SBMA celebrates week-long Subic Bay Arbor Day 2025

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) kicked off its week-long celebration of Subic Bay Arbor Day 2025 with the opening ceremony held at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall Promenade on Monday, June 23.

Dubbed “Kanian Tiawan, Kanian Biag, Kanian Biay,” in Ayta Ambala dialect, or “Our Forest, Our Home, Our Life” in English, the week-long celebration started on June 23 and will end on June 27.

SBMA Chief-of-Staff Atty. Von F. Rodriguez, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Zambales Provincial Director Enrique D. Tacbad, joined SBMA Ecology Center OIC Rossell L. Abuyo during the ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the series of events.

The Subic Bay Arbor Day features an expo at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall from June 23 to 27. Additionally, a Bamboo Nursery will be launched at the El Kabayo forest area on June 24, and Tiawon Talks will host online lectures on June 26.

Other events include the Carbon Mo Capture Mo Photography Contest on June 27, and the Magtanum Kitamo Arbor Day tree planting activity at the Mulawin-Bayakan Reforestation Site on June 27.

Speaking on behalf of SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, Chief of Staff Rodriguez said that the agency is taking vital steps to achieve a carbon-neutral zone here in Subic Bay Freeport. He added that the agency is holding the annual event diligently to ensure that the environment here is well taken care of.

Subic Bay Freeport boasts a well-preserved natural environment, offering a scenic backdrop for businesses and a place where nature and productivity intersect. The area is naturally sheltered from typhoons due to its mountain ranges and deep harbor.

The SBMA is actively engaged in environmental management, including waste management and conservation efforts. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA to launch e-buses soon

As the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) pushes towards its carbon neutrality goal, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is poised to launch pure battery electric buses (PBEB) in this premier Freeport within the year.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the PBEB project parallels the agency’s thrust of making the Freeport the first carbon-neutral economic zone in the Philippines, under the “Race to Carbon Neutrality” program.

He added that the PBEB project will entail the construction of fast electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) at the SBMA Maintenance and Transportation Department (MTD) motor pool area. Another charging station donated by the Department of Energy (DOE) will be installed along Argonaut Highway.

“Ten units of these pure battery electric buses were delivered here in Subic Bay Freeport last May 13.  We have road tested one of the buses on May 27 with several members of the SBMA Board. It is quite comfortable and provides easy access for persons with disabilities,” Aliño said.

For the upcoming launch of the PBEBs inside the Freeport, the SBMA has allotted a budget of ₱10 million for the construction of new bus stops and the rehabilitation of existing ones. Its completion is expected by December 2025.

Apart from the EVCs, the project also includes the renovation of the Kalaklan Gate Terminal, which serves as Subic Bay Freeport’s entry point for people coming from Zambales.

A total of 58 bus stops will be constructed, eight around the Central Business District, 16 at the Cubi Area, six at theme park areas, 18 at the Binictican Housing area, and ten at the Kalayaan Housing area.

The PBEBs were acquired through Golden Asia Automotive Builders, Inc., and manufactured by Xiamen King Long United Automotive Industry Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1988 with over 30 years of bus manufacturing experience.

With a target to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, the SBMA is pushing to become the first Carbon Neutral Port in the country through initiatives such as the ₱250-million Carbon Neutral Port project with shore power connections for ships. (MPD-SBMA)

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BYD Philippines opens Subic branch

In line with its thrust to make this premier Freeport a carbon-neutral economic zone by 2030, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) opened its doors to BYD Philippines, with its newest branch here. 

 

During its grand opening on May 19, 2025, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the entry of China’s leading electric vehicle maker here solidifies the stance of the agency in making Subic Freeport carbon-neutral. 

 

He added that the Harmony Auto Philippines-operated branch of BYD will certainly sell a huge volume of electric vehicles that will significantly reduce harmful emissions, while making this premier Freeport its home. 

 

The BYD Subic Branch offers consumers an option for owning a vehicle that is eco-friendly and energy-efficient. The showroom cum service center offers the newest and the latest electric vehicles to residents of Central Luzon.

 

Aliño, BYD Philippines Country Head Adam Hu, BYD Cars Philippines Managing Director Bob Palanca, and Harmony Auto Philippines General Manager Owen Meneses led the inauguration of the fifth franchise of the Chinese EV brand in the country.

 

Also gracing the event were Bataan Congressman Albert Garcia, former Hermosa Mayor Joseph Anthony Inton, and Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., as well as the SBMA Board of Directors as guests of honor.

 

Subic Bay Freeport is equipped with various EV charging stations that are easily accessible to the public. One is located at the ACEA Subic Beach Resort; another at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall at the Rizal Highway; and one at the Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc. Subic. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA holds week-long 16th Recyclables Collection Event in celebration of Earth Day 2025

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is holding the 16th Recyclables Collection Event (RCE) from April 21 to 25, 2025, in celebration of this year's Earth Day.

 

This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” is highlighted by the Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) caravan, which aims to empower stakeholders.

 The caravan happens on April 22 and 24 at the Function Hall B of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), and will also feature the Health and Environment discussion led by PCOM-Olongapo virtually via Google Meet. 

 

“As for the main event, the 16th Recyclables Collection Event, will be held at the Mini Golf Course area of the Subic Bay Freeport, where stakeholders can bring hazardous waste materials and recyclable materials to ensure their proper disposal,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said.

 

Also in line with the 16^th RCE, sustainable products and technology exhibit, including the UBC Awareness and Collection Program led by GNS/ Tetra Pak Philippines, Bamboonihan and Green Foot Carbon Calculator by Banco Kalikasan, Wastewater/ Grease waste management by Soliman EcoWaste Management Corp., and PBC Waste Management by Innogy Solutions Inc., happens at the Promenade A of the Harbor Point Ayala Mall from April 21-23. 

 

The 16^th RCE will have the Refill Revolution for a Cause at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on April 21 and 23, and at the Ecology Center on April 24 and 25. 

 

“Our goal here is to reduce plastic pollution by reducing waste from single-use plastics. The proceeds from the donated recyclable materials collected will be doled out to the employees of Omniworx, the company tasked to clean and maintain SBMA buildings all over the Subic Bay Freeport,” Aliño said.

 

He reiterated that these employees are “our partners in the segregation of wastes at source. They ensure that recyclables are properly segregated and turned over during the bi-annual RCE for proper disposal through our waste haulers.” 

 

Other activities include the Earth Day 2025 Community Cleanup, which will be held all over the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and the Trash for Rice, a social development program of the Subic Bay Freeport Electronics Recycling Association.

 

Earth Day 2025 is the Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s step towards its goal in the Race to Carbon Neutrality, making this premier Freeport into a carbon-neutral zone in the future,” Aliño said. (MPD-SBMA)

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270 tourism, environmental stakeholders at CL Tourism Summit 2024 push for a carbon neutral freeport

Stepping up to the challenges of climate change, 270 tourism and environmental stakeholder-participants in the Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit 2024 declared their commitment to make carbon neutrality a way of life.   

The “Race to Carbon Neutrality” was launched on Wednesday, September 11, to kick-off the countdown to 2040 spearheaded by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), as it pushes to become the first carbon neutral economic zone in the country. This is a game changer for the country’s climate action and carbon reduction targets.  

SBMA OIC-Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory and Ecology Department manager Amethya Dela Llana-Koval spearheaded the launch on behalf of Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño who was then attending the budget hearing at the Senate. 

“This is a momentous occasion for us because we are launching today, September 11, 2024, a carbon neutral future for the SBMA or our Race to Carbon Neutrality,” Dela Llana-Koval read. 

She added that this is a pivotal moment in the SBMA’s journey toward a carbon-neutral future to counter the effects of climate change; but the bigger challenge for the agency is being an economic zone where locators are large consumers of electricity and other forms of energy that contribute high concentrations of carbon footprint, or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

However, this challenge also makes this economic zone “a good place to pioneer and pilot many GHG emission reduction efforts because geographically, we are blessed with the abundance of carbon stocks,” Dela Llana-Koval said. 

She further explained that the SBFZ has 60 has. of mangrove area, with potential to sequester 2,016 MT carbon emissions annually, and a watershed forest reserve of 10,000 has. which neutralizes 400,000 tons of potential carbon emissions. 

The Race to Carbon Neutrality aims to reduce these carbon emissions in the SBFZ by 30 percent by 2030, and eventually to net zero by 2040. In effect, it will boost its competitiveness through resource efficiency, improve its brand image by positioning the SBFZ in the global market, and attract more green foreign direct investments. 

This will also bring the SBMA at the forefront of introducing carbon neutral development strategies into the economic, industrial, and trade policies of our country. 

With this year’s theme “Towards a Carbon Neutral Future: Central Luzon’s Commitment to Sustainable Tourism,” guest speakers offered their expertise on carbon neutrality and sustainable tourism practices, as well as technology’s role in carbon neutrality.  

As the SBMA pushes for a Carbon Neutral freeport in 2040 as its ultimate goal, Dela Llana-Koval disclosed that the SBMA will engage in the following steps: (1) adapt a carbon neutral framework; (2) emissions reduction planning; (3) prioritizing energy efficiency; (4) utilization of electric vehicles within the SBMA for carbon reduction targets; (5) utilizing emerging technologies; (6) leveraging renewable (energy); (7) smart waste management; (8) engaging stakeholders; (9) mangrove rehabilitation and restoration program; (10) forest conservation program; (11) bamboo forest development for increased oxygen production, higher carbon absorption and tourist attraction; and (12) finding financing. 

The two-day summit offered ecotours of various nearby tourist destinations that practice sustainable tourism and environmental efforts, namely, birdwatching tour, Pinatubo Brewery, SBMA Ecology mangrove nursery, El Kabayo waterfalls, Pamulaklakin Aeta forest trail, Pacific Ace Subic Bay Corp., Adventure Cove, Alon and Araw Club, and the Dela Llana Farm. (MPD-SBMA) 

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