By Ruben A. Veloria   SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) revealed three big-ticket infrastructure projects before the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AMCHAM)-North Luzon during the latter’s visit here,recently. During the Subic Freeport leg of its visit to economic districts in the country, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) for Business and Investment Renato Lee III welcomed AMCHAM President Denise H. R. Molintas at the SBMA corporate boardroom. Department of Transportation (DOTR) Planning Service Director Felicisimo C. Pangilinan Jr. also shared a few insights on the various projects that would boost businesses in Luzon. According to Lee, SBMA is planning to create a new cruise ship berth at the Redondo Peninsula where cruise ships can unload their passengers at the said facility. He added that the ₱1.2-billion facility will have a quay length of 380 meters for berth 1, and 350 meters for berth 2. Lee cited that the reclamation for the cruise passenger terminal and cruise leisure and commercial area would cost ₱8.3 billion. The agency is also intending to redevelop Boton Wharf into a 12.8-hectare terminal with a berthing length of 920 meters. The project will have five warehouses with a floor area of 5,000 square meters each. To complement these projects are the construction of administration offices, staging areas, access roads, rehabilitation of existing road networks, and the installation of shore power. Meanwhile, Lee disclosed that while still in its preparatory stage, a multi-purpose terminal will also be constructed at the Redondo Peninsula which will provide access and support to the area, with a total area of 30 hectares, a quay length of 600 meters, and a depth of 12 meters. It will involve the construction of warehouses, an administration building, truck parking, and weighing scale, offices, and facilities for workers.        

By Rachel Magday   NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines — Nueva Vizcaya Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has ordered stricter and even-handed enforcement of Republic Act 8794’s anti-overloading provisions along the Maharlika (Pan-Philippine) Highway, directing intensified inspections at the Calitlitan Weigh Bridge Station in Aritao. The composite team stationed there is composed of personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO). Gambito earlier requested that the provincial government be allowed to co-manage the team. The Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue cum Consultation on Traffic Management in Nueva Vizcaya and Region 02, held at the Ammungan Hall, Provincial Capitol, is an offshoot of the Traffic Management Provincial Summit initiated by the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya (PGNV) during the first quarter of this year. The activity was attended by various national agencies, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), DPWH, PNP, LTO, and the Department of Economy,Planning and Development(DEPDev-former NEDA). Speaking at the forum, Gambito said overloaded trucks have figured in accidents and road blockages that cause hours-long congestion, particularly in Diadi and Sta. Fe. He added that excessive loads speed up pavement deterioration, leading to frequent DPWH reblocking, and that persistent traffic jams are hurting the province’s image, tourism, and food security. He noted that Nueva Vizcaya is increasingly being labeled the “traffic capital” because of recurring heavy traffic—driven in large part by overloaded trucks merely passing through from other provinces. Cagayan Governor Edgar B. Aglipay, joining via Zoom, proposed a unified ordinance among Region 02 provinces requiring slow-moving vehicles to keep to the outer lane while faster-moving vehicles use the inner lane to maintain traffic flow. He noted that when slow-moving trucks occupy the inner lane especially while climbing uphill terrain—their speed drops significantly, forcing following vehicles to slow down and worsening congestion. Police officials cited vehicular accidents including some involving overloaded trucks, seasonal surges in vehicle volume, counterflowing, and slow-moving trucks as primary drivers of heavy traffic on the Maharlika Highway, especially in Diadi and Sta. Fe. In response, the PNP said that, in coordination with the provincial government and contractors, it is implementing traffic schemes that include deploying additional flagmen at ongoing road construction sites, assigning more PNP personnel to manage traffic, installing median barriers and precautionary traffic signages, and deploying the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) on motorcycles to serve as sweepers to help clear obstructions and restore traffic flow. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled to continue discussions, with department heads and the governors of Cagayan and Isabela expected to attend; the truckers’ association and other key stakeholders will also be invited to participate.

Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines — The Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with three Singapore-based aviation firms Dviation Training Centre Sdn. Bhd., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Asia Ltd., and ST Engineering Urban Solutions Ltd., marking a major step toward the development of the Clark International Aviation Campus. The agreements were signed during the Asia-Pacific Conference and Exhibition on Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) held in Singapore from 16 to 19 September 2025. “Aviation in Singapore is a key component of its successful economy, and we’re fortunate to forge mutually beneficial relationships with leading institutions here,” Alcazar said. He added that the partnerships are aimed at sharing expertise to help establish Clark’s own Clark International Aviation Campus as part of its Seven Flagship Projects, a key component of CIAC’s broader vision to transform Clark into the country’s premier aviation and logistics hub. The first MOU, signed on 17 September with Dviation Training Centre Chief Executive Officer Ibnu Hidayat Ishak, focuses on cooperation in aviation training and development.  The Dviation Group provides comprehensive aviation services including aircraft acquisition, operations, and technical support. On 18 September, Alcazar signed another agreement with ST Engineering Urban Solutions Ltd., represented by its president, Gareth Tang, to explore collaboration in developing smart city and aviation technologies at the Clark aviation complex.  The initiative aims to support the area’s growth through sustainable and intelligent infrastructure. Also on 18 September, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Asia Ltd. (ERAU-Asia) Vice Chancellor Matthew Flaherty signed an MOU to explore joint efforts in aviation education, training, and workforce development.  Embry-Riddle is globally recognized as one of the largest universities specializing in aviation and aerospace. “These partnerships affirm CIAC’s commitment to building strong ties with global industry leaders to advance Clark’s role as a leading aviation hub in the Philippines,” Alcazar said. The Clark International Aviation Campus is part of the broader Clark Aviation Capital, which includes the Clark International Airport, Clark Global City, and over 60 locators across aviation, logistics, commercial, and manufacturing sectors. The complex is managed by CIAC and positioned as the country’s premier aviation-related and logistics complex.