Hanjin enrolls in DOLE's Kapatiran WISE-TAV

OLONGAPO CITY - Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines (HHICP) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding that effectively enrolls the Korean shipbuilding and construction giant to the DOLE's "Big Brother, Small Brother" Program, otherwise known as the Kapatiran WISE-TAV, the program that encourages big companies (Big Brother) to practice corporate social responsibility by coaching small companies (Small Brother) in eventually becoming fully compliant with labor laws and occupational safety and health (OSH) standards.

Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz signed the MOU on behalf of the DOLE, while President Ahn Jin Kyu signed on behalf of HHICP.

DOLE Regional Director Raymundo Agravante and Bureau of Working Conditions Director Brenda Villafuerte witnessed the signing held at the sprawling HHICP shipbuilding facility, the most modern and the largest in Southeast Asia, in Brgy. Cawag, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, in Zambales.
The MOU effectively covers 16 HHICP contractors, subcontractors, and services providers and involves 22,000 workers.

The Kapatiran WISE-TAV Para sa Mas Ligtas, Malusog, at Produktibong Manggagawa, is a flagship public-partnership program of the DOLE, and is anchored on the ILO's Work Improvement in Small Enterprises, whose action-oriented approach has long proven to link productivity and product quality to safer and better working conditions.

Baldoz, who delivered a message during the signing, hailed the HHIPC’s for enrollment in the program, as it is a big step towards instilling a culture of voluntary compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards in the company.

"I consider this occasion very important and significant. This is a very good starting point of our partnership towards productivity and compliance with labor laws and occupational safety and health standards, given that the HHICP has faced a number of concerns in the past few years," she said.

She explained that the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III is committed to create and nurture an environment conducive to sustainable businesses that creates decent jobs.

Baldoz announced during the signing ceremony that she is assigning no less than Regional Director Agravante as her focal person at the HHICP’s Kapatiran WISE TAV

"Director Agravante knows what that means, so you can call him directly because he can mobilize other offices of the DOLE under him in the region to assist you," the labor and employment chief said.

On his part, Mr. Ahn Jin Kyu said that as "Big Brother, HHICP is most willing to share its safety and health standards with its contractors, subcontractors, and services providers."

This is the second memorandum of understanding that the DOLE has signed this year under the Kapatiran WISE TAV. The first was signed last January between DOLE Region 3 and Yokohama Philippines.

To date, 79 "Big Brothers" and 804 "Small Brothers" are enrolled under the program, effectively covering 177,000 workers, who benefit from the MOU in terms of better labor conditions and safer and healthier work places.

Baldoz reiterated that its collaboration with private companies under the Kapatiran WISE TAV is meaningful for inclusive growth and the promotion of productivity and competitiveness.

“Through the Kapatiran program, the DOLE considers private sector establishments as partners in ensuring voluntary compliance to labor laws and safety and health standards. We know they play a positive and developmental role in enhancing the welfare and protection of our workers and in promoting productivity and competitiveness and sound and harmonious labor-management relations,” Baldoz emphasized. (DOLE LCO)

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UK-based cruise ship to visit Subic Freeport

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will welcome the first international cruise ship to dock in this free port this year, as M/V Spirit of Adventure arrives from Manila on February 17 as part of its Southeast Asian tour.

The ship, which is based in the United Kingdom, has 378 passengers and more than 200 crew members on board. They are scheduled to visit key tourist spots in the Subic Freeport such as the Pamulaklakin Aeta village and Camayan Beach.

M/V Spirit of Adventure has been to Malaysia, Brunei and Borneo before arriving at Puerto Princesa in Palawan recently. The ship will then proceed to Cebu and Manila before docking at Subic.

Raul Marcelo, SBMA deputy administrator for business and tourism, said that the cruise ship’s visit is an opportunity to show that the Subic Bay Freeport is ready to be a top cruise ship destination in the Philippines and in Asia.

He also said that the SBMA has already made arrangements to ensure the passengers’ safety and convenience during their ten-hour stay here.

The SBMA has been grooming the Freeport as a major cruise ship destination since it co-founded in 2010 the Asia Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA), a group seeking to provide a unified marketing platform for the cruise ship industry in the Asian region.

Last year, the SBMA hosted ACTA’s second pro-tem meeting before the group was formally launched in Singapore last November.

Marcelo said that Subic stands to get a windfall from the cruise industry, which also eyes the growing number of wealthy Asians as a “source market.” (FMD, SBMA-MPD)

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‘Pnoy Pawikans’ released at Subic Freeport

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – A total of 114 turtle hatchlings were released into the sea here by students on the occasion of President Aquino’s birthday on Wednesday.

According to All Hands Beach Resort official Mark Dayrit, the turtles which hatched at about 12:30 a.m. on February 8 were collectively nicknamed “PNoy Pawikans” as their birth coincided with the President’s birthday.

The baby turtles were released by some students from the Brent International School in Subic Freeport, employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and members of local community organizations.

Cynthia Robles of Greg’s Waterworld, a tourism establishment in this free port, said that the hatchlings that were released into the wild belonged to the Olive Ridley species, one of the three species of sea turtles that lay eggs along the Zambales coastline.

The Olive Ridley is described to be a small sea turtle, with an adult carapace length averaging from 60 to 70 centimeters. Olive Ridley turtles are best known for their behavior of synchronized nesting in mass numbers.

The All Hands Beach is among the few known turtle nesting sites in the Subic Freeport, leading the management of the resort to pledge give its assurance to preserve the area as a turtle conservation site.

Dayrit said five of the nine clusters of sea turtle eggs laid at All hands have already hatched and released into the sea without having been endangered by predators. Among the recent hatchlings were those of a Hawksbill, a critically-endangered species.

“We contacted the SBMA Ecology Center to ask their support in caring for these animals,” Dayrit said, adding that the resort staff also signified willingness to help in the conservation of these vulnerable animals especially during their nesting season.

He said that the Ecology Center has given them tags to identify the turtles that lay eggs at the resort, as well as a chart to record the number of eggs laid, along with a guide on how to relocate eggs to safer places along the beach.

The resort staff have also given free lectures among visitors, helping make elementary and high school students aware of the need to protect the marine creatures. For this, the management is giving free rides to lecture participants, from the Subic Freeport main gate to the resort, which is about 20 kilometers away.

“We want to make sure that our children get first-hand experience on how to handle these animals. Awareness among people is the key in the protection and survival of the sea turtles,” Dayrit said. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:
Newly-hatched Olive Ridley turtles are released into the sea at the All Hands Beach Resort in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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SBMA to ban plastic bags, Styrofoam to protect environment

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is consulting its stakeholders on the proposed policy to prohibit retail establishments inside the Subic Bay Freeport from using plastic bags and Styrofoam as packaging materials.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the proposal is in line with the SBMA’s desire to reduce, if not totally eliminate, the use of plastic film bags in an effort to protect public health and welfare, as well as the local environment and wildlife.

Garcia noted that the agency is mandated to conserve and protect the environment of the Subic Freeport, as well as its surrounding communities. He also pointed out that Subic is among the few remaining areas in the country where rainforests can be found.

Garcia said that the SBMA Solid Waste Management Division collects almost 35 tons of garbage everyday inside the free port zone. Of these, 15 percent or 6.5 tons are plastic and Styrofoam, which are mostly used as packaging materials.

“Those that are not collected usually end up clogging canals, creeks, rivers and other waterways, thus posing a significant source of marine debris. These are hazardous to marine animals and birds,” Garcia said.

“From an overall environmental and economic perspective, the best thing the SBMA can do is to require retail establishments to refrain from using plastic bags and Styrofoam, and shift to reusable non-plastic carry-out bags or biodegradable materials,” he said.

In response, restaurant, canteen and food kiosk operators attending the consultation-forum organized by the SBMA Ecology Center signified full support of the new policy, but expressed concern over the availability of alternative packaging materials they may use.

“We support the policy eliminating plastics, but we need some time to find other alternatives materials to replace our plastic cups, bags and Styrofoam,” says Kristy Dizon of Ed-Beng Kiosk.

College of Subic Montessori principal Imee Lacbain Alejo asked the SBMA to invite producers of alternative packaging materials to conduct product exhibits in the Freeport so that stakeholders would be apprised of available environment-friendly products.

Meanwhile, Liway Santiago of Pideli Cafe here urged fast food and kiosk operators inside the Freeport to advocate the proper disposal of plastics while alternative materials are not yet available.

The SBMA had tasked its Ecology Center to conduct consultations with stakeholders and explain the policy guidelines to affected businesses, and later to implement and monitor the effective implementation of the new policy.

During the consultation with retailers, SBMA Ecology Center manager Amethya Koval said that the proposed policy is expected to take effect in June 2012, but for the purpose of moratorium, all business establishments and individual retailers are given six months, or until December this year, to comply with the new regulation.

After December 2012, retail establishments will be prohibited from providing plastic bags to customers as packaging materials for dry or wet goods, or selling and providing Styrofoam containers for food, produce and other products. Violators will be fined accordingly.

Exempted from this regulation are original packaging of goods delivered to Subic Freeport establishments. However, when new plastic or plastic bag is to be used in repacking the goods purchased by a consumer, then the new policy would apply. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Vale Starting Subic Ore Transshipment

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Brazil's Vale will begin its iron ore distribution operations in the Philippines this weekend, the Philippine port operator said, from where the world's top miner of the raw material will transfer China-bound ore brought in by big ships.

Vale is taking a more costly route to deliver iron ore to China, its top market, which has barred the miner's giant dry bulk vessels from entering its ports to shield its domestic shipping industry.

The miner has set up a transshipment hub in the Philippines' Subic Bay port using a floating storage vessel which will start operations on Feb. 12. It is also building a $1.3-billion iron ore distribution hub in Malaysia's northern Perak state, which could be ready to handle the giant ships by 2014.

China last week barred Vale's mega ships called Valemaxes – which at 400,000 deadweight tons each are the world's biggest dry bulk carriers – to protect its shipping sector hit hard by the economic downturn and freight rates that have fallen to their lowest in more than a quarter century.

''When Vale starts full operations on Feb. 12, we expect the SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) to earn some 70 million pesos ($1.64 million) in additional income in the first year alone because of the projected increase in ship calls,'' Roberto Garcia, chairman of SBMA, said in a statement late on Monday.

Vale's Ore Fabrica, the world's largest dry bulk floating storage vessel, arrived in Subic Bay last week. The 280,000-deadweight-tonne vessel will serve as a platform to transfer iron ore from the Valemaxes to smaller vessels for transport to Asian markets led by China.

A Valemax, Vale Brasil, is expected to arrive in Subic on Feb. 12, Reuters shipping data showed. SBMA said it expects Vale Brasil to dock a day later.

Vale was hoping its planned fleet of 35 Valemaxes would slash its shipping costs to China to help it better compete with Australian rivals BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

But some analysts have said the cost of the transshipment centers would unlikely outweigh any savings from using the Valemaxes.

Vale has said its plan to build a fleet of 35 giant ore carriers, of which six are already in service, had not changed despite China's ban. (Manolo Serapio Jr., Manila Bulletin)

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Subic Freeport eyes P70-M income from Vale transshipment project

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) expects to generate additional revenue of as much as P70 million with the transshipment operation here of Brazil’s Vale Mining, the world's biggest iron ore producer.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency, which also administers the Port of Subic, has entered into an agreement with Vale Mining, making this free port the hub of Vale’s iron transshipment operations in Asia and turning Subic into a major player in the maritime logistics industry in the Asia Pacific Region.

“The main reason why Vale has located its operations here is Subic’s strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region,” Garcia said. “And it’s all about economies of scale. Vale will haul its ore products to Subic using its big carriers, then transfer the iron ore to smaller vessels, which the smaller ports in China will be able to accommodate,” he said.

“This is a very fortuitous development for SBMA because Subic will be at the very center of what is expected to be the biggest ship-to-ship transfer operations in the world in terms of volume,” Garcia noted.

“When Vale starts full operations on February 12, we expect the SBMA to earn some P70 million in additional income in the first year alone because of the projected increase in ship calls, as well,” Garcia added.

According to SBMA deputy administrator for port operations Redentor Tuazon, Vale will utilize its Valemax carrier vessels, which have a capacity of up to 400,000 deadweight tons (DWT), to deliver iron ore to several ports in China, now the world’s biggest user of iron ore.

The company will carry out its iron ore transshipment operation from its Valemax mother vessels, supplying ore to smaller daughter vessels, or feeders, which are either Panamax or Capesize types. The especially-designed floating terminal that will supply feeder ships will be anchored in Subic Bay.

Tuazon said that preparations are now underway for the initial transshipment operations with M/V Ore Fabrica, the floating terminal station that arrived here last Monday, January 31, and M/V Vale Brazil, which is set to arrive on February 13.

Owing to the magnitude of the transshipment operation, Tuazon said that various marine safety measures have been put into place, including the conduct of hazard and operability (HAZOP) analysis jointly made by representatives of Vale Brazil, SBMA, and agent companies involved in the operations.

All of the vessels to be used in the operation are insured and covered with protection and indemnity insurance, Tuazon added.

The SBMA has been aggressively pushing for the Port of Subic Bay to be a premier marine logistics hub in the region, as it continues to develop the market for the full utilization of Subic’s container terminals.

Recently, it has also offered various incentives to shipping companies for the development of new shipping routes to Singapore and Hongkong.

The arrival of Vale Brazil here would help Subic secure its place on the map in terms of floating terminal operations, Chairman Garcia said. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Subic workshops set to help promote Philippine competitiveness

Globally-acknowledged competitiveness gurus will share their expertise on quality, productivity, workplace cooperation and benchmarking in the forthcoming national symposium-workshops to be held here from March 27 to 30.

The symposium-workshops are being organized through a public-private-partnership (PPP) between Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Quality Partners Co., Ltd. (QPCL).

The event is divided into a pre-symposium seminar-workshop on “Scientific Benchmarking for Excellence” which will be held on March 27 and 28, and the seminar-workshop dubbed as “Workplace Cooperation for Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness,” which will be conducted on March 29-30.

Both will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) in this free port.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said that both symposium-workshops are projected to be the initial activities in a long-range quest to develop a National Center for Excellence and a Resource Center for Quality and Productivity Information and Training with the Subic Freeport as the hub.

Garcia said the SBMA and QPCL are undertaking the project in the belief that quality, workplace cooperation and excellence will lift the country’s global competitiveness.

The pre-symposium seminar-workshop will be conducted by Dr. Robin Mann, chairman of the Global Benchmarking Network of New Zealand, a membership-based organization with members in more than 20 countries, and founder-head of the Center for Organizational Excellence Research (COER), Massey University, which undertakes research projects — both focusing on business excellence and benchmarking.

Mann has helped over 300 organizations undertake self-assessment, written 30 refereed journal papers, 100 non-refereed papers, six short books, and has been a frequent keynote presenter in 15 countries in 2011.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jose Gatchalian, chairman of QPCL, will address the participants of the seminar-workshop on workplace cooperation with his keynote piece entitled, “Workplace Cooperation: A Cutting Edge for Quality, Productivity and Competitiveness.”

Joining Dr. Gatchalian will be Globetel Philippines president Ernest Cu, who will discuss “Workplace Cooperation: Customer First Circle”; and University of the Philippines vice-president Dr. M.S.V. Amante who will talk about “Workplace Diversity and Cross-Cultural Work Relations.”

Meanwhile, the panel discussion will be conducted by a battery of panelists composed of successful and prominent resource speakers who shall share their experience and expertise in their respective field.

The symposium will be open to all top management executives and shop-floor leaders.

For inquiries and slot reservation, interested parties may send e-mail to qpcl.gatch@gmail.com or tqm.sbma.yahoo.com or call Ferdie Anatacio, QPCL (0915-974-7772) or Buds Fernando, SBMA (0917-552-4920). (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Patilan, Santiago tops sprint triathlon age-group races in Subic

Fourteen-year-old Jimuel Patilan emerged one of the winners in yesterday’s 2012 Century Tuna first Leg National Age Group Triathlon Series at Dungaree Beach in Subic Bay Freeport.

A native of Olongapo City and a product of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) youth development program under coach Melvin Fausto, Patilan easily overcame Mark Pile and Jose Nobles with solid performance in the 350m swim, 16K bike and 2.5K run mini-sprint to record his first win since breaking into this endurance sport May of last year.

“I’ve been a consistent second place finisher to Allen Santiago in my past events including the Batang Pinoy National Finals. I’m glad to finally have won a race and this will keep my drive to become a national team player going,” said Patilan, who negotiated the distance in 42 minutes, 06 seconds.

A newcomer to the national pool, Santiago has moved up to the 750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run sprint race and opened his campaign with a bang by bagging the gold medal in the male 16-19 age group against the more seasoned Marc Alexander Altura (1:09:14).

Fast rising Magali Bernasconi Echauz ruled the female 13-15 mini-sprint in 48:15 to also maintain her lofty position as a potential member of the national pool.

A total of 248 triathletes saw action in the opening leg of the six-series NAGT being organized by TRAP and now presented by Century Tuna in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

“I’m happy that the NAGT is again off the ground since this is an important part in our year-long program. We are committed to continue holding the series with our supporters while financial assistance given to us by the Philippine Sports Commission will be channeled to our national athletes with a number of them products of the NAGT,” said TRAP president Tom Carrasco Jr.

CamSur triathlete Franklin Penaloza and British expat Carly Relf won the standard distance race in the event also supported by Gatorade, Arena, Standard Insurance and Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines Inc.

Penaloza negotiated the 1.5m swim, 40K bike and 10K run in 2:19:17 to bagged top honors in the male 35-39 division while Relf banked on her strength in the swim and bike for a 2:42:34 time and the gold in the female 35-39 category.

Other winners: John Paul Gaviola (17-19), Jeremiah Isip (25-29), Javy Olives (30-34), Levy Ang (40-44), Lorenzo Ocampo (45-49) and Eduardo Francisco (50-54), male; Karen Kate Pascual (25-29) and Ivy Mendoza (40-over).Bea Hufana and Clifton Esteban (adult mini sprin), t Aina Farid and Jenny Bautista (16-19 adult sprint); Fernando Diaz and Samanta Diaz (9-10) and Nathan Nalo and Veronica Deldio (11-12), STK Aquathlon. (The Philippine Star)

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Subic-Boracay sea race slated

MANILA - Sam Chan’s TP52 Free Fire seeks to defend its double-championship as it leads entries in the Subic Bay-to-Boracay race and the Boracay Cup this month.

The twin event, held under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Association and supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the provincial government of Aklan, officially starts Feb. 24 with the awards rites set March 2.

“The Subic Bay to Boracay Race is one of the most challenging and tactical races that I enjoy and Boracay is the Mecca of sailing in Asia and is a must for all serious sailors,” said former Asian Grand Prix yachtsman winner Frank Pong.

The second Subic Bay-to-Boracay race is the successor to the discontinued Manila-Boracay Race and, with its inaugural success together with the holding of the Boracay Cup Regatta 2011, has got its place in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.

The race is a 200-mile ISAF Cat 3 offshore race, and the starting signal will sound Feb. 25 off the Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.

Depending on the size of the boat, the race takes between 20-40 hours.

This will be followed by four days of windward-leeward races and races around the beautiful and pristine island of Boracay.

The races, known collectively as Boracay Cup Regatta, will be held Feb. 28-March 2.

Over 30 grand prix race yachts and 300-400 local and foreign-based top notch sailors will vie for the prestigious Asian Yachtsman-of-the-Year and Yacht titles.

The twin event is organized by the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen’s Sailing (SAGS) Club, in cooperation with the Subic Bay Yacht Club, Watercraft Ventures, Inc. and The Lighthouse Marina Resort.

Sponsors include Cebu Pacific, San Miguel Brewery, Petron, PLDT, Resort World Philippines, Tanduay, Nigi Nigi Resort Boracay, Crafts of Boracay, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Tourism Authority.

Subic Bay will also host two of the 12 prestigious regattas of the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship.

The races determine the Asian Yachting Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

Following the Rolex China Sea Race, Subic Bay will host the Commodores Cup Regatta in April.

Competitive sailing in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship started last year with the China Coast Regatta, Hongkong-Vietnam Race, Rajah Muda Selangor in November and the Phuket King’s Cup in December.

The Royal Langkawi International Regatta and the Singapore Straits Regatta were held just recently.

The Top of the Gulf Regatta and Coronation Cup and the Sawadee.com Regatta Samui are the last two events to be contested between the months of May and July 2012. (The Philippine Star)

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With China shut, Vale iron ore ships head to Philippines (Two of Vale's giant ships to arrive in Subic Bay)

SINGAPORE - Two of the world's biggest iron ore carriers are due to arrive in Subic Bay Freeport for the first time next month, shipping data showed, as Brazilian mining giant Vale looks to use the Philippines as an alternative base to reach Chinese ports.

China, the world's largest iron ore importer and Vale's top market, has yet to fully open its seaports to the giant vessels after domestic ship owners strongly protested the arrival of the first and only vessel of the type into the country in late December.

With accessibility to Chinese ports uncertain, Vale has been forced to rely on its transshipment hub in the Philippines, a costlier alternative that involves employing more vessels and workers.

"I'm not surprised that Vale is sending its ships to the Philippines. They have no choice with China's ports still closed off to them," said a Singapore-based ship broker.

"They have to keep these ships moving or face major losses."

The 400,000-deadweight-tonne Vale China is due to arrive in Subic Bay Freeport, located in the Philippines' main Luzon island, on Feb. 22, shipping data showed.

That is 10 days after similar-sized Vale Brasil is expected to dock.

'A LOT OF MONEY'

Draught measurements indicated the two ships were fully loaded, each likely carrying around 350,000 tonnes of iron ore, traders said.

At current iron ore prices, the value of each cargo is nearly $50 million.

"That's quite a lot of money. Vale may be struggling to sell shipments of 200,000-300,000 tonnes in one go and so it makes more sense for them to break it up," said an iron ore trader in Singapore.

Vale's plan is to set up a floating storage vessel in its planned transshipment hub in Subic Bay from where iron ore would be transferred to smaller vessels such as panamaxes or capesizes and then transported to buyers in Asia.

Keeping readily available iron ore in Subic Bay would also allow Vale to quickly meet China's requirements, the Singapore trader said, since vessels from Brazil take at least a month before they reach China, versus about a week from the Philippines.

Vale officials in Singapore declined to comment.

Vale is also setting up a transshipment centre in Malaysia as an alternative to Chinese ports.

The Brazilian miner in October broke ground for a $1.3 billion iron ore distribution centre in Malaysia's northern Perak state, which could be ready to handle the giant ships by 2014.

Vale is banking on a fleet of 35 Valemaxes to slash shipping costs to China and better compete with Australian rivals BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto .

The 388,000-tonne Berge Everest was the first and only Valemax allowed into China, docking at Dalian Port on Dec. 28 to unload iron ore that has yet to be sold.

The China Shipowners Association has helped keep further ships from arriving at its domestic ports. The group fears the fleet will give Vale a monopoly on both the shipping and iron ore markets at China's expense. (Randy Fabi and Manolo Serapio Jr., Reuters)

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TRAP Age Group series slated in Subic

THE recruitment program of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines goes into high gear in scenic Subic when the 2012 National Age Group Triathlon series presented by Century Tuna gets going on Feb. 5.

Triathletes can choose to race either in the standard distance course (1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run) or in the sprint distance course (750-M swim-20K bike-5K run).

Triathletes aged 16 to 19 will race in sprint distance while participants aged 13 to 15 as well as first-timer adult participants will endure the mini-sprint course (350-M swim-16K bike-2.5 K run).

The SuperTriKids Aquathlon will be held over a 200-M swim-400-M run (for participants aged 9 to 10) and 350-M swim-1.5K run (for 11-12 years).

At stake in the event sponsored by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Century Tuna, Gatorade, Philippine Sports Commission, Asian Centre for Insulation Philippines Inc. and ARENA are medals and gift certificates for the top 3 winners of each age-group as well those in the sprint, mini-sprint and STK aquathlon. All participants can avail of post-race brunch that will be offered starting at 8:30 a.m.

The swim event will be held at the Dungaree Beach while cycling will start at the beach venue reaching specific turning points around the Freeport. Afterwards, participants will return to Dungaree Beach for the run leg and the finish line.

Close to 250 participants have so far registered for the event. Interested parties may contact the TRAP at 710-8259, 399-6598, mobile number 0915-6394233, or log on to rreyes_upm@yahoo.com or visit Triathlon.org.ph. (Malaya)

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Mendoza rules Subic run

Ryan Mendoza and Jul Laiza Camposano ruled the 42.125K marathon over a field of 4,000 runners in the 2012 Subic International Marathon at the Remy Field of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority last weekend.

Mendoza finished in three hours, seven minutes, four seconds, while Camposano clocked 3:58:10, to bag the top prize of P20,000 each in the event organized by eXtribe, Inc. in partnership with the SBMA, PNP and AFP.

Jofill Sabado and Monica Torres topped the 21K event with clockings of 1:20.44 and 1:32:52, respectively. They received P10,000 each. The 10K winners were Lohn Leerams Chicano (34:19) and Merlyn Lumagbas (46:03) who received P5,000 each.

Gen. Sammy Tucay, SIM founder and chairman, joined the runners of the 10K event while Father Melo Diola of the DILAAB Foundation joined the runners of the 21K event.

The 2012 SIM was organized to support the community transformation programs of Christian Officers Reform the Police Service (CORPS) and the DILAAB Movement.

The participation of both local and international runners from the US, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore raised P120,000 for the programs that will benefit street children in Olongapo and Metro Manila. Father Diola received the check for CORPS and DILAAB Movement. (Philippine Star)

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SBMA fast-tracks accreditation of Ayala mall merchants

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has processed the business application of more than 400 local and international companies wishing to locate at the Ayala Harbor Point mall here by conducting a one-day, one-stop business processing designed to fast-track the accreditation of the new business locators.

“This is a first time in SBMA that we have put together all permit-issuing SBMA departments in a business processing event to simplify the process,” SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said.

“We hope that we could encourage more merchants to invest here when they see how easy it is for businesses to set up shop in Subic,” Garcia added.

The one-stop registration process was introduced after an “unprecedented volume” of non-Subic Bay Freeport (SBF) enterprise firms signified intention to sub-lease commercial spaces at the Harbor Point Mall, which is now under construction at the central business district of this free port.

Harbor Point marketing manager Argee Gomez said Ayala is about to finish the basic structure of the mall and is now allowing merchants to start the development and provisioning of their stalls.

“This will, with the full support and cooperation of the SBMA, help fast-track the construction of the Harbour Point mall and allow us to meet the target operation date,” he added.

Among the requirements that each merchant should complete before operating a business in Subic are: business registration from the Business & Investment Department – Leisure; accreditation permit intended for suppliers, contractors or service providers from the Accreditation Department; building permit from the Building Permit & Safety Department; environmental permit from the Ecology Department; gate passes for employees from the Office Services Department; sanitary clearance from the Public Health & Safety Department; and vehicle passes from the Transportation & Communication Department.

After going through said requirements, the business locator then pays all fees to the SBMA Treasury Department before the permits would be released by the issuing departments.

During the one-day, one-stop accreditation process, the SBMA’s Management Information Systems Department and Tourism Department also provided support to smoothen the processing flow, noted Chairman Garcia.

In view of the accreditation of its sub-leases, Harbor Point expects to open up more than 2,000 job opportunities, initially, for residents of the Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City, and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

Gomez said a wide range of jobs will be available – store managers, human resource personnel, management trainees, supervisors, merchandisers, store marketing officers, accounting staff, customer service representatives, programmers, sales clerks, service crew, stockmen, kitchen staff, bartenders, security guards, maintenance personnel, massage therapist, cashiers, warehousemen, and janitors, to name a few.

Because of this, the company will be holding a job fair, dubbed as “Careers at Harbor Point,” on January 26 and 27, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Subic Bay Gym.

Gomez also explained that Harbor Point mall, which is fully owned by Ayala Land Inc., would feature open-air spaces, a garden, an active zone, aside from facilities where the public can shop, dine and relax.

It will also have international and local high-end stores, as well as a transport terminal with lounges and comfort rooms, and ample parking spaces for vehicles.

Gomez added that Ayala malls all over the country are named differently from each other to highlight the distinct characteristic of the place where they are built. As such, the Ayala mall here was named Harbor Point because of Subic’s bayside location. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
SBMA personnel assist more than 400 international and local firms that are registering for business operations at the Ayala Harbor Point Mall in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Phoenix Petroleum acquires Subic firm

LISTED OIL firm Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. has completed its acquisition of Subic Petroleum Trading and Transport Philippines, Inc., the company said in a disclosure to the bourse recently.

Phoenix Petroleum is looking to use the license to operate of Subic Petroleum inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Pursuant to the separate approvals of the Board of Directors as well as the stockholders last January 28, 2011 and March 11, 2011, respectively, we would like to announce that the company has concluded the purchase of 100% of the shares of Subic Petroleum,” Phoenix Petroleum said in its disclosure.

Subic Petroleum “is engaged in the business of buying and selling, supply and distribution, importation and exportation, storage and delivery of all types of petroleum for industrial, marine, aviation and automotive use.”

Phoenix Petroleum announced its plans to acquire Subic Petroleum in February last year.

“The company is actually a small firm which has no physical assets and we paid around P2 million for the acquisition. Our primary objective in the purchase is the license to operate in the Subic Bay Freeport and service locators in the area that our other depots cannot service,” said Phoenix Petroleum Chief Finance Officer Joseph John L. Ong in a telephone interview with BusinessWorld.

He added Phoenix Petroleum wants to provide petroleum and fuel to industrial locators in the area and there are no plans to build retail service stations so far.

It acquired the firm at a price of P800 per share for a total of 2,500 shares held by Subic Petroleum’s former owners.

The company said funding for the purchase “is sourced primarily from internally generated funds.”

Phoenix Petroleum’s net income from January to September 2011 rose 61% to P416.7 million from year-ago levels of P258.5 million.

The growth was attributed to stronger revenues from “the expansion of the independent oil company’s retail network and increase in sales from its retail and commercial accounts.”

Revenues of the company increased by 111.4% to P20.7 billion in the nine-month period ending September compared to P9.8 billion in the same period in 2010.

Phoenix Petroleum currently has a network of 198 stations at the end of September from 161 stations at the end of 2010. Majority of the stations are located in Mindanao with eight in the Visayas and 48 in Luzon.

Shares of Phoenix Petroleum remained unchanged at P11 apiece. (Emilia Narni J. David, BusinessWorld)

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Brazilian iron ore ship heads for Philippines

SINGAPORE­ -- A giant iron ore vessel owned by Brazil’s Vale, a multinational mining company, is on its maiden voyage to the Philippines and is expected to dock at Subic Bay in early February, Reuters data and shipping sources said on Monday.

The 400,000-deadweight-ton (dwt) Vale Brasil would be the second of the company’s so-called Valemaxes, which are very large ore carriers, to sail to Asia.

The first vessel, the 388,000-dwt Berge Everest, unloaded at Dalian Port on Dec. 28, 2011, ending months of delays in getting the world’s biggest dry bulk ships into China, Vale’s top market.

The cargo, estimated at 350,000 tons, has yet to be sold, however, and is sitting in storage, traders said.

Vale is banking on a fleet of 35 Valemaxes to slash shipping costs to China and better compete with Australian rivals BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

Reuters Freightviews and independent shipping data showed Vale Brasil is scheduled to arrive in Subic Bay on Feb. 11. Draught measurements indicated the vessel was fully loaded with cargo.

Vale Brasil was supposed to be the first of Vale’s huge ships to arrive in Asia, but was diverted last June to Italy after the Chinese government failed to provide permission for the ship to dock at Dalian Port.

A source at Subic Bay Freeport said they had not yet been advised of the Vale Brasil’s arrival.

“But we are ready anytime to accept the ships,” the source told Reuters, adding the port is deep enough to accommodate Valemaxes.

Vale aims to turn Subic into an iron ore transshipment center, where it can dock its Valemaxes, transfer cargo to smaller vessels and then use these to supply its clients in other parts of Asia.

Sources at Subic Port had said they expected the transshipment operations to start in late January or early February, as soon as Vale’s ship arrives.

The Philippine facility would be the first of at least two transshipment centers Vale is planning to open in Asia.

The Brazilian miner in October broke ground for a $1.3-billion iron ore distribution center in Malaysia’s northern Perak state which would be ready to handle the Valemaxes by 2014.

The China Shipowners Association has opposed Vale’s fleet, worried that the vessels will give the miner monopoly on both the shipping and iron ore markets at China’s expense.

The influential group has also raised concerns about the safety of the huge ships after Vale Beijing, the newest member of the Valemax fleet, developed cracks in its hull on its maiden voyage last month. (Reuters)

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SubicTel opposes wi-tribe petition

A WHOLLY owned subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) wants the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to deny the application of San Miguel Corp.’s telecom unit to offer broadband services in the areas within the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

In a filing with the NTC, Subic Telecom said that the feasibility study done by wi-tribe Telecoms Inc. does not establish its legal capacity to the propose broadband services in its target market.

“The study does not show that wi-tribe is financially capable to operate the proposed wireless broadband service and that is economically viable and feasible for it to operate within the Subic Special Economic Zone,” Subictel said.

It added that the technical study and report of wi-tribe is essentially based on conjuncture and wish lists.

“The figures are not based on actual existing data. Wi-Tribe, a new player in the telecommunication industry simply does not have the figures to support its claims,” Subictel said.

“Nowhere is it established that the Subic Economic Zone may absorb a new market entrant. It certainly does not establish compliance with any jurisdiction requirements,” the PLDT affiliate added.

At present, Subictel is providing digital subscriber line (DSL) and other broadband services in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo City and Subic town areas.

Documents filed with the NTC showed that Wi-Tribe plans to spend P354 million for the proposed wireless broadband service in the Subic Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) for over a period of five years.

Wi-Tribe estimated an annual broadband subscribers of 15,484 for year five of operation.

The perceived market size of the SSEZ Internet market is 47,506 based on 2007,2009 and 2010 historical figure.

The SSEZ includes Olongapo City, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Municipalities of Subic, Zambales, Hemosa and Morong in Bataan.

The pricing options to be offered to the SSEZ potential customers are Plan 598 for 512 kbps; Plan 998 for 1mbps and Plan 1998 for 2mbps.

Wi-Tribe said the schedule for roll out will start this year depending on the issuance of all permits required from the local and national governing agencies.

For initial roll out, Wi-Tribe said the current frequency assigned to the company on the 2.5Ghz and 700 MHz nationwide will be used.

In SSEZ, Wi-Tribe will be deploying 75 sites using 2.5 Ghz frequency at 5 Mhz, or 10Mhz channel. bandwidth. (Darwin G. Amojelar, The Manila Times)

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SBMA, Subic stakeholders bring Holiday cheers to indigent communities

While most companies and agencies were partying in celebration of the Christmas season, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authorities (SBMA) and some business locators and concerned groups in this free port were busy reaching out to indigent communities in the area.

The annual gift-giving activity, said SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, are part of the continuing commitment of the SBMA and various groups in the Subic Bay Freeport to share with indigent communities around the free port the blessings they receive each year.

“This is not any other donation or relief operation,” Garcia clarified. “This is sharing, in our humblest way, the blessings that Subic Freeport has received and will be receiving in the future.”

Garcia said that aside from the SBMA, many locator-companies in Subic coordinated with the agency to identify beneficiary communities for their gift-giving projects in line with their corporate social responsibility program.

Some of the recipients of the outreach projects by the SBMA and Subic locators were Aeta communities at Sitio Tralala in Olongapo City; Mampweng and Pastolan villages in Hermosa, Bataan; and Timac in Morong, Bataan.

Meanwhile, at the Nagbayan Elementary School in Castillejos, Zambales, a 600-liter water tank was installed and turned over by the Busan National University of Education (BNUE) in Korea to the public school to help ensure a clean and potable water system for its 300 students and teachers.

On behalf of Garcia, SBMA deputy administrator for administration Robert Martinez acknowledged the Korean state university for its benevolence and SBMA deputy administrators Knette Fernando and Raul Marcelo, public relations manager Armie Llamas, and Korean Freeport locator Vincent Chun for their efforts in tapping kind-hearted organizations for the benefit of poor communities nearby.

“They are the people who are responsible in getting our gift-giving program going. We should thank them for their efforts in inviting good Samaritans in our community to help the poor, especially this Christmas season” he said.

On his part, BNUE president Dr. Kim Sung Yon expressed his commitment in helping local communities, especially school children whom he described as future leaders of the country, as a gesture of gratitude for the heroism of Filipinos.

“Our history tells of a special relation between the Philippines and South Korea. We will not forget the (Filipino) troops who fought with us during the Korean War,” he said.

Kim added that with the assistance of the SBMA and local government units, BNUE will continue with its community projects to help improve the system of education for the benefit of the children and their future.

In Nagyantok, Subic, Zambales, teachers and students of the College of Subic Montessori (CSM) visited the Nagyantok Elementary School Annex to distribute assorted toys, school supplies and food packs to 290 pupils. The Montessori groups also conducted fun games and presented some song and dance numbers to cheer the less fortunate children.

CSM president Soledad Maningding said that the school’s gift-giving project was made possible through the initiatives of students.

“Instead of having an expensive Christmas party, the CSM high school and elementary students opted to collect used and new clothes, canned goods, toys, and even some personal savings to donate to the students in Nagyantok,” Maningding added.

She noted that CSM students and their parents are already planning to make the gift-giving project a yearly commitment as a way of sharing blessings to the less-privileged. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: Dr. Kim Sung Yon, president of Busan National University of Education (3rd from left) and Castillejos Mayor Jose Angelo Dominguez inaugurate a water tank donated to the Nagbayan Elementary School in Castillejos, Zambales. Assisting in the ceremony are SBMA deputy administrator for corporate communications Knette Fernando (right), officials of the Castillejos-Department of Education and representatives of Busan University.

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SBMA to institutionalize consultations on environment-sensitive projects

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will institutionalize public consultations for environmentally sensitive projects to give stakeholders a voice in determining development directions and ensure transparency in the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA officials made this announcement last week, as they concluded the three-day Social Acceptability Process (SAP) public forum on the prospects of putting up a coal-fired thermal power plant here.

Angel Bagaloyos, chief of the policy and monitoring division of the SBMA Ecology Center, said the public consultations initiated by the SBMA board of directors will be institutionalized for environmentally sensitive projects, in particular.

“This is just a start. In the future, all projects that will be identified by the board as environmentally sensitive will have to go through this process of consulting with the different stakeholders. So this process will be institutionalized,” Bagaloyos clarified.

SBMA director Norberto Sosa said in the same forum that the consultation for the proposed coal power plant was just the first implementation of the SAP, a policy that the new SBMA board had recently approved.

“It happens that this coal-fired power plant project has been declared as one of these environmentally sensitive projects. So it has to undergo SAP so that we can hear out the stakeholders, employees, and the local government units regarding this,” Sosa said.

He added that a project would have to be declared as environmentally sensitive before the SAP could be conducted.

“If there is any project regarded as environmentally sensitive, then it must be declared that it is so, and if it is declared so, then this process will be carried out, similar to what we have been conducting during the last three days,” he stressed.

Sosa said that the SBMA board decided to conduct public consultations to reach out to various stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport, since they are the ones being directly affected. “We have to reach out, to listen, so we can have some basis for a decision,” he added.

Sosa also noted that the SAP will be a way to ensure transparency in the projects being developed in the Freeport. “It’s difficult for the SBMA, or for the business locators and project proponents to be perceived as hiding something,” he said.

In the said forum, Sosa, along with director Philip Camara, met with different stakeholders around the Freeport to discuss the 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant that is proposed to be built by the Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc., a business consortium formed by Meralco, Aboitiz Power Corp., and Taiwan Cogen Corp.

The consultation was attended by representatives from concerned local government units, business locators, socio-civic groups, and leaders of Aeta communities in the free port zone.

Also present during the forum were resource speakers Andre Jon Uchiaoco, a marine biologist; Dr. Visitacion Antonio, a noted toxicologist; and Dr. Rex Cruz, chancellor of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños, who discussed potential risks to health, marine life and the environment, in general, that may result from the coal plant. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
SBMA Directors Norberto Sosa and Philip Camara (center) answer queries from participants of the Social Acceptability Process (SAP) public forum on the proposed coal-fired thermal power plant at the Redondo Peninsula in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

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SBMA consults stakeholders on proposed coal power plant project

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) started a stakeholders’ consultation process in a bid to consolidate the opinion of various concerned sectors on the coal-fired thermal power plant being proposed for construction at the Redondo Peninsula here.

The agency formally launched the Social Acceptability Process Stakeholders’ Consultation last week under a policy to strictly review all environmentally-sensitive projects (ESPs) proposed for implementation in the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman-Administrator Roberto Garcia said the agency wanted to ensure that projects to be put up in the zone which the SBMA board had been declared environmentally sensitive, are acceptable to stakeholders.

“This way, the stakeholders are given a sense of participation in preserving and protecting the environment of the Freeport which is a mandated function of the SBMA,” Garcia said.

Facilitated by SBMA directors Philip Camara and Norberto Sosa, the stakeholders’ consultations drew the participation of local government officials from Olongapo City, the municipality of Subic, and Bataan province, as well as local businessmen, residents of the free port and neighboring communities, Ayta tribal leaders, and socio-civic groups.

Camara noted, however, that project proponent Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RPEI) declined the invitation to attend the consultation.

“They (RPEI officials) said that they are not going to participate because their (investment) contract was approved in June 2010 and the policy (on environmentally-sensitive projects) was approved only in 2011. So they feel that they are not bound by these proceedings,” said Camara, who chairs the SBMA board’s committee on good governance.

Camara said this was the first time for the SBMA board to implement a social-acceptability process that was aimed at getting organized inputs from different stakeholders.

“What we want from the chartered associations are formal resolutions stating their position, and more importantly, why and what specific issues and concerns (they have) after having heard from the resource persons. In the end they will be translated to conditions (that should be met) prior to the issuance of the permit,” he said.

Citing an example, Camara explained that in June 2011, the RPEI requested for a site development permit, which the SBMA Board disapproved because of some unfulfilled provisions in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between SBMA and RPEI.

Because of this, the SBMA issued only a site preparation permit to RPEI, Camara said.

Meanwhile, Freeport residents and locators lauded the new members of the SBMA board of directors for initiating the consultation in a bid to promote good governance and transparency.

“We really appreciate that for the first time, residents can approach and have open communication with SBMA directors. This is something we never had before, in particular before any project that may affect our community was started,” said Josephine Floresca, a real estate developer.

Floresca also said that one of the reasons why her company was able to convince their clients to locate in Subic was because of the eco-tourism attractions that that the SBMA has been promoting in the free port.

Olongapo City councilor Jong Cortez said that the consultation is a big boost to the government’s thrust of prioritizing the interests of the citizenry, whom President Aquino has described as “the true bosses” of public officials.

Zambales Vice-Gov. Ramon Lacbain II, former Olongapo City councilor JC Delos Reyes, and Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau chairman Jorge Lorenzana, among others, also thanked the SBMA for initiating the unprecedented process of consulting stakeholders for coal plant project. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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SBMA board continues “Project Unity’ outreach

SUBIC, Zambales – Members of the new board of directors of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) continue their landmark program to consult with stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport area in order to synergize development efforts with neighboring communities.

The SBMA directors who are members of the SBMA’s “Project Unity” committee lately met with Subic municipal mayor Jefferson Khonghun to discuss concerns in the local community, including the agency’s relationship with local government units.

“This is an opportunity to get to know you, and for you to get to know us as well,” SBMA director Bienvenido Benitez, who is Project Unity chairman, told Khonghun during the meeting.

Benitez added that the committee is hoping to synergize with the communities surrounding the Freeport by meeting with officials of local government units.

“The SBMA considers the local government units as its partners, that’s why we are doing this,” added director Philip Camara.

Khonghun, meanwhile, took the opportunity to air his concerns regarding the welfare of his constituents who are either working at the Freeport or are directly affected by the Freeport’s rapid development.

He also made suggestions for further improvement of the relationship between the SBMA and local government units.

Khonghun also extended his appreciation to the directors for sending out the agency’s emergency rescue team to help in clearing operations in Subic in the aftermath of typhoon Pedring.

SBMA director John Philip Chua-Chiaco regarded the meeting as an eye-opener for the directors about how the Freeport affects Subic residents.

He said the SBMA board of directors would consider all inputs from these meetings with government officials, so that the agency could best undertake efforts to help in the parallel development of neighboring areas.

SBMA directors Wilfredo Pineda, Alfonso Siapno, and Norberto Sosa were also present during the meeting with Mayor Khonghun. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
Members of the SBMA Board of Directors discuss concerns with Subic town mayor Jefferson Khonghun (center) during a courtesy call at the municipal hall.

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Subic Int'l Marathon: Run for fun, transformation

MANILA - The Subic International Marathon (SIM) is all geared-up in creating a different and more satisfying race event on Jan. 21-22.

Running on its sixth year, SIM forged new partnerships with CORPS Movement Foundation and Dilaab Movement, beneficiaries of the event, and eXtribe, Inc. the event’s co-producer and race organizer.

With running becoming one of the most popular fitness and recreation activities today and a means to support and raise funds for advocacies and special causes, the 2012 SIM will support development programs of CORPS Movement Foundation and Dilaab Foundation.

“Running has easily become a favored activity because it’s easy and accessible to anyone. But we would like to make a difference by making running a direct approach to push transformation of individuals and the community,” said Ret. Gen. Sammy Tucay, SIM founder and president. “With the discipline attached to running, members of the community tend to live healthy and clean to meet the demands of their running game.”

“The discipline and clean living fostered by running trickles down to how these individuals act in their community,” he added.

To further foster the Filipino community’s love for running, eXtribe, a multi-sports event company, is exploring all avenues to deliver a well-organized marathon.

The SIM race course is a break from the usual city runs, with its internationally endorsed race course in the sprawling, lush green Remy Field in SBMA, Subic Olongapo.

Runners will have access to rest facilities in the race course in every turn-around point for the 5,10, 21 and 42K race; committed hydrating station within every 1.5K; full medical support in case of emergency; RFID Accurate Timing System, and an uncrowded run with the split-schedule of the races.

The 3K and 5K races will be held Jan. 21 in the afternoon, while the 10-, 21- and 42-K races are set Jan. 22, Sunday morning.

Registration fees are P50 for the 3K, P150 for the 5K, P600 for the 10K, P700 for the 21K and P800 for the 42K. Participants of the 10K, 21K and 42K races can vie for cash prizes, amounting to over P100,000.

Registration: Nov. 22, 2011 to Jan. 15, at New Balance Glorietta, New Balance Shangri-La, and New Balance Trinoma. Registration at New Balance Marquee Mall Pampanga and in Subic start Dec. 8.

The 2012 Subic International Marathon is co-produced by eXtribe, Inc., in partnership with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and supported by PAGCOR, Casino Filipino, ABS-CBN Sports – the official TV partner of the 2012 Subic International Marathon, Discovery Suites, Total Fitness Magazine, Pinoy Fitness and New Balance. (The Philippine Star)

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2nd ‘Takbo para sa Taklobo’ in Subic slated on December 9

With the success of the “Takbo para sa Taklobo” fund-raising and awareness campaign in December last year, the second edition of the environment-oriented fun run will be held here at the Subic Bay Freeport on Friday, December 9.

Amethya Koval, manager of the Ecology Center of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said the fun run will be held to raise fund for the “seeding” of giant clams in Subic Bay and to increase public awareness of giant clams and marine resources management here.

“Most importantly, this is to encourage stakeholders to participate in managing the natural resources of Subic Bay, including the protection and propagation of marine species like the endangered giant clams,” said Koval.

Giant clams (tridacna gigas), which are locally called “taklobo,” are considered as endangered species and are an integral part of the coral reef system that serves as habitat for diverse forms of marine life.

The taklobo is a colorful mollusk which becomes self-sustaining upon reaching adult size, because its mantle with brown symbiotic algae is capable of photosynthesis. It reproduces by mass spawning, releasing millions of sperm and eggs in the reefs and thereby attracting more fishes in the area.

SBMA Chairman & Administrator Roberto Garcia said the “Takbo para sa Taklobo” project is part of the agency’s vision to make the Subic Bay Freeport an eco-urban center that harmonizes industrial development with ecological tourism.

“Eco-tourism is one of our major businesses in Subic Bay, and the bay is one of the best dive sites in the country not only because of its historical ship wrecks but also because of its beautiful ecological biodiversity,” Garcia said.

He added that the agency’s advocacy for the protection and propagation of marine species like the endangered giant clams underscores SBMA’s thrust for balanced development.

“Takbo” and “taklobo,” according to Koval, are two important things that sustain life for both marine organisms and human beings.

“Joining the marathon will enhance a healthy heart and body and at the same time, give life to our ocean by supporting the giant clam seeding program in Subic Bay,” she said.

Project coordinator Rhea Jane Pescador of the SBMA Ecology Center said the first edition of “Takbo para sa Taklobo” attracted more than 1,500 runners from around the Freeport area and raised a total of P54,000.

The money was used to buy 72 giant clam seeds at P500 each from the Marine Science Institute in Bolinao, Pangasinan. Measuring 15 centimeters when they were brought into Subic Bay, the clams can grow up to 1.54 meters in diameter and weigh up to 258.55 kilos.

“We hope to surpass last year’s record (of runner-participants) so that we could purchase more giant clams to be planted in Subic Bay,” said Koval.

This year the “Takbo para sa Taklobo” project is co-presented by RP Energy and sponsored by PTT Bloom, with DML, Johan’s Dive Center, Boardwalk Dive Center, and the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group as partner-stewards.

The fun run is open to the public and runners may choose from three categories: 3-kilometer, 5-kilometer, or 10-kilometer runs. Interested parties may contact Rhea Jane Pescador of the SBMA Ecology Center at telephone number (047) 252-4656. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Subic remains a favorite venue for MICE events

The biggest gathering of certified public accountants in the country again proved that the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) can deliver on its touted claim as a most ideal venue for all types of meetings and conferences.

According to Manuel Mapoy, chairman of the 66th Annual National Convention of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), the success of their group’s convention, which was concluded recently, was largely due to the attractiveness of the Subic Bay Freeport as a venue.

“The 66th Annual National Convention is the biggest event the PICPA has ever held,” Mapoy said, noting that some 3,000 certified public accountants who are either employed in the government or private corporations from all over the country joined the convention at the SBECC.

In particular, Mapoy said that the natural environment of Subic, including the lush forests, pristine beaches and clean surroundings, was a bestseller among PICPA delegates.

Moreover, the natural attractions are complemented by first class tourism facilities and quality services, he added.

Mapoy also told the PICPA delegates during the opening ceremonies at SBECC’s Plenary Hall 1 that the Subic Freeport is one attraction that the whole Central Luzon can be proud of.

For his part, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia described the SBECC as “the Pearl of the Freeport” as he welcomed PICPA delegates led by its national president and regional (Central Luzon) chair Josefina Chua.

“We are honored that you have chosen SBECC to be your venue for this annual convention, and we thank you for giving us the opportunity to become part of the achievements that you are to accomplish here,” Garcia said.

Garcia added that the SBMA constructed SBECC to comfortably sit up to 5,000 delegates in a bid to become a major destination for corporate meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) at any period of the year.

Considered as one of the biggest convention centers in the country today in terms of floor area, the fully air-conditioned SBECC boasts of a 2,456-square meter main convention hall, a 3,992-square dining hall, an indoor trade/exhibit area that can accommodate 64 booths, an administration building, and a large parking area.

Most importantly, Garcia noted, SBECC is located at the heart of the Subic Bay Freeport where most of the facilities, such as duty free shops, restaurants, hotels and health care centers, are no more than ten minutes’ walk from each other. Meanwhile, beaches, theme parks and other recreational and eco-tourism parks are just a short drive away.

Garcia said that these SBECC features fulfill the requirements for an ideal MICE venue — a one-stop tourism destination that has the capability to host local and international events that require indoor and outdoor venues to guarantee a remarkable for delegates to enjoy during their stay. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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ACTA to boost Subic’s cruise destination bid

Subic Freeport’s bid to become the next cruise ship playground received a fresh boost recently with the formal launching of the Asian Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA), a group seeking to provide a unified marketing platform for the cruise ship industry in the Asian region.

According to Raul Marcelo, who is deputy administrator for business at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), cruise ship operators are expected to turn to Asian destinations as economies in Europe and the United States falter.

Marcelo, who represented the SBMA at the ACTA inauguration in Singapore, said that SBMA’s membership in the cruise terminal group would set the stage for Subic’s eventual establishment as a cruise ship destination.

“We have a very good reason to be optimistic about this, because not only does Subic have deep harbor and ports, it also has tourism facilities and tourism attractions. Then, Subic’s connectivity to other destinations in Luzon would also boost its potential as a good cruise terminal,” Marcelo said.

“With the formal launching of ACTA, Subic would have the network to bank on for support. We’d grow as ACTA grow,” he added.

Subic became a founding member of ACTA when it was organized last year by Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd. (SCC) and other terminal operators in China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka and India — the lone port to represent the Philippines.

The SBMA said that Subic’s entry into ACTA was a strategic move because the agency was targeting major players in the industry to make Subic part of their cruise itinerary.

After Subic has been established as a cruise ship destination, the economic impact will trickle down to local businesses in terms of providing supplies, fuel, food, and even manpower, the SBMA said.

Marcelo said the SBMA has made a strong impression for Subic when SCCPL vice president Ivan Ng and other ACTA officials visited Subic early this year and determined that it has all what it takes to be a cruise ship destination.

In particular, the cruise ship terminal operators noted Subic’s port infrastructure, deep natural harbor, support facilities, security, and tourist attractions.

With the launching of ACTA, Marcelo said that Subic stands to get a windfall from the cruise industry, which also eyes the growing number of wealthy Asians as a “source market.”

He added that other ACTA members have already announced plans to expand their facilities because of the expected inflow of more tourists. This is especially true with the Singapore Cruise Centre, which is in the midst of a S$14-million upgrade; Shanghai Wusongkou (WSK) International Cruise Terminal, which forecasts a passenger throughput of 300,000 in 2012 and 800,000 in 2016; Taiwan’s Port of Keelung, which sees a 460,000 throughput by the end of 2011 from 116,300 in 2006; and the Japanese port of Sakai, which has increased its passenger traffic by more than 10 times.

“With this optimism, we are more determined now to convert Subic into a destination for these Asian customers,” Marcelo said.

ACTA, which was initiated by SCC and WSK last year, is primarily expected to provide members with a platform for regional cooperation in terminal development, operations and management.

As a regional organization, ACTA is also geared to provide best practices in the cruise industry; promote the exchange of cruise-related data and information; upgrade the skills and knowledge of cruise terminal personnel; promote cooperation in marketing, operations and management; and develop and maintain close relationships with other organizations in the cruise industry. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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Garcia named SBMA administrator

MANILA - President Aquino has appointed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto Garcia as the concurrent administrator, Malacanang announced.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing the Office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. confirmed the appointment of Garcia as the new SBMA administrator in concurrent capacity.

Last April, the President appointed Garcia as SBMA chairman and Rafael Reyes as administrator and chief executive officer.

Garcia is a business executive and entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing, food and leisure industries. He was the president and chief operating officer of Oriental and Motolite Corp. when he retired in 2004.

During his 34 years in the battery manufacturing industry, the Palace said Garcia played a pivotal role in growing OMC into the largest battery manufacturer in ASEAN and one of the most technologically advanced companies in Asia. The company also became one of the most fully integrated battery manufacturers in the world.

The SBMA is the operating and implementing arm of the government for the development the 262 square mile (670 square kilometer) area of Subic Bay Freeport in Subic Bay into a self-sustaining tourism, industrial, commercial, financial, and investment center to generate employment opportunities. (Aurea Calica, The Philippine Star)

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SBMA seeking solar, wind investors

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is seeking out investors or project partners for its planned utility-scale solar and wind power projects.

The agency which is supervising and administering the Subic freeport zone indicated in its project brief that it may align itself as facility host; but it will also work on facilitating partnership arrangements between and among developers.

SBMA is packaging two sets of wind and solar projects to be located within the freeport.

One would be a 100-megawatt solar with 50-MW wind capacity to be developed along 800 hectares of lot in Mt. Sta Rita. The other would comprise of 112-MW wind and 131-MW solar for siting at 1,383 hectares lot in Redondo Peninsula.

The investors have to be involved in the development, installation and construction of the proposed renewable energy (RE) facilities.

The government-run entity emphasized that both projects are still at pre-development stages and feasibility studies are yet to be completed.

The implementation and financing method for the projects, according to SBMA, will be determined based on the outcome of the project blueprints being crafted.

Many of the wind and solar power projects being planned in the country have not advanced yet because developers are waiting for the regulatory decision on the feed-in-tariff (FIT) charges to be levied on emerging RE technologies.

Without the FIT or if the subsidy will be set too low, prospective investors may still shelve project plans if they deem it non-commercially viable to stake capital under such circumstances.

Even lenders are adamant yet at extending financing to RE ventures without an assurance that revenue stream from the projects will be aptly supported by subsidy schemes, such as the FIT.

Solar, in particular, has been drawing extreme opposition from various groups given the developers’ bid for relatively high FIT rates.

The Energy Regulatory Commission is scheduled to re-open public hearings on the FIT petition this December 5 but a final ruling may not be rendered until the first half of 2012. (Myrna M. Velasco, Manila Bulletin)

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‘Heroes of the Freeport’ set for citation

The Subic Bay Freeport Development Foundation, Inc. (SBFDFI) is set to recognize the finest workers in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in the upcoming Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers Awards night.

Lawyer Severo Pastor Jr., head of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department, said the 10 outstanding employees will be chosen from a field of 37 nominees originally recommended by their respective employers

He said that this year’s awardees will be selected from among the nominees submitted by 13 locator-companies in the zone, as well as seven nominees from the SBMA.

The awards, which are given annually by the SBFDFI in the past 10 years, will be a fitting tribute to the “heroes of the Freeport,” as the SBMA calls the workers here.

Pastor said that Subic workers are now globally-competitive workers, as proven by the continued stay of multi-national companies in Subic despite the economic crisis that has affected the United States, Japan, and parts of Europe.

“These workers, who were nominated, selected and had qualified for the awards are therefore considered the best of the best. They are exemplary employees not only of the corporations they represent, but also of the whole Subic Freeport,” Pastor added.

The nominees for the Ten Outstanding Freeport Workers Awards went through a rigid process of selection, as those who were nominated by their respective companies were screened and thoroughly interviewed.

Among the panelist that conducted the final interview of the nominees are Atty. Michael Angelo Villamor, who represented SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia; Dr. Roland Fronda, district school superintendent in Olongapo City; and Olongapo businessman Ramon Del Rosario.

The awarding will be held on November 29, Pastor said. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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SBMA, Olongapo City to honor Subic Freeport volunteers

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the city government of Olongapo will be observing the 19th annual celebration of Volunteers Day on Thursday, November 24.

The date marks the day when thousands of residents from Olongapo City and nearby communities in the provinces of Bataan and Zambales joined then Olongapo City mayor Richard Gordon to voluntarily guard, maintain and manage all properties left inside the former Subic Naval Base after the U.S. Navy withdrew in 1992.

Subic was the biggest US military installation outside the mainland United States until November 24, 1992, when the last American warship, the USS Belleau Wood, sailed off Subic’s port, carrying the last U.S. Navy personnel and families to leave Subic during the withdrawal.

Subic Bay’s experience became the country’s first successful story of converting a military base into a free port zone, thanks to the volunteers who worked as regular SBMA employees without compensation.

“This year’s celebration will be simple, but remains as important as the years before,” said event organizer Jimmy Mendoza, president of Bagumbayan, a local organization in Olongapo City.

Mendoza said that unlike the past years’ whole-day programs that included parades and other field activities, the 2011 celebration will only consist of an offering of thanksgiving prayer and the laying of wreaths at the Volunteers’ Shrine inside the free port.

Sen. Richard Gordon, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, Mayor James Gordon Jr., and some selected volunteers will also give inspirational messages.

Garcia said that the sacrifices and heroism of the Subic volunteers to protect and preserve the former military base against vandals and thieves in the early days of the SBMA still live in the hearts of every SBMA employee and worker in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“The volunteers started what the Subic Bay Freeport flourishes on today — as Asia’s logistics and maritime hub and ideal tourist destination. We owe them all of these and what we shall leave behind for future generations,” Garcia said. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

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SBMA conducts bat count to preserve endangered species

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently completed a population survey of fruit bats, one of the most popular species endemic to this free port zone, to promote the conservation of these nocturnal mammals.

Led by the SBMA Ecology Center, which dubbed the survey as “Count Me In,” the survey engaged the participation of various stakeholders in the Subic Bay area to increase public awareness on the importance of fruit bats, or flying foxes; encourage stakeholders’ participation in the conservation program; and maintain the integrity of the forest to sustain their population.

The survey determined an estimate of the population of the flying foxes through exit count, and determined other exit routes of the flying foxes to serve as sampling locations.

“The last time we surveyed the number of bats here, it was around 10,000. But that number has dwindled due to human activities in the area,” noted Ecology Center chief Ameth Dela Llana-Koval. “There are still some people who hunt these bats for food, and some of these bats get killed when they roost at another place.”

According to the exit count for this month, only 2,070 bats exit to the Morong and Mariveles areas in Bataan during night time.

The biggest number of bats recorded on exit was around 14,000 in April of this year, while the smallest number exiting the Subic Freeport was only 400 in the month of September.

“We conduct surveys two times a year, trying to figure out their flight pattern,” Koval said. “The good thing about it is that when they come to roost here in the Freeport, they are very well protected. But when these bats roost outside our protective blanket, they are hunted and eaten as delicacies.”

This is where the idea of “Count Me In” came into play, Koval added, stressing that the public needs to be aware of the situation of these animals.

For the bat count project, the SBMA invited students and employees in the Freeport, limiting their age to 12 years old and above. The participants registered a month prior to the activity and paid P300 each to cover expenses for the training and orientation seminar for the bat-counting activity inclusive of the official “Count Me In” T-shirt that served to promote awareness of the project.

Only those that passed the training were allowed to join the bat survey on November 10-11.

The bat-counting activity was facilitated by the Ecology Center and undertaken by 10 teams at designated sampling stations. Each team was composed of an Ecology Center staff who acted as team leader, and five members who did the exit counts at specified sampling locations.

All data collected in the survey were collated by the Ecology Center. After the activity, the participants were put in the list of Ecology Center volunteer bat-counters who will be contacted periodically for future bat monitoring activities here.

Currently, the Subic Watershed and Forest Reserve is one of the few remaining undisturbed lowland dipterocarp forests in Luzon and serves as a habitat for various endemic wildlife species, among them the fruit bats or flying foxes.

A large roost of flying foxes composed of two species, Acerodon jubatus and Pteropus vampyrus are currently located adjacent to the Subic Bay International Airport, while a small roost of Acerodon jubatus is located in the Naval Magazine area.

Flying foxes, which have an average lifespan of up to 25-30 years, are the only mammals capable of true flight. They are nocturnal animals that travel to feed on fruits during the night, although some, especially mothers that nurse their young, hibernate and stay on their roost.

These mammals are known to be one of the most important agents of natural forest regeneration through flower pollination and seed dispersal. Unfortunately, these animals are endangered and hence need a high degree of conservation. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO: Fying foxes roost at the Subic Freeport forest. Although one of the most important agents of natural forest regeneration, these nocturnal animals are endangered because of growing human activities in their natural habitat.

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SBMA links up with LGUs for ‘inclusive growth’ in Subic Bay area

Aiming to put in motion a program of shared growth in the Subic Bay area, directors of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have devised a special project to link up with local government units and coordinate planning and implementation of development projects at neighboring communities.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said the special program, dubbed as “Project Unity,” takes after the concept of “inclusive growth” which is one of the four commitments of President Benigno Aquino under his “Social Contract with the Filipino People.”

To implement this program, the SBMA board of directors recently created a special committee headed by director Bienvenido Benitez as chairman, with director Philip Camara as vice chairman. The committee also includes Garcia and directors John Philip Chua Chiaco, Ramon Diez Sesdoryo, and Alfonso Siapno.

Garcia said the project was especially designed to create synergy in development and investment projects that have large multiplier effects on local economies and the areas contiguous to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

To push for the implementation of “inclusive growth” in the area, Garcia said that Project Unity would also make use of Executive Order No. 675 as vehicle to undertake the SBMA program.

EO 675, which was issued in November 2007, extended the secured area of the Subic Special Economic and Free Port Zone (SSEFPZ), as defined by Proclamation No. 532 dated February 1, 1995. Subic’s secured area enjoys tax- and duty-free privileges under Republic Act 7227.

Garcia said that Project Unity aims for a synergistic approach to sub-regional development, “which is why we are planning various initiatives that are geared toward pro-active stakeholders, and among the SBMA and the concerned local government units.”

He also said that Project Unity will be especially useful in deciding environmentally-sensitive projects (ESPs) that may possibly impact on local communities, the pooling of scarce resources toward better and more efficient project development and implementation, and the coordination of investment plans in the area.

Garcia said the SBMA has already made initial discussions with LGU officials of the provinces of Zambales and Bataan to get the program going.

Recently, the project’s vice chairman, SBMA director Philip Camara, introduced the project concept to officials of the provincial government of Zambales, including Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Vice Gov. Ramon Lacbain II, during a session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the Iba capitol.

Camara also invited the officials to a workshop to be hosted by the SBMA to provide a staging ground to flesh out the framework and concept of “inclusive growth,” as applied to sustainable sub-regional development. This will be the initial activity of Project Unity.

The workshop will be a participative and democratic process during which participants will identify possible areas or points of synergy, as far as planning and development are concerned, and hopefully arrive at a common vision for sustainable development, Camara said. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (right) meets with Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. during a recent convention of municipal mayors in Central Luzon at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

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