SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines –The workforce in the country’s premier Freeport totaled 171,653 in 2025, according to the annual report by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). According to a report from the SBMA Labor Department, this figure reflects a 4.4 percent increase from last year’s 164,400 recorded in 2024. SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the increase in the number of workers here results from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to provide more employment opportunities for Filipinos. He said that Olongapo City remains the biggest source of manpower, with 70,769 residents working here. He added that this was followed by Zambales with 31,621; Bataan with 22,897; National Capital Region with 7,077; Pampanga with 5,492; Tarlac with 2,199; and the remaining 31,598 from other parts of the country, including foreign workers. Around 70.60 percent of workers, or 121,187, are male, while the remaining 29.40 percent, or 50,466 workers, are female, and employed by 4,744 Subic companies. Despite the disparity, female workers outnumbered male workers in the manufacturing sector, with 18,951 females and 18,242 males employed across 111 manufacturing companies in Subic. Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Freeport’s services sector remains the biggest employer, which clocked at 67.32 percent of the workforce, with the manufacturing sector making up 21.67 percent. These are followed by the construction sector with 7.36 percent, and shipbuilding/marine-related services with 3.64 percent. Aliño added that the services sector also has the biggest number of companies, with 4,129, followed by the construction sector with 356 companies, then shipbuilding/ marine-related services with 148 companies, and lastly the manufacturing sector with 111 companies. He further said that more companies are still looking for employees, thru the SBMA Labor Department’s regular conduct of job fairs and posting job openings via online portals and bulletin boards at their offices near the Subic Bay Gym. “Jobseekers can click on the SBMA Career Portal, where we provide an official list of vacancies from various Freeport locators. We encourage applicants to check the Subic Gym bulletin board for scheduled examinations and interviews,” he said. For further information, Aliño advised job seekers to browse the SBMA official website mysubicbay.com.ph, and look for the “Jobs For You” section.

By Ruben A.Veloria BOTOLAN, Zambales, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) through the technical staff from the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCore) Project, , on Wednesday, started to accept and process the  project proposals of Zambales fishermen for possible granting of livelihood projects worth up to P6 million. According to Paolo Quiteneg, president of the Zambales Provincial Fisherfolks Association (ZPFA), 12 fisheries associations from 13 municipalities of the province submitted their proposals during the meeting held at Botolan Municipal Hall. Quiteneg described the event as another milestone in the fisheries industry in the province, saying this development leads towards modernization for safer and greater income. Quiteneg said members of the fisherfolk associations are thanking Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., and Provincial Consultant on Development and Infrastructure Engr. Mariano Domingo, for their untiring support to fishermen of Zambales. “The aggressive maritime activities of the Chinese Coast Guard against Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea severely affected the livelihood of the Zambalenos, but Gov. Ebdane has continuously found ways to help the affected sector,”Quiteneg said. He said, earlier in January, Gov. Ebdane has turned over two brand new fiberglass payao boats (worth P5 million each); while the third boat was named: MB The Province of Zambales, which will be used in patrolling the vicinity of the fishing ground usually visited by poachers, and the multi-million peso payaos. Assisting the evaluation of the proposals submitted were FishCore Project and  Modern and Resilient Livelihood Investments (MARLIN) technical staff:  Angel Buenaventura, Jared Visperas and Sherlyn Ignacio. The grant is part of the P11.42 Billion (US$209 Million) initiative funded by the World Bank, and implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). FishCore Project aims to improve fisheries management, rehabilitate marine habitats, and increase income of the fisherfolks by combating illegal fishing, reducing post harvest losses, and strengthening climate resilient livelihoods. Among the ZPFZ members which submitted their proposals, Bagong Samahan ng mga Mangingisda sa Felmida-Diaz (Cabangan) president Daniel S. Daniel said that his association is very hopeful that their proposal will be approved to help them expand their market to other municipalities or province. Daniel had submitted a proposal for the acquisition of a reefer van and accessories. Also, Deepsea Fishing Association (Subic) chairwoman Charina Arquelles is very hopeful that their proposal will be approved. DFA submitted a P6-M project proposal to acquire also a reefer van, which they could use in transporting their catch to other markets without risk of spoiling.

10-hectare allocation within Hann Reserve marks a pivotal step toward building a complete, future-ready community in Pampanga   NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Hann Philippines, Inc. have formally signed an agreement allocating 10 hectares of land within Hann Reserve for the establishment of an international school in New Clark City. The signing marks a significant step in the city’s transformation into a full-service, globally competitive urban center in Central Luzon. The move addresses one of the most practical considerations for families, expatriates, and global professionals relocating to the area: access to world-class education. By anchoring an international school within the development, New Clark City strengthens its appeal as a place to genuinely live and grow. “This marks yet another significant milestone for New Clark City. We recognize that education is the bedrock of nation-building, and the impact this project will have on our economic development is truly beyond words,” BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang said. The international school will offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and is designed to accommodate approximately 1,500 enrolled students. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030. BCDA Chairperson Atty. Larry B. Paredes echoed this sentiment, framing the agreement less as a real estate transaction and more as a statement of intent about the kind of community New Clark City is setting out to be. For Paredes, the value of the institution will be measured not in square meters but in human connection. “Years from now, people may not remember the documents we signed today. But they will experience the community built here in the classrooms, workplaces, and public spaces,” Atty. Paredes added. The agreement was signed by Hann Philippines Chairman and CEO Dae Sik Han and witnessed by BCDA Chairperson Atty. Paredes, along with senior officials from both organizations. A City Built for People New Clark City is designed from the ground up as a smart, green, disaster-resilient, and inclusive metropolis. A defining feature of the city’s master plan is its commitment to open space, with 60 percent of its total land area dedicated to parks, greenways, and sustainability-driven development—a rarity among urban projects of this scale anywhere in Southeast Asia. The addition of an international school deepens the city’s academic credentials at a time when its reputation as an education hub is already taking shape. The National Academy of Sports, the University of the Philippines, and the Philippine Science High School have all established or are establishing a presence in New Clark City, collectively positioning the area as an emerging center for learning, research, and innovation in the Philippines. Together, these institutions reinforce New Clark City’s core proposition that a modern city must be as invested in people as it is in roads, buildings, and broadband. The international school, once established, will serve the children of global professionals, local families, and the broader Clark corridor community making the city a more compelling destination for talent and investment alike.                  

Ruben A. Veloria   Morong, Bataan, Philippines — Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) released 336 sea turtle or pawikan hatchlings in a ceremony at its adopted hatchery site in Sitio Fuerte, Barangay Poblacion, Morong, Bataan, recently. Through private limited partnerships GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD), the event served as the high point of the company’s three-year SagiPaWeCan project. This flagship conservation program supports GMEC and GNPD’s “Preserve the Planet” initiative under its P.U.S.O. Corporate Social Responsibility framework, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life Below Water) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Morong Mayor Leila Linao-Muñoz noted that the cooperation between the Morong and SagiPaWeCan is a proof that when the community, government and the private sector unite their efforts, they could achieve significantly. “Sama-sama po nating itaguyod ang ating adbokasiya na maging tagapangalaga ng ating mga pawikan, at maging aktibo para po pangalagaan natin ang ating kalikasan,” she added. Building on this momentum, GMEC and GNPD Reputation and Stakeholder Management (RSM) Manager Joseph Paolo Mendoza announced that the program will be extending for another five years with a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which will be formally signed on March 25, 2026, together with the Provincial Government of Bataan (PGB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the local people’s organization, Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte Association. “We’re not done yet. We’re choosing to commit and protect because conservation is not seasonal, it’s generational,” Mendoza said. He note that every hatchling being released carries proof that when the community, government, and private sector move together, they create real impact. Since 2023, the program has transplanted 55,190 olive ridley eggs, resulting in the successful release of 53,435 hatchlings, representing a 97% hatching rate. If left unprotected, the rate could be only about 25% or lesser because of natural predators and other environmental disturbances. The Philippines is home to five of the seven sea turtle species in the world, three of which — the green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles — nest on the shores of Bataan which are protected under the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147). This makes conservation efforts like GMEC and GNPD’s project SagiPaWeCan timely and necessary, serving as a compelling example of how private sector leadership, together with community collaboration, can create meaningful and lasting impacts.       Photo Caption for pic1 –

Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines  — Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials met with executives of Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) to explore collaborative initiatives to accelerate tourism growth and investment promotion here. Led by SBMA Business and Investment Group’s Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) Renato Lee III, discussions focused on expanding high-impact tourism segments including cruise ship tourism, wreck diving, forest trails, and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) activities. David Leechiu, CEO of Leechiu Property Consultants highlighted Subic Bay’s deep-water port and strategic location as key advantages in positioning the Freeport as a competitive cruise ship destination in Luzon. Lee-Chiu also noted that increased cruise calls would drive growth across hospitality, retail, transport, and local enterprises. Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Alino also mentioned “wreck diving” as a strong niche market, with Subic Bay’s historic shipwrecks that continue to attract both domestic and international divers. Also discussed was the development and promotion of forest trails and eco-tourism experiences, recognizing Subic Bay Freeport’s protected forest areas as prime assets for sustainable tourism, nature-based recreation, and eco-adventure activities. Both parties underscored the need to enhance MICE capabilities through investments in convention facilities, hotels, and integrated developments to capture corporate and international events.          

NEW CLARK CITY, Philippines — Students will now undergo free industry-driven skills training in New Clark City, as the Provincial Government of Tarlac and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) inaugurated the Off-Campus Training Center for the Tarlac Center for Learning and Skills Success (TCLASS) program. Equipped with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-accredited training programs, the facility aims to address the increasing demand for skilled workers brought about by the rapid expansion of New Clark City and the growing hospitality sector in the province. By delivering industry-relevant Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs closer to host communities, the project seeks to produce globally competitive workers who are job-ready and equipped for employment. This project is aligned with the Marcos administration’s long-term goal of generating high-quality jobs and strengthening the country’s workforce, as laid out in the 10-year Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan 2025-2034. “This TESDA-accredited Off-Campus Training Center is key in strengthening our workforce in Tarlac. We are investing directly in people by giving them access to high-quality, and industry-driven training that leads to employment opportunities,” Provincial Government of Tarlac Governor Christian Tell Yap said. The training center utilizes designated facilities at the Athletes’ Village Building B including meeting rooms, mock-up guest rooms, and the front desk to ensure hands-on and simulation-based instruction. The facility will prioritize programs aligned with New Clark City’s key employment-generating industries. It will strictly comply with the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS), ensuring that all courses meet national standards for quality and relevance. “As infrastructure and investments continue to expand in New Clark City, the demand for skilled labor will also grow. Providing a dedicated training venue here ensures that local communities are prepared to participate in and contribute to this development. Our partnership with the Provincial Government of Tarlac demonstrates how public sector collaboration can create meaningful impact,” BCDA President and CEO Engr Joshua M. Bingcang said. Through subsidized training programs, the Provincial Government of Tarlac aims to empower local communities and enhance workforce readiness. The first batch of 25 trainees will begin their 20-day training this month. TCLASS targets to train 10 batches of students within one year. The municipality of Capas, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) will sponsor the TESDA assessment fees of graduates to enable them to secure their National Certificates. This certification will strengthen their employment advantage within New Clark City and its surrounding areas. Interested applicants are to register and submit their requirements to the PESO Office in Capas or PESO Tarlac Province Office. For more information, email pgt.tclass@gmail.com or contact TCLASS at 091177066718 or PESO CAPAS at 09123095761.     

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga, Philippines —The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) announced that the newly built Clark Aviation Capital (CAC) Picnic Grounds, located along Gil Puyat Avenue near the Clark International Airport (CRK), will soon open as a community park space for visitors to the Freeport Zone. The modernized picnic grounds are designed to serve as an accessible public space at no cost, offering amenities such as jogging and walking paths, recreational and wellness facilities, an amphitheater, a playground, a pet park, and expansive open areas. The development will also feature a storm water reservoir or catch basin for flood mitigation, ample parking areas, park benches, coffee shops, community gardens, and food and beverage stalls, making it suitable for family outings, picnics, recreational activities, and tourism. Project planners ensured the preservation of the site’s dense concentration of century-old acacia trees planted in the early 1900s during the American colonial period, with no trees felled during construction. The Clark Picnic Grounds form part of CIAC’s Seven Flagship Projects under its Urban Renewal and Heritage Conservation Program, which aims to implement modern urban planning principles and promote sustainability within the Clark Freeport Zone. Once completed, the CAC Picnic Grounds will complement other designated outdoor areas in Clark, including the Clark Parade Grounds, Bicentennial Park, and Air Force City Park. The project’s initial phase of development, covering five hectares of the nine-hectare CIAC property, is almost complete and is expected to open to the public soon. CIAC said the project is intended to strengthen community engagement and enhance public spaces within the Clark Freeport Zone. “As we develop the Clark Aviation Capital, we are committed to creating sustainable and inclusive public spaces that improve quality of life and foster stronger communities,” CIAC President Jojit Alcazar said. As the aviation and land development arm of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), CIAC continues to advance efforts to transform the Clark civil aviation complex into a premier global aviation and logistics hub.

By Ruben A.Veloria Cong. Doris”Nanay Bing” Manoquiz (2nd District,Zambales)(3rd, R), together with (L-R) LtCol. Mark Anthony Ruelos, Commander 69th IB; Botolan Vice Mayor Atty. Nick Manzo, Board Member Jun Rundy Ebdane, DPWH Region 3 Director Engr. Arnold Ocampo, Zambales PENRO, and BGen Ronald Bautista PA, showing the plan of the camo, perspective, and the newspaper, before inserting inside the time capsule. (RAVeloria) BOTOLAN, Zambales, Philippines — Congresswoman Doris “Nanay Bing” Maniquiz, (2nd Dist., Zambales) led the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a P260 million Philippine Army base camp in Barangay San Juan here. Military officers and local government officials attended the ceremony, including 702nd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Ronald Bautista PA, 69th Infantry Battalion Cdr. LCol. Mark Anthony Ruelos PA, DPWH Region 3 Director Engr. Arnold Ocampo, DENR-PENRO Marife Castillo, Zambales Board Member Jun Rundy Ebdane, and community leaders. Cong. Maniquiz said the presence of the 69th Infantry Battalion in the province does not only invite tourists, but also promotes a peaceful environment that will attract investors due to the secured area. The new Army base camp shall be constructed on the hilltop of Sitio Alao, Barangay San Juan in Botolan where the new Battalion administrative building, officers’ quarters, company barracks, motor pool building, munition dump, and multi-purpose hall will be constructed. The base will be named Lt. Francis Villanueva PAF, a Botolan-born helicopter pilot who was killed while trying to bring supplies and troops in a base camp in the mountain of Kalinga amid strong wind.  A total of 12 ha. of land was donated for the base camp. Ten ha. of which land will be donated by the office of PENRO Officer Marife Castillo upon request of Cong. Maniquiz to be used as a training ground for new recruits and refresher course for active personnel. For his part, DPWH-R3 Director Engr. Ocampo said, “This project is under the TIKAS Program which aims to bring forth to the defenders of democracy the facilities with the most quality for operations in building infrastructures for peaceful community, development and security,” Ocampo said. TIKAS Program or “Tatag ng Imprastraktura para sa Kapayapaan at Seguridad” (Strength of Infrastructure for Peace and Security), is a joint DND-DPWH convergence initiative designed to build and rehabilitate military Facilities nationwide using DPWH funds to enhance AFP facility readiness, improve personnel welfare, and support the “Build Better More” infrastructures program. For BGen. Bautista recalled that in the past, soldiers suffice themselves with only makeshift barracks which they improve with what materials they could avail. “But today, through the initiative of Cong. Nanay Bing, we will be transferring to all new facilities-barracks, admin office, quarters and more. These will not only boost the morale of the soldiers, they make them feel that the support of the community and by the government. Thank you, Nanay Bing,” Bautista said. Meanwhile, Cong.Maniquiz expressed her wholehearted gratitude for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro for supporting the project, and to Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane for trusting her projects and for the technical assistance she needed.

CAPAS, Tarlac , Philippines — Close to 30,000 people from all walks of life and around the globe gathered over three days for the 26th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) in New Clark City, as families, friends, and visitors shared a weekend of flight and celebration. The strong turnout reinforces the city’s role as a growing hub for sports tourism and major public events. The skies came alive with sunrise balloon ascents, night glows, paragliding exhibitions, and paper plane competitions, among others. International hot air balloon pilots joined from Macedonia, Brazil, Switzerland, Belgium, the United States, and other countries, adding to the event’s global character. For the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the gathering showed how former military lands can be transformed into open, welcoming spaces for recreation, tourism, and shared experiences. BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang said the hosting of the event supports the national government’s push to maximize public assets and turn infrastructure investments into tangible benefits for communities. “This event is aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that major developments directly improve the lives of Filipinos and generate real economic impact for our communities,” he said. “Beyond the figures, what we witnessed was families spending a day of love and joy together. We saw balikbayans returning home, foreign visitors discovering New Clark City for the first time, and local communities proudly welcoming them. That is the kind of place we set out to build, one where infrastructure serves people and brings communities together.” Branded “A Weekend of Everything That Flies,” the organizers of PIHABF, led by founder and event director Captain Jose Mari “Joy” Roa, turned New Clark City into a venue for sport, aviation, and public enjoyment at scale. “We are grateful to our partners, especially the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta organizers, for their trust and collaboration. Their confidence in New Clark City affirms that with sound planning and governance, we can host large gatherings while keeping our spaces open and accessible,” Engr. Bingcang added. Tarlac Governor Christian Tell Yap, meanwhile, highlighted the broader impact on the province. “This boosted the province economically and socially. There was a clear ripple effect on hotels, tour operators, and small businesses. We want to continue promoting initiatives like this to strengthen tourism-driven growth in Central Luzon,” Gov. Yap said.