PLDT-Subic donates police outposts to SBMA

Seven new police outposts were turned over by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company-Subic (PLDT Subic) to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as part of the company’s contribution to promote safety and security in this Freeport.

PLDT Subictel Chairman Eric Alberto formally presented the donation to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma after unveiling an outpost located on Rizal Highway corner Aguinaldo St. near the Subic main gate recently.

The seven outposts, which cost more than P1 million, sported a brand-new look with its bold black theme and vibrant SBMA emergency hotlines painted on walls.

Four new outposts are located at Subic’s Central Business District: Rizal Highway corner Argonaut Highway; Rizal Highway corner Burgos Street; Rizal Highway corner Aguinaldo Street; and Rizal Highway corner Manila Avenue.

Three others are at the Binictican housing area: one at the Binictican main sentry station; one more at the sentry near Pamulaklakin Village; and the third at the sentry gate going to El Kabayo.

PLDT Subictel officials said this corporate social responsibility (CSR) project includes the repair and repainting of the existing security outpost at the Kalayaan main sentry station.

They added that the company would also put emergency phone numbers for the Binictican and Kalayaan housing areas on the police outposts located therein.

Meanwhile, Chairman Eisma expressed the agency’s appreciation for Subictel’s continued support in the SBMA’s safety and security program for the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

She reiterated that the PLDT-Subictel CSR project is a testament to the company’s “malasakit” for this premier free port.

The Subic Telecommunications Co., or Subictel, is a subsidiary of PLDT and operates the telephone system in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA Chairman Wilma Eisma (center) with PLDT-Subictel Chairman Eric Alberto and other officials of the SBMA and Subictel during the turnover ceremony for the new police outposts donated by PLDT.

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SBMA launches ‘Share the Road’ project to boost road safety

With this free port acknowledged nationwide as among the best in road safety and traffic discipline, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thursday reinforced its safety policy by launching the “Share the Road” project, which involves the participation of various community sectors.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the project aims to boost road safety awareness in the whole of Subic Bay Freeport, as the agency vies to make Subic the center of excellence in public road safety.

“All over the country, people are looking at the Subic Bay Freeport as the place where traffic discipline and traffic rules are always observed. And we wanted that image to stay,” Eisma said.

“Now, we are involving all sectors — the whole Subic community — in this ‘Share the Road’ project to make all roads inside the Freeport the safest for travellers, pedestrians, drivers, and even for road maintenance workers,” she added.

In line with the project, the SBMA chief conducted a dialogue on Thursday with members and officials of local transportation groups, as well as motorcycle associations in the Subic Freeport and Olongapo City, and discussed the need to elevate road safety in the Subic area.

Eisma said the SBMA’s efforts to promote Subic as the next cruise ship playground in Asia through the agency’s Tourism Star program make it all the more necessary to boost road safety and traffic discipline in the Freeport.

She also reminded drivers, particularly those who operate taxis, buses and other means of public transportation, to be tourist-friendly so that visitors would better enjoy Subic, come back for more memorable experiences, and hence spend more tourist money while visiting local facilities and availing of local services.

“It would be a big blemish on the good image of Subic that we have been cultivating through the years if tourists complained of undisciplined or abusive drivers. I tell you, these things matter a lot in keeping Subic the number one tourist attraction in Central Luzon and now, the next cruise ship haven in this part of Asia,” Eisma said.

“So it is very important that we do not overcharge our fare, that we do not ignore traffic signs, and that we make full-stop at intersections, and give priority to crossing pedestrians,” she added.

Eisma also informed representatives of the transport sector that the SBMA would now require a thorough inspection of all vehicles requesting for SBMA decals, with particular focus on safe driving essentials like brake and signal lights, horns and seat belts.

She said that the Subic agency will also strictly enforce the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (RA 10913) and the Anti-Smoke Belching Law to further improve driving conditions in the Freeport.

“I know that you all wanted to have a decent way to earn a living. So, as stakeholders of the Subic Freeport, let us show the world that we are disciplined drivers and that we care about the reputation and the safety conditions of our community. Let’s share the road courteously to fellow motorists, pedestrians, and road maintenance workers to keep our place safe for everyone,” Eisma concluded.

Meanwhile, the officials and driver-leaders of various transport groups expressed their full support to the SBMA call and pledged to encourage their members to do their share in keeping Subic as a model for traffic discipline and road safety in the country. (MPD-SBMA)

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SHARE THE ROAD: SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma urges drivers and motorists to help boost traffic discipline and road safety in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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MMDA wants Subic's traffic discipline culture emulated in Metro Manila streets

The implementation of the no contact apprehension policy of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) aims to create a “behavioral” and "cultural” change among the drivers to observe road discipline, just like in Subic Bay Freeport.

This, after at least 176 motorists and drivers have been caught violating traffic rules on major thoroughfares in the first two hours of yesterday’s relaunching of the no contact apprehension policy of the MMDA.

It is only in Subic Freeport where motorists are aware and follow its "first to stop-first to go" policy on intersections.

“Drivers are capable of being disciplined, like they do when they are inside the Subic freeport. That’s what we hope to achieve,” MMDA Chairman Emerson Carlos said, citing that “once you prohibit, consistently it would be cultural change.”

Amid the number of recorded violations, Carlos said the kickoff of the new policy seemed to create a “chilling effect” on drivers plying EDSA.

“There was light vehicular flow from East Avenue to Cubao area, Osmena Avenue, some parts of EDSA during rush hour Friday morning and payday,” said Carlos.

Based on the agency’s monitoring, common violations include obstruction, reckless driving, prohibited loading and unloading on non-designated zones, overspeeding, and banned entering of underpasses.

Showing their seriousness, some agency personnel delivered a summon to Joanna Jess bus firm located in Western Bicutan, Taguig City, to inform them that one of their drivers violated the no loading/unloading zone.

For drivers who will contest their violation, Carlos said they are welcome to present their own evidence.

“You can bring your own video if you have dashcam. In this policy we are giving the motorists all the opportunities to contest but the same time, we will look at the circumstances,” said Carlos.

In case drivers are apprehended manually for the same violation, one ticket will be cancelled. For different violations, drivers can be apprehended multiple times.

A 15-man team is manning the No Contact Policy Office in the MMDA headquarters, tasked to monitor CCTV footage for traffic violations.

Carlos said the violators may receive their summons in less than a week, depending how far their residences are.

The policy also hopes to stop the “padrino” system involving policemen and politicians and even bribery and extortion opportunities involving traffic enforcers.

“If there is a denial from the driver, that’s only his defense. It will be his word against the video captured,” said Carlos.

The driver will not be able to renew his vehicle registration until the fines are settled.

Carlos also warned drivers from lying as those who will be caught lying will be charged with perjury, which carries a penalty of possible imprisonment.

“If the vehicle is not registered, we will report them to LTO,” said Carlos, adding that those who oppose the now policy are welcome to visit the Metrobase. (Manila Bulletin)

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/mmda-captures-176-motorist-violations-on-video-in-2-hours-of-no-contact-policy/

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SBMA mulls new traffic rules amid growing truck flow

In preparation for the expected increase in traffic flow here starting the last quarter of the year, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be implementing new traffic policies in the free port.

In the recent “Traffic Safety Forum” organized by the newly-formed SBMA Traffic Safety Board (STSB), SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said Subic will experience an increase in traffic volume with the arrival of cargo ships that will unload container vans.

The forum was attended by operators and drivers of cargo-hauling companies, truckers’ groups, concerned units from the Bureau of Customs, and the Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITCI), which operates Subic’s New Container Terminal 1 and 2.

NCT 2 has recently been designated Berth No. 8 of Port of Manila to help ease port congestion in the metropolis.

Garcia stressed in the forum that the Subic agency, along with stakeholders in the free port, should find ways to prevent traffic build-up along the main route of the trucks to prevent congestion, like what is happening in the Port of Batangas, also an extension port of Manila.

“I don’t want the same thing to happen to Subic, so we need to be very efficient with the inflow and outflow of containers,” Garcia said.

Garcia also stressed that Subic has to be prepared for more cargo traffic because of reports that it was not only the Port of Manila that is congested, but also some major Asian ports like Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore. “This is going to have a ripple effect,” he said.

Meanwhile, SBMA Traffic Safety Board chairman retired P/Gen. Orlando Maddela Jr. said that one of the major contributors to traffic congestion is road vehicular accidents.

Maddela said that based on SBMA statistics, road accidents in the Freeport usually occur along the Tipo Road and frequently involve cargo trucks with heavy loads. The accidents were usually attributed to human error and slippery road during the rainy season.

“The portion of Tipo Road after the tunnel, which is almost an all-down grade and all-curve road, is considered an accident-prone area,” Maddela said.

Rex Ramos, head of the Traffic Management Safety and Security of Manila North Tollways Corp., noted that driver’s error involving over-speeding and miscalculation are the common causes of accidents involving cargo trucks in the Tipo Road.

The other significant causes of accidents are overloading of cargos, truck mechanism or brake distribution failure, flaws in road design, unsafe road conditions, and drivers’ non-familiarity with the terrain.

To help prevent accidents, the STSB recommended that all truck drivers who are newly-assigned to Subic should undergo a two-hour familiarization seminar that would cover traffic rules and regulations and road familiarization tour before allowing them to drive cargo trucks inside the Freeport.

It was also recommended that cargo trucks entering the Freeport should have operational maxi-brakes, and drivers will only operate under the mandatory maximum speed of 40 KPH.

Truck owners and drivers welcomed the suggestions, saying the measures will save not only lives and properties, but also precious time to exit from piers and avoid congesting the port.

A representative from REMCO Trucking Corp. said that one of their company vehicles was recentlyinvolved in a vehicular accident along Tipo Road. “After the accident, we enjoined our drivers to attend seminars on road safety and traffic rules,” he said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)


PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Law Enforcement Dept. chief Orlando Maddela Jr., who chairs the SBMA Traffic Safety Board, signs a road safety manifesto enjoining motorists to support road safety efforts in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AED)

[2] The road safety manifesto signed by all truckers and Subic port operators attending the Summit.

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Manila truckers pledged to ensure road safety in Subic

Operators and drivers of cargo-hauling companies and truckers’ groups vowed to follow traffic rules strictly enforced here to ensure road safety and efficient flow of container vans at the newly-designated Manila extension port in this Freeport.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently held a “Traffic Summit” with firms engaged in shipping and other port-related businesses to discuss measures on ensuring efficient traffic flow of container trucks in the Freeport and avoiding congestion.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said with the expected arrival of ships that will unload container vans, it is very important that the Port of Subic does not get congested or it will defeat the purpose of promoting Subic as an alternative port to Manila.

During the summit, participating truckers signed a road safety manifesto pledging support and cooperation with the SBMA to ensure road safety in the Freeport zone. The manifesto was also signed by concerned units from the Bureau of Customs and the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) which operates New Container Terminals 1 & 2.

“We’ve been informed that within the next two weeks or so, there will be ships that will be coming to unload and use Subic as an extension port,” Garcia said.

Garcia added that because of this development, Subic’s container port intake is expected to grow from 38,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last year to 70,000 TEUs this year.

While the increase in volume would mean a significant increase in Subic port revenues, Garcia emphasized the importance of the Subic Port not to get congested just like what happened to Batangas after just one month of serving as an extension port to Manila.

He said that the Batangas problem had led Toyota (Philippines) to unload its shipment in Subic because its ship could not berth in Batangas. However, the firm had to drive its cargo containers all the way to Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

“I don’t want the same thing to happen to Subic, so we need to be very efficient with the inflow and outflow of containers,” Garcia said.

Garcia also stressed that Subic has to be prepared for more cargo traffic because of reports that it was not only the Port of Manila that is congested, but also some major Asian ports like Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

“This is going to have a ripple effect,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official also revealed that another shipping company, the NYK, is seriously thinking of establishing a Subic-Singapore route. He also added that there were reports about a planned Shanghai-Subic route, which will open China on a more direct basis, instead of passing through Khaoshiung, Taiwan.

“Subic is really lucky because we are the only port on the Western seaboard of the Philippines that has the capacity at this point in time. Manila is congested. Batangas is congested. I hope we get congested soon, but that will be a happy problem,” Garcia said.

“Things are looking good for Subic as far as that’s concerned,” he added. (RBB)

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Special lane, weeklong program await Subic visitors during Holy Week

In anticipation of the increased volume of visitors driving to the Subic Bay Freeport this Holy Week, the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) will be implementing an integrated toll fee payments starting April 16.

Under this scheme, all vehicles going to the Subic Freeport using the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX) will pay the combined toll fees for SFEX and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) at the SCTEX Tipo collection plaza from April 16 to the 20.

MNTC, which operates SFEX, SCTEX and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), said the special privilege for Subic-bound motorists is in response to a request of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for a designated special lane.

“We have been implementing this annually, basically to address the concern of SBMA,” MNTC said.

The temporary toll fee collection system is expected to free the motorists of hassles brought about by long lines of vehicles at the toll plaza during the peak of the Lenten Season.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the with the anticipated influx of vehicular traffic in Subic this summer vacation, especially during the Holy Week, the integrated toll fees system “will provide comfortable travel experience for motorists going to Subic.”

He also expressed his appreciation to the MNTC management for its support.

Garcia also said that the Subic Bay Freeport community has prepared a week-long program of activities for visitors to Subic to have a meaningful Holy Week observance while enjoying the Freeport's best facilities and services.

The SBMA official, however, noted that almost all of the hotels and housing facilities in the Freeport area have already been fully booked for the summer vacation, as most of the rooms have been reserved as early as January.

The week-long Lenten program in Subic will start on April 13, or Palm Sunday, with the reenactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem.

This will be followed by “Pabasa sa Freeport,” the chanting of life, passion and death of Jesus Christ starting on Holy Monday (April 14-15), procession on Holy Wednesday, Grand Procession on Good Friday, “Salubong” on Easter Sunday, and the Stations of the Cross and the Veneration of the Cross.

A free musical healing concert dubbed “The Mysteries of Sorrows and Five Wounds of Jesus” organized by the Bethesda Spring of Hope ministry for Good Friday will feature Karylle and Yael Yuzon of Spongecola, Boots Anson Roa, Jose Mari Chan, Tina Monzon-Palma, Ku Aquino, Gino Padilla and many others at Subic’s Boardwalk area.

On the Black Saturday, visitors will be treated to the opening of food, souvenir and specialty shops at the Boardwalk area, followed by the grand championship round for dance and acoustic band competitions.

To cap the Holy Week activities, the SBMA will be offering the Subic Bay Easter Egg Hunt for children after the morning mass on Sunday at the San Roque Chapel. Gifts, awards and other surprises donated by Freeport businessmen await lucky egg hunters. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Olongapo ready for influx of tourists this holy week

The City of Olongapo is now ready for the influx of tourists during the holy week and summer vacation after it established Oplan Sumvac 2014 or the Olongapo Incident Management Team (IMT) to ensure public safety.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen C. Paulino activated the group to minimize untoward incidents due to the influx of both local and foreign tourist in Olongapo and Subic Freeport.

Olongapo City is well known for its rescue team that can handle any situation. “Hindi po natin kaya mag predict ng accidents pero ang gusto natin mabilis natin itong marespondihan, pero sympre mas gusto natin na walang mangyari para safe lahat at makapag enjoy ang ating mga bisita pati na rin ang mga residente.” Paulino said.

Olongapo’s use of Incident Command System provides a systematic and functional command organization which will increase the effectiveness of the operation, Carlo Elepongga, Research and Planning of DRRMO said.

Aside from the rescue team, the Olongapo Traffic Management and Public Safety Office, the local PNP, health department, James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital, volunteer groups and other government agencies will assist the IMT to be located at strategic locations in the city. (PAO Olongapo City)

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Country’s first Road Safety Park to rise in Subic Freeport

Well-known for enforced traffic rules and road discipline and safety, this premier free port will soon be the home of the country’s first Road Safety Park.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., assisted by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia and Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt, broke ground on Wednesday the construction of the park at the former US naval magazine complex here.

The park groundbreaking was part of the five-day Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference that opened at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on January 29.

Jimenez said the park project was “one of the most important part of the Drive Tourism conference in Subic.”

“Drive tourism” refers to tourists taking leisure trips to destinations in their own or rented vehicles. It is now a rapidly growing sector of the tourism market in the Philippines and abroad.

Jimenez described the park as a miniature community complete with established traffic rules such as traffic signs and pavement markings. It will also have buildings like fast-food restaurants, bank, supermarket, library and shops.

The park’s mission is to inculcate road safety values among children and to improve their knowledge, skills and behavior as road users.

“Safety is part of the sustainability that will make driving a most pleasurable part of going around the Philippines. When we are all safety-conscious, we will all feel the pleasure of the driving,” Jimenez also said.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, meanwhile, welcomed the construction of the Road Safety Park here, saying there is no other place in the Philippines where every motorist observes traffic signs and stops at the corner of the road even there is no traffic enforcer in the area to flag him.

“When in Subic, local motorists learn the way of road courtesy and follow traffic rules. That is why, Subic is the ideal place for the Road Safety Park where people will learn more about road safety,” Garcia added.

With the theme “Saving Lives, Saving Costs, Saving the Planet,” the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference features discussions and presentations on the latest innovations in the automobile industry, road safety, mobility, motorsports, as well as travel and tourism from both local and international specialists.

The conference was organized by the Automobile Associa­tion of the Philippines (AAP), the country's largest auto club with over 50,000 members, the Department of Tourism, and the SBMA. (RAV/FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (left) and Jean Todt, president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, lower a time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of the AAP Children’s Road Safety Park at the Subic Bay Freeport. Looking on are: Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, International School of Sustainable Tourism president Mina Gabor, and other delegates to the ongoing Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

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MNTC provides dedicated lane for Subic-bound motorists this Holy Week

To ease the traffic going to the Subic Bay Freeport this Holy Week, the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) will provide a dedicated lane for motorists bound to this free port beginning Holy Wednesday, April 4, up to Holy Thursday, April 5.

The dedicated Subic lane will begin at the Balintawak toll plaza and the Mindanao Avenue link of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza in Dau, Tipo Exit, and the Tipo Expressway toll plaza.

Under this scheme, motorists would only make a one-time payment of P408 at the Balintawak toll plaza, which would cover the toll fees for the rest of the trip. They will be given stubs which will be collected at each successive tollway exit.

However, the dedicated Subic lane will only be good for a one-way trip to the Subic Bay Freeport. Normal toll rates will apply for trips going back to Manila.

According to Raul Marcelo, deputy administrator for business and tourism of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), this scheme initiated by the MNTC will save motorists’ time.

“When you pay P408 at the dedicated Subic lane in Balintawak, you get your stubs, and when you exit at Dau, you simply hand back the stub. So there’s no need for you to pay, there’s no need for you to wait for change, and there’s no need for you to get your receipt. You just hand over the stub. This would save you a lot of time,” Marcelo elaborated.

Marcelo also said that the unified toll fee will help ease traffic congestion at Subic, which has long been recognized as a tourist destination.

“The MNTC is now focused on the problem regarding motor vehicle traffic to Subic… meaning they know that Subic is a major destination especially during holidays and long weekends. The dedicated lane in Balintawak is ample proof that Subic, as a summer getaway, is really a certified hit,” he added.

Marcelo also said that although the unified toll fee plan for Subic is a new development, he is hoping that this would be made a permanent arrangement.

“I’ll definitely be pushing for this, especially when we have major events in Subic,” he stressed.

He pointed out that last year, close to 30,000 motor vehicles came to Subic via the SCTEX, bringing in some 120,000 tourists during the Holy Week. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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