SBMA to allow truck traders to stay in Subic’s CBD area

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Rolen C. Paulino has allowed truck traders inside this premier Freeport to remain in their old areas in the Central Business District (CBD) as long as they have contracts in the Tipo area.

This came after the SBMA Board issued Resolution No. 20-09-1783 that approves the “Exclusion of the Tipo Area from the Moratorium on Trading of Trucks, Buses and Heavy Equipment and the Policy/ Guidelines in Accepting Truck Trading Companies at the Tipo Area.”

The SBMA Board resolution aims to move all truck trading companies to Tipo, an area near the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and far from the Central Business District (CBD).

This move is part of the agency’s zoning program to provide more space for SBMA to lease out to other companies looking into locating here.

During a meeting with the Subic Truck Importers Group, Paulino said that the SBMA Board has ordered all truck traders to move to the Tipo Area by April 30.

He added that since most of the utilities in the area are still not complete, the top official has allowed them to remain in their old areas in the naval station provided they have a standing contract with warehousing companies in Tipo.

“The SBMA Board has granted me authority to give some leeway to your companies. I can assure you that the agency is looking out for your businesses,” he said. He added that if they already have existing contracts in lease companies in Tipo, the agency will release their Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemptions (CRTEs) for them to resume operation.

Three companies have areas conducive for truck traders, buses and heavy equipment companies to locate, but are still being developed. These are Xantheng Subic International Corp. (XSIC), Filman Property Management Consultancy Inc., and Sino Invest.

Meanwhile, Subic Truck Importers Group President Peter Geroue said that most of their clientele are familiar with their areas near the CBD, providing customers easier access to their products. But with the board resolution, it would be far for their clientele to go to their showrooms.

Geroue added that what the SBMA chairman proposed is a win-win solution to both the SBMA and the companies, citing that the truck traders can still keep their offices near the CBD for operation and showroom purposes, while using the Tipo area as a warehouse.

 He added that this eliminates the idea of putting most of their trucks, buses and heavy equipment at a warehouse in Pampanga, making it accessible for the companies to just put them at a warehouse in Tipo.

Currently, there are around 50 truck trading companies inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, with most owned by foreign companies. The truck traders, bus, and heavy equipment sector has been one of the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, and is still reeling from the high prices of fuel in the global market. (MPD-SBMA)

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Phase 1 completion of Subic’s Tipo eco-park eyed in 2022

The first phase of the P15-billion Tipo High-tech Eco Park (THEP), a 209-hectare development in a newly-opened expansion area of the Subic Bay Freeport, is expected to be completed by next year as Subic ramps up facilities to boost the economy amid the waning Covid-19 pandemic.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the 58.49-hectare Phase 1 area of the eco-friendly mixed-use project is now 57.81 percent completed, with Phase 2 and Phase 3 development also underway.

“This used to be an area for the SBMA’s social fencing program, wherein several families of upland farmers occupied grasslands in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, planted them with crops and, in the process, helped prevent the incursion of illegal settlers,” Eisma pointed out.

“After this was designated as an expansion area for investments, the project developer had since compensated the upland farmers involved in the program to gain the right to develop the area. Now some of the farmers or their family members are employed in the development project,” she added.

Eisma inspected the industrial eco-park on Wednesday with SBMA directors Maria Cecilia Bitare, Rolando Ampunin, Benasing Macarambon Jr., and Brian Patrick Gordon.

“Phase 1 already has 13 warehousing units, of which nine are ready for occupancy,” Eisma said. “Xantheng Subic International Corp. (XSIC), which is the major proponent of the eco-park project, is now building nine more warehouses to complete the development by 2022,” she added.

As planned, the THEP will house light industrial factories, commercial facilities, residential buildings, and a nature park. The project is at a most strategic area in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, as it is near an entry/exit point of the Subic Freeport Expressway (SFEX).

XSIC President Simon Shu said that Phase 2, which is a 72.8-hectare industrial area, is already 11.79 percent developed, with a completion date of 2024, while Phase 3, which is a 68.87-hectare mixed-use area, is 2.92 percent developed and is set for completion in 2026.

Accordingly, Phase 2 already has two warehouse units with occupancy permit, while the developer is currently building four more units. Phase 3 is still in the preparation stage.

Shu said the company began developing the area in 2019 after it diversified into warehouse subleasing.

“We are dedicated to mixed-use development of zones consisting of industrial and technology parks, mixed-use commercial areas, as well as high-end residential and recreational zones,” he said.

He added that with Xantheng’s development and management unit, the firm will oversee and manage the park and offer value-added and professional services to locators.

Shu said that in the development stage alone, the XSIC has already hired more than 500 construction workers, including some upland farmers in the area, who were part of the social fencing project of the SBMA. The firm plans to hire more upon the start of THEP operations, he added.

According to the master plan submitted by THEP to SBMA, the development will include 101.47 hectares for light industries, 17.99 hectares for a commercial complex, 7.11 hectares for mixed use, 23.16 hectares for residential buildings, and 23.16 for a nature and environment conservation park.

There will also be a reserved area for utilities use and other purposes for a total development area of 209.27 hectares. (MPD-SBMA)

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Taiwanese firm to develop P15-B techno-eco park in Subic Freeport

The first eco-friendly industrial park will be up soon in this free port to house light industrial factories, commercial facilities, residential buildings, and a nature park.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the project to be called the Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP) will be located in a 200-hectare property atop the gently rolling hills of Tipo, which is also the site of an expressway leading to this free port.

Eisma said the development will be undertaken by Xantheng Subic International Corp., a Taiwanese company which committed an investment of P15 billion for the project. The firm is also behind the development of a high-end condominium complex at Triboa Bay here.

According to THEP Project Manager Jeff Lin, Xantheng Subic’s project will generate a workforce demand of over 500 during the development period alone. More employees will be hired when factories and business start operating, he added.

Meanwhile, the project is also expected to deliver to the SBMA some P5 million monthly in land rentals alone.

During the launch of the THEP project held at Peninsular Hotel here last week, Chairman Eisma elicited a promise from the investors to give priority hiring to qualified upland farmers of Tipo and Mabiga villages, who were part of a “social fencing” project of the SBMA which started in 2002. The 136.59 hectares they occupied under the SBMA program will be part of the THEP.

“I want you to promise me that when the factories and business are up, you will give priority to hiring these families or their children,” Eisma said, referring to the 65 families who were part of the social fencing program.

The SBMA official also thanked the farmers for their cooperation, and for allowing a very smooth and pleasant negotiation and turn-over.

Lin said the THEP was conceived to accommodate the growing population of Taiwanese investors in the Subic Bay Freeport. However, the management does not discount giving room for other nationalities, he said.

“The business atmosphere in here is very conducive and attractive, especially with the on-going road and infrastructure projects of the SBMA. Many Taiwanese companies and investors from other countries, too, are interested to locate here,” Lin said.

According to the master plan submitted by THEP to SBMA, the development will include 101.47 hectares for light industries, 17.99 hectares for a commercial complex, 7.11 hectares for mixed use, 23.16 hectares for residential buildings, and 23.16 for a nature and environment conservation park.

There will also be a reserved area for utilities use and other purposes for a total development area of 209.27 hectares.

Eisma also congratulated Xantheng for coming up with the idea of an industrial park which will incorporate environmental conservation.

Eisma said this will be a first of its kind to be implemented in the Subic Bay Freeport. (CAE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[2] THEP Project Manager Jeff Lin explains the benefits of the project during the launching of the Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP) on October 9.

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma asks investors to employ Subic upland farmers during the development of the Tipo Hightech Eco Park (THEP).

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