SBMA honors 175 service awardees

A total of 175 service awardees were honored during the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)’s 11th Loyalty Awards Ceremony at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on November 17, 2025.

The SBMA Loyalty Awards aim to recognize employees who have served in government for ten years, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years.

The ceremony was graced by Civil Service Commission-Central Office’s Assistant Commissioner for Professionalization and Cooperation Atty. Judith A. Dongallo-Chicano.

“This celebration stands as a testament to your dedication and commitment. We celebrate not only the number of years you have devoted to public service. Each of you has been part of the continuing journey of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. SBMA stands strong today because of people like you. You have been part of every improvement, every achievement, and every story of progress that defines this institution,” Dongallo-Chicano said.

44 awardees in the ten years of service were recognized, including a posthumous award for an employee who passed away in August 2024; 5 awardees in the 15 years of service; 114 awardees in the 20 years of service; nine awardees in the 25 years of service; and three awardees in the 30 years of service.

Meanwhile, the said awardees, together with the Employee of the Year 2024 finalists, whose awarding ceremony also coincided with the Loyalty Awards ceremony, were accorded a tribute through a grand entrance with the Jose de Piro Kabataan Orchestra, a non-profit organization from Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Nora P. Sevillejo, one of the three awardees in the 30 years of service, delivered her inspirational message expressing heartfelt gratitude to her colleagues and to the SBMA, being her second home for the past three decades.

“I am deeply honored to stand before you today as we celebrate the recipients of the Loyalty Awards. 30 years in service, this recognition holds great significance not just for the individuals receiving it, but for all of us who have had the privilege to work alongside all of you,” Sevillejo said.  

“Loyalty is a value that is built on trust, commitment, and unwavering dedication. It is not measured by time alone, but by the quality of service. The individuals we honor today have demonstrated all these qualities and more. SBMA has been more than just a workplace. It has been a place where I have been able to build a career, and be part of a community,” she added.

Sevillejo recalled she started as a volunteer in the Tourism Department with fellow awardee Judith Stenseth in 1994. She was assigned to the Financial Planning & Budget Department, and the latter to the Treasury Department, after a few months as a volunteer. From then on, Sevillejo has strictly monitored the capital expenditures of SBMA according to rules. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA celebrates 30th anniversary with modest, employee-centered ceremonies

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently celebrated its 30^th founding anniversary honoring the men and women who have worked hard to make the agency what it is today, a self-sustaining government agency.

During the all-employee anniversary program, Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino recalled the time when volunteers started rebuilding the former US military bases after the Americans had pulled out. He lauded all employees for the efforts throughout the agency’s existence.

“It has been 30 years since the 12 senators rejected the extension of the bases treaty in 1991. We didn’t know what was in store for us then. What we didn’t know was something bigger was bound to happen—for me to be working with the best government-owned and –controlled corporation (GOCC) employees in the country, the SBMA employees,” Paulino proudly said.

The anniversary celebration continued until the evening for the kick-off ceremony of combined celebration between the SBMA and the City Government of Olongapo, as well as a reunion with former SBMA Chairmen and Administrators, and the lighting of the Christmas tree, officially launching the Yuletide season at the Boardwalk Event Center.

During the evening program, the former Chairmen and Administrators were honored through an audio-visual presentation entitled, “Hailing the Captains and First Mates of the Economic Flagship of the Philippines.”

Former Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia, former Administrator Armand Arreza, and Atty. Marvin Diño on behalf of former Chairman Martin Diño partook in the celebration, all of them thanking employees for a job well done, and wishing the best for the SBMA.

“I think this is really the spirit of SBMA, the volunteerism, the willingness to help, and do good everything for the success of SBMA. I want to thank all of the past chairman and administrators, all of the board of directors, all of the management and staff, you have done a wonderful job in bringing SBMA to where it is today—the largest and the most progressive free port in the country today,” Garcia said.

Earlier that day, Paulino led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Volunteers’ Shrine, together with the top management officials and the Board of Directors. It was followed by a motorcade en route to the administration building 229, where the awarding of the 2021 Employee of the Year highlighted the anniversary program.

Emerging from the ranks of Employees of the Year of their respective Strategic Business Units (SBUs) were Peter Moneda of the Public Services Group for Category 1 and Engr. Jomel Libut of the Regulatory Group for Category 2.

Moneda is known for having offered SBMA offices in need of solutions to cooling problems by salvaging A/C parts from old unserviceable units to rehabilitate and repair five units of 7.5 tonnes split-type A/C, two units of split-type evaporators, and a window-type A/C. This made the agency save a total of 110,000 pesos for the period that he became Employee of the Quarter of his SBU.

Meanwhile, Engr. Libut is hands-on in overseeing the implementation of major pipeline projects of the SBMA including seven road rehabilitation projects and the perimeter fence rehabilitation from Kalaklan to Kalayaan. All that, and at the same time, being the division chief of the utilities department all year-round.

The raffle draw for all the employees capped off the morning ceremonies, where 60 bags of rice, 3 rice cookers, a window-type A/C, a personal refrigerator, an electric fan, 2 mountain bikes, a 43” and 55” LED televisions, and some cash prizes were given away.

However, before the raffle draw took place, a flash mob interrupted the program and surprised Paulino as he also celebrated his birthday on the same day.

Still earlier on Monday, the SBMA also honored 238 awardees who have achieved ten years, or more, of continuous and satisfactory service in the government during the 8^th SBMA Loyalty Awards Ceremony at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC). 17 awardees were honored for their 10 years of service; 10 awardees for 15 years of service, 35 awardees for 20 years of service, and 176 awardees for 25 years of service.

Awardees were given commemorative items according to their length of service, sash, certificates or plaques of recognition, and cash incentives.

On Wednesday, the Port Operations Group staged a gift-giving activity dubbed as "Give Love on SBMA Day," where ten children with special needs were beneficiaries of gifts and a familiarization tour of the BRP Hydrographer Presbitero, a research and survey vessel docked at the Riviera Pier of the Ship Repair Facility (SRF).

“I wish for more wisdom, so that I could lead the SBMA, most of all, in generating more employment opportunities to residents of Olongapo City, Zambales and Bataan provinces,” Paulino said, also mentioning the biggest Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) training center will soon rise in the Subic Bay Freeport to augment skill requirements of industries coming in.

Lastly, he attributed to the former Chairmen and Administrators the ease of leading the SBMA now for they have done a good job establishing the agency then. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA honors volunteers, outstanding workers in 29th founding rites

Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) paid tribute on Wednesday to some 8,000 volunteers who worked without pay to kickstart operations here in early years of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Speaking during the 29^th SBMA founding anniversary celebration, the agency’s Chief of Staff Vicente Evidente recalled that it became the special mission of the SBMA to provide livelihood opportunities to residents of Olongapo City and nearby communities that were badly affected by the withdrawal of the U.S. Navy from Subic in 1992.

“When the U.S. Navy pulled out, the whole place was devastated. Olongapo’s Magsaysay Drive, which was the center of rest and recreation for American sailors, was like a ghost town. Businesses had to close because they did not have any option,” said Evidente, who delivered the message on behalf of SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma.

“The only option left for then SBMA Chairman Richard Gordon, was to rally the people of Olongapo to come to the Freeport, to preserve the facilities left behind by Americans, and build a new future,” he added.

Evidente, who was a volunteer himself and served as an executive assistant at the Chairman’s office, said the spirit of volunteerism “mesmerized” even prospective investors and convinced them to put up businesses here.

“To this day, we commemorate the volunteers’ sacrifice and hope to continue living the culture of volunteerism that these people have started,” he added.

Evidente and SBMA Treasury Department head Agnes Cabling, who is one of the original volunteers in 1992,  also offered flowers at the Volunteers Shrine, where the names of the Subic volunteers are etched on granite.

In the same ceremony, the SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon Agregado presented outstanding employees from rank-and-file and supervisory positions with plaques of recognition, sashes and collar pins.

The finalists among the rank-and-file employees were Loreta Reforba of Planning and Development Office; Lucky Niño Baula, Business and Investment Department for Manufacturing & Maritime; Joseph Egalla Jr., Seaport Department; Tomas Dionson II, Maintenance and Transportation Department; and the eventual winner, Christian Paulo Belisario of Labor Department.

Among the supervisors, the finalists were Rolando Paloma Jr. of Planning and Development Office; Edwina Taguiam, Business and Investment Department for Logistics; John Quevedo, Seaport Department; and the winners Darwin Bitangcol of Maintenance and Transportation Department, and Rommel Aquino of Labor Department.

The celebration of the 29^th SBMA anniversary was capped by the switching-on of the giant SBMA Christmas tree at the Boardwalk Park here by Agregado, Senior Deputy Administrator for Business Renato Lee II and Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, bikers unite to promote responsible biking in Subic Freeport

A week after several bikers were injured in an illegal bike race here, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and local cycling groups agreed to enforce self-regulation and promote responsible biking in this popular sports tourism destination.

In a meeting with local bikers last Saturday, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma urged for the creation of volunteer marshals who will police the ranks of local cyclists and enforce discipline among their members while biking in Subic.

“These volunteer marshals would be the eyes and ears of your groups to stop illegal bike races here, and they will be deputized by the SBMA,” Eisma said.

“They would have direct contact with the SBMA Law Enforcement Department (LED) for better monitoring and speedy action against illegal races,” she added.

The proposed creation of marshals came to light after an illegal bike race was organized by Olongapo City public school teacher Eduardo Velasco Jr. at the San Bernardino Road here on June 19. The “friendly race” took in participants for mountain bike male, road bike female, and road bike male categories at an entry fee of P20 each.

A race video that went viral on social media, however, showed racers overtaking a container truck and a spill involving several bikers as they converged on one lane to overtake the vehicle. A 14-year-old biker was among those reportedly injured.

The SBMA said the organizer did not have any permit for the event and subsequently closed San Bernardino Road to bikers for “wanton disregard of safety among themselves and other motorists, as well as in violation of health protocols being enforced in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.”

In an advisory issued on June 19, Chairman Eisma said the reopening of San Bernardino Road to bikers “will be subject to the implementation of proper procedures that will govern such activities.”

“As much as we encourage exercise and other physical activities among stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and take pride that Subic has become a popular destination for biking, we cannot allow activities that may endanger the life and limb of the public while they are inside the SBMA’s jurisdiction,” she added. 

During the dialogue with bikers, the SBMA chief reiterated her call for safety and pointed out that only responsible cyclists can prevent a similar accident from happening again.

In the same forum, renowned triathlete coach Melvin Fausto fielded suggestions on rules that will be set for cyclists in the Subic Bay Freeport. 

He said that creating bike lanes would not be enough, and that self-discipline would be the key to having a safe and enjoyable bike ride here.

Road bike and mountain bike enthusiasts present during the talks showed great interest in establishing volunteer marshal among their groups. These included 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist John Leerams Chicano, a resident of Olongapo City.

Fausto said that if the Subic community wants to create another gold medalist among the ranks of cyclists who frequent the Subic Bay Freeport, it would be best if they trained properly and in the right venue. (MPD-SBMA)

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4,230 volunteers for SEAG Clark, Subic clusters

At least 4,230 volunteers will serve in the Subic and Clark clusters of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be held from November 30 to December 11 this year.

Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Deputy Director for Volunteers Program Chris Tiu said Friday that of the number, 2,250 will be detailed in Clark, and the other 1,980 in Subic.

Tiu, who led the SEA Games volunteer program cluster launch, said he is overwhelmed with the spirit of volunteerism and nationalism of the volunteers who signified to serve in the upcoming meet.

“The spirit of volunteerism and nationalism join us together to Win as One. We hope to sustain them during and until the end of the games in December,” he said.

The Phisgoc volunteers totaled 9,000. Apart from those in Clark and Subic, 3,150 volunteers will be stationed in Metro Manila events and 1,620 in other clusters.

Tiu said out of 20,686 who have expressed their interest to join the volunteers' program, 14,683 applied through the official SEA games volunteers’ online portals, which include 2,960 foreign applicants while 6,003 were committed by their respective schools.

The Clark cluster will host aquatics, athletics, obstacle course sports, pentanque, lawn bowls, shooting, archery, rugby 7s, baseball, softball, dancesport, golf, kurash, judo, jiu-jitsu, arnis, sambo, wrestling, and wakeboarding.

Phisgoc’s partner institutions in the Clark cluster include Mabalacat City College, Jocson College, Angeles University Foundation, Philippine State College of Aeronautics, Gentry International School, Our Lady of Fatima University, and Ifugao State University.

Others are the City College of Angeles, Holy Angel University, Tarlac State University, Clark College of Science and Technology, Systems Plus College Foundation, Tarlac city government, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Colegio de San Sebastian Pampanga.

The partner institutions in Subic include Lyceum of Subic Bay, Subic Bay Colleges, Columban College, Gordon College, Mondriaan Aura College, President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, and St. Joseph College-Olongapo.

The Subic event sports are canoe/kayak, traditional dragon boat, chess, muay thai, pencak silat, table tennis, triathlon, duathlon, aquatics-open water swimming 10 km., modern pentathlon, windsurfing, sepak takraw, beach handball, beach volleyball, and rowing. (PNA)

PHOTO:

SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM. Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Deputy Director for Volunteers Program Chris Tiu announces on Friday (August 23, 2019) that at least 4,230 volunteers will serve in the Subic and Clark clusters of the 30th SEA Games. The launch of the Subic-Clark Cluster Volunteer Program was held at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark Freeport, Pampanga. (Photo by Marna Dagumboy-del Rosario)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1078660

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Volunteer cleanups propel Subic Freeport tourism

Hundreds of volunteers from the various community organizations, schools and government agencies converged here on Sunday to clean up the beach along the popular Boardwalk Park here in preparation for the Century Tuna Ironman 70.3 Subic Bay triathlon event here on June 2.

The volunteers from the Philippine Coast Guard-Subic, its auxiliary PCGA 111th Squadron, the Philippine National Police, Ramon Magsaysay University in Subic, Zambales, and local schools Aura College and Gordon College, scoured the coast for trash, and bagged them for sorting and eventual disposal.

But this was nothing extraordinary, said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma, who takes pride in a strong culture of volunteerism among stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport.

“This Freeport may have its natural attractions to thank for being a major tourist destination in the country today, but it is the culture of volunteerism here that keeps the local tourism industry moving forward,” Eisma said.

“Without the cooperation and support of the Subic Bay area community, the SBMA would not be able to make Subic the top tourist destination in Central Luzon for the last six years,” she added. “Volunteers help keep Subic tourism alive.”

The initiative of stakeholders that include SBMA employees, Freeport business locators, socio-civic organizations, residents, and even visitors to volunteer in clean-up activities here is a result of Eisma’s call for “malasakit” or concern for the common good.

This summer, as Subic prepared to host a mix of sports, entertainment and religious events, volunteer groups led by various SBMA departments buckled down to work to keep beaches, river banks and vacant lots clean and pleasing to the eye.

Today, members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Subic Station, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) 111th Squadron, and the Subic Bay Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SBMPC), conduct monthly coastal clean-up along Malawaan Park and Boardwalk area.

“PCGA is mandated to support and assist the community in the protection of the marine environment and its resources, so we are happy to volunteer in cleaning our beach areas, especially in Subic Bay,” said Commander Eduardo Mabita Jr., director of the PCGA division in Subic.

Other groups such as Toyota Avanza Pilipinas (Olongapo Chapter), Lions Club of Olongapo, Gordon College and Aura College, the Police Regional Maritime Unit (Subic) are among the regular participants of the beach clean-ups along the Boardwalk Park here.

The Boardwalk Area is a favorite place for outdoor concerts, and will be the venue for several beach and water sports events in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games that Subic will host on November 30 to December 10.

Jem Camba, manager of the SBMA Tourism Department, noted that with 1.7 million guest arrivals last year, the Subic Bay Freeport continues to hold its position as the best tourist destination in Central Luzon based on the Department of Tourism’s 2018 report.

“With the help of our Subic Bay stakeholders, we are able to provide excellent customer service and create worthy and enjoyable events, and thus make Subic Bay a perfect getaway destination,” Camba also said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Various stakeholder groups participate in the clean-up along the Boardwalk Park in the Subic Bay Freeport in preparation for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon on June 2. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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