Bahrain royalty eyes future investments in Subic Freeport

Her Royal Highness Princess Shaikha Jawaher Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, Princess of Bahrain, is eyeing possible future investments inside this premier Freeport during her visit at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administration building on Wednesday (January 10).

According to SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Group (BIG) Renato Lee III, the Senior Royal of Bahrain has expressed her interests particularly in the airport, port expansion, fuel depot, renewable energy, cyber security and tourism sectors.

Princess Shaikha and her entire delegation were given a briefing by members of the SBMA Business and Investment Group regarding the business climate here and the benefits of investing in Subic Bay Freeport.

“The Bahraini Princess expressed her interest in investing in Subic Bay Freeport since her companies, Green Aventurine Holdings, Future8 L.L.C. and Nfinity8 Group, deal with investment management for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, and serve as regional intermediaries for cross-border investments,” Lee said.

The SBMA official also shared that the groups’ portfolio includes real estate, commodity trading, oil and gas services, footwear manufacturing, investment management, marketing and advertising, trade and product distribution, e-commerce, and startup support.

Lee lauded the visit of Princess Al Khalifa, citing that the renowned philanthropist and entrepreneur is known as an epitome for women empowerment. “We are grateful that Her Highness graced us with her presence in Subic Freeport, hopefully we will be doing business with her in the near future,” he added.

Princess Al Khalifa is an essential figure in public relations and marketing, with the goal to create a shared space of inclusivity for sustainable asset management and business growth with her utmost trust in the power of the young generations.

A young visionary whose entrepreneurial boldness and ideals have steered the company to its full potential, the princess aims to build a conglomerate of nine different sectors while unifying numerous startups across various geographies. She is also an executive team member of the European Women’s Association and continues to inspire young girls globally with her entrepreneurial ventures in various fields. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEYBALL - The 30th SEA Games in Subic Bay (In Photos)

Day 5 of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, December 6, 2019, Subic Bay Cluster.

[1] The Philippines’ Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriquez take on Singapore’s Eliza Chong and Gladys Lee during their last round-robin match at the Subic Sand Court on Friday, Dec. 6. The Philippine duo won at 21-18, 21-16

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Amy Eisma waves the Philippine colors as she cheers with her staff for the Philippine women’s volleyball team during their match against Singapore at the Subic Sand Court on Friday, Dec. 6

[3] Bronze medalists Dij Rodriquez, Dzi Gervacio, Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons pose triumphantly after beating Singapore and winning the bronze medal in women’s beach volleyball at the Subic Sand Court on Friday, Dec. 6

[4] Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons

[5] Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriquez

Photos & captions by the SBMA Media Production Department/Jonas Reyes/Robin Tuazon

Read More

SBMA chief wins silver ‘Stevie’ and Chicago service award

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma added two more feathers on her cap after accepting a citation during the 24th Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Awards and winning a silver trophy in the 15th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in New York City last week.

Eisma who arrived in Illinois, USA on November 9 for an investment and trade briefing at the Morgan Stanley Building in Chicago, received the Award in International Public Service at the Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame Awards on November 10.

The awards, which is a project of the Chicago Philippine Reports TV and VIA Times Newsmagazine of Chicago, honors high-achieving Filipinos and Filipino-Americans who promote the positive image of the Filipino, not only in the Philippines and the United States but also throughout the world.

Six days later in New York, Eisma received a silver award for “Female Executive of the Year” during the annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business under the category for government or non-profit organization with more than 2,500 employees.

Eisma also received in the same occasion a bronze Stevie for the SBMA for “Organization of the Year” under the category for government or non-profit with more than 10 employees.

The “Stevies,” which is considered as the business equivalent of the Oscars, is given annually by the American Business Awards organization to recognize accomplishments and contributions of companies and business people around the world.

The winners for the gold, silver and bronze Stevies were announced in the 15th annual awards dinner in New York City where more than 600 women and their guests from around the world attended the presentations that were broadcast live on Livestream.

More than 1,500 entries were submitted this year to Stevie organizers for consideration in more than 90 categories of the award that include Executive of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Startup of the Year, Women Helping Women, and Women-Run Workplace of the Year.

Finalists in the Stevie Awards were selected by the average scores of more than 200 professionals worldwide on five specialized juries.

Eisma said the awards she and the SBMA received serve as recognition of the efforts of the SBMA and its employees to make the Subic Bay Freeport Zone a premier investment center and a catalyst of economic growth.

Last year, the SBMA executive was also adjudged a winner in the search for the “100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World” (Global FWN100), which recognizes women of Philippine ancestry who are influencing the face of leadership in the global workplace. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma with the twin Stevies she received for herself and the SBMA in New York City.

Read More

LOOK: Giant human pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness

Factory workers, government employees, students, medical practitioners and members of community advocacy groups form a giant human pink ribbon at the Remy Field of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone Friday afternoon (Oct. 27, 2017) to promote breast cancer awareness.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is marked in countries worldwide every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA chief wins ‘Global Filipina’ award

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairperson and Administrator Wilma “Amy” T. Eisma was adjudged a winner in this year’s search for the “100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World” (Global FWN100), which recognizes women of Philippine ancestry who are influencing the face of leadership in the global workplace.

She will receive the award during the 14th Filipina Leadership Global Summit scheduled on October 25-29 in Toronto, Canada.

SBMA Chairperson & Administrator Wilma T. Eisma

The Global FWN100 award, which is handed out by the San Francisco, California-based non-profit association Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), cites women who have reached outstanding status in their respective professions, industries and communities.

Marilyn Mondejar, founder and CEO of Global FWN100, said that in winning the award, Eisma will be joining “an esteemed group of accomplished Filipina women worldwide who are advocating with FWN to increase the socioeconomic, professional, political and educational power of Filipina women as leaders and policymakers.”

Eisma, a lawyer by profession, was nominated in the “Builders” category, one of the eight categories of the award. This recognizes women who have demonstrated exceptional organizational impact at a large workplace environment, deep passion for a cause, and high potential and skill with measurable results in the public or private sector.

She won under the Tertiary Economic Sector for service industry, which covers nominations for government, finance, education, legal, and travel/tourism professions, among others.

According to the Global FWN100 Selection Committee, winners of the award are chosen through a rigorous vetting process which includes determination of the nominee’s global Filipina imprint, personal interview, review of the nomination and answers to criteria questions, social media and internet vetting, and a chat with the nominee’s references and/or nominator.

The scoring is based on the nominee’s activities and projects of the last three years, and around three factors: leadership, challenge, and ownership, or the degree to which the nominee took charge of the challenges she faced for the initiative, project or activity.

Among the winners of the Global FWN100 search last year was Vice President Leni Robredo, who was nominated for the “Nicole” award.

For this year, the awards body accepted a total of 85 nominees from 14 countries across the globe. Fourteen of these were for the Builders category where Eisma won.

Eisma’s selection as one of the most influential Filipinas in the world today was announced after she was appointed on Sept. 25 as the first woman Chairman-Administrator of the SBMA, which manages the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, a key industrial and commercial area in the Philippines today.

Before taking over as CEO of the Subic agency starting January 2017, Eisma served for 15 years as corporate, government and regulatory affairs manager of PMFTC, Inc., the Philippine affiliate of Philip Morris Intl. where she worked closely with local tobacco farmers and farming communities all over the country, thus earning for the firm international acclaim for farmer programs, best practices systems and leading innovations in agriculture labor relations, communication programs, and government relation strategies in supply-chain setting.

Eisma also provided direction, supervision and management of the company’s public affairs and contribution programs that received international awards in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Her knowledge in government processes, culture and engagement also helped bring about the enactment of the Philippine Tobacco Regulatory Act of 2003 and the amendment to the Excise Law in 2005 and 2012.

Before her stint with PMFTC, she served as chief of staff of the Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry from 2000 to 2001, and as Head Executive Assistant and Legal Counsel to the House of Representative’s Majority Floor Leader from 1998 to 2000.

Eisma is a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Ateneo de Manila University’s College of Law. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

photo: AMD/MPD-SBMA

Read More

SBMA launches GAD komiks, radio program

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), through its Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System, has intensified its involvement in the promotion of gender equality in the workplace and the local community.

In a simple program during the flag-raising ceremony on Monday, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia and GAD chairperson Amethya Koval announced the release of a comics-magazine called “Juana” that promotes the rights of women and children, and the start of the radio program “Gender Hour,” which tackles topics on gender equality.

Garcia, who is also a GAD champion, lauded the officers and personnel behind the GAD projects for their initiative to promote social awareness and to make the SBMA an active participant in the program.

“GAD focuses on the principle that development is for all,” Garcia stressed. “Whatever the gender is, everyone has the right to equal opportunities to achieve a full and satisfying life, and I’m glad that the SBMA is in the forefront of this advocacy.”

Koval said that “Juana,” a 28-page full color komiks, explains existing laws, such as Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women, which promotes equal rights in all aspects related to marriage and family relationships.

The publication also tackles RA 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004) and RA 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination), as well as RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) and RA 9995 (Anti-Photo and Voyeurism Act), which protects and guarantees dignity and privacy of everyone and full respect for human rights.

The magazine, Koval said, will be distributed free to offices of business locators and investors, schools and other local government units in the Subic Freeport.

Copies were also given to Anti-Violence Against Women and Children (AVAWC) representatives from Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce.

After the announcement, SBMA GAD officials launched over SBMA radio station Subic Bay FM (89.5 MHZ) the radio program “Gender Hour,” to promote awareness on gender equality, including issues on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT); and sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE).

Koval said that the one-hour interactive radio program will be aired every Monday at 10:00 in the morning. The program is broadcast live and reaches the whole of Central Luzon and abroad via internet streaming.

Koval added that during the soft launch of the radio program, “Gender Hour” had gained listeners and audiences in parts of United States, Japan, Dubai, and other parts of the Middle East.

“We are glad that our program is reaching broader audiences domestically and abroad. This only shows that we are on the right track in promoting awareness of gender equality,” she also said.

Koval also announced that the SBMA GAD is preparing a regular magazine, with writers and contributors from the SBMA and Freeport companies and schools, in order to reach more audiences in the Subic Bay Freeport area. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Juana, a comics-magazine published by the SBMA under its Gender and Development program, promoting the rights of women and children. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

SBMA, RP Energy partners for Women's Month

More than 300 employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), locators, and community partners marched in the Freeport to advocate for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

With the theme “Pledge for Equality,” the activity was a partnership between SBMA – Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System and Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy) to raise awareness on the role of women in nation-building through various activities.

One of the highlights of the program was the women empowerment walk, wherein SBMA showcased the different facets of women in the Freeport. Local women advocates and movers participated in this activity.

Benefitting over 200 SBMA employees was the “KliniKaBabaihan” program, which involved a medical mission to promote women’s health and wellness. The activity covered free dental check-ups; random blood sugar and pressure testing; and distribution of reading glasses to SBMA employees, which are mostly women.

Regular community consultations led by RP Energy were used as a basis for these corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

“During our field work, we noticed that there’s a lack of equal opportunity for women especially in grassroot communities. Because of this, we at RP Energy started crafting gender-responsive CSR initiatives to address this issue,” said RP Energy Head for External Affairs Victor Chan.

Among the gender-sensitive CSR programs of RP Energy, which it has been conducting since 2012, are KliniKababaihan and Usapang Babae.

To date, RP Energy has covered 200 trafficked persons which were oriented on their rights under the law and were informed on the available Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) services and programs.

The power company also established three Women’s Health and Wellness Center located in Barangay Cawag, Subic Municipality and Pastolan Aeta Village. And to ensure the physical and psychological health of women in the grassroot communities, they have trained more than 200 women Barangay Health Workers, enabling them to bring health services to women in far-flung areas.

The celebration of Women’s Month in the Philippines traces its history back in 1988 when, President Corazon C. Aquino signed Proclamation No. 224 “Declaring the First Week of March of Every Year as Women’s Week and March 8, 1988 and Every Year Thereafter as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day.”

On that same year, Ms. Aquino also signed Proclamation No. 227, “Providing for the Observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month,” which designated the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW which is now Philippine Commission on Women or PCW) as the secretariat to coordinate its nationwide observance.

On 10 April 1990, she signed Republic Act No. 6949, “An Act to Declare March Eight of Every Year as a Special Working Holiday to be Known as National Women’s Day,” to encourage employees from the government and private sector to participate in Women's Day activities.

The celebration has become an occasion for discussions on various gender-related issues, with activities such as Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action, the Millennium Development Goals (2000-2015), the Philippine Plan for Gender-Responsive Development (1995-2025), and the Framework Plan for Women.

PHOTOS:

[1] Reading glasses for SBMA Employees – RP Energy’s External Affairs Head, Victor Chan (left) helps in the distribution of eyeglasses to SBMA Employees as part of RP Energy’s advocacy in promoting women’s health and wellness.

[2] Woman of Courage - Elsie Cabral, Officer-in-Charge of SBMA’s Women’s Desk. She was recognized by Soroptimist International of the Philippines as one of their awardee for the Unsung Women Heroes Award in 2014).

[3] Woman of Strength - Joycelline Dela Cruz of the SBMA Law Enforcement Department-Women’s Desk during her runway walk for women empowerment. She is a PWD, Women Advocate and a Balikatan Movement Volunteer.

Read More

SBMA holds 1st Women’s Summit

Womenfolk here and around this premier free port received orientation on their rights, privileges, and opportunities as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) made history by holding the first Women’s Summit in the community.

With the theme, “Ang Bagong Pinay,” the two-day gathering sought to promote the welfare and development of womenfolk and update them on the latest socio-economic and political issues that have significant bearing on them.

The event was organized by the SBMA thru its Gender and Development Focal Point System and as part of the SBMA’s week-long celebration of its 22nd founding anniversary.

“This is a historic event for SBMA in the sense that this is the first gathering to tackle gender and development,” remarked SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia as he welcomed participants last Wednesday.

“I am sure that from the line-up of speakers you have prepared, you will learn so much on how we can further promote the concept of ‘Ang Bagong Pinay’ and address the issues that confront women in the workplace today,” Garcia added.

No less than Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo was guest of honor in the assembly and imparted her ideas on “Women and their Careers on being a Wife, Mother and Leader.”

Aside from Robredo, other speakers fired up the summit with timely discussions on the first day: Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corporation Inc. Director for External Affairs Varinia Tinga spoke on “Women in the Corporate World”; Subic Bay Colleges Inc. Vice President for Academic Affair Marilou Nicart tackled “Telecommuting for Women”; Sandiganbayan Third Division Executive Clerk of Court Dennis Pulma spoke on “Violence Against Women,” as well as RA 10398, an act declaring November 25 as National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children; and SM elevator girl and YouTube sensation Cheridel Alejandrino urged womenfolk to “Be The Best That You Can Be.”

On the second day of lectures, FQ Mom Rose Fausto talked about “Financial Liberation for Women”; and Philippine Commission on Women Executive Director Emmeline Verzosa lectured on “Magna Carta of Women.”

Among those who trooped to the Women’s Summit were employees of the SBMA, workers of Subic Bay Freeport companies, employees of the Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), and residents and students from Olongapo City and parts of Zambales.

Other activities during the week-long celebration of the SBMA anniversary were a jobs fair at the Harbor Point mall, where 10,386 job positions were opened to applicants; the annual recognition of the Ten Most Outstanding Freeport Workers who epitomize the best of what the Subic Bay Freeport has to offer in terms of workers’ performance; and the Milestone Service Awards that recognized around 200 SBMA employees who have been serving the agency for 15 and 20 years. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Members of the United Women Artists Association of the Philippines hand over to SBMA Planning Development Office manager Amethya Koval (right) the finished piece "Ang Bagong Pinay,” created through interactive painting by the group during the two-day 1st Women’s Summit at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Heads of community groups and government agencies sign a pledge of commitment for gender equality, responsive governance, and woman’s rights protection during the two-day 1st Women’s Summit at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center in the Subic Bay Freeport. Among those who signed the pledge were Olongapo City officials led by Mayor Rolen Paulino; Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Rose Baldeo; and representatives from the Civil Service Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment, and law enforcement agencies. (AED/MPD-SBMA)

Read More