SBMA is Ph’s “Most Sustainable Investment Hub” – WBO Magazine
What better news to write about the premier Freeport in the country before the year ends than it being recognized and awarded the Most Sustainable Investment Hub in the Philippines.
Just recently, World Business Outlook Magazine conferred the “Most Sustainable Investment Hub” award to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for the continuous effort of the Authority to maintain its status as the best investment place in the country since it was converted into an industrial hub from a former US naval facility. SBMA has maintained its thrust in developing the Subic Bay Freeport Zone a sustainable investment hub in the world.
The award was received personally by the SBMA Chairman and Administrator Engineer Eduardo Aliño during the 2024 World Business Outlook Awards held on November 2, 2024 at the Marriott Marquis Queens Park in Bangkok, Thailand. The good chairman was accompanied by his equally deserving officers of SBMA including Director Teodoro Del Rosario, Business and Investment Group for Leisure Manager Josephine Ivy Ferrer and General Business and Investment Officer-in-Charge Cleofe Espinelli.
In a statement from the Authority, it was quoted CHAD (short for Chairman and Administrator) Aliño as saying, “It is with profound honor that we accept this distinct accolade from the World Business Outlook award-giving body for being the Most Sustainable Investment Hub in the Philippines for the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.”
CHAD also encourage the attendees and global economic leaders to engage in innovative practices, promote green technologies, and ensure that our commitment to sustainability remains at the forefront of everything we do. Thus, the official, who also owns a big company in the Freeport, noted that by helping and working together, they will continue to pave the way for responsible investment practices, ensuring a thriving planet for future generations.
But, it is also a good opportunity to mention that SBMA is also a recipient of other prestigious awards. In April 2023, former SBMA CHAD Wilma T. Eisma has won Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards “Thought Leader of the Year” for her Covid-19 contingency plans for the Subic Bay Freeport that paved the way for businesses inside the Freeport to endure the effects of the pandemic.
During her term, the agency has implemented measures that ensured, not only for businesses to thrive but the safety and security of the stakeholders in the Freeport as well. Eisma is now a director of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
In January 2022, SBMA was awarded “Best in Tourism Practice During the Pandemic” among 12 finalists during the 22nd National Convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP). Then in July of the same year, Subic Bay Freeport was conferred as the No. 1 tourist destination in Central Luzon by the Department of Tourism (DoT), while also ranking 5th among the most visited places in the country.
SBMA also continue its commitment in contributing to the economic development of its neighboring municipalities by distributing revenue shares derived from the gross income of the Freeport.
In February this year, SBMA distributed a total of P178.7-million revenue shares due to the municipalities of Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino, and San Antonio in Zambales; Dinalupihan, Morong and Hermosa in Bataan, and Olongapo City. Revenue shares which are computed according to population (50%), land area (25%), and equal sharing (25%) are released twice a year—August for the first semester, and February of the following year for second semester.
Hear’s To Watch. The award- “Most Sustainable Investment Hub”- given to SBMA does not only represents the excellent performance of the management team, but serves as a challenge to all rank and file of the Authority work harder as one team to come up with better strategies to smoother sail the ship.
The longest-time constructed bridge went soft opening but was bashed by residents and workers alike, because it was flooded and pedestrians got wet while crossing the bridge The unfair treatment for pedestrian-workers, motorcyclists, and car owners and passengers while entering the Freeport in the morning; why only bikers and pedestrians were subjected to inspections, while car owners freely passed the gates. More and more car owners are ignoring road courtesy and regulations, mostly are not stopping on corners anymore. Parks are often littered, because nobody was penalized yet. Stray dogs and mendicants are roaming the parks. And where are the public toilets for visitors to use. And more.
The Authority should not focus alone on big things, because usually those seemingly petty issues make the difference.
