SBMA vows consistency for better business climate

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) vowed to continue instituting good governance measures and policy reforms to build a better business climate in this premier free port in consonance with national government efforts to keep the Philippines number one among the best countries to invest in.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that aside from stressing the need for a consistent implementation of laws and policies governing investors in the Subic Bay Freeport, the agency is streamlining its permitting system in anticipation of greater investment yields here.

“Our primary thrust now is to improve our business processes because we want to be responsive to the needs of our locators,” said Eisma.

“We have just established a One Stop Shop where business processes are fully automated, and next month we will put into effect the 3-year validity for both the Certificate of Registration (CR) and the Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTE), which previously had to be renewed annually,” she added.

She also said that her office has taken over the approval and release of CRTEs to further speed up the issuance of this important business document.

Eisma said the drive for a more investor-friendly climate in Subic is in keeping with President Duterte’s orders for transparency and good governance.

As a result of these initiatives, business processing time has been greatly reduced as of last year by 17% for admission permits, by 22% for declaration of admission, and by 83% for export declaration.

At the same time, the SBMA waived the $200 accreditation fee for all port-related businesses from October to December last year 2017, as part of its open-window access initiative. The same offer has been revived effective April to December this year to entice more businesses at the Port of Subic.

“We have made life easier for our locators, and we continue to strive towards this goal,” Eisma said, pointing out that the SBMA Board of Directors had already approved the reduction of documentary requirements for issuance of business registration, and, at the same time, allowed the off-site processing of SBMA ID’s to better serve investor needs.

She added that the SBMA “is working towards continuous improvement of its system, and we will implement necessary changes as long as they would not be disadvantageous to the SBMA and the government.”

At the same time, the SBMA chief clarified that the Subic agency would be strictly implementing existing policies that are meant to promote productivity and opportunity for all stakeholders in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Eisma said that along this line, the SBMA has already repossessed SBMA facilities that some business locators have left idle and unimproved, revoked the lease and development contract of investors that failed to meet their obligations, and implemented a stringent policy to collect SBMA receivables, as approved by the Board of Directors.

“There may have been some laxity in the past, but change has come, and the SBMA now strives to manage Subic with transparency, impartiality, and consistency,” Eisma stressed. “These, we believe, will bring about better business, economic sustainability, and equal opportunity for all — the very reason why the Subic Bay Freeport was created.” (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Chairman Eisma receives a token of appreciation from officials of the Subic Freeport business community after delivering her State of the Freeport Address last month. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA extends free accreditation fee for container-port related businesses

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) yesterday extended its free accreditation for container-port related businesses from April 13 to December 31, 2018 to encourage more enterprises to use Subic’s container terminals and decongest Manila’s ports.

The $200 accreditation fee waiver applies to the first 80 new business entrants and the first 20 accredited entities due for renewal of their accreditation certificate.

The waiver covers ship agents, freight forwarders, brokerage firms and trucking services.

Firms with an accreditation certificate should guarantee to bring at least one container within one month from filing or renewal of accreditation certification to be entitled to the waiver.

“The free accreditation initiative received positive feedback, that’s why we are bringing it back this year,” SBMA chairperson and administrator Wilma T. Eisma acknowledged.

It’s definitely an opportunity for more firms to invest in Subic and promote the Freeport, according to Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) president Roberto Locsin.

SBITC, the operator of the Subic Bay Freeport, pledged to ensure support and quality service to clients using its container freight station and container terminals.

Furthermore, the initiative will decongest the Ports of Manila, broaden industry awareness of the use of the Port of Subic Bay’s Container Terminal and increase container port traffic and utilization rate.

It can also accommodate more Small, Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Port of Subic has two modern container terminals, New Container Terminals 1 and 2, which provide on and off-dock marine port cargo as well container handling services. (Emmie V. Abadilla, Manila Bulletin)

https://business.mb.com.ph/2018/04/13/sbma-extends-free-accreditation-fee-for-container-port-related-businesses/

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One Subic Power signs P750-M 10-year lease extension

A lease extension agreement of ten years translating to P750 million in lease and revenue shares was recently approved by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for One Subic Power Generation Corp., which operates the 116-megawatt diesel generator plant here.

The power firm, which is a fully-owned subsidiary of PHINMA Energy Corp., initially committed $3.2 million-worth of investments and five per cent variable gross revenue shares (GRS) when it took over the diesel plant in 2011.

The firm’s original contract was effective until 2020, but the amended agreement granted the firm a ten-year extension of its operations until 2030.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma signed the new contract with PHINMA President and CEO Francisco Viray, and One Subic Power President Rizalino Santos.

During the signing, Eisma thanked the company for being a valued partner of the SBMA and for sharing the commitment for a better Subic community.

“I do appreciate the malasakit that you put in in your business here in Subic and the way you take care of your people. That kind of behavior is important for the future of Subic because your people are also my people,” Eisma told the company officials.

According to the SBMA Business and Investment Department (BID), One Subic Power Generation Corp. is one of the biggest revenue sources for the SBMA, having turned in a total of $7.2 million in fixed lease rate, P81 million in gross revenue shares, and P4.4 million in common user service area (CUSA) fees since it started operations in 2011 until 2017.

Meanwhile, the ten-year extension of the firm’s contract would also provide an additional five per cent increase in current lease rate for the first five years, and another five per cent increase for the remaining five years, for a total of P630 million in lease rates alone.

In addition, the company’s annual gross revenue share (GRS) of P12 million would translate to a total of P120 million over the 10-year extension period, an amount that will be part of the revenue shares given out by the SBMA to neighboring local government units. (RFD/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

[2] SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and PHINMA Energy President and CEO Francisco Viray conclude a new 10-year lease contract for the power firm, with One Subic Power President Rizalino Santos (left) and SBMA Business and Investment manager Kenneth Rementilla (right). (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA’s Heaviest Butt Campaign Goes Viral

SBMA Ecology Center’s Heaviest Butt Campaign has gone viral in just 48 hours since it was posted online on Thursday, April 5, 2018. It garnered 6 million people reached, 45.6 thousand shares, 30.2 thousand likes and 19.2 thousand comments and questions.

People took interest when they read that SBMA is buying dry cigarette butts for 300 pesos per kilo. Most comments expressed surprise, “Is this true?” Some are curious “What will you do with the cigarette butts that you are buying?” Meant to be a local campaign, it has caught nationwide and even international attention. People as far as Metro Manila, Laguna, La Union, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro and as far as Davao are asking where and how do they send their cigarette butts.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator, Atty. Wilma T. Eisma said “We are very happy that our campaign has gone viral and is catching the attention of a lot of people. We are hopeful that the study in which these cigarette butts will be used on, would turn out positive as well.”

The Heaviest Butt Campaign was first conceptualized in response to the observation that cigarette butt is one of the top three litters collected during the yearly International Coastal Cleanup in Subic Bay. Statistics show that there are about 4.5 trillion butts littered worldwide every year.

Cigarette butts cannot be recycled because of the smell and the toxins they contain such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium. Some data say it takes 5 years for cigarette butts to decompose, still some say it takes 10 years. In the meantime, they contaminate our soil and our waters.

SBMA Ecology Center has partnered with a local company which has designed their own machine for litter or garbage recycling and upcycling. The cigarette butts collected through the Heaviest Butt campaign shall be given to this company as materials for testing and study to see if it is possible to remove the smell and the toxins so that these butts can be upcycled into bricks or hollow blocks. Ecology Center is collecting 20-60 kilograms of cigarette butts for the said study.

This campaign is part of SBMA’s bigger program dubbed as War on Waste. SBMA is also launching the Refuse Single Use, which is a campaign against the use of disposable plastics or one time use plastics, and Straw Sucks which is a campaign against using plastic straws and promoting the use of alternative materials such as bamboo or metal straws, or not to use straws at all.

Eisma says “we hope that with these campaigns, there will eventually be behavioral change among its stakeholders in order to promote environmental responsibility. It aims to strengthen partnership and collaboration with the local community in keeping a clean and healthy Subic Bay Freeport Zone as the place of choice to live, work, and play.” (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SBMA employee Vincent Esteban of the Maintenance and Transportation Department points at the total weight of his and co-workers’ cigarette butts collection as SBMA Ecology Center Social Development Officer Patrick Escusa confirms the reading. The project, dubbed as “Heaviest Butt Campaign,” encourages everyone to collect used cigarette butts and sell it to the SBMA Ecology Center for P300 a kilo to be used in an up-cycling experiment that would use the toxic butts as components of cement bricks.

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Aussie ships in Subic for goodwill visit

Two Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels, Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Anzac (FFH 150) and the HMAS Success (OR 304), docked Thursday morning in this premier Freeport as part of a four-day goodwill visit to the Philippines.

The Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Emilio Jacinto (PS35) met the two ships off Morong, Bataan and escorted them to dock at the Alava Wharf here.

Philippine Navy (PN) Officer-In-Attendance Judith Palamos said that the arrival of the Australian Navy here “underscores the continuing efforts to further strengthen the ties between our governments and navies (and) fortifies the PN’s firm commitment to maintain good relationship with other navies.”

She said that personnel from the two naval services will conduct confidence-building activities aimed at enhancing maritime understanding and cooperation to further contribute to the promotion of peace and stability through naval diplomacy and camaraderie.

Defense Attaché of Australia to the Philippines Capt. Bradley White and the commanding officers of the two ships, HMAS Success Commanding Officer Grant Zilko and HMAS Anzac Commanding Officer Michael Devine, are scheduled for a courtesy call with Rear Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi, who is commander of the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) in San Antonio, Zambales.

Australian and Filipino sailors will also have luncheon aboard the HMAS Anzac, some goodwill games, and a “boodle fight.” A send-off ceremony with customary passing exercise will cap the goodwill visit, which will include a replenishment-at-sea operation with PN personnel invited to board RAN ships for observation.

HMAS Anzac is the lead ship of the Anzac-class frigates in use with the RAN and the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Entering Australian service in 1996, the frigate operated as part of the INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce in 1999. In 2003, she was involved in the Battle of Al Faw, and became the first RAN ship to fire in anger since the Vietnam War.

On the other hand, HMAS Success is a Durance-class multi-product replenishment oiler serving in the RAN. The ship was part of the Australian contribution to the 1991 Gulf War, and was deployed to East Timor in response to incidents in 1999 and 2006. (JRR/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

Crewmembers of the auxiliary oiler replenishment vessel HMAS Success (OR 304) of the Royal Australian Navy check moorings after their ship docked alongside the replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), a support ship of the United State Navy. The Australian Navy arrived in the Subic Bay Freeport Thursday morning (Apr. 12) for a four-day goodwill visit. (AMD/MPD-SBMA)

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Rail to enhance Subic port’s attraction

Subic port is increasingly becoming an important trade center pushed by and its attraction will be enhanced with government’s plan to build a P57-billion railway connecting the Freeport with Clark.

In a report, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said exports going out of Subic port rose 38 percent to $2.3 billion in 2017 from $1.7 billion in 2016.

Imports that passed through the port similarly rose 11 percent to $1.77 billion from $1.6 billion in 2016.

The report shows containerized cargo volume jumped 13 percent to 140,938 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) from 124,707 TEUs in 2016.

In contrast, non-containerized cargo volume fell 6 percent to 6.6 million metric tons from 7 mmt in 2016.

Ship calls improved in the international front, outstripping domestic calls.

Foreign ship calls stood at 1,526, up 12 percent from 1,365 in 2016. Domestic ship calls however declined 27 percent to 1,252 from 1,704 in 2016.

As a result of these activities, port revenues in Subic in 2017 rose 6 percent to P1.21 billion from P1.14 billion in 2016.

Government is planning to build a railway connecting Subic with Clark airport, initially as a cargo and eventually as a passenger service.

Joshua Bingcang, vice president for business development and operations of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said a new alignment would be set up between Subic and Clark passing through Dinalupihan in Bataan and Floridablanca, Porac and Angeles City in Pampanga.

Bingcang said the establishment of the cargo rail will incentivize business to shift from Manila and decongest public roads.

He said hauling goods via rail could be cheaper by 25 to 50 percent than by land.

“This system will further bring down cost of movement of goods, an alternative to truckers especially those using Gapan-Olongapo road and the Subic-Clark Tarlac expressway,” said Bingcang.

The project, awaiting approval of the National Economic and Development Authority board, is one of the projects under official development assistance from the government of China.

Bingcang said the BCDA hopes to finalize the loan support this year and start construction next year.

Construction could take three years.

Subic-Clark railway is part of the Greater Luzon Railway System being planned by government. Malaya Business Insight)

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/rail-enhance-subic-port%E2%80%99s-attraction

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Ocean Adventure operator unveils water park in Subic Freeport

Another family-oriented theme park was unveiled here by the Subic Bay Marine Exloratorium Inc. (SBMEI), operator of the popular tourist attraction Ocean Adventure Marine Park, in time for children’s summer entertainment and family outings.

This is the Adventure Beach Water Park, packed with water slides, wading pools, artificial rivers, and other water-themed facilities in its 1-hectare location between the Subic Bay and the triple-canopied Ilanin Forest Reserve.

The new park was formally launched last Thursday by SBMEI Chairman Jack Lin, SBMEI CEO Robert Gonzaga, and guest of honor Chairman Wilma T. Eisma of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Gonzaga said the Adventure Beach Water Park project is part of SBMEI’s expansion program designed to further bolster the grip of Ocean Adventure, as well as that of its sister firm Camayan Beach Resort on the educational-entertainment tourism niche here.

“We want to dish out fun opportunities for family bonding that might as well be memorable and educational experiences for the children,” Gonzaga said.

“At the same time, we emphasize caring for the environment as the core value in the SBMEI complex,” he added.

The major attractions at the Adventure Beach Water Park are the three-story Twisters Slide, the Rainbow Falls at the Kidz Playground splash-and-play area, the swinging Viking ship, the Aqua Serein that simulates rain, and the River Bend artificial river that goes around most of the park area.

Aside from these, the park has Forest Grill, which serves snacks and a variety of grilled food serve in native bilao and an open-sea area for swimming and kayaking that older children and adults can enjoy.

All around the park are cabanas for visitors. These range from a pavilion that could accommodate 70 persons at P8,000 for the day, to the four-person square cabana rented out at P300. There is also one Tiki Tower good for up to 15 persons at P2,500 per day.

Gonzaga said the facility can easily take in 700 guests at one time, with admission rates at P528 for children seven years old and below, as well as for senior citizens; and P688 for adults.  (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:

Two twisting and turning giant slides are just some of the fun attractions at the newly-opened Ocean Adventure Beach Waterpark. (photo from Adventure Beach Waterpark FB page)

https://businessmirror.com.ph/ocean-adventure-operator-unveils-water-park-in-subic-freeport/

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Subic Bay International Triathlon fires off April 21

The 3-in-1 2018 NTT Asia Cup Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT) will unfold at the Acea in Subic Bay on April 21 and 22.

As an Asian Cup Series 2018 event under the supervision of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and Asian Triathlon Confederation, it offers to top local and international elite athletes ITU points for Asian and world rankings and qualification to major international competitions such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics triathlon event and other international events.

To be held in conjunction with SUBIT sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Arena, New Balance, Philippine Star, Gatorade, Omega Pain Killer Liniment, Standard Insurance, Lighthouse Marina Resort, Century Tuna, Gatorade, Subic Holiday Villas, Travelers Hotel, Acea, Asian Center for Insulation and Solar Sports on the final day is the Subic Bay Southeast Asian Championships envisioned to alternate with the Southeast Asian Games Triathlon.

Serving as the curtain raiser on the first day of action is the local event for youth participants serving as a test race for the Asian Youth Olympic Games qualifier, which will be held on June 17.

Tom Carrasco, president of both the organizing Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) and Southeast Asian Games Triathlon Association (SEATA) said, “This year’s staging of SUBIT will be one big celebration.”

“We will not only commemorate the 25th anniversary of SUBIT, by far the country’s longest running triathlon competition, and the partnership of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and TRAP. We will celebrate TRAP’s award bestowed by Philippine Sportswriters Association as the “National Sports Association of the Year 2017”.

“On top of that, SUBIT 2018 serves as the vehicle for the revival of SEATA which was founded in Subic Bay Freeport 10 years ago”, Carrasco stressed.

As of March 28, close to 800 triathletes have registered including 41 elite male competitors and 14 elite female competitors from 20 nations, namely Australia, United States, Portugal, New Zealand, Palestine, Israel, Japan, China, Korea, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Singapore, Macau, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Philippines. (Manila Times)

http://www.manilatimes.net/subic-bay-international-triathlon-fires-off-april-21/389772/

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SBMA to open 112 summer-job slots to deserving poor students

A total of 112 deserving poor students stand to benefit from the Summer Hire Program of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) during this summer break, as business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport extended their support to provide employment.

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that 15 Subic-registered companies have already joined the program to accommodate students from junior and senior high school, as well as college level, who are scheduled to be deployed in various job assignments starting April.

Eisma added that a total of 112 slots will be given to students who pass the qualification requirements under the program being implemented by the SBMA Labor Department in line with the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment.

“These applicants are poor but deserving students who excel in their classes. And as part of our community engagement, it is our task to guarantee that they will be able to enroll the next school year,” Eisma explained.

“These talented and brilliant students deserve our malasakit,” she added.

She noted that more business locators and investors are now expressing their intention to join the program. “I really hope that more students will be hired,” Eisma said.

SPES was created under Republic Act 7323, a law which aims to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by encouraging their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacations. The law was later amended by RA 9547.

SBMA Labor Department manager Severo Pastor Jr. explained that under the law, summer hires are to be employed from 20 to 50 working days and shall receive regular wages equivalent to those received by regular employees.

“Of this, 60% shall be paid by the employer-company, while the remaining 40% shall be paid by the DOLE through educational vouchers,” Pastor said.

Under the SPES program, the work period accumulated by summer hires may also be counted as their probationary period should they apply for a job in the same company or agency after graduation, and should earn academic credits as may be determined by the appropriate government agencies.

Among the companies participating in the SBMA’s Summer Hire program are fast-food restaurants, gasoline stations, utilities, and manufacturing firms where the students will perform work related to their respective courses. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

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SBMA cites robust financial performance

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported a steady growth in income and a strong performance in key financial operations last year, as it set into motion a more aggressive program in investment generation, project expansion and job creation.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said in her State of the Freeport Address (SOFA) on Tuesday that the Subic agency recorded a 34 percent increase in net income last year, which grew to more than P91 million compared to P68 million in 2016.

She added that the SBMA posted total revenue of P3.08 billion in 2017, compared to P2.95 billion in 2016, for a positive variance of 4 percent; and showed an increase of 8 percent in operating income, which rose from P1.44 billion in 2016 to P1.55 billion in 2017.

At the same time, the agency’s cash and investments grew by 4 percent to P4.43 billion, compared to P4.24 billion in 2016, while total debt went down by 5 percent from P6.55 billion in 2016 to P6.2 billion last year.

Financial Success

“These are indicators of robust financial health,” Eisma said, as she went on to cite similar accomplishments in employment, revenue sources, and contributions to the national economy. “If this is not success, then I don’t know what is,” she added.

Eisma explained that despite a downturn in committed investments, the SBMA managed to win over 239 new investors last year, compared to just 144 in 2016, for a 66 percent increase. Thus, while committed investments went down to P2.54 billion in 2017 from P6.35 billion in 2016, projected employment still grew to 3,488 from 3,868 in 2016, or just a slight dip of less than 10 percent.

The SBMA chief likewise pointed out that Subic was a runaway winner last year in terms of project expansion by existing business locators with 63 expansion projects put up, compared to 37 in 2016. These expansions gave Subic an additional P1.09 billion in committed investments, which translated to a huge 203 percent increase over the P36 million recorded in 2016.

Revenue Sources

Overall, Eisma said the SBMA earned a total of P3.08 billion in revenues from seven sources: leases, which yielded P1.52 billion; port services, P961 million; regulatory fees, P338 million; common use service area (CUSA) fees, P103 million; tourism, P16 million; environmental and tourism admission fee (ETAF), P10, million; and other revenue sources, P126 million.

She added that the Subic agency was just as successful in its major thrust of job creation, as it facilitated the entry of 15,500 workers into Subic’s active workforce last year, thus increasing the manpower count here by 14 percent, or from 112,600 workers in 2016 to 128,100 in 2017.

The Subic workforce is now comprised of 70,650 workers in the services sector; 33, 593 in shipbuilding; 15,303 in manufacturing; and 8,621 in construction.

Economic Contribution

Meanwhile, the SBMA provided the national economy with a total of P19.6 billion in various contributions, an amount that was 14 percent higher than the total contributions in 2016.

These included P16.8 billion in cash collections by the Bureau of Customs, which increased by 11 percent over the 2016 figures; P2.2 billion in taxes collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, an increase of .8 percent; P92 billion in dividends, or a whopping increase of 533 percent; and P.3 billion in shares to local government units, or an 18 percent increase.

Eisma also said that with the increasing number of ship calls, the SBMA recorded total port revenue of P1.2 billion, which represented a 6 percent increase over the P1.13 billion record in 2016.

The Port of Subic also reported $2.3 billion in total export trade value and $1.7 billion in import trade value last year, an increase of 38 percent and 11 percent, respectively, over 2016 figures. (HEE/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

‘WE DID IT’- SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma outlines gains made by the Subic agency in her State of the Freeport Address last Tuesday. (AMD-MPD-SBMA)

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Subic among productive freeports in PH

Exports from Subic Freeport rose 89 percent in total value in 2017 from 2016, making Subic one of the most productive freeports in the Philippines.

Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) said products exported by new customers in 2017 include fashion accessories like bags from Bataan, trucks and agricultural equipment from Subic, grains, feeds, and fertilizer from Bulacan, and electronic parts and general department store merchandise from Clark.

SBITC operates the New Container Terminals (NCT) 1&2 which handle shipments for businesses in Central and Northern Luzon.

Roberto Locsin, SBITC president, said many of SBITC’s customers are manufacturers that import raw materials and export finished goods.

Most of the products are exported to Asia, the United States and Europe.

“We welcome the growing number of local businesses employing our facilities in the Subic Bay International Terminal NCT 1&2,” Locsin said. “We are glad to see that these industries are discovering and taking advantage of Subic Bay as a gateway to the global market,” he added.

Locsin also sees an uptick of industries importing goods for domestic consumption.

“There is a good balance of import and export volume in the Subic terminal of about two exports for every three imports. In the succeeding months, we expect an increase in the import volume of fast-moving cargoes because of improved facilities in the terminal,” Locsin said.

For 2017, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported import growth rate of 10.2 percent and export growth rate of 9.5 percent.

The National Economic and Development Authority continues to push for the implementation of more strategies to promote Philippine products in the global market.

“More initiatives are in the works to attract more firms to avail of our services and make use of our facilities. We will continue to improve and develop our terminals to realize the full potential of Subic Bay.” Locsin said. (Malaya Business Insight)

PHOTO:

Cargo unloading at the Container Terminal in Subic Bay.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/business/subic-among-productive-freeports-ph

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SBMA launches ‘Share the Road’ project to boost road safety

With this free port acknowledged nationwide as among the best in road safety and traffic discipline, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thursday reinforced its safety policy by launching the “Share the Road” project, which involves the participation of various community sectors.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the project aims to boost road safety awareness in the whole of Subic Bay Freeport, as the agency vies to make Subic the center of excellence in public road safety.

“All over the country, people are looking at the Subic Bay Freeport as the place where traffic discipline and traffic rules are always observed. And we wanted that image to stay,” Eisma said.

“Now, we are involving all sectors — the whole Subic community — in this ‘Share the Road’ project to make all roads inside the Freeport the safest for travellers, pedestrians, drivers, and even for road maintenance workers,” she added.

In line with the project, the SBMA chief conducted a dialogue on Thursday with members and officials of local transportation groups, as well as motorcycle associations in the Subic Freeport and Olongapo City, and discussed the need to elevate road safety in the Subic area.

Eisma said the SBMA’s efforts to promote Subic as the next cruise ship playground in Asia through the agency’s Tourism Star program make it all the more necessary to boost road safety and traffic discipline in the Freeport.

She also reminded drivers, particularly those who operate taxis, buses and other means of public transportation, to be tourist-friendly so that visitors would better enjoy Subic, come back for more memorable experiences, and hence spend more tourist money while visiting local facilities and availing of local services.

“It would be a big blemish on the good image of Subic that we have been cultivating through the years if tourists complained of undisciplined or abusive drivers. I tell you, these things matter a lot in keeping Subic the number one tourist attraction in Central Luzon and now, the next cruise ship haven in this part of Asia,” Eisma said.

“So it is very important that we do not overcharge our fare, that we do not ignore traffic signs, and that we make full-stop at intersections, and give priority to crossing pedestrians,” she added.

Eisma also informed representatives of the transport sector that the SBMA would now require a thorough inspection of all vehicles requesting for SBMA decals, with particular focus on safe driving essentials like brake and signal lights, horns and seat belts.

She said that the Subic agency will also strictly enforce the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (RA 10913) and the Anti-Smoke Belching Law to further improve driving conditions in the Freeport.

“I know that you all wanted to have a decent way to earn a living. So, as stakeholders of the Subic Freeport, let us show the world that we are disciplined drivers and that we care about the reputation and the safety conditions of our community. Let’s share the road courteously to fellow motorists, pedestrians, and road maintenance workers to keep our place safe for everyone,” Eisma concluded.

Meanwhile, the officials and driver-leaders of various transport groups expressed their full support to the SBMA call and pledged to encourage their members to do their share in keeping Subic as a model for traffic discipline and road safety in the country. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:

SHARE THE ROAD: SBMA Chairman Wilma T. Eisma urges drivers and motorists to help boost traffic discipline and road safety in the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Subic jet ski fun ride benefits Ayta community

The Ayta community at Barangay Cawag in Subic, Zambales became the beneficiary of the 2018 Jetski and Boat Charity Fun Run, as organizers donated P250,000 collected from participants in the event held on Saturday by Freeport locator Networx Jetsports.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma and Cawag Ayta tribal chieftain Antonio Cabalic formally received the P250,000-check during a simple beach-side ceremony conducted after the event at the Silanguin Cove in San Antonio, Zambales.

Eisma said the money will be used as “seed capital” for the Cawag Ayta Tribal Cooperative, with the fund earmarked for the establishment of micro and small businesses for members of the Cawag Ayta tribe.

The Subic tribesmen, who used to live a nomadic existence, now subsist mostly on hardscrabble agriculture and gathering of forest products.

According to organizers of the Jetski and Boat Charity Fun Run, around 380 participants joined the activity that involved 83 jet skis and 31 boats.

The fun run started from the Boardwalk Area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and then headed towards Silanguin Cove and back.

“It was a great feeling seeing all these wonderful people coming from different places and gathering together for this one great event. We are happy to inform everyone that we have beaten the record last year which had 77 jet skis and 30 Boats,” Networx Jetsports officials stated.

This is the ninth time that the company conducted this event, showing that charity can work hand-in-hand with a water sports event, especially in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

The annual event is spearheaded by company honchos William Ang, Emmanuel “Dong” Arcilla and BJ Ang.

Established in 1997, Networx Jetsports caters to the needs of jet-ski enthusiasts. Founder Emmanuel Arcilla, an avid jet-ski racer, believed that the market was open for a superior and focused jet-ski dealership and service outfit.

In 2000, jet-ski racer and businessman William Ang joined Arcilla in spinning off Jetsports from its parent Networx Auto Detailing Corporation. Together, they expanded the business to reach more people who are into water sports.

Aside from jet skis and jet boats of different brands, Jetsports also sells various parts and accessories for jet skis. (MPD-SBMA)

PHOTOS:

[1] Subic Ayta tribal chieftain Antonio Cabalic (3rd from left) and SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma receive the P250,000-check donation from participants in the 2018 Jetski and Boat Charity Fun Run at the Subic Bay Freeport.

[2] Participants in the 2018 Jetski and Boat Charity Fun Run race to the finish at Subic Bay before handing out their donation to the Ayta community at Barangay Cawag, Subic, Zambales.

[3] Jet skis dot the beach at Silanguin Cove, in San Antonio, Zambales during the 2018 Jetski and Boat Charity Fun Run held on Saturday at the Subic Bay Freeport.

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Victory Liner starts P2P services in Clark-Subic, Clark-Dagupan routes

VICTORY Liner Incorporated (VLI), one of the biggest bus companies in Northern Luzon, announced the start of Point-to-Point (P2P) bus services from Clark International Airport to Subic Bay in Olongapo and the City of Dagupan in Pangasinan.

P2P buses pick up and drop off passengers only at designated terminals. VLI operations manager Ronald Sarmiento said Victory Liner decided to provide this service to allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales and Pangasinan to travel to and from Clark International Airport, instead of having to go to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

There will be four routes, with all trips going to and from Clark international airport in Dagupan and Subic.

For faster trips, Victory Liner will use the TPLEX and SCTEX. “From Clark international airports, there will be a trip from Clark to Subic. This trip begins at 1:00 am and the last trip will be at 8:00 pm.

For those living in Bataan and Zambales, there will be trips from Subic to San Fernando.

For residents of Pangasinan, trips to Clark will start at 1:00 am and the last trip at 8:00 pm,” said Sarmiento.

For the Clark to Dagupan routes, Victory Liner will only pick up passengers from Clark airport, SM Clark, SM Carmen and Urdaneta Victory Liner terminals.

Passengers going from Clark to Subic, pickup and drop-off points are to be found at Clark international airport, SM Clark, Victory Liner bus terminals at San Fernando and Dinalupihan and Harbort Point. (PR)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/business/2018/03/12/victory-liner-starts-p2p-services-clark-subic-clark-dagupan-routes

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Subic Freeport expects 20 cruise-ship visits in 2018

At least 20 cruise-ship visits have been calendared this year by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), as the agency aims to cement its newly staked claim as the newest cruise ship playground in Asia.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said five different cruise ships have so far scheduled several port calls here from March to October this year, and that more arrivals are being coordinated with shipping agencies for the latter part of the year.

These visiting cruise ships include MV Costa Atlantica, an Italian-flagged vessel that made its second visit here on Tuesday following its first arrival on February 10, barely a month ago.

A list of cruise-ship visits to Subic showed the scheduled return here of Costa Atlantica on March 20 and the arrival of MV Superstar Gemini on March 13 and March 21, as well as MV Glory on March 31.

The SBMA schedule also indicated Costa Atlantica will return to Subic on April 3 and April 17, May 1 and May 22, June 5 and June 19, July 3, July 17 and July 31, and August 14 and August 28, for a total of 13 trips to Subic starting this month.

Meanwhile, two of the biggest cruise ships operated by the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) will be in Subic this year: MS Ovation of the Seas on June 9, and MS Voyager of the Seas on August 26.

“Clearly, Subic is marking a new milestone in terms of cruise-ship arrival. This is not your usual once-in-a-blue-moon accidental port call; this is a surge!” Eisma gushed on Tuesday, as SBMA officials and employees awaited the arrival of Costa Atlantica for its second voyage here.

“Now, Subic is ready to offer the best tourism facilities and services for cruise-ship passengers, and we are betting that our visitors would find their experiences here—as well as in the neighboring areas of Zambales and Bataan—most memorable,” she added.

The 85,619-ton Costa Atlantica, which was also the first cruise ship to visit Subic this year, disembarked 2,500 passengers and crew on Tuesday for a one-day tour of the free port and neighboring communities.

While most of its passengers were taken by buses to various tourist destinations in the free port, some toured the free port’s central business district, with some venturing as far as the souvenir shops and public market in Olongapo City.

SBMA Cruise Ship Committee Chairman Marcelino Sanqui noted that, while the Subic agency spends a substantial amount to ensure the safety and enjoyment of cruise-ship passengers in Subic, it is the local tourism industry that profits the most from the cruise-ship arrivals.

“It is not our business to make profit from what we do; our mandate is to give business to our stakeholders,” said Sanqui, citing as beneficiaries local restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops and even vendors and taxi drivers.

“If one cruise-ship passenger spends just $10 while in Subic, that would mean a total income for Subic of $25,000 or P1.25 million for just one day,” he said.

Eisma, who led employees and residents in welcoming the passengers and crew of Costa Atlantica, said the growing number of cruise-ship bookings here manifests the capability of the SBMA to address the demands of the international cruise-ship industry and showcase the vibrancy of local tourism.

“We have been dreaming of becoming the next cruise-ship playground in Asia, and we can see that the dream is being realized right now,” Eisma said.

“We are hoping this initiative by the SBMA to attract cruise ships would further boost the development of the Subic Freeport and the communities around it,” she added. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

PHOTO:
Passengers disembark from MV Costa Atlantica after the cruise ship docked on Tuesday at the Subic Bay Freeport for its second visit this year. (Henry Empeño, BusinessMirror)

https://businessmirror.com.ph/subic-freeport-expects-20-cruise-ship-visits-in-2018/

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