SBMA chief expects rise in tourist arrivals after EO No. 7 issuance

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is expecting a rise in tourist arrivals in the Subic Bay Freeport following the issuance of Executive Order 7 (EO 7) on October 28 by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings. 

“This is good news! With this sound decision from President Marcos, we could expect more tourists here in Subic Bay Freeport,” said SBMA Chairman & Administrator Rolen C Paulino. 

“Currently, hotels and resorts inside the Subic Bay Freeport are almost fully-booked. With the issuance of EO7, we will be anticipating a spill-over of tourists to other areas near Subic Bay due to the anticipated rise in the number of arrivals,” Paulino added. 

The official cited that many of the resorts and theme parks here have already began to go on full blast, citing that theme parks such as Zoobic Safari, is now offering their annual Night Safari which will run on all Saturday nights of November up to December.

“Aside from these theme parks, many companies have also opened their restaurants as they expect the number of tourist arrivals to increase during the holiday season. Tourism-related establishments that commenced operations this year included the VSNRY Coffee Shop and the En Izakaya & Global Cuisine by Sakura, providing tourists more areas to visit here,” he said.

The official added that the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) is available to companies for the conduct of their Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) in Subic Bay Freeport. SBECC can accommodate large events, with the recent holding of the Alveo 5150 Ironman. The event place will also be in full house starting with Philippine College of Physicians Annual Congress this month. 

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said during a cabinet meeting that President Marcos would ease up on wearing of facemasks indoors as the country shifts towards a more lenient approach towards the end of the pandemic.

Frasco said that the executive order issued by the President was based on the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force stating that the wearing of facemasks indoors will be optional but certain exceptions such as the wearing of facemasks in public transportations and medical facilities.

The President also urged non-vaccinated Filipinos from Covid-19 to continue wearing facemasks, especially those with comorbidities and senior citizens.

 Frasco added that non-vaccinated foreigners could now enter the country as long as they can present a negative antigen test result 24 hours before their flight to the Philippines, or have their antigen tests upon arriving in the country.

“An RT-PCR test is no longer needed before going out of the country," Frasco said.

“The aim of the President is to keep up with other countries in Asia that have eased up on their travel restrictions to encourage more tourists to visit them”, the official further remarked. (MPD-SBMA)

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400 Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City stakeholders join Pink Run 2022 for breast cancer awareness

Close to 400 Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City stakeholders joined the Pink Run 2022 to show support to breast cancer awareness, which happened last October 21, Friday. 

Dubbed as “The Pink Run 2022–D’Feeting Breast Cancer,” the event was organized by the Philippine Society of General Surgeons (PSGS)-Central Luzon Chapter, the Olongapo City Medical Society (OCMS), Philippine College of Occupational Medicine (PCOM), and the Subic-Olongapo Cancer Foundation (SOCFI) in collaboration with the SBMA Gender and Development. 

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) Executive Committee Head Amethya Dela Llana was hands-on in welcoming the organizers, participants and event partners on behalf of the SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino. 

“On behalf of Chairman Paulino, we would like to thank the organizers and participants for having the breast cancer awareness activity here. And we have agreed that from here on out, the breast cancer awareness event will be hosted here in the Subic Bay Freeport.  This said signature project will be included in the Tourism and GAD calendars annually,” Dela Llana announced. 

Men and women participants in the Pink Run 2022 either wore pink shirts, pink bandanas, pink face masks, pink caps, pink pants, or pink shoes. They represented various Freeport locators such as Lindberg, Sanyo Denki Philippines, Wistron Infocomm Philippines, Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation, Brookes Aesthetic and Wellness Center, and Victory Gym. SBMA employees and Subic Bay Multipurpose Cooperative members also joined. 

Olongapo City contingents included Batang ‘Gapo Riders Club (BGRC), Metro Subic Colleges, Philippine Dental Association (PDA), Ridon St. Jude Medical Center, Sunlife, James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMC), Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS) Batch 75, Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO), Lion’s Club District 301, Rotary Club of Downtown Olongapo (RCDO), Rotary Club of Subic Pearl (RCSP), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

PSGS-Luzon chapter vice president Dr. RJ Manzo, who was in the forefront of the event organizing committee, recalled that breast cancer awareness was last held in 2019 before Covid-19 pandemic broke. 

He added that before pandemic, it was celebrated with a unity walk then forming a human pink ribbon.

“So now that we are coming back to the new normal, playing safe. But we are trying to ease back the activities that we used to do. So this year, after a two-year absence, we are back,” Dr. Manzo said. 

He reminded that October is breast cancer awareness month, and that the Pink Run 2022 brought them all together to celebrate breast cancer patients, cancer survivors, and all womenfolk suffering from the big C, because women are more prone to breast cancer. 

“But truth be told nowadays, cancer is beatable. We can prevent cancer with early screening,” he assured. 

Hosted by DJ Tommy G of 89.5 Subic Bay radio and Dr. Karl Edejer, a pain management specialist, the program was highlighted by the warm-up stretching led by Victory Gym coaches. 

Meanwhile, the coaches and athletes of Crossfit Olongapo City spearheaded the first wave of runners, leading the participants around the Remy Field oval track.

Capping the event was the iconic forming of the human pink ribbon. 

In other parts of the country, Pink Run 2022 was also celebrated in Bacolod, General Santos City and Dasmariñas, Cavite with a lap run. 

In Bohol, a non-profit organization launched a long distance run in various distances as a fund-raising campaign for the benefit of breast cancer patients and other indigent beneficiaries. Participants were given the choice to run in 3, 5, 10 and 16 kilometers. 

The Pink Run is a project of the PSGS, a national event celebrated annual in October in observance of the Breast Cancer Awareness month. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Subic Bay Yacht Club's Christmas tree lighting ushers in Yuletide Season

Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) has officially ushered in the Yuletide season with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the SBYC front driveway.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino and SBYC Commodore Eduardo Aliño spearheaded the ceremonial switching of the light.  

 

Paulino said that the lighting of the Christmas tree along the half-a-block long decorations in front of the SBYC is a Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) tradition to kick off the Yuletide season here, which the SBYC has been known for—making the biggest Christmas decorations in the entire SBF.

The lighting ceremony was also graced by SBYC Vice Commodore Ronnie Del Rosario, and was celebrated by Bishop Most Revered Bartolome Santos from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba, with hundreds of SBYC staff, guests, and tourists flocking the event.

The Olongapo City National High School Performing Arts sang Christmas carols during the event, as hundreds of on-lookers gathered at the façade of the SBYC.

 

This year, all departments of the SBYC presented their own Christmas decor concepts, ranging from the classic are the Nativity Scene, huge Santa Claus, a Winter Forest, a Christmas train coming out of large boxes adorned with polar bears, a snow globe with a life-sized Santa Claus, and a Frozen themed boat.

During his message, Paulino said that the only time people around the world observe ceasefires from conflicts is during the Christmas season. He said he is hopeful that everyone would forget their personal differences and become one with God during this season.

Meanwhile, Commodore Aliño expressed his gratitude to the chief executive for supporting the event, citing that the agency has always been on board and provides the necessary assistance in its endeavors, which helps in the promotion and development of companies inside the SBF.

The display, which is an annual project of SBYC employees, is supported by certain Freeport corporate sponsors, and is lighted up each day at 6:00 p.m.  This is also open for public viewing. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Freeport residents to welcome trick or treaters after a 2-yr. hiatus

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has finally allowed trick or treaters to go around the residential areas inside this premier Freeport to celebrate Halloween on the last day of October once again, after a two year-long hiatus due to the restrictions of Covid-19 pandemic.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve has long been a tradition inside the Subic Bay Freeport dating back when the area was still a United States naval base.

He said that the said activity will only be allowed as long as trick or treaters strictly comply with the minimum health and safety protocols such as wearing of facemasks, avoiding overcrowding, immediate washing of hands after the activity, and the use of alcohol spray after contact.

Public Relations Office manager Armie Llamas assured that the agency is all set to provide security in areas to control the flow of people going to the residential areas during the celebration of Halloween.

“This is a fun activity that has been long overdue since the start of the pandemic. We want people to know that the agency is, and will always be, looking out for the welfare of residents and visitors inside the Freeport,” she said.

The word “Halloween” is a contraction of All Hallows' Eve, which is observed on October 31, the evening before All Saints' (or All Hallows') Day. The celebration marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints and initiates the season of Allhallowtide, which lasts three days to be concluded on All Souls' Day.

Trick or treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries.

In the eve before All Saints' Day, children, and adults alike, in spooky costumes supposedly to scare homeowners when they go house-to-house, ask the homeowner, "Trick or treat?" to ask for treats.

The "treat" is usually some form of candy, although in some cultures money is given instead. The "trick" refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the homeowner or their property if no treat is given.

Some homeowners signal that they are willing to hand out treats by putting up Halloween decorations outside their doors; others simply leave treats available on their porches for the children to take freely. Houses may also leave their porch light on as a universal indicator that they have candies. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Port thrives as revenues up by 14 percent from Jan.-Sept. 2022

Port revenues for this premier Freeport is up with figures from January to September of 2022 recording ₱1,146,055,192.99, an increase of 14 percent compared to the same period last year.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the current port revenue increase is in relation to the previous year’s record of ₱1,000,929,260.85, with a difference of ₱145,125,932.14.

“The record increase of port revenues this year compared to last year shows that the port sector of the Subic Bay Freeport is thriving, so we are expecting more ship calls here as we gradually ease out from the effects and restrictions of the pandemic,” Paulino said. 

Seaport revenues were derived from vessel charges, cargo charges, processing fee, SBMA share, lease/rental of facilities, and other charges. 

The SBMA Seaport department’s periodical report submitted by General Manager Jerome Martinez indicated the revenues collected from the first until the third quarter has already achieved 81 percent of their 2022 revenue forecast. 

Martinez disclosed that the department has pegged its 2022 revenue forecast at ₱1,413,602,940, and it only needs to earn ₱267,547,747 until December to achieve its revenue forecast.

During the same period, Martinez said that the SBMA received 1,810 ship calls this year up until September, an increase of 350 ships or 24 percent from the same period last year of 1,460 ship calls.

He added that of the 1,810 ship calls, 1,087 of them were foreign ship calls. The recorded 1,087 foreign ship calls has an increase of 18 percent from last year’s 921 foreign ship calls.

He also cited that 723 were domestic ship calls, with an increase of 184 domestic ship calls or an increment of 34 percent from last year, which recorded only 539.

The report also indicated that the Port of Subic has also recorded an increase in Gross Registered Tonnage (GT) by 30 percent, recording 22,852,265 GT for the period of January to September this year, an increase of 5,328,361 GT from last year’s same period of 17,523,904 GT.

Meanwhile, Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations Ronnie Yambao cited that the increase of Gross Tonnage is due to the increase in foreign vessels, recording 22,240,369 GT for the said period. He added that this is higher by 31 percent or 5,205,914 GT from last year’s 17,034,455 GT.

Yambao also cited an increase in Gross Registered Tonnage from the 611,896 GT derived from domestic vessels that came into Subic Freeport. This figure is higher by 25 percent or 122,447 GT than last year’s 489,449 GT of the same period.

Moreover, Yambao also mentioned an increase in non-containerized cargo volume for this quarter with 5,536.171 MT as compared to last year’s 4,863,697 MT. A 14 percent increase was registered, recording a difference of 672,474 MT.

The official, however, cited a negligible decline in the containerized cargo volume for this year, adding that there number of containers that utilized the Port of Subic were 190,168 twenty-footer equivalent units (TEUs) as compared to last year’s 192,217 TEUs, a one percent decline from 2,049 TEUs last year.

Chairman Paulino said that despite this “little hiccup,” the outlook for the Port of Subic is gaining momentum, and would likely trample last year’s records. 

“The hit rate for our key performance indicators are around 90 percent, with only containerized cargo volume lagging, but I am sure that the agency will hit the mark before the year ends,” he said. (MPD-SBMA) 

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151 participants attend 1st- ever MOVE campaign 2022 in SBF

A total of 151 participants attended the first Men Opposed to Violence Against Women (VAW) Everywhere (MOVE) campaign recently held in Subic Bay Freeport.

Themed “Kalalakihan laban sa Karahasan sa kababaihan,” the campaign was primarily organized to involve more men to help end VAW.  

 

According to Amethya Dela Llana, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Gender Focal Point System (GFPS) Executive Committee Head, the staging of the MOVE campaign 2022 is in support of the national government’s call to make Philippines VAW-free by encouraging men to recognize and respect women by protecting them and eliminating violence.

 

Dela Llana disclosed that MOVE 2022 also drew attendees from Olongapo City, aside from SBMA employees. Out of the 151 participants who attended, 63 percent (or 96 participants) were male.

 

“We are glad that there were more males than females in attendance because this campaign is really intended for them. Because to eliminate VAW in our society, we need their help,” Dela Llana said.

 

“We all envision a society where everyone has the right to live in a gender-equal and violence-free society,” she added.

 As part of the MOVE campaign program, Rey de Guia, MOVE National President, discussed the Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law) or  Republic Act No. 11313, which covers all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplaces and online spaces.

 

Also as a refresher, Pastor Francis Mercado, MOVE Vice President for Luzon, discussed RA 9262 or the Anti-VAWC law. Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) was also discussed with Glenn de Guzman of the Local Activation and Partnerships-International Justice Mission as resource person.

 

Olongapo City Coucilor Lugie Lipumano and Olongapo City VAWC Association President also imparted their insights about protecting women and children against violence.

 

As the program ended, de Guia led the participants into pledging their commitment to end VAW, and thereafter launched a signature campaign.

 

Meanwhile, DJ Jepsz Eslava, SBMA GAD coordinator said that there will be a unique anti-VAWC campaign come November as the technical working group continues to raise awareness about VAWC.

He added that the upcoming anti-VAWC campaign would be in of the form a theater festival. (MPD-SBMA)   

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Subic Bay Freeport opens more jobs in the tourism sector

A total of 6,723 job openings were posted during a job fair held at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on Monday with a number of applicants hired on-the-spot.

This, according to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, proves that this premier Freeport is bouncing back from the hurdles brought by the pandemic.

Paulino added that the job fair is the culminating activity of the agency’s celebration of National Tourism Week 2022 that was moved to a later date due to super typhoon Karding.

“It was originally among the activities to kick off the National Tourism Week, but due to super typhoon Karding, we had to postpone it for the following week,” he added.

Paulino said that 57 companies in and around Subic Freeport participated in the event, most of them from the tourism sector, which was gravely hit during the Covid-19 pandemic from restrictions of social distancing.

He added that since the restrictions are easing off, it is likely that companies engaged in tourism-related activities will need more employees as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone expects an influx of tourists during the next few months.

In their social media page, FUNtastic Subic Bay, the SBMA Tourism Department posted the companies that are currently hiring. Companies such as Zoobic Safari, The Lighthouse Marina Resort, and The Shoreline are currently looking to expand their workforce since they are expecting an increase in guest arrivals towards the end of this year.

Atty. Melvin Varias, SBMA Labor Manager, said that among the companies hiring, 7 are into business process outsourcing (BPOs), 8 manpower companies, 12 construction services, and 9 manufacturing companies.

The applicants hired on-the-spot were in fact already welcomed into the workforce by DaTian Subic Shoes Corporation, a shoe manufacturing company here.

Varias disclosed that Subic Bay Freeport workforce is 146,711-strong who are employed with 3,731 companies here. He added that Olongapo has the biggest number of workers with 65,363 employees, followed by Zambales with 27,027.

He also said that most of the workers are male, with 102,070 compared to 44,641 female workers, mostly working in the service providing companies. The service sector which comprises 74.25 percent of the workforce, is followed by the manufacturing sector with 13.76 percent.

The two categories are followed by the construction sector at 8.38 percent, while marine-related services follow with 3.61 percent. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, BSLI join hands to boost tourism in Subic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Brighterday Subic Ltd., Inc. (BSLI) strengthened its partnership to help boost tourism inside this premier Freeport with the inauguration of the Tanawan view deck on Tuesday.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino said that the BSLI pledged to maintain cleanliness at the view deck located along  San Bernardino Road here as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) adding to the numerous attractions already being offered for tourists visiting Subic Freeport.

He also disclosed that the agency is drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the matter, citing that the Subic-based company is willing to provide much needed assistance to the SBMA.  It has further committed to provide maintenance personnel to keep the viewdeck area clean.

BSLI currently runs the renowned All Hands Beach Resort here, which for almost 2 decades has been  favored by  beachgoers especially during the summer.  

According to BSLI’s Alex Dayrit, the company is willing to provide the maintenance services as long as the SBMA needs their assistance. He added that since the view deck is near the All Hands Beach Resort, it is also quite fitting to beautify the area en route to the nearby tourist spots.

The Tanawan view deck is located at the San Bernardino road, overlooking Subic Bay, facing the Waterfront Area of Subic Bay Freeport. The site has been one of the favorite spots of recreational anglers, and a resting area for cyclists.

“With the company helping SBMA in providing maintenance to an area, we hope that other companies would follow suit,” Chairman Paulino said. (MPD-SBMA)

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Subic’s harbor patrol vows to year-round bay clean up despite austerity

The Harbor Patrol unit of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Law Enforcement Department (SBMA-LED) has improvised a trash boom that will sift trash along the Rizal Highway Bridge here.

According to LED manager, Col. Alfredo P. Agustin, Jr., this project was implemented with the guidance of the SBMA Ecology Center, in time for the latter’s activity Biay Dagat coastal cleanup earlier this month.

“It is our Harbor Patrol unit that came up with the idea of making this improvised trash boom to prevent trash from entering the Freeport’s waters through the Rizal Highway Bridge after the mesh wire underneath the bridge came dilapidated,” Agustin said.

Agustin explained that the broken mesh wire underneath the bridge is awaiting total replacement, and that the improvised trash boom is ideal at the moment.

Ador Fajardo, chief of the Harbor Patrol unit, explained that most of the materials they used to make the improvised trash boom were recycled. It includes capped PET bottles they have collected from the marina and other sentinel. They tied together with a rope that they found along the Triboa area; used old floaters in between a few bottles; and installed them across the waters under the Rizal Highway Bridge.

“We spent only ₱80 to buy an additional roll of copper wire to tie more bottles together,” Fajardo added.

Aside from the Rizal Highway Bridge, the Harbor Patrol also installed their improvised trash boom along the marina, a narrow waterway near the Harbor Patrol office.

Agustin added that he had instructed his staff to continue to collect PET bottles because the improvised trash boom will need replacement after a few weeks or months when they eventually wear out and turn brittle.

Agustin also disclosed that a third site is already being prepared for the installation of the improvised trash boom, which is the mangrove area also near the Harbor Patrol office.

“It cannot be done with just a single day of clean up. It would take a couple of days to clear the area before we could install another improvised trash boom,” he said.

This way, he said, they would not need to wait for occasional coastal clean ups to collect trash. They will be able to clean up every few days, all year-round. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA, Subic tourism stakeholders donate food packs to PDLs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and various tourism-related locators here pitched in to donate food packs to persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Olongapo City on Tuesday.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C Paulino said that the outreach program is part of the 2022 National Tourism Week celebration, which aims to pay something forward to the community as the tourism sector gradually bounces back from the pandemic.

"To provide some solace to the PDLs of Olongapo City Jail is a good deed worthy of praise to our tourism stakeholders. Mabuhay Po kayo!" he said.

With the pandemic almost over, the tourism sector is looking good with the influx of tourists increasing. Paulino added that come Yuletide season, the agency can expect more tourists. 

With the SBMA Tourism department spearheading the outreach program, the donations they have collected reached 173 pieces of dressed chicken and 20 sacks of 25kg rice.

Tourism Manager Mary Jamelle Camba said that companies namely, Subic RCA Intl., Great Supreme, Fiesta Communities Inc, Buena Casa, Segara Suites, Crown Peak, De Pesters Pest Management and Consultants thru the Camba Family, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and individuals namely Rodel Mayor and Julius Macam were also among the generous donors of chicken and rice.

"In addition to in-kind donations of Acea Beach Resort’s 53 sacks of 25 kilos of rice, and Vacation Villas at Subic Homes’ 3 sacks of rice, the number of donated rice is now at 76," Camba said.

Camba also said that Chowking HP Ayala Mall donated 15 food packs; MSK Group donated more than 900 food packs, 3,000 pandesal, and four cases of bottled water; Yakiniku donated 27 cup noodles; Samgyupsalamat donated two boxes of tissue rolls; Xtremely Xpresso donated dry goods, energy drinks, and diapers; and Subic Bay Yacht Club donated alcohols, soaps, and toothpastes. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Subic stakeholders, employees join Biay Dagat 2022 coastal cleanup

Employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and close to 2,000 stakeholders of this premier freeport joined the coastal clean-up on Friday as a culminating activity of Biay Dagat 2022.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the SBMA Coastal Clean Up: Biay Dagat coastal clean-up is part of the agency’s effort to make Subic Bay Freeport attractive to tourists, and investors who intend to make it happen in the Philippines by infusing capital funds in Subic.

The participants conducted clean-up drives at the Waterfront Beach, Lighthouse Resort, Malawaan Beach, Triboa Bay Mangrove Park, Tago Beach, Nabasan Beach, Subic Bay Yacht Club (SBYC) Mangrove Area, Binictican Mangrove, and San Bernardino Road jetty area.

He added that some of the participants also conducted an off-shore cleanup, citing that these participants are called SCOOPsurero who were detailed at the  river mouths of the Subic Bay Freeport found in Matain, Kalaklan, and other nearby areas.

“The coastal clean-up is the culminating event of the Biay Dagat. We also conducted online lectures such as the importance and conservation of mangroves and corals, and the role of the public in marine conservation and preservation earlier this week, and a Pawikan online lecture was also conducted on Thursday,” he said.

An infomercial video making contest that started from August 26 and ended on September 19 was also an initiative of the SBMA to give more meaning to this year's ICC. Paulino said that contestants must adhere to the theme “Anong SilBay Mo?” that should focus on the importance of protecting marine biodiversity and the public’s role in protecting Subic Bay’s marine ecosystem.

The agency also took part in the International Coastal Cleanup 2022 on Saturday at the Lighthouse Marina Resort where more than 200 participants from various stakeholders here joined the coastal clean-up.

Lighthouse management, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Cubao West also launched a recycling machine that converts collected plastic trash into more durable everyday items such as chairs, trash bins, planting pots, and lumber. (MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA approves 71.34% of ₱46.23-B total FDIs by all IPAs

A total of ₱32.98 billion in foreign direct investments (FDIs) approved in this premier freeport accounted for 71.34 percent of the total ₱46.23 billion approved by all Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the country during the second quarter of 2022.

These investments were pledges approved by the following IPAs: Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), Board of Investments (BOI), BOI-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BOI-BARMM), Clark Development Corp. (CDC), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority and the SBMA. 

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, this figure has recorded a significant year-on-year leap of 160,792 percent from ₱20.5 million of the same period last year to ₱32.98 billion this year.

Paulino attributed the said significant leap mainly to the aggressive efforts of the SBMA business group in attracting investors to make it happen in the Philippines, especially in Subic Bay. 

He also said that this is also partly a result of the implementation of the Fast, Friendly, and Flexible service to the SBMA’s stakeholders to help in the economic recovery from the effects of the pandemic. 

“We want companies to invest inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and to do so, we want them to have a friendlier atmosphere while providing flexible terms for them in a fast and efficient way,” he said.

Paulino, likewise, disclosed that these FDIs approved by the SBMA Board of Directors showed a surge of 30,205.9 percent from the first quarter’s ₱108.83 million to the second quarter’s ₱32.98 billion this year alone. 

Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) for Business and Investment Renato Lee III said that the biggest FDI accounted for came from Vectrus Subic Corporation (formerly Vector Services Philippines, Corp.) with a whopping ₱14.5-billion investment.

He added that the company is followed by Agila South, Inc. with an investment of ₱10.73 billion; Agila NY Naval Inc. that has an approved investment of ₱6.28 billion; and Agila Subic TC Inc. with an investment of ₱313.13 million, to name a few. 

“The investment growth at the Redondo Peninsula where the biggest approved projects for the second quarter of 2022 will be located will certainly spur growth in the area. The agency expects more influx of FDIs once these companies are in full swing,” Lee stated.

Lee said that Agila would be utilizing the Redondo Peninsula area as an industrial park for ship repair companies.

He said that the biggest foreign investor Vectrus Subic Corporation is engaged in general logistics services and service exports. He added that the company would be subleasing the area currently leased by Agila at the former Hanjin Shipyard facility in Redondo Peninsula.

Meanwhile, apart from the ₱32.98 billion in foreign equity of FDIs, the SBMA also approved ₱2.37 billion in Filipino equity, which is part of the 37 investment projects approved for the second quarter and will generate employment for 433 residents of Olongapo City, Bataan and Zambales. (MPD-SBMA) 

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Pacific Business Mission delegates explore SBF as among sites for future Aussie investments

This premier Freeport was recently among the sites considered for exploration by the delegates of the Pacific Business Mission for its future investments.

The Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) of Australia/New Zealand, in partnership with the Subic-Clark Alliance Development Council (SCADC) and the Board of Investments (BOI) accompanied Australian businesspersons to visit key viable investment sites in the Central Luzon area including this premier Freeport zone.

Headed by Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega, the delegation also visited Clark Freeport Zone, Mt. Samat Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone and the Province of Bataan before proceeding to Subic Bay.

The group was said to have expressed interest in possible investment projects related to tourism, automotive and electric vehicle manufacturing, agribusiness, and renewable energy.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) employees, led by its Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, received the delegates with a warm welcome at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in a luncheon briefing.

“As the global economy is struggling to bounce back from the negative effects of Covid-19 pandemic, we are glad to have this opportunity to participate in this investment mission and introduce or re-introduce the Subic Bay Freeport and Economic Zone to you,” the Chairman said.

Paulino encouraged the business delegates to make it happen in the Philippines, especially in Subic Bay, that the entire SBF community is looking forward “with much enthusiasm to work in partnership with all of you for the growth and progress of the Philippine economy, in general, and in the Subic Bay Freeport community, in particular.”

During the program, SBMA Business and Investment for Manufacturing and Maritime department manager Karen Magno gave the group a briefing on the business climate in the Freeport on behalf of Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III.

“We strive very, very hard to keep the confidence of our investors and maintain this site as an ideal site for investment. This is because of our core Filipino value we call ‘malasakit.’ Malasakit is the deepest form of caring. Malasakit to our stakeholders, malasakit to Subic, which we call home,” Magno said.

She added that because of malasakit, the business group, through the SBMA Board of Directors, was able to complete the processing of 63 new investments during the height of the pandemic in order to sustain the economy in the Freeport.

The said new projects with a committed investment worth US$24 billion required additional 682 employment opportunities for the residents of Olongapo, Bataan and Zambales areas.

Currently, the SBF houses 28 Australian locators with a committed investments totaling to US$11 million and an employment of 577 workers.

Hugh McDougall, President and CEO of Australia Farm Innovation, and Nick Fenwick, President and COO of Fabric8 Membrane Services, and both Australian locators in the Freeport, attested to the warm and professional reception of SBMA personnel, skilled and English-speaking workers, and the Fast, Friendly, and Flexible services that the SBMA has been extending them.

Australia Farm Innovation is the leading Philippines Supplier of Innovative and High Quality Prefabricated Agricultural Buildings and Equipment, while Fabric8 Membrane Services is a company that specializes in contract fabrication of textile materials used in major projects globally.

Meanwhile, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Business group Atty. John Aquino acknowledged the effort of the PTIC, SCADC, BOI and all the Investment Promotion Agencies as the Philippine Statistics Office recently announced that the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) reached ₱46 billion for the second quarter of this year alone.

Aquino proudly said that 71.34 percent of the said FDIs, or ₱32.98 billion were approved by the SBMA. (MPD-SBMA) 

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BOC seizes 7,029MT sugar from Thailand in Port of Subic

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic seized around 7,029 metric tonnes of sugar on Thursday evening as part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to thwart the illegal hoarding of sugar imports in the country. 

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Rolen C. Paulino, the BOC Port of Subic held the Taiwanese cargo ship MV Bangpakaew at the Naval Supply Depot (NSD) on Thursday evening.

He said that the ship that came from Bangkok containing 142,798 bags or equivalent to 7,029 metric tonnes of imported sugar arrived on August 17, 7pm. A part of the shipment have already been unloaded into three trucks supposedly en route to Oro Agri Trade in Rosales, Pangasinan.

According to Paulino, the vessel has allegedly been using recycled import documents and has already paid its taxes worth P44 million. The cargo vessel is currently on hold for further investigation.

“We are following President Marcos’ mandate to ensure that there is no hoarding of sugar in the country. The President made it clear that he does not want to import sugar, and certainly he does not want the illegal hoarding of sugar that causes prices to skyrocket,” he said.

Recently, the BOC Port of Subic intercepted various illicit cigarettes worth P253 Million from June to July 2022.

According to Port of Subic District Collector Maritess Martin, previously, 972 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Thousand Sunny valued at P40.09 million were confiscated in June. She added that the Port also intercepted 1,003 master cases of cigarettes worth P41.3 million, consigned to Russhi Knish Consumer.

“Another shipment of Thousand Sunny Enterprise arrived at the Port despite the revocation of their accreditation. It contained 1,000 master cases of assorted cigarettes valued at P42.2 million,” she added.

In July 2022, the Port seized another 2,157 master cases of cigarettes consigned to Proline Logistics Philippines Inc. amounting to P84.9 million.

The BOC-Subic also received information that another shipment consigned to Proline Logistics Inc. would arrive at the Port.

The BOC immediately issued a Pre-lodgment Control Order against the subject shipment, which contained 1,122 master cases of Marvels Filter Kings Cigarettes valued at P46,276,890.00. Martin vowed to protect the national borders against unscrupulous importers and illicit traders through intensified profiling and monitoring of import goods. (MPD-SBMA)

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