Taiwanese investors keen on keeping Subic — SBMA

There is no mass pull-out of Taiwanese firms in Subic because most of them are content with doing business here, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) assured Thursday.

“We strongly believe that Taiwanese businessmen here are complacent with the working conditions.

They have also given us the assurance that they are not prepared to relocate to China,” SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said.

Arreza issued the statement to dispute a prediction made by an official of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) that Taiwanese firms based in Subic are preparing to leave this premier freeport.

Recently, NEDA Director General Augusto Santos said most of the Taiwanese investors that are located inside the Subic Bay Freeport will relocate to China once Taiwan and China signs a proposed framework trade deal.

The imminent deal, Santos added, would leave thousands of Filipinos working inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone unemployed.

But Subic Bay Development Management Corp. (SBDMC) President Jeff Lin also refuted the claim, asying that Subic Freeport is one of the most sought-after economic zones in the Asian market for Taiwanese. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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Romero-led Pacifica plans to bid for Subic diesel plant

Publicly-listed Pacifica Inc. said yesterday it plans to bid for the Subic diesel-fired power plant project.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Pacifica said its board approved “to bid or submit proposal for the lease, operation and maintenance of the Subic diesel power plant (SDPP) project.”

Pacifica, however, did not provide other details of the plan.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is bidding out the 116-megawatt SDPP after it was turned over to it by the government last year.

The plant was commissioned in 1994 through a build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement between National Power Corp. (Napocor) and US-based Enron Corp.


The bidding will likely be held early next month.

But Pacifica said the board also approved the company’s move “to enter into a consortium agreement with R-II Builders Inc. for purposes of the bidding or submission of the pre-qualification requirements and proposal for the SDPP project.”

The company has been participating in various auctions of the government-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM).

Earlier, Pacifica, led by port operator Michael Romero, also expressed interest in the contracted capacity of the 1,200-MW Ilijan combined cycle power plant but did not submit any bid during the auction.

It also participated in the bidding of the contracted capacities of the San Roque, Bakun and Benguet hydroelectric power plants but failed to win during the bidding.

The company was incorporated on Sept. 2, 1957 to engage in exploration, drilling and exploitation of oil, gas and other volatile substances. The Securities and Exchange Commission approved its conversion into a holding company in 2000. (Donnabelle L. Gatdula, Philippine Star)

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SBMA readies expansion outside secured areas

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is now ready to implement its expansion program, following the release of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) covering the extension of the boundaries of secured areas of the Subic Bay Freeport.

The IRR was drafted after a series of consultations between the SBMA, Bureau of Customs (BoC) and local government units within the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFPZ), which may be declared as additional secured areas, or additional areas, as provided under Executive Order No. 675.

These areas include the municipalities of Subic and San Antonio in Zambales; Morong, Dinalupihan and Hermosa in Bataan; and Olongapo City.

Under EO 675, areas within the LGUs may be developed through local government or private sector initiative and become part of the SSEFPZ. These may then avail of appropriate tax, duty-free, and fiscal investment incentives and privileges, upon application and after approval by the SBMA.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the expansion of the secured areas of SSEFPZ is necessary in order to address the shortage of space for lease to investors.

“This is necessary to push development into communities outside Subic’s ‘secured area’, and also to guarantee the realization of the Subic-Clark economic corridor as a world-class logistics and service hub,” Arreza said.

Under the IRR, areas contiguous to the Subic Bay Freeport may be declared by the SBMA for inclusion as additional secured area after proper consultation with local officials and approval of a resolution by the concerned city or town council.

In addition, any business individual or organization may also apply with the SBMA for inclusion within the SSEFPZ as privately-owned additional secured area or additional area, provided that they submit pertinent documents, clearances and registration certificates.

Meanwhile, lands and buildings in the additional secured areas, whether privately owned or not, may only be leased to SBMA-registered enterprises, subject to the approval or ratification of the SBMA Board of Directors.

Once declared as additional secured areas by SBMA, the areas concerned will be classified either as industrial, tourism, recreational, investment or financial center, or a mix of these developments.

These areas shall be organized, administered, managed and operated directly by the SBMA through an area manager, appointed by the SBMA administrator.

The IRR also provides that privately owned areas shall be managed by a Property Management Board composed of the president of the association of investors, representative of the municipality concerned, two independent private sector representatives chosen by SBMA and LGU, and an official of SBMA.

To prevent smuggling and abuse of duty-free privileges, the SBMA shall establish secured fence-in perimeters for the additional areas within which tax- and duty-free articles and merchandise shall be limited.

According to Arreza, duty-free shop operators shall be allowed within the additional secured areas, provided that they establish their own control system in coordination with the SBMA and the Bureau of Customs.

“In addition, if the LGU concerned agrees, the SBMA Law Enforcement Department shall also provide and establish security forces for the additional secured areas to police and maintain law and order there,” Arreza said.

Arreza also disclosed that as the SBMA seeks to spread development outside the controlled area of the Freeport towards Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan, it will also put in place significant infrastructure investments like roads, schools and bridges that are considered essential in convincing investors to establish operation in these areas. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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‘Holy Land’ theme park to rise in Subic Freeport

A non-stock, non-profit organization will be building in this free port a religious theme park, the first of its kind in Asia.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza said the SBMA board of directors has approved the project proposal of Holy Land Subic Foundation Inc. for the development of the “Holy Land” theme park at a 20-hectare land adjacent to the Subic-Tipo security plaza.

The approved project will offer “a new Jerusalem experience, right here in Central Luzon,” Arreza said.

“With Holy Land Subic, the free port will serve not only as an eco-tourism and recreation center, but also as a place for pilgrimage and spiritual rejuvenation,” he added.

Arreza also pointed out that like the other theme parks in Subic Bay, Holy Land Subic will bank on the inherent advantages of the free port by land, sea and air.

“The free port’s security is one of the best in the country, and the well-preserved environs create a relaxing mood that is fit for a tourist facility,” he added.

According to Maribi Garcia, founder of the Bethesda Healing Ministry, the theme park will be divided into a rest and recreation center and a prayer and reflection sanctuary.

Among the attractions to be offered by Holy Land Subic are: a “Bible Museum”, an amphitheater for various spiritual productions, and a separate theater for children called ‘Noah’s Ark and Jonah and the Whale’, where cartoon shows, storytelling, and puppet shows will be held.

Garcia also said that a ‘David and Goliath’ rock-climbing course, and a ‘Trip to Heaven’ obstacle run, will be set up for teenagers and young adults.

Meanwhile, replica models depicting biblical stories will be built all over the place, like ‘Moses and the Ten Commandments in Mount Sinai’, a ‘Tower of Babel’, as well as sculptures portraying Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection.

Aside from these, a temple for prayer and worship, a chapel, and a healing and wellness center will also rise in the site.

Garcia said that Holy Land Subic will train Aetas to serve as forest rangers, jungle guides, and foot massage therapists, among others.

Groundbreaking rites for the Holy Land Subic project is expected to be held in June. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Omni Aviation opens pilot school in Subic

Omni Aviation Corporation, the country’s premier pilot school, has opened its facilities in this free port, as the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) expanded its thrust in providing aviation services.

From its home-base at the Clark Freeport in Pampanga, Omni Aviation expanded into Subic and renovated Hangar 8128, which was used by US Navy war planes until 1992.

Captain Ben Hur Gomez, Omni chairman and chief executive, said the Subic facility is part of his company’s vision to become the premier pilot school and fixed-base operator in the Southeast Asian region.

Investing P33 million for its start-up operations here, Omni will use the facility for its instruction room, flight demonstration room, administration office, and conference room.

Six aircrafts, including four for the flying school and two for chartering services, will be dedicated for the Subic operation.

“The reason why we chose Subic as our extension facility is because of its very natural environment which is very essential and inspiring to students,” Gomez said, adding that their students, many of whom are foreigners, are delighted upon seeing the Subic facility.

“Look around Subic. All you can see is the blue bay, the green mountains and clear skies. I believe all these things will make Omni more popular” Gomez said.

Aside from the flying school, Omni’s Subic operation will include air taxi service, fun flights, and Pinatubo and other air tours flights, which are expected to boost Subic as a tourist destination in the region.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza, meanwhile, expressed optimism that Subic would regain some its commercial flights once the casino and hotel projects in the free port build up.

“This is also a good thing for Omni,” he added.

According to Arreza, Omni Aviation is just one of the many air companies that have shown interest in leasing some of the facilities inside Subic’s airport complex.

He said these include two companies that will utilize the facilities previously leased by Federal Express (FedEx). One of the two companies is engaged in providing corporate jet service, while the other is into maintenance and repair.

Omni Aviation is a registered domestic corporation established in 1993 at the Clark Freeport Zone. It operates a flying school, serves as a fixed-base operator, and provides services like charter flights, aircraft moorage, aircraft management, maintenance and repair, overhaul and pilot shop operation.

Gomez said the company started only as a one-plane, one-pilot, one-mechanic and one-staff operation, but has grown over the years and now owns and operates 22 aircraft: 15 Cessna 152, five Cessna 172, a Cessna 172X, and a Seneca Piper 34-200.

Omni’s staff has also grown to 30 personnel, while its student population has grown to 135.

“We continue to expand and upgrade our fleet, slowly but surely,” Gomez added. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
Omni Aviation’s aircraft fleet at the Subic Bay International Airport complex.

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Subic-Clark logistics hub targets $1-trillion industry

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – Investors in two of the biggest freeports in the country declared recently that the next president should maintain the existing business structure and policies implemented in Subic and Clark in order to capture a share of the $1-trillion Asia-Pacific international logistics industry.

This was the consensus of some 500 public and private sector stakeholders involved in the recent forum attended by President Gloria Arroyo and officials of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD).

Subic-Clark Alliance Secretary Nestor S. Mangio revealed that the activity highlighted the Subic-Clark Logistics Corridor aim to grab the possible market share in the growing $1-trillion Asia-Pacific international logistics industry.

The groups of multi-businesssectors led by Dennis Wright, Chief Executive Officer of the Peregrine/Global Gateway Logistics Center, cited Ar royo for transforming Subic and Clark from “a shadow of decadence” to a vibrant activity center.

She was cited for the creation of the SCAD, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), which “have worked hard with a vision that has brought about this wonderful story.”

However, the optimism among SBMA, CDC and SCADC officials, representatives from the business sector was also coupled with “a bit concerned” about the coming transition in government leadership.

“As in business, when there is a change in management, there would be some disruptions. Hopefully, the next administration would implement existing policies, and leave alone business so business will thrive,” said Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Danny Piano.

They also cited investments in vital infrastructure projects such as the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), Port of Subic Bay, Dingalan Road, among others, have created a seamless movement of goods and people to and from Subic and Clark.

It will be recalled that it was during the President’s 2004 inauguration when she articulated her vision of a Subic-Clark Corridor emerging as a world-class logistics hub, Mangio said. (Franco Regala, Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

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Subic locators now able to process shipment declarations online

Locators in Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone (SSEFZ) can now process their export declarations online, thus sparing them from the time-consuming process of doing this physically at the local district of the Customs bureau.

This, as the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority signed a joint memorandum order to implement that same day the automated processing of export documents for SSEFZ-based companies.

"The implementation of the automated export documentation system will reduce the cost of doing business, as well as [save] time for the locators," Customs Commissioner Napoleon L. Morales told reporters at the signing event.

He noted that locators have had to go through the time-consuming manual system for processing their export documents, which could lead to delays in releasing the shipments.

Mr. Morales said this latest move is part of current efforts to harmonize export procedures among economic zones and ports.

Under the new system, a bar code will be placed on the export declaration submitted online once the processing is completed and the application approved.

Once the bar code is placed on the export declaration, it can then be printed to accompany the shipment from SSEFZ to either the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Freeport or the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.

The shutdown last year of the Federal Express hub in Subic had forced exporters there to course their shipments through either DMIA or NAIA, thus adding to their costs.

The bar code of the export declaration will then be scanned at the SSEFZ gate and the receiving counters of airline companies at DMIA or NAIA, enabling both the sender in Subic and the intended receiver to track the departure, status and arrival of the shipments.

Alexander M. Arevalo, Customs deputy commissioner for management information systems, told reporters on the sidelines of the signing ceremony yesterday that the bureau plans to replicate the system in at least two other major ports by June.

"We are looking at Davao and Cagayan de Oro [next]," he said. (L. D. Desiderio, BusinessWorld)

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Subic, Clark stakeholders urge ‘consistency’ after polls

CLARK FREEPORT — Whoever wins the upcoming presidential elections on May 10 must maintain the existing business structure and policies already at work in the Subic-Clark economic corridor.

This was the call made by business and community leaders from the Subic Bay Freeport and the Clark Freeport at the recent “Subic-Clark Logistics Corridor: Milestones and Prospects” forum, which was held at Clark’s Holiday Inn with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as guest of honor.

The stakeholders also expressed concern that the “impressive” economic momentum in the former US military bases, which managed to post economic gains despite the devastation wrought by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, the major financial crises in 1997 and the recent recession, “might be halted if the next administration will enact major changes in governance, particularly in business policies.”

About 500 persons attended the forum, mostly from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark Development Corp. (CDC), North Luzon Railways Corp. (Northrail), and chambers of commerce in both the Subic and Clark free ports.

They were joined by key officials from the national and local governments, who presented the achievements of the Arroyo administration in Subic and Clark, and plans for the development of the region.

In the forum, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza and CDC executive vice-president Philip Panlilio both expressed optimism that “consistency in governance and business policies” will be maintained in the aftermath of the May 10 polls.

They also expressed confidence that both the SBMA’s five-year strategic plan for the Subic Bay Freeport (2010-2015), and CDC’s comprehensive master plan for Clark Freeport would sustain the development momentum in the two economic zones.

“The next administration will surely see the gains and benefits that was made during our term,” said Arreza, whose five-year strategic plan for Subic emphasizes development expansion into the surrounding areas of Olongapo City, Subic town in Zambales, and Morong in Bataan.

Edgardo Pamintuan, former chair of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council, meanwhile reported on the body’s achievements in pursuit of President Arroyo’s vision to develop the Subic-Clark corridor into a highly-competitive international services and logistics center in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I believe that we have laid the foundation on which future public servants can build with the assurance of strength and the stability,” Pamintuan also said.

Despite the optimism among SBMA, CDC and SCADC officials, representatives from the business sector said they were “a bit concerned” about the coming transition.

“As in business, when there is a change in management, there would be some disruptions. Hopefully, the next administration would implement existing policies, and leave alone business so business will thrive,” said Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Danny Piano.

To ensure the steady growth of trade in the Subic-Clark corridor beyond the elections, the stakeholders signed a “Declaration of Cooperation Between the Public and Private Sectors of Subic and Clark” and presented it to President Arroyo.

Signatories of the document represented the SCADC, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), SBMA, CDC, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC), and Northrail.

Officials of business organizations SBFCC and the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) also signed the accord. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Wesley So settles for 2nd, earns World Cup slot

Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So made a quick draw over Chinese GM Zhou Jianchao in the final round of the 9th Asian Individual Chess Championships on Thursday to secure a seat in the 2011 Chess World Cup in Khanty-Mansiyk, Russia.

So split the point with Zhou in 14 moves of the Berlin Opening or less than 10 minutes of play to finish in a tie for 2nd to 5th places at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic, Olongapo City.

“I’m happy to make it to the World Cup again,” said So. “I really wanted to finish the tournament unbeaten, but I committed a slight mistake and he (Ni) was quick to capitalize.”

So finished with 6.5 points on 5 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in the 9-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). He, thus, earned one of the 5 slots for the World Chess Cup.

GM Ni Hua of China, who dealt So his only defeat during the 7th round on Tuesday, topped the tournament with 7 points. He took home the top prize of $6,000.

Ni also quickly drew with GM Abhijit Gupta of India in the final round.

Joining Ni and So in the Chess World Cup are Gupta, Zhou and GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam, who also tallied 6.5 points. So, Gupta, Zhou and Le each received $3,625.

Le clinched the 5th and last berth to the World Chess Cup by defeating GM Liren Ding of China.

Biggest revelation

The biggest revelation in the Asian Chess event was national junior standout Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who beat GM Saleh Salem of the United Arab Emirates to finish as the second best Filipino performer with 5.5 points.

The incoming 3rd year Ateneo de Manila high school student finished 17th overall.

The 14-year-old Garcia, a mainstay of the V. Luna Chess Club, also earned an International Master (IM) norm for his showing in the tough, 95-player tournament which had 32 Filipino participants.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., meantime, settled for a draw with Xiu Deshun of China to finish with 5.5 points just like Garcia.

Antonio finished with 2 wins and 7 draws and wound up 21st after the tiebreak. He and Garcia pocketed $820 each.

IM Oliver Dimakiling trounced GM Eugene Torre, GM Darwin Laylo drew with Chinese Wang Li, GM John Paul Gomez halved the point with Vietnamese GM Dao Thien Hai, and IM Oliver Barbosa downed Chinese Chen Wang to lead a big group of players with 5 points.

Women’s game

In the women’s division, woman Grandmaster (WGM) Atousa Pourkashiyan bagged the title with a nine-round total of 7 points. She earned $3,000.

Pourkashiyan, seeded 12th in the 24-player field, drew with 2nd seed WGM Zyongyi Tan of China.

IM Wang Yu of China and woman FIDE Master (WFM) Ding Yixin of China shared 2nd to 3rd places with 6.5 points.

Top seed Wenjun Ju of China, meanwhile, finished with 5 points.

Dresden Olympiad veteran Christy Lamiel Bernales toppled compatriot woman International Master (WIM) Beverly Mendoza to emerge as the top Filipina scorer with 4.5 points. She received $367.

Aices Salvador bowed to WIM Thi Nhu Hoang of Vietnam to finish with 4 points. She took home $300.

Akiko Charmaine Suede finished with 2 points while Mendoiza made 1.5 points.

FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong and NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. awarded the trophies and cash prizes to the top finishers. They were assisted by SBMA administrator Armand Arreza, FIDE delegate Toti Abundo, NCFP executive/events director Willie Abalos and chief arbiter Merhdad Pahlevanzadeh.

The 2010 Asian Individual Chess Championships was also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Tourism, PCSO, PAGCOR and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. (Marlon Bernardino, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Final standings:

7 points – H. Ni (China)

6.5 points – W. So (RP), A, Gupta (India), J. Zhou (China), L.Q. Liem (Vietnam)

6 points – Y. Yu (China), C. Zeng (China), L. Ding (China), C. Li (China), Y. Wan (China), P. Sethuraman (India), W. Zhou (China)

5.5 points – R. Yu (China), A. Golizadeh (Iran), T. Bakre (India), K. Sasikiran (India), J. Garcia (RP), S. Megaranto (Indonesia), E. Ghaemmaghami (Iran), N.N. Truong Son (Vietnam), R. Antonio (RP), D. Harika (India) , P. Harikirshna (India), D, Xiu (China), Z. Zhang (Singapore), D. Khamrakulov (Uzbekistan), Y. Wen (China)

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So regains tie for lead, nears World Cup slot

Filipino Grandmaster Wesley So quickly got back on track Wednesday night, subduing Chinese upstart Yu Ruiyuan in the eighth and penultimate round to gain a share of the lead in the 9th Asian Individual Chess Championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Derailed by a loss to former China national team captain Ni Hua late Tuesday, So played aggressively with black and went on to post his fifth victory after 58 moves of a Sicilian-Rossolimo variation.

The 16-year-old So climbed to 6.0 points in the company of Chinese GM Ding Liren and Indian GM Abhijeet Gupta, who opted for a quick draw in their board two tussle.

So only needs a draw on Thursday to earn one of the five 2011 World Chess Cup slots being dangled in the $50,000 tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Co-leaders Ni and fellow Chinese GM Li Chao, both with 5.5 points, are still locked in a tight battle at presstime.

Top seed Le Quang Liem of Vietnam continued his surge with a victory over Mongolian Bayatsaikhan Gundavaa.

The 19-year-old Le, the reigning Moscow Open and Aeroflot Open Group B titlist who boasts an ELO rating of 2689, improved to 5.5 points following his third win in the last four rounds.

Filipino GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio was forced to halve the point with Chinese Wan Yanguo and virtually dropped his bid for a second straight World Cup stint.

Antonio, an 11-time Olympian, was at 5.0 points and even if he wins on Thursday the best probable outcome for him will be a playoff for the fifth and last World Cup seat. (Roy Luarca, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Standings after 8 rounds:

6 – W. So (RP), J. Zhou (Chuna), L. Ding (China), A., Gupta (India) 5.5 – L.Q. Liem (Vietnam), S. Sethuraman (India), L. Chao (Chin)*, N. Hua (China)* 5 – R. Antonio (RP), K. Sasikiran (India), E. Ghaemmaghami (Iran), X. Deshun (China), S. Megaranto (Indonesia), A. Golizadeh (Iran), T. Bakre (India), B. Adhiban (India), Y. Yu (China), Y. Wan (China), N.T. Son (Vietnam), Z. Weiqi (China), R. Yu (China)

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SBMA approves Chinese firm’s $75-M wind energy project

Amid intermittent power shortages, rising power rates and the quest for viable alternative energy sources, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) approved a $75-million wind energy project proposed by China-based Sunnew Investments Ltd.

“This is the answer to our energy problem,” said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza. “This will definitely lower the cost of power in the Freeport, and we could even help neighboring communities with surplus power from wind energy.”

Arreza disclosed that Sunnew-Subic has proposed to construct a total of 25 wind turbines in the Subic Bay Freeport, with the project covering a total area of 50,000 square meters at both the Mt. Sta. Rita and the Redondo Peninsula sites.

The sites, which both face the South China Sea, have strong wind currents all year round, “so the wind harvest is expected to be abundant,” Arreza added.

The project will produce about 50 megawatts (MW) of power by 2012, and will initially employ 103 workers.

Arreza and Sunnew Investments chairman Lee Yin Hung signed a 50-year lease contract for the proposed investment just days after the SBMA board of directors approved the wind energy project.

According to Lee, Sunnew’s investment in Subic Bay “would not only release the pressure of the power demand in this region, but also help realize the era of renewable energy in the Philippines.”

“In terms of economical efficiency, it is better than gas-fired power station,” Lee pointed out. “And it’s getting close to oil-fired power generation, so the cost of wind power generation is actually less than gas-fired power.”

Lee also said that his company is already operating similar wind energy facilities in Taiwan and China, and plans to expand to Australia, United States, and Vietnam.

Arreza said the Subic wind farm project is in line with the national government’s effort to tap alternative energy resources, as stipulated in Republic Act 9513, otherwise known as the Renewable Energy Act of 2008.

He added that renewable energy projects are included in the 2009 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) issued by the national government to generate more jobs and attract more quality investments to the country.

Charles Chen of PRA Marketing Services Corp., which facilitated the entry of Sunnew in Subic, said that the Philippines “has a lot of potentials, especially business and employment opportunities” under the renewable energy sector.

“Not too many people realize that,” Chen added.

Sunnew Investments Ltd. is a subsidiary of Red Blades Windtek Holdings Ltd. and handles investments outside China for its mother company.

Red Blades Windtek Holdings Ltd. is said to be the only manufacturer of high-performance wind-turbine blades in China. The firm utilizes leading technology and advanced composites for multi-megawatt turbines in domestic and global markets. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza (2nd from left) and Sunnew Investments chairman Lee Yin Hung (2nd from right) prepare to sign a lease contract for Sunnew’s $75-M wind farm project in the Subic Bay Freeport. With them are SBMA senior deputy administrator for business Stefani Saño, and Sunnew-Subic representative Robin Tan.

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PLDT to interconnect Clark, Subic telecoms

The country’s biggest telecommunication firm has recently approved the interconnection of its two service areas in the Clark and Subic Bay free-port zones.

Lito Mercado, general manager of Clarktel, a subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), said the approval of the interconnection of telecommunication between the two free-port zones is in conformity with the mandate of Subic and Clark as the country’s two best investment destinations that provide world-class infrastructure and utilities.

Although investors and locators from the two zones are expected to save on their long-distance telephone calls, Mercado said the Clark and Subic telecom firms will be losing about P2.5 million to P3 million per annum once the interconnection project is implemented.

The interconnection is expected to take effect by the middle of next month based on information provided to Mercado by Subic and Clark Telecom president Dennis Magbatoc.

However, despite the toll-free calls, Mercado said Clark and Subic will still have to use their respective area codes—045 for Clark (Pampanga) and 047 for Subic (Zambales).

“But definitely, calls for both free ports will be free of charge,” he said.

Mercado said Magbatoc was instrumental in the realization of the interconnection project through the initiative of the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council, the influential Metro Clark Advisory Council, the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

“Doing business in Clark will be made easier with the toll-free calls between Clark and Subic, considering its impact on the day-to-day operations of the investors in both free-port zones,” he said.

He pointed out that the integration earlier of the telephone infrastructure in Pampanga has given Clark a competitive edge and with the same integration of the service lines between Subic and Clark, the competitiveness of both investment destinations is expected to improve further.

Although PLDT will shoulder the interconnection fees, including the losses in long-distance calls, investors in Clark expressed elation over the integration and interconnection of Clark and Subic because it will open more “windows of opportunities” not only for the two free-port zones, but for Central Luzon as well.

With the integration of Clarktel with all telecom providers in Pampanga in 2004, CDC was able to save about P100,000 a month (or P1.2 million annually) on long-distance calls since the interconnection was implemented.

The amount saved on local long-distance calls through the interconnection project will instead be used to finance other CDC projects as part of the social corporate responsibility of the state-owned firm. (Jacob Cunanan, Business Mirror)

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Wesley So falls, Antonio gains in Subic Chess

While Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So suffered his first defeat on Tuesday, GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. kept the Philippine pride alive in the 7th round of 2010 Asian Individual Chess Championships in Subic, Olongapo City.

Antonio defeated Iranian Pouria Darini after 33 moves of the Sicilian Alapin at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center. He improved his score to 4.5 points.

“I still have a good chance of making it with two more rounds left,” said Antonio, who is aiming to get another crack at the World Chess Cup.

Slots to the 2011 World Chess Cup await the top 5 finishers of the 9-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

However, leading RP bet So was defeated by GM Ni Hua of China.

So dropped his solo leadership and settled for a tie for 5th to 8th places with 5 points going into the final 2 rounds.

The 16-year-old chess whiz kid tried hard to squeeze out a win before yielding to Ni in marathon 74 moves of the Slav.

Several moves earlier, So even held a slight initiative against Ni but made several passive moves against Ni’s 2 connected rooks that turned the tide in the Chinese’s favor.

Other results

In other matches, GM Li Chao of China crushed compatriot GM Yu Yangyi, GM Abhijeet Gupta of India humbled countryman GM Gopal Narayanan Geetha and GM Ling Direng of China outclassed Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa of Mongolia to vault into a 4-way tie for the lead with Ni with 5.5 points.

GM John Paul Gomez, however, also suffered a loss on Tuesday to GM Zhou Jianchao of China. Gomez now has 4 points.

Filipino International Master (IM) Rolando Nolte, meantime, toppled GM Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh in 43 moves of the Sicilian to improve to 4 points.

IM Ronald Dableo drew with GM Zhou Weiqi of China, IM Dronavalli Harika of India downed IM Barlo Nadera, GM Wen Yang bested Allan Macala, and IM Oliver Dimakiling beat Paulo James Florendo.

Rapid chess tilt

Meanwhile, Christian Arroyo emerged as the solo winner in the National Amateur Rapid chess championship, a side event of the Asian Championships, which was held over the weekend.

A mainstay of Far Eastern University under GM Jayson Gonzales, Arroyo finished with 5 wins and 2 draws to pocket the top prize of P10,000.

Sharing 2nd to 3rd places were Allan Cantonjos and Ryan Dungca, who finished with 5.5 points. They took home P7,000 each.

Merben Roque and Jerry Areque finished 4th and 5th, respectively. Completing the top 10 were Marlon Ricafort (6th), Sheider Nebato (7th), Ritchie Evangelista (8th), Joey Albert Florendo (9th) and Jerad Docena (10th).

The other awardees were Lourecel Hernandez (top unrated), Vince Angelo Medina (top kiddie) and Judith Pineda (top female). (Marlon Bernardino, ABSCBNnews.com)

Standings after 7 rounds:

5.5 points – H. Ni (China), C. Li (China), A. Gupta (India), L. Ding (China)

5 points – W. So (RP), K. Sasikiran (India), J. Zhou (China), R. Yu (China)

4.5 points – R. Antonio (RP), L.Q. Liem (Vietnam), E. Ghaemmaghami ( Iran), P. Harikrishna (India), T. Bakre (India), Y. Yu (China), G. Geetha (India), B. Gundavaa (Mongolia), Y. Wan (China), C. Zheng (China), D. Xiu (China), P. Sethuranan (India), D. Harika (India)

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SBMA opens bidding for Subic power-plant construction

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is now inviting companies to prequalify and bid for the operation of the Subic Diesel Power Plant (SDPP), a 116-megawatt diesel facility that is the sole power-generating plant in this free port.

The SBMA said in an announcement issued recently that it will lease out on an “as-is, where-is” basis the land and the facilities within the compound of the SDPP, a 10-hectare area located near the Sattler Pier.

Duly prequalified proponents are invited to submit proposals for the lease, operation and maintenance of the land and facilities at the SDPP, which was previously occupied by the state-owned National Power Corp. (Napocor).

The SBMA announced it shall “pursue the short-term operation and maintenance of this existing power plant while the reclassification of the land use of the area from utilities to mixed use or commercial/residential/leisure status takes off.”

In bidding for the operation of the power plant, local or foreign companies or joint ventures will be required to submit proposals that will be subjected to competitive evaluation, the SBMA said.

For local firms, the Subic authority will require, among others, a letter of intent duly signed by the authorized representative of the proponent; the proponent’s business profile stating its corporate structure and current business activities; registration with the Department of Trade and Industry; and article of incorporation or articles of partnership from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

If the proponent is a local corporation, the SBMA would also require that its authorized capital stock “must not be less than P200 million or its equivalent in foreign currency” and that at least 70 percent of its stock is fully paid up.

In addition, the SBMA would call for valid and current mayor’s permit or municipal license; tax-information number and tax-clearance certificate from the Bureau of Internal Revenue; statement under oath that the proponent is not blacklisted or barred from bidding by the government; clearances from the Social Security System and the Department of Labor and Employment; and a statement under oath or audited financial statement certifying/evidencing that the proponent has net assets of not less than $10 million.

The SBMA added that if the proponent or any of its members, management or shareholders are registered in the Subic Bay Free Port, it should not have a record of arrears or has not defaulted with its financial obligations with the SBMA.

Foreign bidders will be asked to submit “all the equivalent of all the required eligibility documents for local firms, insofar as may be applicable, duly authenticated by the appropriate official of the Embassy/Consulate of the Philippines in the bidder’s country.”

Parties interested in bidding for the power plant may obtain terms of reference for the submission of proposals at the office of the SBMA administrator, Building 229, Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Free Port. Bidders have until May 7 to submit their proposals, the SBMA said.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said earlier the location of the Subic power plant is part of a parcel of land scheduled for development into a commercial and leisure complex. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

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Asian Chess Championships: So settles for draw, stays on top

Filipino Grandmaster Wesley So settled for a draw with GM Narayanan Gopal Geetha of India in the top board Monday but remained the solo leader in the 9th Asian Individual Chess Championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

Unable to find a winning line with black, the 16-year-old So agreed to split the point with Geetha after 32 moves of a Sicilian-Nadjorf variation.

After six rounds, So stayed at the helm of the 89-strong Open division with 5.0 points, boosting his chances for one of the five slots at stake for the 2011 World Chess Cup.

Tied for second with 4.5 points were Geetha, Mongolian Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa and Chinese GMs Ni Hua and Yu Yangyi, who also drew their board 2 encounter. The untitled Gundavaa stunned Chinese GM Zhou Weiqi.

So, the country’s top player with an ELO rating of 2665, needs only to draw his last three games to earn his second straight World Cup stint. He needs at least two victories to secure the title and the $6,000 that goes with it.

“I’ll play my game and see what happens,” said So, who is skipping college this school year to concentrate on chess so he can break into the elite 2700 club.

With the position unclear, So first offered the draw in the 30th move, which Gopal, ninth placer in the 2007 edition held in Mandaue City, declined.

Two moves, later, it was Gopal’s turn to seek a truce and So relented.

Still battling at presstime were Chinese GMs Ding Liren and Ni Hua, who both tote 4.0 points.

Top seed GM Le Quang Liem beat compatriot GM Tu Hoang Thong and vaulted to 4.0 in the company of GM John Paul Gomez and Indian GM Krishnan Sasikiran, who drew their match, as well as Vietnamese IM Nguyen Than Son, who bested GM Darwin Laylo.

Also with 4.0 are Indian GM Bakre Tejas, who bested GM Ziaur Rahman, and Indonesian GM Susanto Megaranto and Iranian Fide Master Ashgar Golizadeh, who figured in another draw.

Filipino GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., a 12-time national champion, could only draw with untitled Chinese Wang Li and, with 3.5 points, needs to sweep his last three games to earn a berth to the World Cup slated in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

In the women’s division, Iranian WGM Atousa Pourkashiyan downed Chinese WFM Ding Yixin to rise to 5.0 points and share the lead with Chinese IM Wang Yu, who was held to a draw by Vietnamese WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram.

The nine-round tournament is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by Prospero “Butch” Pichay with support from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Department of Tourism, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Sports Commission. (Roy Luarca, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Photo: Filipino Grandmaster Wesley So (right) needs only three straight draws to secure a World Cup stint.

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So scores again, grabs solo lead

Subic Bay Freeport - No opening gambit surprises Wesley So anymore.

Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto tried to waylay the Filipino GM with the Ruy Lopez-Marshall variation Sunday, but the ploy backfired as So exploited his familiarity with the opening to down the Indonesian star in the fifth round of the 9th Asian Individual Chess Championship here.

The 16-year-old So notched his fourth win against a lone draw after 38 moves and grabbed the solo lead with 4.5 points midway through the $50,000 tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center.

“He has never used it against me, so he experimented,” said So, noting that he played the same line against Indian GM Anhijeet Gupta in a game that ended in a draw last year.

So said Megaranto committed an error on his 17th move, when he sacrificed a knight for two pawns instead of just developing his rook.

“I just want to make the top five,” said So, referring to the five slots to the 2011 World Chess Cup at stake in the championship.

“If possible I don’t want to drop a match,” added So, who’s skipping college this year to concentrate on chess.

Chinese GMs Li Chao and Ni Hua and Indian GM Narayanan Gopal stayed close behind So with 4.0 points.

Li stopped Allan Macala’s surprising run, Ni beat compatriot IM Yang Kaiqi while Gopal outplayed Filipino GM Darwin Laylo.

Fourth round co-leader GM Yu Yangyi of China was still trying to extract the full point against Gupta at presstime.

Also locked in a tight battle were Filipino GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Vietnamese IM Nguyen Thanh Son.

Two-time Olympian GM John Paul Gomez bounced back at 3.5 points with a victory over International Master Kirili Kuderinov of Kazakhstan.

Gomez, a mechanical engineering graduate from De La Salle University, landed in the company of Chinese GM Zhou Weiqi and untitled Yu Ruiyuan, who drew their match, Megaranto and Chinese GM Zhou Jianchao, who bested Filipino IM Oliver Barbosa.

Other Filipino bets who suffered setbacks were IM Rolando Nolte (2.0 points), IM Oliver Dimakiling, Emmanuel Senador (2), Rhobel Legaspi (1.5) and FM Julius de Ramos (1.5).

FM Haridas Pascua beat Mari Joseph Turqueza to improve to 2.5 points.

Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre finally ended his slump with a victory over countryman Deniel Causo. Torre, who was beaten by Mongolian FM Namkhai Battulga, however, was still way down in the standings with 2.0 points.

The unheralded Macala shared the limelight in the fourth round when he stunned GM Tu Hoang Thong of Vietnam and improved to 3.0 points with 11 others in the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Pagcor, Department of Tourism, PCSO and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Macala, a mainstay of multi-titled Tagaytay City chess team of Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino rebounded from a third round loss to Chinese GM Ni Hua. Ranked 80th in the field, Macala has also beaten Indian WIM Dronavai Harika in the first round and Qatari GM Mohammed Al-Sayed by default in the second round.

Asian Zone 3.3 champion GM Darwin Laylo downed compatriot and fellow Olympian IM Oliver Dimakiling.

In other late results, Filipino GM John Paul Gomez drew with Indian FM Asghar Glizadeh of India, Filipino IM Oliver Barbosa halved the point with Iranian GM Ehsan Ghaemmaghami and national junior standout Jan Emmanuel Garcia agreed to a truce with Mongolian Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa.

The games in the top two boards are being shown live by way of ncfphilippines.org and the FIDE website. (Roy Luarca, Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Provisional fifth round leaders:
4.5—W. So; 4.0—C. Li (China), N. Geetha (India), H. Ni (China); 3.5 points— S. Megaranto (Indonesia), Y. Yu (China), J. Gomez, R. Yu (China), W. Zhou (China)

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SBMA joins Bataan fishers in ‘Galunggong Festival’

MORONG, Bataan — With its brass band rendering festive marching music, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) joined fisher folk in this town for the “Araw ng Mangingisda” festival, which highlights the abundant “galunggong” catch at barangay Sabang.

Organized by the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) of Morong, the celebration is intended to raise public awareness on the importance of the fisher folk sector to the provision of daily food to the community.

The festival is also part of a local fishermen’s program to seek recognition and support from the local government unit of Morong, as well as to broaden the fisher folk’s network of assistance in the province, said Morong FARMC chairman Restituto del Rosario.

“The celebration is the first in a series of events to showcase the large contribution of fisher folk to the larger community here,” Del Rosario explained.

In addition, the festival could serve as inspiration for the fisher folk to continue protecting the abundant marine resources of Morong, he added.

Highlight of the one-day festival was a cooking contest featuring different ways “galunggong” could be prepared.

Del Rosario said that each of the 60 fishing boats that went out fishing on the eve of the event contributed one bucket, or about 20 kilos, of “galunggong” for the cookfest.

The public was then invited to the Sabang barangay plaza to sample the results of the cooking competition.

To spice up to the celebration, the organizers also put up events like street dancing, beach volleyball, chess, table tennis, palosebo, sack race, and other traditional games for the community to participate in.

Later in the day, fisher folk leaders and guests awarded school supplies to winners of the kiddie basketball tournament, which fielded youth members of “Bantay Dagat”, and for teams that collected the most garbage during the coastal clean-up drive.

Del Rosario said that with the successful staging of the festival this year, they will hold the “Araw ng Mangingisda in Morong every year, with a different theme each time.

Del Rosario also lauded the contributions of Anvaya Cove, a private resort located in Morong, which provided cash prizes for the various contests, and the SBMA, which also provided school supplies distributed to schoolchildren in Sabang.

The SBMA has traditionally been a partner of the fisher folk community in Morong in terms of putting up environment-friendly livelihood projects.

After providing assistance for the “lambaklad” project of Morong fishermen several years ago, the SBMA also released early this year a P4-million financial assistance to fishermen for the sustainable development of the Subic Bay area.

The grant benefited fishermen in Morong, Olongapo City, and the municipalities of Subic and San Antonio in Zambales.

According to SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga, SBMA granted the assistance in fulfillment of the agency’s responsibility to communities affected by the development of the Subic Bay Freeport.

The P4-million assistance is broken down into four components: P2.3 million for the establishment of artificial reefs; P.7 million for the operating expenses of the SB-IFARMC; P.5 million for a scholarship fund to deserving SB-IFARMC members and their immediate families; and P.5 million to fund livelihood programs for SB-IFARMC members and their families. (SBMA Corporate Communications)
PHOTO: Residents of Sabang village in Morong, Bataan show the various ways that “galunggong” could be cooked during the “Araw ng Mangingisda” festival.

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Asian Chess Championships: So stays at helm with third win

Grandmaster Wesley So added IM Oliver Barbosa to his growing list of victims as he fashioned out a 56-move victory for his third win in row and a share of the lead with GM Yu Yangyi of China in the Asian Individual Chess Championships at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic yesterday.

So wisely steered the game out of a drawish endgame of a Slav by forcing an exchange of queens before the first time control to produce more active two rooks and two bishops plus a pawn against Barbosa’s two rooks and two knights.

“He (Barbosa) made a slight mistake in the opening that’s why I was able to force an exchange of queens. Before the exchange, the position is unclear,” said So, who plans to skip college this school year to pursue his chess career.

Yu outsteadied IM S.P. Sethuraman of India to hike his total to three points for joint lead in the nine-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Tourism, PCSO, Pagcor and the Subic Bay Metrpolitan Authority.

Half a point with 2.5 points is GM Ni Hua, who beat Allan Macala.

The two other local bets in the last World Cup – GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Darwin Laylo –drew their respective matches.

Antonio, who finished tied for third in the same qualifying tournament here last year, split the point with fellow GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam in 26 moves of the Reti.

Laylo, the reigning Asian Zone 3.3 champion, also halved the point with untitled Shanglei Lu of China.

GM John Paul Gomez was also held to a draw by GM Das Neelotpal of India .

In women’s play, Akiko Suede toppled WFM Khouloud Essa Al-Zarouni of UAE to post her first win after back-to-back losses.

Cristy Lamiel Bernales and Aices Salvador agreed to a draw in an all-Filipina showdown, while WIM Beverly Mendoza lost to WIM Kiran Moharty of India. (The Philippine Star)

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Elusive beaked whale stranded in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREE PORT—A rarely seen species of whale was stranded yesterday at the shoreline of barangay Cawag in Subic, Zambales, the first time that such a stranding of an “elusive” deep-sea creature was documented in the Philippines.

The whale, a male specimen of the Blainville’s Beaked Whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), was seen circling the area for two days, then ended up dead at the seashore on Wednesday morning, witnesses said.

Residents of sitio Matangib, located near the Hanjin shipyard at the Redondo Peninsula here, said they tried to push back the whale to deeper waters, “but it kept coming back to the shallows.”

The stranding was documented by authorities from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Ecology Center, the local office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Ocean Adventure Marine Park.

Dr. Leo Suarez, a marine biologist at the Ocean Adventure, said this was the first time for biologists to document the beaching of a Blainville’s Beaked Whale in the country.

“This is certainly a rare sighting,” Suarez said. “I believe this is the first time that a Blainville’s Beaked Whale has stranded itself here in the Philippines.”

He added that the cause of the stranding was not known, as the whale species is known to inhabit waters from 1,600 to 3,000 feet deep.

Suarez and the team from Ocean Adventure conducted a necropsy of the animal to determine the cause of death. Thereafter, the carcass was chopped off for an on-shore burial in the area.

The whale measured 4.8 meters long­—a typical size of an adult male—and weighed about 500 kilograms, the biologists said.

It required almost 20 men to haul the animal to the shore where the examination was conducted.

According to the MarineBio Conservation Society, Blainville’s Beaked Whales are “deep divers” found in tropical and warm waters in all oceans.

Strandings of the dense-beaked whale have been reported off Nova Scotia, Iceland, the British Isles, Japan, Rio Grande do Sul, South Africa, Central Chile, Tasmania and New Zealand.

The species got its name from what is described to be a unique, remarkable feature—the “extremely dense bones in the rostrum, which have a higher density and mechanical stiffness than any other bone yet measured.”

While widely distributed, the animals are rarely sighted at sea “due to their long dive times, deep habitat, and unobtrusive surfacing behavior,” the web site of MarineBio said. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

In Photo: Earth Day visitor Marine biologists measure the Blainville’s Beaked Whale that beached in Subic, Zambales, the first known stranding of the species in the Philippines. The rare visitor came just day before the global celebration of Earth Day.

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Wesley So gets off to hot Asian chess start

Wesley So started hot in the 9th Asian Continental Chess Championships Wednesday, posting the first victory of the 9-round tournament at the Subic Exhibition Convention Center here.

The 16-year-old So, the country’s highest-ranked player with an ELO of 2665, took just 16 moves and less than an hour to trounce Vietnamese International Master Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (ELO 2440) and grab the early lead in the 90-strong Open field.

So, who graduated from high school at the St. Francis of Assisi-Bacoor, recently, exploited a blunder by his rival, who had to resign under threat of losing two pawns.

According to So, who’ll skip college next year to concentrate on chess, he spent one month expanding his opening repertoire for this tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines as qualifier for the 2011 World Cup set in Russia.

Other early winners included third seed HM Ni Hua of China, who beat Australian IM Aleksandar; Chinese GM Li Chao, who subdued compatriot Wan Yunguo; Chinese GM Zhou Weiqi, who whipped Filipino National Master Emmanuel Senador; and Indian GM Abhijeet Gupta, who defeated China’s Wang Li.

Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping gave the go-signal for NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay to look for a foreign coach to guide So in his preparations for the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

Angping said the PSC is willing to spend up to $3,000 a month for So’s preparation.(Philippine Daily Inquirer)

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Subic puts power plant on auction block

THE FIVE-year lease for a diesel power plant compound at the Subic free port has been put up for auction, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced yesterday.

The winning bidder will control not just the 116-megawatt plant but also the 10-hectare property that is suitable for residential or commercial development, the SBMA said in a published notice.

The lease and management of the power plant is being bidded out as intertwined contracts among SBMA, National Power Corp. (Napocor) and the former plant operator and developer Enron Power Corp. expired in March 2009, the free port authority said.

The plant was commissioned in 1994 through a build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement between Napocor and Enron, the SBMA said.

The facility sat on a property leased by the Napocor from the SBMA and was promptly turned over to the free port authority when both the lease and BOT deal lapsed last year.

“The SBMA wishes to lease out on an ‘as is, where is’ basis the land and facilities within the Subic Bay Power Plant compound...,” the state agency said.

It is the free port’s sole power plant and its output will be channeled to the national grid, SBMA utilities division head Ariel B. Napalan said in a telephone interview.

Both local and foreign firms and joint ventures are welcome to join the auction as long they have more than P200 million in authorized capital stock, the notice stated.

Mr. Napalan declined to elaborate on the minimum bid price and other requirements.

Interested firms will have until May 7 to obtain the terms of reference covering the bidding of the power plant compound at Causeway Extension of the economic zone, the SBMA said.

Proposals are due in early June, Mr. Napalan added.

The 10-hectare lot is being processed for reclassification into a mixed-use area from its currently utilities zoning to accommodate commercial and residential developments, the SBMA said.

The SBMA is overseeing the plant’s operation in the meantime. (Jessica Anne D. Hermosa, BusinessWorld)

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Government sees accelerating inflow of investments in the next 5 years

The investment promotion agencies foresee an accelerating investments inflow in the next five years from 10 percent growth this year to 20 percent by 2014 driven by the eight industry winners.

Based on the final draft of the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan, which was formulated by 11 government investment promotion agencies (IPAs), the industry growth drivers are agro-industry, BPO-IT, electronics-semiconductor, energy, logistics, mining, shipbuilding and tourism.

The IPAs that would work for the attainment of the growth targets include the Board of Investments, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, Zamboanga Special Economic Zone, Aurora Special Economic Zone, Philippine Retirement Authority, Phividec Industrial Estate, BoI-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and the Bases Conversion Development Authority.


The PIPP will be launched on Wednesday, April 21, by Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli A. Lapus and Japan International Cooperation Agency representative Norio Matsuda. JICA provided for the funding of the 5-year PIPP.

The PIPP has set out an investments growth target 10 percent in 2010 and 15 percent for 2011 to 2012 and 20 percent by 2013 to 2014.

This medium-term marketing plan of the country’s IPAs is expected to steer the Philippines through the tides of globalization and beef up capital inflows into the economy.

The PIPP will serve as the guiding document for all IPAs to synchronize strategies in investment promotion in order to achieve a world class brand image for the country.

Investments generated by the government’s IPAs in 2009 reached P315.28 billion from P473.25 billion in 2008.

The five-year PIPP has also prescribed for a targeted marketing of investment promotion activities.

In particular, the five-year PIPP has put emphasis on Japan being the country’s number one foreign investor.

The plan has identified Japan as an investor that is going to sustain its investments in the country.

The plan noted of Japan’s propensity for green and greenfield projects.

Based on the PIPP’s Qualitative Goal for Japan, the country’s biggest investor is expected to pour more investments in the motor vehicle sector where it is racing for the production of electric vehicles and also in steel manufacturing. (Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, Manila Bulletin)

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Green forum for Subic businesses

Manila - Over 150 businessmen and residents of the Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales participated in a day-long forum on green financing and carbon credit before the celebration of Earth Hour, the worldwide initiative that enjoined millions of people to turn off their lights for the environment on March 27.

Part of the Art+Environment Festival, the forum was held at the Lighthouse Marina Resort in Subic Bay.

Sponsored by the British Embassy and organized by Greenergy Resources, Contemporary Art Philippines Magazine, and the Lighthouse Marina Resort, the Earth Day event engaged small and medium enterprises (SME), which comprise 96 percent of all registered businesses in the Philippines and employ 70 percent of the local workforce.

Businessmen and citizens participated in the forum (themed “SMEs: Leading the way to a low carbon pathway”), which promoted models for low carbon economy, sharing information on how SMEs can move toward green practices and mitigate the effects of a changing climate.

The first of its kind to be staged outside Metro Manila, the forum featured speakers from the British Embassy Manila, Climate Change Commission, the Department of Science and Technology, Phillip Morris, Aboitiz Power and more.

Focusing on low carbon economy, the event presented available technologies and financing options for SMEs, who would choose to employ green practices in their operations. The DOST presented how companies are able to save on energy just by adopting cleaner production programs that minimize waste.

Nestle served as an example of how going green makes good business sense as seen in the numerous awards the company has received. Korean-based FAWOO showed the benefits of switching to environment-friendly LED lights over CFL and incandescent versions.

Green financing

Landbank as a financing institution responded to the green revolution by helping shoulder the costs of SME programs that will address climate change. The Climate Change Commission also presented various carbon-financing schemes.

After the forum, a ribbon-cutting ceremony opened an art exhibit, another vehicle to raise awareness of the environment. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

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Study on Subic-Clark-Batangas logistics corridor completed

MANILA, Philippines - The pre-feasibility study leading to the drawing up of a master plan making the Subic-Clark-Batangas corridor into a logistics corridor that positions Luzon as an international transshipment point in Asia has been completed.

This was announced by National Competitiveness Council (NCC) private sector chairman Cesar Bautista.

Ambassador Bautista said the initial study lays down the term of reference and scope of a more detailed study whose main output is a master plan for a seamless intermodal logistics corridor across the three fastest growing regions in Luzon.

The master plan will take another one and a half year to complete, Bautista said.

“The Subic-Clark-Batangas region, despite its considerable potential for being the principal logistics hub in the country, has experienced very limited growth due to inefficient logistics operations. As such, an integrated logistics program aimed specifically at increasing trade volumes, agricultural production as well as the diversification of economic activities is needed. This now comes in the form of a Subic-Clark-Batangas Intermodal Logistics Corridor Master Plan,” The study pointed out.

It noted that President Arroyo first raised the idea in 2007 when she declared that Luzon should be developed as a major transshipment and logistics hub in Asia. Since then, several big-ticket infrastructure projects interconnecting the corridor have been completed including the upgrading of the south and north expressways, opening of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and other projects.

“It is also important to address major transport policy issues critical to the development of the corridor,” the study stressed.

The corridor provides specialized industries and processing activities in Subic and Clark Special Economic Zones, textile, garments and consumer electronics factories in the Calabarzon, prime agricultural production south and north of Manila and port related industries in Batangas.

The corridor now accounts for 80 percent of the national cargo throughput in the country and about half of yearly economic output.

In pushing hard for the master plan, Ambassador Bautista said that it is not enough that one announces it is building a new superhighway from Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to Tuguegarao, Cagayan or a bullet train from Manila to Laoag without taking into consideration if those projects will bring down costs of shipping goods.

The master plan was envisioned not only to address the high cost of shipping goods across Luzon but between the island and other ports in the country and in the Asian region.

The initial study suggested that building a logistics corridor will have to be pushed in stages, the first of which will be the building of a transport corridor. Second stage will be a multimodal corridor that integrates land, sea and air transportation plus storage and other support facilities then into a logistics and later, an economic corridor.

“The whole point is to develop the corridor as an alternative transshipment hub in Asia and to open up new economic activities towards the eastern seaboard of Luzon,” Bautista pointed out.

So far, he added, there have been so many plans and programs including unsolicited proposals on building roads and railway systems but these have not been integrated into a master plan designed to speed up economic growth in Luzon and the rest of the country. (Philexport News and Features )

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BI agents collar Korean for duping fellow countrymen of millions of pesos

Immigration authorities arrested a South Korean for defrauding 14 Korean businessmen of millions of pesos in fake land and condominium titles in Subic Freeport, Zambales.

Kim Tae Wan was arrested near the Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga by immigration agents based on a warrant of arrest issued by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan.

The suspect gave himself up to Immigration intelligence agents Irene Bello and Rommel Linatok without a fight and readily submitted himself for an investigation.

According to BI executive director Eric Buhain, Kim managed to convinced Ji Hyun Byeon and 13 others to buy land and condominium properties inside Subic Bay Free Port zone.

Kim represented himself as the owner of Subic Daesung Corporation that also operates the Subic International Hotel inside the Free Port.

But Kim turned out to have subleased the condominium and pocketed the money paid by the 14 Koreans instead of turning the payment to the Daesung Corp.

Kim is now detained at the BI detention cell in Bicutan and will be deported soon. He was also included in the bureau’s blacklist for being an undesirable alien. (Conrado Ching, Daily Tribune)

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Subic, Clark best projects of Arroyo govt.

LAWMAKERS have complemented the top projects of the Arroyo administration, which include the development of Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone and Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zones.

According to Rep. Danilo Suarez of Quezon, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, said the two freeport zones were able to attract foreign investors and generate employment ever since their conversion from military bases to bustling investment destinations.

The Quezon legislator stressed that Subic and Clark ecozones’ development was given impetus when it was identified as one of the agenda that shall be addressed by the Arroyo administration.

To facilitate this goal, the President created in 2006 through Executive Order 504 the Subic-Clark Alliance Development Council, a coordinative body to oversee the development of Subic and Clark. It has focused on establishing a single, contiguous and economic growth corridor providing world-class logistics infrastructure and services such as the multi-modal transport hub, favorable environment of investors and additional land for future expansion.

According to the plan, Subic and Clark will be developed as a world-class mega logistics hub that will provide a seamless delivery of goods, services, people and information to and from the production, manufacturing and trading centers of the country.

The hub will not only be a gateway for locators within the Subic and Clark, but will ultimately become the country’s main gateway to the world.

At its inception, the Subic-Clark development council concentrated primarily on the harmonization and improvement of the policies and programs governing the Subic and Clark Special Economic and Freeport Zones, following the rationale that ease of doing business will be a major factor in attracting the major players of the Asia Pacific Supply Chain to choose the two zones as their primary points of destination.

As of May 2009, the total investments in Subic reached $6.053 billion, more than double the $2.561 billion registered in 2004.

The Port of Subic Bay has two new container terminals with a combined capacity of 600,000 twenty-foot equivalent units annually.

In the meantime, Clark has successfully attracted investments worth P79.8 billion from P31.78 billion in 2004. In 2008, total exports were valued at $950 million, 7.51 percent higher than in 2007.

The report further stated that as of the first quarter of 2008, 48 new contracts were signed, with investment commitment valued at P1.43 billion. (Jomar Canlas, Manila Times)

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ARMM turns to Subic Bay for port conversion project

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has sought the assistance of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) as it prepares to establish a free port at Parang town in the province of Maguindanao.

A 20-man delegation headed by ARMM acting regional Governor Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong recently visited this premier free port to learn about the “Subic miracle” — the successful conversion of this former military base into a special economic zone.

“We were overwhelmed—in terms of the organization and the development,” said David Ali, executive director of the ARMM Official Development Assistance Office.

“Before we came here, we had zero knowledge on how to establish our own free port. We came here to gather information on how to start the process, and yet we now have some knowledge on long-term operations,” he added.

Ali said ARMM officials have agreed to make Subic the model for the Polloc port in Parang in terms of management and structure. This came after Adiong declared on March 15 the development of the port of Polloc as a free port, and of the host village of Polloc as a special economic zone.

SBMA officials led by Chairman Feliciano Salonga and Administrator Armand Arreza, meanwhile, were in full force in assisting the visitors—briefing the ARMM officials on the administrative and technical requirements in the operation and management of a free port, the creation and establishment of a one-stop shop center, as well as marketing strategies.

“Of course, we’ve had our ups and downs in running the Subic Bay Freeport, but then again, we managed to bounce back each time and regain our momentum,” Arreza told the ARMM officials.

“And I’m glad that people continue to look up to Subic whenever they need to hear some success story,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ali admitted some doubt whether the ARMM team would be able to adopt all that they learned in Subic, where ”enormous development” has taken place since its establishment in 1992.

“But we always keep in mind what Gov. Adiong tells us — if we don’t start to move, we will not accomplish anything,” said Ali. “Fortunately for us, we don’t have to fumble in the dark, because we have Subic as our template,” he added.

Ali said the ARMM free port project would basically focus on starting up economic activities in Polloc, and then marketing the area in both the national and the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asian Growth Area) levels.

He also said that after their exposure trip, the members of the ARMM management and technical group will meet as a management committee to plot out activities for the project launch set tentatively on April 19.

Polloc is one of the 24 barangays in Parang, a first-calss municipality in Maguindanao. The area’s main access to trade is the Port of Polloc, which was built by the Korean firm Nam Kwang Construction, Ltd. In the 70’s through a P150-million funding from the Asian Development Bank.

The port of Polloc was then described by the Philippine Ports Authority as the “most modern facility outside Metro Manila” because it was equipped with a main wharf, lighter docks, transit sheds, and wide back-up areas fit for medium industries and processing plants.

The ARMM is among the country's top producers of fish and marine resources, particularly seaweed, which is used in manufacturing toothpaste, cosmetics and paints. It also has large mineral deposits, including copper and gold.

Before the ARMM delegation, several foreign groups have visited Subic to learn about its conversion process. These included groups from Panama, South Korea, Vietnam, Laos, and just recently, Brunei. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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So favorite in Subic chessfest

Grandmaster Wesley So will be one of the favorites when the 2010 Asian Individual Chess Championships finally comes off the wraps on April 20 at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center in Subic.

So, the country’s highest-rated player with an ELO of 2665 based on the FIDE quarterly rating April, will be seeking his first major international title this year and a second straight appearance in the World Chess Cup next year.

The 16-year-old Filipino champion, who was described as a “gold nugget” by the foreign chess press after beating former world championship candidates GM Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine (ELO 2739), and GM Gata Kamsky of the United States during the 2009 World Chess Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, will head the local challenge in the prestigious 10-day competition hosted by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) for the second straight year.

Also competing are World Cup veterans GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr., Darwin Laylo and Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre.

Among foreigners competing are GMs Ni Hua (ELO 2667), Zhou Jianchao (ELO 2650) and Li Chao ( ELO 2613) of China, Krishan Sasikiran (ELO 2686) and Pentala Harikrishna (ELO 2660) of India, Le Quang Liem (ELO 2689), Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (ELO 2642) and Dao Thien Hai (ELO 2523). (Manila Bulletin)

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PLDT, SBMA ready Subic’s emergence as ICT hub

Officials of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Corp. (PLDT) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have formally sealed a partnership to put this free port at the frontline of the country’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Subic Bay’s take on knowledge-based industries was recently boosted by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the SBMA, PLDT, and its subsidiary PLDT Subic Telecom (Subictel) at the PLDT main office in Makati City.

The MOU, which would pave the way for tripartite collaborative projects, was signed by SBMA administrator Armand Arreza and PLDT Subictel chairman & PLDT senior vice-president Ernesto Alberto, PLDT first vice-president Nerissa Ramos, and PLDT Subictel president Dennis Magbatoc.

Arreza said the MOU calls for the promotion of Subic Bay Freeport’s IT capabilities through the SBMA-PLDT-Subictel caravan project, which will boast of PLDT’s recent ICT investments here worth more than P40-million.

Under the said project, the P20-million Innovation Laboratory (Innolab) unveiled by Subictel in October 2009, will be an essential part of this free port’s investor tour program. It will serve as a one-stop showcase of Subic Bay’s ICT capability in terms of infrastructure, and also highlight the available and “futuristic” IT solutions of PLDT for various industries.

On SBMA’s part, Arreza announced that the agency would establish an ICT park on a 17-hectare property here to put to use PLDT’s “ready-to-use” telecoms solutions and ICT infrastructure. These would include the Next Generation Network (NGN) fiber optics cable connecting this free port to Manila and the entire Luzon grid.

“Capacity comes first before opportunity,” Arreza said during the MOU-signing ceremony. “They (PLDT), too, saw our vision for the Subic-Clark economic corridor, and they acted in accordance with that vision.”

Arreza also revealed that international names in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry have been prospecting for business opportunities in Subic.

“It’s only a matter of time before the Subic Bay Freeport becomes synonymous with BPO and IT-related services, like back-office outsourcing, software and games development, engineering design, and digital animation, among others,” said Arreza.

PLDT’s Alberto, meanwhile, reaffirmed his company’s belief in the potentials of Subic Bay as an ICT hub, adding that since its establishment here, PLDT has invested “quite tremendously in the Subic-Clark corridor especially in the past few years.”

He said Subic and Clark have been “fibered” with the NGN technology, which increased network coverage and enabled new and innovative services to emerge in the market.

Through the Subictel Innolab, the fifth of its kind in the country, the public is also able to access “revolutionary business solutions and the latest ICT trends,” Alberto added.

“The Subic-Clark corridor will be the more prominent, if not the most prominent economic corridor this country will ever see in the next five to ten years,” Alberto also said. This explains the group’s investment in the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and their “aggressive” bidding for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), he added.

He said the PLDT group also sees the entry of Texas Instruments and Samsung in the Subic-Clark corridor as encouraging developments in the ICT sector.

Alberto added that PLDT officials “would like to partner with Mr. Arreza and the SBMA team for globally-competitive industries in the areas of cutting-edge healthcare, retail and trade, tourism, logistics and in the maritime industry.”

“Subic, in my view, is the place to be in the Philippines,” Alberto declared. “And by building my second home in Subic two years ago, I have put my money where my mouth is,” he quipped. (SBMA Corporate Communications)


PHOTO:
PLDT and SBMA officials seal an agreement to promote the Subic Bay Freeport as in ICT hub.

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Wellness haven in Subic now a prime destination

The newest top destination for those who wish to enjoy a relaxing and healthy Holy Week is located at Cubi Point—George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center (GDMWC).

A haven found only in Subic, Olongapo City, the wellness center has been gaining guests evidently because of its quiet presence and superior amenities.

The George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center is owned and operated by the George Dewey Medical College Inc., a pioneer in medical education with a stress on wellness.

Banking on cutting-edge technology and world-class education system, it has been in operation for five years.

The medical college offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and will soon be offering two additional courses—BS in Radiology and BS in Medical Technology. Other courses such as Dentistry, Ophthalmology, Physical Therapy and Medicine will be introduced in 2011.

President Gloria Arroyo, during the inauguration of the George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center, was among those who saw the potential and beauty that only this haven in Subic possesses.

This Holy Week, the wellness center will unveil its housing-development and residential projects.

According to Marabel Viernes, vice president for finance and human resources, the center is “the finest spot you will find in Subic.”

For one, she said, the center, all 12 hectares of it, sits on top of a hill right in the middle of a lush forest. It is also the only tertiary hospital in Subic, she added.

Guests and tourists, she said, could avail themselves of luxurious rooms during their stay.

“Here is where you will also find the warm, accommodating and efficient staff who will make sure that those who will visit us will have nothing but wonderful memories and experiences,” Viernes added.

The George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center also houses a spa, recreation area and beautiful chapel.

Supervised by the most qualified health and fitness experts, Viernes said, the gym of the wellness center boasts of the best equipment for physical fitness and weight management. The gym is accepting members.

Those who want to explore attractions near the center may try Zoobic Safari, Subic Bat Kingdom and Ocean Adventure. Or they can also try the night market.

“The best part is that we offer the most affordable room rates,” Viernes said. A room at the wellness center that is good for four persons goes for P1,300, she added.

Those who need more rooms can try the newly renovated and furnished 26-room condominium.

On the drawing board, according to Viernes, are a flower park, mini-sports complex and clubhouse, mini-market, coffee shop, convenience store, gift shop, business center, moviehouse and theme park. (Marylaine Louise L. Viernes, Manila Times)

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