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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Lyceum of Subic Bay and APG inaugurate new learning facility

Lyceum of Subic Bay in partnership with APG International Aviation Academy Inc., one of the best in Asia, inaugurated its new facilities here, Wednesday, May 18 with SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business, Investment and Development Stefanie Saño as guest of honor.

The 34,196 square meter lease area with seven major structures in Cubi-Triboa District Subic Bay Freeport was turned over to Lyceum Subic Bay by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on April 27, 2016. The simple but historic ceremony was led by no less than the Honorable SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia. The property is now named, Lyceum of Subic Bay Annex.

In his turn-over message, Chairman Garcia expressed his confidence that Lyceum, together with APG is able to develop and preserve the facilities and make them the Freeport’s Center for Educational Excellence.

Mr. Alfonso E. Borda, Founding President and CEO of Lyceum of Subic Bay, accepted the challenge and noted that the momentous event marked the beginning of a real difference in education as LSB and APG, commit themselves to the exacting test of excellence of establishing a world-class institution producing a globally competitive workforce.

Senior Deputy Administrator Saño said that the inauguration of the new LSB and APG facilities was an additional achievement for the Freeport community.

Mr. Borda envisions that with the highly qualified, responsible, committed and dedicated management and staff of LSB and APG, this property shall be a home for the best in K to 12 basic education and internationally recognized curriculums in aviation and aeronautics.

Also present during this event were, APG President and CEO Cpt. Arnel Miguel, Ms. Emaline Guadez, LSB Executive Vice President, Ms. Concepcion T. Borda, LSB VP for Administration, Mr. Jeru Joseph T. Borda, LSB VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Diena B. Oroceo, Dep Ed officials headed by Dr. Bernadette F. Tamayo, Schools Divisions Superintendent and the teaching and non-teaching staff, and students of both LSB and APG.

PHOTO:
APG President and CEO Capt. Arnel Miguel (3rd from left) LYCEUM of Subic Bay President and CEO Alfonso Borda and former Zambales Congresswoman 1st District Mitos Magsaysay (2nd right) lead the ribbon cutting ceremony during the inauguration of the Lyceum of Subic Bay in partnership with the APG International Aviation Academy, Inc. last May 18, 2016. Others in photo are (from left) SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business Investment and Development Stefanie Sano, Ms. Emaline Guadez and LSB Executive Vice President Conception T. Borda.

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Subic Freeport school eyes P8-M expansion program

Quiz Bee School, Inc., an educational institution offering private pre-elementary, elementary and secondary education in this free port, has committed to invest P8 million worth of development within the next six years under its expansion program.

According to a lease development contract signed recently by Quiz Bee President Gloria P. Tayag and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto V. Garcia, the school management will invest a total of P3 million under Phase 1 of its development program.

(L-R) Quiz Bee Directress Pachie Tayag, Quiz Bee President Gloria P. Tayag, SBMA Chairman
Roberto V. Garcia and SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Stef Saño.

This will be followed by P2 million for the second phase, and P3 million for the final phase of the program.

The new contract gives Quiz Bee School, Inc. a new lease term of 25 years for a property located at the Subic Gateway District in this free port.

The school, which was founded here in 2009 as the Quiz Bee Early Learning Center, initially offered only pre-elementary and Grades 1 to 3 courses under the Department of Education curriculum, but will now be offering from Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K to 12) basic education program.

Tayag said that aside from the P8-million development commitment, Quiz Bee will also provide a total of 24 scholarship grants annually to help provide for the education of youth coming from the Subic Bay community.

Quiz Bee President Gloria P. Tayag discusses the firm’s development program with SBMA
Chairman Roberto V. Garcia during the signing of a new lease development contract for the
Subic school.

These will be composed of eight “tuition fee only” scholarship grants per year, starting school year 2016-2017 open to qualified students; 15 “tuition fee only” scholarship grants open exclusively to SBMA employees’ dependents enrolling under the K to 12 Program; and one scholarship grant for the Ayta community in a different educational institution.

Garcia said the scholarship grants to be provided by Quiz Bee “would be a huge contribution to SBMA efforts to promote inclusive growth to stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.”

“We have been encouraging business locators in Subic to give their share in uplifting the quality of life of the people in the Freeport area, and your scholarship program will be a generous support to this collective effort,” Garcia said. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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Floating bookstore ‘Logos Hope’ in Subic for 4 weeks

The world’s largest floating bookstore is now docked at the Riviera Wharf in this free port, offering more than 5,000 books from different countries and cultures all over the world for a fraction of their original cover price.

MV Logos Hope opened its doors for public viewing here on Tuesday with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia, Zambales Vice Governor Ramon Lacbain II, Central Luzon Tourism Director Ramon Tiotuico, and Captain Tom Dyer cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

“After more than two years, we welcome again Logos Hope back to our port with full support f​or their ongoing mission of enlightenment, unity and world peace,” Garcia said during the opening program.

He also asked Dyer and the members of the ship’s crew to take time to visit various attractions in the Subic Bay Freeport and the nearby communities “as a way of enlightening yourself about our corner of the world here.”

Logos HR director Andy Juliff, meanwhile, explained how the ship’s program works. “A ship full of people with different nationalities and cultural differences is a recipe for disaster, but here at Logos Hope faith in God is what bring us on board to work together in perfect harmony. It powers our engines safely to help the world,” he added.

Logos volunteers have also lined up events for local residents. On June 12​,​ they will have an International Crew Night at the Harbor Point Mall here to highlight the variety of cultures from all over the globe that they represent.

This will be followed by a Fun Night Café on June 21 and June 28, which will present interesting board games from cultures across the seas.

Meanwhile, local artists will be encouraged to join a painting contest on the themes, “What is Hope?” or “Logos Hope and the Philippines.” Deadline for the submission of entries will be on June 30.

The winner will be presented at the International Night and the painting will be displayed at the Logos Hope International Café.

​As the main attraction of Logos Hope, t​he books being sold at affordable prices cover various topics ranging from science to cooking and cultures, to hobbies and sports, among others.

Visitors can also enjoy a wide range of desserts and pastries, and other gastronomic pleasures at the ship’s International Café.

Logos Hope will stay at the Subic Bay Freeport for four weeks. (ADP/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (center), flanked by wife Mari​bi​ and Zambales Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II, Central Luzon Tourism Director Ramon Tiotuico (right) and Logos Hope HR director Andy Juliff, cut the ceremonial ribbon as ship captain Tom Dyer looks on during a ceremony to formally open the floating bookstore to the public on Tuesday. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Logos Hope ship captain Tom Dyer shows SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (third from right) and other visitors around the floating bookstore during the ceremonial opening on Tuesday at the Riviera Wharf of Subic Bay Freeport. With them are (from left): Mrs. Maribi Garcia, Central Luzon Tourism Director Ramon Tiotuico, Logos Hope HR director Andy Juliff, and Zambales Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Floating bookstore, library docks in Subic Bay

Logos Hope, the largest floating bookstore and library in the world, docked on Monday at the Riviera Pier in Subic Bay for a month-long stay.

MV Logos Hope, which is operated by a Good Books for All, a German Christian charitable organization, brings with her an expanded selection of over 5,000 books covering subjects ranging from science, sports, hobbies and family life, dictionaries, atlases and more.

The volunteer crew and staff numbering 400 people, representing more than 45 different countries, joined the organization and live on board for two years as volunteers.

The ship’s crew will be doing onshore and on-board activities featuring a“big” variety of cultures found across the world.

Special events such the Fun Night Cafe is scheduled on June 21 on-board the ship while the Board Game is on June 28, that will make the visitors enjoy the fellowship of crew members who will demonstrate games popular in the country where the crews came from.

Meanwhile, to celebrate Logos Hope return to Subic Bay, local artists were earlier invited to participate in the drawing contest featuring “what hope is” or Logos Hope and the Philippines. The winners will be announced at the International Night on June 12.

In addition, the Visitor Experience Deck will be available to the public, especially to the newcomers, giving them an opportunity to explore.

From the Welcome Area, the ship will be introduced to the visitors through a short movie and interactive displays which is said to have something for everyone.

The book ship will be opened to public starting June 9 until July 5 from Tuesdays to Saturdays (10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.) and from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. during Sundays.

There is an entrance fee of P20 per person, but children under 13 years old and senior citizens 60 years old and above are free. (Philippine News Agency)

PHOTO:
Logos Hope/Photo by Arne List from Kiel, Germany (Logos Hope DSC_6743 Uploaded by Trycatch) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

http://www.mb.com.ph/floating-bookstore-library-docks-in-subic-bay/

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Computer app helps Subic students learn BPO English

Students from various colleges in Subic Bay Freeport area are now benefitting from LEAP, a computer application software designed to address the English proficiency of Filipinos to meet the demand of the growing business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the country.

LEAP, which stands for Learning English Application for Pinoys, was introduced here last September by the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to several local colleges and had since earned raves from student-beneficiaries.

Royce Vincent Palo, a Customs Administrations major at the Lyceum of Subic Bay (LSB) said that he is very grateful to become one of the first LEAP trainees.

“It’s a great program wherein fun and learning, which normally don't come together, have been successfully combined,” noted Palo.

“The program encourages us to recall our past lessons, many of which have long been forgotten, and while it still has some glitches, it was very effective,” he added.

Jenny Ching, another LSB student tutored under the program, also praised the LEAP project, describing it as “very helpful for Filipinos who cannot speak English well, especially for those preparing for job interviews.”

The LEAP program is stand-alone computer application software, which gives tests and lessons to students to improve their communication skills. This includes grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, which are considered as major deficiencies for most Filipinos.

The program is composed of English training modules that run for a total of 200 hours. Participants here took lessons every Saturday and completed the course last December 13.

LEAP was developed by the UP Diliman’s Engineering Department, Department of English and Comparative Literature, Department of Arts and Letters, and the Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts. The program was funded by the DOST and was launched in July 2014.

Last September, UP and DOST introduced LEAP to students at the Lyceum of Subic Bay, Columban College, Mondriaan Aura College, Subic Bay College, and Gordon College.

Students who joined the program took pre-tests to assess their basic English skills before using the application under the supervision of UP representatives.

Last Monday, UP and DOST officials returned to conduct a post-program assessment to gauge the effectiveness of the program, as well as to listen to the evaluation by the program participants.

Data from the participants, including comments on perceived flaws in the computer application, will be used for further development of the application software, UP officials said.

The program organizers also expressed gratitude to the students who participated in the program, particularly for their comments and suggestions to help improve the LEAP software.

Meanwhile, SBMA Labor Department head Severo Pastor, who attended the program assessment with SBMA Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs Randy Escolango, thanked UP and DOST for bringing the LEAP program to Subic, pointing out that it would also benefit Subic’s growing BPO industry.

Pastor said that SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia has been eyeing to develop Subic Bay Freeport as a BPO center to cash in on the growing proficiency of local information technology workers.

Pastor said the LEAP program would help students and workers in the IT sector here to further enhance their capabilities and market their skills. (YCM/MPD-SBMA)

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