Tourism business in Subic Freeport is growing, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) said yesterday citing visitor arrivals that reached 5.5 million with 33.48 percent cent year-on-year growth.

The SBMA said it was optimistic that visitor arrivals will be surpassed this year as the 2010 influx posted the highest visitors recorded over the past six years.

According to the SBMA tourism department, overall visitors last year surpassed the 4.1 million total arrivals in 2009.

In particular, arrivals peaked during the summer months of April, May and June with 558,779; 518,596 and 786,738 tallies, respectively. The month of December followed with a 464,525 record. The data however, did not show how many foreign tourists visited the Freeport compared to local vacationers.

The SBMA is now aiming for sustainable and quality tourism to further boost visitor arrivals in this free port.

Because of the influx of visitor, hotel occupancy in Subic registered an annual rate of 88.7 percent in 2010, a 3 percent increase over the 2009 rate.

“In addition to developing Subic as a logistics and maritime hub, we have also been pushing Subic as a tourist destination – and quite successfully at that,” SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said in a statement.

Arreza said key performance indicators last year, including visitor arrivals, showed a sustained rebound from the weak performance in the previous years, owing to the global economic crisis.

Because of the growing trend in tourism, the SBMA intends to attract more visitors this year by staging more events and encouraging tourism stakeholders to invest more, Arreza added.

Arreza attributed the influx of visitors to the diverse events staged by or hosted in cooperation with the Subic agency and its locators, as well as tourist destinations like theme parks that provide anchor attractions for the free port.

SBMA deputy administrator for business Raul Marcelo also said that the SBMA has steeped up its tourism promotion efforts in line with the government’s thrust to boost eco-tourism in the country.

“This way, we create more jobs in local communities without losing their unique culture, character, landscape and natural environment,” he added.

Marcelo said that last year, a total of 389 events staged in Subic attracted 92,749 participants.

Subic’s expansion in the tourism industry has been cited by no less than Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, who described this premier free port as “an ideal tourism capital” and a “perfect model of sustainable and quality tourism.”

Arreza said this was because the SBMA have exerted efforts “to lead the entire Freeport community, down to the grassroots level, in adopting a culture of tourism, as well as to guarantee the protection and preservation of the environment as a community resource that supports the economy.”

Moreover, Arreza said that the business community has invested much in Subic because of its huge tourism potential. He said that last year alone, the SBMA received a total of $1.02 billion in committed investments for tourism-related projects here. Cecille Garcia

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reported today that it has approved a total of $1.2-billlion worth of new investments last year to boost the cumulative financial resources infused by both foreign and local firms in this premier Freeport zone to $7.16 billion.

In a statement, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that investments recorded last year eclipsed the total in 2009 by almost 486 percent, or a difference of more than P1 billion. In comparison, the Subic Freeport attracted investments worth only P206.5-million in 2009 due to the global economic crisis.

Arreza said that the 115 new projects, buoyed by five major investment proposals that also made it to Subic’s list of top investment projects in the last five years, made 2010 another banner year in Subic’s history.

Arreza said that since the Subic free port was established in 1992, last year was only the third time that annual investments here breached the $1-billion total. The first was in 2006 when committed investments totaled $1.44 billion, and the second was in 2007 when investments reached $1.71 billion.

The new investment projects also brought Subic’s total number of approved projects to 1,463.

Arreza also pointed out that while the agency approved a total of only 115 investment projects last year, compared to 201 project proposals in 2009, “the value of investments more than made up for the relatively smaller volume.”

Of the 115 investment projects approved by the SBMA in 2010, the biggest was that proposed by MCastle Philippines, a Korean firm that has set aside $1 billion for the development of a world-class integrated resort in Morong, Bataan.

Meanwhile, Sunnew-Subic Investments Ltd., a Chinese company, was recorded as the second biggest with $75 million for a wind farm and a solar energy project that could be expected to generate 50 megawatts and 100-200 megawatts, respectively.

The other investment projects in Subic’s top 10 list for 2010 were: Subic Bay Town Center Inc., a Filipino firm that committed $36.4 million for the development of a commercial center; Alubat Aviation Composites Philippines (German/British), with $15 million; Vapco International Corporation (Jordanian/Filipino), $15 million; Sands of Triboa Resorts (Fililipino), $5.95 million; Fertuna Holdings Corp. (Filipino), $5.35 million; Holy Land Subic Foundation, Inc. (Filipino), $5.33 million; Udenna Management and Resources Corp. (Filipino), $3.22 million; and San Bernardio Shores Beach (Filipino), with $2.21 million. Records from the SBMA also indicated that five projects approved in 2010 now ranked among the top 20 projects recorded since 2005.

These are the projects for MCastle, which ranked second biggest next to the $1.68 billion committed by Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp.-Philippines; Sunnew-Subic,which ranked number 10 with $75 million; Subic Bay Town Center, at No. 14 with $36.42 million; and Alubat Aviation and Vapco International, both at No. 19 with $15 million.

SBMA figures also indicated that more than 82 percent of the 115 investment projects approved last year were foreign direct investments (FDIs) from South Korea. On the other hand, 8.14 percent of the total investments were proposed by Filipino-owned companies, and 6.26 percent by Chinese firms.

Other investments put up last year came from the United Kingdom, Germany, Jordan, Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Norway, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Sweden, Belgium, France, and Italy.

In terms of job generation, the projects approved last year have a projected total employment of 8,050, Arreza also announced. The 2010 employment figure represents an 11.77 percent increase over the projected 7,202 jobs from the 201 projects approved in 2009.

More than 300 skydivers from all over the world will be joining the first ever mass skydiving event in the country this November to introduce the Subic Bay Freeport as an skydiving destination in the Philippines.

Dubbed as the 1st Philippine Parachuting Phun Phestival, the world-class skydiving event will run from November 8 to 20 and will involve “chuters” from the United States , Canada , Europe, and the Philippines , among others.

The event is being organized by Sheldon Rice, a Canadian national who serves as operations manager of Adrenoline Island Adventures at the Baloy Beach Resort in Olongapo City , in partnership with Exotic Sky Adventures from Europe .

“We will bring in about 300 to 400 skydivers from all over the world to the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) to skydive for about eight or twelve days to promote skydiving as another tourist attraction in the country,” Rice said.

Aside from skydiving, the organizers are also lining up tours to some tourist attractions in the free port, including Zoobic Safari and Treetop Adventure Park . Festival participants are also expected to engage in other adventure sports here like horseback riding, scuba diving, kite boarding, jet skiing, wake boarding, parasailing and more.

As planned, YS 11 and Antonov 26 aircraft will take off from the SBIA here on November 14, with some 107 divers who will be jumping from a height of 15,000 feet. The divers will do various skydive formations like the “First Jump Tandem”, “Pro-Swoop Competition ”, “Canopy Formation”, and “Big Way Formation”.

To further thrill the spectators, Rice is also planning to do several publicity stunts during the festival, including taking his three-year old son on a first jump tandem skydive.

Rice added that a European partner will also be taking his son, aged 10, and his daughter, aged 11. Both have completed tandem jumps at the age of two and currently hold the world record for the youngest tandem skydiving passengers.

Rice also intends to take with him some daring newscasters or reporters, showbiz personalities and other personalities for a first jump tandem skydive, free of charge.

The event hopes to break records here in the Philippines because, according to Rice, skydiving has not been performed in the Philippines in such big groups.

Both the YS 11 and Antonv 26 planes to be used in the festival are owned by the Interisland Airlines, a Manila-based passenger and cargo charter company providing domestic and international flights for scheduled services, and passengers and cargoes.

Rice noted that Subic has the advantage over other skydiving destinations in the country because it can be easily reached from Manila or Clark by land, and it has its own airport for those coming in with their own planes.

Aside from skydiving events, about a hundred airline operators will set up their own booths during the festival to offer different services or sell skydiving and scuba gears.

“After each dive, our guests will find it more exciting to stay in Subic as we have teamed up with the most popular resort hotels serving the best food menu in the entire mainland. All are within walking distance from the many entertaining bars and restaurants,” Rice said.

“Teaming up with other tourism establishments means more diving adventures. It would be like sky diving one day, para-sailing the next day,” he added.

Rice said that organizers are planning to do the event on an annual basis to help promote Subic as the best tourist destination in the Philippines , especially for sky divers.

“Provided that the event goes well, and that the skydivers enjoy their vacation here in the Philippines , we will start working towards a world record attempt in 2013,” Rice also said. Ruben Veloria

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) has cited the efforts of
the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in promoting environmental protection inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

This after CITEM delegation made an eco-business tour at the Subic along with local and foreign delegates to a trade show held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City .

In a statement, Doris Gacho, officer in charge of CITEM’s Service Business Department, noted during the visit that Subic Bay has retained its holistic character despite having introduced various developments in industry, commerce and tourism.

“ Subic is such an integrated community, and everything has been taken care of. I think that the SBMA is doing such a good job,” Gacho said.

“(The SBMA) have taken care of the environment and the indigenous (Aeta) community. Subic is now a place to show the world that industrial, as well as social development and caring for the environment can go hand in hand,” Gacho added.

CITEM, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), spearheaded the three-day 1st Philippine International Eco-Show (PINES), an event through which the agency committed itself to be the driver of “green” growth and industry in the country at a time when business and sustainable environment are regarded as complementary aspects of a progressive Philippines.

As part of the event, CITEM bought 36 selected delegates to Subic and toured them among various tourism facilities and industrial factories here.

In particular, Gacho said the visitors were impressed with PacTec Inc., an American firm manufacturing heavy-duty hauling and packaging bags for the transportation and waste industry.

“PacTec makes very good products, and I see that it has maintained good relationship with suppliers and they’re very impressive. I think PacTec can be a potential exhibitor for DTI to promote,” she said.

Meanwhile, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said that the Subic Bay Freeport never fails to make a good impression on visitors because the agency really intended to develop and capitalize on the eco-tourism potentials inside the economic zone.

“While we are promoting Subic as a better place to establish various industries, the bigger part of Subic is still covered with well-preserved forests and pristine bodies of water that we continue to develop into some of the best tourism facilities in the country today,” Arreza said.

He added that the SBMA has also programmed the development of Subic’s potentials in adventure tourism in line with the nationwide campaign to promote eco-tourism and adventure tours in the country and make the Philippines the best adventure destination in Asia .

To sustain this program, Arreza said the SBMA regularly undertakes tree-planting and beach clean-up activities, and other environmental protection and conservation programs and projects.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza said he is ready to face any inquiry by the Senate or the House of Representatives to present proof that he did not receive a P26.9-million salary in 2009.

Arreza, who has refuted recent news reports that placed him as the highest-paid government official in the country, stated that SBMA’s operational expenses should not have been incorporated with his personal income.

He added that should the Senate or the House push through with its probe on excessive and unwarranted salaries and other perks received by top government officials, he will give his full cooperation to the authorities.

Arreza added that he expects the CoA itself to clarify the misleading information about his salary.

“I have already talked with CoA officials, and they promised to issue a clarification on the subject,” Arreza said on Thursday.

“In our initial talks, the CoA officials agreed that I was right all along — that the funds in question were not some allowance for personal benefits, but were actually operating expenses for the agency.”

Arreza said he is taking advantage of this “unwarranted publicity” to shed light on the issue. He said that since Monday, he has already appeared on various media programs and conferences to clarify that his monthly take-home pay is only P95,449 from his gross income of P130,888.77 per month.

“Maganda rin namang mapag-usapan ito, dahil kailangang maging transparent talaga kung magkano ang sweldo ng mga empleyado ng pamahalaan, said Arreza. “Palagay ko naman ay karamihan sa amin ay nais ring kumita ng marangal ,” he added.

According to Arreza, the CoA mistakenly included SBMA operational funds for extraordinary, miscellaneous and intelligence purposes with his personal income, resulting to a bloated salary of P26.9-million.

He identified these operational funds as the P15-million intelligence fund, which he said was actually determined by the Office of the President, and some P18-P19 million in SBMA’s extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses last year.

“Anybody who has run a corporation or a company would tell you that you really cannot plan for all exigencies — that’s why there is such a thing as discretionary or extraordinary or miscellaneous funds,” he added.

Arreza explained further that he cannot use these funds for personal benefit, since the CoA undertakes pre-auditing of the funds prior to disbursement.

Arreza also said that his name, as well as those of others in CoA’s list of highest-paid public officials, should be cleared once proven that their inclusion resulted from some mistake.

“Just like what happened to (Clark Development Corp. president) Benny Ricafort, my wife, too, has become suspicious when this report came out. Of course, it took a lot of explaining to convince her that I have not actually stashed any part of my supposed multi-million income,” Arreza joked. Hernan Habacon

Participants in the Karakol parade pass by Subic ’s Alava Pier, where a visiting US Navy ship is docked.

The fiesta, which was held in honor of San Roque, Subic Bay ’s patron saint, culminated on Monday with the certified crowd hit Karakol parade, which saw participants from both the public and private sectors here dressed up according to the authentic Filipino fiesta theme.

About a thousand participants in barong Tagalog, Filipino terno and various indigenous costumes assembled in front of the San Roque chapel here, which was originally built by the Spaniards, before making the rounds of Subic ’s central business district.

Along the way, building façades were gaily festooned with the best of native fiesta decorations in a “building-dress-up” contest initiated by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) weeks before the celebration.

Street dancers in barong and terno present a traditional Filipino dance in front of the San Roque chapel.

Subic ’s tree-lined streets also became more colorful with ‘banderitas’ that served as backdrop for the street dancing contest that was incorporated in the parade. Group entries for this contest that came mostly from schools in and around the free port competed for the P10,000 cash prize.

The parade was led by a carriage containing the statue of San Roque, patron saint of those with terminal illness and contagious disease, followed by the SBMA brass band playing fiesta music. Then came the participants in the street dance who donned costumes representing various Filipino ethnic groups — from the Ifugaos in the north, to the Tagalogs of the central plains, to groups from Visayas, and then the Muslims in the South.

Meanwhile, various farm produce, implements and animals were displayed on floats, or carried by the dancers themselves, lending more color to the spectacular display.

A participant in the Karakol street dance contest carries a statue of San Roque, Subic ’s patron saint.

By lunchtime, participants feasted on Filipino delicacies in true Pinoy style— spread on banana leaves and eaten with bare hands.

SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said this was the first time that Subic ’s Karakol festival has centered on a “purely Pinoy” perspective— providing tourists with the authentic sight, smell, taste, and sound of a barrio fiesta.

Arreza said it was one of those times when the Subic Freeport community convened as one, thanking God for his blessings, and appreciating each other for the wonderful work each has done for Subic Bay.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza shows his pay-check voucher to media in a press conference indicating his take-home pay of P95,449.35 and not P26 million annually as reported by CoA.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza yesterday refuted the inaccuracy on the report made by the Commission on Audit (CoA) making him the highest earning government official with P26.865 million annual salary.

Arreza who showed his pay check voucher to media in a press conference here said, “my monthly gross salary is actually P 131,880.77 which leaves me a take-home pay of P95,449.35.”

“It was the same salary enjoyed by my predecessors that was set in 2000 and not P26 million as reported by CoA,” he explained.

Arreza added that his compensation has remained the same since he was appointed in September 2005.

Arreza further explained that CoA mistakenly included the P15 million intelligence fund wherein P10 million of it went to Task Force Subic for its anti-smuggling drive inside the Freeport , while the remaining P5 million went to the SBMA’s Law Enforcement Department and the Intelligence and Investigation Division.

“The intelligence fund [was] approved by the President for anti-smuggling campaign, and in 2009, Arroyo gave that to the SBMA,” Arreza said. “This year, we have no intelligence funds because [Arroyo] did not approve any. The same goes with President Aquino.”

Arreza also said that the rest of the amount cited by COA went to other expenses made by the SBMA, which was approved by the SBMA board and was later dispensed through his office.

According to him, special events which were part of the promotions and marketing programs of SBMA such as the Philippine Advertising Congress, the Sangguniang Kabataan congress, along with other tourism events took much of the expenses for sponsorship.

The SBMA also has hosted delegations of agencies from other countries, or extend financial assistance to indigenous communities and non-government organizations.

“All of this is under my office, but it doesn’t go to me but definitely not as my salary,” he said

The SBMA board gave credence to the importance of such promotional projects but ensured that this would not go beyond one percent of the SBMA’s total annual budget of some P2 billion earned by the SBMA in administering the country’s premier Freeport zone.

Meanwhile, in a press statement, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga clarified that the SBMA’s Board of Directors has no plan of challenging President Aquino’s Executive Order No. 2 which terminated all of the “midnight appointees” of his predecessor.

Salonga issued the statement to clarify media reports that the SBMA board will contest the constitutionality of EO 2 before the Supreme Court.

The claim, attributed to SBMA board member Eddie Tamondong, said that the SBMA board plans to challenge Pres. Aquino’s decision, as the order affected more than half of the number of members comprising the board.

However, Salonga said that only a few members of the SBMA board may be planning to contest EO 2.

“This move is not being initiated by the SBMA Board as a whole, but only by some members who are affected by the EO,” Salonga said. “The Board has not passed any resolution to that effect”, he added.

According to the report, the SBMA directors affected by EO 2 included Tamondong, Mario Garcia, Stefani Saño, Jesus Vicente Magsaysay III, Marivic Pineda, Angelita Cruz and Ricardo Coscolluela.

However, Coscolluela has denied that he was among those seeking to challenge the executive order.

Aquino signed EO 2 on August 4, revoking all appointments made by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on or after March 11.

The EO left only three out of fifteen members to the SBMA Board forcing the SBMA to suspend all board meetings until the issue has been finally resolved. Those who were not affected by the said EO are Salonga, Arreza and director Ted Del Rosario.

In the same press conference, Arreza said that the last board meeting was held on July 30.

Subic Freeport is currently operating without an SBMA Board which approves all projects proposals of investors, which in the long run, may adversely affect the daily businesses inside the Freeport .

Arreza said that the entry of new investors and proposal for expansion projects of existing investors, that requires board approval, would be temporarily be put on halt until the issue of the validity and legality of the appointments of the board members have been resolved. Rey Garcia

WELD YOUR DREAMS. SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza (standing 2nd from right) and Olongapo City Vice-Mayor Rolen Paulino (3rd from right) observe a Korean instructor of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Company (HHIC) while demonstrating the use of a high-tech welding machine, commonly found in shipyards worldwide.

Subic Freeport authorities reiterated yesterday its warning on possible malaria outbreak with the onset of rainy season urging thousands of workers of Hanjin shipyard at the Redondo Peninsula and residents in nearby communities to take preventive measures against the mosquito-borne infectious disease which is endemic in that particular area.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) issued its warning and cited that, “it is very necessary” for residents and workers staying at sitio Agusuhin, barangay Cawag near the shipbuilding facility of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp.-Philippines (HHIC-Phil) to avoid malaria infection.

In a press statement, SBMA administrator Armand Arreza said the SBMA is maintaining in the area a Malaria Task Force (MTF) office, which is under the direct supervision of Dr. Solomon Jacalne, head of the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department.

The office was established to ensure that all necessary assistance with regards to the prevention of the spread of malaria is immediately put in place, especially during the rainy season when the nesting places of malaria-carrying mosquitoes are disturbed by rainfall, the statement said.

“This unit has implemented the anti-malaria program since Hanjin started constructing its shipyard in the area in 2006,” Arreza explained. “So we’re calling on residents and workers to please cooperate with the task force so that we can prevent infections.”

Sitio Agusuhin, which is the site of the Hanijn shipyard, is geographically within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. However, it is under the political jurisdiction of the municipality of Subic, Zambales.

Arreza said that because of this, Subic town undertakes the delivery of basic services to Agusuhin while the SBMA coordinates with the local government unit on its programs and activities in the area, including the operation of the Anti-Malaria Task Force.

The SBMA official also said that on the recommendation of Jacalne, the SBMA Board passed in October 2008 a resolution requiring new job applicants and on-board workers in the area to undergo mandatory malaria screening before being issued their ID passes.

Newly-hired workers of HHIC-Phil, or those working for sub-contractors of the Korean shipbuilder within the vicinity of Agusuhin, were also required to renew their ID passes every six months, while regular personnel were made to renew passes every year.

“Considering the endemic nature of malaria in the Redondo area, the mandatory screening of all officers and employees of locators located in the Redondo Peninsula and other hotspots will prevent the spread of the infection,” Jacalne said.

Evelyn Crisini, supervisor of the SBMA Pass Processing Office which also conducts malaria monitoring just outside the Hanjin main gate in Agusuhin, said that in the month of July alone, 1,815 workers have undergone malaria screening, with all tests resulting in negative findings.

“In case a worker is found to be positive of malaria, he or she is immediately referred to the Department of Health for proper disposition,” Crisini said.

Meanwhile, Jacalne advised stay-in workers and residents in Agusuhin to maintain clean, comfortable and safe sleeping quarters by fitting windows with fine-meshed screens, using mosquito nets, regularly spraying sleeping quarters with anti-mosquito agents, and clearing the environs of stagnant ponds and pools of water.

“Malaria can now be easily prevented just by knowing what to do to eradicate the mosquito vectors (malaria carrier) and how to prevent the spread of the disease,” Jacalne added.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Television and communications mogul Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco is expanding a beach resort and hotel project, here with the infusion of P300 million fresh investments for site development.

“The Nabasan area will be one of the next top destinations inside Subic Freeport,” Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand C. Arreza said shortly after the contract signing for the P300 million project of Mr. Cojuangco held at the SBMA Board room early this week.

Mr. Cojuangco, chairman of Nabasan Subic Development Corporation, is currently developing the areas adjoining the former Nabasan Wharf beach into a world-class hotel resort with complete amenities with actual initial investments of P500 million thus increasing its pledges to P800 million.

Nabasan Beach is one of the popular places in Subic for tourists as it offers crystal clear waters. The beach area is also a favorite spot of scuba divers wanting to explore the marine life and underwater wrecks in Subic.

SBMA deputy administrator for business group Stef Saño also confirmed that Cojuangco has expressed strong interest to take over the rehabilitation of the Subic golf course including the construction of a five-star hotel and luxury villas within the golf course.

Mr. Saño said that Hanafil Golf and Tour Inc., the operator and developer of the 18-hole Subic golf course is presently negotiating the final terms and conditions for Mr. Cojuangco to the takeover the golf course.

Saño said that Benjamin John Defensor III, chief executive and president of Hanafil had already informed the SBMA authorities about the on-going negotiations with Mr. Cojuangco.

Hanafil has committed to invest $48-million for the redevelopment work of the 18-hole old Binictican golf course which was closed down last year. Howevr, golf club members are complaining on the slow-paced development being implemented by Hanafil.

Meanwhile, the SBMA Business and Investment department reported that a total of twenty-six tourism related expansion projects of existing locators with a combined total investment commitment of US$1,015,675,977 and employment of 7,279 have been processed by the SBMA during the first six months of the year.

The top ten (10) expansion projects for the first half of 2010 are Korean property developer M Castle Subic Philippines, Inc. (US$1 billion), Nabasan Subic Dev’t Corp. (US$6,521,739), Grande Island resort developer GFTG Property Holdings (US$2,223,222), Royal Duty Free Shops, Inc. (US$2,127,659), Aggressive North Developers, Inc. (US$1,063,829), Gerry’s Grill Restaurant operator James Fausto Corp. (US$891,304), Segara Villas and Promenade Commercial Building owner Global Hotel and Leisure Properties (US$ 666,667), computer and internet cyber shops operator Jemeryk Portal System (US$ 652173), Freeport Sarang (US$250,000) and Starbucks franchise holder R.Joseph Holdings (US$217,391).

SBMA Leisure Business and Investment Department Manager Kenneth G. Rementilla said that the SBMA also signed up for the past six months of the year a total of eighteen new project with combined total investment commitment of US$21,699,410 and hiring 1,029 workers.

The top 10 companies are Sand of Triboa Resorts (US$14,319,970),Subic Bay Brands & Lifestyle retails Concept, Inc. (US$6,065,217), Fertuna Holdings Corp. (US$5,434,782), CW Subic Bay Dev’t Inc. (US$1,489,361), FBM Gaming and Amusement (US$323,000), Jobin & Jobin, Inc. (US$319,148), Dunlevy Food Corp (KFC) (US$304,348), MDC Subic (US$260,869), RPQ Rides and Amusement Corp. (US$212,765) and Manila Golden Kawa (US$130,434).

The SBMA is actively promoting tourism to attract both local and foreign investors in this Freeport zone that offers multi-faceted activities such as eco-tourism, sports, historical and cultural attractions. Rey Garcia

SINGAPORE – Subic Freeport has been chosen as the first and only destination in the Philippines for international luxury cruise ships as a new regular route is being mulled in the Asia-Pacific rim.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has been invited to join as one of the founding members of the newly created Asia Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA) joining Asia’s top cruise ship destinations such as China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka and India.

The association was organized by Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd., the only cruise and ferry port operator in Singapore which manages passenger travel within the Southeast Asian Region. Singapore is one of the busiest seaports in world being the top-ranked transshipment port and regional hub for passenger travel in the region.

ACTA was formed to provide a unified marketing platform in the Asian region which is set to be formally launched on January 2011 as a non-profit organization.

SBMA Administrator Armand C. Arreza said that one of the key initiatives of the SBMA is to pro-actively promote and market Subic Freeport as the next cruise ship destination in Asia.

“Joining ACTA is a strategic move for SBMA as parts of our efforts to build solid business network with member countries,” Mr. Arreza said.

Mr. Arreza said that the SBMA is targeting major players in luxury cruise ship industry such as Star Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silver Seas, Costa Crocere and other key players to make Subic as part of their cruise itinerary. 

During the meeting, Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd Vice President Ivan Ng said that among several other ports in the Philippines, Subic Freeport was chosen because of its readiness to play a key role in the cruise ship industry.

“We are glad that SBMA will be one of the founding members of ACTA, we have only chosen one port in the Philippines and that is Subic Bay Freeport”, Mr Ng said.

Mr. Ng said that Subic has the port infrastructures, deep natural harbor, support facilities, security and tourist attractions.

“I am now convinced, and this strengthens the business case for Subic, that indeed, it is ready to play a key role in the cruise ship industry,” Mr. Ng said.

Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd Vice President Ivan Ng (center) welcomes SBMA deputy administrator for tourism Raul Marcelo Marcelo (right) and SBMA maritime investment department head Ronnie Yambao upon arrival in Singapore.

SBMA deputy administrator for tourism Raul Marcelo said that Singapore Cruise Centre, which handles 9 million passengers annually, will serve as the model for SBMA to establish a cruise ship industry in Subic Freeport.

“Benchmarking from Singapore Cruise Center would mean learning expertise from the best of the best in terms of passenger handling, formulating waterfront development plans to integrate with the passenger terminal, technology, marketing activities and maintaining the momentum of the cruise ship market growth,” Mr. Marcelo said.

Marcelo, along with SBMA maritime investment department head Ronnie Yambao attended the organizational meeting, here of ACTA.

The following have been agreed upon by all ACTA member countries. 

Scope of activities
The Association shall cover the following activities:
• To formulate and to continuously update and implement a cooperative program for the improvement of cruise terminal operations and management efficiencies;
• To continuously exchange information and undertake innovations on:
• Cruise and passenger processes and handling systems;
• Relevant cruise terminal procedures and documentation;
• Cruise statistics collection and analysis;
• Training of cruise terminal personnel on various aspects of cruise ships and terminal management;
• Cruise berth planning and development; and
other cruise terminal related and / or other cruise related matters;
• To promote activities and foster closer relationship among Members of the Association.
Aims and objectives
The main aims and objectives of the Association shall be as follows:
• To provide the Members with a platform for regional cooperation in terminal development, operations and management; and
• To increase awareness of the Members’ cruise terminals internationally which result in an influential alliance leading to the emergence of a captivating Asia cruise playground;
• To promote and protect the interests of Members’ cruise terminal;
• To improve the standard and promote Asia cruise industry to international standard.
The specific objectives of the Association shall be as follows:

• To provide best practices in the cruise industry, to promote and to assist in the development and implementation of efficient operations and methods on the following:
1. Cruise terminal procedures and documentation;
2. Administration of cruise terminal personnel, including those of private agencies,
3. Involved in the business of the cruise terminal;
4. Cruise statistics;
5. Cruise information systems; and
6. Planning and development of cruise itinerary with cruise liners
7. Any other cruise related operational issues that will have material impact to Asia cruise industry.
• To promote the exchange of cruise related data and information on among the Members’ cruise terminals;
• To upgrade the skills and knowledge of cruise terminal personnel through the exchange of personnel for on-the job- training, exchange visits, holding of seminars/workshops on cruise terminal and / or cruise related issues including planning; operations and management;
• To promote cooperation in the coordination of Members’ terminals marketing, operations and management in Asia;
• To develop and maintain close relationships with other ASIA organizations especially those of ASIA cruise liners, regional or international cruise terminals, cruise related associations, resort owners, port agents and travel agents; and
• To undertake other activities as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives.