A total of 112 deserving poor students stand to benefit from the Summer Hire Program of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) during this summer break, as business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport extended their support to provide employment.

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that 15 Subic-registered companies have already joined the program to accommodate students from junior and senior high school, as well as college level, who are scheduled to be deployed in various job assignments starting April.

Eisma added that a total of 112 slots will be given to students who pass the qualification requirements under the program being implemented by the SBMA Labor Department in line with the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) of the Department of Labor and Employment.

“These applicants are poor but deserving students who excel in their classes. And as part of our community engagement, it is our task to guarantee that they will be able to enroll the next school year,” Eisma explained.

“These talented and brilliant students deserve our malasakit,” she added.

She noted that more business locators and investors are now expressing their intention to join the program. “I really hope that more students will be hired,” Eisma said.

SPES was created under Republic Act 7323, a law which aims to help poor but deserving students pursue their education by encouraging their employment during summer and/or Christmas vacations. The law was later amended by RA 9547.

SBMA Labor Department manager Severo Pastor Jr. explained that under the law, summer hires are to be employed from 20 to 50 working days and shall receive regular wages equivalent to those received by regular employees.

“Of this, 60% shall be paid by the employer-company, while the remaining 40% shall be paid by the DOLE through educational vouchers,” Pastor said.

Under the SPES program, the work period accumulated by summer hires may also be counted as their probationary period should they apply for a job in the same company or agency after graduation, and should earn academic credits as may be determined by the appropriate government agencies.

Among the companies participating in the SBMA’s Summer Hire program are fast-food restaurants, gasoline stations, utilities, and manufacturing firms where the students will perform work related to their respective courses. (RAV/MPD-SBMA)

Source: http://subicnewslink.blogspot.com

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SuperStar Gemini made her second visit to Subic Bay Freeport today (March 21, 2018) bringing tourism, commerce and opportunities not only to the Freeport but also to our neighboring Cities and Provinces. Indeed we are better by helping one another!

In cooperation with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, AerialHive and Olongapo-Zambales Drone Users & Enthusiast represented by Jan Rye, Ulyver John Eron Lo-ot, Mel Dela Cruz, Kim Delos Reyes

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With this free port acknowledged nationwide as among the best in road safety and traffic discipline, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Thursday reinforced its safety policy by launching the “Share the Road” project, which involves the participation of various community sectors.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the project aims to boost road safety awareness in the whole of Subic Bay Freeport, as the agency vies to make Subic the center of excellence in public road safety.

“All over the country, people are looking at the Subic Bay Freeport as the place where traffic discipline and traffic rules are always observed. And we wanted that image to stay,” Eisma said.

“Now, we are involving all sectors — the whole Subic community — in this ‘Share the Road’ project to make all roads inside the Freeport the safest for travellers, pedestrians, drivers, and even for road maintenance workers,” she added.

In line with the project, the SBMA chief conducted a dialogue on Thursday with members and officials of local transportation groups, as well as motorcycle associations in the Subic Freeport and Olongapo City, and discussed the need to elevate road safety in the Subic area.

Eisma said the SBMA’s efforts to promote Subic as the next cruise ship playground in Asia through the agency’s Tourism Star program make it all the more necessary to boost road safety and traffic discipline in the Freeport.

She also reminded drivers, particularly those who operate taxis, buses and other means of public transportation, to be tourist-friendly so that visitors would better enjoy Subic, come back for more memorable experiences, and hence spend more tourist money while visiting local facilities and availing of local services.

“It would be a big blemish on the good image of Subic that we have been cultivating through the years if tourists complained of undisciplined or abusive drivers. I tell you, these things matter a lot in keeping Subic the number one tourist attraction in Central Luzon and now, the next cruise ship haven in this part of Asia,” Eisma said.

“So it is very important that we do not overcharge our fare, that we do not ignore traffic signs, and that we make full-stop at intersections, and give priority to crossing pedestrians,” she added.

Eisma also informed representatives of the transport sector that the SBMA would now require a thorough inspection of all vehicles requesting for SBMA decals, with particular focus on safe driving essentials like brake and signal lights, horns and seat belts.

She said that the Subic agency will also strictly enforce the Anti-Distracted Driving Act (RA 10913) and the Anti-Smoke Belching Law to further improve driving conditions in the Freeport.

“I know that you all wanted to have a decent way to earn a living. So, as stakeholders of the Subic Freeport, let us show the world that we are disciplined drivers and that we care about the reputation and the safety conditions of our community. Let’s share the road courteously to fellow motorists, pedestrians, and road maintenance workers to keep our place safe for everyone,” Eisma concluded.

Meanwhile, the officials and driver-leaders of various transport groups expressed their full support to the SBMA call and pledged to encourage their members to do their share in keeping Subic as a model for traffic discipline and road safety in the country. (MPD-SBMA)

Source: subicnewslink.blogspot.com

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Exports from Subic Freeport rose 89 percent in total value  in 2017 from 2016, making Subic one of the most productive freeports in the Philippines.

Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC)  said products exported by new customers in 2017 include fashion accessories like bags from Bataan, trucks and agricultural equipment from Subic, grains, feeds, and fertilizer from Bulacan, and electronic parts and general department store merchandise from Clark.

SBITC operates the New Container Terminals (NCT) 1&2  which handle shipments for businesses  in Central and Northern Luzon.

Roberto Locsin, SBITC president, said  many of SBITC’s customers are manufacturers that import raw materials and export finished goods.

Most of the products are exported to Asia, the United States and Europe.

“We welcome the growing number of local businesses employing our facilities in the Subic Bay International Terminal NCT 1&2,” Locsin said. “We are glad to see that these industries are discovering and taking advantage of Subic Bay as a gateway to the global market,” he added.

Locsin also sees an uptick of industries importing goods for domestic consumption.

“There is a good balance of import and export volume in the Subic terminal of about two exports for every three imports. In the succeeding months, we expect an increase in the import volume of fast-moving cargoes because of improved facilities in the terminal,” Locsin said.

For 2017, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported import growth rate of 10.2 percent and export growth rate of 9.5 percent.

The National Economic and Development Authority continues to push for the implementation of more strategies to promote Philippine products in the global market.

“More initiatives are in the works to attract more firms to avail of our services and make use of our facilities. We will continue to improve and develop our terminals to realize the full potential of Subic Bay.” Locsin said.

 
Source: Malaya.com

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At the Moment: Public Hearing on SB 1325 (Central Luzon Investment Corridor) introduced by Senator Richard Gordon at Formosa Hall, Subic Bay Development and Management Corporation (SBDMC). The Purpose of the Bill is to:

1. Promote entrepreneurship by generating investments therefore creating numerous jobs and business opportunities for the people

2. Optimize the connecting highways and railway in Central Luzon; seaports in Subic, Mariveles, Aurora, and Manila; airports in Subic, Clark, and Manila to serve as an investment corridor for Central Luzon and eventually, the whole country;

3. Encourage the Local Government Units (LGU) and the private sector to establish Special Economic Zones and provide incentives therefor by maximizing the creation of infrastructures resulting in numerous employment opportunities for the people.

4. Develop enterprise initiatives, encourage free trade, and foster national and local pride in the Local Government Units (LGU) and private sectors as collective stakeholders and pioneers for change in the development and integration of Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ), the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO) and other Special Economic Zones by adhering to the principle of global competitiveness that encourage business investments that are focused, fast, friendly, flexible, and forward-looking through the provision of tax and fiscal incentives to private sectors who relocate to the said areas. Furthermore, by providing additional benefits if the private sector involved initiates to build schools and universities, hospitals, and local groceries within the area;

5. To decongest Metro Manila by dispersing industries and populations to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ), the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO) and other Special Economic Zones which will improve the quality of life by developing sustainable communities where residents live nearby where they work and where institutions such as schools and universities, hospitals, utilities, among others are within close proximity;

6. To lessen dependency on the national government and in the end, make the Local Government Units (LGU), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), the Aurora Province Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO), the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), and other subsidiaries self-sustaining, income-generating, and revenue-contributing entities provided the LGUs concerned may actively join subject to their compliance with the Rules and Regulations which will thereafter be established.

7. Create sustainable industrial cities and communities that balances economic growth and expansion having regard to environmental protection and preservation taking into consideration the safe, orderly, convenient, and livable urban space for the people living within their areas of employment, thereby decongesting Metro Manila;

8. Prompt the Local Government Unit (LGU) Concerned to provide public and private financing to the private sectors who wish to relocate within the specified areas to stimulate pump-priming of investments with the end view of providing a better quality of life to all Filipinos.

This is another positive development not only for Subic Bay but Metro Manila and the entire Central Luzon.

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