Subic Bay Tourism Bureau

He was sworn into office by RTC Judge Josefina D. Farrales, who also swore in other elected officials of the province. A political neophyte, Ebdane ran in the recent election against veteran politician Amor Deloso, who first served as OIC governor in 1986 and later won four terms, sitting as elected governor in 1988 to 1998, and again in 2007 to 2010.

Ebdane, who won by a landslide in the May 10.

In his inaugural address, Ebdane challenged Zambales officials, as well as residents, to rally to the call for change and progress, reminding them that the development of the province is everyone’s concern.

Running under the Lapiang Manggagawa (Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka) party, Ebdane gained broad support among the electorate with his political cry of purposive change and development for all.

Significantly supported by Jun Avecilla’s Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel, the Philippine Independence Day Regatta is now the best off-season competitive sailing event in the Philippines, and possibly the best in Asia in June.

We refer to an “off-season” but the sailing never really stops in the Philippines - it’s just a question of which way the wind is blowing and the potential for rain? And, if you are going to have a potentially-wet Independence Day Regatta, then there are few better places to hold it than in Subic Bay. Subic Bay opens to the sea to the southwest and, during June (through to early September), the southwest monsoon (locally = Habagat) is building its power over Equator Asia and pushing northeast, with moisture laden clouds. If the southwest monsoon has not yet set in (quite possible in mid-June) then the alternative is sunshine over the rice fields of Pampanga almost guarantees local on-shore sailing breezes throughout much of the day.

When the sailing is done each day, crews repair to the Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel or the Subic Bay Yacht Club for well earned refreshments and prize giving. After the refreshments many migrate to the plethora of new Barrio Baretto and Baloy Beach restaurants and bars, where some say Sirens await to lure the unwary sailor to his doom . . . or at least to miss the crew roll-call for the next day of racing.

The Subic Lighthouse Marina Resort Independence Day Anniversary Invitational Regatta 2010 will be held on 12th–13th June, 2010, in Subic Bay.

If you have access to a sailing boat, come join in the fun in Subic Bay and celebrate the spirit of independence with those who have made it their choice; if you want to rent a boat for the event then there are sailing yachts for charter, including four-person Platus. If you do not have a sailing boat on which to crew then come along anyway as there are usually crew paces available for visiting sailors who know their ropes. If you are instead a photographer then the best sailing action pictures are usually obtained along the beach of the Moonbay Marina or on the pier of the Lighthouse Marina Resort Hotel.

We vote, they count. I have proven that through automated elections,” he said. Gordon said the survey firms should publish the names of people who commissioned the surveys. “In the surveys, they don’t even publish who are paying for these surveys.

They must. I demand that they show it. Every presidential candidate, every senator, every congressman, they must show. I demand it. In the United States, they do that,” he said. Gordon also questioned the method used in the conduct of surveys, pointing out that when he ran for the Senate in 2004, the surveys placed him way out of the winning circle but he was elected anyway, even without votes from the Iglesia ni Cristo. “I was number 29 when I ran for the Senate and landed number 5 even without the Iglesia.

How can I believe that (survey results)?” he said. Gordon said it is hard to believe that he has an approval rating of only one percent in the surveys when he got 13 million votes when he ran for the Senate. “They have surveyed 1,500 people. Have you met anyone who was surveyed? How can I get only one percent when I got 13 million votes last time? I think at least I’ll get 10 out of 100,” he said.

Gordon said that in the previous presidential election, President Arroyo was supposed to win over her closest rival, the late Fernando Poe Jr. in the metropolis. But when the votes were counted, Poe won in all of Metro Manila except Las Piñas. “We are enriching the people who do the surveys,” he said, adding that one of the owners of a survey firm now reportedly has a big house in an upscale subdivision. “Who are running the surveys? What questions are they asking? Is my name even there?” he said. – Mike Frialde

Subic is becoming RP’s leading convention center

With its outstanding facilities, Subic Bay Freeport is now becoming the country’s center for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) as more than 300 delegates from local and foreign tourism industry sectors converge in the Freeport for the Subic Bay Freeport is now becoming the country’s center for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitionsPhilippine MICE Conference. 

 Tourism Secretary Ace Durano cited Subic during the opening of the MICECON 2010 Thursday as both a MICE hub and a gateway to Northern Philippines , an emerging international and regional destination with rich and diverse attractions for such activities.

 Ayala mall to attract more Subic tourists, says SBMA

Tourists visiting Subic Bay in Pampanga are expected to double in the next three years with Ayala Corp.’s P3-billion mall project.The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is promoting the former site of the US Naval base as a world-class water sports destination and a convention center after the Subic-Clark expressway was completed."People will have the chance to enjoy the same water sports attraction without traveling as far as Camarines Sur,"SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza said in an interview.

 21st Ad Congress

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Zambales, Nov. 22 (PNA) -- Baguio City, the supposed host of the 21st Philippine Advertising Congress (PAC) until the venue was moved to this free port just a month ago, has become a “test bed” for the advertising industry’s new-found focus of harnessing their tested media tools for the benefit of some afflicted sectors of the society.

Aside from the pledge by the Philippine Advertising Board to give 100 percent of the ticket sales from the prestigious “Araw Awards” to be held on Saturday night, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) vowed to donate to Baguio City and other typhoon-ravaged areas in Northern Luzon the entire income from the rental of the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC), the congress venue, for the entire duration of the four-day gathering.

“In the true spirit of the 21st Advertising Congress, the entire organization of the SBMA and the entire community of Olongapo City join the advertising industry in helping Baguio City and other affected areas in Northern Luzon in the process of rebuilding and recovery,” said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza.

Arreza said the donation will be used to purchase a brand-new ambulance truck for the City of Pines, where reconstruction and rehabilitation projects are ongoing after it was hit by a series of typhoons the past two months.

He also said the SBMA, as the government agency that administers the Subic Bay Freeport, is setting an example “for different sectors of the society to help in the organized and long term response to environmental threats particularly the issue of global warming.”

He noted that Baguio City “remains strong as ever, extending its support and generosity, exhibiting great resolve and fortitude that made the city one of the most loved and preferred venues for the Advertising Congress.”

Arreza also said the Subic community is thankful for being chosen as Ad Congress host for the third time.

“The honor of having hosted this prestigious event three times has stamped an indelible mark on Subic Bay as one of the best and foremost venues in the country for this important gathering,” he said.

The Subic official also thanked Baguio City Mayor Peter Ray Bautista “for allowing us to co-host the event.”

Meanwhile, Bautista said they were honored and grateful for being a part of the Ad Congress celebration despite the venue transfer to Subic.

“We took this chance to come out and accept the hand that has been reached out to the people of Baguio and the people of Benguet,” Bautista said.

Bautista was referring to the “Brand Aid” campaign of the 21st PAC, which seeks to set up a funding mechanism for the advertising industry to aid rehabilitation efforts.

Brand Aid’s first project, “AHON,” was immediately set in motion in the aftermath of Ondoy, whereby P2 million was raised for the Philippine National Red Cross.

Central Luzon Desk

Inquirer.net

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The fate of a Korean casino-hotel project here now lies in the hands of the environment department, after it revoked the power of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to issue environmental clearances for projects in this free port, an SBMA official said.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said the SBMA was reviewing the application for an environmental compliance certificate of Grand Utopia Inc. for its $120-million casino-hotel.

“The ECC for Grand Utopia is still under review. [On Thursday], we submitted their applications to the [Department of Environment and Natural Resources], the agency that will decide whether to issue the ECC,” Arreza told the Inquirer.

Earlier, architect and urban planner Felino Palafox Jr. revealed that he backed out of the project after he learned that more than 300 trees would be cut to give way to the project.

But Arreza said no tree would be cut in the project site, contrary to Palafox’s revelation. However, a report from a survey team commissioned by Grand Utopia showed that at least 161 trees would have to be replaced.

Arreza said the SBMA is “not concerned about Palafox’s allegations at all.”

“Now that the DENR is part of the process, people will know whether we are correct or not,” he said.

By Kristine L. Alave
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Filed Under: World Financial Crisis,Waterway & Maritime Transport, Overseas Employment

MANILA, Philippines--The global financial meltdown that sidelined many cruise liners and cargo ships could prove to be a golden opportunity for Filipinos, Labor Secretary Marianito Roque said.

According to Roque, several cruise liners and cargo vessels have docked in Subic Bay harbor in the past few months due to lack of business, waiting out the recession that has discouraged their clients from vacationing and reduced cargo orders.

Roque said the government has been in talks with other shipping firms to use the Subic port.

“We would like to invite maritime owners to see the Philippines as a lay-up area for their ships in a bid to generate local employment,” Roque said in a recent media interview.

Sources said around 15 cruise and cargo vessels had docked in Subic, Zambales province.

“It has really affected container vans because it meant that there would be less goods to ship,” the labor secretary said.

He said Filipinos could serve as skeleton crew that could check the liners from time to time. The vessel owners would also need maintenance crew and security guards, he added.

Aside from Subic, Roque said the government also offered the ports in Cagayan de Oro and Davao to shipping and cruise firms.

The labor chief said Filipinos workers were known for being diligent and proficient in English, skills valued by foreign employers.
"Sent via BlackBerry from Smart"

By Tonette Orejas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:21:00 12/15/2008

CLARK FREEPORT--The scrapping of the only tax that the Philippine government has imposed on businesses at the Clark and Subic free ports may allow firms to cope with the impact of the global financial crisis, says Precy Aguilar, manager of the garments firm Peninsula Fashion International Corp. here.

The tax runs to only 5 percent of the gross income earned by firms. Most locators in the Clark and Subic free ports enjoy duty-free importation of capital goods and raw materials.

The Clark Development Corp. and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, both state firms that are managing the free ports developed from former American bases, cannot grant that exemption unilaterally.

They would have to ask Congress to amend the base conversion laws (Republic Act No. 7227 for Subic and RA 9400 for Clark) to get that single tax burden out, officials say.

Benigno Ricafort, CDC president, says 2 percent of the 5-percent tax goes to local governments around Clark and Subic.

"There's utility in where it goes," he says.

But Hikomitsu Noji, president of the Yokohama Tires Philippines in Clark, and Rashedul Chowdury, vice president for operations of the D-J Aerospace in Subic, both disagree with the proposal to remove the tax.

"We are coming here [to] get some money and pay for tax[es] [so] Filipino [workers would] be happy. This is company responsibility, especially for us," Noji says.

Chowdury says: "Businessmen would always like incentives, but for distribution of wealth, money should go to … people who are suffering right now."

Reductions in lease rental and import-export documentation charges, as well as cheaper and efficient power and water supplies may also help, says Aguilar.

She says these incentives could enhance the competitiveness of companies in Clark and Subic.

SBMA Administrator Arman Arreza says that on the heels of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, all that locators sought was a reduction in lease rental.

Mark Pressley, general manager of the Smart Shirts in Clark, says the government could help if it would work to declare a "Quiz," or qualified industrial zone, within Clark.

"This could become a hub for garments manufacturing, and I know that [Philippine authorities] are going to invest some money into lobbying for this with the US government, and they've been sending people over to the US right now and that, for Clark, would be a fantastic boost because, currently, we pay 21-percent duty into the United States," Pressley says.

"If we have the Quiz in Clark, we can bring all the best locators, all the best garments makers here, and they will pay duty-free into the US which will be a huge bonus because China, Vietnam and other countries want to get that. That would be a big bonus for Philippine manufacturers if we could get that," he says.

"A little bit of work with some of the new incentives or extending existing incentives would really be a big benefit," he adds.

In the end, the efficiency in production and delivery, as well as product quality, will provide the big competitive edge in difficult times, officials of Clark and Subic firms say.

The labor front is quiet, at best sharing the management's aim of saving jobs, says Aguilar, who is also president of the 15 garment manufacturing managers in Clark.

Clark and Subic have employed a combined 148,314 workers—more than double the Filipino work force hired by the US military until it closed Clark in 1991 and Subic in 1992.

The crisis stands to defeat the very purpose of the conversion of the American bases, which is to help Central Luzon residents get back on their feet after the closure of the military facilities and on the heels of Mt. Pinatubo's 1991 eruptions.

Noji and Jeff Lin, president of the Subic Bay Development and Management Corp., are hopeful that foreign companies would weather it out, having survived the 1997 financial crisis.

"If we are competitive, we can survive," says Tomohiro Yoneko, Yokohama vice president and treasurer.

Arreza expects the impact of the crisis to be less for Subic because its investment base now is diversified from low-cost manufacturing in the first 10 years of the free port to heavy industries in recent years.

More capital goods, than consumer items such as garments, are being produced in Subic now, he says.

Subic, he says, will not compete solely on the basis of low-cost industries.

"It is very difficult for the Philippines to be successful in that because our objective is to improve the living conditions of workers. When you seek [low-cost industries], you reduce wages and benefits … We want jobs that are value-added because our workers are highly trained," he says.

"We worry for projects that are focused on international tourists. When air fares increase, the arrivals will be affected, and those projects will be hit. We don't see any major impact for other industrial projects that have been approved or have secured their financing.

"If ever, some in the pipeline may be delayed because of credit tightening," says Arreza, citing the difficulty of raising equity now that the market is down.

Projects by investors from the Middle East appear to be on track, and some are in fact proceeding to scout for business process outsourcing sites, he says.

SBMA's placement program for displaced workers is in place, helping already those sizing down or closing shop like courier giant FedEx.

The crisis can create a deep impact if it drags on for a year or two, Arreza says.

The SBMA and the CDC are not rushing to prepare an emergency plan. In SBMA's case, it is focused on enhancing the competitiveness of the zone.

"It's a good opportunity for us to focus on internal improvements," says Arreza.

Among these are the upgrade of ports and roads and reducing red tape.

The quality of the work force is a big factor that encourages investors to locate their businesses in the Philippines.

"When it comes back—and it will come back—we will be in a better position to take advantage of it," Arreza says.

Ricafort, a former member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation advisory council, says: "When the big guys get sick, we cannot help but get sick also."

But preparations have been put in place, he adds.

"We also anticipated this, and when we began in August, we instituted a plan—the after sales service operations. We look at operations of our locators and analyze who our locators are," Ricafort says.

"They will, of course, be affected because [the financial crisis] is global and their products are mostly destined to developed countries [or those most prone to the turbulence]."

The CDC's after sales service has reviewed the lease contracts of firms and is helping those hard up through quality and efficiency upgrades.

On coping, Ricafort says: "I am positive, 100 percent sure, this is being addressed. The big boys are there, and not only the US but Europe is in the same boat. I'm certain they would not let this go like this. They would have to do something drastic that would cascade to our benefit also."

With orders from the United States steadily being reduced, while sales prospects during the holidays becoming more slim, the Chinese-owned garments firm is producing only half of its regular output of 500,000 pieces this month. It also trimmed its workforce from over 1,000 to 600.

Source: Daily Inquirer