SBMA takes over hotel for Covid-19 isolation

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) took over a six-storey hotel building here in the Subic Bay Freeport for use as additional care and isolation facility in the fight against the new coronavirus (Covid-19).

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma inspected the former Leciel Hotel here on Monday following its turnover on a temporary agreement with the Philippine Veterans Bank, which controls the property.

Eisma said the hotel has 81 rooms, mostly with their own toilet, bath and kitchen, which can be converted into care and isolation rooms. Utility companies here also restored power and water supplies to the hotel on Monday at the behest of the SBMA.

“We don’t want to be caught unprepared in case more patients of Covid-19 turn up. We must be ready for any eventuality because in a pandemic situation we should expect the normal health care system to be overwhelmed,” Eisma explained.

“We pray that eventually this won’t have to be used, but right now our duty is to find all means possible to be able to respond to this health emergency,” she added.

Aside from Leciel Hotel, the SBMA is converting the Subic Gym into a care and isolation facility for PUIs with mild to moderate symptoms. This will enable the Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center in the Subic Freeport to serve PUIs with severe symptoms, those with comorbidities or existing medical conditions, and COVID-19 positive patients, Eisma said.

Baypointe, which is just two blocks away from Leciel Hotel, has a limited room capacity, and has admitted several PUIs from various Zambales towns and the nearby Olongapo City.

“With increased capacity, we will be able to provide for the needs of the local Freeport population and, should the need arise, to accommodate as well referrals by the Department of Health (DOH) from other areas.” Eisma explained. She added that under government protocol, the DOH can assign and apportion PUIs among different hospitals in order to manage overall capacity.

The SBMA chief said that as early as last month, the Subic agency has been eyeing the former Hanjin condominium at Subic’s Naval Magazine area for conversion into an isolation facility, but said venue was scrapped because it was too far.

As care and isolation facilities, both Leciel Hotel and the Subic Gym will be under the supervision of experts from the DOH-Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) and Baypointe Hospital, Eisma said.

At the same time, the SBMA chief revealed that the Subic agency is exploring ways to outsource a complete diagnostics Covid-19 test system from South Korea. This will allow the SBMA to operate a remote dedicated center for Covid-19 tests in partnership with a DOH-accredited public laboratory or testing center.

“The overall plan for the SBFZ response is to strengthen local capacity to hunker down and withstand the worst, which is the possibility of a surge in local infections—while, at the same time, instituting tougher measures to suppress the virus and deprive its means of acquiring more targets,” Eisma said.

“It’s essentially a combination of defensive and offensive measures that presuppose a community that strictly observes quarantine and social distancing as the first line of defense, and then backed by a capable and reliable health care system,” she added.

Eisma also said that effective April 1, Subic Bay Freeport residents who shall exit the Freeport shall be required to surrender their SBMA ID and Quarantine Pass, thereby preventing their re-entry into the SBFZ. This is designed to prevent residents from freely moving in and out of the zone, which is a violation of the Luzon-wide quarantine declared by Malacañang, she added. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma inspects the six-story former Leciel Hotel in the Subic Bay Freeport, which will be converted temporarily into a care and isolation facility for Covid-19 patients.

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LOOK: Locator donates PPEs; Training on CoVid Testing; SBF streets amidst ECQ

[1] Dr. Arceli Layson of the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD) try donning a face shield donated by Tong Lung Phils. Metal Industry Co., a Taiwanese locator in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The company donated 11 face shields and 19 goggles for the use of the SBMA Incident Management Team (IMT) a 24/7 task force and response team mobilized for the Covid-19 emergency.

[2] Health workers from the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City undergo training on Covid-19 testing at the SBMA gym on Tuesday.

The training focused on the proper procedures when taking swabs of specimen from potential Covid-19 patients, as well as the correct donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the test procedure.

[3] A lone ground maintenance worker in the Subic Bay Freeport sweep clean the sidewalks of an empty parking area near the Subic Gym as the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine reaches its ninth day on Wednesday, March 25.

Photos by MPD/SBMA

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DOH-RESU train Subic health workers on Covid-19 response

Doctors and other medical personnel in the Subic Bay Freeport area received training from the Department of Health’s Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (DOH-RESU) on Tuesday to acquaint them with proper medical protocols when responding to potential Covid-19 patients.

The training held at the Subic gymnasium involved personnel from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Public Health and Safety Department (SBMA-PHSD), Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center in the Subic Freeport, and James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital and ZMMG Coop Hospital in Olongapo City.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the training was a capacity-building exercise to boost the competence of local health workers, and establish cooperation procedures among local hospitals during the Covid-19 emergency.

The training focused on the proper procedures when taking swabs of specimen from potential Covid-19 patients, as well as on the correct donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the test procedure.

It also included a demonstration on the sanitary disposal of said PPE items like masks, gloves and goggles after use, as well as a discussion of the DOH-prepared algorithm for detecting and diagnosing categories of patients.

“This is very important because the medical personnel need to have the knowledge and skills on how to properly respond to Covid-related incidents and emergencies,” said Dr. Solomon R. Jacalne, head of the SBM- PHSD and commander of the SBMA’s Incident Management Team (IMT).

“The training we have attended is part of our preparations for the mobilization of our IMT,” he said.

Jacalne assured the public, however, that at the moment the Subic Bay Freeport Zone remains a zero-Covid-19 area, and urged the public to cooperate to keep the virus at bay.

“The main challenge we are now facing here is keeping the people inside their homes. Some, we observe, are not yet taking this (Covid-19 threat) seriously. That is why we don’t stop with our information campaign,” Jacalne said.

He said the strict implementation of home quarantine is vital, as well as the regulated entry and exit and curfew hours imposed by the SBMA. “These should be obeyed for the safety of us all,” he added.

Meanwhile, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Public health and Safety Ronnie Yambao pointed out that the DOH training on Covid testing had integrated both public and private hospitals in a unified approach to equip and prepare health workers and the local community for any Covid-19 case.

“We are preparing our medical workers as part of the strategic program of the SBMA because only DOH Covid Test Centers have the capability to generate and validate results like the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and San Lazaro Hospital,” he added. (MPD/SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Health workers from the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City undergo training on Covid-19 testing at the SBMA gym on Tuesday

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INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE ON EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES (IATF) RESOLUTION NO. 14: SALIENT POINTS RELEVANT TO THE FREEPORT

1. The IATF organized the Response Cluster and Incident Management Team at the national, regional and local levels, designating the DOH to lead the response clusters and the Department of Interior and Local Government to lead the incident management teams.

LGUs must coordinate with the Regional Response Clusters headed by the Regional Directors of the DOH.

2. The IATF allowed the accommodation of distressed or stranded overseas Filipino workers in hotels, which ceased operations since the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine. OWWA shall provide certifications for distressed OFWs.

3. It immediately suspended the issuance of visas to all foreign nationals, as well as visa-free privileges based on visa waiver agreements, holders of Hong Kong, Macau, Macau-Portuguese passports and British national overseas passports. Foreign spouses and children of Filipinos are exempted from the above suspension.

Foreign nationals with visas previously issued by foreign service posts will not be allowed entry into the country, except for accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents

4. Business process outsourcing and export-oriented establishments were given until March 22 to prepare alternative work arrangements, such as temporary accommodations for their workers, the need to shuttle employees and the transfer of necessary equipment to facilitate work from home arrangements.

5. Exempted from the quarantine are the following government officials and their skeleton workforce:

a. Media entities/personnel provided that only the 50% (maximum) of their workforce are allowed.
b. Members of Congress and their chiefs of staffs
c. Department Secretaries, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries
d. Bureau Directors of the different government agencies under executive branch
e. Ombudsman and deputy ombudsman
f. Justice of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan
g. Judges of regional, metropolitan, and municipal circuit trial courts, and prosecutors
h. Local chief executives and close-in staffs

6. Exempted from the quarantine are the following private entities/individuals and/or their skeleton workforce:
a. Cargo vehicles (maximum of three personnel)
b. Delivery services (food, medicine, water, and other basic necessities
c. Employees of manufacturing plants (food, medicine, medical supplies, and other essential products)
d. Employees of retail establishments (groceries, supermarkets, convenience stores, public markets, pharmacies, drug stores)
e. Logistic Services (cargo handling, warehousing, trucking, freight forwarding, and shipping lines)
f. Hospital and medical clinics
g. Food preparations
h. Water refilling stations
i. Banks and capital markets
j. Power, energy, water, IT, and telecommunications
k. Waste disposal services
l. Export and BPO companies
m. Airline and aircraft maintenance employees (including pilots and crews)
n. Ship captain and crew
o. Hotels that have bookings as of March 17
p. Energy companies and their third-party contractors
q. Pastors, priests, imam (for funeral services)

7. Manufacturing, BPOs and export oriented companies must have able to arrange accommodations and shuttle services for their employees. The deadline is extended until MARCH 26, 2020.

/SNL

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1st Subic PUI negative; second one recorded

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced on Wednesday that the first Person Under Investigation (PUI) in this Freeport has tested negative for infection of the new coronavirus (Covid-19).

The first PUI, who was identified as a Briton with recent travel in the United Kingdom, exhibited symptoms like fever, cough, colds and diarrhea and was treated at the Medical City in the nearby Clark Freeport.

However, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that a second PUI has just been recorded on Wednesday and admitted to an isolation facility here to start treatment for Covid-19 symptoms.

Eisma said the patient is a 50-year old Filipino who has traveled to Manila last week.

The patient is currently in an intensive care unit (ICU), has fever, but is reported to be stable, she added.

With this development, the SBMA chief urged all Subic Freeport stakeholders to stay at home and heed the government’s enhanced community quarantine protocols.

“I beg each and every one of you, please stay at home. Covid is highly contagious and can cause death,” Eisma said in a social media post.

“Between the hospitals at the Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City, we have only around 20 isolation rooms. The reality is we do not have enough resources to handle a contagion of any magnitude,” Eisma emphasized.

The SBMA had earlier shut down most of its offices in compliance with Malacañang’s declaration of enhanced quarantine all over Luzon starting Tuesday.

Eisma said only the agency’s Public Health and Safety Department, Law Enforcement Department, Fire Department, and Maintenance and Transportation Department are fully operational.

Meanwhile, 18 other SBMA offices operate with skeletal force while 10 others have totally shut down to minimize person-to-person contacts in the Subic Bay area, Eisma said.

The SBMA had also announced on Tuesday the suspension of mass public transport operations; prohibition of mass gatherings like tourism and sports events; restriction of private business operations except for those providing basic necessities and such activities related to food and medicine production; and prohibition of dine-in in restaurants.

However, the SBMA said that business process outsourcing establishments and export-oriented industries shall remain operational, provided that strict social distancing measures are observed and that their respective personnel shall be given appropriate temporary accommodation arrangements by March 18, 2020.

The SBMA also required full operations by vital businesses like public utilities, including power, water and telecommunication; banks, money transfer service and related financial services; groceries, convenience stores, supermarkets, and wet markets; pharmacies and drugstores; hardware stores and construction supplies; and gas stations. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA to restrict Freeport entry to check COVID threat

Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have ordered temporary restrictions in the entry of persons to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) within the zone.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the order was unanimously approved by the members of the SBMA board of directors late Saturday in response to an immediate need to protect the safety and well-being of stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport in face of increased COVID-19 infection in nearby areas.

She said the entry restrictions will be effective for about a month, starting 12:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, until 12:00 a.m. of April 14, or while the State of Public Health Emergency declared by Malacañang is in force.

“I know that this is a bitter pill to swallow, as it would hugely impact on business operations in the greater Subic Bay area. But the welfare of everyone in the community should always be our primary consideration,” Eisma stressed.

“The entry restrictions serve as a safety and preventive measure to check the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the danger of infection that each of us face today,” she added.

While the SBMA order temporarily restricts the entry of individuals into the Freeport, Eisma said the agency had identified exceptions who would be allowed to get in, among them Subic Bay Freeport residents.

Eisma said the SBMA ruled, however, that SBF residents who come from Metro Manila and other areas with local COVID-19 transmission should undergo mandatory self-quarantine for 14 days under the supervision of the agency’s Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD).

She said that SBF locators, employees, and students will be allowed entry provided they exhibit no signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19 infection and that they shall exit the Freeport on the same day of their entry.

This guideline applies as well to accredited service providers, logistics enterprises delivering or picking up goods or supplies, port users, employees of government agencies operating within the SBFZ, suppliers, manpower and logistics providers of ongoing SBMA projects, and emergency service personnel.

Eisma said the SBMA began enforcing health safety measures early last month when the coronavirus outbreak was spreading from China into other countries. These measures included a temporary ban on the entry of persons, vessels and aircraft coming directly from COVID-hit countries and thermal scanning and screening at Freeport gates.

Last week, the SBMA began disinfection protocols and enforced a one-door policy in SBMA offices after local transmission of COVID-19 was reported in Manila.

Meanwhile, Eisma urged all Subic business locators to conduct business with non-SBF enterprises via videoconferencing or teleconferencing, and encouraged SBMA clients to submit documents online to minimize personal contacts.

“These measures, like frequent handwashing and maintaining proper hygiene, may seem puny at first, but these actually enable us to keep safe and to be strong for others,” Eisma pointed out.

“Our system might be deficient and we might be ill-prepared for an emergency like this, but if we cooperate and support each other and exercise malasakit for our community, then we can survive this ordeal,” she added. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Advisory posted in Subic Bay Freeport's facebook page restricting pass through vehicles on all SBFZ gates.

[2] Thermal scanning is undertaken at the gates and building entrances in the Subic Bay Freeport where restricted entry will be imposed on Monday to keep COVID-19 infection at bay.

[3] Members of the SBMA management team headed by Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma conduct an outdoor meeting on Friday in a wooded park near the SBMA office to drive home the need for social distancing as a health safety measure in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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SBMA allots P5M for Covid-19 emergency

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has approved a P5-million supplemental fund for the procurement of equipment and supplies to respond to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) emergency.

SBMA Chairman Wilma Eisma said the agency’s board of directors authorized the appropriation during its meeting on Tuesday after the SBMA began its disinfection protocol in offices and other public areas in the Freeport over the weekend.

Eisma said the P5-milion budget will be used to purchase additional spraying equipment and disinfecting agents to sustain a twice-a-day spraying schedule, as well as protective gears like hazmat (hazardous materials) suits, and a new ambulance.

Part of the supplemental fund will also go to the maintenance of a quarantine facility at the Subic Bay International Airport complex, she added.

“We will do everything to keep Covid-19 out of Subic Bay and protect our stakeholders here,” Eisma said. “This is why I’m very thankful to my fellow board members for their immediate action on this request for additional equipment and supplies to combat the Covid threat.”

SBMA director Marvin Macapagal said the board unanimously approved the supplemental budget because it was important to maintain Subic’s safety and security to keep it attractive to investors and secure for its stakeholders.

“We are residents here and our families live here, so we fully support this move to heighten the preparedness of our medical team and facility,” Macapagal added.

SBMA Deputy Administrator for Public Health and Safety Ronnie Yambao said the SBMA has already spent almost P1 million for the initial purchase of face masks, thermal scanners, goggles, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to equip health personnel here in the battle against Covid-19.

He added that the Subic authority has also mobilized a 24/7 medical team to coordinate health events and concerns with the Department of Health (DOH) and its accredited and referral hospitals and the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU), and set up 24/7 telephone helpline to answer any Covid-related inquiry.

Yambao said the SBMA also has a report and contact-tracing system in place. This is manned by personnel from the Occupational Health and Safety Division, who are tasked with monitoring the 14-day quarantine requirement for travelers here.

Last Sunday, Eisma ordered the start of a disinfection protocol in SBMA offices and public areas in the Subic Freeport after President Rodrigo Duterto declared the country in a state of public health emergency with the confirmation of the first case of community-based infection.

The disinfection protocol is being carried out by the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department initially in all SBMA offices and public areas, but Eisma said business locators and other Subic stakeholders are now also implementing their own safety measures.

Eisma also reminded the public that other health safety protocols announced by the SBMA previously will remain in force. These include the ban on entry of people, ships and aircraft coming from COVID-hit countries, as well as voluntary quarantine of those who recently travelled abroad and thermal scanning at Subic Bay Freeport gates for foreign visitors.

SBMA director Brian Gordon clarified that despite the urgency with which the agency responded to the virus threat, there has been no reported cases of Covid-19 infection here so far.

“But we are not waiting for that to happen, so we go ahead and implement measures to keep this free port safe,” Gordon said. “It is in the interest of the SBMA and the Freeport to be equipped and prepared and we hope the locators and businesses will follow suit,” he added. (Reynaldo G. Navales, Sunstar Pampanga)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1848488

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Subic Bay Freeport records first PUI for Covid-19

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported on Friday night that a patient under investigation (PUI) for possible coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is confined in an isolation facility at the Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center complex here.

The information said the PUI is a foreign national with a recent history of travel to the United Kingdom and is exhibiting such symptoms as fever, cough, colds, and diarrhea.

The SBMA Public Health and Safety Department is coordinating with concerned parties, including Le Charme Hotel where the patient had checked in, for contact-tracing.

Le Charme said it has arranged for the disinfection of its property and the isolation of personnel who have had contact with the patient.

The SBMA noted that monitoring of the PUI continues. In case of a confirmed Covid-19 case, the patient will be transferred to the Jose B. Lingad Hospital in Pampanga or any referral hospital to be recommended by the Bureau of Quarantine.

“Everybody is advised to take precautionary measures, especially social distancing, and personal hygiene to protect us against the coronavirus disease. Let us keep the Subic Bay Freeport safe,” SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said in a statement.

To ensure public safety within the freeport, Eisma said the SBMA has adopted various measures to contain the possible spread of the highly contagious disease.

These include the cancellation of all events scheduled in March in all SBMA-owned facilities, strict enforcement of border controls, and the implementation of a four-day work-week.

She also said the SBMA has adopted a one-door policy in all its buildings to ensure enforcement of protocols on sanitation and screening of symptoms and the online submission by clients of all documentary requirements instead of paper submissions.

“We urge everybody to take all necessary actions to guard against the spread of Covid-19 in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Let us observe health safety practices, proper hygiene, and the one-meter social distancing rule,” Eisma added. (Ruben Veloria, PNA)

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1096598

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SBMA starts disinfection protocol

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has started disinfecting facilities and buildings frequented by the public following the declaration by Malacañang over the weekend of a state of public health emergency due to heightened new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the disinfection protocol will be carried out by the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department initially in all SBMA offices and public areas using agents prescribed by the Department of Health (DOH).

“We will be disinfecting SBMA offices, especially the areas and surfaces most often touched by people who do business in our offices. But we also encourage business locators and other Subic stakeholders to do the same,” Eisma said.

“I call on all Subic stakeholders to support this measure because we all need to observe cleanliness and practice proper hygiene in face of heightened coronavirus threat in the country. We need to protect ourselves and keep the Subic community safe,” Eisma added.

Malacañang said on Sunday that President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of public health emergency following a confirmed local transmission of COVID-19.

On Saturday, the Department of Health (DOH) raised “Code Red sublevel 1” after it confirmed that a new COVID patient did not have recent history of travel to other countries.

A situation report from the World Health Organization on Sunday indicated a total of 105,596 confirmed cases in over 100 countries.

The DOH said over the weekend that the Philippines has 10 confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, Eisma reminded the public that other health safety protocols announced by the SBMA previously will remain in force in the Subic Bay Freeport.

These include the ban on entry of people, ships and aircraft coming from COVID-hit countries, as well as voluntary quarantine of those who recently travelled abroad and thermal scanning at Subic Bay Freeport gates for foreign visitors. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)





PHOTOS:
[1] A sanitary technician sprays liquid disinfectant in an SBMA office on Sunday following the declaration of a state of public health emergency due to heightened COVID-19 threat.

[2] Disinfection is also undertaken in public areas like the Subic Bay Freeport main gate.

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Converge to create smart city in Subic

CONVERGE ICT Solutions Incorporated is planning to establish a smart city inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

This is after a recent meeting between Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chair and administrator Wilma Eisma and Converge ICT Solutions Incorporated Chief Executive Officer Dennis Uy inside the freeport.

The telecommunications firm is eyeing the creation of the smart city with plans to establish cable landing stations and data center infrastructure that will modernize the freeport.

Converge presently provides fiber optic internet access to its subcribers in Metro Manila and the provinces of Pampanga, Tarlac Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas and Pangasinan.

In 2009, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act 9707 to grant Converge ICT Solutions Incorporated the franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain telecommunication system throughout the country.

Converge ICT Solutions, the broadband services provider behind the country’s first pure end-to-end fiber internet network, has been cited as the fastest growing provider by the International Finance Award.

The London-based magazine stated that Converge is recognized for being true to its mission to upgrade the overall digital experience of the country. (Reynaldo G. Navales, Sunstar Pampanga)

PHOTO:

PAMPANGA. Converge ICT Solutions chief executive officer Dennis Uy discusses with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chair and Administrator Wilma Eisma the plan to establish a smart city inside the Freeport. (Contributed photo)


https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1847216

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SBMA beefs up security with P3.5-M patrol boat

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has purchased a new patrol boat to increase its police visibility in the bay area and strengthen its coastal monitoring and water rescue capabilities.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the P3.5-million watercraft will be used by the SBMA Harbor Patrol to ward off illegal activities on Subic Bay.

Eisma and other agency officials inspected the boat on Monday, Feb. 24, prior to handing it over to Subic’s security force.

The new vessel, which was named Sea Horse 1, is a 32-feet watercraft manufactured by the Stoneworks Specialist International Corp., a Cavite-based firm with more than 20 years’ experience in boatbuilding.

SBMA Law Enforcement Department (LED) manager Vicente Tolentino said the new boat is powered by two 150-horsepower engines capable of pushing its speed to up to 16 nautical miles per hour.

The vessel is also ideal for water rescue as it can easily accommodate 20 persons and can hold four sets of scuba gears, Tolentino added.

Eisma said the Sea Horse 1 is the fifth and largest watercraft procured for the SBMA-LED Harbor Patrol. Four smaller boats are currently being used to patrol areas within Subic Bay.

The boat will undergo sea trial this week, and would be christened by the SBMA chief herself.

“This is one big step forward in our thrust to safeguard the waters of Subic Bay and to keep the community secure. We will keep on strengthening our security capability with a sustained program for assets buildup.” Eisma said. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Sea Horse1, the newly-acquired patrol vessel for the SBMA Harbor Patrol, will boost coastal security in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

[2-3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma checks out Sea Horse1, the newly-acquired patrol boat for the SBMA Harbor Patrol.

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SBMA turns over P175.7-M revenue share to LGUs

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) turned over revenue shares amounting to P175.73 million to eight neighboring local government units (LGUs) on Wednesday.

This amount, which was derived from revenue collections here from July to December last year, was released by SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma over a luncheon meeting with local government officials at the Fortune Seafood Restaurant here.

“The purpose of this money is to help us—the SBMA and its neighbor communities—develop together. Like what I always say, we share the same home and, consequently, the same future. But I hope we can be transparent about how we spend it,” she asked the LGU officials.

She explained that sharing revenues to develop contiguous communities actually helps the SBMA fulfil its mandate, which is to attract investments, generate employment, and create more opportunities for everyone.

“The funds don’t have to be spent on infrastructure like roads or bridges,” Eisma added. “Right now I’m thinking of language training, or any similar people investment, so that Subic locators would not need to hire workers from faraway places like Manila.”

“It would be great if locals could speak Korean, or Japanese, or Chinese so that they can be hired in better positions that used to be dominated by candidates from Manila,” she also said.

Out of the P175.73 million LGU shares distributed last Wednesday, Olongapo City received the biggest at P40.87 million. The rest went to Subic, Zambales at P26.86 million; Dinalupihan, Bataan P21.86 million; San Marcelino, Zambales P21.06 million; Hermosa, Bataan P18.29 million; Castillejos, Zambales P16.45 million; Morong, Bataan P15.27 million, and San Antonio, Zambales P15.06 million.

In response, the LGU executives expressed gratitude to the SBMA for the development funds.

“It’s a big help for us, of course. We are receiving a huge amount, which goes to the general fund, and it helps us pay for for road construction, scholarships, and tourism,” said San Marcelino mayor Elvis Soria.

He said the town has allotted P5 million for the town’s annual tourism budget. “And that will come from our share from SBMA,” Soria pointed out.

Meanwhile, Subic mayor Jonathan Khonghun said that the revenue share for his municipality is being used mostly for health care, education and infrastructure.

“This revenue share is really a big help; it lightens our load,” Khonghun said. “Part of it we spend for medicines and hospitalization assistance, and the others in maintaining Kolehiyo ng Subic, sustaining our scholars, and helping poor people graduate,” Khonghun said.

The revenue shares distributed by the SBMA every semester are derived from two percent of the five-percent gross income tax it collects from business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The shares were set according to population (50 per cent), land area (25 per cent), and equal sharing (25 per cent).

Last year, the SBMA released a total of P378.87 million in revenue shares: Olongapo City got P88.12 million, Subic P57.92 million, Dinalupihan P47.12 million, San Marcelino P45.41 million, Hermosa P39.45 million, Castillejos P35.46 million, Morong P32.92 million, and San Antonio P32.46 million.

Eisma said the SBMA has been releasing revenue shares directly to the LGUs for 10 years now starting in August 2010. Previously, corporate taxes were remitted first to the national government, which would then distribute the shares to the concerned LGUs. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (center) hands over cheques for LGU shares to (left-right): Mayor Preciliano Ruiz (San Antonio), Mayor Elvis Soria (San Marcelino), Vice Mayor Rizal Salih Jr. (Castillejos), Mayor Jonathan Khonghun (Subic), Mayor Rolen C. Paulino Jr. (Olongapo), and Vice Mayor Renato Matawaran (Dinalupihan).

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SBMA Statement on the Wuhan Virus Protocol in Subic Bay Freeport

As the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is an international port of entry, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is taking the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus seriously.

In this view, I have asked the members of the SBMA Board of Directors for their approval of the following measures:

1. Temporary ban on entry of travelers, Chinese or otherwise, from Wuhan City and Hubei Province, China;

2. Mandatory 14-day isolation for travelers from China; and

3. Encouraged 3-day voluntary isolation for international travelers arriving in Subic.

I have also asked POGO (Philippine Online Gambling Operation) operators in Subic to cease recruitment of personnel from China as part of precautionary measures to be required in the Subic Bay Freeport, and they have committed as of yesterday to stop flying in employees, executives, and supervisors from China until further notice.

Moreover, we will be instituting controls at Tipo, Rizal, Magsaysay, 14th and Kalaklan gates with the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) and Regional Epidimiological Surveillance Unit (RESU) as lead agencies.

All foreign nationals will be subject to temperature check and physical observation for cough or colds. All who are positive for high temperature, cough or colds will be sent back and not allowed entry.

As always, the health and safety of our stakeholders is paramount.

We expect the cooperation of everyone in this regard.

WILMA T. EISMA
SBMA Chairman and Administrator

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No more cruise ships to dock in Subic in next two months, says SBMA

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said that no more cruise ships will dock in Subic in the next two months following the spread of novel coronavirus.

“Right now there’s no need to ban them because there’s nobody coming. They have already cancelled, all the ship liners have already given us feedback that they are not coming from February until March,” said SBMA chairperson and administrator Wilma Eisma on CNN Philippines Newsroom.

The statement came after the mayor of Olongapo City appealed to SBMA to temporarily stop accepting cruise ships until the virus is contained.

Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard cleared the World Dream Cruise Ship from Hong Kong, which carried over 700 passengers and was supposed to proceed to a trip to Zambales tonight.

Another ship declared safe, “MV Ligulao” from Lianyungang, Jiangsu in China arrived on Monday and was set to leave Tuesday afternoon.

Eisma said that the World Dream Cruise Ship will go back to Hong Kong instead after a meeting with government officials and the Genting Cruise Lines, the company that owns the said ship.

“ [The World Dream] Cruise Ship decided it would be best for everybody to go back to Hong Kong instead of heading to Subic,” she said.

There are no confirmed cases yet of the coronavirus in the country. (CNN Philippines Staff)

PHOTO:

Passengers disembarked from World Dream during the cruise ship's visit to the Subic Bay Freeport on Dec. 11. (file photo)

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/1/28/No-more-cruise-ships-until-March-SBMA-.html

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SBMA Statement on Cancelled Cruise Ship Visit

It is my duty to inform all stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone that the scheduled port call of the cruise ship MV World Dream in Subic on Wednesday, January 29, has been cancelled by Genting Cruise Lines, the operator of the cruise liner, in face of the circumstances on the ground.

It has been two days of tedious representations with concerned government offices and negotiations with other interested parties, but now the Subic Bay Freeport community can breathe a sigh of relief in the outcome that, we hope, is acceptable and satisfactory to all.

I would like to reiterate here the continuing trust of the SBMA on the Department of Health and its Bureau of Quarantine, which has put in place various measures in order to assure the safety and security of Subic and other host communities that cruise ships visit.

We should also thank the vigilance and sobriety of the Subic Bay Freeport community in face of the hysteria caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak in other Asian countries, and for the malasakit of the people to decide and act for the common good.

Again, we have shown that together, we are stronger and that the seemingly impossible takes only a bit longer to accomplish. Maraming salamat po sa pagmamalasakit sa Subic!

AMY T. EISMA
SBMA Chairman and Administrator

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PH Navy eyes Hanjin's Subic shipyard as submarine base

MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) plans to construct the base of its proposed submarine arm inside the facility of the cash-strapped Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC-Phils) in Subic Bay, Zambales.

Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, PN flag-officer-in-command, made this remark when asked on possible locations that can house the Navy's submarines once the acquisition of these vessels goes into high gear.

"Once there's a contract, the buyout is completed, then we will (use part of the site of) Hanjin to provide housing for our submarines. We can construct finger pier(s) for our submarines (to tie-up) and the (depth of) water there (is sufficient) to accommodate our submarines," Empedrad said in Filipino.

The PN is looking to acquire two diesel-electric submarine units as part of its efforts to modernize its fleet.

The Scorpene, which is being constructed by French defense manufacturer, Naval Group, is said to be high on the list of preferred submarine platforms of the country and was evaluated by naval and defense officials last year.

"We will also develop Sangley Point (in Cavite City) for alternate housing of our submarines," the PN chief added.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the government could use the Hanjin facilities to house and repair large Philippine Navy ships while waiting for interested parties or partners from the shipbuilding sector.

HHIC-Phils earlier revealed that it has a total of USD1.3 billion outstanding loans -- USD400 million from Philippine banks and USD900 million from South Korean lenders.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said HHIC-Phil filed on Jan. 8, 2019, a petition at the Regional Trial Court in Olongapo City "to initiate voluntary rehabilitation under Republic Act 10142, otherwise known as An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation or Liquidation of Financially Distressed Enterprises and Individuals".

The shipbuilder has sought help from the government to find investors that can take over the operation of its shipyard in Subic, as well as to help its employees, who have taken the brunt of the company's financial woes.

In December 2018, the company laid off more than 7,000 workers. (Priam Nepomuceno, PNA)

PHOTO:

Philippine Navy flag-officer-in-command, Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad. (File photo)


https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091472

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Japan, Philippines to cooperate on development plan for Subic Bay

Japan will help the Philippines redevelop the former U.S. naval base at Subic Bay, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

Philippines Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed the plans after they met in Manila on Thursday (January 9). The pair agreed to cooperate in “drawing up a master plan, which would bring out potential for economic development in the Subic Bay area,” according to a Japanese government statement.

Subic Bay was once home to thousands of U.S. sailors and their families before the Navy vacated its bases there in 1992. It’s still a regular port call for U.S. warships and for Marines who practice beach landings nearby in Zambales province.

The strategic harbor’s importance has grown amid Chinese efforts to build military facilities on artificial islands and claim sovereignty over territory to the west in the South China Sea.

Last June, the U.S. Navy announced it was “exploring the viability of a shipyard in Subic Bay for use as a potential repair and maintenance facility.”

The shipyard’s owner, Hanjin Philippines, declared bankruptcy earlier in 2019 owing $900 million to South Korean creditors. A pair of Chinese firms subsequently expressed an interest in buying the facility, sparking alarm in some quarters.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency will help develop the Subic Bay plan, which aims to develop knowledge-based industries, logistics terminals, public utilities and roads to grow the local economy, Bloomberg reported Jan. 9. (Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes)

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japan-philippines-to-cooperate-on-development-plan-for-us-navy-s-former-home-at-subic-bay-1.614696

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Italian cruise ship makes maiden voyage to Subic

Another cruise ship operated by the Italian firm Costa Crociere made its maiden port call in Subic Bay on Friday (Jan. 17), becoming the second cruise ship to arrive here this month as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) predicted a surge of tourist vessels in Subic this year.

The 57,000-ton MV Costa neoRomantica followed in the wake of Asia’s biggest cruise ship, the Spectrum of the Seas, which docked in Subic on January 7 following its maiden trip here last December 27.

Costa neoRomantica is a sister ship of MV Costa Atlantica, a frequent Subic visitor, which is also operated by Costa Crociere.

The neoRomantica left the tropical port of Hainan, China on Tuesday (Jan. 14) with 1,500 passengers and 650 crew members on board and set sail for a Manila-Subic tour. The ship is expected to return to Hainan on Sunday.

As a tradition, SBMA employees and Subic Freeport residents welcomed the newly-disembarked ship passengers with a cultural show—a preview of the sights and sounds they would encounter during the Subic tour.

At the Alava Wharf where the cruise ship docked, the performing artist group Banda Kawayan also played ethnic music and Chinese songs using native instruments, while the Olongapo Drum Beaters kept up a frenetic tempo and the SBMA Brass Band played marching tunes.

Earlier, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma announced that 38 cruise ship arrivals have already been confirmed this year.

These arrivals, Eisma noted, will provide additional income to the Subic community, as well as neighboring areas that cruise passengers visit. Among the frequented destinations are Ocean Adventure, Pamulaklakin Ayta Village, and Zoobic Safari in the Subic Bay area, as well as other cultural attractions in Olongapo City and the neighboring provinces of Zambales, Bataan, and Pampanga.

In 2019, Eisma said the SBMA counted 15 cruise ship arrivals from January to October, bringing a total of 38,985 visitors that spent millions of pesos for tour buses and taxis, entertainment, food, souvenirs, and entrance fees to theme parks and resorts.

The Costa neoRomantica was formerly known as the Costa Romantica, which was built for Costa Crociere in 1993 as a sister ship to Costa neoClassica. Her public rooms are decorated with rare wood, Carrara marble, and millions of dollars in original works of art. Nine of its 11 decks were named for well-known European cities: Monte Carlo, Madrid, Vienna, Verona, Paris, London, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam.

Completely renovated in 2012, Costa neoRomantica was outfitted with 111 luxurious Samsara cabins located on the highest decks. In 2017, the vessel arrived in Hong Kong to operate cruises in the Asian market, including the Philippines. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[2] Well-wishers line up Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport to welcome the arrival of MV Costa neoRomantica on Friday, Jan. 17.

[1] MV Costa neoRomantica steams toward Alava Wharf on Friday, Jan. 17, on its maiden trip to the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Subic cruise ship tourism shifts to high gear

Brighter prospects for Subic’s cruise tourism greeted the year 2020 with the arrival here on Tuesday of the colossal MV Spectrum of the Seas for its second visit in just the last two weeks.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the ship’s return trip “presages greater opportunities” for Subic and neighboring areas, as the agency ushers in the third year of its highly successful cruise tourism program, which kicked off in February 2018.

The MV Spectrum of the Seas is the first Quantum-Ultra-class cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line in terms of revenue and second largest by passenger count.

With a maximum capacity of 4,905 passengers, the ship is the biggest and the most expensive cruise ship to sail in Asia. The 348-meter, 170-ton vessel features Royal Caribbean’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories and innovative dining concepts on top of amenities like outdoor and indoor pools, body and mind spa, fitness centre, rock-climbing wall, sports court, Splash-away bay, and an outdoor movie screen.

Eisma said that the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s top cruise liner marks the start of the second phase in Subic’s cruise ship tourism program.

“We are definitely shifting to higher gear this year” Eisma said, pointing out that the SBMA has already confirmed 38 cruise ship arrivals and two tentative bookings for 2020, as well as four confirmed arrivals and one tentative booking for 2021.

“As I have said before, this is great news for the SBMA and for the tourism stakeholders in Subic and neighboring areas. At the outset we have called for inclusivity in this undertaking, and I hope that things are really looking good for everyone now,” she added.

On Tuesday, some of the mostly Chinese and European passengers of MV Spectrum of the Seas were whisked off by buses to various local tourist attractions — from the marine and jungle theme parks in Subic Freeport o a hot spring and sand spa in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Others chose to tour Subic’s Central Business District on foot.

Eisma said the SBMA hopes to sustain this momentum with bigger ships that would bring in more income to Subic and nearby areas.
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She said that MS Spectrum of the Seas will come back for another visit on January 20, to be followed by the arrival of its sister ship MS Quantum of the Seas on February 28.

According to SBMA records, Subic received a total of 19 cruise ship visits in 2018 and 18 arrivals in 2019.

While the cruise ship tourism program has yielded less than P10 million each year in direct revenue for the SBMA Seaport Department, the indirect income earned by all the tourism stakeholders in Subic and neighboring communities were estimated to be around P83 million in 2018 and P124 million in 2019.

“If only for these, we intend to do better this year to provide better opportunities for all stakeholders involved in the Subic cruise tourism program,” Eisma said.

She added that the SBMA is in the process of upgrading maritime facilities and tourism accommodations in Subic in order to take in more cruise ships and make their visit here more economically productive to local stakeholders. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] MV Spectrum of the Seas arrives for the second time in the Subic Bay Freeport on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

[2] SBMA employees and local artists give disembarking passengers of MV Spectrum of the Seas a warm welcome to the Subic Bay Freeport

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Gov’t seeks bidders for ₱45-B Subic-Clark rail project

The government is seeking bidders for the ₱45.361 billion worth of EPC (engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning) contract for the Subic-Clark Railway Project (SCRP), which will be funded through loans from the People’s Republic of China.

In an invitation to bid for the SCRP posted on the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) website, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) stated that any bids received in excess of the approved budget for the contract of ₱45,361,366,040.29 shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The project is intended for completion 42 months from the commencement date of the contract.

It also said that the government of China will shortlist the bidders and only those shortlisted may obtain further information from the Special Bids and Awards Committee.

The SCRP spans approximately 71-kiometer rail freight connection between Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Clark Freeport Zone with three freight terminals containers handling and one depot at Clark Freeport Zone for maintenance and stabling of rolling stocks.

To qualify, bidders should have completed within 10 years a similar contract with the SCRP. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder which was determined as such during the post-qualification in accordance with 2916 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184 otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

For the detailed evaluation of the proposals, a two-step procedure shall be adopted by the Special Bids and Awards Committee. Only bids that passed the technical proposals criteria shall be subjected to the second step of evaluation or the opening of financial proposals.

A pre-bidding conference for the SCRP is scheduled on Friday, January 10 this year at 10 a.m. at the Procurement Service Conference Room of the Department of Budget and Management in Paco, Manila.

Deadline of submission and receipt of bids is set on February 6, 2020 at 10 a.m. at the same venue to be followed immediately by the opening of bids for both eligibility and technical documents.

Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders’ representatives.

The DOTr through the PS reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, in accordance with Section 41 of RA No. 9184 and its IRR, without thereby any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. (Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, Manila Bulletin)

https://business.mb.com.ph/2020/01/06/govt-seeks-bidders-for-%E2%82%B145-b-subic-clark-rail-project/

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Asia’s biggest cruise ship makes maiden call in Subic Freeport

MV Spectrum of the Seas, known as the largest cruise ship operating in Asia today, made its maiden port call here on Friday, capping Subic Bay Freeport’s stellar performance this year as the region’s emerging cruise ship destination.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma who personally welcomed the disembarking passengers said that almost 5,000 foreign tourists arrived on the ship.

“More than 20 tourist buses were fielded for our guests, who would be touring various attractions in Subic and in the nearby communities,” Eisma pointed out.

“This is great news for the SBMA, which has been marketing Subic as a must-see destination for cruise liners, and this is also great news for tourism stakeholders in Central Luzon,” she added.

The MV Spectrum of the Seas is the first Quantum-Ultra-class cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line in terms of revenue and second largest by passenger count.

The ship is the biggest and the most expensive cruise ship to sail in Asia and features Royal Caribbean’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories and innovative dining concepts on top of amenities like outdoor and indoor pools, body and mind spa, fitness centre, rock-climbing wall, sports court, Splash-away bay, and an outdoor movie screen.

Spectrum of the Seas can accommodate 5,622 passengers, as well as 1,551 crew members.

Eisma said that the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s top cruise liner marks the start of the second phase in Subic’s cruise ship tourism program.

"Beginning January next year, we shall be seeing more and bigger cruise ships in Subic. The MS Spectrum of the Seas will come back for another visit on January 20, to be followed its sister ship MS Quantum of the Seas, another behemoth that will arrive here on February 28,” she said.

Eisma added that with the arrival of bigger ships, the SBMA expects to receive bigger financial windfall for Subic and the neighboring areas of Olongapo City, Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga.

According to SBMA records, Subic received a total of 19 cruise ship in 2018, which marked the start of the agency’s cruise tourism program. The arrivals yielded a total of 38,205 visitors, and earned the SBMA Seaport Department P8.4 million in direct revenue.

This year, the 15 cruise ship arrivals from January to October generated 38,985 visitors and an income of P8.07 million for the SBMA Seaport.

Eisma said the actual income earned by all the tourism players in Subic and neighboring communities would be bigger since this would include money earned by tour buses and taxis, entertainment groups, restaurants and shops, tiangge vendors, theme parks and resorts, as well as malls in Subic and nearby areas. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] MS Spectrum of the Seas, the biggest cruise liner operating in Asia, docks at the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, Dec. 27.

[2-3] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma personally welcomes cruise ship passengers with lei, as SBMA employees cheer on the disembarking passengers.

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More and bigger cruise ships expected in Subic next year

More cruise ships are expected to arrive in this premier trade and tourism port next year, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) continues to upgrade maritime facilities to increase cruise tourism traffic.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the Subic agency has already listed 38 confirmed cruise ship arrivals and two tentative bookings next year.

On top of that, four confirmed arrivals and one tentative booking have been posted for 2021, she said.

“Beginning January next year, we shall be seeing more and bigger cruise ships in Subic. This includes MS Spectrum of the Seas, which will dock here on December 27 and then come back for another visit on January 20,” Eisma said.

“Then on February 28, its sister ship, the MS Quantum of the Seas, will be arriving in Subic,” she added.

The two ships, which are owned and operated by Royal Caribbean International (RCI), the world’s largest cruise line by revenue and second largest by passenger counts, are among the world’s largest cruise ships in operation today.

MS Spectrum of the Seas is set to arrive with 4,819 passengers, while MS Quantum of the Seas will bring in 4,905 passengers.

“These arrivals will also serve to provide additional income to the Subic community, as well as neighboring areas that cruise passengers visit upon arrival here,” Eisma said.

According to SBMA records, the 19 cruise ship visits in 2018 yielded a total of 38,205 visitors and direct revenue of P8.4 million for the SBMA Seaport Department.

This year, the 15 cruise ship arrivals from January to October generated 38,985 visitors and an income of P8.07 million for SBMA Seaport.

Eisma pointed out that the actual income earned by all the tourism players in Subic and neighboring communities would be bigger since this would include money earned by tour buses and taxis, entertainment groups, restaurants and shops, tiangge vendors, theme parks and resorts, as well as malls in Subic and nearby areas.

Eisma said the SBMA aims to generate more cruise ship traffic by retrofitting the Alava, Bravo, and Rivera wharves in the Subic Freeport to accommodate more arrivals.

“We’re also upgrading the Subic Bay International Airport to attract passengers who may opt for the sea-air connection available in Subic,” she said.

Eisma said that another measure the SBMA would look into is the issuance of implementing rules and regulations for Executive Order 72, which governs the admission and stay of foreign nationals in Subic as temporary visitors.

The latest cruise ship to arrive in Subic was MS World Dream, which arrived on December 11.

World Dream, which has a capacity of 3,376 passengers, was designed for the Asian cruise market and is now operated by the Dream Cruises line of the global entertainment and leisure firm Genting Hong Kong. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Passengers of World Dream buy local food products and souvenir shirts at kiosks set up by local traders near the Alava Wharf in the Subic Bay Freeport on Dec. 11.

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Oryoku Maru Hellship Commemoration Ceremony held in Subic Bay (In Photos)

[1] The American and Philippine flags were on display at the Subic Hellship Memorial marker during a remembrance ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 15, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the hellship MV Oryoku Maru.

The vessel carrying nearly 300 American prisoners of war was accidentally sunk by American fighter planes on Subic Bay, Philippines on December 15, 1944.

[2] Members of the Fleet Reserve Association perform a solemn sailors’ bell ritual during a remembrance ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 15, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the hellship MV Oryoku Maru.

[3] Tracey Betts, a representative from the United States Embassy in Manila, lays a wreath at the wreck site of the MV Oryoku Maru during a remembrance ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 15, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the hellship. Oryoku Maru, carrying nearly 300 American prisoners of war, was accidentally sunk by American fighter planes on Subic Bay, Philippines on December 15, 1944.


Photos & captions by the SBMA Media Production Department

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TRAP SHOOTING / SAILING - The 30th SEA Games in Subic Bay (In Photos)

Day 8 of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, December 9, 2019.

[1] Filipino marksman Carl Carag takes aim during the Trap Shooting event on Dec. 9 at the at the EOD Firing Range in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[2] Competitors line up for the Trap Shooting event on Dec. 9 at the at the EOD Firing Range in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[3] Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos meets SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma during the Trap Shooting event on Dec. 9 at the at the EOD Firing Range in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[4] Sailboats take advantage of fair winds during the sailing event in the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Dec. 9 at the Subic Bay Freeport.


Photos & captions by the SBMA Media Production Department/Richard Johnson/Jonas Reyes

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TRADITIONAL BOAT RACE / MUAY THAI - The 30th SEA Games in Subic Bay (In Photos)

Day 7 of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, December 8, 2019, Subic Bay Cluster.

[1] Filipino rower Melcah Jen Caballero paddles her way to win the Lightweight Women’s Single Scull in the rowing competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Acea Resort in the Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday, Dec. 8.

[2] Filipino rower Melcah Jen Caballero wins the gold medal for Lightweight Women’s Single Scull in the rowing competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Acea Resort in the Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday, Dec. 8.

[3] Gold medal winner Melcah Jen Caballero proudly flies the Philippine flag in the conclusion of the rowing competition of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Acea Resort in the Subic Bay Freeport on Sunday, Dec. 8.

[4] Members of Team Indonesia gesture triumphantly after crossing the finish line first in the 22-seater 1,000-meter traditional boat race on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Malawaan Park in the Subic Bay Freeport.

[5] The action-packed Muay Thai bouts on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

[6] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (2nd, right) joins games officials during the awarding of medals to winners in Muay Thai on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Photos & captions by the SBMA Media Production Department/Jun Dumaguing/Jonas Reyes

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