SBMA pushes for Subic Freeport expansion

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pressing for the expansion of Subic Bay Freeport boundaries with vigorous legislative help from its first chief executive, Senator Richard Gordon.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that Gordon, who was SBMA chairman from 1992 to 1998, had filed Senate Bill 2207 the other week to expand the area of the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as that of the neighboring Clark Freeport.

Under the proposed measure, some parts of Zambales and Bataan provinces, along with areas in Olongapo City, will be made an adjunct of the Subic Bay Freeport under a phased expansion program.

Eisma said that in consultation with neighboring local government units last year, the SBMA has gotten pledges of about 21,000 hectares of expansion areas for future investment projects.

These included 9,000 hectares in San Antonio; 10,000 hectares in San Marcelino; 500-600 hectares in Subic; 500 hectares in Castillejos; and 900 hectares in Olongapo City, all in Zambales; as well as 505 hectares in Hermosa, Bataan.

“We want these areas to be utilized as economic zones because we’re already running out of space in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Eisma said.

The proposed expansion, she added, “will sustain the growth of the Subic Freeport, attract more investments, and generate jobs for residents from nearby communities and other areas.”

In filing the bill, Senator Gordon said that there was a need to update Republic Act 7227, otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, in order to further strengthen the Subic and Clark free ports.

He said that once enacted, the proposed measure will also give the expanded territories the same tax incentives as those in Subic Freeport and Clark Freeport so that they can attract investments projects.

Senate Bill 2207 also seeks to increase the area of the Clark Special Economic Zone from the current 4,400 hectares to 35,400 hectares and mandates Subic and Clark authorities to frame some master plan for the phased expansion. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Senator Richard J. Gordon confers with SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and other agency officials after sponsoring Senate Bill 2207 on Feb. 4.

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Central Luzon investment hub bill hurdles bicam

A bill creating the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Coordinating Hub (RICH) for Central Luzon has been approved by the Bicameral Conference Committee.

The measure intends to establish RICH, in place of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council, as the body to lead infrastructure development in Central Luzon.

RICH’s mission also includes to “effectively address bottlenecks and decongest Metro Manila, lay the foundation for long-term growth of Central Luzon and increase the productivity of the people.”

The Bicameral Conference Committee, presided over by Senator Richard J. Gordon and North Cotabato 1st district Rep. Jesus N. Sacdalan, adopted and approved on Dec. 10 Senate Bill No. 1997, subject to amendments.

In its last version, the bill proposed that the Central Luzon Investment Corridor Master Plan be developed by the RICH Board of Directors, in coordination with local government units and stakeholders.

CLIC will, among others, incorporate existing plans created for the development of the Subic-Clark and Tarlac area.

The Master Plan will also “include the provision of adequate and affordable housing facilities within the Special Economic or Freeport Zone.”

The measure also proposes to establish a One Stop Shop that will facilitate the registration of enterprises in Central Luzon in coordination with RICH, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, Clark Development Corp. and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. (Charmaine A. Tadalan, BusinessWorld)

https://www.bworldonline.com/central-luzon-investment-hub-bill-hurdles-bicam/

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House OKS proposed law to revitalize SBMA

The House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a measure that primarily aims to strengthen the administration and operational governance of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Approved by the chamber in plenary via vote of 200-6 (yes-no), without abstention, was House Bill (HB) no.8720, or the proposed Act Revitalizing the Bases Conversion Development.

The bill was principally authored by former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (2nd District, Pampanga), Reps. Geraldine Roman (1st District, Bataan), and Emi Calixto-Rubiano (Lone District, Pasay City).

It seeks to amend two sections of Republic Act (RA) 7227 or the “Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992.”

In particular, HB no.8720 amends Section 13 of RA 7227 to mandate that the SBMA shall have authority and jurisdiction over all economic activities within the Subic Special Economic Zone. This covers the power to inspect and register leisure ships and pleasure yachts of any ship owner.

For this purpose, the SBMA shall administer and maintain an open register of leisure ships and pleasure yachts subject only to such rules and regulation to be promulgated by the SBMA in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) without prejudice to the requirements of the Constitution.

The bill also mandates the SBMA to administer and implement incentives granted to its registered business enterprises.

Likewise, the SBMA shall fix and impose just and reasonable rates and prices for the establishment, operation and maintenance of infrastructure, services and businesses in the Subic Special Economic Zone pertaining to electronic, web and cloud data operators and providers and telecommunications; shipping and maritime business and activities; airport operations; and all other similar matters inside the economic zone.

The bill also aims to improve the revenue collection of SBMA and thereby increase the shares of the local government units (LGUs) affected and the share of the national government. Specifically, the measure fortifies the territorial jurisdiction of the Subic Special Economic Zone by amending Section 12 of RA 7227.

Among the changes introduced by HB 8720 to Section 12 is the inclusion of a provision that the municipalities of San Antonio, San Marcelino, and Castillejos of the province of Zambales and the municipalities of Morong, Hermosa, and Dinalupihan of the province of Bataan may cede in whole or in part their entire municipal territory to the Subic Special Economic Zone for a period of not less than 50 years.

The measure also seeks to ensure and strengthen the public safety and security of SBMA through further amendments to Section 12 of RA 7227.

It revises the section to state that in the event that an assistance of the military is necessary, the expenses shall be borne by the national government. HB 8720 adds that military shall not interfere in the internal affairs of SBMA except to provide necessary security and defense.

The bill designates one seat each in the board of directors of the SBMA to represent Olongapo City, the municipalities of Castillejos, San Antonio, San Marcelino, and Subic of the province of Zambales, and the municipalities of Morong, Hermosa, and Dinalupihan of the province of Bataan.

It also provides for one representative for the Board of Director of Bases Conversion Development Authority from the indigenous peoples (IPs) residing within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (Ellson Quismorio, Manila Bulletin)

https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/12/24/house-oks-proposed-law-to-revitalize-sbma/

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Gordon bats for Central Luzon investment corridor

Senator Richard Gordon has called on the Subic Bay Freeport business community to support his proposal to establish an investment corridor in Central Luzon that will encourage more business and livelihood activities and spur further development in the area.

Speaking during the North Luzon Business Conference here last week, Gordon said he has filed Senate Bill No. 1325, or “An Act Creating the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corporation of Central Luzon,” to facilitate the creation of an investment corridor in the region.

The senator explained that the proposed Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corporation (RIIC) aims to attract more foreign investors by way of providing for a road network system that will interconnect airports and seaports in Luzon.

He added that the proposed legislation will provide tax incentives for companies and will utilize the area to help ease the traffic currently weighing down the Metro Manila area. This will further ease the congestion of the seaports and airports in Manila, he said.

Gordon, who served as the first chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), also pointed out that Central Luzon is the only region in the country that has three airports like New York, referring to Manila, Clark and Subic.

“Central Luzon also has three seaports—Subic, Mariveles and Manila, and four if we include Batangas— which are complemented by a network of highways,” said Gordon.

He said the country needs to optimize the use of its infrastructures and pointed out that the Central Luzon area is connected by major highways: the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), and the Olongapo-Gapan Highway.

Aside from having these facilities, Central Luzon is also connected to various industrial zones managd by the Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

In response, business leaders from the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce Inc. (MOCCI), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and other business groups attending the conference pledged their support to Gordon’s bill.

Gordon’s bill had earlier found resonance during the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan (PIPP) Investment Roadshow to Taiwan, when SBMA Administrator & CEO Wilma Eisma urged businessmen in Taipei and Taichung City to consider the so-called Central Luzon Manufacturing and Logistics Zone (CMLZ) as a prime investment destination.

Eisma said that the CMLZ, which is composed of Clark Freeport, Subic Bay Freeport, and the Freeport Area of Bataan, has strategic location, ample space for manufacturing, developed infrastructure support, and generous tax and fiscal incentives.

Moreover, the area has ample supply of talented and skilled labor, service utilities for industries and businesses, secured corridor without traffic congestion, and enviable live-work-play environment, Eisma added.

Eisma also said that Central Luzon is perfect for targeted key industries like electronics, automotive parts and aerospace products for Clark; shipbuilding and maritime industries, including cruise ships for Subic; and high-end garments manufacturing for Bataan. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO: 

Sen. Richard Gordon explains his bill proposing for the creation of the Central Luzon Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corporation during a business forum in the Subic Bay Freeport (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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