Subic Bay Freeport—Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has released the ₱204.7-million in net revenue shares for the neighboring local government units (LGUs) of this premier Freeport. The net share received by the eight contiguous localities is part of the five percent corporate taxes paid by Subic Bay Freeport-registered enterprises from January to June 2024. Spearheading the distribution of LGU shares on behalf of the SBMA Chairman and Administrator was Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon O. Agregado. The revenue shares for this period is slightly higher than last year’s ₱203 million for the same period. For shares generated during the first half of 2024, Olongapo City will receive a net share of ₱47.8 million; Subic, Zambales will receive ₱30.7 million; San Marcelino, ₱24.5 million; Castillejos, P18.6 million; and San Antonio, ₱17.4 million. For Bataan, Dinalupihan will receive ₱25.5 million; Hermosa, ₱21.9 million; and Morong, ₱18.1 million. Revenue shares are determined according to the following parameters – 50% population, 25% land area, and 25% equal sharing. This makes Olongapo City the frontrunner and top recipient of revenue shares due to its population. According to the 2020 census, Olongapo pegged its population at 206,317, the biggest among the nearby communities of the SBF. It is also the highest in terms of population density with 1,407.12 resident per square kilometer with a total of 185 sq. km. land area. Meanwhile, net shares are computed by adding the current base share to the ten per cent retention amount from two years prior, but less ten per cent retention amount from the current period. Since August 2010, revenue shares were directly released to the LGUs on a bi-annual basis—August for the first semester, and then February the following year for the second semester.

Subic Bay Freeport – More business missions from the “land down under” are now looking into possible investment opportunities inside this premier Freeport zone.This was confirmed when the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines (CCIAP) Inc. visited here last September 20, 2024, as part of the Australia Inbound Mission for possible trade and investment opportunities . The CCIAP, led by Leader Founder and President Connie De Cunha, was warmly received by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño. Aliño discussed the diverse capabilities of this ecozone in terms of shipping, tourism, renewable energy and manufacturing. He added that he hopes the CCIAP would encourage more Australian companies to locate here. SBMA Business and Investment Department for Manufacturing & Maritime Manager Karen Magno delivered a presentation to CCIAP delegates showing the density of Australian companies based inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and the perks they enjoy from settling here. Australian companies such as DBA Global also shared their experience working inside the freeport zone. DBA Global President Darlow Parazo said that Subic Bay Freeport is one of the fast-growing business hubs in the Philippines. “With its strategic location and skilled workforce, Subic Bay presents an exceptional environment for businesses eager to expand their operations in Southeast Asia. As one of the leading businesses in the area, DBA Global is committed to driving innovation and fostering growth within this community,” he said. Subic Bay Taiwan Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFTCC) President Best Chang also shared his experience working inside the SBFZ, citing the numerous perks and benefits of locating here. He added that the companies conduct work efficiently with the assurance of the continued support from the SBMA. CCIAP President Cunha expressed her gratitude to the SBMA, SBTFCC, and the Australian companies here for showing the delegation how it is to invest inside Subic Bay Freeport. The group also visited other government owned and controlled corporations as part of their mission. The SBFZ houses numerous Australian-based companies, including brand names such as DBA Global and Dunbrae Subic Inc., which has provided hundreds of job opportunities for Filipino workers here. Magno said that the top five biggest Australian locators include the steel fabrication company STG Global Corp. that has invested US$3.5-million; air transport company Platinum Skies Aviation Inc. with US$1.4-milllion investment; food processing equipment manufacturer Dunbrae Subic Inc. with US$860,000 investment; furniture manufacturer Beurteaux Subic Inc. with US$630,000 investment; and logistics hub Orica Philippines Inc. with US$610,000 investment. She added that there are 24 Australian-based companies here with US$11.7-million worth of total investments and 643 employees, and the agency hopes to increase the number of investors from Australia very soon. Back in August 2022, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) of Australia/New Zealand, in partnership with the Subic-Clark Alliance Development Council (SCADC) and the Board of Investments (BOI) accompanied Australian businesspersons to visit key viable investment sites in the Central Luzon area including this premier Freeport zone.

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Korean government agency National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC) to promote knowledge sharing and explore collaboration opportunities in the fields of urban planning, smart cities development, green energy, and smart administrative systems for the development of the 9,450-hectare New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The MOU was signed by NAACC Administrator Dr. Hyeong Ryeol Kim and BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang in September in Seoul, Korea. “With Korea as a global frontrunner in terms of smart administrative capitals, we at BCDA are very fortunate to have NAACC as our partner to facilitate knowledge exchange and link us with experts who can help us transform New Clark City as the Philippines’ alternative national government hub. Through this MOU, we wish to replicate the successes and apply the lessons learned by Korea in relocating administrative agencies and national research and development (R&D) institutes in its administrative capital, Sejong City,” said BCDA PCEO Bingcang. South Korea and the Philippines – through NAACC and BCDA, respectively – have both set up satellite government administrative centers outside the capital to help ease traffic congestion and overpopulation in their respective metropolitan areas. “We hope that Korea’s experience in building the Administrative City will be helpful in transforming your former military base into a dynamic and vibrant new city,” said Dr. Hyeong Ryeol Kim. The MOU signing happened on the sidelines of the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2024, one of Korea’s largest international conferences for the promotion of cooperation in infrastructure, where BCDA PCEO Bingcang also pitched investment opportunities in the fields of renewable energy, clean transportation, and smart cities development, among others. NAACC has been building the Administrative City in Sejong since 2007, as part of their government’s plan to alleviate the concentration of functions in the Seoul metropolitan area and promote balanced regional development. To date, Sejong serves as home to 40 central administrative agencies and 15 national research and development institutes, making it the administrative capital of Korea. Meanwhile, the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City aims to host facilities for the Philippine government, such as offices of various government agencies, government housing units, and sports facilities. The first phase of NGAC includes an integrated government operations center, a government housing facility (The Residences), the Athletics Stadium, the Aquatics Center, the Athletes’ Village, and the River Park. BCDA has engaged with multiple government agencies to set up offices and key infrastructure in NGAC and parts of New Clark City, including the Philippine Space Agency for its headquarters, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for its coin production and minting facility, the National Academy of Sports, and the Department of Science and Technology for its Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.          

Subic Bay Freeport – Some 43 jobseekers emerged as hired-on-the-spot (HOTS) during the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)’s National Tourism Month Job Fair at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall here on Monday.  Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that these 43 HOTS were among the 759 registered applicants for the said job fair, which is part of the agency’s celebration of Tourism Month in Subic Bay Freeport.  He added that the job fair was participated in by around 50 companies, mostly from the tourism sector of the Freeport, providing 2,600 job vacancies to jobseekers who wish to work here. The official expressed his gratitude to participating companies, and government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Zambales Field Office, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Olongapo, Olongapo City Government and the Olongapo City Tourism Department for partnering with the SBMA to ensure the success of the project.  The National Tourism Month Job Fair spearheaded by the SBMA Tourism Department is in collaboration with the SBMA Labor Department.        

By Dante Salvana Subic Bay Freeport– The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) inaugurated its public transportation project with the test run of two fully electric public utility vehicles (e-PUVs) around the central business district (CBD) here from September 13 to 27. In collaboration with the Basic Energy Corporation, the company behind the Green Energy E-Transport Program (GEEP), this project was conceptualized primarily to provide free or low-cost transportation services to Subic Freeport stakeholders, as part of the wellness program of SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño to improve the quality of life of the local populace. Aliño lauded the hard work of the SBMA’s committee on public transportation, chaired by Deputy Administrator for Finance Antonietta Sanqui, for the expeditious formulation and pursuance of a roadmap and action plan geared towards achieving a more accessible and affordable yet sustainable and energy-efficient transportation for residents, employees, tourists, and all other stakeholders of the free port. The Agency chief added that the e-PUVs on test run will be used to ferry commuters from CBD-A bus stop situated at the Golden Dragon Restaurant parking area, and CBD-B bus stop at the Kalaklan Terminal. The ePUVs made its inaugural run here during the second Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) for its ecotour on Wednesday and Thursday. “These ePUVs that were used to take tourism summit participants to their designated ecotours here and in Zambales aim to reduce carbon emissions in Subic Bay,” he said. Basic Energy Corporation is a publicly listed holding company in the Philippines that has business interests in various fields of renewable energy and alternative fuels, and oil and gas exploration and development. The renewable energy company continues to fuel the Philippines’ vibrant energy sector with the breadth and depth of its projects and technical knowledge. It aims to be the leading developer of alternative and renewable energy, oil and allied products and services in the country.        

By: Dante M. Salvaña Subic Bay Freeport – The Bureau of Customs Port of Subic (BOC) and  the Department of Agriculture (DA)  confiscated around P136.58 million worth of smuggled agricultural products and cigarettes on Wednesday September 11 at Subic Port in Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The shipment was consigned to the Betron Consumer Goods Trading and arrived here on August 15, 2024 from China. During the presentation to the media on Wednesday at the New Container Terminal (NCT), Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel and BOC Port of Subic Atty. Ricardo Uy Morales II opened seven 40-footer container vans. The two officials presented the first five containers of 86 metric tons of fresh white onions and 58 metric tons of fresh carrots misdeclared as frozen fish egg balls from China; as well as two containers of smuggled cigarettes misdeclared as tissue from Taiwan.   Each of the three shipping containers of white onions is valued at over PHP4.3 million while the two containers of carrots amounted to over PHP4 million each, with a total amount worth at more than PHP21.08 million for all five containers. The two other 40-footer container vans, consigned to the Subic All N1 Corp., was declared to contain 2,153 packages of tissues. The container vans arrived in Subic Freeport on August 13, 2024, with Taiwan as the country of origin. Collector Morales said that the two container vans actually contained 167 packages of tissues, 993 master cases of Bros Premium Class A cigarettes, and 993 master cases of Commando Filter, Kings Finest, and Virginia Blend cigarettes. Morales said that the total fair market value for the smuggled items were priced at P136,592,591.67, adding that the violations committed by the aforementioned consignee include: no valid Certificated of Registration and Tax Exemption from the SBMA; and expired registration/ accreditation from the BOC since March 20, 2020.  

By Dante Salvana Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and this premier Freeport is all set as the 2024 Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit (CLSTS) happens on September 11 and 12, 2024 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC). SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said that the two-day event in collaboration with the Department of Tourism Region 3, and dubbed as “Towards a Carbon Neutral Future: Central Luzon’s Commitment to Sustainable Tourism,” is aimed at raising awareness of the current environment issues. “This year’s event promises to share more insights on how tourists can help Mother Earth through first-hand sustainability efforts that have been conducted inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The activity is open to all tourism officers and stakeholders from Central Luzon, and is also geared towards the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism sector, who are focused on the preservation of the environment and members of the academe,” he said. For the first day of the Summit, messages from Aliño, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Director Ralph Pablo, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., and DOT3 Regional Director Richard G. Daenos, which hope to create awareness about sustainable tourism and love for the environment will be delivered, as well as the keynote speech from DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. Highlighting the first day will be the SBMA’s launching of the Race to Carbon Neutrality to be led by Chairman Aliño and Ecology Center Chief Amethya Dela Llana-Koval. A discussion on the Strategies for Carbon Neutral Tourism Enterprises will be conducted by Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) Senior Research Fellow John Paolo Rivera. For the afternoon session, a topic on Cultural Preservation as a Pillar of Sustainable Tourism will be led by focal person National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee for Monuments and Sites former Vice Chairman Arch. Jayson Portem. Meanwhile, the second day will focus on discussions on the Role of Technology in Achieving Net Zero Carbon in Tourism Destinations, with Net Zero Carbon Alliance (NZCA) Executive Director Allan Barcena as the focal person and on Traveling Sustainably: Tips and Tools for Eco-Friendly Tourism. The succeeding talks revolve on Harnessing the Power of Sports for Environmental Stewardship in Coastal Communities with Alon and Araw Club owner Donn Lawrence Quintos as the focal person, followed by the Sustainable Transportation Solutions for Tourists presentation. The two-day event will include eco-tours of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and its contingent localities namely, Birdwatching at Nabasan Area; tree planting at the SBMA Ecology Mangrove Nursery; trips to the El Kabayo Waterfalls; Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail; the Green Building of Pacific Ace; Adventure Cove; Alon and Araw Club in Cabangan; Pinatubo Brewery in San Marcelino; and Dela Llana Farm in Castillejos. Aliño highly encourages stakeholders to come and participate in the two-day event as this is the biggest ecotourism summit held in Central Luzon. The CLSTS is part of a series of activities that was organized in partnership with the Department of Tourism to celebrate National Tourism Month.      

By: Dante M. Salvaña   SUBIC BAY FREEPORT– Personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) conducted an operation together with other law enforcement agencies in raiding a suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in the Subic Freeport Zone, Wednesday afternoon, September 04, 2024. According to the report from CIDG Director PMGen. Leo Francisco, the raid was conducted at 3:00 pm at No. 9-B Grooper Street, Kalayaan Housing Area pursuant to Search Warrant No. 2024-32 issued by Judge Melani Fay V Tadili, of Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 97. During the operation, eighteen (18) Chinese nationals were rescued and two other Chinese nationals, identified only by their aliases Bao Go and A Hai were arrested, who were believed to be involved in human trafficking activities. Authorities confiscated 18 desktop computers, 2 CCTV DVRs, 6 Android mobile phones, 6 iPhones, documents, bank cards, IDs, passports, a safety vault, and bolos (knives). Both those arrested and rescued as well as the evidences obtained were immediately brought to the CIDG Intelligence Division at Camp BGen Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City.