Street dancers showcase their talent and colorful costumes during the 85th Feast of San Roque celebration inside Harbor Point Ayala Mall yesterday.

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone commemorates the feast of San Roque, the patron saint of this premier Freeport every year with a street dancing competition. (Jonas Reyes)

First Published: news.mb.com.ph

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I refer to a letter to the editor titled “What Koko should know” and submitted by one Anton Deleon (7/7/17).

The letter makes imputations that I have been “accused of frittering away millions of pesos in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) funds for travels abroad” and engaging in “unofficial outings in restaurants and hotels in and around Subic Bay.” These imputations are clearly defamatory and, worse, are absolutely false.

I have never been accused of spending any amount of SBMA funds nor to have been in any unofficial outings in establishments in and around the SBMA. This is confirmed by lawyer Wilma T. Eisma, SBMA administrator and CEO.

That the publication of the letter is motivated by malice and ill-will is easily discernible. I refer you to a similar, almost identical, article previously written by one Paul M. Gutierrez titled “SP Koko’s ‘disconnect’ with (SBMA) realty,” which was published in the Opinion section of Journal Online (http://www.journal.com.ph/editorial/opinion/sp-koko-s-disconnect-with-sbma-realty).

How this earlier article differs from the letter you published is that it is SBMA Chair Martin Diño who was reported to be “accused of frittering away millions of pesos in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) funds for travels abroad” and engaging in “unofficial outings in restaurants and hotels in and around Subic Bay.”

Clearly, the letter published in your newspaper merely substituted the term “Senate President” in place of the name of “Diño” but is identical in all other respects to the Gutierrez article.
Deleon, the writer of the letter you published, recently sent me an email stating that he was likewise referring to SBMA Chair Martin Diño. He said “PDI editors edited and rewrote” his letter by inserting the words “Senate President” in place of the pronoun “he,” thereby making it appear that it is the undersigned that is “accused of frittering away millions of pesos in Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) funds for travels abroad” and engaging in “unofficial outings in restaurants and hotels in and around Subic Bay.”

No other reason could have motivated the editors of the Inquirer to rewrite the paragraph and insert the term “Senate President” except ill-will, malice and spite.

SEN. AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL III

We apologize for the editing lapse..—ED.

First Published: opinion.inquirer.net

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How times change. There was a time in the not too distant past when a foodie in Olongapo doesn’t feel shortchanged by the now so pervasive fast-food eating culture. There was a time when most of us would not just settle for McDonald’s, KFC, and other fast-food franchise to enjoy a delicious, typical Filipino meal.

Olongapo’s food scene today is a far cry from those yonder days from the 60s to 80s when we would go to Kong’s for a mouthwatering Chinese feast, Nina’s Papagayo for harmoniously flavored Mexican specialties, or the Chatterbox, Lee’s, and Sam’s Pizza for gourmet comfort food. Of course, some of these mainstays are till around, and then there’s Rico’s – a legendary local turo-turo – and remember Goto Gate, where we would satisfy our cravings for good ol’ goto or arroz caldo instead of the lame Lugaw Republic variations.

But if we really want to savor truly sumptuous flavors — Filipino or otherwise — in Olongapo or Zambales today, where do we go? Where do you go? Share with us your favorite places and tell us why you love them in a few words (describing their food taste, signature dishes, overall presentation, service, price, and ambience).

First Published: subicsun.com

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Grand plans are afoot to transform the Subic Bay Freeport, Olongapo City and Zambales communities into new centers of modernity, growth, and development.

By Percy Roxas

The future is bright. The future is big. This, apparently, is how the government leaders and development authorities of Olongapo City, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), Subic Municipality, and the rest of Zambales see the future. Grand plans are afoot to transform their communities into new centers of modernity, growth, and development.

The Subic Bay Freeport (SBFZ) has perhaps the biggest and most ambitious development plans underway, it being considered a pilot growth center that sets the pace and influence direction for the satellite communities around it.

With land available for investors in the 67,452-hectare former U.S. military base becoming scarcer, development focus in the Freeport–run by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)–hinges largely on expanding investments and job opportunities to the outlying local government units in Olongapo, Zambales, and Bataan.

While there are plans to reclaim land to allow the Freeport to accommodate more potential investors, a dream shared to the media recently by SBMA administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma, the need to share growth and development with its neighboring communities has become more paramount. To quote Eisma, “Development in the Freeport should now spill out to the communities surrounding it.”

In a separate press briefing, SBMA chairman Martin Diño also talked about big projects like Port Expansion, Road Connectivity, and Airport Development.

Proposed development projects at SBMA totals PHP 140 million, which Diño says, should greatly improve lives at SBMA and surrounds. These include the road project that will connect Castillejos to SCTEX, the bypass road from Bataan to Cavite, and many others.

While some of these projects are still mired in controversy, still in the blueprints, or still awaiting approval, the big picture reveals that the Freeport is indeed ready for the big future now more than ever.

In his State of the City Address (SOCA) in July, Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino also revealed major development plans for the future.

A highlight of his presentation was the plan to convert Kalaklan Ridge into a project that will transport it into an area that resembles the world-famous Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.

Paulino’s development focus is comprehensive, and if successful should see Olongapo folk enjoying new infrastructure, better roads, a more efficient health and hospital system, and more. The mayor sees a modernized Olongapo in the future, with transparency and governance helping fuel development.

A more modern Olongapo is concretely taking shape, as Paulino revealed in his SOCA, where he mentioned the projects of river dredging, the Gordon College oval and swimming pool, and using modern technology to provide public service more efficiently.

Several CCTVs and LED screens have been installed in strategic areas of the city to monitor criminality and provide quick response to public emergencies.

In neighboring Subic town, Mayor Jay Khonghun shared with media friends the recent developments of his thriving municipality. While aspiring to be the first municipality to receive an ISO Certification, among other things, Khonghun says there’s no stopping Subic’s journey to cityhood.

A touchstone of Khonghun’s present efforts is the transfer of the Subic Municipal Hall to a new location in Mangan Vaca. His government has also approved plans for a new hospital and has inaugurated a new market for the municipality.

Perhaps no symbol of development in Subic town is more obvious than the apparent real estate boom. Several land and property developers are zooming in to transform the former sleepy town into a thriving hub of modern residential living.

But not only Subic is gearing up for visions of growth and development. The entire Zambales is on the verge of widespread development with plans anchoring on tourism as the main fuel for growth.

Talking to some media friends, including Subic Sun, before his State of the Province address recently, Gov. Amor Deloso revealed his intention to make Zambales the No. 1 tourist attraction in the region, if not in the country.

“Tourism is the way to go for Zambales,” says the governor. “Our province is blessed with numerous natural resources. We have the most beautiful beach areas and our mountains and fauna should make the province irresistible to tourists. And our people are among the most hospitable in the country.”

In fact, multi-billion peso projects are underway in Zambales but Gov. Deloso says he won’t encourage heavy industries in the province. “Tourism is the best industry for us.”

Already several tourism projects are in the blueprint. They include efforts to make the highest mountain in the province, Mount Tapulao, Mount Pinatubo, now favorite destination for adventure-seekers; and the Hidden Shrine in San Marcelino, among others, national landmarks.

The province wants to build a cable car stretching from the summit of Mt. Tapulao to the nearby beach areas.

Infrastructure developments are also afoot. There is a plan to build in Iba the Philippine Olympic Village, which will open job and business opportunities to residents of Zambales, said the governor.

Former governor Vicente Magsaysay has donated 300 hectares of family land in Barangay Rosario for a new government center for Zambales. Once completed, all provincial buildings, including the provincial capitol, will be moved to the new government center. Meanwhile, Deloso’s family has donated 300 hectares of land in Barangay Bulawen for a new convention center as the meeting, incentives, conventions, and exhibition (MICE) market in the province grows.

Modernity is expected to speed up even more once the Botolan-Capas (Tarlac) Road is completed. Botolan is home to Mount Pinatubo, whose eruption in 1991 changed the global climate. Besides being famous for clean, powdery sand beaches, Botolan is also home to many tourist attractions including the Tukal Tukal Falls, Poon Bato, and Kainomayan.

Tourism is also growing in the heretofore relatively unknown tourism destinations of San Antonio where the coves of Anawangin and Nagsasa are drawing more and more tourists every day.

Other important projects for Zambales include the Sta Cruz – Mangatarem Pangasinan Road and the building of the Pundaquit Center for Music and Arts in Zambales.

First Published: subicsun.com

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THE SUBIC Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), on last Thursday’s Board meeting, has given Lyceum of Subic Bay, Inc. (LSBI) until Friday, August 18, 2017, to pay over P43 M it owes the agency.

“We gave Lyceum of Subic one week to pay in full what it owes SBMA, by Friday,” SBMA Director Benny Antiporda said, “or else risk possible sanctions that may include cancellation of its Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTE).”

Documents obtained by Subic Bay News show that on July 12, 2017, SBMA issued a Notice of Default against Lyceum of Subic addressed to Alfonso E. Borda, president & CEO, giving it 30 days or until Aug. 13, 2017, to correct its deficiencies.

The outstanding obligation of Lyceum of Subic stems from unpaid lease rentals, Common Use Service Area (CUSA) fees and other charges on the 3.4-hectare former American International School of Subic (AIS) campus in Upper Cubi and Lot 73, Central Business District, Rizal Highway, across Harbor Point Mall.

In February 15, 2017, then already deep in debt to SBMA, Borda wrote Administrator Wilma T. Eisma seeking a “six (6) month extension… for the payment of its dues.”

“The facility has yet to continue undergoing massive construction, renovations and repairs, to be on top shape for its full operation this coming academic year,” Borda told Eisma.

On March 27, 2017, Eisma responded to Borda’s letter, denying the latter’s request for extension.

“We regret to inform you that we cannot accede to your requests,” Eisma told Borda, “please note that the lease over the …facility was awarded on the basis of a competitive evaluation process which took into account the financial offers and development commitment proposals of competing proponents.”

Eisma also warned Borda “we have received reports that even though the facility is not yet fully operational, LSBI (Lyceum) is operating the rooms of the former Legenda Suites as a dormitory and for short term rentals to some Chinese nationals despite the fact that said activity is not part of the approved purpose of the lease and intended use of the facility.” (read related story at http://subicbaynews.net/?p=14578)

Eisma cited that among other concessions, “said lease was eventually awarded to LSBI by reason of the latter’s offer to pay the monthly financial obligations after a six (6) months grace period (which already lapsed on 3 August 2016) in conjunction with the LSBI’s representation that it shall introduce developments on the facility at the minimum renovation cost of Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000) within one (1) year from the commencement of the lease (which period already lapsed on 3 February 2017).”

Then SBMA Chairman & Administrator Roberto V. Garcia (right) with Alfonso Borda (left) of Lyceum of Subic Bay during the turn-over of the former American International School (AIS). Garcia allowed the take-over of Lyceum in April 2016 despite the lack of payment of the required security deposit and advance rentals in the amount of P9.8M. Instead, Borda used, and SBMA accepted, a check which bounced on May 4, 2016. It took a partner, the APG International Aviation Academy, after two weeks of SBMA inaction, to pay the P9.8M, saving the day for the now still beleaguered Lyceum of Subic Bay.

In November 2015, SBMA, under then Chairman & Administrator Roberto V. Garcia, after rejecting a proposed payment scheme, terminated the lease of Global Daeil Subic, Inc., operator of AIS in the former Legenda Suites, for a mere P16.5M debt, despite advanced rentals and security deposits of some P14M.

In early 2016, Garcia awarded the 3.4 ha. property, the six (6) buildings on it composed of former hotel rooms turned classrooms, a Cafeteria and an auditorium, and everything in them, to Borda, his former co-employee in a private company in Metro-Manila.

Records show Lyceum of Subic offered to lease the property for some P2.4M a month, but after six (6) months, the rent would be lowered to P1.2M a month, on top of a grace period of six (6) months free use before starting payments.

Lyceum also committed to infuse a minimum of P10M in development on the property on its first year of operations and pay the unpaid rentals of Global Daeil and the unpaid salaries of its displaced teachers.

Aside from Lyceum of Subic, other entities submitted proposals, including a faction of the former leaseholder Global Daeil, which committed to “pay the unpaid rentals, teachers’ salaries, and development worth $2M (P100M),” among others, at the same monthly rates.

Edupia, a Korean company, committed a proposal similar to Global Daeil’s, but with an attached Korean bank certificate equivalent to P80M, with another bank certificate coming for P20M, as proof to support its P100M first year development commitment.

Like Edupia, Westbridge International School also committed to pay the unpaid rentals, displaced employees’ salaries and submitted bank certificates as proof of funds with the total amount of some P58 M.

However, only Lyceum of Subic’s proposal was taken up by the SBMA’s Accounts Evaluation Committee, which submitted a favorable report to the Garcia-led SBMA Board that apparently turned a blind eye on what appeared as unfair treatment of the other proposals.

As of July 2017, aside from the total of some P43M pesos, Lyceum of Subic also owes SBMA another over P4M in rentals for the various equipment and furniture of AIS, which were not factored in in the computation because SBMA’s Procurement & Property Management Department (PPMD) did not report Borda’s refusal to pay, nor sign the Property Accountability Receipt, for the movable properties. (read related story at http://subicbaynews.net/?p=16938)

Antiporda said Lyceum may be able to continue to operate if it makes good its promise to pay all its debt to SBMA by Friday.

Eisma was not present in last Thursday’s SBMA Board Meeting, which decided to give Lyceum of Subic another week to comply after its Notice of Default has expired.

First Published: subicbaynews.net

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