Senate gives SBMA's 2024 budget a speedy nod

Without any hesitation, the Senate has approved the proposed budget of P681 Million for fiscal year 2024 of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) during a plenary session at the Senate of the Philippines on Tuesday.

The proposed budget sponsored by Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito was approved without further interpolation by the Senate during Plenary Session No. 30 presided by Senate President Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

According to Ejercito, the recommended appropriations for the SBMA for fiscal year 2024 will focus primarily on the rehabilitation of Subic Bay Freeport and its facilities, and will fund two continuing projects, mostly road and infrastructure projects.

Minority Floor Leader Senator Koko Pimentel readily approved the proposed budget citing that he will no longer post questions regarding the said budget stating that it was a reasonable amount of subsidy.  

Senator Pimentel also expressed his admiration for SBMA Chairman Jonathan D. Tan noting the official’s friendly, pleasant and unassuming disposition, and as a former mayor, Sen. Pimentel said that Tan is competent to run the Freeport zone.

Pimentel also shared that the SBMA Chief also revealed his plans on how to fight smuggling “to the fullest extent of his authority as SBMA Chairman and Administrator.”

Meanwhile, Senate President Zubiri said that the Senate is in the process of amending the CREATE law purposely to return the powers to the economic zones which is now a priority measure of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

He added that the Ways and Means committee of the House has just passed and approved the version, “which basically brought it back to the old regime, because the new regime was not working unfortunately.”

He then congratulated the SBMA for the two-minute interpellation and approval of the Agency budget. (MPD-SBMA)

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Senate lauds SBMA Chief for new policies in the Freeport

Deputy Majority Floor Leader Senator Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito during the latest senate budget hearing on Thursday publicly congratulated Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Jonathan Tan for introducing new policies that will shape a brighter and more vibrant future for the free port.

Ejercito particularly cited the land auditing and repossession of properties of erring locators.

“Congratulations on your efforts to steer Subic Bay Freeport into becoming an active catalyst for economic growth and development. I am confident that Subic will soon regain its once brilliant past!” Sen. Ejercito said.

Since Chairman Tan assumed office, he has been working on various initiatives which include the audit and repossession of erring locators. Aside from this, he is also keen on implementing a streamlined business process in compliance with the Ease of Doing Business Act to attract more investors, increase revenues and generate more employment. He has also ordered the strict monitoring of illegal trade and the conduct of anti-smuggling activities.

Tan assumed office in May this year and has been working with an open door policy since then. His office warmly welcomes locators with various concerns and finds resolutions to them.

Tan is extremely keen in going after landbankers and erring locators. He also introduced the EASE OF DOING BUSINESS in the freeport to bring more investors in.

Chairman Tan expressed his sincere gratitude to the Senate particularly to Sen. Ejercito for acknowledging the effort his administration has initiated. Tan promises a more dynamic and investor-friendly SBMA in the days to come. (MPD-SBMA)

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