09 September 2023
First - ever hybrid workspace in Zambales opened
06 September 2023
₱4-B Nidec Subic Investment to generate close to 5,000 jobs in the Freeport
This was disclosed by Nidec President Takeshi Yamamoto in a simple awarding ceremony of the Certificate of Registration (COR) with Incentives under the CREATE law to Japanese company Nidec Subic Philippines Corporation for its ₱4.2-billion expansion project.
While Nidec Subic currently has a workforce of 622 employees, the company’s expansion project is expected to generate close to 5,000 job opportunities until the last incentivized year.
Yamamoto proudly shared that the company chose Subic Bay Freeport for its expansion due to its strategic location, making it possible for them to market their product to the European Union, United States, Brazil, Korea and China.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan led the simple ceremony, together with Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment (SDA) Renato Lee III and Business and Investment Department (BID) for Manufacturing and Maritime manager Karen Magno, in awarding the COR to Nidec Subic President Yamamoto and General Manager Marissa Tamayo.
Tan explained that Kinematix is a new product that is a high accuracy gearbox used as base, arm or shoulder for industrial robots for auto tool changer/ loader of machines. He added that the aim of the expansion of Nidec Subic Philippines is to produce these gearboxes outside of Japan.
“This is certainly a milestone for Subic Freeport as this new product will be solely manufactured by Nidec Subic,” the official cited, adding that these gearboxes will be “Gawang Pinoy.”
He further stated that this is the first expansion of the company outside of Japan which was made possible due to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE) law, revealing that the tax incentives have made it easier for them to expand in the Philippines.
Lee explained that the CREATE law has enabled the granting of the company tax incentives namely: a six-year income tax holiday; ten-year special corporate income tax; 16-year Customs Duty Exemption on Importation of Capital Equipment, Raw Materials, Spare Parts and Accessories; 16-year value-added tax (VAT) zero-rating on local purchase; and a 16-year VAT exemption on importation.
Meanwhile, Tamayo also averred that the company decided to expand its operations in the Philippines because of its highly-skilled and resilient Filipino labor force, plus the fact that the Philippines is an English-speaking country.
Nidec Subic is a Japanese manufacturing company that was established inside Subic Freeport on July 14, 1998. It is located at the Subic Technopark, Argonaut Highway, Boton Area, occupying a total of 96,472 square meters of land area.
The expansion project dubbed as Project Kinematix aims to manufacture and assemble medium to large size gearboxes for industrial robotics gears. Valued at ₱5.065 billion, Nidec will be directly exporting 100% of its annual production of 288,000 gearboxes overseas. (MPD-SBMA)
30 August 2023
SBMA hosts the Guinness World Record for the Largest Car Horn Ensemble
An ensemble of 1,077 Ford Everest sports utility vehicles (SUVs) made its way to the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) over the weekend in a convoy to highlight an important milestone.
Ford Everest Club Philippines (FECP), a mid-size SUV club with 15,000 active members and one of the largest and most active car clubs in the country, succeeded in its attempt to smash the Guinness World Record for the “Largest Car Horn Ensemble.”
“Today, Ford Everest Club Philippines not only created an awe-inspiring symphony of horns, but also brought excitement along with the unique experience that came with it. I am thrilled and delighted to have witnessed and become a part of this event,” said Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan during the awarding ceremony at the SBIA tarmac.
An estimated crowd of 5,000 club members, their families, organizers, sponsors and spectators took part in the event, visitor arrivals peaked before, during, and after the event.
Tan also shared that the attempt kicked off at the New Clark City Aquatics Center where the 1,077 Ford Everest SUVs simultaneously blew their horns to the tune of "Philippine Jeepney/Let's Go" for a duration of one minute and six seconds, before heading off to Subic Bay Freeport where the certificate was awarded to the FECP by the Guinness World Records Official Adjudicator.
The MINI Club of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA held the former record of the Largest Car Horn Ensemble in August 2013. (MPD-SBMA)
25 August 2023
SBMA re-certified ISO compliant by International Auditors
DQS Certification Phils. Inc. has
recently re-certified the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for its
compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 standards.
According to Vicente Evidente, Jr., SBMA Planning and Development Office (PDO) manager and the agency’s Quality Management Representative (QMR), the third-party surveillance audit is the DQS’s first face-to-face audit here since the pandemic, with the previous audit held online.
“We just had the second surveillance audit by the DQS, our first face-to-face audit since the pandemic. It entailed a more rigorous inspection than the online audit,” Evidente said.
“The DQS audit team found that the SBMA is compliant with the ISO standards, with special mention of the Seaport department for its compliance with the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) that contributed to its high compliance ratings,” he said.
Evidente also explained that an ISPS code establishes essential security requirements for ships, ports, terminals, carriers, seafarers, and cargo as a means to prevent maritime security hazards or any mishaps.
During the two-day audit of ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015, the agency’s frontliner-departments were scrutinized for their compliance with the standards of Quality Management System and Environmental Management System, respectively.
Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan lauded the men and women of the agency for successfully fulfilling the requirements for the said standards.
Tan added that this would boost the agency’s thrusts namely, to attract more investments, create more employment and earn revenues.
“The SBMA’s compliance with the international standards of Quality Management and Environmental Management would definitely translate to higher investor confidence and the achievement of our objectives,” Tan said.
Tan also announced that another certification, the ISO 45001:2015 or the Occupational Health and Safety Management, is being documented by the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD). (MPD-SBMA)
19 August 2023
SBMA releases ₱203-M revenue shares; new chief forges strong partnerships with neighboring LGUs
18 August 2023
Erring company in Subic Freeport closed by SBMA
28 July 2023
SBMA chair keeps high confidence about Subic tourism recovery after lifting of public health emergency
18 July 2023
SBMA Chairman assures stricter measures against smuggling
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan assured the public that smuggling will be thwarted during his term.
The statement came after Tan and Bureau of Customs (BOC) District Collector Atty. Carmelita Talusan conducted an inspection of counterfeit goods worth P240-million in a warehouse in Subic Bay Freeport on Tuesday.
According to Tan, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has mandated him to look into the smuggling of goods inside the Freeport, citing that the apprehension of the shipment of counterfeit goods is thru the collaboration between his agency and the BOC Port of Subic.
Chairman Tan said that the SBMA will provide any assistance necessary to the BOC Port of Subic to ensure that smuggled goods would be confiscated before entering other Philippine territories.
“The cooperation between the SBMA and BOC Port of Subic will definitely yield positive results following the mandate that the President has given me. By working together, our agencies will certainly provide a more secure Subic Bay Freeport Zone that is free from smuggling,” Tan said.
The two officials inspected the shipments of counterfeit goods at a warehouse in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Tuesday wherein 1,269 cartons of misdeclared t-shirts were found. Talusan said that the estimated value of the two shipments totaled P240 million.
Atty. Talusan also mentioned that the cargoes arrived on June 14, from its port of origin in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She added that they conducted the examination on June 26 on the shipments consigned to Bonne Volonte Consumer Goods.
The BOC official also cited that the shipment violates Section 155 of Republic Act No. 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, relative to Section 1113(f) of RA No. 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
Talusan also disclosed that some of the brand owners who provided certificates of counterfeit goods include Emerald Garment Manufacturing Corp. (makers of RRJ, Stylistic and Mr. Lee), and Federis & Associates Law Offices for Uniqlo and Cotton On. (MPD-SBMA)
12 July 2023
PCSPC to expand fuel storage by 6.3 million barrels in Subic Freeport
The Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation (PCSPC) is expanding their fuel storage capacity to 6.3 million barrels inside this premier Freeport.
During the groundbreaking ceremony at the
Subic Bay Freeport on Tuesday, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman
and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan disclosed that the company is set to
construct two new 180,000-barrel-capacity fuel storage tanks this year and the
next.
Tan was the guest of honor at the
groundbreaking ceremony led by PCSPC Chief Executive Officer Richard Tiansay at
the Maritan Tank Farm here.
Senior Deputy Administrator for Business
and Investment Renato Lee III, PCSPC Chief Finance Officer Tricianne Zingapan,
Metalife Builders Development Company, Inc. President Arnel Dumalaog and Vice
President For Operations Milo Sesante were also present to witness the
ceremony.
According to Tiansay, the two
180,000-barrel-capactiy fuel storage tanks cost of P800-million, with the first
tank expected to be completed by March 2024, while the second tank by August
2024.
The two tanks will also be constructed at
the Maritan Tank Farm.
He added that the construction of these two
tanks were tasked to Metalife Builders Development Company, Inc., since the
company has adhered with international standards. Tiansay also said that all
tanks will be equipped with safety and environmental control equipment
including fire protection and pollution control.
Chairman Tan said that the expansion of the
company’s operations is welcome news, adding that part of his administration’s
thrust is the development of existing companies inside the Subic Bay Freeport
Zone. He also expressed that companies will certainly flourish under his term.
“We want Subic Bay Freeport to develop and
become the preferred sustainable investment hub and eco-tourism destination in
Asia Pacific by 2030. The construction of these two 180,000-barrel-capacity
fuel storage tanks is a step forward towards that goal,” he added.
In 1993, PCSPC initially assumed operation
that only had a 2.5-million barrels capacity. The company has then been
expanding ever since. The Maritan expansion project, which started in 2012, is
now on Phase 4 of the construction in the area.
The construction of the two barrels will increase the capacity of the PCSPC by up to 6.3-million barrels or one billion liters of fuel storage. Once operational, the project is expected to increase the vessel dockage at Subic Pier and tank truck deliveries, which will attract more petroleum fuel clients to utilize Subic Freeport as their fuel hub. (MPD-SBMA)
09 July 2023
15 SBMA employees enhance electrical skills from Gigamare’s CSR
Some 15 employees of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently completed Customized Electrical Training Course at the Gigamare, Inc. Training Facility at the East Ilanin Forest of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
According to Human Resource Management Department manager Vivian Abalos, this training course is the second training course offered by Gigamare as part of their commitment to the SBMA to give skills enhancement training courses to its employees free of charge.
She said that back in February this year, the first batch of SBMA employees underwent air-conditioning skills training at the said facility, adding that there will be more employees who will take part in other various skills training courses.
“Their training course would normally cost $1,100 per head. That is how much the agency saves with every employee we send to Gigamare for skills enhancement training. This includes shuttle services back and forth, meals during training, use of equipment and other materials related to the training,” Abalos explained.
During the first day of the five-day electrical training course, topics discussed were Electrical Safety and Basic Electrical Theory; electrical hazards; characteristics of matter; electrostatics, resistance and conductance; basic electric circuit; electricity and power; and resistor color coding.
For the second day, the topics included introduction to direct and alternating currents; series direct current circuit; direct and alternating current and voltage; alternating current advantages; and installation of tube light circuit.
Third day topics include: meter basics; ammeters; voltmeter; ohmeters; multimeters; and installation of series/ parallel circuit/ 3-way switch.
For day four, DC and AC motors; principles of operation; motor loads; direction of rotation; practical direct current motors; basic alternating current motors; and construction and operation of AC and DC motors.
Day five topics include: Basic motor control; introduction motor; starters/ controllers; symbols and diagrams; control circuits; motor starting methods; configure the power and control circuit of full voltage starter and reduced voltage starter; wiring the power circuit and control circuit of full voltage starter; and wiring the power circuit and control circuit of reduced voltage starter.
Gigamare, Inc. has committed to provide skills training to SBMA employees on a quarterly basis. According to the company, this is part of their corporate social responsibility for this premier Freeport.
Gigamare was established 15th of April 2013 acquiring Wärtsilä Corporation’s training infrastructure in Subic; continuing the company’s operations in the Philippines. Their mission is to provide innovative and high-quality products and services leading to safe and efficient operations for maritime, offshore, oil and gas, energy, and mining segments.
The company offers environmental and economic training solutions for an improved human factor aided by performance gap analysis. Our unique hands-on academy offers close to real-life experience on operating, repairing, and maintaining equipment and shipboard simulators. (MPD-SBMA)
06 July 2023
Three shipping lines launch service connecting Subic Bay to South China and Vietnam
SBMA beefs up services by modernizing service vehicles
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has taken a step to level up its services to its stakeholders with the purchase of 44 brand new vehicles.
During the blessing of the 44 new vehicles, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan said that the agency is in dire need of replacing the old vehicles with new ones that can be utilized by the employees in its day-to-day operations.
“If we improve our quality of work, the more we could attract investors, the more jobs we could generate for our communities, not only for our present day job-seekers, but for the next generations to come,” Tan said.
He added that with the new direction that the agency is taking, improving the working environment is a step to start with.
“Our vision for the Subic Bay Freeport is to become the preferred sustainable investment hub and eco-tourism destination in Asia Pacific by 2030. One of our steps towards achieving that goal is to ensure that the operating systems of the SBMA are presentable to viable investors,” he said.
The 44 new vehicles include ten new patrol cars, five multipurpose vehicles, six 4x2 pickup compact trucks, seven 4x4 pickup compact trucks, eight passenger vans, four 4x4 pickups, and four 4x2 pickups, amounting to ₱73.5 million.
San Roque Chapel Chaplain Father Noel Montes officiated the blessing of the new vehicles in front of the administration building of the SBMA on Monday. Tan assisted the cleric during the blessing ceremony.
Tan reminded officials and employees of the SBMA that the said vehicles were purchased from the taxpayers’ money, and that they have the responsibility of taking care of these vehicles.
Meanwhile, Tan added that the agency has created a technical working group that would address the problem of public transportation inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
“Our nightlife here needs reviving since most of the restos and bars close early,” he said.
“One of the main reasons for the early closure is the lack of public transportation system in the late hours of the night. We do have taxis, but for a simple employee of a restaurant or bar, taking the cab everyday would certainly hurt his or her income,” he added.
He further explained that if the public transportation would operate even until midnight, the Freeport could expect an increase in nightlife in Subic, thus creating more economic activities here.
“We have a community here, therefore we need a public transportation system,” he added.
Finally, the Chair disclosed that the agency is eyeing the purchase of electric buses and creating more bus stops, especially in housing areas such as Binictican and Kalayaan. He said that these e-buses would also provide free rides for SBMA employees. (MPD-SBMA)
04 July 2023
LOOK: SBMA Chief Jonathan Tan meets with TWG to address public transportation needs in SBFZ
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan confers matters with the Technical Working Group (TWG) for Transportation to address concerns regarding the need for public transport providers within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
21 June 2023
Subic Freeport gears up for e-vehicle tourism
The country’s premier Freeport signified its readiness for electric vehicle tourism after the installation of two Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) here.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan graced the official launching of the EVCS at the Uni-Oil Subic gasoline station after a product presentation.
“We are gearing up to attract more tourists while maintaining an environmentally healthy environment as part of my administration’s thrusts. Not only that we are now expecting tourists thru the conventional fuel-powered vehicles, we are now ready for tourists on electric vehicles and e-cars,” Tan said.
Tan added that another EVCS was installed at the Acea Subic Beach Resorts early this year. Both Acea and Uni-Oil EVCSs will provide the ‘juice’ for electric vehicles that are now on the rise due to vehicle manufacturers producing more efficient and reliable electric vehicles.
He explained that both charging stations have two charging feeder pillars and enclosure each, and can easily accommodate two vehicles simultaneously. With the establishments of the EVCS here, Tan encourages soon-to-be new car owners to look into electric vehicles.
“Subic Bay Freeport has been known to
be an ecologically-friendly area, and with the installations of these electric
vehicle charging stations, Subic can be a haven for electric car owners,” he
added.
The Unioil Subic EVCS is a
partnership between Delta Electronics International (SG) Pte. Ltd. and Unioil
Petroleum Phils., Inc. Delta EV Chargers are made by Edgetech and Delta, and
were demonstrated using electric vehicles Hyundai IONIQ5 from Hyundai Motors
Philippines and Nissan Leaf from Nissan Philippines.
Acea Subic Beach Resort was the first
to install an EVCS in Subic Bay Freeport, providing guests and visitors the
option to use their electric vehicles when coming to their establishment. The
EVCS in Acea was opened during the last week of January.
With Subic Bay Freeport increasing
the number of EVCS, tourists with electric vehicles will now have the option to
visit this premier Freeport without worrying of not having to recharge their
vehicles.
“Accessibility to having electric vehicle charging stations is the key to making Subic Bay Freeport a tourist haven for electric vehicle owners. The installation of electric vehicle charging stations here will help increase confidence for first-time vehicle owners to go electric as the Freeport and the SBMA continues the fight against climate change,” Tan said.
The official cited that some EVCS are
now capable of charging e-bikes and e-scooters, and also have higher-power DC
fast charging and combined charging system capability that is used by most
newer electric vehicles.
“With the dawn of fast charging, some
electric vehicles can easily replenish their battery packs within 30 to 40
minutes,” Tan added. (MPD-SBMA)
12 June 2023
Alcala, Santiago endure heavy rains to win IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay
It rained and rained but the downpour neither stopped nor cooled down the fearless triathletes, who swam, biked and ran the IRONMAN 70.3 Subic Bay with John Dedeus Alcala and Ines Santiago pulling off victories in varying fashions here yesterday.
Alcala pushed himself with all the strength he could muster in the closing run stage and pounded out the win in 4:43:45 while Santiago dominated the opening swim leg and cruised to victory in 5:35:59 in wet conditions in her side of the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run race at the Subic Bay Boardwalk.
With the pack of intrepid bidders still disputing the centerpiece Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines crowns at press time, Alcala and Santiago took the spotlight in the half-triathlon, including $1,000 each, in rare damp and cold conditions.
Alcala put up the kind of finish he flaunted in stealing the show – but in stifling heat – in the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa in Palawan last November, racing at his own pace in the swim (39:19) and bike (2:33:21) before pouring it out with a best 1:27:05 clocking in the run leg. (SNL)
11 June 2023
IRONKIDS starts off strong in the sports tourism capital of the Philippines
08 June 2023
Tan bares 10-pt. agenda as new strategic direction for SBMA, SBF
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan bared his ten-point priority development plan before the officers and members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) early this week.
Tan was guest of honor at the SBFCC Membership Meeting and CEO’s/President’s Forum held at the LeCharmé Suites-Subic where he gave an update about the developments and plans for his term.
Looking back at the past four weeks he spent as SBMA Chairman and Administrator, he said that he already learned an important lesson.
“Pressure and challenges are opportunities for us to step-up and rise. While it takes a lot of courage to believe in yourself, but strength doesn’t come from what you can do, but from overcoming the thought that you can’t do it. Adversity may have its way of challenging our inner strength, yet it is necessary to build our character as leaders. Thus, I stand before you today, guided by a clear purpose and direction for the Subic Bay Freeport,” he said.
During his speech, he challenged everyone that moving forward means letting go of “what’s no longer working,” which is not only applicable to the agency but to the entire Freeport as well.
With this, Tan said that his administration would be implementing a new strategic direction taken after his name’s initials, which is anchored on three economic thrusts, namely: J for jobs, or creating more jobs for the people; D for development, or encouraging more investors by making the Freeport a competitive business hub; and T for tourism, or making one’s stay at the Freeport relaxing while doing business.
He added that the development agenda is in support of the socioeconomic targets of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., which is in line with the “whole-of-society approach” of the national development.
His extensive update tackled the following points: (1) Implementation of “Ease of Doing Business; (2) Improvement of Investment Climate at the Freeport; (3) Increase Job Opportunities for the People; (4) Construction of the Corporate Center; (5) Adoption of Smart City Initiative; (6) Prioritization of Infrastructure Development; (7) Improvement of Public Transport Services; (8) Enhancement of Ground Maintenance and Street-lighting; (9) Reinforcement of Safety and Security within the Freeport; and (10) Creation of a Tourism Development Plan.
Meanwhile, SBFCC President Benjamin Antonio III, on behalf of the members of the chamber, expressed support and cooperation with the SBMA with Tan at the helm.
Likewise, Tan expressed commitment to uphold the agency’s partnership with the chamber by constantly improving and establishing a business-friendly environment.
The event culminated with a moderated forum between the members of the chamber and the SBMA Chairman and Administrator.
The SBFCC is an organization of businesses founded in 1995 to serve and represent the interests of its members, who come from more than 20 countries around the world. It represents 80% of the economy flow in the Freeport. (MPD-SBMA)