SBMA Authorizes SBITC to Collect Wharfage Fees at Port of Subic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) have formalized an agreement authorizing SBITC to collect wharfage fees on behalf of SBMA from port clients.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and SBITC Head of Management Services and Government Affairs Henry Dungca signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 29, 2026, at SBMA’s Building 662. The partnership aims to streamline payment processes through SBITC’s online payment platforms.

Aliño emphasized the benefits of the new system, stating, “This arrangement will minimize face-to-face interactions, eliminate the need for clients to travel to SBMA’s cashier, and reduce waiting times for fee processing. Ultimately, it simplifies doing business at the Port of Subic.”

He added, “The MOA strengthens our public-private collaboration, securing essential revenue to sustain port operations, infrastructure, and future investments. It also reinforces Subic Bay’s status as a top logistics hub. It boosts investor confidence as we advance plans for the Luzon Economic Corridor, integrating Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas into a seamless trade gateway.”

Dungca highlighted the operational impact, saying, “SBITC will collect wharfage fees on behalf of SBMA and ensure transparent, accountable remittances. This partnership goes beyond payment collection; it enhances service speed, simplifies procedures, and improves the overall experience for all port users.”

SBMA oversees the regulatory framework within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, while SBITC, a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), manages the New Container Terminals (NCT-1 and NCT-2). Last October, SBMA granted SBITC a 25-year concession extension, allowing them to operate the terminals through 2058.

This initiative aligns with SBMA’s adoption of a payment collection system similar to that implemented by the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), in which port operators collect fees on the government’s behalf. (MPD-SBMA) 

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SBMA steps up to provide stakeholders ease of bills payment

 

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has taken a step further to provide its stakeholders in this premier freeport a faster and more convenient way of paying their bills.

The SBMA recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Intercommerce Network Services Inc. (INS) and I-Pay MYEG Philippines Inc. (IPMPI) to further enhance its Electronic Bills & Payment System (eBPS).

“I think this eBPS would help our stakeholders a lot in terms of convenience in bills payment. This will save them time and fuel. Instead of going to our Treasury office or to any Landbank branch, they could just pay online or visit a partner merchant, at their convenience,” SBMA chairman and administrator Rolen C. Paulino said.

In September 2015, the SBMA first launched the eBPS, initially with the LandBank of the Philippines (LBP) as a collection system partner, and INS as provider of electronic payment platform.

However, with the emergence of a vast number of electronic payment systems, especially due to the restrictions during the pandemic, the demand for additional payment channel options encouraged the partnership to venture into other possibilities to explore further enhancement that will provide efficiencies to SBF stakeholders.

So in 2021, the INS introduced IPMPI to the SBMA to provide an additional electronic payment and collection system partner, giving stakeholders more options of choosing from over 90,000 electronic payment channels.

“We are more than happy that MYEG will be part of this initiative together with Intercommerce. Thank you very much for the partnership and for the trust that you have given MYEG,” said Ann Margaret Saldana, IPMPI Chief Executive Officer.

Saldana said that electronic payment channels such as 7-eleven, Cebuana Lhuiller, Palawan Express for cash payment, and GCash, Maya, GrabPay, Shoppee Pay, as well as credit cards for mobile payments, will be available with the intervention of MYEG.

She also assured that INS and MYEG will be working hand in hand to make sure that the citizens will be familiar with the platform that they could use at their preferred convenience without having to go to different offices to settle payments thru cashiers.

Moreover, INS president Francis Norman Lopez sees the partnership also as opening doors to other payment requirements of the agency.

“We hope that this would also be extended to the other payment requirements of SBMA like port facilities or services, and payment of other transactions of the SBMA. For that matter, I think, SBMA would be the first that would cover all its electronic payment transactions,” Lopez said.

Meanwhile, Paulino added that with the eBPS, the SBMA would also be complying with its obligations to the national government--Ease of Doing Business Act for providing convenience to stakeholders, ARTA for paperless transactions by opening digital payment services, and Executive Order 170 or the Adoption of Digital Payments for Government Disbursement and Collections.

With this MOA the SBMA shall authorize the INS and IPMPI for a period initially of one year to enhance the electronic billing and payment system and include MYEG, and its partners, as an additional payment gateway and to utilize the IPMPI’s multiple payment channels.

The implementation of the eBPS will be a big plus-factor to investors trying to make it happen in the Philippines, the convenience of payment transactions when they invest in Subic Bay.

The eBPS will be re-launched virtually on July 25 and 26 via Google Meet. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA opts for virtual Christmas party, cancels New Year countdown

To ensure the health and safety of its personnel, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has decided to forego its usual face-to-face Christmas party this year and will instead have a virtual yearend thanksgiving program this Friday, Dec. 17.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the agency has prohibited face-to-face gatherings in all SBMA offices and facilities and disallowed events that would gather crowds in the Freeport because of the continuing danger from the Covid-19 virus and its emerging variants.

By the same reason, the Subic agency won’t hold a New Year countdown, cancelling this year a popular event that usually draws crowds of revelers from the Subic Bay area, as well as neighboring provinces and Metro Manila.

“This is the prudent decision by the SBMA because the virus is still here amidst us. The rate of infection may have gone down recently, but we cannot be complacent and fully open up Subic now because we cannot afford to have another surge just like they’re having in other countries,” Eisma said.

“While we respect the individual rights of SBMA employees and other Subic stakeholders to organize or attend gatherings this holiday season, we cannot yet allow these events in SBMA facilities. We also call on everyone to observe minimum public health standards wherever they may have their Christmas parties or yearend activities,” she added.

To spice up the virtual program, SBMA officials and employees will make video presentations and participate in online contests, Eisma added.

According to Jennifer Guiang, chief of the SBMA Board of Directors staff and head organizer of the virtual program, the SBMA yearend thanksgiving event will have a carnival theme. It will be held from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Dec. 17.

Guiang added that there will be three competitions to be held during the program.

These are “Our SBU Story,” a video contest on depicting the stories and accomplishments of the agency’s various strategic business units (SBUs); “SBMA Patiktok,” which should be a one-minute dance interpretation of any Christmas song; and the “SBMA Star of Thanksgiving,” which shall showcase the Subic Bay virtual carnival theme.

The overall winner shall be chose based on submissions for the three contests, Guiang said. (MPD-SBMA) 

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State of the Freeport: SBMA reports P3.2-B earnings, 69 new projects despite Covid-19 pandemic

While the Covid-19 pandemic derailed global economic growth, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported continuing growth in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in 2020, including P3.2 billion in operating revenue, 69 new investments and expansion projects worth a total of P1.55 billion, and exports of $1.03 billion.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, in her State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) that was streamed online on Thursday, attributed Subic’s remarkable growth last year to sound economic fundamentals and strict adherence to government health protocols.

The SOFA presentation, an annual project of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC), was held virtually this year and broadcast over social media—the first time in 14 years of the group’s existence.

Eisma said that while Covid-19 crippled Subic’s emerging economic niche of cruise tourism, “Subic survived for the most part.”

“The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic did not completely erode the solid business foundation we built over the years. Our sound policies gave us the toughness to weather the storm, while proactive measures to fight Covid-19 gave us the resilience to be able to bounce back after some beatings,” Eisma said in the SOFA.

The SBMA chief then proudly ticked off positive figures recorded in 2020 by the Subic agency in its key measures. Among them are: P3.2 billion in operating revenue and P1.51 billion in operating expense; P9.2 billion in cash and investments; P6.3 billion in other assets; P30.73 million in contribution to the National Treasury; P278 million in remittances to local government units (LGU’s); P131 million in income tax remittance; and P990 million in dividends.

Eisma also noted that the Port of Subic recorded stellar numbers with $1.12 billion in imports and $1.03 billion in exports. The Subic port also recorded 226,000 twenty-footer equivalent units (TEUs) of containerized cargo volume and 7.09 million metric tons of non-containerized cargo last year.

With these, the Port of Subic generated a total of $1.2 billion in revenues last year, while the Subic Bay International Airport earned a total of P62.9 million.

In the tourism sector, Eisma said Subic recorded 5.19 million in visitor arrivals and .29 million in tourist arrivals, while generating P8.48 million from actual tourism activities despite Covid-19 restrictions.

“And even as a lot of sectors were ravaged by the economic downturn, the Subic Bay Freeport welcomed a total of 69 new investment projects,” Eisma also reported. She said the new projects were mostly in the fields of construction, health and wellness, logistics, and information and communication technology.  These new projects yielded total committed investments of P1.39 billion and 682 new jobs.

On the other hand, Eisma announced that existing Subic locators set up 11 expansion projects in 2020. These are in construction, leisure, real estate, logistics, and petroleum trading, and generated a total of P163 million in new investments, as well as 264 additional employment.

She added that despite job losses when some firms closed or cut back manpower during the pandemic, the new projects, particularly in manufacturing, still brought the total Subic Freeport workforce to 138,966 workers, the highest level since Subic Freeport was established in 1992.

“Our experience in the past months of the Covid-19 pandemic tells us that it really pays to keep safe, and that there’s a reason for following rules—not only for our personal physical health, not only for the protection of our loved ones and our community, but also for economic reasons,” Eisma also pointed out. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma announces continuing growth in the Subic Bay Freeport despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in her State of the Freeport Address.

[2] Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce President Benjamin Antonio III presents recognition to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma after her State of the Freeport Address.

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For transparency: SBMA to conduct projects bidding online

As the Internet, and even social media, take on greater role in the delivery of government services during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced that it will henceforth conduct public bidding for big-ticket projects online.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said on Friday that the agency’s various Bids and Awards Committees (BAC’s) had decided that all future bidding processes will be conducted via online platforms and will be broadcast live through social media.

“Going online ensures transparency, efficiency, and safety,” Eisma stressed.

“The bidding process becomes faster, more transparent and credible, and at the same time it keeps participants secure from the Covid-19 virus,” she added.

For this purpose, the SBMA had recently created the Facebook page “SBMA Procurement Service”, which will be managed by the various BAC’s, Eisma said.

According to Atty. Michael Quintos, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Legal Affairs, the move to conduct bidding online is in accordance with Administrative Order 34, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte just last week, on  October 23.

While the AO requires all government offices to conduct online bidding of big infrastructure projects, the SBMA went one step further and decided to use social media platforms to go live during biddings for public viewing, Quintos said.

He also pointed out that in pre-pandemic times, and for projects worth P50 million and above, the SBMA Bids and Awards Committee already opened bids in the presence of observers from the Commission on Audit and disinterested non-government organizations to ensure transparency.

Eisma also noted that even before AO 34, the SBMA was already posting pre-bid announcements on the SBMA website and other online platforms on top of the required publication in newspapers of the invitation to bid.

“But putting the actual proceedings available for public viewing via social media would be one huge stride in SBMA’s efforts toward greater transparency. This will further strengthen the system,” Eisma added.

The SBMA chief also said that as the Covid-19 pandemic pushed practically the whole world to utilize Internet applications for business, the SBMA has been stepping up its adoption of new systems that would address new requirements and changing protocols.

She also noted that the agency has already established an online system of processing transactions with locators, suppliers, and other business entities a couple of years ago.

Among the online transactions that the SBMA has established are services provided for port users, electronic billing and payment, filing for regulatory requirements, and lately online job application and medical consultations. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Facebook page of SBMA Procurement Service

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SBMA launches online clinic for employees

In an effort to continue delivering medical and dental care to its employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) came up with another innovation— “Click-nika”, its own online health clinic.

Like the previous process at the SBMA Dispensary where employees consult with doctors who prescribe medications and provide advice on health care, SBMA’s “Click-nika” also dispenses patient care but through videoconferencing.

“This is clinic at one click—a marriage of modern technology and classic doctor’s advice,” said SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma, who witnessed the launch of the telemedicine project by the SBMA Public Health and Safety Group on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

“This is really important because most of those in the health industry are now focused on the fight against Covid-19, and most people are apprehensive about visiting hospitals and clinics because of the risks of virus transmission,” Eisma said.

“Still, there is a need to take care of the health of our employees, and much more so amidst this pandemic. The SBMA Click-nika project not only provides essential health care, but also allows for peace of mind among patients and even medical staff,” she added.

The online clinic is already operational since its launch, said Ronnie Yambao, who is SBMA deputy administrator for health and safety and proponent of the project.

Yambao said the concept has been hatched months ago in the middle of the community quarantine imposed all over the country.

He said the program runs on a simple system, as employees only have to make an appointment through email to sbmaclicknika@gmail.com, and state the preferred date of consultation and indicate their Facebook account name.

PHSD personnel will then respond to the email within 24 hours, sending a consent form to be filled out by the patient and sent back through email.

Thereafter, consultation will be done through video call, Yambao explained.

In some demonstration during the project launch, a patient was seen taking his own vital signs and reporting the data to the consulting doctor. Another patient, meanwhile, showed photos of his teeth that need the services of a dentist.

Eisma said that the SBMA Click-nika would especially be useful to employees who have had to work from home either because they are among the elderly age or because they have comorbidities. “These ones are those who require regular check-ups,” she pointed out.

Yambao also said that with this project, the SBMA may yet be the first government agency in Central Luzon to have adopted telemedicine for its employees.

He added that the project may yet expand to encompass other stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport once additional manpower and other resources have been set up. (30)

PHOTO:

SBMA deputy administrator for health Ronnie Yambao, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, and Dr. Joane Sorvik discuss telemedicine procedures as a patient seeks medical advice online during the launch of the SBMA “Click-nika” online clinic last Wednesday

 

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59 hired on-the-spot in 1st SBMA virtual job fair

A total of 59 job applicants were hired right there and then by business locators during the first online job fair conducted by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last week.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that more workers are expected to join the Subic Bay Freeport workforce, as business locators here continue interviewing prospective employees and processing job application of those who joined the recent three-day job fair.

According to data from the SBMA Labor Department, 50 of the 59 workers hired on the spot were taken in by Philippines Easepal Technology Corp., a manufacturer of sports and athletic goods, outdoor bags, and waterproof backpacks. The firm hired 25 female and 25 male workers on the spot.

The rest were hired by Strategic Channel for Career Development (SCCD) Corp., a manpower placement firm, which accepted seven applicants; and Sam’s Group of Companies, a food service business, which hired two.

As of now, 174 other applicants have been scheduled for interview by various companies, said Rommel Aquino, head of the SBMA Labor Department’s Manpower Services Division.

These include 20 applicants set for interview by Sam’s Group of Companies; five by SBDMC, Inc.; 53 by SCCD Corp.; 35 by Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc.; and 11 by FFP Concept Planning Solutions Corp.

Chairman Eisma said a total of 695 jobs were offered by 16 Subic Bay Freeport locators and 18 other companies.

Meanwhile, a total of 2,609 jobseekers were served during the three-day event, out of a total of 4,605 applicants who pre-registered for the job fair.

The three-day online job fair, which was conducted via video conferencing, was hailed as a game-changer in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic when face-to-face interaction is considered risky.

“Thank you for building this site. It's super easy to access and very helpful to applicants, while lessening the chance of spreading virus,” said Xyreile T. Gonzaga, an applicant from Olongapo City.

Marie Carilanda Francel Pamintuan, an applicant from Zambales, meanwhile observed that company representatives who received her virtual application during the job fair were very accommodating.  

“Congratulations for this initiative. In these times of crisis, putting up a job fair provides great hope to the unemployed,” Pamintuan added.

The virtual job fair was part of the National Tourism Week celebration here that was organized to promote Subic Bay in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and NLEX Corporation.

Other online activities during the weeklong program were a free web seminar on the “Filipino Brand of Excellence” and the “Subic Bay Got Talent” online singing competition. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO: 

SBMA Labor Department staff monitor the conduct of the online job fair

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SBMA virtual job fair keeps job-hunting safe under pandemic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) launched on Monday a three-day virtual job fair to provide employment opportunities to job-seekers via video conferencing.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma the project is a game-changer as applicants can meet potential employers, fill up forms, and file application letters without leaving the safety of their homes.

A total of 16 Subic Bay Freeport locators, as well as 18 other companies, and two government agencies—the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Zambales—have joined the event to roll out a total of 695 jobs.

On the other hand, at least 3,670 job applicants have pre-registered as of last Saturday for the job fair scheduled via Google Meet on Sept. 21 to 23, at 8 am to 5 pm.

“This online jobs fair is an answer to the prayers of our people,” Eisma said in her message during the virtual opening program on Monday morning. “This is the first online jobs fair in Subic, and under the present circumstances, it will not be the last.”

“The pandemic also affects us here in Subic, but we are proud to say that we try to find solutions, to look for ways by which we can continue providing for our loved ones in these abnormal times,” she added.

Among the firms that offered jobs are: Tokiwa Subic Corp.; Subic Xin Hong Corp.; Sam's Group of Companies; Juan Fong Industrial Corp.; PA Support Subic Ltd. Inc./Play-Asia; Pactec Subic Bay Inc.; Materion Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Philippine Branch); Toyota Subic Inc.; Strategic Channel for Career Development (SCCD) Corporation; Subic Asia Pacific Marine Resources Inc.; Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc.; Uptimised Corporation; SBDMC, Inc.; Philippines Easepal Tech. Ltd Corp.; and FFP Concept Planning Solutions Corp.

Among the positions offered were: Quality control staff, warehouseman, loading clerk, nurse, accounting staff, chef, cook, kitchen staff, restaurant manager, marketing staff, sewer, pattern maker, customer service staff, sales representative, credit and collection staff, audit staff, mechanic/ welder, production operators and helpers, mechanical technician, painter, fabrication helper, human resources assistant, office aide, utility worker, finance manager, mason, architect, civil engineer, and driver.

The virtual job fair was part of the National Tourism Week celebration here that was organized  to promote Subic Bay in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and NLEX Corporation.

Other online activities during the weeklong program were a free web seminar on the “Filipino Brand of Excellence” to be conducted by DOT Region 3 office on Sept. 21-23; and the “Subic Bay Got Talent” online singing competition with elimination rounds on Sept. 22 and 23 and finals on Sept. 25. (MPD-SBMA)

 PHOTO: 

SBMA Labor Department personnel monitor the virtual job fair platform on Monday, as job applicants browse for job openings offered by Subic Bay Freeport locators and other project participants.

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Subic chapel masses go live streaming for Holy Week

In face of quarantine rules that prohibit mass gatherings to prevent transmission of the new coronavirus (Covid-19), masses and other religious activities at the San Roque Chapel here will be streamed live on the Internet during the Holy Week.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma said the first live streaming, which involved the simultaneous recording and broadcasting of the event in real time, covered the Palm Sunday mass celebrated at 9:00 a.m. today, April 5, by Fr. Audie Mozo Jr.

It was simultaneously broadcast live on the facebook pages of 89.5 Subic Bay Radio, an FM channel operated by the SBMA, and FUNtastic Subic Bay, the agency’s official tourism page, Eisma said.

The online broadcast of the holy mass here was the response of the SBMA and St. Columban Parish to the directive of Bishop Bartolome Santos, Jr. of the Diocese of Iba that “all celebrations shall be done on live stream so that people can virtually participate.”

The directive, dated the March 21, also indicated that the religious activities were to be programmed “so that we make our celebrations in the diocese simultaneously.”

To make the live streaming of religious activities here possible, Eisma said the SBMA Tourism Department consulted with Fr. Mozo, the parish priest of the Columban Church in Olongapo City, and came up with the following schedule for the San Roque Chapel:

• April 5 and 12: Sunday masses — live streaming at 9:00 AM;
• April 9: Evening mass of the Lord’s Supper — live streaming at 5:00 PM; and
• April 11: Easter vigil mass — live streaming at 7:00 PM.

Meanwhile, the directive from the Diocese of Iba also indicated that the processions on Holy Thursday and Good Friday may be undertaken with the public observing social distancing.

“After the Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion, without the faithful, the presider rides a pick up vehicle as he carries a Crucifix and goes to all the streets of the parish (and) people with lighted candles shall wait in front of their homes to venerate the Cross by kneeling down,” the directive said.

It added that because of the enforced curfew hours, the traditional “Salubong” will be omitted this year and may transferred to one of the Sundays of May.

Bishop Santos also said that the Chrism mass will be celebrated on April 30, Thursday, “to give our people the chance to participate in this joyful gathering.” He said the Vatican has given bishops the authority to change the date of the Chrism mass to a more suitable schedule. (MPD/SBMA)

PHOTO:

Schedule of Holy Week masses at the San Roque Chapel to be streamed live over SBMA's social media accounts.

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eBPS phase 2: Subic activates online payment for port transactions

Stakeholders in Subic can now pay their port dues online through Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's (SBMA) Electronic Billing and Payment System (eBPS).

eBPS, carried out in partnership with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), allows Subic Bay Freeport locators, residents, and seaport users to access, view, and print their online billing statements.

The first phase of eBPS was launched last year to facilitate delivery of monthly statement of accounts (SOA) to locators and residents in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and remittance of payment, through LBP's electronic banking services.

The deployment of the e-BPS Phase 2 includes other payment transactions, including seaport charges and US-dollar denominated SBMA fees, and the remittance of payment through other BancNet member banks.

Payments can be made online via an automatic debit arrangement using the person's LBP account or ATM card for a minimum service charge of P25 per transaction for peso-denominated billings and US$0.75 per transaction for dollar-denominated billings.

SBMA, in an advisory to locators and residents, said the project is part of its continuing efforts to improve its services.

To avail of the service, the user should go SBMA's website (www.mysubicbay.com.ph). Click on the SBMA-eBPS logo, and complete the online registration process. (Liza Almonte, PortCalls)

PHOTO:
e-BPS login page in SBMA's official website (click on image to go to the page).


Read more: http://www.portcalls.com/subic-activates-online-payment-port-transactions/#

Related: http://subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2015/10/sbma-launches-e-bills-payment-system.html

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Firm turning abandoned Subic hotel-casino into BPO, support center for online gaming

After a decade of neglect, the former Legenda Hotel and Casino here is now being transformed by an online-gaming company into an offshore support facility.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said the once-popular Subic attraction for high-rollers has been taken over by Tele Empire, a company that will engage in business-process outsourcing (BPO) and support services for online gaming.

The Legenda Hotel and Casino in Subic Bay in its glory days

The new operator will pay rent for the whole property at an appraised value of P3.6 million a month, Garcia said.

“We got a very good deal here because for a long time, the Legenda Hotel has been a huge eyesore right in the middle of Subic’s business district,” Garcia said in a recent media briefing.

“Now we’re getting rid of this eyesore and getting good money for it, at the same time,” he said.

The former haven for high-rollers sits on one whole block of prime land along the Waterfront Road, right next to Building 229, which houses the main offices of the SBMA.

The Malaysian-owned Legend International Resorts Ltd. Co. (LIRL) started operating the casino-hotel in 1993 with a $130-million investment.

However, the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) padlocked the Legenda casino in May 2006 for nonpayment of arrears amounting to P365 million.

The LIRL claimed its casino has been operating at a net loss, but Pagcor said its special audit team discovered Legenda was charging expenses in its non-casino operations to its casino operation.

The SBMA has worked on a debt-restructuring scheme with the LIRL management, but the firm did not comply with it, thus, ending up with unpaid obligations to the SBMA amounting to P850 million, records indicated.

After the last employees left in 2009, the hotel building was left to the elements. Last year its derelict façade became the backdrop of a Halloween costume-show organized by SBMA employees.

As of now, the new operator has stripped the facility bare of the furniture and fixtures that remained in the abandoned building.

“It’s already being repaired,” Garcia said.

The SBMA official said while the new operator will provide support services for online gaming, no actual gambling will be done at the Subic premises.

“I will not allow it,” Garcia said. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/firm-turning-abandoned-subic-hotel-casino-into-bpo-support-center-for-online-gaming/

Looking back: Legend Resorts

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Subic among Google PH’s top search items for vacation destinations in 2015

Leading global search engine Google has named the Subic Bay Freeport as among the 10 most popular trending search terms for Philippine vacation destinations in 2015.

The annual list puts Subic at Number 7 in the top charts of local vacation destination search terms in the Philippines right after Sundowners Vacation Villa, Bolinao, Pangasinan, which was at Number 1, Baguio City (2), Coron, Palawan (3), Cebu (4), El Puerto Marina, Lingayen, Pangasinan (5), and Tagaytay (6).

Rounding up this year’s top 10 search terms are Aquatico Royalle, Laguna (8), Baler, Aurora (9), and Antipolo (10).

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia said that Subic has been gaining much attention as a vacation destination after it was recognized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as the No. 1 tourist destination in Central Luzon for the past two years.

“Its inclusion among Google Philippines’ top 10 most searched local vacation destinations in 2015 simply validates this steadily growing interest and arrival of tourists in Subic,” Garcia said.

“We are proud of this fact and shall continue adding to Subic’s attractiveness and reputation, not only as a tourist destination but also as the theme park, triathlon, and sailing capital of the Philippines, as well as the Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon, which is another title bestowed upon Subic by the DOT,” he added.

Gail Tan, Google Philippines’ head of communication and public affairs, said the annual list shows Filipinos’ “increasing involvement and interest” in current events and awareness of general knowledge.

“Year in Search is Google’s way of looking back at the meaningful moments that captured the people’s interest through the year,” Tan said.

“Locally, the trending search items of 2015 are a good reflection of the Filipinos’ increasing involvement and interest in the things that are happening around them, whether in historic national events or the breakout of a new pop culture icon,” she added. (RBB/MPD-SBMA)

https://www.google.com.ph/trends/topcharts#vm=trendingchart&cid=dc36c8f9-1710-49d7-8c7a-d3876506b715&geo=PH&date=2015&cat=

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