SBMA releases ₱218-M revenue shares to contiguous LGUs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) released a total of ₱218,115,671.26 in revenue shares to eight local government units (LGUs) contiguous to this premier freeport zone.

 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that this amount released on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, represents the revenue shares for the first semester of 2026, which is 10.24 percent higher than that of last year’s comparative period. 

 

The recipient LGUs are Olongapo City, the municipalities of Subic, San Marcelino, Castillejos, and San Antonio in Zambales, and the towns of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, and Morong in Bataan.

 

Taking into account the population and land area, Olongapo was allocated the largest amount of ₱50,420,165.72, received by Olongapo City Mayor Atty. Rolen Paulino, Jr.

This was followed by Subic, Zambales, which received ₱32,871,521.46, accepted on behalf of Mayor Jonathan John Khonghun.

 

The remaining LGUs received their allocations as follows: Dinalupihan, Bataan, with ₱27,438,313.68, accepted on behalf of Mayor German Santos, Jr.; San Marcelino, Zambales, with ₱26,272,445.97, received by Mayor Elvis Soria; Hermosa, Bataan, with ₱23,422,520.27, accepted on behalf of Mayor Atty. Anne Adorable-Inton; Castillejos, Zambales, with ₱19,817,470.23, received on behalf of Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun; Morong, Bataan, with ₱19,340,287.10, received on behalf of Mayor Leila Linao-Muñoz; and San Antonio, Zambales, with ₱18,532,946.83, received by Mayor Dr. Arvin Antipolo.

The LGU shares are sourced from five percent corporate taxes paid by business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport. They are distributed among LGUs based on population (50%), land area (25%), and equal sharing (25%).

OIC-Deputy Administrator for Finance Editha Marzal, along with the finance team, led the distribution of the LGU shares.

 

Marzal noted that the net shares distributed to the LGUs include not only the current collection period’s allocations but also the 10 percent retention withheld during the first semester of the 2024 distribution.

 

According to Republic Act No. 9400, which amends RA 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, the SBMA is mandated to allocate two percent out of the five percent of gross income earned to LGU shares. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA supports DepEd, Sanyo Denki partnership to train SHS graduates

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) expressed its full support for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) initiative to send senior high school (SHS) graduates for training with Sanyo Denki Philippines, Inc. (SDP).

Called the “Building Bridges Together from Enrollment to Employment” initiative, DepEd Regional Office 3 and the SDP signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the company’s building on May 4, 2026, witnessed by the SBMA.

SDP President Kenji Yanagisawa and DepEd Assistant Regional Director Jessie L. Amin signed the MOA, which was also witnessed by SDP Division Manager Cynthia Renion, and other SDO officials from Central Luzon.

SBMA Chief of Staff Atty. Von Rodriguez, who attended on behalf of SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, said the initiative is part of DepEd Regional Office 3’s program to align educational outcomes with industry standards through strategic collaborations with the private sector.

“With this initiative, DepEd plans to enhance the workforce transition and employability of SHS graduates, starting with 120 students from the Schools Division Offices (SDO) of Bataan, Zambales, and Olongapo City,” Rodriguez said. 

This will expand to SDOs in Tarlac, Angeles City, and Mabalacat City.

Meanwhile, Yanagisawa said that people are the source of sustainable growth. He stressed the need to align education programs with employment demands, urged students to utilize the initiative, and extended his appreciation to DepEd and the stakeholders.

Amin expressed support for the partnership as it indicates a commitment to secure the future of the learners.

“Our greatest gift to humanity is our kindness to our children,” Amin said, adding that companies currently seek three qualifications: technical competence, technological skill, and soft skills, highlighting the latter as the priority.

The “Building Bridges Together from Enrollment to Employment” initiative aims to elevate SHS “exit points” by ensuring learners possess the specific skills and competencies required by modern employers.

Central Luzon is currently experiencing a robust labor market, characterized by high employment rates and a strategic shift towards higher-value industry and services sector jobs, necessitating a tighter match between worker skills and industrial demands.

In this region, SHS graduates demonstrate high foundational literacy, yet they face significant challenges in direct labor market entry due to a persistent job-skills mismatch. While the region achieved the highest basic literacy rate in the country at 92.8% as of 2024, only a small fraction of SHS graduates successfully transition into the workforce. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic 2025 workforce pegged at 170K-strong; up by 4.4%

The workforce in the country's premier Freeport totaled 171,653 in 2025, according to the annual report by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).  

According to a report from the SBMA Labor Department, this figure reflects a 4.4 percent increase from last year's 164,400 recorded in 2024.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the increase in the number of workers here results from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s mandate to provide more employment opportunities for Filipinos.

He said that Olongapo City remains the biggest source of manpower, with 70,769 residents working here. He added that this was followed by Zambales with 31,621; Bataan with 22,897; National Capital Region with 7,077; Pampanga with 5,492; Tarlac with 2,199; and the remaining 31,598 from other parts of the country, including foreign workers.

Around 70.60 percent of workers, or 121,187, are male, while the remaining 29.40 percent, or 50,466 workers, are female, and employed by 4,744 Subic companies. 

Despite the disparity, female workers outnumbered male workers in the manufacturing sector, with 18,951 females and 18,242 males employed across 111 manufacturing companies in Subic.

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Freeport’s services sector remains the biggest employer, which clocked at 67.32 percent of the workforce, with the manufacturing sector making up 21.67 percent. These are followed by the construction sector with 7.36 percent, and shipbuilding/marine-related services with 3.64 percent.

Aliño added that the services sector also has the biggest number of companies, with 4,129, followed by the construction sector with 356 companies, then shipbuilding/ marine-related services with 148 companies, and lastly the manufacturing sector with 111 companies.

He further said that more companies are still looking for employees, thru the SBMA Labor Department's regular conduct of job fairs and posting job openings via online portals and bulletin boards at their offices near the Subic Bay Gym.

“Jobseekers can click on the SBMA Career Portal, where we provide an official list of vacancies from various Freeport locators. We encourage applicants to check the Subic Gym bulletin board for scheduled examinations and interviews,” he said.

For further information, Aliño advised job seekers to browse the SBMA official website mysubicbay.com.ph, and look for the “Jobs For You” section. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA releases ₱158.9M revenue shares to contiguous LGUs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to release a total of ₱158.9 million to its eight contiguous local government units (LGUs) as their revenue share for the second semester of 2025. 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the current amount for release surpassed ₱143.17 million released during the same period last year, by 10.99%. 

The revenue shares, Aliño explained, are determined according to 50% population, 25% land area, and 25% equal sharing. 

Olongapo City remained the LGU with the highest share of ₱36.73 million; followed by Subic, Zambales, with ₱23.95 million; then Dinalupihan, Bataan with ₱19.99 million; San Marcelino, Zambales with ₱19.14 million; Hermosa, Bataan with ₱17.06 million; San Antonio, Zambales with ₱13.5 million; Castillejos, Zambales with ₱14.44 million; and Morong, Bataan with ₱14.09 million. 

Aliño added that these shares are extended to contiguous LGUs to augment their funds for calamities, health and safety, peace and order, livelihood generation, education, tourism, infrastructure, and social services. 

In August 2025, the SBMA released a total of ₱197.85 million as revenue shares for the first semester. In total, the agency released ₱356.74 million for the 2025 LGU shares. 

The LGU shares are derived from the five-percent taxes paid by business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport and are collected from January to June for the first semester, and July to December for the second semester. 

LGU shares are released in August and February the following year, respectively. (MPD-SBMA)

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Gov’t agencies, recycling company partner to implement Cash Cycled Project in Zambales schools

Government agencies partner with a recycling company to implement the Cash Cycled Project in public elementary and secondary schools in Zambales. 

A Memorandum of Agreement for the project was signed between the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Zambales, the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Zambales, and Foochi Trading and Resources Inc. at the SBMA Corporate Boardroom on August 6, 2025. 

The Cash Cycled Project aims to encourage the active participation of schools and local communities in practicing plastic waste recycling and sustainability by trading collected plastic bottles with the recycling partner. 

“This project marks a significant milestone in environmental and youth empowerment initiatives as it aims to foster collaboration between the project proponents and the academic communities in building sustainable environmental practices,” SBMA OIC Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory, Amethya Dela Llana-Koval, said. 

DTI Provincial Director Enrique Tacbad explained that the plastic bottles collected by government-run schools in Zambales will be sold to Foo Chi Trading and Resources Inc. for income generation to support school activities or environmental initiatives. 

Under the Cash Cycled Project, the income generated from the sale of plastic bottles will be deposited into a designated school fund account, which will be used solely for environmental projects, supplies, or student development programs, in accordance with DepEd’s financial policies and auditing rules and regulations. 

A joint monitoring team, composed of representatives from each Party, shall meet at least once every semester, or as needed, to evaluate project implementation, address any issues, and recommend improvements. (MPD-SBMA) 

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LGUs contiguous to SBF receive ₱197.85M revenue shares

Local government units (LGUs) contiguous to this premier freeport received their revenue shares worth Php197.85 million.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) released today the revenue shares for the first semester of this year in a simple turnover ceremony at the SBMA Corporate Boardroom.

“Rest assured that we will do our best to make progress in the Freeport so that our neighboring LGU partners will also benefit, including the 166,000 Freeport workers who chose to work here instead of working abroad,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said.

According to Aliño, for the current period, the shares came from revenues collected between January and June this year, and are given to contiguous LGUs to augment funds for their projects in tourism, infrastructure, education, peace and order, health, livelihood generation, and social services that will benefit more than 785,000 individuals from their respective LGUs, especially households who have been severely affected by the recent calamities.

Olongapo City, the lone recipient city, received the largest share due to its population and land area among the seven LGU recipients, which is Php46,270,769.33.

In Zambales, Subic received Php29,683,317.56, the second biggest amount received. Next is San Marcelino with Php23,763,694.31, while Castillejos received Php17,987,887.14, and San Antonio received Php16,824,398.47.

In Bataan, Dinalupihan received Php24,643,508.58, while Hermosa received Php21,186,145.67, and Morong received Php17,489,910.85.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon Agregado said that the LGUs' share distribution came timely since the provinces of Zambales and Bataan were affected by three typhoons that hit the country recently.

“Hermosa has hit a deficit in resources because of the calamity. This LGU share distribution will be a huge boost to augment the resources we lost. As you all know, Hermosa was among the hardest hit municipalities by the heavy rains brought about by the typhoons and the southwest monsoon, as 18 out of 23 barangays got flooded,” newly-elected Hermosa, Bataan mayor Atty. Anne Inton said.

Aliño explained that the LGU share is determined according to 50 percent population, 25 percent land area, and 25 percent equal sharing. Net shares are computed by adding the current base share to the ten percent retention amount from two years prior, but less the ten percent retention amount from the current period.

He also shared that the reduction in the amount of dividends for the same period in 2024 of ₱204.7 million to ₱197.8 million in 2025 was due to the imposition of 25 percent tax by the Department of Finance, which is remitted by the Agency to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the removal of the five percent tax privilege wherein three percent used to be remitted to the BIR, and two percent used to be distributed as dividends among the eight contiguous LGUs.

These revenue shares collected from January to June are released in August, and revenue shares collected from July to December are released in February of the following year. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Ret. US Navy educates SBF stakeholders on Box Jellyfish Awareness and Treatment

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Public Health and Safety Group (PHSD) has tapped the expertise of United States Navy retired Chief Petty Officer Michael Walls to educate stakeholders here on Box Jellyfish Awareness and Treatment.

 

Around 218 participants, mostly SBMA employees, locators, residents, guests, and other SBF stakeholders, Association of Ambulance Operators in Olongapo and Zambales, and other medical responders, especially locators in the beach resort business, took part in the seminar held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on May 9, 2025.

 

"We are seeing more jellyfish now than in previous years," Wells said.

 

“Stings from the box jellyfish can be fatal, especially in children," Walls added. He expounded further by imparting ways on how to avoid incidents of jellyfish stings, as well as immediate treatment when subjected to such.

 

According to the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman-College of Science, the box jellyfish is known for its distinctive box-like appearance and potent venom that can cause potentially systemic effects, which if not immediately addressed, could be fatal.

 

The Chironex yamaguchii, a dangerous species of box jellyfish known to originate from Japan, is also present in Philippine waters, as well as in the Indo-Pacific and Western Pacific regions. Their tentacles can inflict extreme pain, cause skin injuries with welts, and even trigger heart attacks and death.

 

The Box Jellyfish Awareness and Treatment seminar, which aims to promote critical knowledge that could help save lives in case of a box jellyfish sting, is part of the SBMA’s Public Health and Safety Group’s Health and Wellness Caravan. (MPD-SBMA)

 

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Neighboring LGUs around SBF receive ₱143M revenue shares

Neighboring local government units (LGUs) around this premier free port received their revenue share of ₱143 million from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño explained that the revenue shares accorded to neighboring LGUs are given to seven municipalities and a city surrounding Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) to supplement their development funds in communities and enhance LGU projects in tourism, infrastructure, education, peace and order, health, and livelihood generation.

 

Aliño also shared that the amount is determined according to 50 percent population, 25 percent land area, and 25 percent equal sharing. 

 

Olongapo City received the significant chunk with ₱33.48 million as the most populated LGU, followed by Subic, Zambales at ₱21.48 million; Dinalupihan, Bataan at ₱17.83 million; and San Marcelino, Zambales at ₱17.19 million.

 

Meanwhile, Hermosa, Bataan received ₱15.33 million; Castillejos, Zambales at ₱13.02 million; Morong, Bataan at ₱12.66 million; and San Antonio, Zambales at ₱12.17 million.

 

According to the SBMA Accounting Department, the amount released accounted for two percent of the five percent tax on gross income paid by freeport locators from July to December 2024. The other three percent of the taxes paid are remitted directly to the national government. 

 

The LGU shares are released bi-annually. The first-semester collection is released in August, while the second-semester collection is released in February of the following year. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport workforce pegged 4.8% increase at 164,400 in 2024

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has pegged its 2024 workforce at 164,400 showing a minimal but steady increase of 4.8 percent.  

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño attributed the increase in the workforce to the number of orders in the manufacturing sector that drove the workforce from 2023’s 156,811 workers to this year’s 164,400.

He said that the manufacturing sector of the Subic economic zone employed 27,484 workers by 110 companies in 2024, compared to 21,433 workers in 2023.  

“And we are anticipating more employment opportunities in Subic Freeport because of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s aggressive efforts to bring more foreign companies to invest in the country since it has been his administration’s thrust to create more jobs for Filipinos through foreign direct investments,” he said.

The manufacturing sector of Subic Bay Freeport has employed workers from Olongapo City (13,738), Bataan (3,843), Zambales (8,154), Pampanga (188), National Capital Region (140), Tarlac (79), and other areas (1,342).

Aliño added that the services sector of Subic’s workforce still has the biggest number of workers with 116,776 employees employed by 4,014 companies in 2024. It recorded an increase of 1,134 workers from 2024’s 116,776 employees, compared to 2023’s 115,642 employees.

The companies in the services sector employed workers from Olongapo City (46,857), Bataan (14,984), Zambales (17,999), Pampanga (4,419), National Capital Region (5,441), Tarlac (1,727), and other areas (25,349).

The shipbuilding/marine-related services sector, with 153 companies, recorded an increase of 309 workers to 6,187 employees in 2024 compared to 5,878 employees in 2023.

The male-dominated sector recorded 5,512 male workers and 675 female workers. It employed workers from Olongapo City (2,742), Bataan (693), Zambales (1,543), Pampanga (59), National Capital Region (347), Tarlac (11), and other areas (792).

Meanwhile, the number of employees in the construction sector reached 13,953 and employed by 320 companies. Another male-dominated industry, these 320 construction companies employed 13,357 male workers and 596 female workers coming from Olongapo City (4,749), Bataan (1,747), Zambales (2,214), Pampanga (603), National Capital Region (916), Tarlac (296), and other areas (3,428).

Aliño said that an increase of 95 workers was recorded in the construction sector, with 13,953 workers recorded in 2024, and 13,858 workers recorded in 2023.

The SBMA chief said that with the current trend the Subic Bay Freeport workforce is experiencing, any fluctuation in the country’s unemployment rate would not adversely affect the number of workers here since the steady increase is a good sign of a constant upward pace in the employment sector. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA releases ₱204.7-M LGU shares to contiguous LGUs for H1 2024

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has released the ₱204.7-million in net revenue shares for the neighboring local government units (LGUs) of this premier Freeport.

The net share received by the eight contiguous localities is part of the five percent corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises from January to June 2024.

Spearheading the distribution of LGU shares on behalf of the SBMA Chairman and Administrator was Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon O. Agregado.

The revenue shares for this period is slightly higher than last year’s ₱203 million for the same period.

For shares generated during the first half of 2024, Olongapo City will receive a net share of ₱47.8 million; Subic, Zambales will receive ₱30.7 million; San Marcelino, ₱24.5 million; Castillejos with P18.6 million; and San Antonio, ₱17.4 million

For Bataan, Dinalupihan will receive ₱25.5 million; Hermosa, ₱21.9 million; and Morong, ₱18.1 million.  

Revenue shares are determined according to the following parameters - 50% population, 25% land area, and 25% equal sharing. This makes Olongapo City the frontrunner and top recipient of revenue shares due to its population.

According to the 2020 census, Olongapo pegged its population at 206,317, the biggest among the nearby communities of the SBF. It is also the highest in terms of population density with 1,407.12 resident per square kilometer with a total of 185 sq. km. land area.

Meanwhile, net shares are computed by adding the current base share to the ten per cent retention amount from two years prior, but less ten per cent retention amount from the current period.

Since August 2010, revenue shares were directly released to the LGUs on a bi-annual basis—August for the first semester, and then February the following year for the second semester. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA Tourism job fair yields 43 HOTS

43 jobseekers emerged as hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) during the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)’s National Tourism Month Job Fair at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall here on Monday. 

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that these 43 HOTS were among the 759 registered applicants for the said job fair, which is part of the agency’s celebration of Tourism Month in Subic Bay Freeport. 

He added that the job fair was participated in by around 50 companies, mostly from the tourism sector of the Freeport, providing 2,600 job vacancies to jobseekers who wish to work here. 

The official expressed his gratitude to participating companies, and government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Zambales Field Office, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Olongapo, Olongapo City Government and the Olongapo City Tourism Department for partnering with the SBMA to ensure the success of the project. 

 The National Tourism Month Job Fair spearheaded by the SBMA Tourism Department is in collaboration with the SBMA Labor Department. (MPD-SBMA)  

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Gov't enhances services; launches 'super apps' in Subic Freeport

As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance government services and improve the quality and turnaround time of official stakeholder transactions, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) launched the e-Gov and the e-LGU mobile applications at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), Subic Bay Freeport on Tuesday, September 3.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño welcomed this game-changing initiative led by DICT Region 3 Director Antonio Edward Padre.

Aliño also lauded this undertaking as this will enhance government services and improve industry processes and transactions.

"The e-Gov 'super app' houses all government institutions in a single site, which will enable stakeholders to avail of government services faster and with less stress, less expenses, and less man hours. Lining up in queues will be reduced and hours spent for travel time may instead be utilized productively for other activities," he said in the speech read on his behalf by SBMA Management Information Systems Office manager Engr. Vergil Joseph Lansangan.

"Ultimately, this project hopes to eliminate corruption and red tape in government transactions since the platform will keep track of them and leave a clear audit record," he added.

Government Digital Transformation Bureau Director June Vincent Manuel Gaudan disclosed that this mobile app allows inclusivity and empowerment across the nation; no individual is left behind. Stakeholders will now have easy access to various government online services and information since all sites are being housed in a single mobile application, which covers all local and national levels of public agencies.

Gaudan added that the launching held in this premier Freeport is significant for the e-Gov app, citing that the Green Lanes of the app provides "Ease of Doing Business" for foreign companies looking into investing in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

He added that this is in line with Executive Order 18 or the Constituting Green Lanes for Strategic Investments policy, which is a government-wide response to enhance Ease of Doing Business by mandating the creation of Green Lane units in all government offices that will expedite, streamline and automate government processes for Strategic Investments.

"There are many processes and transactions that happens in Subic Bay Freeport that needs to be digitized for a more efficient way of conducting business here since the e-Gov integrates the multi-sectoral government services in a single platform, covering a wide range of local government services such as business permit licensing, community tax, local civil registry and many others," he said.

The launching on Tuesday was participated in by DICT officials, Zambales Governor's Office, Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., SBMA officials namely MIS manager Engr. Vergil Joseph Lansangan and Telecoms OIC Engr. Eddie Ventura, and National Government Portal Project Director Joshua Vazir Querol.

Secretary Ivan John Uy, USec David Almirol Jr., ASec. Maria Teresa Camba, Congressman Jefferson Khonghun' Chief of Staff Jan Joshua Khonghun, representative of Congresswoman Doris Maniquiz, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Stephany Panaligan, ARTA Chief Admin Officer Mary Grace Manabat, USec. Mark Cristeo Gimenez, DTI R3 Director Edna Dizon, PSA Zambales Chief Statistics Specialist Norman Bundalian, FCSupt. Renato Capuz of BFP R3, and Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) PB Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr.'s representative expressed their support for the e-Gov system.

Meanwhile, DICT Zambales Director Jeffrey Lazaro presented future plans that will affect the digitization of government services in Zambales.

The e-LGU system creates a single operating system for all government transactions to ensure ease of doing business, as part of the digital transformation of government towards more efficient, faster service delivery, and transparency across all localities in the country.

As mandated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the e-LGU is among the vital components of the DICT's e-Gov PH Super App.

Anchored on the Administration’s whole-of-government agenda, the e-LGU nationwide caravan is a joint project of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the DICT. (MPD-SBMA)

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“Lab for All” caravan goes to Subic Freeport

Lab for All Caravan made its current stop at the Subic Bay Exhibition (SBECC) in this premier Freeport on Tuesday to provide free medical services to more than 3,500 people here, including the first district of Zambales. 

The Lab for All Caravan, a flagship project of the Office of the First Lady, was formally opened by the First Lady herself, Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos. 

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, who welcomed the First Lady during her visit to the Freeport, expressed honor for the agency’s being chosen to host the event. 

“It is an honor for us to hold the Lab for All Caravan here,” Aliño said. 

Araneta-Marcos expressed her gratitude to the national government agencies who participated in the Lab for All Caravan, providing much-needed medical consultations, medicine and surgery for free to almost 4,000 beneficiaries. 

She also thanked the local officials from the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, and Bataan for showing support to the project, and for also showing unity with their constituents during the event. 

During the opening program, the Lab for All jingle was also introduced, which the guest government elected officials learned to dance to. 

The First Lady, Chairman Aliño, Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda, Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, Bataan Representative Geraldine Roman, Zambales First District Representative Jay Khonghun, and other guest government officials took part dancing to the Lab for All jingle.

Meanwhile, the SBMA Board of Directors, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Director Rolen Paulino, and other guest government officials also took part in the activities.

The guest agencies in the event include the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade Industry (DTI), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Pag-Ibig, and PhilHealth.

Chairman Aliño said that the SBMA is always ready to support any national government endeavors, especially programs that benefit the masses. “Our doors in Subic Bay Freeport are always open. It is an honor for us to be of service to our people,” Aliño said. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA to release ₱178-M revenue shares to contiguous LGUs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to release a total of ₱178-million revenue shares to a city and seven municipalities contiguous to the country’s premier Freeport. 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the shares given to local government units (LGUs) are intended to augment local resources and enable stakeholder communities to benefit from the operations of Freeport businesses by augmenting the LGUs’ funds for development projects in health, education, peace and order, and livelihood generation. 

“These revenue shares that the agency received from the locators’ gross income, are intended to create a parallel development between the Freeport and its nearby LGUs. SBMA is highly committed to support our neighboring localities by helping them improve the living conditions of their residents’,” Aliño explained. 

The LGUs include Olongapo City, which will receive a net share worth ₱41.62 million; while the Zambales towns of Subic will receive ₱26.7 million; Castillejos, ₱16.18 million; San Marcelino, ₱21.37 million; and San Antonio, ₱15.13 million.

Meanwhile, in Bataan, Morong town will receive ₱15.73 million, Hermosa ₱19.06 million, and Dinalupihan ₱22.17 million.

Per the SBMA Accounting department, the shares to be released accounted for two per cent of the five per cent tax on gross income paid for by free port locators for the period July to December 2023. The other three per cent of the taxes paid are remitted directly to the national government. 

The LGU share is determined according to population (50 per cent), land area (25 per cent), and equal sharing (25 per cent). 

Aliño said the shares given by the SBMA to the neighboring communities would benefit almost 750,000 residents in the said areas. 

Over the period of ten years, LGU shares significantly increased by 118.94% from ₱81.3 million in 2014. This is attributed to the growing number of locators who continue to trust in the services accorded to them by the agency. (MPD-SBMA)

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First - ever hybrid workspace in Zambales opened

The first-ever hybrid workspace in Zambales has opened at the Pacific Ace Building in this premiere freeport on Thursday. 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan, International Workplace Group (IWG) Country Manager Lars B. Wittig and Pacific Ace Subic Bay Corporation (PASBC) President Virginia S. Dio led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Regus Subic center at the Pacific Ace Building.

The Regus Subic center is the first-ever hybrid workspace in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It is located at the second floor of The Gardens by Pacific Ace.

Tan said that the establishment of shared workspace inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone would entice more companies to locate here while initially testing the waters before going full-scale. “This shared workspace provides investors a platform for exploratory activities before deciding on whether they will be expanding to a bigger facility or undertake something else,” he said.

The Agency chief also lauded the efforts of IWG and Pacific Ace in establishing this virtual platform while incorporating the “green advocacy” of PASBC President Dio. 

“This will help startup companies to grow as the Regus Subic center shared workspace becomes an incubator that provides them an area to grow and develop before investing heavily in Subic Bay Freeport,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pacific Ace President Dio said that the shared workplace consists of co-working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. She added that the Green Building is environmentally responsible to lessen the negative impact of our footprint to the environment.

“We provide a superior indoor environment that can enhance air and water quality to improve health, productivity, and the energy of the people in the premises. Such conditions are certainly conducive not only to its users but more importantly, to the environment,” she said.

The shared workspace inside the Green Building includes co-working desks, meeting rooms, and private offices. The area bears a design that has a green center with live decorative plants. It is located at the Central Business District (CBD) area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Subic Freeport is a strategic location that we have targeted for expansion since the opening of Regus (shared workplace) in Clark Freeport in 2015. Clark is the gateway, driving from Metro Manila in the northern direction, and Subic is the logical extension that offers excellent logistics, free port and development zones in the same manner as Clark,” Wittig said. 

He added that with the inclusion of Subic Bay Freeport in the Regus brand of IWG, we can expect more investments and developments in this premier Freeport since the location will be a most valued addition to the IWG network. 

IWG is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. The company utilizes hybrid working platforms to increase productivity, efficiency, agility and market proximity of its clientele. It has a network coverage that includes 3,500 locations across more than 120 countries and 83 percent of Fortune 500 companies are part of their customer base. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA releases ₱203-M revenue shares; new chief forges strong partnerships with neighboring LGUs

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan and mayors of the eight local government units (LGUs) adjacent to this free port forged strong partnerships as the Subic agency formally turned over revenue shares for localities contiguous to and affected by the operations of this premier freeport.

 

LGU shares are derived from the 2% of the 5% corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises from January to June 2023, which amounted to ₱207.65 million.

 

Less net retention amount of Php4.62 million, LGU shares in the amount of ₱203 million were turned over by Tan for the first time during a simple ceremony at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel.

 

Grateful for the positive turnout of LGU officials, Tan gave a briefing of the future development projects that the agency will be undertaking during the next few years of his term.

 

“These development projects will surely add value to the agency as it makes an effort to attract more investments; and with more investments, more jobs will be created not only for the residents of the neighboring towns of Subic, but also for the residents of neighboring provinces,” Tan assured.

 

With this, Tan also asked the beneficiary-LGUs for their help and cooperation in promoting Subic Bay Freeport to prospective investors.

 

“The more investments we get, the more jobs we create. The more revenues we generate, the more shares the LGUs get,” he added.

 

For the province of Zambales, Olongapo City mayor Rolen Paulino, Jr. received the highest share in the amount of ₱47.46 million; Subic mayor Jon Khonghun received ₱30.5 million; a representative of Castillejos mayor Jeff Khonghun received ₱18.5 million; San Marcelino mayor Elmer Soria received ₱24.38 million; and San Antonio mayor Edzel Lonzanida received ₱17.27 million.

 

Meanwhile, for the province of Bataan, Dinalupihan mayor German Santos, Jr. received ₱25.28 million; Hermosa mayor Joseph Inton received P21.7 million; and last but not the least, Morong mayor Cynthia Estanislao received ₱17.9 million.

 

The ₱207.65-million revenue share covers the first semester of 2023, with ₱16.14 million retention from the first semester 2021 collection, less ₱20.76 million for the current collection’s ten percent retention. 

 

These revenue shares are intended to supplement development projects in health, education, peace and order, and livelihood generation of the contiguous LGUs.

 

The SBMA started releasing the shares directly to LGUs in August 2010 to ensure their prompt remittance to the local communities. The LGU share is determined according to population (50 per cent), land area (25 per cent), and equal sharing (25 per cent), which are then released periodically in August, for the first semester, and February the following year, for the second semester. (MPD-SBMA)

 

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