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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THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) at the Port of Subic presented Tuesday, March 13, the top 15 importers who contributed the bulk of the P1.86-billion revenues collected in January and February 2018.

BoC-Subic district collector Fidel Benigno Villanueva IV presented the top importers to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma after the flag ceremony today in front of SBMA Administration Building.

Awarded with certificates of appreciation were: PTT Phils. Corp., Cebu Air Inc., Microdragon Petroleum Inc., Masinloc Power Partners, Marubeni Phils. Inc., United Auctioneers Inc., RK3 International Trading, Petron Corp., Murami Subic Trading Corp., Nestle Phils. Inc. Warbucks Industries Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Phils., Fil-Oil Logistics Corp., High- Glory-Subic International, and Era 1 Petroleum Corp.

Named as top brokers for the months of January and February 2018 were Leah Sarvida, Donnalyn Dela Cruz, Danilo Francisco, Neil Jayson Marquez, Harold Biala, James Calunod, Allan Perry Portacio, Romeo Bonol, Alelie Lontoc, Arnold Cruz and Julius Imperio.

Villanueva also gave to SBMA chairperson Eisma a plaque of recognition signed by Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña for her continuous support to the bureau.

Eisma, for her part, expressed her appreciation for the support and help of the Customs bureau in combating smuggling in Subic.

“I really appreciate the support of the Bureau of Customs. I think in addition to the revenue that we [SBMA] and the BoC contribute to the national government, the more important matter is how to combat smuggling of contraband going to the Port of Subic,” Eisma said.

The SBMA official noted that the reputation of Subic is SBMA’s main commodity and not be branded as the smuggling center of the Philippines. “I really appreciate for the support and help that we get from the Bureau of Customs.” (Ric Sapnu)

Source: Sunstar

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Having visited Subic Bay last March 13, MS SuperStar Gemini is the second cruise ship to do so this year. Built in 1992 in St. Nazaire, France, SuperStar Gemini is currently owned and operated by Star Cruises.

With its top of the line equipment and luxurious facilities, Gemini offers a versatile cruise schedule. The onboard selection of recreation and dining options make the ship an ideal alternative to a more frenetic land holidays.

Ship Facts Gross Tonnage: 50,764grt

Length: 230m/754.59ft

Width: 29m/95.14ft

Average Cruising Speed (knots): 18kn

Maximum Cruising Speed (knots): 20kn

Number of Stabilizers: 2

Bow & Stern Thrusters: 2

Full Satellite Navigation System: 2

Number of Cabins: 765

Passenger Capacity (based on lower berths): 1,526

SuperStar Gemini is scheduled to return to the Freeport on March 21, 2018.

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