The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
(SBMA) officials met with the local chief executives and representatives of
this premier Freeport’s neighboring local government units (LGUs) to distribute
a total of ₱178.7-million revenue shares due them.
During the event, SBMA Chairman and
Administrator Rolen C. Paulino welcomed the mayors and their finance officials
at the Terrace Hotel for a short program.
“This is the second time we are doing
it face to face since restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic eased up. And as we
slowly go back to our usual activities, I hope that these revenue shares would
greatly help augment developments in their respective communities,” Paulino
said.
“Because the SBMA and LGUs support one
another, extending to them their share of our revenue is just appropriate.
After all, we all are committed to protect the Freeport for our future
generations,” Paulino stressed.
Meanwhile, SBMA Senior
Deputy Administrator Atty. Ramon Agregado disclosed that the SBMA performance
has improved in 2022—with higher revenues generated, and more business projects
in the pipeline.
“The higher the revenue, the higher the
tax payments, and that will be good for the LGUs,” Agregado assured as he
mentioned a few projects in the pipeline that will generate a better
outlook for the Freeport for the rest of the year.
Periodical figures
show that the second semester revenue shares increased from ₱140,602,568.18 to
₱178,705,824.54 for the second semester of 2021 and 2022, respectively, by 27.1
percent.
Paulino explained that the increase may
have been largely attributed to the Fast, Friendly, Flexible service
implemented when he assumed his post as chairman and administrator.
He further said that the shares are
derived from the five-percent corporate taxes paid by business locators in the
Freeport, to promote parallel development in our neighboring communities
and enhance LGU projects in tourism, infrastructure, education, peace and
order, health, and livelihood generation.
All the mayors and finance officials
expressed gratitude for the revenue shares, especially since they received
larger amounts for their first tranche this year.
“Castillejos, Zambales
is a third class municipality. A very small community and the revenue we
generate is not enough. I am grateful to the SBMA for this revenue share, which
is a big help for our finances, and more so because of the ₱4-million increase
from last year,” Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun said.
“Our youth, our students in
Dinalupihan, Bataan are thankful to the Freeport workers for their benefit from
the tax they pay. We pray for good health for everyone so we can all serve our
constituents,” Mayor Herman Santos, Jr. said.
During the pandemic, distribution of
LGU shares was done on appointment basis to avoid crowding, in compliance with
health protocols being enforced in the SBF.
For the collection
period of January to December 2022, the SBMA has released a total of ₱319.3
million revenue shares, which is computed according to population (50%), land
area (25%), and equal sharing (25%).
As such, the biggest
LGU beneficiary for this period is Olongapo City, which received a total of
₱41,779,273.37. It is followed by Subic, Zambales with ₱26,842,905.77;
Dinalupihan, Bataan with ₱22,257,027.69; San Marcelino, Zambales with
₱21,461,412.26; Hermosa, Bataan with ₱19,103,262.77; Castillejos, Zambales with
₱16,277,249.93; Morong, Bataan with ₱15,780,896.32; and San Antonio, Zambales
with ₱15,203,796.43.
Revenue shares are
released twice a year—August for the first semester, and February of the
following year for second semester. (MPD-SBMA)