Hernandez, Chan and Garcia was dismissed in view of their separation from the service prior to the filing of the case.

The second administrative case for violation of Section 5(a) of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) was dismissed for lack of merit, in a separate seven-page decision on the administrative aspect of the SSTI complaint. (Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz, Business Mirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/top-news/30636-criminal-raps-ordered-vs-hcpti-s-romeros

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