KALAKLAN LIGHTHOUSE BRIDGE WILL REMAIN OPEN TO LIGHT VEHICLES

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand C. Arreza has assured Olongapo City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. that the Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge which connects the Freeport to Olongapo and Zambales in the north will no longer be closed as planned during the construction of a new bridge beside the old one.

“We’ll keep it open per your request,” said Arreza in a message to Mayor Gordon on Monday.

“Mayor, as we discussed last Friday, we’ll just reinforce Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge to keep it open,” Arreza said in a text message when Mayor Gordon inquired on a plan to conduct a load test on the bridge to determine its current capacity. “We’ll just reinforce Kalaklan Lighthouse bridge to keep it open.”

Arreza also said the load test has been cancelled since it will only cause further damage to the concrete piles and that since they have no sensors, the test will be useless.

Earlier, SBMA has announced that the Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on Feb. 15 and pedestrians on March 1, 2010 until construction of a new bridge has been completed about a year later. This has caused an uproar from several sectors both in and out of the Freeport but specially from Olongapo businessmen who foresee a resulting monstrous daily traffic jam in the narrow streets of the city proper.

The protests were fueled more when it was learned that the old bridge will not be demolished yet while construction of the new one is ongoing but, instead, will be closed for the use of the contractor which bagged the contract for the construction of the new P200M bridge.

The U.S. Navy built old bridge which was constructed over 50 years ago has allegedly weakened with wear and tear through time. It has been closed to heavy vehicles but has been kept open to light vehicles and pedestrians for about a year now.

Another major bridge linking the Freeport to Olongapo through R.M. Drive - the Main Gate bridge, has been closed to vehicular traffic for almost 2 years now for the same reason of alleged weakened structure.

Mayor Bong Gordon has been making representations with the SBMA to keep Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge open, at least to light vehicles, to avert a potential traffic disaster in Olongapo City.

Pao/sara

US-based cargo forwarder to set up shop in Subic

US-based cargo forwarded Atlas Shippers International Inc. announced it is setting up a port in the Subic Freeport which will serve as the firm’s hun for its North Luzon operations.

The port in Subic will serve as an entry point for balikbayan boxes for Atlas, one of the top three door-to-door cargo forwarders in the country.

Atlas used the Subic port for the first time on Thursday, officially marking the US-based firm’s intent to establish the Subic Bay Freeport as its hub for Northern Luzon operations.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza said the business sector is now taking notice of the advantages of using the Port of Subic, which boasts of two container terminals with a combined capacity of 600,000 TEUs.

“This is a small beginning towards greater things to come,” said Arreza during the ribbon cutting ceremony held at the New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1) compound that was also attended by Subic-Clark Alliance Development Council chairman Edgardo Pamintuan, Subic customs district collector Marietta Zamoranos, and some officials from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Arreza also pointed out that the SBMA is positioning Subic Bay as a maritime gateway for Luzon and a prime logistics hub for Southeast Asia.

Atlas president Joel Longares said the company’s cargo load, which come from branches in Australia, Hongkong, Italy and the United States, will peak at about 30 containers per month.

He said Atlas will hire about 50 employees for its Subic hub, where they will also install cargo sorting equipment.

Atlas currently has a warehouse in Las Piñas City, which Longares said will be maintained for their Southern Luzon operations.

The first container to arrive through the port of Subic, he added, will be a “test run” to determine the viability of this port as the sole discharging point for Luzon.

“We’ll have to determine if we could save money this way,” said Longares, explaining that boxes for delivery to Southern Luzon will be hauled by truck from this Freeport, to their Las Piñas hub.

He added that to offset trucking costs, they will be continuing on Subic’s tax incentives, lower tariff rates (as compared to the Port if Manila), complete support facilities and infrastructures, strategic location made more accessible by the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, and faster document processing.

Longares said the balikbayan box in a billion-peso industry “with much room for growth.” With Subic as their hub f operations, Longares said he expects the company to grow significantly, and even expand to service outbound cargoes.

By. Ma. Elisa Osorio – Philippine Star

Donations from Subic investors pour in for Botolan evacuees; SBMA extends help by remaining in Botolan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT investors are now doling out canned food, used clothes, instant noodles, sacks of rice and other relief goods to help the evacuees who were battered by the raging floodwaters in Botolan, Zambales during Typhoon Kiko's wake.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza, the relief goods doled out by the investors here are now being sent to the evacuation areas near Botolan.

One of the locators who gave their relief goods was Royal Duty Free Store, who gave several boxes of canned food to the afflicted victims. Other investors coursed their donations thru the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC).

Currently, the emergency response team of the SBMA, along with some medical staff, remained in Botolan to assist evacuees whose numbers continue to rise days after floodwaters inundated 10 barangays there.

At the instruction of Arreza, who conferred with Botolan Mayor Rogelio Yap on Friday, the SBMA Rescue Team has set up its evacuation command post at the Porac Elementary School.

Two doctors and some nurses were also stationed by the SBMA on 12-hour shifts at the said command post to augment two other doctors and some nurses sent there by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The SBMA medical team is backed up by an ambulance.

Arreza said the combined rescue and medical staff will stay in the area "for as long as the area is under a state of emergency," referring to the declaration by Zambales Governor Amor Deloso on Friday.

The emergency unit has instructions to prioritize giving medical attention to women and children, as well as to provide noodles and bottled water to flood victims, Arreza added.

The SBMA's emergency response team is composed of 14 rescue operators from the SBMA Fire Department, who were among the first to respond to calls for help from Botolan officials on Thursday, when a lahar dike protecting the municipality broke during heavy rains brought about by typhoon "Kiko."

The team was later augmented by 25 rescue operators from the SBMA Law Enforcement Department, who brought in five rubber boats to evacuate residents from flooded areas.

Other rescuers who assisted in the evacuation were from the Philippine National Red Cross, Olongapo City Rescue Team, Philippine National Police, the Naval Education Training Command of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, and the Philippine Coast Guard-Subic Station.

According to Mayor Yap, the flooding was caused by the overflow of the Baquilan and Balin-Baquero rivers that both drain from the Mt. Pinatubo area.

The overflow destroyed a five-kilometer length of the San Juan lahar dike, thus sending floodwaters to 10 barangays in the municipality, he added.

The flood affected about 1,000 families who began evacuating to temporary shelters at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, Yap said.

Most of the flood victims were brought to evacuation centers at the Porac Elementary School and Bucao Elementary School, both in this town.

Arreza also said that lahar deposits from Mt. Pinatubo had collapsed the approach of the Bucao bridge, cutting off access from south Zambales to the Botolan town proper and five other municipalities in the north, including the capital town of Iba.

Gov. Deloso had reportedly ordered the construction of a temporary steel bridge to fill the gap. In the meantime, those who would like to go to northern parts of Zambales would have to take a roundabout route passing through Pangasinan, Arreza said.

In the meantime, Arreza said that the SBMA and the PNRC have set up a joint desk at the lobby of Bldg. 229, the main SBMA office in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Arreza said the agencies are soliciting donations in cash or kind to be delivered to Botolan flood victims. Prospective donors may arrange details with the SBMA at telephone numbers (047) 252-SBMA, added Arreza.

By JONAS REYES - Manila Bulletin

Subic needs more skilled workers, SBMA exec says

Students urged to take up non-traditional courses

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) have urged students in this premier Freeport to take non-traditional courses that offer good employment opportunities as the labor market continually needs workers for technical and vocational jobs.

“There is a consistent demand for highly skilled workers in the Subic Bay Freeport,” SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said.

He said, however, that most of the companies that continue to expand or choose to locate their investments here despite the current recession require specific skills that cannot be acquired from traditional schools.

“This is a clear indication of where the Subic Freeport is headed in terms of job creation, and so we must act accordingly,” Arreza said.

The SBMA official also said that the employment generation trend in Subic appears to revolve around five major investment areas that have showed growth amid the global slowdown. These are logistics, manufacturing (other than electronics), tourism, business process outsourcing (BPO), and other knowledge-based industries that account for the 30 new investment projects here that were signed in the first quarter of 2009.

“The top two biggest investments here in the first quarter that amounted to P975.2 million and P201 million, respectively, are maritime-related,” said Arreza, noting that one of the new investors, HSY-Yacht Phils. Ltd. Co., needs 100 workers for its yacht restoration operations.

“Now, is there a four-year course that teaches you yacht restoration?” he asked.

Arreza said that Subic’s booming maritime sector is constantly in need of skilled workers as the shipbuilding industry here is on full-scale production, and dry dock operations increase when shipping lines found Subic Bay an ideal place to lay up their vessels.

Noting that maritime facilities are mushrooming in Subic, Arreza advised students and job seekers, as well as parents and teachers, to monitor labor developments and prepare themselves by acquiring the needed skills.

“It is the task of the SBMA to always look ahead, and we advise everyone concerned to do the same,” Arreza also said.

Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, a graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy and a commodore in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, cited the need for specialized courses aimed at producing marine engineers knowledgeably in naval architecture, design and construction.

Salonga said the SBMA is intent on further developing the Subic Bay Freeport as a full-brown maritime logistics and service hub, as mandated by President Arroyo’s 10 point development program.

--By. Jonas Reyes – Manila Bulletin

HARMONIZATION

HARMONIZATION. Officials of the Clark and Subic Freeports and Bureau of Customs signify solidarity during the signing of Joint Memorandum Order on Automated Transit, Admission and Declaration Cargo at the OTS Conference Room of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC). From left are CDC president Benigno Ricafort, BOC commissioner Napoleon Morales, SCADC chairman Edgardo Pamintuan, and SBMA administrator Armand Arreza.

--Manila Bulletin

Shabu smuggler did not get VIP treatment

We wish to clarify some inaccuracies in the column of Mr. Alvin Capino, which tackled the issue of the Subic drug smuggling case in the April 15 issue of your newspaper.

In the said opinion piece, Mr. Capino spoke of the “Subic mess” that several law enforcement agencies “now have to clean.” As far as cleaning – or providing closure to the Anthony Ang case is concerned, that may be true. But in between lines, what this implies is that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority failed to do its job in dealing with the smuggling try. That, of course is farthest from the truth.

First, allow us to point out that it was the law enforcement officers of the SBMA – and not any other law enforcement agency – that first detected what turned out to be an attempt to bring into the Subic Bay Freeport more than 700 kilograms of high-grade methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu. And it was also the members of the SBMA police, SWAT unit, and harbor Patrol that, in several follow-up operations, actually discovered and confiscated all the illegal drugs that Ang and his cohorts managed to stash at several places in the free port.

The SBMA, of course, sought the assistance first of the President Anti-Smuggling Group, which has tied up with Task Force Subic to deal with smuggling cases in Subic, and later on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency when it was determined that Ang’s undocumented boxes of “sensitive computer parts” actually contained Shabu.

Second, Ang never received VIP treatment from the SBMA. In fact, SBMA patrolmen accosted Ang after seeing him receive some boxes from a boat docked at the ship repair facility area. The same policemen brought Ang to the police station, where officers further denied his request to have the boxes released without documentation. So where was the special treatment in all this?

Third, the SRF is not actually a highly restricted area, as claimed by Mr. Capino in his column. Yes it has a separate gate where guards are posted, but it is also the site of a resort-hotel and restaurant that have recently opened to the public.

Any person with SBMA-issued ID cards or passes can be allowed entry there. That Ang was able to enter the area where he was subsequently accosted by the SBMA police, therefore, is NOT “a major indicator of such VIP treatment.”

Fourth, Atty. Redentor Tuazon, as Trade Facilitation and Compliance head, had no operational involvement in the matter, as it was a case of seized undocumented cargo, which was solely the concern of the Seaport and the Law Enforcement departments. Moreover, Mr. Capino’s speculation that Tuazon may be responsible “for bringing in Anthony Ang into Subic” could not be possible since he joined the SBMA organization only in October 2006, while Ang’s entry as a Subic locator is predated by years. And while Tuazon’s office would surely have knowledge of Ang’s registered business in Subic, as well as his role in the business on “hot” Ma Ling from China , would this give him a third eye that could discern Ang’s dark intentions?

It would really be easy for anybody to analyze events on hindsight and comment on what could have been done, but in the absence of the entire attendant facts that make Ang smuggling case a good subject for conspiracy theorists and whodunit writers, we cannot claim the Wisdom of Solomon as yet.

This is why we also welcome the upcoming investigation of the SUbic drug bust b y the Aquino panel, with the fervent hope that the facts of the case would be made evident eventually.

ARMAND C. ARREZA
Administrator and CEO
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

--Manila Standard Today

Top SBMA execs post bail on golf takeover case

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A BATAAN court issued arrest warrants against four top Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority officials in connection with the agency’s takeover of Subic Bay Golf and Country Club (SBGCC) in 2007.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, Chair Feliciano Salonga, senior deputy administrator Ramon Agregado ad deputy administrator Raul Marcelo already posted bail.

The arrest warrants, issued on April 4, stemmed from a case of grave coercion and trespassing filed by Susan Ho, president of Universal International Group Development Corp. (UIGDC), a Taiwanese fir that used to run the SBGCC.

“We’re confident the case [against Ho] will prosper as the [regional trial court in Olongapo City] has already affirmed the SBMA’s right to take over,” Arreza told the INQUIRER on Sunday.

In June 2007, UIGDC also filed a civil case for indirect contempt of court against the SBMA officials.

The state-owned agency terminated the company’s lease contract due to debts and other unfulfilled obligations.

In the indirect contempt case, SBGCC director Jack Ho said SBMA ignored the injunction issued by the Olongapo Court.

Jack Ho said SBMA officials and personnel used force in removing and barring him and club employees from entering the premises. SBMA officials denied the allegation.

Arreza said the SBMA had taken over the business operations of the golf course due to the “failure of UIGDC to fulfill its developmental obligations under [the] lease and development agreement (LDA) and due to its unpaid rentals and charges.”

By March 31, 2007, the agency said UIGDC’s unpaid accounts totaled $352,269.08 and P16.9 million.

--By: Tonette Orejas – Inquirer

1,000 cyclists gather in Subic

MANILA, Philippines – More than 1,000 cyclists and bike aficionados from 13 countries, including the Philippines, will flock to the Subic Bay Freeport today, in this year’s biggest and most challenging bike festival.

Dubbed the 2009 Terry Larrazabal Bike Festival (TLBF), the three-day cycling event, which started in 2002, will feature various bicycle races, demonstrations, and exhibits.

The event will be attended by cyclists from Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US, and the UK.

“Again, this puts Subic in the map of sports tourism because the TLBF has also made a name in other countries,” said Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Administrator Armand Arreza in a statement.

Festival director Gregorio Larrazabal said the event includes activities like the Mountain Bikes X-Country, Downhill Competition, 4X/Mountain Cross Challenge, Dirt Jumping and Trials Competition.

--Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hanjin delays expansion of Shipyard

With no new ship orders, Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp., Philippines (HHIC-Phil) is slowing down its shipyard expansion.

Hanjin received 34 ship orders in the early part of 2008 in its shipyard but the number of orders has not increased to date.

Ship owners have put off new orders as they watch the manufacturing industry grapple with slackening consumer demand.

Armand Arreza, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator, said Hanjin was supposed to go on with the construction of dry dock number 7, but has not started the expansion because of the changed business environment.

The present shipyard is handling the construction of 34 vessels scheduled for deliveries from 2008 to 2013.

This year, Arreza said 14 vessels are scheduled for delivery. Vessel sales are estimated to be between $840 million to $900 million, as ships vary in sizes.

Last year, Hanjin launched four 4,300 TEU container ships that cost around $0 million each.

Hanjin’s dry-dock numbers 1, 2 and 3 are all in its shipyard in Korea. Dry-dock number and are in Subic and another one will be constructed to accommodate future vessel constructions.

The dock no. , a 480-meter long 13 meter-wide and 13. meters deep was completed last year. It has a bigger assembly line, and 1.7 kilometer quay wall and installation of two more units of ultra huge gantry crane.

“The dry-docks and which are included in the first phase of development is worth $1.6 billion. The second phase of the project development which involve the construction of dry-dock 7 is supposed to deliver another $1 billion investment,” Arreza said.

“They shipyard currently employs 20,000 workers. Their commitment to employ about 40,000 employees would happen if the phase 2 of the project would be in place.

Hanjin’s use state of the art technology to ensure being at par with competitors and be able to maintain value for customers.

Hanjin’s shipyard expansion will allow the company to compete well with other major shipbuilders in Korea, such as Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

The firm plans to increase the shipbuilding capacity in Subic equipped with facilities that can generate annual sales of about $3.1 billion, the company said.

“We will promote the shipyard as a global shipbuilding base,” Hanjin said.

--By: Genivi Factao

Construction workers, caretaker eyed in burglary in Monsod residence in Subic

MANILA, Philippines – Investigators are eyeing construction workers and a caretaker as possible suspects in a burglary inside the residence of economist Solita Collas-Monsod at the Subic Free Port in Zambales province last December.

In a radio dzBB interview on Monday, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza said men working in renovation and construction sites inside the exclusive subdivision where the Monsod residence is located could be behind the burglary.

"Marami kasing construction sa site na iyon kaya ang una nating tinitignan baka mga construction workers [There are many construction sites inside the subdivision so construction workers may be the suspects]," Arreza said.

The SMBA administrator said that a number of houses inside the 100-home exclusive subdivision are currently undergoing renovation, most of which are located near the Monsod residence.

Local authorities learned about the break in last December 19 after the caretaker of the Monsods reported the matter to local police. The burglary happened while the Monsods were not in the said residence located along Kalayaan Drive inside a private subdivision in Subic.

Arreza said the unidentified robbers carted away an “unusual" loot composed of comforters, food, and a stereo system. Investigators said there was no forced entry in the incident.

"Unusual na ninanakaw ang comforter at pagkain. Usually ang ninanakaw ay iyong madaling ibenta [It was unusual to take away comforters and food. Robbers usually take with them things they can easily sell]," Arreza said of the suspects’ loot which he described as "selective."

Missing caretaker

Investigators are also looking for another one of the Monsod family’s caretakers who had gone missing since the holidays and has yet to report back for work.

"Tinitignan natin iyong katiwala kasi napakasuspicious at unusual naman na hindi ka magpapakita ng Pasko [We are also looking for a caretaker. It’s unusual the caretaker left before Christmas]," Arreza said.

Arreza admitted authorities are having a difficulty locating the wanted caretaker because the latter has no personal record with the SBMA. The Monsods and the authorities only know the missing caretaker by first name.

"Itong katiwala nila hindi naka-register kaya mahirap i-trace. Ang alam lang namin ay ang first name nila na binigay nila Mrs. Monsod. Pero kung walang surname at address hindi namin ma-te-trace," Arreza said.

["The caretaker is not registered with us. We don’t even know the caretaker’s surname and address."]

Security lapse

According to Arreza, apart from the private security tapped by the home owners’ organization, the SBMA also extends its security men to guard the exclusive subdivision.

He said they are checking if there had been lapses on the part of the subdivision’s security. "Isa sa potential lapses na tinitignan natin ay iyong mga construction workers minsan [na] kapag walang ginagawa [ay] gumagala [One of the possible lapses is that construction workers are allowed to loiter inside the subdivision]."

Arreza said as a result of the burglary, they have begun prohibiting construction workers from sleeping over inside the subdivision grounds.

"Ang ginawa na nga natin na patakaran hindi sila pwede mag-overnight. Pagdating ng 5 p.m. pinapauwi na sila," Arezza said, adding that identification cards of construction workers going in are strictly being checked.

Arreza assured that the incident is not something that should trigger alarm because crime incidents inside the exclusive subdivision rarely happen.

"The crime rate inside the subdivision is low. It’s not totally zero crime rate but house break-ins only happen once or twice a month," Arreza said in Filipino.

Arreza said investigation is still ongoing as of this posting even as patrol operations had been beefed up inside the subdivision.

--By. MARK MERUEÑAS - GMANews.TV

NGOs, religious groups doubt Palafox claims

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Enlightened by a visit to the site of the controversial $120-million Ocean 9 hotel-casino project, several socio-civic groups are now having serious doubts about the allegations made by an urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is planning to destroy 300 trees just to put through with the plan.

“All the allegations of Palafox will have to be assessed,” Fr. June Vic Diolata, executive vice secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, said. “We hope we could see a dialogue between the two parties.”

The site visit was organized by the AMRSP and was joined by some 100 representatives from the Haribon Foundation, Kapatiran, Zambales Earth Savers, and students from De La Salle University, Adamson University, Assumption Academy in Bulacan, and Columbian College in Olongapo City.

Palafox was absent during the site visit.

Diolata stressed that the visit was very helpful in providing information that would counter the “serious” accusations made by Palafox.

“The site enabled everyone who participated here to come up with an objective opinion,” Diolata added.

Arreza, meanwhile, assured the visitors that he is amenable to a dialogue with Palafox.

“That was what we have been asking Palafox ever since, instead of his propagating malicious ideas against SBMA,” Arreza said.

“I can face him right now if only he has had the courage to come here,” he added. Arreza laughed off claims by Palafox that some trees were poisoned to remove the obstacles hampering the project.

“He might be referring to some narra trees, which naturally shed leaves in this season, making them appear lifeless” Arreza said.

--Tonight

Top 10 Subic Freeport workers known

First, the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, then the subsequent pullout of the US Navy. Then after that came the Asian economic crisis.

What enabled this free port to triumph over these adversities and rise to economic heights cannot be credited primarily to the US$8 billion worth of infrastructure left by the Americans, but rather, to Subic ’s “greatest investment” — its exceptional workforce.

To highlight the crucial role of workers in the transformation of this former US military base into a premier investment and commercial hub, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Subic Bay Workforce Development Foundation Inc. (SBWDFI) honored this year’s batch of the “10 Outstanding Freeport Workers” during the 16th anniversary celebration of the free port.

The workers awards, which is now on its seventh year, aims to promote among the entire Subic workforce the culture of excellence displayed by volunteers who are credited for rebuilding Subic from the ashes of Mt. Pinatubo , said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.

Arreza, who joined some 8,000 Subic volunteers in 1993, recalled that investors started to do business here primarily because of the volunteers’ exceptional display of nationalism and concern for the community.

“They saw that the facilities left by the Americans were intact, and operations of vital installations like the airport and power supply facilities were not halted because people lent their time and skills for free,” said Arreza.

He added that the recipients of the award “are of the same caliber as those of the SBMA pioneers.”

SBMA labor manager Severo Pastor, who is also chairman of the SBWDFI, said that this year, SBMA employees qualified for the awards for the first time, along with nominees from locator companies in Subic .

The awards body also acknowledged for the first time companies that made significant impact on the free port’s development through the “Administrator’s Corporate Award”.

The awardees in this category, Federal Express (FedEx) and the Subic Power Corporation, received the award for exemplifying good human resource practices by consistently keeping the balance between business interests and employees’ welfare, providing equitable work environments, as well as opportunities for professional growth, Arreza said.

Of the 51 nominees in the outstanding workers category, only 20 finalists were chosen, said Pastor. The finalists then underwent a tougher second screening by the board of judges composed of Aurelio Pineda, executive vice-president of the Olongapo Business Club; Capt. Areston Limos, of the Philippine National Police School of Values and Leadership; and former Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jonathan dela Cruz, who served as chairman.

Pastor identified the 10 outstanding workers of the Subic Bay Freeport as: Ma. Adoracion Celeste, a technical assistant at the SBMA Human Resource Department; Levi Dalida, special investigator at the SBMA Intelligence and Investigation Office; Arleen Dulay, housekeeping attendant at the Lighthouse Marina Resort; Diosdado Ednave, security officer at the SBMA Law Enforcement Department; Severino Jovero, marine mammal training supervisor at the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium’s Ocean Adventure; Elizier Martin, foreman at the SBMA Maintenance and Transportation Department; Vicente Salvador, welder/pipe fitter at the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corp.; Bernard Sanchez, production department head at Nicera Philippines Inc.; Paquito Torres, division chief at the SBMA Intelligence and Investigation Office; and Jaime Villafuerte, Jr., failure analysis engineering supervisor at Wistron Infocomm. (Phils.).

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, meanwhile, praised Subic ’s top workers, adding that Filipino workers “always belong to the cream of the crop.”

“Anywhere in the world, Filipino workers stand out,” said Salonga, citing Filipino engineers in Dubai who were commended for building excellent roads, and in Pearl Harbor, where the top three workers at one time were Filipina welders. (SBMA Corporate Communications)

--Philippine Daily Inquirer

Palafox’s allegations baseless and absurd

THIS IS IN REACTION TO THE INQUIRER’S Dec.3 editorial and news items on the unfair allegations made by Architect Felino Palafox in connection with the hotel-casino project (Grand Utopia) that a Korean investor proposes to put up at the Subic bay Freeport (SBF).

We are not asking Palafox to prove his allegations of what the editorial called “official extortion”; we are only asking him to produce enough details that would allow us to probe his claims. His inputs—if really meant well to bring this issue to a productive resolution—will help a lot in the investigation the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is conducting.

While the editorial sympathized with the “troubling realities” Palafox could be facing now, it overlooked the fact that clamming up after making an expose won’t ferret out the truth from a vague and blanket allegation and do justice to anyone, especially the SBMA.

For the record, we have great respect for Palafox who is “the only Filipino in the top 500 architects in the world.” This was precisely the reason we recommended him to the Korean hotel developer.

However, he did himself a great disservice by making statements that were reckless and absurd. Aside from his yarn about my 10-year-old son asking for an 18-percent commission from his firm, there are no century-old trees at the project site, and as we have categorically stated, no trees would be cut to make way for the project.

We also would like everyone to know that Palafox, through his outfit Palafox and Associates, and its partner firm Woodfields Consultants, made a bid for the SVF Comprehensive Master Plan Project but list.

The SBMA Bidding Awards Committee (BAC) for Consulting Services did not disqualify him. His firms and its partners made it to the final rounds but somebody else submitted a better bid. And while losing bidders always have the option to move for reconsideration of the BAC’s ruling, Palafox did not.

This all happened last August 2008 and so Palafox’s absurd and unsustainable tale of extortion, etc. is now totally off-key and unrelated to this project. His allegations smacks of gross irresponsibility and a misplaced sense of self-importance.

Having made this allegation of extortion, he must in fairness, at least, give us a name from which to start our investigation and clear those who have been unduly maligned.

It is really amazing that Palafox covered so much ground in so short a time in firing off unbelievable allegations. But what is more amazing is that the consummate professional that he is did not bother to check his basic facts.

This is one issue that has sadly and unfairly tarnished the image of the SBMA. But we live in a society that values the clash of ideas—in the hope that only the best would proper and survive for the good of all.

With this, we welcome comments and criticisms that are well-meaning, accurate and fair.

-ARMAND C. ARREZA,
Administrator and CEO,
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority

Philippine Daily Inquirer

SBMA chief to probe extortion claims

The chairman of the state-owned Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has started his own investigation into the alleged extortion attempt by an SBMA bidding official, saying this was the second irregularity he learned about this year.

"I'm handling the investigation myself," SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net, by telephone.

He was referring to the allegation by architect and urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. that a member of the SBMA bids and awards committee (BAC) had demanded an 18 percent commission from his company so it could be included in the shortlist of bidders for a project updating the Subic Bay Freeport's master development plan late last year.

Palafox disclosed the incident to the Inquirer on Sunday as he expressed fears that the malpractice might impact on the campaign to save 366 trees on an almost two-hectare lot where the Grand Utopia Inc., a Korean company, plans to build a casino and hotel resort.

"This is the second time I have heard of such incident. Until Jun [Palafox] revealed it to you, I would not have known about it," Salonga said.

He said a representative of Win's Way, a Chinese company that plans to put up a $2 billion facility for processing and handling of imported oil, reported to him that the firm was asked by an SBMA official to shell out P8 million to fast track the approval of the project.

Salonga said the company has not paid up. Its project is awaiting approval from the SBMA board.

He begged off from giving details on his investigation into the extortion attempt on Win's Way. He said though that in the incidents on Palafox and Win's Way, a common denominator was an SBMA official.

"I'm the chair. I've to exercise my authority here and put some people in their right places," he said.

Edgardo Pamintuan, chairman of the Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council and one of the two top officials to whom Palafox confided the incident, said SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza had sacked the head of the BAC after learning of the incident.

The other official was Presidential Management Staff chief Cerge Remonde. Palafox also raised the matter to Arreza.

In recent interviews, Arreza said no formal investigation was conducted because Palafox had not heeded his advice to file a formal complaint on the matter.

Arreza instead urged Palafox to identify the erring official so that the SBMA could take appropriate actions.

Palafox did not identify the BAC official, saying the information remained with his senior associate, architect Chona Ponce. She could not be reached for an interview on Monday.

By Ponce's account, as shared by Palafox, the BAC official first relayed the message to Palafox's engineering consultant who, in turn, referred the matter to Ponce. By Tonette Orejas - Inquirer Central Luzon Desk

NEW CASINO TO CREATE JOBS

A groundbreaking ceremony of a new casino in Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the Ocean 9 Resort and Casino, was held on November 19, 2008 on a lot near Bldg. 229 along Waterfront Road. Present during the ceremony were Olongapo City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr., Zambales Vice Governor and Olongapo City First Lady Anne Marie Gordon and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza.

The $120 M Ocean 9 Resort and Casino is one of the many new investments at Subic Bay Freeport Zone this year.

“This is a very big opportunity for all of us. Investments like these not only help improve the economy of our city but also help Olongapeños get more jobs and have a steady income,” said Mayor Gordon.

“More investments mean that there are more jobs waiting. This creates a stronger workforce that will contribute to the strengthening of the economy in these times of global financial crisis,” Mayor Gordon added.

Labor and Employment is part of Mayor Gordon’s HELPS program, which aims, among others, to create more jobs for Olongapeños and help them have better lives and thereby, contribute to strengthen the growth of the city’s economy.

Olongapo City Mayor James ‘Bong’ Gordon Jr., Zambales Vice Governor and Olongapo City First Lady Anne Marie Gordon and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza with the officials and investors of Ocean 9 Casino and Resort during the groundbreaking ceremony of the said business firm on November 19, 2008. The casino is expected to generate thousands of job opportunities for residents when in full operation.

PAO/Don

Workers say Korean bosses abusive

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Two Korean foremen of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc. have filed a case for physical injuries against eight Filipinos working at the company’s shipyard in Subic, Zambales.

While the case appears to be minor, it could mirror the growing dissatisfaction among Filipino workers in the shipyard with the way they were being treated by their Korean supervisors.

Kim San Jeon and Ki Jung Gang filed the complaint at the Olongapo City prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.

They claimed that Albert Mangubat, Romualdo Alipio, Julius Cao, Rico Manangat, Marlon Mojica, Lorjim Gonzales, Errol Lapuz and Carlo Leo Castillo beat them up at 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 10.

The eight workers, all employed at the machinery department, are natives of Masbate, Samar, Zambales and Tarlac.

Detention

Records showed that Hanjin’s security department turned them over to the police 12 hours later. The police detained them at the Subic station and released them at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Castillo said he and his co-workers said they only fought back because they felt they were being maltreated.

“Napuno na ho kami. Araw-araw, nananakit sila kahit kaunting mali lang. Tinutuktok nila kami sa helmet, sinisipa, minumura (Our patience has run out. Every day, they hurt us for minor mistakes. They knock on our helmet, kick us or curse us),” said Castillo.

The case was the fourth beating incident at the shipyard this year over alleged maltreatment by foreign supervisors.

Jeon and Gang denied maltreating the workers and said they were enforcing discipline during work hours.

A Hanjin official, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to give an official statement, confirmed the incident.

He said it should not have happened, saying this could have been due to cultural differences.

Reports from the People’s Task Force on Hanjin and Subic Bay Inc. showed at least four cases filed against Hanjin supervisors this year.

Domingo Ecaldre, 40, sued four Chinese supervisors who allegedly strangled him on Aug. 13.

Daniel Lacambra, 29, filed a case for physical injuries against Park Chang Ho in October.

Carlos de la Cruz complained of damage to property and physical injuries against Hanjin security manager Ji Ho Jin.

Accidents

The barangay council of Cawag filed a case against Hanjin general manager Pyeong Jong Yu for allegedly coddling Jin who did not appear in mediations despite several notices.

Aside from the cases of physical violence, the shipyard has been haunted by the deaths of several workers in work-related incidents.

The SBMA has ordered an investigation of the fatal accidents at the Hanjin shipyard even as it penalized the South Korean firm for safety lapses.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza was quoted earlier as saying the agency’s Occupational Health and Safety Office conducted a full investigation of the accidents.

By Tonette Orejas - Philippine Daily Inquirer

All set for SUBIK’s “Bakasyon Grande ‘08”

The Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center will be the venue for all major activities of Subik’s “Bakasyon Grande ‘08”

The Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau (GSBTB), in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and supported by the local governments of Olongapo, Bataan, and Zambales, the Department of Tourism and PAGCOR, and the DTI, launches Subik! Subik! Bakasyon Grande ’08:

This is a grand festival of fun and frolic, cultural presentations, and a tourism and trade fair set to elevate the region as a prime destination for domestic and overseas travelers.

The tourism and trade fair will exhibit Central Luzon’s product and Subic’s tourist attractions and facilities. Slated for November 28-30, the three-day and night ultimate vacation extravaganza is projected to reposition Subic as an ideal tourist destination for locals and foreigners.

All major activities will be held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), Subic’s newest state-of-the-art convention and exhibition center, dubbed the biggest convention center outside of Manila.

Festivities under its colossal roof include fiesta-inspired musical shows by various groups; a star-studded Tropical Extravaganza featuring popular personalities; and ballroom dancing. There will also be a mosaic of eco-tourism and community immersion activities with Indigenous Aetas.

“Definitely, the Bakasyon Grande is a notch higher compared to last year’s signature event,” said GSTB chair George U. Lorenzana. “It is a good venture; Greater Subic has what it takes to become a desired tourist and convention destination,” said Armand C. Arreza, administrator and CEO of the SBMA>

The GSBTB is a duly registered non-stock, non profit private organization of proactive hotel and resort industry leaders that move towards the promotion of “Subik” – namely SBMA, Olongapo City, Bataan and Zambales – into a “sustainable, ecologically sound tourism and vacation haven in the Asia pacific Region.”

15,300 new jobs created in Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Nov. 11 — A total of 15,330 new jobs were created in this freeport in the first nine months after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) approved 141 new investment projects worth more than $ 239 million.

The new jobs include the 10,000 projected employment of Subic Neocove Corp., a joint venture between Korean and American firms for the construction and operation of an integrated sports and luxury resort facility at Subic's Redondo Peninsula.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the projected employment opportunities would increase Subic's active workforce by 18 percent.

According to the SBMA Labor Department, Subic's total labor force already stood at 83,428 as of September due to expansion programs undertaken by Subic-registered enterprises, as well as the operation of new investors.

While the bulk of the Subic workforce remains in the services sector with a total of 36,012 workers or 43.17 percent, employment in the shipbuilding and marine-related business is fast catching up, the SBMA said.

Already, maritime-related industries employ 26,438 or 31.69 percent of the workers in Subic, SBMA figures showed.

The maritime sector is followed by the manufacturing sector, with 14,804 or 17.74 percent; and construction, with 5,628 workers or 6.75 percent. The rest of the active workforce is composed of domestic helpers and caretakers, with a total of 546 or one percent.

Arreza said the entry of Neocove Corp. and other big-ticket tourism projects would most likely keep the services sector as the leading employer here in the next few years.

"Subic is basically service-oriented, so as more industries locate here —whether in maritime or manufacturing sectors— we expect a corresponding increase in jobs in the services sector," Arreza said.

He added that aside from Neocove, nine other big investors that signed in this year would also be also labor-intensive.

These include the Korean construction firm Hanil E&C Subic, Inc., which has a committed investment of $ 11 million; Sultan Ahmed Lootah Enterprises corp., with $ 6.72 million; George Dewey Medical and Wellness Center, Inc., with $ 6.58 million; Hanafil Golf and tour, Inc., with initial commitments of $ 3 million; Australasia Marine Alliance Corp., with $ 2.31 million; Pacific Pearl Airways Aviation School, with $ 2.13 million; Palmgold Int'l Ltd., with $ 1.98 million; Grand Pillar Int'l Development, Inc., with $ 1.9 million; and Buma Subic Development and Management Corp., with $ 1.5 million.

The 141 new projects worth some $ 239 million placed the total committed investments in Subic at $ 5.74 billion, the SBMA said.

Arreza also said that SBMA's job-generation program has been instrumental in addressing unemployment and underemployment in the Central Luzon region.

Citing figures from the Department of Labor and Employment's Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (DOLE-BLES), Arreza noted that the region's unemployment rate had decreased from 11.5 percent in 2007 to 9.4 percent as of July this year.

In the same period, Central Luzon's underemployment figures went down from 14.1 percent in 2007 to 9.2 percent as of July.

"I think our efforts to minimize labor gaps are now gradually paying off," Arreza said, pointing out that the agency is also facilitating regional dialogues not only to address unemployment, but to promote skills matching and industrial peace in the region.

He said in 2005, the SBMA linked with the Department of Labor and Employment, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Agency, Public Employment Service Office, and the Regional Development Council to start a series of conferences on job-skills mismatch to help address labor concerns in Central Luzon. (PNA)

SBMA gets new projects

THE SUBIC Bay Metropolitan Authority expects to surpass the P5.3 billion in revenues collected last year with the entry of 141 new investment projects as of September.

According to SBMA administrator and chief executive Armand Arreza, collections as of end-September had already reached P4.08 billion.

"By all indications, Subic is defying the odds. While there is some slowdown in the global economy, we continue to make consistent growth in revenue, import, export, as well as investment and employment," he said. "The continued growth of these indicators brings about the rise in the taxes and duties collected in Subic."

In the same period last year, total collections within the Subic Bay Freeport only reached P3.83 billion, 6.41 percent lower than the January-September 2008 collections.

Data from SBMA showed that the Bureau of Customs registered a total cash collection of P2.97 billion in the first three quarters, up 5.82 percent from the P2.81 billion collected in the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Internal Revenue registered P1.11 billion in tax collections from January-September, 8.02 percent higher than the P1.02 billion posted in the same period last year.

By.Abigail L. Ho - Inquirer

Subic’s massive infrastructure will continue to interest investors

By. Irma Isip – Malaya

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is confident of attracting new investments despite the economic crisis due to massive logistics infrastructure in the Subic Freeport zone.

In his speech at the two-day general assembly of the International Network of Affiliated Ports (INAP) that started Tuesday, SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza cited the growing role of sports in the global trade.

Arreza, who is pushing for Subic as an ideal maritime logistics hub, is still optimistic of attaining growth despite economic difficulties.

Arreza said the port of Subic now boasts of the newest operating container port in the country, and it possesses key infrastructure that can support a wide range of businesses.

“With this, Subic now responds to the growing requirements of seaborne trade in Northern and Central Luzon, and is ready for the capacity shortage of 14 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) projected for South East Asia,” Arreza told conference delegates.

Arreza also said Subic’s new containerterminal-1, which was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), has an annual capacity of 300,000 TEUs and equipped with two quay cranes capable of handling even post-Panamax cargo vessels.

He added that the existence of nine other piers and cargo terminals in Subic, the massive logistics support infrastructure now existing in the Subic-Clark growth corridor, as well as the free port’s strategic location in the center of the growing East Asian Region, definitely gives Subic a solid foundation to gain more investments, attract more trade and weather the current economic storm.

‘Compared to 10 years ago, Subic has come a long way,” Arreza said.

Subic Bay Freeport is now home to some 1,100 investor firms that provide jobs more than 85,000 workers.

Arreza said because of the economic crisis today, it is important that INAP focus on its fundamental objectives. These include responding to the needs of the maritime transport industry, while strengthening cooperation among members, exchanging information and technology, and conducting regular interaction among members.

INAP, which was formed in 1998 as a venue for exchanging information and sharing technology and expertise on marine transport and logistics, held its 10th annual conference here as the global economic down turn began affecting major industries, including the maritime sector.

At the conference, INAP installed SBMA chairman Feliciano Salonga as INAP chairman for the year 2008 to 2009.