By Dante Salvana Real estate developers and locators in various economic zones of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) have expressed support for the proposed bills amending Republic Act 7227, stressing that such measure would allow the state-run firm to continue ushering sustainable economic growth, drive investments, and generate jobs for Filipinos. Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI), Ayala Corp., Megaworld Corp., and Hann Development Corp. (HDC), delivered their respective letters of support for House Bill 8505 and Senate Bill 2647, citing BCDA’s track record as a key player in economic development and nation building. As the developer of the 288-hectare mixed-use development Filinvest New Clark City in Tarlac and the 201-hectare leisure estate Filinvest Mimosa+ in Pampanga, FLI described BCDA as a “key progress catalyst” in Central Luzon, and a “steadfast partner” in establishing townships, business hubs, and industrial zones. Hence, Filinvest believes that the continued existence and expansion of BCDA will strengthen its ability to drive economic growth and develop key areas in the country. “The renewal of BCDA’s corporate existence and expanded role under [the bill] will inspire trust and confidence from both local and foreign investors and boost the country’s economy. The extension of BCDA’s corporate existence not only ensures continued progress of the areas within its jurisdiction, but also allows the expansion of its industrial and economic footprint, attracting investors and fostering local economy,” FLI President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tristaneil D. Las Marias said. Ayala also said its partnership with the BCDA for the development of the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, and its subsidiary, John Hay Management Corp., for the Ayala Land Technohub in Baguio City, has helped stimulate economic growth in these areas and create more jobs for Filipinos. “Thus, we support the proposal to extend the corporate term of BCDA for another 50 years from 2042,” Ayala Corp. President and CEO Cezar P. Consing said. The company also supported the measure to convert a portion of BCDA’s economic zones to alienable and disposable lands as this will enable BCDA to “create more economic and social impact” through the sound conversion of former military bases into productive developments. Megaworld, meanwhile, said its partnership with the BCDA resulted in the development of McKinley Hill, Uptown Bonifacio, and Newport City, which it described as “prime centers of economic development key areas for employment generation.” “We thus welcome the proposal to extend the corporate term of the BCDA and we are confident that the additional term provided to the BCDA would translate to even greater benefits to the country and the Filipino people,” said Kevin Andrew L. Tan, CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc., the parent company of Megaworld. In addition, Tan said the conversion of a portion of BCDA ecozones from leasehold to freehold would make more dynamic and sustainable township developments. He said a freehold residential component would make these ecozones more attractive and competitive as investment destinations. Lastly, Hann Chairman and CEO Dae Sik Han said extending BCDA’s term is vital for project continuity, ensuring the successful execution and completion of long-term initiatives. “This stability is crucial for sustained economic growth and development, providing confidence to partners like Hann Development,”  he said. HDC is the developer of Clark’s first fully integrated development, Hann Casino Resort, and the 450-hectare luxury estate development called Hann Reserve in New Clark City. Senate Bill 2647 seeks to declare a certain percentage of the land area of each BCDA ecozone as alienable and disposable, authorizing its sale for residential use, mixed use, industrial, and institutional purposes. The bill also seeks to extend the BCDA’s corporate term by another 50 years from its current remaining corporate life of 18 years. Its counterpart bill in the House of Representatives, House Bill 8505, was approved on third and final reading in August last year.        

By Ruben A. Veloria   SUBIC, Zambales – Eight fishermen from this town surrendered to authorities on Monday night nearly two kilos of suspected shabu worth P12 million they fished from sea off Lubang Isaland. The surrender of the illegal drugs was facilitated by joint elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency or PDEA Zambales, headed by PDEA Zambales Chief Agent Jigger Junniler, as Lead Unit, kasama ang Subic Municipal Police Station, at PDEU Zambales. Agent Junniler and Zambales Police Provincial Director P/Col. Ricardo S. Pangan, Jr. lauded the courage and for being honest and responsible citizens of the fishermen identified as Jayson Ausejo, 53, the boat captain, and resident of Matain, Subic; and his crews Jay Lenares, Henry Flores, Artur Bautista, Raffy Villar, John Albert Carles, all of Barangay Matain, Subic; Danilo Acosta of Barangay Calapandayan, Subic, and Jinggoy Estrada, of Barangay Samal, Mariveles, Bataan, for surrendering the drugs. Earlier, PDEA Zambales received information from Barangay Matain Chiarman Marvin B. Chua about the eight fishermen who wish to surrender the suspected shabu which they fished out from the sea about 90 nautical miles off Lubang Island in Mindoro Occidental. After which, PDEA coordinated with ZPPO and Subic Police to jointly facilitate the turn-over of the illegal drugs. The boat’s captain Ausejo told investigators that while they were on their way back home to Matain from several days of fishing, they noticed pieces of plastic bags floating in the sea. Ausejo ordered his crew to pick all the 11 plastic bags, and upon inspection they discovered that each contains suspected shabu. After verification, police confirmed that the contents of each plastic bags are shabu with a total weight of 1,800 grams (1.8 kilos) with market value approximately P12,240,000.00. The pieces of evidence were brought to PDEA Regional Office 3 for proper documentation and disposition.        

By Ruben A.Veloria Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is currently keen on fast tracking the redevelopment of its Boton Wharf to address the growing influx of ship arrivals in the Port of Subic. Among the priority port expansion projects to be implemented, is the Boton Wharf which has a total length of 648 meters and depth of 10 meters, and currently being used as berthing for transshipment vessels, fishing boats, bulk cargoes and fertilizer terminal by Subic Seaport Terminal Inc. (SSTI). SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said, “The Boton Wharf Redevelopment project is part of the infrastructure roadmap under the Luzon Economic Corridor of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to improve port services for our stakeholders.” Aliño added that one of the main objectives is to ensure that Subic Bay Freeport is primed and ready to receive increased cargo volumes by adding more ports and wharves. “By doing so, this will yield additional direct and indirect employment, and economic opportunities in and around the Freeport,” he added. Meanwhile, during the Talakayan sa Freeport held at the Terrace Hotel here, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Ronnie Yambao disclosed that the agency has lined up various development plans that will boost the number of vessel arrivals here. Yambao mentioned that SBMA will undertake the Redevelopment of Boton Wharf which is targeted to commence in 2026, to consist of a new port terminal, and warehouses with cold storage facilities.    

By Sheen Eugenio   A total of 113 farmers from the town of Nampicuan and Quezon in Nueva Ecija graduated SM Foundation Inc. Kabalikat Sa Kabuhayan on Sustainable Agriculture Program (KSK-SAP) on October 11, 2024, at SM City Cabanatuan. During the 14-week course, the farmers learned effective planting techniques for fruits and vegetables. This improved their harvests and provided organic food for their families. SMFI also helped farmers form associations and connected them with government organizations, local markets, and SM suppliers for a more stable income. SMFI joined with SM Supermalls, SM Markets, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), St. Isidore The Farmer Learning Center Inc. (SITFLCI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade in Industry (DTI) and leaders from the Local Government of Nampicuan and Quezon. Marilou Pascual, 46 years old, a mother of three, a tricycle driver, and a former bet solicitor is one of the graduates who said that during the training period from August to September, they were able to sell harvested organic vegetables amounting to 16,660 that inspire her to plant and sell more. “I would like to take care of this opportunity given to us by SM Foundation and live with Tatang Henry Sy Sr. life principles. After this graduation, I will plant more crops with my co-graduates to continuously produce more and earn more in the coming days, months, and years,” Pascual said. The KSK-SAP is part of the SM Foundation Inc. which has been serving different communities since 1983, focusing on social inclusion by nurturing and caring for those in need. The foundation serves as the core belief of SM Group of Companies’ corporate social responsibility, established by Henry Sy Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy, while anchoring on the principle “People Helping People”.      

 Partnership to support new zero-emissions aircraft and hydrogen production industries The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) today signed a partnership agreement with Australian zero emissions aircraft designer and manufacturer, AMSL Aero to explore a new zero-emissions aircraft industry and provide the catalyst for a hydrogen production industry in the Philippines. The new partnership with BCDA and AMSL Aero involves collaboration and knowledge sharing to develop an ecosystem for low-cost zero emissions aircraft and hydrogen energy that has the potential to connect the archipelago of the Philippines by passenger and freight carriage air bridges, coupled with strategically located hydrogen production plants for clean energy production. This will lead to the preparation of a feasibility study, which may include technical and commercial study of the project with potential developments within the BCDA’s properties. AMSL Aero is an Australian-based sustainable development aerospace technology company that produces a world-leading long-range hydrogen-electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft, the Vertiia. Vertiia is a next-generation aircraft that takes off like a helicopter and flies fast and smoothly like a fixed wing aeroplane at very low cost per hour. The aircraft will be a highly efficient long-range zero-emissions VTOL, with a range of up to 1,000km and cruising speeds of 300kmh. BCDA is AMSL Aero’s second international partnership, with its first international agreement signed with Life Flight in New Zealand on 24 September, 2024. AMSL Aero also has aircraft orders from a leading Australian aviation operator, Aviation Logistics. Max York, CEO of AMSL Aero, said the partnership with BCDA has the potential to help drive the future of aerospace and clean energy production, as well as support economic development for the Philippines. “The partnership agreement with BCDA, and also the recently signed partnership with Life Flight New Zealand, clearly demonstrate the global demand and opportunity for hydrogen-powered VTOL technology. These agreements will enable AMSL Aero to further develop our innovative Vertiia technology to support multi-national requirements for passenger, cargo, air rescue, aeromedical and military air operations.” Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang, President and CEO of the BCDA said, “The agreement with AMSL Aero will build a strong partnership with a world leading sustainable aviation manufacturer. “This agreement also supports our vision to transform New Clark City into a smart and sustainable metropolis, which includes modern energy and transport infrastructure. “We look forward to progressing this partnership to achieve positive technological, economic and social outcomes for the Philippines.” Based in Sydney Australia, AMSL Aero has secured more than AUD$55 million in funding from major private investors, government programs and customers to develop the Vertiia, which is currently progressing through the civil aviation certification process, and is set to change the way people use air travel once it enters production within the next few years      

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.