LOOK: Inauguration of Subicwater Waterwaste Treatment Facilities

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño (2nd from right) and Subicwater Chairman Apollo Tiglao lead the ceremonial cutting of ribbon to inaugurate the newly upgraded Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) for the Central Business District area of the Subic Bay Freeport zone. Also joining the ceremony are Subicwater CEO Benjamin Antonio III (extreme left), Subicwater Directors Tulsi Das Reyes and Ruben De Guzman, and SBMA Director Amable Tolentino. 

The newly upgraded Enron STP and the Cubi Lift Station were also inaugurated during the event as the company assured that all domestic and commercial customers inside the Freeport zone are connected to the sewage wastewater treatment network.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño (center) is given a tour of the newly upgraded Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) for the Central Business District area by Subicwater Chairman Apollo Tiglao.

Read More

SBMA launches 1st Quarter Offshore Clean-up in Subic Bay

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), along with other authorities in the Port of Subic launched the 1^st Quarter Off Shore Clean Up 2022 in response to the call for a cleaner and safer freeport.

Newly installed SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen Paulino lauded personnel from SBMA Seaport Department, Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Maritime Group, and Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) who participated in the activity.

Earlier this month, in his first appearance as SBMA Chairman, Paulino appealed to employees, locators, residents and stakeholders to help in maintaining cleanliness and safety in the freeport to attract more tourists and investors.

As part of the strategic measures to revitalize the business climate, the SBMA Seaport Department launched the off-shore clean-up drive which kicked off on Friday, March 18.

“The objective of this off shore clean-up is to engage people to remove trash and debris from beaches, waterways and other waterbodies,” said Jerome Martinez, manager of the Seaport Department.

The project also aims to identify the sources of litter that come to the bay, to change behaviors that cause pollution and raise awareness on the extent of the marine debris problem.

Meanwhile, Diego Aviles, chief of Maritime Safety Branch of the Seaport Department, said the SBMA has launched several activities that have safeguarded and protected Subic Bay’s marine and coastal resources such as information and education campaigns, oil spill and fire exercises, and off shore clean-ups.

Using three SBMA watercrafts and two PNP Maritime patrol boats, the group cruised off shore and scooped plastics and other non-biodegradable litter from the water.

An hour into the clean up activity, the group proudly shared that only a few plastic trash and soda bottles and were collected. “This is the result of our regular clean ups around water bodies of the bay,” Aviles said.

“This activity will serve only as an exercise for the group. We expect that the real work will come during the rainy days when bulks of trash will be directed to areas surrounding the ports by strong winds and waves,” Aviles added.

Aviles explained that the offshore clean-up drive will be held every quarter, and may extend farther offshore with the added participation of more individuals and organizations who may wish to join in this environmental protection campaign. (MPD-SBMA)

Read More

LOOK: Subic Bay's fisher folk organizes run for a cause

Participants in the 3-kilometer fun run kicks-off the activity dubbed “Takbo para sa pagmamahal ng karagatan”, an annual gathering organized by fishermen in Subic Bay to advocate for the protection of the marine resources which is the main source of their livelihood.

Fishermen also showed their skills in banca boat paddling as they race over the waters of Subic Bay, a side event of “Takbo para sa pagmamahal ng karagatan” held at the Boardwalk area in Subic Bay Freeport zone.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Atty. Wilma T. Eisma (far right) shares a light chat with fisherfolk leaders led by Restituto del Rosario (center), Chairman of Subic Bay Integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC).

(AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

LOOK: SBMA, farmers and barangay leaders celebrate World Water Day

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), in cooperation with barangay officials and local farmers celebrated the annual World Water Day on Wednesday, March 22 with a river clean-up and a water project for the people of Bangal in Dinalupihan, Bataan.

This year's celebration carries the theme "Why Waste Water?" which focuses on taking action for issues in saving and reusing water which is vital resource for millions of people worldwide.

Barangay officials, members of the Bangal Farmers Association and SBMA Ecology Center Social Development Division staff conduct a clean-up drive along the river banks of Bangal, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Leaders of the local farmers association, barangay officials and SBMA Ecology Center Social Development Division staff applaud after inaugurating a community water project in Barangay Bangal, Dinalupihan, Bataan, coinciding with World Water Day.

Barangay Councilor Arthur Quarto gives a thumbs up sign as leaders of the local farmers association and residents fill up their water containers from the newly inaugurated community water project in Barangay Bangal, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

(AMD/MPD-SBMA)

Read More

DMCI trims stake in Subic Water

DMCI Project Developers, the property arm of DMCI Holdings has trimmed its stake in Subic Water and Sewerage Co., a public-private partnership arrangement that operates the water service facilities in the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), the Consunji-owned holding firm said DMCI Project Developers sold 915,580 of its shares in Subic Water to the City of Olongapo for a total consideration of P210.6 million.

The shares represent 10 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Subic Water.

“DMCI Project Developers still owns a total of 30 percent of Subic Water’s outstanding capital stock after the sale,” the company said in its disclosure.

Subic Water is a pioneer company formed in 1997, which introduced the first public-private partnership, build-operate-transfer model in the water and wastewater services industry.

It was formed in light of the impending water crisis in Olongapo City during the 90s, and the growing commercial water requirements of the booming Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Other members of the consortium are Sembcorp Industries Ltd., (sembcorp) a Singaporean water utility specialist; Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the agency that administers Subic Bay Freeport; and Maynilad Water Services Inc.

The company was granted the exclusive right and privilege to operate, maintain, and improve the water and sewerage systems of Olongapo City and Subic Bay Freeport under a 30-year franchise term.

DMCI Holdings reported a consolidated net income of P9.9 billion in the nine-months to September last year, up 31 percent from P7.5 billion the previous year. (Iris Gonzales, The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/03/29/1566993/dmci-trims-stake-subic-water

Read More

Subicwater sets P115-million capex projects for 2015

DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI)-led Subic Water and Sewerage Co. Inc. (Subicwater), which operates the water-service facilities in the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City, has announced that it will spend a total of P115.12 million in capital expenditure (capex) projects this year to further improve its services here.

Subicwater President and CEO Apollo Tiglao said in a media briefing on Wednesday that the bulk of the expenditures will go to a P44.7-million sewerage-system project for the Boton area of the Subic Bay Freeport, and a P38.6-million water distribution rehabilitation project in Olongapo.

“The Boton project is part of our Sewerage Master Plan that was created in as early as 2006,” Tiglao said. “As we have projected long ago, businesses will thrive [in Subic], and the area will need a new sewerage system complete with a dedicated sewage treatment plant.”

Tiglao said that aside from the Boton project, the water firm will invest P8.82 million on new sewage conveyance pipes in Subic’s Central Business District; P9.8 million for the construction of two pumping stations for a newly developed well in the former Naval Magazine area; and P1.2 million for the installation of new water pipelines in the airport area.

Meanwhile, in Olongapo City, Subicwater will be investing P38.6 million on new water-distribution lines; P11 million on two new wells in Barangay New Cabalan; and P1.48 million to replace a portion of its raw-water line in Barangay Santa Rita.

Tiglao said the Olongapo investments will ensure continuous water supply to the city treatment plant, especially during summer.

“As you can see, the two wells we will start developing this year will serve the few remaining Olongapo communities without piped water, as they are located at the highest points of the mountains surrounding the city proper,” Tiglao said.

Still, he said Subicwater faces problems on the identified well sites in the remote barangay of New Cabalan, particularly on lot acquisition.

“We hope the city administration will assist Subicwater on these matters,” he said, adding that the firm wants to finish the wells as soon as possible to solve water scarcity in the hilly barangay during summer.

“We are ready to start the well-drilling anytime soon,” Tiglao said.

With the new capex schedule, Tiglao said the firm has put up more than P1.5 billion in capital expenditure since it started operations here in 1997, with about P605 million for infrastructure development in the period from 2011 to 2013 alone.

“Since Subicwater is operating under a build-operate-transfer [BOT] setup, all of our facilities, along with the improvements we have infused throughout the course of our operations, will be given back to Olongapo City and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority [SBMA] after our franchise term,” Tiglao said.

Subicwater, which implemented the first BOT scheme for a water-and-sewerage system in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, was formed as a joint venture in 1996. It is now owned by Filipino construction firm DMCI, Singaporean water specialist Sembcorp Industries Ltd. (Sembcorp), SBMA and Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/subicwater-sets-p115-million-capex-projects-for-2015/

Read More

SBMA eyes rehabilitation of Olongapo river

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is now eyeing the rehabilitation of the Kalalake River, which borders this free port and the neighboring city of Olongapo.

Atty. Severo Pastor, manager of the SBMA Labor Department, disclosed this on Saturday as the Subic authority spearheaded this month’s river clean-up project along the river from the free port’s 14th Street Gate to the Kalaklan Gate.

“Now that we have cleared the area, we are now planning to plant ornamental trees there, especially in those areas near the Harbor Point Mall and the Volunteers Park, since these places are being frequented by visitors,” Pastor said.

“We hope that by planting trees along riverbanks, we could help rehabilitate the river, which used to be the lifeblood of the fishing community that once thrived in Olongapo,” Pastor said.

As part of the continuing river clean-up program, the SBMA is planning to build floating platforms in the river that community volunteers can use during clean-up activities.

Pastor said that his office has already coordinated with the five barangays located along the winding Kalalake River for the proposed clean-up platforms.

Beginning November last year, the SBMA Labor Department has conducted monthly river clean-ups with the help of volunteers from Freeport locator-companies, schools and barangays in Olongapo City, as well as with various SBMA departments.

“In exchange for their help, the SBMA is providing livelihood projects for Olongapo residents, as well as scholarships for dual training in computer hardware and electronics for their children,” Pastor shared.

The SBMA official said they wanted the Subic Bay Freeport “to look good not just inside the fenced-in area, but also outside it.”

Pastor added that under the administration of Chairman Roberto Garcia, the SBMA has intensified its program to protect and conserve the local environment and encouraged neighboring communities to join eco-tourism projects.

“We wanted to give visitors a good first impression of Subic Bay and Olongapo City,” Pastor stressed. “These two neighboring areas, anyway, have shared the same aspirations and the same desire for progress all through the years.” (FMD-MPD/SBMA)


PHOTOS:
Volunteers from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, locator-companies in the Subic Bay Freeport, and barangays and schools in Olongapo City scour the riverside for garbage during a clean-up project last Saturday.

Read More

Olongapo starts dredging river

The local government of Olongapo has started dredging part of its river channel in an effort to alleviate continues flooding in the city.

Mayor Rolen Paulino said that B&B construction, a private contractor provided heavy equipment’s for free to the city, which is currently being used together with the city’s dredging machine.

The dredging along Banicain river which separate Subic Bay Freeport and the city started last week but was put on hold due to Tropical Storm Maring.

Olongapo suffered heavy flooding during “Maring’s” none stop rain. Paulino explained that it would take more than one month to finish dredging Banicain River which covers the whole perimeter channel after which it would transferred to another river channel.

“All the contractor asked for is the sand that would be dredge from the river, which they would use as part of their construction materials,” Paulino said. He explained that the dredging would not prevent flood in the future but would lessen it.

“Kung dati yung ibang part ng city ay hangang bewang ang baha baka pag natapos ang dredging ay hanggang tuhod na lang.” Paulino added.

“The city will save a lot with this move, because if we alone shoulder the dredging expense it would cost us millions and that will hurt us a lot, considering that the city is in the process of paying its billions peso debt from PSALM” he explained.

Last month a locator inside Subic Bay Freeport also proposed to dredge the river channel of Olongapo for free, but it has yet to materialize. (Pao/ 08292013)

Read More

SBMA, stakeholders unite to plan for conservation of Subic Bay

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and other stakeholders in the Subic Bay area have joined hands to formulate a “doable” action plan for the conservation and protection of Subic Bay, a busy seaport which also provides for the livelihood of small fishers.

In the two-day “Subic Water Summit” that opened on Thursday, concerned community organizations, local government units, business locators, and national and regional government line agencies will discuss concerns and problems about Subic’s marine environment and hope to find solutions toward preserving Subic Bay and all its resources.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the multisector conference aims to translate into a viable program the commitment agreed upon by stakeholders during the first Subic Water Summit held in January 2010.

The declaration of commitment was signed by then-SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, then-SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia, then-Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., then-Subic Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, Pastolan Ayta Chieftain Conrado Frenilla, then-Morong (Bataan) Mayor Cynthia Estanislao and other community leaders.

Garcia said through this year’s workshops and discussions, participants aim to formulate a three-year action plan that will define the steps to be taken collectively in conserving Subic Bay.

“There must be something we should do to rehabilitate Subic Bay and all other water resources not because we need clean water today, but to secure, preserve and conserve the healthy biodiversity of all of our water resources for the use of our future generations,” Garcia said.

The conference, which carries the theme “Isabuhay Natin ang Pangangalaga sa Ating Yamang-Tubig” opened on Thursday at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), with related activities scheduled at Ayala Mall’s Harbor Point here.

In the summit, speakers are expected to present issues and concerns surrounding the quality of water in Subic Bay and other water resources in the free port.

Garcia said the event will also serve as a venue for the creation of a preparatory body, to be called the Subic Bay Water Quality Management, which shall be composed of representatives from various sectors.

Summit participants are also scheduled to drop microorganism-laden “Mabuhay [Bokashi] Balls” into the polluted Kalalake River which separates the Subic Bay Freeport from Olongapo City and empties directly into Subic Bay. The microorganisms are supposed to eat harmful bacteria in the water and become food for fishes and shells.

Other activities lined up for the second Subic Water Summit include a photo contest and exhibition portraying the importance of water conservation (March 21); painting contest and exhibition (March 23); Earth Hour (March 23); and “Artists for Clean Water,” a portrayal of songs and dances (March 30), all to be held at the Harbor Point here.

Subic Bay, which previously hosted a United States naval base, straddles the boundary of Zambales and Bataan provinces. It was transformed into a special economic and free port zone in 1992. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

Read More

2nd Water Summit slated in Subic Bay Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will host a multi-sectoral conference in a bid to formulate a “doable” action plan for the conservation and protection of Subic Bay and all the marine resources therein.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that the 2nd Subic Water Summit aims to translate the Declaration of Commitment agreed upon by participating agencies and local government units during the 1st Water Summit held January 2010 into a viable three-year program.

This year’s Water Summit will be held on March 21-22 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), with related activities scheduled at Ayala Mall’s Harbor Point here.

Garcia said that the summit, which carries the theme “Isabuhay Natin ang Pangangalaga sa Ating Yamang-Tubig,” will engage the broadest participation of all sectors. These include local government units, Subic Bay Freeport stakeholders, national and regional government-line agencies, civic groups, people’s organizations, and other concerned sectors.

During the summit, prominent speakers in the field of water conservation will present issues and concerns surrounding the quality of water in Subic Bay and other water resources in the free port.

The event will also serve as a venue for the creation of the preparatory body Subic Bay Water Quality Management, which shall be composed of representatives from various sectors.

“Through workshops and discussions, we aim to formulate a three-year action plan which will define our steps in saving Subic Bay and all of our other water resources. It will be based entirely on the Declaration of Commitment that was made during the 2010 Water Summit,” Garcia said.

Among the signatories of the 2010 declaration were former SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, former SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, Bataan Gov. Enrique Garcia, former Zambales governor Amor Deloso, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., former Subic mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, Pastolan Aeta tribal chieftain Conrado Frenilla, former Morong (Bataan) mayor Cynthia Estanislao, and other officials from government and non-government offices.

This year, one important part of the summit will be the dropping of life-giving “Mabuhay (Bokashi) Balls” into the now polluted Kalalake River in Olongapo City to help revive it. The river separates the Subic Bay Freeport from its neighbor city.

The technology for the so-called “Bokashi Balls” was developed in Japan and uses a mixture of clay, ceramic powder, brown sugar or molasses and rock salt, which are then infused with micro-organisms and formed into large balls and left to ferment for several weeks until coated with fuzzy white fungus.

The balls will then be dropped into polluted bodies of water so that micro-organisms can eat the harmful bacteria and will become food for fishes and shells.

Other activities lined up for the 2nd Subic Water Summit include a photo contest and exhibition portraying the importance of water conservation (March 21); painting contest and exhibition (March 23); Earth Hour (March 23); and “Artists for Clean Water,” a portrayal of songs and dances (March 30), all to be held at the Harbor Point here.

“There must something we should do to rehabilitate Subic Bay and all other water resource not because we need clean water today, but to secure, preserve and conserve the healthy bio-diversity of all of our water resource for the use of our future generations,” Garcia said. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

Read More