Port efficiency to attract more shipping lines, users to Subic

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) continues to make a strong case for the Subic Bay Freeport as a key international trading gateway of the Philippines after achieving productivity levels at par with that of the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).

Two Panamax quay cranes at the New Container Terminal (NCT) 1 recently handled close to 400 twenty foot equivalent units (TEU) with each crane averaging 40 and 33 moves per hour, respectively. The productivity levels were achieved during the inaugural call of Evergreen Marine Corp.’s 1,440-TEU boxship Cape Fulmar.

Cape Fulmar berthed at the New Container Terminal 1 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone

The call signaled the start of Evergreen’s South Korea-Taiwan-Philippines (KTP) service, a new route to facilitate improving regional trade between the three economies. The service plies the ports of Incheon and Kwang Yang, South Korea; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Batangas, Manila and Subic Bay, Philippines. Aside from Cape Fulmar, 1,440-TEU boxship Cape Faro is also chartered to the weekly service.

“It was a great effort and a big win for ICTSI’s Subic operations. This goes to show that Subic is at par with the productivity levels in MICT. We are continuously working on improving our services to attract more shipping lines, and for northern and central Luzon businesses to use the container terminals in Subic,” says Roberto Locsin, Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) President.

He adds: “As a national port operator, ICTSI ensures that each Philippine marine terminal under its helm remains competitive. Subic, in particular, was developed not only for the industrial locators of the Freeport but for the local markets in Luzon north of Metro Manila.”

MICT, ICTSI’s flagship terminal, primarily serves the Metro Manila market and its adjacent markets, where most of the economic activities of the country happen being the country’s capital. “Metro Manila as a market will continue to grow,” says Locsin.

“But, as the northern and central Luzon countryside develops driven by industrial centers like Subic, Clark, Bataan and Tarlac also continuing to grow, the Subic Bay Freeport is that gateway ready to link its products to global markets. We have the equipment and facilities. We carry ICTSI’s brand of service and efficiency,” he adds. (Manila Bulletin)

http://business.mb.com.ph/2017/05/08/port-efficiency-to-attract-more-shipping-lines-users-to-subic/

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‘Summer Siren’ beach festival comes to Subic Freeport

One of the biggest and most exciting beach events this time of the year is coming over to the Subic Bay Freeport on May 12 to 14.

The Summer Siren Festival, touted by organizers as one of the country's most exciting destination festivals, will be held for the first time at Subic’s waterfront area and is expected to provide a whole new summer experience to visitors in this premier tourist mecca.

“This brings the Subic summer experience to a whole new level,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Wilma Eisma said as she announced the three-day event on Tuesday.

“Subic’s popular waterfront area will be transformed into a giant entertainment park with beach-music and arts theme, and we’re very much excited because this has been one of the entertainment concepts for Subic that we really like to push,” she added.

The festival was previously staged at beach venues in Zambales, but the SBMA and festival organizer Travel Factor signed a memorandum of agreement last week to bring it to the Freeport.

Eisma said the SBMA, along with the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) and the Subic Bay Hotels, Attractions and Tourism Stakeholders Visitors Board (SBHATSVB), will sponsor the event.

Meanwhile, festival organizers have agreed with partner resorts in the area to put up a series of various themed pool parties, three days of art workshops and fitness activities by the shore, and two evening concerts featuring some of the country’s biggest rock, alternative and pop acts.

The featured artists will include Ron Poe, Quest, Ronthug, Ace Ramos, Borhuh, David Ardiente, DJ Highrise, Up Dharma Down, and Gab and John of Urbandub.

Eisma said the event will certainly push the already high number of visitors in the Subic Bay Freeport to record-breaking figures since the summer season is not over yet.

She also stressed that the SBMA will be implementing strict security measures to keep Summer Siren drug-free and safe for everybody.

“We don’t want drugs to proliferate in the event, just like what happened in another concert someplace,” Eisma added. She said that she has urged the organizers to cooperate and for the SBMA Law Enforcement Department to be vigilant.
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“Subic has previously been named by the Department of Tourism as the number one tourist destination in Central Luzon and we’re pushing for the Subic Freeport to retain this title. Summer Siren is really one ideal event that would push Subic’s tourism ranking even a notch higher,” Eisma added. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO

SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma T. Eisma (right) signs a memorandum of agreement with Cedric James Valera, managing partner of TF Adventure Travel Inc., for the holding of the Summer Siren 2017 in the Subic Bay Freeport. The three-day beach festival will be held along Subic’s Waterfront Road entertainment strip. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Subic companies open 3,000 jobs on Labor Day

More than 3,000 jobs were offered to jobseekers here on Monday during a jobs fair organized by locator-companies and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Labor Department in line with the celebration of Labor Day.

SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma said the huge volume of jobs being opened to workers could be attributed to the growing number of investments in the Freeport, and the participation of businessmen from the nearby city of Olongapo.

Eisma said more than 100 business locators participated in the job fair and offered jobs ranging from housekeeping, various skilled positions for electricians, plumbers and welders, and engineers.

Thousands of applicants from Olongapo and the nearby provinces of Zambales and Bataan filled the jobs fair venue at the Ayala Harbor Point mall to full capacity, she said.

The SBMA official added that the increasing number of job openings in the Freeport indicates the growing success of the SBMA in attracting more investors to Subic.

“As of late, Evergreen Shipping Company made its maiden voyage at the port of Subic. The SBMA also negotiated for the establishment of an industrial city at the Redondo Peninsula, and last week the country’s first ship-to-ship transfer operation of liquefied natural gas commenced here. All these signal more jobs and more opportunities for local workers,” Eisma said.

She also noted that while SBMA is doing its best to attract new investors, it also promotes harmonious working relationships between workers and management, and initiates projects for workers’ welfare.

“We believe that quality performance by employees is not only the end result of getting good salary or working in a big company. Quality performance also comes about if workers feel good about their employers, and if investors feel good about their employees and the SBMA,” she explained.

Meanwhile, SBMA labor manager Severo Pastor Jr. said the job fair was just one of the activities they organized for the Labor Day celebration here.

“We had a fun run, and as early as 5:30 in the morning, we already had 750 worker-runners doing the 3-kilometer fun run around the Freeport’s Central Business District. Then we also had a company float parade, singing contest, and muse and dance competitions,” Pastor said.

The contestants in the various competitions were all workers from Subic-based companies, he added.

Pastor also said that during the May 1 event, Freeport workers choose to relax alongside colleagues from other companies, as well as SBMA employees.

“We make a big difference here in Subic because while many of our labor organizations are joining street protests and rallies to celebrate Labor Day, workers in Subic Freeport run for fun and good health. This is a day for camaraderie and to thank every member of the labor sector for a job well done,” he added. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

Workers from business-locators in the Subic Bay Freeport take part in a fun run, motorcade, and singing and dance contests organized by the SBMA Labor Department to celebrate the International Labor Day. A jobs fair offering local and overseas jobs was also conducted for jobseekers in cooperation with the Olongapo City Public Employment and Services Office. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA okays US$798-M solar farm and industrial city project

More manufacturing companies and light to heavy industries are expected to locate in this premier Freeport, as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) approved the development of a 982-hectare industrial estate at Subic’s Redondo Peninsula.

SBMA Chairman Martin B. Diño and SBMA Administrator Wilma T. Eisma announced the approval of the US$798-milion project proposed by Dynamic Konstruct International ECO Builders Corp. (DKIEBC), a duly-registered enterprise inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The proposed project site for the solar farm and industrial city at the Redondo Peninsula

“This project is our answer to the inquiry of investors looking for thousands of hectares of flat land for manufacturing and light to heavy industries inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone,” Chairman Diño said during the State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) hosted by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) last Monday.

He added that the SBMA has been conferring with nearby local government units to identify more areas suitable for the development of industrial estates that will be under the Subic Bay Freeport’s tax- and duty-free regime.

Administrator Eisma meanwhile pointed out that the proposed solar farm and industrial city, when fully realized, will generate about 50,000 new jobs.

“When the Subic Naval Base closed down in 1992, we were all so depressed to be losing the 35,000 jobs generated by the US Navy. But under the SBMA we have long surpassed those numbers— as of February 2017 our active workforce within the Freeport is 115,272—and we keep on working to bring about more employment,” she added.

The SBMA officials also clarified that out of the $798-million investment commitment, the DKIEBC will spend about $300 million for the proposed 402-hectare solar farm, which is designed to produce 200 megawatts of green energy to primarily supply the proposed 580-hectare industrial city.

The industrial city project will include commercial buildings, factories, warehouses, utilities for water and electricity, fire and law enforcement facilities, and sanitation and landfill facilities.

According to DKIEBC, the solar farm shall primarily benefit the investors and locators of the industrial city with green and low-cost energy supply and reduce the risk of exposure from the spot market. (NBM/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA cites positive outlook for Subic Freeport

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) foresees better days ahead for this premier Philippine free port, as the new administration seeks to build on past accomplishments to bring the Subic Bay Freeport to greater heights.

Expressing optimism for better performance by the Subic agency in terms of revenue, job generation and contribution to the economy this year, SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma outlined measures to improve and expand Subic operations and urged both locator-businesses and workers here to do better.

“We must look back into the past, so we could build a brighter future,” Eisma said during her State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on Monday.

“Taking into account our performance last year, what we have accomplished can certainly be improved upon,” she added.

According to the Subic official, the Subic agency earned a total of P727.6 million in the first quarter of this year, compared to P676.3 million in the first quarter last year.

Similarly, she pointed out that the SBMA posted a net income of P46.7 million in the first quarter of 2017, which represented a 148 percent increase over last year’s P18.8 million net income.

Eisma also announced that the total cash and investments made by the Subic agency in the first three months of 2017 amounted to P4.57 billion, or a 24.84 percent increase over last year’s P3.6 billion record.

On the other hand, the agency’s total debt decreased by 8.79 percent in the first quarter, with a total of P6,644,026,284.10 for this year compared to P7,284,520,865.20 last year.

The administrator also pointed out that the agency’s key performance indicators such as the number of investments, new locators, import value and export value all rose significantly for the Subic Bay Freeport in the same period.

“The number of total new investments here have slightly increased by one percent, from last year’s P1,406,476,765 to P1,420,747,404 this year,” Eisma announced during the SOFA, adding that the agency registered 47 new business locators in the first quarter.

Eisma also noted a similar increase in import value, from US$653.8 million last year to US$2.75 billion— or a 321 percent increase, and a 10 percent increase in export value, which rose from U$406 million last year to US$536.3 million this year.

Eisma added that companies such as Datian Subic Corp. and Toyota Subic, which located in the Subic Freeport this first quarter, have improved Subic’s business outlook, along with the approval of Dynamic Konstruct Corp.’s P42-billion investment for industrial park development and renewable energy project.

She also said that the SBMA sees more revenue outflow from the ship-to-ship transfer operations of liquefied natural gas by Jovo, the largest clean energy provider in China which is expected to contribute an annual port revenue of P200 million, as well as that of Teekay Swan, a joint venture that controls the world’s most expensive fleet of gas carriers.

Another billion-peso investment that the SBMA recently approved is the DM Leisure Corp.’s P4.6-billion golf course and leisure complex project. Eisma said that this will not only increase investments in the Freeport, but also boost the number of workers employed and the number of tourists visiting Subic.

Administrator Eisma made the State of the Freeport Address along with SBMA Chairman Martin Diño, who enumerated several development projects planned for implementation by the Subic agency. The SOFA is an annual event presented and organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] SBMA Chairman Martin Diño (right) and SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma (second from right) receive recognition from Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce president Rose Baldeo (second from left) and SBFCC treasurer Edna Canlas, along with Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Sergio R. Luis-Ortiz Jr., during the State of the Freeport Address on April 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] SBMA Administrator Wilma Eisma outlines measures to further develop the Subic Bay Freeport during her State of the Freeport Address on April 24. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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China’s JOVO starts LNG ship-to-ship transfer in Subic Freeport

The country’s first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations for liquefied natural gas (LNG) by China’s Jovo Group Company Ltd. Guandong (JOVO) started operations here Thursday (April 27), the first major investment in the Freeport under the Duterte Administration.

The 105,335-ton Malaysian-flagged Seri Bakti, which arrived from Australia, is now anchored in Subic Bay and has just completed transferring an initial load of LNG to feeder vessel S/S Polar Spirit, a 72,524-ton Bahamas-flagged vessel.

S/S Seri Bakti skippered by Capt. Sydney De Silveira, is operated by MISC group, a leading provider of energy-related maritime solutions and services.

On the other hand, Polar Spirit is operated by Teekay Gas Service and is under the command of Capt. Nenad Bezic.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Wilma Amy Eisma said Seri Bakti is among the largest gas carriers operating for maritime transport.

“Because of the depth of our port, Subic Bay could accommodate this gigantic vessel, or any other super-size ship for that matter,” Eisma explained.

The ship-to-ship transfer operations involves a large mother vessel loaded with LNG and anchored off-shore, and smaller vessels that will bring the cargo to ports of destination where bigger ships are not allowed to anchor due to maritime issues.

Eisma said Seri Bakti’s operations in Subic Bay involves an initial minimum of two transfers per month and will increase to a maximum of six transfers per month by the third quarter of the year at the earliest.

In terms of revenue, it is expected that the Port of Subic will earn from this project tens of millions of pesos from services, including tug boat services, port services and anchorage, chandlers, bunkering and food supplies.

According to SBMA Seaport general manager Jerome Martinez, Seri Bakti will discharge LNG on two separate occasions to S/S Polar Spirit.

Martinez also stressed that the STS transfer operations will be safe as LNG has less greenhouse effect and is not highly combustible like gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas.

“It burns slowly, and does not mix with water nor kill fish or any other marine life. LNG is very environmental friendly,” he said.

“And in case that it is accidentally mixed with water, LNG will immediately evaporate without affecting the chemical property of the water, which will remain safe for aquatic life or even for drinking,” he added.

Aside from JOVO, the SBMA Board of Directors has already approved three more ship-to-ship service providers to operate in Subic Bay.

“JOVO is the only privately-owned gas company in China and is one of the leading clean energy service providers in the world,”JOVO manager Chris Huang said.

Earlier, JOVO International business general manager Yuan Lu said the firm’s STS operation in Subic may lead to the establishment of an LNG regional hub here to accommodate the delivery of LNG to local market and the rest of Southeast Asia.

He added that JOVO’s long-term plan is to introduce the LNG to the Philippine market, especially those in transportation sector that use trucks, haulers and school buses that prioritize safety and clean environment.

Lu also gave the assurance that JOVO has decades of comprehensive experience in clean energy shipping, storage, processing, and sales without accident and assured that its LNG STS operation will be environmentally safe. (RAV/RBB/HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] The 105,335-ton Malaysian-flagged Seri Bakti (right) is flanked by S/S Polar Spirit over the waters of Subic Bay as it transfers thousands of cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the feeder vessel. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Aerial of S/S/ Seri Bakti and S/S Solar Spirit over the waters of Subic Bay.

[3] Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) led by Administrator Wilma Amy Eisma (center) and officers of S/S Seri Bakti on board the Malaysian LNG tanker.

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Japan, HK split honors in Subic Int'l triathlon

Asian triathlon heavyweights Japan and Hong Kong split top honors in the open elite division Sunday in the NTT-ASTC Subic Bay International Triathlon at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Japanese Ryosuke Maeda, ranked in the Top 10 back home, ruled the men’s race in 1:53.59 while HK bet Yan Yin Hilda Choi won the distaff side in 2:10.02.

Despite difficulties coping with the heat and humidity, Maeda said he expected to win the race that started at the ACEA beach resort and ended at the oval track of Remy Field.

Choi, on the other hand, said: “It was a nice race, good swim and I had a good bike pack with Claire setting the pace which helped us a lot.”

The HK lass was referring to Claire Adorna who set the pace in swimming and cycling before fading to eighth place.

Asian Triathlon Confederation president Justin Park and Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal were on hand to award the trophies to the winners of the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) in cooperation with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Korean Ji Hwan Kim finished second behind Maedan with a time of 1: 54.44 while another Japanese, Kotaro Watanabe, took third place in 1:55.59.

Rounding out the top five finishers were Korean Seung Hun Seo (1: 56.39) and Japanese Genta Uchida (1:56.45).

John Chicano was the best-placed Filipino followed by Mark Hosana and 2015 Southeast Asian Games champion Nikko Huelgas. All three, however, failed to land in the Top 10.

In the women’s race, Kim Mangrobang finished fifth behind four foreigners. (Manila Bulletin)

http://sports.mb.com.ph/2017/05/01/japan-hk-split-honors/

Wakako Tsuchida of Japan reaches the finish line in the women's wheelchair category of the Asian Paratriathlon Championship that started and finished at the ACEA beach resort inside the Subic Bay Freeport last Saturday afternoon (https://www.facebook.com/greentriph/).

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World’s 5th biggest carrier starts Kaohsiung-Subic route

Another global shipping company has made the Subic Bay Freeport its port of call of choice, bringing to five the number of major shipping lines that operate in the country’s premier free port.

Evergreen Line, which is based at Taoyuan City in Taiwan, is the world’s fifth biggest shipping firm and operates in 240 ports in 80 countries worldwide. It commenced operations here on Wednesday (April 19) with the arrival of M/V Cape Fulmar, a 1,440-TEU vessel home-ported at the Marshall Islands.

According to Evergreen boarding officer Andy Dela Cuesta, the arrival of Cape Fulmar marked the start of Evergreen’s once-a-week rotated schedule from the port city of Kaohsiung in Taiwan to Batangas and Subic in the Philippines, and back to Kaohsiung.

Cape Fulmar, which has berthed at Subic’s New Container Terminal (NCT), unloaded 200 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container vans and 70 forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU) container vans for companies in Subic and Clark like Yokohama, Lepanto Tiles, and Coam Philippines.

Before it departs, the ship will load 39 containers of products for shipment, Dela Cuesta added.

The Evergreen official also said that some of their customers in Manila are now considering putting up warehouses in Subic, noting the easy access to Subic Freeport via the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx).

The entry of Evergreen in Subic, according to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Wilma Eisma, “will definitely boost the timely transshipment of goods in Central and Northern Luzon and improve the competitiveness of these areas in terms of the delivery of raw materials and finished products.”

“Time is one major concern of investors and manufacturers in Central and Northern Luzon— their raw materials should arrive on time and their finished products must be delivered as scheduled. And this is where Subic comes in to provide ease and cost-efficiency,” Eisma added.

The SBMA administrator also said that as her administration is keen on increasing container traffic in the Subic Bay Freeport, the agency is actively promoting the Subic as an ideal shipping port, pointing out that it is the only port in the country’s Western seaboard that can accommodate a sizable quantity of cargo container.

“Along this line, the arrival of Evergreen is a major development for Subic,” Eisma added.

Taiwan is now among the Philippines’ biggest trading partners, with around $7.85 billion worth of bilateral trade in 2015. Currently, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone hosts 52 Taiwanese companies with $500 million worth of investments and over 12,000 jobs generated.

Thus far, Evergreen is the fifth major international shipping line to call on Subic and connect the free port to major economies in Asia. The others are American President Lines (APL), which is based in Singapore; Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) of Japan; Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) of Japan; SITC Container Lines of China; and Wan Hai Lines of Taiwan.

Evergreen, which has 190 ships and some $4.6 billion in revenue, is also the fifth biggest shipping company in the world, according to MoverDB.com. NYK places No. 14 in the same list, while Wan Hai is at No. 19.

In 2015, it was named “Best Global Shipping Line” by Asia Cargo News at the Asian Freight Logistics and Supply Chain Awards for consistent excellence in customer service, innovation and quality of services provided. (RAV/HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] A tugboat nudges MV Cape Fulmar into position at the New Container Terminal-2 in the Subic Bay Freeport on Wednesday. The arrival of the container vessel marked the start of a Kaohsiung-Subic- Kaohsiung route for Evergreen Lines, the world's 5th biggest shipping line. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[2] Container trucks line up at the New Container Terminal-2 in the Subic Bay Freeport on Wednesday, as MV Cape Fulmar unloads cargo containers to mark the start of a Kaohsiung-Subic- Kaohsiung route for Evergreen Lines. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

[3] Officials of the Taiwanese shipping giant Evergreen Lines proceed to the dockside at Subic’s New Container Terminal-2 on Wednesday to welcome the arrival of MV Cape Fulmar, which marked the start of a Kaohsiung-Subic- Kaohsiung route. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Investors flock to Subic, Clark

MANILA, Philippines - Foreign and local investors continue to flock to the Subic-Clark area ahead of upcoming big-ticket projects by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA).

SBMA chairman Martin Diño said his agency intends to develop a 3,000-hectare expansion project to be known as Subic 2.

“We will develop a 3,000-hectare project, similar to the size of Makati, which will be our answer to Clark Green City,” Diño said.

“This will create another 150,000 new jobs with 1,500 new locators with complete facilities,” he added.

According to the SBMA official, 900 hectares of the planned Subic 2 development have already been sold to a Filipino-Chinese-Singaporean consortium.

SBMA said there is no more available land space in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to cater to new investors looking for large areas for their new facilities, thus compelling the agency to endorse these investors to other areas such as Clark or Bataan.

The planned Subic Freeport expansion is part of the P140-billion projects which SBMA intends to develop within the term of President Duterte. The projects, which include construction of roads that will shorten the travel time of cargo trucks and passenger vehicles to and from Northern Luzon and Metro Manila, has been endorsed for signing of the President.

Diño said the projects have received strong interest from China, Russia, Japan and South Korea investors.

Apart from SBMA’s projects, BCDA’s Clark Green City development has likewise captured investors’ attention, according to its president and CEO Vince Dizon.

“There are a lot of interest,” Dizon said, noting that educational institution Ateneo is among the latest to indicate plans to set up in Clark Green City.

“Ateneo just sent a letter of interest, they want to reserve 80 hectares,” he said.

BCDA has earlier entered into an agreement with the University of the Philippines for the construction of the UP global campus on a 70-hectare lot inside the Clark Green City. (Richmond Mercurio, Philippine Star)

http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/04/21/1692216/investors-flock-subic-clark

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Subic-Clark railway project feasibility study now underway

The feasibility study for the Subic-Clark railway project being conducted by China Harbor Engineering Co. Ltd. (CHEC) is now underway.

The multi-billion-peso railway project was proposed to the national government by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

CHEC is a world-renowned international contractor and provider of full services in engineering-procurement-construction (EPC), Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), and Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for both public and private sectors, providing prestigious services globally and becoming a world-renowned brand in the field of engineering.

SBMA Seaport general manager Jerome Martinez said the Subic-Clark Railway Transit project is part of the P100-billion elevated coastal highway and railway system that would link Subic to Clark Economic Zone and the Port of Manila.

Martinez said the multi-billion project is currently on its data gathering stage: counting the number of cargo trucks passing through, where the cargos are being sent or collected, and the rates.

Aside from CHEC, the official said that there are other proponents that expressed interest in funding the Subic-Clark Railway Transit project.

“There are, actually, many proponents that would like to join in the project. However, the project is still in its conceptual stage where they do data gathering related to the volume, rates and destinations of the cargoes, the range, elevation and other technical issues,” Martinez said.

Aside from the Seaport Department, other SBMA offices (Engineering Department, Project Development Office, Land Asset Management Department, Ecology Center, and Public Works and Transportation Services Group) are members of the technical group that are coordinating with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) in coming up with the feasibility study with engineering consulting firm Atkins.

Meanwhile, PDO manager Vicente Evidente, Jr. explained that the railway development project is one of the priority projects of President Rodrigo Duterte under the “Build, Build, Build” Program that includes Mindanao and Visayas.

For Subic, Evidente said, the railway system will be aligned to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. This would save the government from right-of-way issues. There are also plans to connect it with the Clark-Manila Railway up to the Port of Manila. When finished, the rail system will open new investment opportunities and improve container and passenger traffic, as well as help decongest other ports, especially Manila.

The feasibility study is expected to complete by the third semester of the year, while the Subic-Clark Railway Transit project is expected to be finished before the end of the President’s term. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA okays road widening of back door to Morong

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has approved the widening of its backdoor going all the way to Morong town in Bataan.

Governor Abet S. Garcia said that the SBMA board had finally given priority to the project that will make travelling from SBMA to nearby Morong town faster and safer for motorists.

Morong gate in Subic Bay Freeport Zone

“The road widening of SBMA backdoor to Morong will reduce travel time and fast track economic growth in Morong and Bataan itself,” Garcia said, adding: “dati-dati, kailangan pang huminto ang isang sasakyan pag may kasalubong, dahil masikip ang kalsada doon.”

He said 70 percent of SBMA total land area belongs to Bataan.

The road widening of SBMA backdoor will connect Morong town all the way to Bagac-Mariveles bypass road, a pet project initiated by the governor, whose road concreting program is now almost finished.

Private developer Engr. Joel Alegre, president and chief executive officer of the United Power Systems Phil., Inc. (UPSPI), a Manila-based firm, visited the governor to offer the installation of state-of-the-art electrical gadgets such as road lights, flood and air monitoring devices, among others.

Aside from offering hi-tech road lights and electrical gadgets, Engr Alegre is also developing a 142 -hectare lot in Morong into a world-class mountain resort hotel, with condominiums, a Central Business District and golf course which is to be called Amanterra.

“A new city will rise in Morong once Amanterra is fully developed, and this will be patronized by the public due to its unique view and pollution -free condition,” Alegre told Garcia.

Morong, host to the Anvaya beach resort and hotel owned by the Ayalas and the Bataan Technology Park, Inc., is becoming economically developed.Development started during the stint of Jorge and Cynthia Estanislao, both medical doctors, who managed this town as mayors for a long period. (Mar Supnad, Manila Bulletin)

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/16/sbma-okays-road-widening-of-back-door-to-morong/

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Evergreen adds Subic to Korea-Taiwan-Philippines service

Taiwan’s carrier Evergreen will add Subic to its existing Korea-Taiwan-Philippines (KTP) service from next month, utilising Subic’s New Container Terminals 1 and 2 operated by Manila-based International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI).

The addition of Subic to Evergreen’s KTP service will open the port to direct trade links with South Korea and Taiwan. The trade will also include transshipment service for overseas cargo.

Cargo unloading at the container terminal in Subic Bay Freeport

The first Evergreen container ship is scheduled to make its maiden call at Subic on 19 April. The weekly KTP service port rotation is Korea’s Incheon and Kwangyang, Taiwan’s Kaohsiung, the Philippines’ Batangas, Manila and Subic, and back to Kaohsiung.

Roberto R. Locsin, general manager of ICTSI subsidiary Subic Bay International Terminal Corp, commented: “Our inclusion in the KTP service is a clear indication that the markets of central and northern Luzon are growing, and will benefit from another large global carrier participating in this growth.”

In December 2016, the Taiwan Maritime and Port Bureau (TMPB) expressed interest to partner with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to increase container transhipment traffic between the ports of Taiwan and Subic.

The Philippines has been able to capitalise on Taiwan’s ‘Southbound Policy’ which aims to strengthen trade and investment relationship between Taiwan and countries south of the latter’s territory.

Taiwan is the Philippines’ sixth biggest trading partner, facilitating around $7.85bn worth of bilateral trade in 2015. South Korea, on the other hand, is the Philippines’ fifth largest trading partner in 2015 with bilateral trade reaching $13.4bn in 2014.

Recently, SBMA has urged local government units around the Subic Freeport Zone to start developing industrial parks to accommodate the growing number of investors.

“We’re now seeing the results of our campaign to promote Subic. We are doubling our efforts to sustain the current momentum to ensure we don’t lose on the gains we have achieved in putting Subic at the center of economic growth in central and northern Luzon, ” said ICTSI’s Locsin. (Lee Hong Liang, Seatrade Maritime)

http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/asia/evergreen-adds-subic-to-korea-taiwan-philippines-service.html

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USS Stethem arrives in Subic Bay

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) arrived in Subic Bay for a brief port call that highlights the strong community and military connections between the Philippines and the United States.

The ship’s crew will use the stop to conduct some minor repairs with the assistance of Philippine companies.

The United States and Philippines continue to build upon their 70-year history of partnership through defense cooperation, port visits, and military training activities.

The American and Philippine militaries have worked together on areas of mutual interest including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security.

USS Stethem is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

PHOTO:
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) transiting waters east of the Korean Peninsula in March.

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Subic Bay opens new wave pool

A newest attraction was opened here last Saturday, giving tourists another reason to spend their vacation in this premier Freeport.

The Moonbay Marina Waterpark was opened with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Martin Diño and Administrator Wilma Eisma cutting the ceremonial ribbon with Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino and other SBMA officials.

Eisma said this new addition to the many tourist spots at the Freeport is geared towards making this area Luzon’s No. 1 tourism site, especially during the summer season. At present, the Subic Bay Freeport ranks as the top tourist destination in Central Luzon.

Moonbay Marina Waterpark’s General Manager Edward Fernandez said that aside from the 3,000 square meter wave pool, the attraction also boasts of a raging river, and 45 big and small cabanas.

Aside from the facilities, the waterpark also houses local and known food stands, its very own food kiosk called the Garden Grill and a full service restaurant, the Captain A,” said Fernandez, adding that their aim is to give the best summer experience possible to visitors. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

PHOTO:

FAMILY DAY IN SUBIC BAY — A mother takes photos of her kids, capturing their fun moments for sharing in social media, during their visit at the Moonbay Marina Waterpark in Subic Bay Freeport last Sunday.

http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/04/10/subic-bay-opens-new-wave-pool/

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LOOK: Holy Week 2017 begins in Subic Bay

Rev. Fr. Kenneth Masong of the Diocese of Iba rides a donkey after blessing of the palms in a re-enactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem in the observance of Palm Sunday at Holy Land Subic prayer sanctuary in Hermosa, Bataan.

Rev. Fr. Masong joins Ayta children for a souvenir photo during Palm Sunday commemoration at Holy Land Subic prayer sanctuary in Hermosa, Bataan Sunday morning.

(AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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