Port of Subic Bay all set to host the 23rd INAP conference

This premier freeport is all set as the Port of Subic Bay takes its turn to host the 23rd International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) Conference on October 16.

INAP Subic Organizing Committee chairman and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Deputy Administrator for Operations Martin Kristoffer Roman explained that INAP is an organization of ports established in Japan in 1998, with Subic port as one of the founding members. 

Roman added that the two-day conference is held annually and is currently being hosted by the incoming INAP chairman's home port. 

With this year's theme, “Promoting Resiliency and Disaster Preparedness,” the Heads of Ports are expected to share their best practices in port and environmental management, to promote mutually beneficial opportunities for all the ports, especially the member ports.

Member ports, namely the ports of Cebu and Davao, Philippines; the port of Chittagong, Bangladesh; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Dangjin, South Korea; Mokpo, Korea; Kochi, Japan; Qingdao, China; and Tanjung Perak, Indonesia, are also sharing their best practices with respect to environmental protection and disaster preparedness. 

Delegates from Thailand and Vietnam will also attend the conference to observe the benefits of INAP membership.

"As for the Port of Subic Bay, we will be sharing emerging and green technologies, that will help reduce carbon footprints, and similar projects, whether completed or upcoming," INAP Subic Organizing Committee vice chairman and Seaport Assistant General Manager  Philip Lazaro said. 

Also highlighting the conference will be the formal turnover of INAP leadership from Port of Kochi, Japan to Port of Subic Bay. 

The INAP conference will also include a tree-planting activity of the Heads of Ports, a few plant tours, and a bay cruise on the waters of Subic Bay. 

Roman also expressed his gratitude to the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC), Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services Inc., and La Banca for the invaluable partnership and active participation in the smooth planning of activities for the 23rd INAPconference. 

Around 300 stakeholders, port users, residents, other locators, and neighboring local government units will be joining the 58 delegates from the member ports expected to participate in the symposium. 

In 2014, the Port of Subic Bay also hosted the INAP conference. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic tourism stakeholders bare collaborative plans for ber months

The resident tourism stakeholders here presented various activities that will add boost to the tourist arrivals inside this premier Freeport for the rest of the ber months. 

The presentation of activities was made during the Talakayan sa Freeport media forum held at the Weltz Bar of the Terrace Hotel on Monday by Hospitality Alliance of Subic (HAS) President of Corporate Affairs Pamela Khonghun, who bared their plans for October, November and December here. 

“This coming October, we are promoting the Subic Bay Hauntfest 2.0, since the first one was launched last year. To recap, we held the hauntfest at the Rotonda Food Park of the Moonbay Marina with our members having their stalls and presentations,” she said.

The event was held on October 31, 2023, which included a Trick or Treat, Magic Show, Halloween Costume Competition, and a Block Party. Khonghun mentioned Luke Mijares, DJ Arhiz Picache, Sweet Patatas, Ultimasia, and 8oz as their featured performers during the Block Party.

Last year’s celebration also held the Halloween Skele-bration wherein tourists participated in the costume contest at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall. She said that tourists were able to Trick or Treat at various hotels inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“This year, we are planning to hold the Subic Bay Hauntfest 2.0 at the Boardwalk Area. There will be many activities, with most of last year’s activities to be held again this year. It will be as grandiose as last year’s celebration,” she said.

Khonghun also disclosed the newest project in collaboration with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which is Paskuhan sa Boardwalk that will feature the “12 Days of Christmas” Food Fair, a Parol Making Competition, and a Caroling Competition. 

The HAS will collaborate with other tourism stakeholders here and create uniform Christmas lanterns to will be displayed, lighted up and featured at the Boardwalk Area and make the area lively during the Yuletide season. The group aims to boost the number of visitors in the area where most hotels are situated within a stone’s throw. 

Khonghun said that the alliance is opening its doors to local media practitioners to further promote their endeavors. 

She also expressed her gratitude to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño for continuously collaborating and supporting the endeavors of the HAS in promoting this premier Freeport as a tourist destination. (MPD-SBMA)

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500 SBF, Olongapo City workers unite in human cross to support the World Day for Safety & Health at Work

Around 500 participants of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department’s Zumbathon event gathered at the Remy Field here as an affirmation of their support to the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Participants of the human cross came from various Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) locators, local government unit (LGU) of Olongapo City, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital, Allied Care Experts Medical Center-Baypointe, Lab1, Zumba group of Olongapo City, Batang Gapo Riders Club, and the SBMA.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which was slated on April 28, was celebrated on May 3 to coincide with the Labor Day activities prepared by the SBMA Labor Department.

Now in its second year, the formation of the human cross event was organized by Dr. Evelyn Lozano-Natividad, President of the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine in partnership with the SBMA Labor Department.

Natividad expressed her heartfelt gratitude not only to the participants but also to the generous sponsors who provided light snacks, freebies, medical samplers, as well as premium items for the Zumbathon winners.

Wearing green shirts, participants of the human cross also enjoyed the Zumbathon, which followed right after the assembly.

Among the sponsors were Adva Shield, Anlene, Bonamine, Flanax, Kalbe, Multicare, OCPLCI, Olongapo City Medical Society, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians, Inc., Polarmarine, Rotary Club of Metro Olongapo, UAP, Westmont, Inova Pharma, and Pocari Sweat.  

Also joining the event were Olongapo City Vice Mayor Jong Cortez, SBMA officials including Chief of Staff Atty. Rodriguez, Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon Agregado, Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Atty. Mike Quintos, Dr. Arlene Cesa, Dr. Asean Briones, Dr. Cesar Julius Farin, and Management Information Systems Office manager Vergil Joseph Lansangan. (MPD-SBMA) 

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26 HOTS at Subic Freeport’s annual Labor Day jobs fair

A total of 26 jobseekers were hired on the spot during the jobs fair held at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on Labor Day, as part of the Labor Day celebration of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). 

21 applicants were hired by Da Tian Subic Shoes Inc., manufacturer of popular shoe brands here; while two of them were hired by YZ Consultancy Services Incorporated, and the other three were hired by Coffee & Tea Connection. 

 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo L. Aliño said that the agency is aggressively attracting more businesses to locate in the Subic Bay Freeport zone and generate not only revenues for the national coffers, the agency and neighboring local government units, but also job opportunities for residents of nearby communities. 

 

Around 71 Freeport locators participated to offer a total of 4,463 job opportunities for the job seekers. 

 

Out of the 4,463 total manpower needs of participating Freeport locators, 2,146 applications were received from 500 applicants. 1,157 were interviewed before the job fair ended. 

 

Earlier that day, a three-kilometer fun run was held to kick-off the Labor Day events prepared by the SBMA Labor Department, where Freeport workers from various locators participated together with their family members. 

 

The Labor department also launched the online Labor Tiktok Dance Challenge, where worker participants filmed themselves at their workplaces. 

 

Last Friday, participants of the Zumbathon formed a human cross in support of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. 

 

Meanwhile, a Symposium will also be held on May 8 at the Labor Training Room that will tackle the Department of Labor and Employment’s Department Order number 175, series of 2017 for locators engaged in Manpower Services/Agencies (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic to host INAP conference in October

The country’s premier Freeport will once again be hosting the INAP General Assembly and Symposium 2024 this October. 

This came after the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) and Port of Kochi officials led by Chief Takanori Asai paid a courtesy visit to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño.

 

Aliño said that the agency and INAP are already discussing plans of holding the conference here anchored on environmental maritime protection and disaster preparedness.

“As one of the founding members of INAP, it will be our honor to host this year’s assembly and welcome old and new faces to our shores. We endeavor to showcase not only our port and maritime facilities, but more importantly, to extend our famous hospitality, culture and friendship,” Aliño said.

He cited that environmental maritime protection and disaster preparedness is a very timely topic to discuss, adding that a shared discussion between the ports on these topics would benefit all members.

INAP members include the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Port of Dangjin and Mokpo New Port in South Korea, Port of Kochi in Japan, Port of Qingdao in China, Port of Tanjung Perak in Indonesia, Port of Chittagong in Bangladesh, and Port of Subic Bay, Port of Cebu, and Port of Davao (Philippine Ports Authority) in the Philippines. 

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao delegated Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Atty. Martin Kristoffer Roman to take the lead in organizing the symposium, including the approval of theme and program itinerary. 

He added that the two-day symposium will be held tentatively on October 23 and 24, which will commence with the general assembly on the first day and a day tour around Subic Bay Freeport.

Chairman Aliño said that it has been ten years since the SBMA hosted the INAP General Assembly and Symposium, and that it would be beneficial to the delegates to see the new facilities and developments in the Port of Subic.

“The last time Subic Bay Freeport hosted INAP was in November of 2014 wherein more than 200 invited guests from the maritime industry attended the conference. Hopefully, more guests will arrive to take part in the general assembly,” Aliño said.

Founded in 1998, INAP was formed to promote cooperation and information exchange among affiliated ports, enhancing the port network, integrating individual affiliates, exchanging information on port development, and strengthening economic and cultural relationships. (MPD-SBMA)

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