Port experts to headline Subic maritime conference

The upcoming Subic Bay Maritime Conference & Exhibit will be headlined by experts in the maritime transportation and logistics industry, who will discuss trends and developments in sea-borne trade. No less that Susumu Naruse, secretary-general of the International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH), will be among the guest speakers when the conference unfolds here on August 23-24 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. The IAPH, which was founded in 1955 in Los Angeles, has developed into a global alliance of ports, representing...

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ArenaBall goes to Subic

SEASON 3 of the ArenaBall Philippines goes out of town on Saturday when the Jaguars tackle the Wolves and the Rebels battle the Bandits in a doubleheader headlining the ABP-SBMA Games at the Remy Field inside the Subic Freeport Zone in Olongapo City, Zambales. “There is a big American community in Subic, which loves the NFL-style American football that we play so we are bringing our games over there,” said ABL founder and president Dodi Palma in yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Shakey’s UN Avenue branch in Manila. Joining...

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Market Forces To Dictate Shifting Container Traffic To Batangas, Subic

MANILA – Diverting container traffic to Batangas and Subic Ports to decongest Manila and maximize the two ports should not be mandated on business, and market forces be allowed to decide on this issue. This was stressed by Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) president George Chua during a recent consultation meeting on the study to decongest Manila and divert container traffic to Subic and Batangas ports. Earlier, the Export Development Council (EDC) and the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) claimed that one way to unclog the traffic...

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2nd Aboitiz Power Tour held in Subic Freeport

Subic Bay once again played host to another exciting race as the 2nd Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic concluded here over the weekend. The two-day biking event organized by Bike King in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) attracted more than 300 cyclists who competed in four race categories. The biking event, which followed the highly successful Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon on June 24, further reaffirmed Subic’s reputation...

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SBMA firefighters train LGUs and firms in rescue operations

Firefighters from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) continue to expand their role in community service by providing essential training to search and rescue teams from various local government units (LGUs), as well as business locators in this free port. On July 2-7, a team composed of 21 men and three women from Valenzuela City, participated in a seminar on Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) here. Team leader Ma. Alona Ada...

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TESDA ink MOA with Central Luzon-based Freeport Zones

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Joel Villanueva on Wednesday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with heads of Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for an active partnership toward the promotion of the agency’s various programs to locators in these Freeport Zones. The MOA covers collaboration in job-skills matching, policy consultation, conduct of industry studies, assessment and certification of middle-level workers...

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Aboitiz Power Tour draws huge field

Close to 300 cyclists and over 30 cycling clubs from around the country will slug it out for top honors in the second Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic at the Subic Bay Freeport this weekend. Organized by Bike King in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department and presented by Aboitiz Power, the event features three different stages of cycling challenges that will take participants around the Freeport and as far as Bataan. Stage 1 (40km time trial) and stage 2 (45-minute + 2 laps criterium) will both be held tomorrow. For...

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PLDT, unit sign Subic telecom deals

TELECOM giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and subsidiary SubicTel firmed up agreements with 12 Subic merchants to provide the latter with wireless fidelity (WiFi) service. The Subic establishments that signed the WiFi zone partnership agreement are Aristocrat Restaurant, All Hands Beach Resort, Bayfront Hotel, Eastern Gasoline Station, Meat Plus Restaurant, Networx Jetsports, Royal Duty Free Shop, Subic Bay Yacht Club, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Zoobic Safari, Pier One Bar and Grill, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. PLDT...

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Hospital ship USNS Mercy docks in Subic Bay

The US naval ship Mercy (T-AH-19), a floating hospital on a four-month Asian tour, docked on Monday at the Alava Pier here for a six-day humanitarian mission, as well as rest and relaxation for its crew. In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said that USNS Mercy is in Subic Bay as part of the Philippine leg of Pacific Partnership 2012, a U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance program held annually. The Pacific Partnership program...

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DENR conducts public consultation on Subic coal plant project

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted a public consultation on the coal-fired power plant project proposed by Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc. (RP Energy) last June 29 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. More than 5,000 participants composed of residents of Olongapo City and Subic, Zambales, as well as representatives from various stakeholder groups in the Subic Bay Freeport area, attended the consultation. ...

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Taiwanese trade mission visits Subic Bay Freeport

Officials representing some of the biggest manufacturing companies in Taiwan visited this free-port zone on Tuesday in a trade and investment mission that scouted for possible business projects here. The delegates were led by Terry Lee, director-general of Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, who said the mission was composed of the representatives of 66 of the biggest manufacturers in Taiwan today. Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan...

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Food Industry in Subic Up

The food industry here is increasing as more and more restaurants, cafes and fast food are popping up inside the Subic Bay Freeport. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Public Relations Department Manager Armie Llamas said the increase in the number of restaurants signifies investor-confidence in the Freeport’s potential as a tourism hub. “With the setting up of restaurants such as Sumosam, TGIFridays and the likes only means that entrepreneurs who invest heavily in the food industry believes that Subic will likely generate income,” Llamas...

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Subic Bay gaining ground in sports tourism

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia expressed optimism for the future of sports tourism in this free port, after it successfully hosted another international triathlon on Sunday. Garcia said the first Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon, which drew more than 600 foreign and Filipino triathletes, will carry the torch for Subic in the international sporting circuit for the next three years. “We are surely...

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Maritime logistics confab set in Subic this August

A conference highlighting the Subic Bay Freeport Zone’s attractions as an investment and logistics hub and as gateway to Asia’s expanding market will be held here on August 23-24 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. The Subic Bay Maritime Conference and Exhibit is expected to attract more than 300 investors, shippers, and logistics and supply chain executives and will look at the advantages of Subic as a vital investment area for...

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DTI Woos Taiwanese Electronics Firms, Formulates 5-Year Timetable Roadmap

MANILA -- The Department of Trade and Industry is crafting a five-year “Taiwan Roadmap” to attract electronics companies to relocate here as computer-maker Wistron Infocomm has substantially slowed down its manufacturing operation in Subic. Trade and Industry for Trade and Investment Promotions Group Cristino L. Panlilio said that roadmap should highlight the Philippines’ competitiveness as a manufacturing location “We should be able to capture other electronics firms in Taiwan because of the rising cost in China,” Panlilio said adding the roadmap...

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US nuclear-powered sub on ‘routine port call’ arrives in Subic

A nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine of the US Navy arrived here on Monday for what American officials called a “routine port call.” USS Louisville (SSN 724), which is currently stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, belongs to the Los Angeles class of attack submarines that are considered the backbone of the American submarine force in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The 360-foot long, 6,900-ton ship is said to be armed with sophisticated MK48...

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Aussies click in Subic triathlon

Australians David Dellow and Belinda Granger showed they’re not just long-course race specialists as they topped the Olympic-distance Century Tuna 5i50 Triathlon Series Philippines in contrasting styles at the tough course here at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. The 33-year-old Dellow needed one burst of speed in the final three kilometers to overtake former three-time Olympian Csaba Kottur of Hungary and another Aussie Ben Allen to wrest his first victory in this 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in over a decade. “It’s been a while since...

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$450M deal ends Hanjin’s order drought

HANJIN Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC)-Phil, the local unit of the Korean shipbuilding giant, has won an order to build 10 mid-size container ships worth $450 million at its Subic shipyard, the first bid won by the company since last year. HHIC-Phil’s Subic Shipyard said it signed a contract with European shipowners to build the ships, which will be capable of carrying 5,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) of container. This is the first bid won by the company since last year as the debt crisis in Europe and budget problems in...

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Unique races await cyclists

THREE unique races await cyclists from different sports clubs when the 2nd Aboitiz Power Tour of Subic is held on July 7-8 at the Subic Bay Freeport. Stage 1 is a 40-kilometer time trial that begins at Causeway Road stretching out to two turnaround points (at Subic International Raceway and at Argonaut Highway and back.) Stage 2 will be a 45-minute plus 2 laps criterium race for female racers, Category 4 racers, and Category 3 racers. Stage 3 of the event sponsored by Aboitiz Power, Unilab Active Health, Pocari Sweat, Timex, the 3rd District...

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Subic ‘back to school’ outreach grooms Aeta pupils

A total of 155 pupils at the public elementary school in the remote village of Kanawan in Morong, Bataan, learned how to look best in school during a lecture on proper grooming and proper hygiene undertaken by volunteers from this free port. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority-Public Relations Department (SBMA-PRD) facilitated the Kanawan outreach project, which was undertaken by the team-up of the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic Freeport and...

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Environment Impact: Subic Power Plant Undergoes Review

The $1.28-billion 600-MW Redondo coal fired power project in Subic Freeport is facing another review as stakeholders and experts call for a 're-scrutiny' of the power plant, approved during the previous SBMA Board, largely on environmental impact issues. The review of the Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., which is 50 percent owned by Meralco PowerGen Corp. Aboitiz unit Therma Power Inc. and Taiwan Cogeneration Corp., was called after the completion of the Social Acceptability Process (SAP) conducted by the SBMA in December last year. The power...

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Subic ‘Independence Run’ to benefit Aeta children

Runners from communities around this free port literally ran the extra mile recently to raise funds for indigent Aeta children in the Subic Bay area. This was made possible through a fun run dubbed as the “2nd Independence Run” held on June 12 in commemoration of the 114th Independence Day. The event, which was organized by the Lincoln Lodge 34 of the Free and Accepted Masons in Olongapo City, was sanctioned by the Department of Education (DepEd)...

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Women’s national team conducts basketball clinic in Subic Freeport

The Discovery Perlas ng Pilipinas national women’s basketball team conducted a three-day basketball clinic at the Subic Bay Gym on June 6-8 in an effort to promote the game among youngsters and develop better players among the youth. The clinic was open for both boys and girls aged 15 and below, who wanted to learn the basics of the country’s most popular ball game. Haydee Ong, head coach of Discovery Perlas, said the women’s team is making...

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SBMA to require permit to operate from locators

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will begin strictly enforcing on July 1 the requirement for all business locators in this free port to secure a permit to operate (PTO). According to Stefani Saño, SBMA senior deputy administrator for business and investment development, the agency will require all locators to comply with this regulation in view of recent findings that some locators have begun operation when they have yet to comply with all the requirements. “If you don’t have a permit to operate, you have no business operating in the...

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IN SUBIC, BAGUIO, CLARK; P5B power subsidy for mega projects

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to continue a power subsidy plan for mega projects or those worth over $1 billion in Subic, Baguio and Clark. Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio said that P5 billion is being budgeted to replenish an old fund-industry competitive fund- started during the term of President Gloria Arroyo. The subsidy can last for seven years. Panlilio said the electric power support scheme is now awaiting approval of Malacanang after it has gotten the endorsement of the economic cluster for appropriation in...

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'VFA should govern use of former bases by US troops'

MANILA - American troops, warships and planes will use the former US military facilities in Subic and Clark temporarily on rotation basis and in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the military said yesterday. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the recent docking of nuclear-powered attack submarine USS North Carolina in Subic Bay is an example of this military-to-military arrangement. “As long as they have coordinated and got clearance from the government and they comply with the VFA,...

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Central Luzon holds search, rescue drill

MARIVELES — The Office of Civil Defense has sounded the alarm over 20 to 30 townspeople missing amid storm signal No. 2 over widespread flooding caused by overflowing rivers. This is a drill in a mission set by OCD director Josefina Timoteo at the incident command post during the 4th Central Luzon annual Water Search and Rescue Simulation Exercises, dispatching 20 go-teams from different localities. Responding to the call were teams from Provincial Government of Bataan; city government of Balanga, Bataan; Provincial Government of Pampanga; Subic...

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Vale, SBMA launch Subic Bay iron ore transshipment operations

Brazil’s Vale Shipping Holdings Pte. Ltd. (VSH), along with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), formally launched a partnership for the transshipment of iron ore from this free port. In a ceremony held at the Lighthouse Marina Resort here on June 1, VSH executives led by Jose Carlos Martins, executive officer for ferrous minerals operations, and officials of the SBMA led by Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia, announced the start...

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US troops can use Clark, Subic bases

MANILA - American troops, warships and aircraft can once again use their former naval and air facilities in Subic, Zambales and in Clark Field in Pampanga as long as they have prior clearance from the Philippine government, a senior defense official said. “They can come here provided they have prior coordination from the government,” Defense Undersecretary for defense affairs Honorio Azcueta told reporters after his meeting with Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Monday. oming straight from the just-concluded three-day...

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Tourists' Food Haven In Subic

Aside from shipbuilding magnate Hanjin Heavy Industries, and Construction (HHIC), other factories, auction companies and catering services are now eyeing this premier Freeport for its tourism potential. With the construction of Ayala Land's Harbor Point mall, more and more restaurants and bars are opening just within the Subic Bay Freeport's gates. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials said the Subic Free port has been a favorite destination for local and foreign tourists. These tourists want to explore this Freeport while having...

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