Grand Reunion of former Subic Naval Base Workers

[1] Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino (3rd from left), assisted by Architect Antonio Balde, inserts some memorabilia into a time capsule for a commemorative marker honoring former employees in the defunct Subic Bay Naval Base. Witnessing the event are SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia, (2nd from left), SBMA Director Cynthia Paulino, and Roberto Flores, co-chairman of the base workers’ grand reunion committee.

[2] SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia leads the ground-breaking ceremony for a commemorative marker honoring former employees in the defunct Subic Bay Naval Base, now the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The ceremony kicked off a week-long grand reunion of former base workers in Subic, which marked the first commemoration of the “Former US Naval Base Workers’ Week” set by the Olongapo City council for the third week of March.

(photos by Jun Dumaguing)

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Group wants Clark, Subic free ports fully developed

ANGELES CITY — A group led by a former Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief and an anti-poverty crusader is pushing for the full development and utilization of the Clark and Subic free ports to ignite and sustain economic development in Central Luzon.

Former LTO Chief Reynaldo Berroya and Alfonso “Sonny” Dobles of this city said their 10-million strong Guardians International Unified Command (GIUC) “is determined” to end poverty by asking the national government to “walk their talk” in connection with turning the Clark International Airport (CIA) at the Clark Freeport into one of the two main international airports of the country. Dobles was recently chosen as GIUC president while Berroya is the group’s director.

“Our group will be aggressive in pushing for the development of the two free ports in Pampanga and Zambales until the Filipino people are liberated from the bondage of poverty, ” Dobles said in an interview on Saturday. “It will be remembered by the children of tomorrow that the Guardians pushed for progress and sustainable and equitable development.”

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia earlier said the Bureau of Internal Revenue was able to collect P1.39 billion, or 8.9 percent higher than the P1.27 billion collected in 2012 while the Bureau of Customs made an impressive lift in revenue collection from P6.32 billion in 2012 to P10.8 billion last year for an unprecedented combined cash collection of P12.2 billion. The collection, he added, attested to the sustained growth of Subic.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is the implementing arm of the government for the development the 262-square-mile (670-square-kilometer) area of Subic.

There are at last 89,500 workers at Subic while Clark has a work force of 72,000.

“We could have thousands more jobs if we can fully use Clark and Subic. We have to improve the surroundings such as the infrastructures,” Dobles said.

Business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan earlier released statements, urging the full development of the CIA as one of the premier international airports of the country. He cited the “congestion” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) terminals in Metro Manila.

Pangilinan and his group are determined to pour billions of pesos for a terminal at the CIA. He also expressed interest in investing on a high-speed train that will connect the CIA to the Naia terminals.

The 32-year-old Naia Terminal 1 airport, tagged by several international groups as one of the worst in the world, is designed to handle at least 4.5 million passengers yearly but is forced to accommodate 8 million passengers a year. The terminals of the Naia, including Terminal I, had at least 32.865 million local and international passengers in 2013. There were 31.877 million passengers in 2012, according to data gathered by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

There are at least 3,027 passengers per day, or 96,823 per month, at the CIA.

In 2012, there were at least 1.3 million passengers. The Clark International Airport Corp. has yet to issue the total number of passengers for 2013 but reports said it could be lower compared to 2012.

Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arnel Paciano Casanova is also calling for the full development of the Clark Freeport and its airport in Pampanga to help decongest Metro Manila.

Casanova, who spoke at the recent Clark Challenge: Stakeholders’ Summit at the Widus Convention Center here, said the development of the 4,500-hectare free port, including the ClA, is necessary to sustain the economic development of Pampanga and nearby provinces in Central and North Luzon.

Casanova said the 7-percent growth achieved by the country in 2013 could be sustained and improved if other cities such as Clark would be developed.

Casanova said, “Clark has the biggest airport in the country in terms of land area.”

The CIA sits on a 2,100-hectare area compared to the Naia’s 600 hectares of land.

CIA President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano said if the Naia is decongested, its operations will “max out” in 2018.

There are at least 168 flights per week at the CIA, including daily Clark-Dubai flights of Emirates and Doha-Clark flight via Qatar Airways. The other airlines operating at the CIA are Cebu Pacific, Tigerair, Asiana, Dragon­air and Jin Air.

Other GIUC officers in the recent meeting in Amsic, Angeles City, included Leborio Jangao, known as the founder and father of the GIUC, and GIUC advisor Reynaldo Pineda of Angeles City. (Joey Pavia, Business Mirror)

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Gapo health workers bring service to Aeta communities

OLONGAPO City - The local government of Olongapo City, in efforts to bring health service to its residents especially those in isolated places, recently conducted a medical and dental mission for Aeta residents in the mountains of Sitio Tralala in Barangay Gordon Heights, this city.

The medical mission headed by Dr. Lyod Bray Tubban and Dr. Leslie Palma and staff of the city health department and personnel from the Army reserve, trekked two hours to reach the tribal community.

There, the team gave multivitamins, amoxicillin, paracetamol, mefenamic acid, vitamin A, C, and vaccine for measles for the Aeta residents.

The medical mission is part of Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino's plans to bring health service to the needy in the city.

Just recently, the same group trekked to Sitio Mampueng and gave out medicines, held medical checkups and distributed mosquito nets to the Aetas.

“It is very hard for our Aeta residents to come down from the mountains. Imagine them bringing down small kids and babies to the city proper to get medicine.” Paulino said.

“That is why I have instructed our health workers to go to them, instead of them (Aetas) going to us,” Paulino added.

Aside from the medicines, the military reserve personnel also conducted free haircuts and gave out free tsinelas (flip flops) to the Aeta community. (Olongapo City Pao)

PHOTO:
A health worker gives a child anti-measles vaccine during their visit in Sito Tralala in Barangay Gordon heights, Olongapo City.

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Subic tourists to pay new fees

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines - Tourism establishments here were directed by officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to start collecting Environment and Tourism Administrative Fee (ETAF) from tourists as the new policy was officially implemented last March 4.

During a public forum held here last March 12, SBMA Chair Roberto Garcia reminded tourism establishments or facilities owners to follow guidelines on collecting ETAF to avoid being fined or penalized.

Garcia stressed that the fund from the collection would “defray the costs for the continued protection and conservation of the environment.”

The new policy imposes P100 per room per night for hotels and other accommodation facilities for the first 5 nights of stay, and P50 per room per night on the 6th night onwards.

Meanwhile, a P20 fee will be collected per head in theme parks, beaches, swimming pools, cinemas, museums, amusement and other tourism establishments or events with fixed entrance fees, or 10 % of the fixed entrance fee, whichever is lower.

Garcia reiterated that they have already carried out various information activities to properly inform tourists about the new fee. He added that they would provide tourism establishments with notices of the implementation of the guidelines.
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Investors who attended the forum, however, raised concerns related to losing clients and profit, saying the new fees would discourage tourists from visiting or staying inside the Freeport.

Hotels and theme parks owners said they are worried that ETAF collection might also create confusion among their patrons that might even lead to complaints concerning the fees.

Burden

Evelyn Renion, general manager of the Casablanca Hotel and Condominium here, said the new fees would be a “burden” to hotel guests who might be surprised to find additional charges in their hotel bills.

Danny Tan, President of Subic Bay International Hotel, also expressed apprehension over the collection of ETAF, especially because many locators like them were informed about its implementation just recently.

Tan said aside that from confusing tourists, the ETAF collection would also complicate their sales system since they were unsure how to add this new fee to their official receipts. (Randy Datu, Rappler.com)

http://www.rappler.com/nation/53086-subic-tourists-new-fees?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rappler+(Rappler)

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Conference helps strengthen REDD+ safeguards

With a conference on “Operationalizing REDD+ Safeguards in Southeast Asia and the Pacific,” held recently in Subic Bay Freeport, stakeholders from the Philippines and countries of the Asia-Pacific region made an important step toward safeguarding forests and the rights of indigenous communities and peoples.

The conference was organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Climate Change Commission (CCC).

National experts from government agencies, non-governmental organizations and academe along with experts from Germany, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Vietnam, Fiji and the Pacific Islands, Mongolia and India exchanged insights on how to avoid unintended social and environmental risks that may arise due to REDD+, how to strengthen governance and how to achieve “co-benefits” for biodiversity conservation and improved livelihood.

A field trip to the ancestral domain of the Aeta Ambala tribe at Mount Santa Rita gave an additional practical example of a particularly successful conservation agreement—the joint management agreement with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority that combines effective participation, benefit-sharing mechanisms and transparent governance.

“Parties have to provide information on how they address safeguards before they can receive results-based payments from REDD+,” lawyer Alaya de Leon from the Ateneo School of Government said, summarizing the current challenge for countries emerging from the recent decisions under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The conference took place within the framework of the international climate and forest protection mechanism “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation” (REDD+) with cost-effective conservation, sustainable management of forests and the enhancement of carbon stocks.

With the decision to link finance to safeguards, there is a clear direction for countries to go for compliance.

The conference was opened by NCIP Commissioner Dionesia O. Banua, who pointed out that most of the forest areas in the Philippines are in ancestral domains.

DENR-Forest Management Bureau Assistant Director Mayumi Quintos-Natividad emphasized that the conference provided a relevant opportunity for sustainable development in the Philippines.

NCIP Executive Director Marlea Muñez said the event was a landmark for implementing the Philippine National REDD-Plus Strategy, an integral part of the National Climate Change Action Plan and a contribution of the Philippines to safeguard the world’s forests and climate, led by the DENR and CCC.

REDD+ was internationally adopted in 2007, and in 2010, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC decided on related safeguards with the need to take local livelihoods and ecological aspects explicitly into account to fully benefit from REDD+ measures without negative impacts.

These safeguards need to be converted into national frameworks by the implementing countries. At the same time, this challenge gives early adopters like the Philippines the opportunity to shape the ongoing international discussion through exemplary solutions.

The conference focused on all three key aspects of the current debate with the Free, Prior and Informed Consent as a social safeguard; finance, benefit sharing and anti-corruption as governance safeguards; and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services as an environmental safeguard.

All participants agreed to collaborate further on exchanging experiences and strengthening capacities of countries in the region for compliance with international standards to reap the benefits of REDD+. (BusinessMirror)

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/features/biodiversity/28995-conference-helps-strengthen-redd-safeguards

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Subic to host 2014 National Festival of Talents

Over 1,900 of the most creative and skilled secondary students in the country will be in Subic Freeport from April 7-9 for the 2014 National Festival of Talents (NFOT), which coincides with the staging of the National Schools Press Conference.

“NFOT aims to provide opportunities for students to showcase their talents and learning in language, arts, social studies, and technology and livelihood education through an exhibition of their products and performances and provide parallel learning sessions for teachers and students to enhance their knowledge and skills in their respective fields of interest,’ Department of Education Central Luzon Regional Director Isabelita Borres said.

Carrying the theme “Optimizing Creativity and Innovation for Social Change and Development,” NFOT 2014 has six disciplines namely Technolympics, Television Broadcasting, Sining Tanghalan, Population Quiz, Tagisan ng Talino, and Foreign Languages.

“In Technolympics, students compete in mini cabinet organizer making, t-shirt printing and designing, steel baluster making, nail art with hand massage, coming up with casual children’s wear, hair styling with facial make-up, experimental fish dish, landscaping, experimental cookery from dressing to meal presentation, tarpaulin designing, web page designing, PC assembly with configuration and networking, and marketing of products,” Borres shared.

In Television Broadcasting, students of pilot schools with Special Program in Journalism shall come up with an actual newscast complete with an infomercial.

Moreover, Sining Tanghalan shall consist of Bayle sa Kalye (Modern Street Dance Parade), Likhawitan (Original Pilipino Music Songwriting Exhibition), Pintahusay (On-the-spot Painting), Sineliksi (Documentary Film Exhibition), and Manik-Aninong Dulaan (Scriptwriting and Shadow Puppetry Exhibition).

“Population Quiz shall test the knowledge of contestants on family life and responsible parenthood; gender and development, population and reproductive health; and population, environment, resources and sustainable development. It shall also have poster making, essay writing, and jingle writing and singing contests that is centered on a particular population-related theme,” Borres added.

Tagisan ng Talino, on the other hand, requires participating groups to come up with two-minute movie or television program trailers wherein two days will be allotted for development of script, shooting and editing.

Foreign Languages, shall pit students of Special Program in Foreign Language majoring in Spanish, German, French, Japanese and Chinese in quiz bee, extemporaneous speech, exhibition of nations and an Amazing Race-style contest where clues are written in various languages. (CLJD-PIA 3)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=561394299716

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Subic to host 2014 National Schools Press Conference

Around 260 of the best campus journalists in the country shall converge to Subic Bay Freeport next month to compete in the 2014 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC).

“NSPC aims to demonstrate understanding of the importance of journalism by expressing it through different journalistic endeavors and approaches, sustain advocacy on social consciousness, provide a venue for an enriching learning experience for students interested in pursuing journalism as a career, promote responsible journalism and fair and ethical use of social media, and enhance journalistic competence through health and friendly competitions,” Department of Education Central Luzon Regional Director Isabelita Borres said.

Carrying the theme “Campus Journalism and Transformational Leadership”, the April 7-10 event shall pit elementary and secondary representatives of the 17 regions of the country in Sports Writing, Photo Journalism, Collaborative Publishing, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Feature Writing, News Writing, Science and Health Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Editorial Writing, Radio Scriptwriting and Radio Broadcasting.

“There will also be a recognition ceremony of Outstanding School Paper Advisers and Campus Journalists as well as learning sessions,” Borres added. (CLJD-PIA 3)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=561394299623

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SBMA offers facilities to truckers

THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is taking as an “opportunity” the expanded truck ban being implemented in Manila offering its facilities to truckers.

Roberto Garcia, SBMA chairman and administrator, in a letter to former president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said he fully endorses and supports Estrada’s political will in pushing through the expanded truck ban beginning Feb. 24.

Estrada agreed with the city council under Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domogoso to implement the day-time truck ban to further decongest traffic in the city.

In the first two days of its implementation, the truckers staged a “holiday” that lasted almost the entire week while both sides engaged in a continuing dialogue to find a “win-win” solution.

The wild-cat strike called by the truckers adversely affected not only the revenue collection of the Bureau of Customs which posted an aggregate drop of 74 percent in revenue from the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port, the country’s biggest ports.

The strike also affected some businesses which relies on their shipments of raw materials and semi-finished products to run their factories in Metro Manila and the nearby areas.

Garcia said the cargo-handling facilities at the former US naval base is enough to handle 600,000 containerized cargo a year. An estimated 2.8 million containerized shipments were being processed at the Port of Manila each year.

“Regrettably, this port (SBMA) serviced only 38,000 containers in 2013 or a mere six percent rate of port utilization,” Garcia said.

He noted that based on an earlier study by the Japan’s International Cooperation Agency, some 450,000 containers landing at the Manila ports are destined (import) or originating from (export) Central and Northern Luzon.

“We in Subic are ready to accommodate even the entire load of the 450,000 containers that ‘unnecessarily’ pass through Manila presently,” Garcia said.

“We have intentionally lowered all port-related charges, wharfage, berthing and other port fees precisely to make Subic competitive and lower than that of Manila,” he added. (Paul Gutierrez, Journal)

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/68533-sbma-offers-facilities-to-truckers

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Triathlon season fires off in Subic

THE 2014 triathlon season opens on Sunday with the Bikeking and Unilab Active Health Tri United 1 at Dungaree Beach inside the Subic Bay Freeport.

Competition in the elite category is expected to be tough with 2013 series champion Benjamin Rana, Philippine national team member Nikko Huelgas, leg champion Mark Anthony Hosana and John Chicano vying for the standard distance (1.5­ kilometer swim, 40­km bike and 10­km run) elite male title and the P10,000 cash prize at stake.

Last year's Tri United 2 champion Anna Stroh, ex­ Olympian Radka Vodickova of the Czech Republic, 2013 Tri United 4 champion Ma. Claire Adorna, Monica Torres, Kim Mangrobang and 2013 Tri United 3 champion Ani de Leon­Brown slug it out for the women's crown in the event sponsored by Unbilab, Aboitiz, Subic Holiday Villas, AboitizPower, Orbea, Shimano, Crystal Clear, Maxxis, Pocarii Sweat, Timex, Saucony and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's tourism department.

Meanwhile, the Teens Sprint Distance category (age 16­17) has attracted eight competitors that include Vicky Deldio, Jimmuel Patilan and Samuel Ranque. Over at the Team Competition, nine sports clubs will engage for top honors.

All top three in the male and female categories and team winners will receive medals and gift packs, while the top three in the team competition will also receive trophies, medals and gift packs.

For the elite category, a grand total of P40,000 in cash prizes are at stake. For all participants, finisher's medals and post­race meals will be given. The awarding ceremony has been set for 10:30 a.m. at Dungaree Beach.

The Tri United series continues to be one of the most credible triathlon series to date with 700 participants representing various places and sports clubs from all over the nation signing up.

The next Tri United events are in San Juan, Batangas, on July 6 (Tri United 2); Subic Bay on October 26 (Tri United 3).

Another is set in November (Tri United 4) with the date and venue still being finalized. (Business Mirror)

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/sports-news

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SBMA calls for ‘Kaizen’ after impressive 2013 performance

“Let us all practice Kaizen. Let us not be contended with what we have achieved. Let us always aim to surpass our achievement.”

This was the appeal of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia to employees of the agency and stakeholders of the Subic Bay Freeport during his State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) on Thursday (Feb. 27).

Kaizen, Garcia explained, is a Japanese word that means continuous improvement.

Garcia said that even as the SBMA posted an impressive performance in 2013, it should aspire for even greater accomplishments in order to remain competitive as a trade and tourism hub.

In delivering his third SOFA as head of SBMA, Garcia reported that the positive investment promotion performance of the agency in 2013 has paved the way for a financial boost for 2014.

He pointed out that in 2013, the SBMA board of directors approved a total of P27 billion in terms of investment pledges, which was 800 percent more than the P3 billion recorded in the previous year.

Topping all other investment pledges in 2013 was the Korean firm Resom Resort, which committed P21.4 billion out of the total P27 billion pledges.

The rest of the top 10 new investors for 2013 were: PTT Philippines Trading Corp., with a P1.9-billion commitment; FFC Subic Seafoods Corp., P848.9 million; Johanna-Subic Seafood Corp., P795.6 million; Glowbal Outlets Philippines, Inc., P212.2 million; Simon & Stanley Int’l Trading & Dev’t Co., Inc.; P215.6 million; APG Int’l Aviation Academy Inc., P135.5 million; Alpha Primero Services Manufacturing, Inc., P84.7 million; Associated Freight Consolidators, P83.1 million; and Platinum Skies Aviation, Inc., P80 million.

Garcia also said that the SBMA will be developing more areas for investment this year following the turnover by the municipal council of San Antonio, Zambales of the 10,000-hectare San Antonio Economic Development Area for conversion into an additional secured area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Aside from this, the SBMA has also worked out with the local government of Subic, Zambales for the free port expansion into a 650-hectare coastal land in the municipality that will be ideal for shipbuilding and ship repair.

Both territorial expansion projects will be utilized to accommodate the growing investment proposals being received by the agency, Garcia said.

Meanwhile, Garcia also reported that the SBMA posted last year a net profit of P1.079 billion, its highest in its entire 21-year history. The SBMA’s 2013 gross revenue of P2.09 billion and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of P992 million likewise became the highest in the agency's history.

“These paved the way for a financial boost for 2014,” Garcia added.

Recently, the SBMA board approved the agency’s budget for capital expenditures worth P620 million to further improve infrastructures and facilities in the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as to further promote investment and tourism.

Garcia said the 2014 capex schedule was approved based on the strength of the agency’s record-breaking financial performance for 2013.

With these in place, Garcia challenged SBMA employees and Subic stakeholders to help surpass what was achieved in 2013. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia presents a report on the accomplishments of his administration before Subic Bay Freeport business locators, employees, and stakeholders in the Subic community during his State of the Freeport Address held on Thursday (Feb. 27) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. (AMD)

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Former Subic base workers set March 16 to 22 reunion

Former employees of the now-defunct United States Naval Base, Subic Bay, have scheduled a grand reunion from March 16 to 22, the first get-together among some 22,000 workers employed in what was then the biggest American military facility outside of the continental United States.

Ernie Tawatao, co-chairman of the organizing committee, said the weeklong reunion program will coincide with the first commemoration of the “Former US Naval Base Workers’ Week,” an annual celebration recently set by the Olongapo City council for the third week of March to honor former base employees.

The Subic naval base, along with other American military facilities in the country, closed down in 1992 following the rejection by the Philippine Senate of a treaty extending the lease of US military bases in the Philippines.

The former Subic facility, along with portions of neighboring communities in Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan, soon became the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Tawatao said the reunion is expected to gather former base workers from the various departments and work units in the former naval facility, which used to be the home of the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet.

Aside from Tawatao, the other officers of the organizing committee are: Bobby Flores, formerly of the Navy Exchange, who is co-chairman; Dolly Vibar-Hernane (Ship Repair Facility), secretary; Jack Kingsley (Office of the Provost Marshall, US-FAC), treasurer; and Vic Vizcocho Jr., (Public Works Center), public affairs officer.

Vizcocho said former base employees, regardless of their classification as direct or nondirect hire, as well as their descendants are welcome to take part in the reunion.

As part of the weeklong reunion program, the committee will unveil a commemorative marker on March 18 at an area between the former Lowry Hall (now the Subic Bay Arts Center) and the former Consolidated Civilian Personnel Office (Building 662).

The placement of the marker has been approved by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Tawatao said.

The committee is also preparing a souvenir publication to document the event, said Eduardo Esmane, who is helping coordinate the project.

The reunion is expected to draw participants from the following departments in the former US Naval Base: US Marine Barracks; US Naval Station; US Naval Ship Repair Facility; Naval Supply Depot; US Navy Public Works Center; US Naval Air Station, Cubi Point; US Naval Regional Medical Center; US Naval Magazine; US Commissary Store; US Naval Investigative Support Regional Activity; Officer In Charge of Construction (OICC Subic and ROICC in Makati); and US Naval Communications Station Philippines, San Miguel in San Antonio, Zambales.

Other participants are expected to come from the Navy Exchange which covered the Spanish Gate Cafeteria, Enlisted Men’s Club, Acey-Ducey Club; Consolidated Special Services; Commissioned Officers Mess (Open); Chief Petty Officers Mess (Open); and Non-Commissioned Officers Club.

On Monday, Tawatao and some other former base workers welcomed US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, who arrived in Subic for a courtesy meeting with SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)

PHOTO:
Former employees of the Subic Bay Naval Base, some wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the logo of their former work units, welcome US Ambassador Philip Goldberg (center, wearing coat), who met with SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (center, in Barong Tagalog) on Monday at the Subic Bay Freeport. (SBMA Photo)

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/regions/28444-former-subic-base-workers-set-march-16-to-22-reunion

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Subic Freeport hospital opens heart center

Patients with heart problems in Central Luzon area will now have an option for treatment outside Manila, as the George Dewey Medical Center in this free port formally opened the Subic Heart Center.

According to Ryan Tulio, assistant hospital administrator, the Heart Center is the first of its kind in the Zambales-Bataan area and was built with patients from the locality and from nearby provinces in mind.

“We have the first heart center facility in this area complete with the necessary equipment to treat heart ailments,” Tulio said.

He said the Subic Heart Center has a Cardiovascular Catherization and Intervention Unit (CathLab), where most treatments for heart ailments are performed.

The CathLab has an adjacent operating room equipped with a heart-lung machine, which is dedicated specially for major heart surgeries.

Tulio said that the first major open heart surgery in the Subic Heart Center was performed last February 22. The patient underwent a six-hour aorto-coronary bypass grafting, which was performed by doctors from the Philippine Heart Center and University of Santo Tomas Hospital.

Dr. Pio Purino, team leader of the said operation, said that the choice of Subic Bay Freeport as the location for the heart center is advantageous to patients undergoing heart surgery.

“We have to reduce stress after open heart surgeries, and with an environment like this, it’s very conducive for the recovery of patients,” he said.

He noted that doctors usually suggest that patients walk around two to three days after surgery, and the location of the center amid a natural environment can help patients to recover well.

Purino, one of the trainers for the Subic Heart Center, said that they aim to train local surgeons specializing in cardio-vascular surgery so that there will be heart surgeons who will be based here.

“This is to ensure that patients do not have to go to Manila for heart surgery. They can have them here,” he explained.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia said, meanwhile, that the Subic Bay Freeport is also being developed as a retirement destination for the same reason that its natural environment helps induce wellness and healing.

Garcia said the SBMA is supportive of industries that will help attract retirees to the Freeport.

“Having a facility such as the Subic Heart Center will assure our retirees that Subic is a well-rounded environment complete with everything they need to love comfortably,” Garcia said. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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US Ambassador Philip Goldberg visits Subic Bay

SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia briefs US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg on the latest developments at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone during the latter’s courtesy call Monday morning at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, along with SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia, gets a warm welcome from former Subic Naval Base workers during a courtesy call Monday morning at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.  The former base workers have scheduled a grand reunion on March 16-22.

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Gov’t pushes use of Subic container port

In the aftermath of the controversial expanded truck ban, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pushing for the use of a new container port in Subic.

SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia in his state of the Freeport address last week reported an 800-percent increase in investments in 2013. The SBMA is targeting P23 billion in new investments this year.

This brings cumulative investments to $9.4 billion from 1992.

Total jobs in SBMA rose nearly 70 percent to 4,402 or net jobs of 1,805 from 2,595 in 2012.

Garcia said SBMA’s goal is to transform Subic into a major logistics hub in Asia.

In 2013, port revenues rose 56 percent to P626.54 million, compared with P402.44 million in 2012. Cargoes handled at the ports also increased in 2013.

Containerized cargo rose 3.2 percent to 37,460 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2013 from 36,304 TEUs in 2012. Non-containerized cargo increased 8.6 percent from 2.21 million metric tons from 2.4 mmt in 2012.

There are two new container terminals in Subic, NCT-1 and NCT-2 both operated by Subic Bay International Terminal Corp., a unit of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. At full development, these ports can handle 800,000 TEUs per year. (Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/gov%E2%80%99t-pushes-use-subic-container-port

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TRAP, partners relaunch Green Triathlon in Subic

MANILA, Philippines - The Green Triathlon initiative of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) shifts to high gear year with the help of its strategic partners.

With the staging of the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) April 26-27, the TRAP and partner hotels Subic Bay Travelers Hotel and Event Center Inc., Lighthouse Marina Resort, Buena Casa Hotel and Subic International Hotel will emphasize through examples the ways on how to preserve the natural environment through the proven methods of reusing, reducing and recycling waste materials.

The strategies are in line with the pro-environment policies not only of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) but also of the Subic Bay Freeport which itself banned the use of plastic and Styrofoam since early 2013.

Since 2011, the Green Triathlon initiative in the Philippines has been promoted by the TRAP with the help of a grant from the Olympic Solidarity (OS) through its Sports and Environment program.

The initiative focused on reducing waste and pollution in triathlon events and those of its related sports. The environmental awareness of the program is used as a model of positive lifestyle change among triathletes, coaches, fans, sports clubs, venue hosts, the media, sponsors, suppliers, volunteers and the general public.

Meanwhile, Daniel Sng of Singapore has been named as the technical delegate of the K-Swiss ITU Subic Bay International Triathlon while Uzbekistan’s Ms. Olga Blokhina is the assistant technical delegate.

The event is sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines (ACIP), Gatorade, Speedo, Standard Insurance, David’s Salon, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Tourism Department and Green Triathlon.

Interested parties who wish to learn more about Green Triathlon Philippines are free to join the online community at https://www.facebook.com/greentriph. (The Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/sports/2014/03/03/1296513/trap-partners-relaunch-green-triathlon-subic

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SBMA eyes P23 billion in new investments

Riding on its record-breaking accomplishments last year and the strengthening of systems in the past two years, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has set its sights on generating P23 billion in new investments in 2014.

In his State of the Freeport Address (Sofa) on Thursday, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency had set investment promotion as a major program to capitalize on the successful capacity-building efforts of his administration in the past two years.

“Let us unite to make Subic a better place,” Garcia told members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the annual Sofa event, as well as officials and employees of locator-companies here, and other community stakeholders who attended the forum at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

He added that achieving excellence must be a continuing effort for everybody in the Subic Freeport, as he unveiled the agency’s major program for 2014.

Garcia also said that aside from targeting new investments, the SBMA would focus on creating new jobs to achieve inclusive growth; aggressively pursue the use of Subic’s container port to decongest Manila ports and vehicular traffic; and attract more tourists and visitors by launching a creative tourism campaign and hosting more events.

He said the SBMA would also implement “major reorganization” to effectively achieve its strategic initiatives; simplify business processes to deliver better service to locators and residents; improve the status of agency employees by implementing the long-delayed salary increases; and intensify its good governance program.

As one means to promote the attractiveness of Subic as an investment hub, the SBMA has “substantially increased capital expenditures from P9 million in 2013 to P620 million this year,” Garcia said.

The programmed expenses, Garcia added, include more than P90 million for land and land improvements; P2.6 million in buildings and structures; P133.96 million in information-technology equipment; and P393.4 million in equipment outlay.

In his address, the SBMA head largely painted a rosy picture of increasing opportunities and potentials in this premier free port brought about by the agency’s record-breaking performance in investment generation, tourism promotion and revenue collection last year.

Starting with the agency’s investment-promotion performance, Garcia said total committed investments in Subic substantially increased by 800 percent from P3 billion in 2012 to P27 billion in 2013, thus increasing cumulative investments here by 7 percent, or from $8.8 billion in 2012 to $9.4 billion last year.

The new investment projects also created a total of 2,597 new jobs, the SBMA official said.

To further generate new investments, the SBMA acquired new additional areas for development last year, Garcia said. These consist of 10,000 hectares in San Antonio, Zambales, which is ideal for tourism and resort development; and a 650-hectare expansion area in Subic town, which was set for shipbuilding and ship repair.

In other areas, Garcia said the Subic Bay Freeport registered a 3-percent increase in tourist arrivals, a 6-percent growth in sports events, an 8.7-percent increase in ship calls, and a 56-percent increase in seaport revenue, an 8.9-percent growth in income-tax collection, a 71-percent increase in customs collection, a 0.5-percent increase in manpower, a 13-percent increase in remittances to the National Treasury, and a 12-percent increase in revenue shares given to neighboring local government units.

Garcia also pointed out that the SBMA broke several records in financial performance last year: its P2.09-billion gross revenue was the highest ever in the 21 years of the Subic Bay Freeport; a 52-percent increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, was also the highest in SBMA history; a 35-percent increase in SBMA net income became the biggest in 21 years; and its P1.15-billion cash position also was the highest since 2005. (Henry Empeño, Business Mirror)
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http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/en/news/economy/28244-sbma-eyes-p23-billion-in-new-investments

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NCCA awards five writers during Taboan 2014

Held in Subic Freeport Zone in February, the 2014 Taboan Literary Festival awarded five writers the coveted Writers’ Prize.

A biennial award given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the prize included cash prizes and a one-year off from work to complete the manuscript.

This year’s awardees were Ariel Tabag (Novel, Ilokano language), Joselito Delos Reyes (Short Story, Filipino language), Hope Sabanpan-Yu (Essay, Cebuano language), Rafael Banzuela, Jr. (Poetry, Bikolano language) and Jeremy Alexandre Evardone (Drama, Waray language).

Taboan (a Visayan word for “marketplace) is organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through the National Committee on Literary Arts, for the National Arts Month every February.

Meet the winners

Tabag, fellow of the 2002 the University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop, has earned awards for his fiction and poetry in Ilokano and Filipino. His publications include Karapote (Curion) (2011, anthology of Ilokano short stories), Ay, Ni Reberen!(OMG, Reverend!) (2013, short novel), and Samtoy (2011, Filipino translation of Ilokano short stories). His novel Kabessat Ti Bagis won the novel category in Ilokano Language in the NCCA Writers’ Prize.

A fellow of the University of the Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies, Delos Reyes was named 2013 Makata ng Taon, an award given by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. His entry, “Kuma-Camanava: Mga Kwento sa Gawi Namin,” was awarded the Writers’ Prize for Short Story Category in Filipino Language.

Sabanpan-Yu, director of the Cebuano Studies Center, is author of four collections of poetry: “Paglaum” (2000), “Ang Tingog ni Maria” (2001), “Beads” (2002) and “Mga Dad-onon sa Biyahe” (2004). She won the Essay Category for the NCCA Writers’ Prize for her entry, “Naglangoy sa Langit.”

Meanwhile, Banzuela writes rawit-dawit (poetry) in Albay-Bikol to reflect on the Albayano values, attitudes, and introspection on his own stories and history perchance to excite some kind of pride of culture and time. NCCA awarded him the Writers’ Prize for his poem, “Dios Makina,” which is written in Bikolano.

A native of Palapag, Northern Samar, Evardone, a writer of poetry and fiction, won the NCCA Writers’ Prize for the Drama Category in Waray Language for his piece, “Epiko ni Sumuroy.” (Manila Times)

http://manilatimes.net/ncca-awards-five-writers-during-taboan-2014/79332/

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US Navy, Subic Locator bring joy to orphans in Olongapo

OLONGAPO CITY: US Navy personnel from the USNS John Ericson and representatives from Subic locator Aviation Concepts recently shared half a day of joy with orphans from the Center for Youth, Women and Social Welfare (CYWSW) as part of their Community Relations (COMREL) program.

US Navy personnel headed by Captain Anthony Bourdouin, prior to the celebration dubbed as a “Big Day Celebration” organized by the City Social Welfare Development Office, conducted repairs, painting and other refurbish works inside the CYWSW.

Aviation Concepts, a locator inside Subic Bay Freeport, also donated filing cabinets, office desk and chairs, clothing, bikes, a lawnmower, and books for the children.

“This is only the beginning. I will request our Navy Commander to allow our ship to visit your city more frequently,” Bourdouin said.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino welcomed the US Navy personnel and Lyn Habeck of Aviation Concepts, and thanked them for the work they have done and the donation they have made.

“Nakakatuwa na marami talagang magaganda loob, na tumutulong sa syudad ngayon, napakalaking tulong yung mga bagong gamit para sa mga bata dito sa center at pag repair ng mga sirang lugar sa facility na ito” (We are elated that there are so many good-hearted people who are now helping the city. Their donations for the kids, and repair works done on some of our facilities are really of big help to us), Paulino said.

“Olongapo is our second home,” Bourdouin said as he vowed to continue to extend help to the city’s Social Welfare Development programs.

City Social Welfare Officer Gonzalo Pascua, in charge of the center, also thanked the US Navy personnel and Aviation Concepts.

Song numbers, dance presentation and a surprise number by Mayor Paulino who sang “If We Hold on Together” with social workers of the city capped off the activity. (Olongapo City PAO)

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SBMA sets P617-million capex for 2014

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has set aside a total of P617 million for its capital expenditure (capex) program this year, as the agency embarks on more projects to improve infrastructures and facilities, as well as to further promote the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia said the 2014 capex schedule was approved by the SBMA board of directors recently on the strength of the agency’s record-breaking financial performance for 2013.

“Because we achieved last year an all-time net profit of P1 billion, which is the biggest in the last 21 years that the SBMA existed, our board of directors approved our capital expenditure budget as presented,” Garcia said.

“Our capex this year is really a big departure from past allocations, but we really worked hard for this,” he added.

“We will be spending for dump trucks, for more service vehicles, beautification of the Freeport, roads, repair of infrastructure, for our airport, and other projects to make the Freeport more attractive to foreign investors,” Garcia said.

According to figures released by the SBMA Finance Group, the agency’s 2014 capex budget of P617 million represents a whopping 6,740 percent increase over last year’s capex of P9 million.

Of this, around P2.6 billion will be spent on buildings and structures; P90 million on land and land improvements; P391 million on equipment outlay; and P134 million on information technology equipment, which received a budget of only P13,000 in 2013.

Last week, as Garcia presented eight new pickup trucks that were acquired as initial purchases under the 2014 capex, he also appealed to SBMA officials and employees for them to continue looking for new sources of revenue to further improve the agency’s financial performance.

“We are already here at this level where we can provide for what we need. We are committed to spend not only for equipment and facilities, but for our people most especially,” Garcia assured. “But we must help each other to take SBMA up to a higher level,” he added. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Triathlon highlights Subic Freeport’s ‘perfect’ eco-tour race course

Challenge Philippines, the latest addition to the 15-country Challenge Family triathlon series, kicked off here early Saturday morning and provided a window to the world of Subic’s unparalleled sports venue.

Along a race course that featured the pristine waters of Ilanin Bay, and the rolling hills and coastal forests that extended to some of the remotest parts of Bataan province, Challenge Philippines again showed why the Subic Bay Freeport is being hailed as the triathlon capital of the Philippines.

“The race course was designed by athletes for athletes,” said Dave Voth, CEO of Endurance Entertainment Asia, which manages the event.

“Arguably, it is one of the most beautiful courses in Asia,” he added.

Among the more difficult parts of the course is the “Killer Bike Route” that takes athletes through seven hills in Bataan. It comprises roughly two-thirds of the race with a 4-kilometer downward glide back to the Camayan Beach Resort in Subic before the 21-kilometer forest run that provides the finale.

Because of the challenging but scenic course, Challenge Philippines attracted some of the world’s top athletes, including four-time Challenge Roth champion Chris McCormack of Australia, Greg and Laura Bennet of Australia, 2013 Phuket Challenge male winner Rasmus Petreus of Denmark, Phuket female winner Melissa Hauschildt of Australia, Czech Republic’s national triathlete star Radka Vodick, up-and-coming triathlete star Till Schramm of Germany, and Olympian cyclist Emma Pouly of the United Kingdom.

Fil-Am Arland Macasieb was the lone Philippine representative in the elite professional category.

Prince Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad al Khalid of the Kingdom of Bahrain, who is also chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth and Sports and president of the Olympic Committee, also joined triathlon event, along with his brother Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

McCormack, who is also known as Macca, said Challenge Philippines will become one of the best events in the 2014 race calendar.

Vodick meanwhile said that he was very delighted by how the course was designed, thanking the organizers “for treating us with unique and completely new course.”

From Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Chairman Roberto Garcia said that Challenge Philippines “will surely push Subic’s status as Triathlon Capital of the Philippines.”

“We have a race course here with features you can’t find elsewhere—pristine waters, shaded roadside tracks, and undisturbed forest trails—all within an area that has no fumes nor traffic distractions and is considered very safe,” Garcia pointed out.

The official added that Subic also has modern amenities for athletes and their families—factors that led the Department of Tourism to recognize the Subic Bay Freeport as one of the “Top Destinations in the Country” and “Premier Convention Capital of Central Luzon.”

Challenge Philippines, which adopted the theme “Challenge Your Self, Race for a Cause,” is the concluding part of an entire weeklong celebration of lifestyle, cultural and community engagements and sports for the entire family celebrating the “Pinoy” spirit. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Challenge Philippines lure royalty, international triathletes to Subic Bay

Winning People’s Hearts: An ecstatic crowd greets His Highness Prince Shaik Nasser bin Hamad of the Kingdom of Bahrain as he negotiates the 21-kilometer run leg of the Challenge Philippines triathlon in Subic Bay Freeport on Saturday morning. The Bahraini royal earlier had committed some $3-million worth of humanitarian projects for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. The projects include the construction of 500 houses and a vocational center for residents of Tacloban City, as well as a vocational and training center for the youth in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Australian Matt Burton celebrates after crossing the finish line and emerging as champion of the first Challenge Philippines Triathlon held on Saturday at the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Bahrain, Philippines sign agreement for dev’t projects for Yolanda survivors

The Kingdom of Bahrain has signed an agreement with the Philippines to carry out two development projects for the country, including a shelter program for victims of Typhoon Yolanda, which devastated Eastern Visayas in November last year.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, secretary-general of Bahrain’s Royal Charity Organization, and Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, at The Lighthouse Marina Resort here on Friday.

The signing was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto V. Garcia.

The development projects include the construction of 500 houses in a complex in Tacloban City and two vocational centers for the youth—one in Tacloban and another in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Sayed said the projects were the kingdom’s “additional response” to the Yolanda calamity, which nearly wiped out Tacloban City and other neighboring areas in Southern Philippines.

Sayed also said that it was the wish of Sheikh Nasser to look for ways to make his visit to the country worthwhile. The Sheikh was in Subic to participate in the Challenge Philippines triathlon held last Saturday.

“The first thing that came to his mind was not to win the triathlon. His mind was on how to link this event with something of charity, of humanitarian work and something that would encourage the youth to get the same value of winning the social responsibility challenges, as much as you win the sporting challenges,” Sayed explained.

“I think this is a fantastic principle and it assured that His Highness is already a winner. He has won the hearts of the people. That’s fantastic,” Sayed added.

Sheikh Nasser said for his part that he wanted to encourage the youth to have a healthy lifestyle by building the vocational centers.

He also said that he finds the Philippines, particularly Subic Bay, a beautiful place.

“I will try to be here more often, and this will definitely not be my last visit,” the Sheikh said.

Meanwhile, Gordon thanked the Royal Charity Organization and the Sheikh, and acknowledged their continuous support for the country’s rehabilitation efforts.

He noted that this was the first time for Bahrain and the Philippines to sign an agreement.

“This is a huge step because it not only alleviates human suffering, but definitely shows the kindness of the Bahraini people who have come here all the way from their country and even brought their prince to be with us here,” he said. (FMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Bahrain Prince in Subic, signs projects with PNRC

His Highness Prince Shaik Nasser bin Hamad of Bahrain (left, standing), Vice President Jejomar Binay (center, standing) and SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, witness the signing of a memorandum of agreement by (left to right) Bahrain Red Crescent Society secretary-general Fawzi Amin, Royal Charity Organization of Bahrain secretary-general Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, and Philippine National Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon, for two humanitarian projects to be carried out by the Kingdom of Bahrain for the people of the Philippines affected by typhoon Yolanda. The projects include the construction 500 houses and a vocational center for residents of Tacloban City, as well as a vocational and training center in the Subic Bay Freeport.

His Highness Prince Shaik Nasser bin Hamad of Bahrain (left) presents SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia with a gilded memento from the Royal Charity Organization of Bahrain to mark his visit to the Subic Bay Freeport. Looking on are Vice President Jejomar Binay and Philippine National Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon.

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SBMA achieves rare feat in ISO certification leading to banner year

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority attained its ISO 9001:2008 certification with absolutely "zero minor and major non-conformities" on its first audit, a rare feat that no other Philippine government agency has ever achieved.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia said that when the agency began working for its ISO certification, it began paving the way not only for sustained world-class quality management system, but also toward superior financial performance. The agency started working to meet the requirements for an ISO 9001:2008 certificate from AJA Registrars in October 2012.

“Quality management is one of the reasons why 2013 became a banner year for the SBMA,” Garcia revealed.

Garcia said that unknown to the various departments that toiled hard to meet the standards, they were also working on something that would soon yield a record-shattering net income of P1 billion in 2013, the biggest in SBMA’s 21-year history.

“On the surface, we were aiming for quality certification, but deep down in the core of the organization we were building something more significant—a better system, and a culture of excellence that helped us achieve something big,” Garcia added.

“Now, with the quality management system in place and the SBMA reporting a net profit of P1.2 billion last year, more investors are showing interest to invest in Subic,” the SBMA official added.

Meanwhile, SBMA Total Quality Management (TQM) manager John Aquino said that the “zero major non-conformity, zero minor non-conformity” findings by AJA Registrars on its first surveillance audit can be considered a legacy in the history of government offices.

“It is a very rare situation that a government agency could maintain this level of conformance,” said Aquino, who is also an assessor of the Philippine Quality Award, a presidential project to recognize public and private institutions committed to quality and excellence.

Aquino also explained that because the SBMA not only maintained the quality management system but also has shown improvement by resolving one observation recorded during the AJA audit on October 3 2012, AJA recommended that SBMA continue with its ISO certification program until 2016.

The ISO 9001:2008 certification specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

It aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

All departments of the SBMA completed the requirements in April 2013 in pursuance of the ISO 9001:2008 certification.

The scope of registration included the Internal Services Group with 10 offices or departments; Maritime, Business and Investment Group with seven offices/departments; Regulatory Group with six offices/departments; and the Chairman and Administrator-CEO Group, which has six offices and departments.

ISO certification and quality management in government institutions were required, respectively, through Executive Order 605 and Administrative Order 161, which were both signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic Bay hosts Asian Paratriathlon on April 26

THE Asian Paratriathlon Championships will be hosted at the Subic Bay Freeport on April 26, the first day of the K-Swiss ITU Subic International Triathlon.

This year a new classification system will be implemented in line with the International Triathlon Union’s standards for paratriathlon. Effectively, all athletes are required to undergo classification at a designated ITU competition. The ITU will send an official to conduct this classification.

Prior to the event sponsored by K-Swiss, Century Tuna, Asian Center for Insulation Philippines, Gatorade, SPEEDO, Standard Insurance, David’s Salon, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Tourism Department and Green Triathlon, the ITU will also conduct a technical course for paratriathlon officials on Apr 24.

Last year, Filipinos debuted at the paratriathlon event and acquitted themselves very well. Andy Avellana and Arnel Aba finished 1 & 2 in the the Tri- 2 (one /no leg, no prosthesis) and Sixto Ducay got the silver in the Tri-4 category (no/one arm). They will come back this year to improve on these performances.

Paratriathlon has been accepted for inclusion for the IPC’s 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Manila Standard Today)

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/02/17/subic-bay-hosts-asian-paratriathlon-on-april-26/

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SBMA beefs up law enforcement capacity to enhance Subic’s investment climate

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is further strengthening its law enforcement capacity to make the Subic Bay Freeport more attractive to investors and more conducive to trade and tourism.

Towards this end, SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia said the agency has acquired eight new service vehicles that will be used for patrol operations by the SBMA Law Enforcement Department. One of these will be used for emergency response by the SBMA Fire Department, as well.

The vehicles are black, four-wheel drive manual versions of the locally-available Ford Ranger pick-up trucks that can tow and carry huge loads, yet are easy to drive.

The trucks cost a total of P9.8 million and were acquired through the agency-to-agency procurement service of the Department of Budget and Management.

“It’s part of our desire to level up security and safety in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Garcia said of the procurement. “We need reliable service vehicles so that we can respond to security and emergency calls faster and safer.”

Garcia said the procurement of the patrol vehicles is just the start of the SBMA’s capital expenditure program this year, after the agency made an outstanding financial performance in 2013 with a recorded all-time high net profit of P1 billion.

“More good things are coming our way, because we now have the means to have them,” he said.

Garcia added that the SBMA also intends to buy new dump trucks, undertake road repairs and improve infrastructure as part of its investment promotion program.

During the symbolic presentation of the vehicles on Monday, Garcia told SBMA employees that seven units of the new pickup trucks will be assigned to law enforcers and one to the Fire Department as a reward for winning the Gawad Kalasag Award in October 2013.

The new vehicles “will surely augment our capability to respond to emergencies,” Garcia added.

The SBMA head also congratulated the SBMA Procurement and Property Management Department (PPMD) for successfully going through a complicated process to acquire the new vehicles.

According to PPMD manager Marco Estabillo, the agency-to-agency mode of procurement was made possible through R.A. 9184, which provides for the modernization, standardization and regulation of the procurement activities of the government.

Estabillo added that for this particular procurement, the SBMA saved P2.2 million from the approved budget allocation of P12 million.

He also disclosed that some P224 million is yet to be spent for 70 more units of service vehicles for 2014, which include some watercraft and fire trucks.

According to PPMD records, prior to this procurement, the last time the SBMA procured vehicles was in 2008 when it bought five new service vehicles worth P10.2 million. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

Photo:
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Roberto V. Garcia inspects newly-delivered patrol vehicles for the SBMA Law Enforcement Department, as he announces the agency’s thrust to enhance security and safety in the Subic Bay Freeport to enhance investment generation.

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Parade of classic cars in Subic Bay

[1] A vintage 1938 MG TA Tourer wows tourists along the Waterfront Road at the Subic Bay Freeport during a parade of classic cars held as part of the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference.

[2] Miss Tourism International Angeli Dione Gomez waves while passing by the historic Spanish Gate landmark in the Subic Bay Freeport during a parade of classic cars held as part of the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference.


 (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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DILG awards Olongapo with Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) awarded the city of Olongapo the Silver Grade Seal of Good Housekeeping for its exemplary standards of front line service, procurement and audit system.

No less than DILG Secretary Mar Roxas congratulated the city of Olongapo headed by Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino for the city’s effort in its full disclosure policy which encourages local government units to conform with transparency to minimize, prevent and completely rid out graft and corruption.

Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino said that the Silver Seal of Good Housekeeping only proves that the city is serious with it transparency and good governance stance.

“It’s very hard to get that award, it takes time, requirements and scrutiny by DILG, NGO and other groups and that is why I am very happy that we (Olongapo) got it.” Paulino said.

DILG Olongapo OIC City Director Amada Dumagat said that along with the citation, the city will have access to grassroots participatory budget process that would provide a P15million budget cap to LGU’s for priority poverty reduction projects and special local road fund.

She added that the city scaled up from being a bronze awardee to silver and that the next step for the city of Olongapo would be the Seal of Good Local Governance, which is the highest grade any city, municipality or Provincial government would receive.

The Seal of Good Local Governance covers a wider range of LGU performance such as good financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection for the basic sector, business friendly and competitiveness, environmental compliance and law and order and public safety.

The DILG devised the Seal of Good House Keeping program to “aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, participation, and performance.” (Olongapo City PAO)

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SBMA posts new profit record of P1.2-billion

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has shattered its 2012 net profit record of P824 million when based on preliminary reports, it posted last year a net profit of P1.2 billion, the agency’s highest in its entire 21-year history. SBMA 2013 gross revenues of P2.09 billion and EBITDA of P992 million likewise posted the highest levels in the Agency's history.

Comparatively, the gross revenue of P2.1 billion that the agency generated in 2013 was 26.6 percent higher than the gross revenue of P1.6 billion in 2012. The growth in revenue came mainly from Seaport operations of P588 million an increase of 46% over 2013 and Regulatory operations of PP404 million which increased by a hefty 82% over the previous year.

While net income was buoyed by favorable exchange rates, Chairman Roberto Garcia noted that SBMA’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) increased significantly by 52.2 percent from P652 million in 2012 to P992 million in 2013. This is the true test of the Agency's effective strategic initiatives and the efficiency in the execution of such initiatives.

“This has made 2013 another banner year in succession for SBMA, and we are pleased to report that our financial performance continues to improve substantially while investments also significantly exceeded the 2012 level,” Garcia said. Approved investments in 2012 of P3 billion spurted to P24.7 billion in 2013 or an increase of 723%. This will provide over 10,000 jobs over the next few years as these projects get implemented.

Through the continuing austerity program and effective cost control measures, the Agency was also able to minimize the rise in operating expenses to 10%, thereby increasing its net income substantially.

To cap off 2013, SBMA was able to secure final approval of its USD27 million loan refinancing package. Garcia said that this will strengthen SBMA's balance sheet and will allow the Agency to invest in much needed capital expenditures to improve security and vital Freeport infrastructure. To this end, SBMA has programmed P617 million in capital spending for 2014.

Garcia is set to deliver the his State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) before the Freeport community and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce Inc. (SBFCCI) on February 27 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC). (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

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Country’s first Road Safety Park to rise in Subic Freeport

Well-known for enforced traffic rules and road discipline and safety, this premier free port will soon be the home of the country’s first Road Safety Park.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., assisted by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia and Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt, broke ground on Wednesday the construction of the park at the former US naval magazine complex here.

The park groundbreaking was part of the five-day Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference that opened at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on January 29.

Jimenez said the park project was “one of the most important part of the Drive Tourism conference in Subic.”

“Drive tourism” refers to tourists taking leisure trips to destinations in their own or rented vehicles. It is now a rapidly growing sector of the tourism market in the Philippines and abroad.

Jimenez described the park as a miniature community complete with established traffic rules such as traffic signs and pavement markings. It will also have buildings like fast-food restaurants, bank, supermarket, library and shops.

The park’s mission is to inculcate road safety values among children and to improve their knowledge, skills and behavior as road users.

“Safety is part of the sustainability that will make driving a most pleasurable part of going around the Philippines. When we are all safety-conscious, we will all feel the pleasure of the driving,” Jimenez also said.

SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, meanwhile, welcomed the construction of the Road Safety Park here, saying there is no other place in the Philippines where every motorist observes traffic signs and stops at the corner of the road even there is no traffic enforcer in the area to flag him.

“When in Subic, local motorists learn the way of road courtesy and follow traffic rules. That is why, Subic is the ideal place for the Road Safety Park where people will learn more about road safety,” Garcia added.

With the theme “Saving Lives, Saving Costs, Saving the Planet,” the Asia Pacific Drive Tourism Conference features discussions and presentations on the latest innovations in the automobile industry, road safety, mobility, motorsports, as well as travel and tourism from both local and international specialists.

The conference was organized by the Automobile Associa­tion of the Philippines (AAP), the country's largest auto club with over 50,000 members, the Department of Tourism, and the SBMA. (RAV/FMD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
SBMA Chairman Roberto V. Garcia (left) and Jean Todt, president of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile, lower a time capsule during the groundbreaking ceremony of the AAP Children’s Road Safety Park at the Subic Bay Freeport. Looking on are: Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, International School of Sustainable Tourism president Mina Gabor, and other delegates to the ongoing Asia-Pacific Drive Tourism Conference at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

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