THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SUBIC BAY …sbfcc.com/newsletters/apr2007.pdf · THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SUBIC BAY FREEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ... APRIL 2007 SBFCC Newsletter

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SUBIC BAY FREEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Inside This Issue

SBFCC Working Committees

Calendar of Events

SBFCC News

SBMA News

National News

Membership Updates

SBFCC Board Members

Volume 46 Issue 110 April 2007

Good food, good fun and making new friends and business contacts was the theme of our last mixer/networking evening held at the delightful Rali’s Grill and Bar, Argonaut Highway, Malawaan Park. The largest turnout ever attended the event to enjoy the camaraderie shared by both members and non-members alike. For more information of our upcoming events and activities, please call us at 252-3180.

Photos by Danny Wong Barrenechea

APRIL 2007 SBFCC Newsletter 2

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SECURITY and EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMITTEE

Chairman: Danny Piano

E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 252-3934

LABOR

Chairman: Peter Tumanda e-mail: [email protected]

ENVIRONMENTAL

Chairman: John Corcoran e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 252-9000

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Tourism & Import / Export

Chairman: Rose Baldeo

e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 252-3158

LIAISON COMMITTEE

Chairman: John E. Corcoran e-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 252-9000

MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Chairman: John E. Corcoran e-mail: [email protected]

Tel: 252-9000

Address all editorial comments, Suggestions and material to the Editor.

SBFCC Bldg. 866 Waterfront Road, SBFZ

Tel #: 252-3180; Fax: 252-3190 E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.subicchamber.org

DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY

Every effort is made to provide accurate and complete information. However, with the thousands of documents available, we cannot guarantee that there will be no errors. With respect to information contained herein. SBFCC makes no warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to documents and programs available. SBFCC assumes no legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, process disclosed herein and hoes not represent that use of such information would not infringe on privately owned rights.

Help SBMA LED (Law Enforcement Department) help you — REPORT IT… Emergency: from landline, call 911 from cell phone, call 9111 Non-emergency or traffic violation report – Call 252-4550. For Binictican Housing 252-5347 Kalayaan Housing 252-5346. Even better, for more serious offences, submit a Voluntary Statement to LED. Blank Voluntary Statement Forms are available at all LED detachments or print one from the Chamber website at www.subicchamber.org If necessary, sign it as a concerned investor or resident, drop it off at any LED detachment or FAX to 252-4667. Better yet — take a photo or two, to help substantiate your complaint. A picture is always worth a thousand words.

SEE SOMETHING NQR?


Well, it’s that time of year again as we look forward to Holy Week and to the

beginning of the busy summer tourist season here in the Freeport. The “season” for

those of us in the tourism sector is no different than harvest season is for a farmer. If

we have prepared properly, we will reap the fruits of our labors. A great deal of effort has gone into

getting ready for those who will be availing of the experience that is Subic Bay. Visitors from abroad,

as well as those who come from destinations throughout the Philippines, should expect to have no

less than the outstanding service and hospitality that the Freeport has come to be known for. We

have so much to offer, so much to do, all in an atmosphere of fun and excitement. I personally love

hearing the sound of laughter and seeing the smiles on the faces of our guests, as they experience

the jewels in the crown of the Freeport. Regardless of how great the product, its delivery (how we

serve our guests) is critical to making our guest’s experience one that they will return for and that

they will tell their friends about. I would hope that we are all doing our best to ensure that the visitor

experience is one that we keep them returning, year after year to Subic Bay.

This will be the last year for one thing that really won’t be missed, and that is the long and somewhat

unpredictable drive from the Northern Expressway to the Freeport. As of November of this year, that

transit time will be substantially reduced with the opening of the Subic/Clark toll road. What had been

over an hour of traveling will now be less than half the time. Those unpredictable delays along the

way will be a thing of the past. Travel from Metro Manila to Subic Bay will be faster and much more

convenient. We will become an even more attractive destination of choice.

Whether you are directly involved in the tourism sector of the market or not, that business is critical

to the overall success of the Freeport. Let’s all pull together to ensure that we are putting our best

foot forward.

I wish each of you, regardless of your own particular line of business a most successful and rewarding year.

God bless.

John

Message from the President:


SBFCC ANNOUNCES NEW exclusive MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY

Members receive for one complete calendar year:

Ongoing recognition through banner ad on the SBFCC website

Opportunity to display banners at all SBFCC events

Two (2) Complimentary admission tickets to all monthly SBFCC social events.

Two (2) complimentary player and admission tickets to SBFCC Annual Golf Tournament and banquet

Banner placement recognition as official hole sponsor at Annual Golf Tournament

Recognition as a hole sponsor for SBFCC Annual Golf Tournament.

Two (2) complimentary admission tickets to SBFCC Annual Christmas party

Live acknowledgement during SBFCC events throughout the year.

Unlimited mass emailing to all SBFCC members

Priority endorsement of products to SBFCC members and third party inquiries

Inclusion of ¼ page ad in monthly SBFCC Newsletter.

Logo inclusion of event t-shirts and on-site banners at special events

Recognition as Silver Circle member in SBFCC Membership Directory.

T Ä Ä | Ç v Ä â á | ä x Ñ t v ~ t z x Ñ Ü | v x : Php 50,000.00


Govt generates 11,000 jobs in Luzon beltway

Almost 11,000 new jobs were generated by government projects in the Luzon Urban Beltway super region, a top presidential aide said recently.

Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan said the new jobs came from only five out of 15 big projects that are in the pipeline for the development of the super region.

“Our records show that, at the very least, there are 10,835 employments generated by the five projects currently being coordinated by the [Luzon Urban Beltway]. Based on the standard estimate that a family is composed of five members, that is already 11,000 families, or roughly 55,000 people benefiting from the projects during their construction stage alone,” Pamintuan said.

He was referring to the P6.9-billion Subic Bay Port Development, P529.33-million Terminal Radar Approach Control project at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, P20.97-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, P1.55-billion Marikina-Infanta Road project, and the P6.37-billion Toll Roads 1 and 2 of the South Luzon Expressway.

“The Subic Bay Port project employed 3,062 workers, 30 in DMIA, 6,200 in SCTEX, 473 in SLEX, and 1,070 indirect employments were created by the Marikina-Infanta Road project,” Pamintuan explained.

The Luzon Urban Beltway is one of the five super regions created by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her state-of-the-nation address last year. It is composed of Central Luzon, National Capital Region, Calabarzon and the Mimaropa regions and 15 mega-infrastructure projects worth P200 billion are being planned for the super region.

Considered the heartland of industry, trade and commerce, about 55 percent of the country’s total gross domestic product comes from the Luzon Urban Beltway. About 30 percent of the national population and also 30 percent of the total labor force reside and work in the highly urbanized provinces of the super region.

“Luzon Urban Beltway can contribute more to national development if we are able to muster its built-in advantages, complete and link-up the strategic infrastructures to spur more industrial growth, and harness its highly-skilled work force,” Pamintuan stressed.

Clark to rebid DMIA contract The Clark International Airport Corp. hopes to rebid a P68-million contract for the expansion of the existing terminal for the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

In an interview, Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive officer Levy P. Laus and CIAC president and CEO Victor I. Luciano said construction of the new terminal has been delayed after the bidding conducted failed. CDC owns CIAC.

The result of the bidding, Luciano explained, was nullified after it was discovered that the winning bidder was not qualified.

The two officials expressed optimism that construction could be completed by October this year.

With an expanded terminal, Luciano said the DMIA would be able to accommodate up to two million passengers from its current maximum capacity of one million passengers.

Last year, the DMIA accommodated close to half a million passengers. The bulk consisted of international passengers totaling 470,867, while domestic passengers numbered 17,889.

Aside from an expected increase in air travel, Luciano said the CDC/CIAC foresees a major demand for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in the next few years.

Luciano pointed out that many countries in the region, particularly India and China, are on an acquisition binge.

By 2008, Luciano said, those aircraft would need to undergo major maintenance work known as a D check which is conducted every five years.

Petron signs lease agreement Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga and Administrator and CEO Armand C. Arreza along with Jose K. Campos, Vice President of Petron Freeport Corporation and officials of the Japanese-run Subic Bay Techno Park, led by its director Ichiro Tsuji recently signed a lease agreement for the establishment and operation of a $ 2.5-M fuel additives blending facility inside the Subic Techno Park in Subic Bay Freeport Zone.


SSS tells members to settle underpayments By BEN R. ROSARIO

Many self-employed and voluntary members of the Social Security System (SSS) face serious problems in applying for loans and claim benefits for unintentionally underpaying their contributions.

This was gathered by SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Corazon de la Paz when they urged those who have incurred underpayments to settle their obligations immediately to avoid inconvenience in seeking SSS benefits. De la Paz said many of those who have underpaid are Overseas Filipino Workers.

According to her, underpayments were incurred as a result of the increase in the contribution rate, which was implemented last Jan. 1, 2007.

"We call on self-employed and voluntary members who paid in advance based on the old contribution rate to settle the underpayment as a result of the increase in the contribution rate effective January this year," De la Paz said.

SSS is the biggest pension fund in the country with over 25 million members worldwide, including 5.7 million self-employed, voluntary, and overseas workers.

In November last year, President Arroyo approved the recommendation of the Social Security Commission to increase the contribution rate by one percent, from 9.4 percent to 10.4 percent, to be shouldered by employers. Self-employed and voluntary members, including OFWs, shoulder the entire


DATE ORGANIZATION EVENTS / ACTIVITY VENUE

MAR 16 - 18 SBMA GOVIC CUP II - SHOOTFEST FIRING RANGE

MAR 17 SMAKK & Y2K CONCERT SOFTBALL, REMY FIELD

APR 01 E-PRO SUBIC SUMMER POWER “CHILDREN’S DAY” BOARDWALK

APR 01- 08 SBMA LENTEN ACTIVITIES SBFZ

APR 08 SBYC EASTER EGG HUNT SBYC POOLSIDE

APR 20 SBFCC 3RD ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Subic Bay Golf & Country Club

APR 21 JLGMH FUNDRAISING CONCERT “RIVERMAYA” TBA (EVENT CONFIRMED)

APR 24 SBFCC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (GMM) THE LIGHT HOUSE MARINA

APR 20 – 22 SBMA BAY FESTIVAL APALIIN / WATERFRONT STRIP

APR 20 – 22 SBMA SUBIC EARTH DAY FESTIVAL BOARDWALK AREA / CBD

MAY 05 - 06 TRIATHLON ASSOC OF THE PHILS

SUBIC BAY INTL TRIATHLON & INTER-CLUB COMPETITION SBF

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

The Environmentally Friendly Paint Characteristics: Water- borne nano- inorganic paint, Fire-resistant, Odorless, Durable, Non-hazardous Heavy metals.

Office Tel: 252-2510 Fax No.: 252-2500

Mobile No: (+63)917-8824497 Visit us @ www.coinchem.com.tw

E-mail us @ [email protected]


WHAT HAS YOUR CHAMBER BOARD DONE SINCE LAST MONTH?

• Attended Exporters meeting at SBDMC by SBMA Port Operations • Represented the Chamber at the Subic Bay Workforce Dev’t Foundation’s General Assembly • Hosted the February Mixer / Networking Evening at Rali‘s Grill • Kicked off arrangements for SBFCC’s 3rd Annual Golf Tournament scheduled for April 20 • Conducted further research/assessment into the proposed coal fired power plant • Participated in the 2007 SBMA Employee of the Year Awards

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESS RELEASES ARE

PUBLISHED FREE OF CHARGE FOR MEMBERS.

PRIORITY WILL BE ACCORDED TO RELEASES OF

NEWS VALUE AND ARE SUBJECT TO EDITING.

PLEASE SEND TO:

The Editor, SBFCC Newsletter at SBFCC, Bldg. 866,

Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone Tel# 252 3180

Email: [email protected]

MIXER AT RALI’S



Gov’t to complete 6 infrastructure projects

he government expects to complete six major infrastructure projects in Luzon with a total cost of

P30 billion in 2007.

Secretary Edgardo Pamintuan, head of the Luzon Urban Beltway, said these projects will be completed between March and November this year.

LUB is one of the five super regions identified by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her state-of-the-nation address last year. It is composed of Central Luzon, National Capital Region, Calabarzon, and Marinduque and Mindoro provinces.

Pamintuan said the six projects were part of the 15 infrastructure package worth P200 billion being coordinated by LUB. They are set for completion by 2010.

Pamintuan said in a statement that the six projects included the P20.97-billion Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the P6.9-billion Subic Bay Port Development and the P1.3-billion Segment 1 of North Luzon

Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connection via C-5 Project.

Other projects are the P529.33-million Terminal Radar Approach Control and the P68-million Passenger Terminal Expansion of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark Special Economic Zone and the P50-million Lucena Port Improvement.

“All these projects will be completed this year, with the airport terminal radar by March and passenger terminal by August; the Subic toll road by November; the expressway connection by October; the Lucena Port by September; and the Subic Bay Port project by June,” Pamintuan said.

He said the airport projects and the Lucena project were being funded by government-owned and -controlled corporations; the toll road and the Subic Bay Port by official development assistance of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation; and the expressway connection by the national government.

Senate OK’s affordable medicine measure he Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 2263, which seeks to amend specific

provisions of the Intellectual Property Code to make medicines more affordable in the country.

The Senate voted 20-0 to approve of the measure authored by Sen. Mar Roxas. After it becomes a law, Roxas said the bill would herald an era when Filipinos would be able to buy their medicines at more affordable prices.

“This is just a first step toward promoting competition in the local pharmaceutical market that would increase people’s access and lead to lower prices of medicines to ensure our people’s health,” he said.

Senate Bill 2263 seeks to address the three major obstacles to the people’s access to affordable, quality medicines:

1. Structure of the pharmaceutical industry. Roxas said that “unlike other countries, the industry here is characterized by extreme concentration of

market power, in short, controlled by a handful of players. In technical terms, what we now have is what’s known as an uncontested market.”

2. Behavioral orientation of consumers, doctors and public health institutions. “Our consumers have yet to fully appreciate the value for money offered by generic substitutes. Our doctors and public health institutions must not negate the spirit of the (Generics) law by failing to live up to their duty to inform their patients, particularly the poor, about generic substitutes,” he said.

3. Protectionist provisions of the existing law. “Certain provisions of the Intellectual Property Code have been misused over time such that profit trumps public interest. Because of the highly technical and abstruse nature of the intellectual property system, the multinational pharmaceutical companies have dominated the application of the intellectual property law to the detriment of public welfare,” he said.

T

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Senate OKs 'Kasambahay Bill'

The Senate approved a bill that provides additional benefits and protection to all house helpers, ABS-CBN News reported.

Senate Bill 2497 or the “Kasambahay Bill," aims to increase the minimum wage of house helpers, referring to maids, cooks, houseboys, family drivers and nannies, in the National Capital Region from P800 to P2,000 per month.

Helpers working in the first class cities and municipalities will also receive P1,500 instead of a monthly salary of P650 while those employed in other municipalities will get P1,000 instead of P550.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, chairman of the Senate labor committee, authored the bill that also requires employers to provide their helpers with health benefits. "This increase in minimum wage is very reasonable, considering that according to studies, most domestic helpers, particularly in the NCR, already receive salaries above this proposed minimum wage," he said.

He said the bill will improve the working conditions and the lives of domestic helpers who are often subjected to physical and psychological abuse; harmful working conditions; low, unpaid or delayed wages; long working hours; and also the lack of social security and health benefits, among others.

Under the approved bill, housemaids and their employers are required to sign a contract stipulating the period of employment, the amount of salary and mode of payment, annual increases, duties and responsibilities and working hours.

House helpers will also be mandated to contribute to the Social Security System while their employers will cover the payment for their Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth).

The Senate labor committee reported that there are about 1.3 million house helpers in 2002, while non-government organizations have said that the number has reached 2.5 million.

NAIA opens to Asean airline carriers by 2008 AIRLINE carriers in the Southeast Asian countries will be allowed to operate on an unlimited capacity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by 2008, the Civil Aeronautics Board said.

Porvenir P. Porciuncula, deputy executive director of the board, told The Manila Times that based on the Road map for Asean Competitive Air Services Policy, airliners in the region will be allowed to enter NAIA with unlimited capacity by 2008.

He said the road map would permit Asean airlines including the country’s local carrier entry to various capitals in the region. “The bigger airlines will benefit from this, like Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Ma-laysian Airlines,” Porciuncula said.

He added that having recently acquired new aircraft, local carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific would be able to compete with foreign airlines.

PAL earlier expressed concern about the timetable for allowing Asean airlines to operate in the country.

Porciuncula hoped that the NAIA Terminal 3 would be fully operational by 2008 to accommodate the higher volume of passengers the foreign carriers would be bringing in.

Earlier, the Asean economic ministers agreed to speed up the integration of the air travel and tourism sectors and to develop a regional action plan for the staged and progressive implementation of open-skies arrangement in Asean.

The ministers endorsed the road map as the guiding principle for the phased and progressive liberalization of regional air cargo and passenger services in Asean.

Similarly, President Arroyo in August issued Executive Order 500 to relax restrictions on foreign carriers to operate unlimited frequencies to encourage them to increase flights to Diosdado Macapagal and the Subic Bay international airports.

Under EO 500, the home countries of the foreign airlines do not have to give the same privileges to the country’s local airlines.

Mobile phones, laptops, PDAs banned from US Embassy Visa applicants and other visitors with mobile phones and other electronic devices will be denied entry into the consular section of the US Embassy beginning March 1, the US Embassy announced. The prohibition covers also employees of the embassy consular section. The embassy said it has no storage facility for mobile phones, PDAs, laptops and MP3 music players, so visitors to the section must leave their devices off embassy grounds. If they insist on entering, visa applicants’ appointment for interviews may be delayed or canceled which could lead to a rescheduling. Electronic devices could trigger explosions and, for security reason, the embassy apparently wants to avoid such incidents.


SEAPORT DEPARTMENT STREAMLINES PROCEDURES

tty. Ferdinand L. Hernandez, SBMA Deputy Administrator for Operations and concurrently DA for

Port Operations announced on March 8, 2007 that the Seaport Dept has successfully streamlined the standard documents used by shippers and brokers in exporting and importing cargoes through the Port of Subic. These documents; gate pass, bring-in permit, temporary transfer, sub-gate pass, request for pull out, are commonly used by shippers and brokers who have deadline commitments to their clients.

“For as long as their supporting documents are complete”, Atty. Hernandez was quoted as saying “their cargoes will be processed and released expeditiously. This is part of our commitment to the standards required by the ISO and IMO.” He went on to say referring to the international organization prescribing standards for service-oriented institutions and the Intl Marine Organizations, a UN agency. The SBMA is accredited by both international organizations.

“This is good industry practice”, says Capt. Perfecto C. Pascual, Seaport Gen. Mgr. “We have cut down on processing time by reducing the number of signatories to the documents. The shippers and brokers’ cargo is released faster and the ship’s turn-around is quicker. Even the cargo examination time had been shortened because now only two offices do the examination jointly.”

“The Seaport Dept is positioning for the new and expanded role of SBMA in the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway (MLUB) strategic plan of the national govt.” Gen. Calimlim, SDA for Operations, for his part explained. “We have to continuously upgrade our systems so that our stake-holders and investors would be more productive. In turn, our locators and industries are going to be globally competitive. Then we will attract more investors, our people will have more employment and SBMA will be on the way to becoming the “Economic Driver of Central and Northern Luzon,” Gen. Calimlim concluded.

Wärtsilä and BW Gas sign training contract

ärtsilä Corporation and the Norwegian gas transportation company BW Gas ASA signed a

contract in January 2007 for the training of BW Gas personnel at Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy. The contract is for two years.

The training courses provided under this contract are tailored to the specific requirements of BW Gas to cover the specific operational and performance aspects of the ships in the BW Gas fleet. The objective is to give ships’ personnel and shore management a sound basis for long-term cost-efficient, safe and reliable operation of the company’s ships. BW Gas is the largest owner and operator of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) carriers and one of the largest independent owners and operators of LNG (liquefied natural gas) carriers.

The training courses will be provided by Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy (WLSA) to ships’

crews, superintendents

and other shore personnel. There will be some 300 people from BW Gas taking part in the courses. They work on the 72 ships that are owned or part-owned by BW Gas. The courses will be provided at different WLSA training centers, whichever are the most convenient for BW Gas. WLSA has principal training centers in Turku in Finland, in Subic Bay in the Philippines, and

in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, USA. Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 14,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä locations in close to 70 countries around the world.

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Japanese shipbuilder may put up Subic hub

major group of Japanese shipbuilders expressed interest to develop a 100-hectare property inside the Subic Bay Freeport and Special

Economic Zone into a world-class shipbuilding facility.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano Salonga made the announcement after his four-day trade and investment mission in Tokyo. Salonga was sent to Japan to invite Japanese shipbuilders to take part in the country’s Domestic Shipping Development Plan.

Salonga said the trip has virtually opened the investment opportunities among Shipbuilders Association of Japan (SAJ) members seeking investment expansion projects outside Japan. Japanese shipbuilders have expressed keen interest to explore business potentials of Subic Freeport.

Salonga added the SBMA has offered Japanese shipbuilders a prime location to construct various types of ships for the domestic inter-island trade such as tankers, passenger and roll-on roll-off (RORO) cargo vessels for local deployment.

“The entry of Japanese shipbuilders would surely boost our domestic shipping development program,” Salonga added. He, with SBMA deputy administrator Ferdinand Hernandez and Investment Processing department head Ronnie Yambao and consultant for locators and inter-governmental affairs Ben Natividad, conducted a presentation of the ongoing shipbuilding project in Subic Freeport before SAJ members and officers led by its managing director Yoshihiro Midorikawa.

Midorikawa said Japanese shipbuilders were “very much impressed” with the maritime development projects of Subic Freeport including the entry of Hanjin Heavy Industries which is currently constructing a $1-billion shipbuilding center making Subic as the host of one of the world’s largest shipyards.

SAJ was established in 1947 with 20 shipbuilding firms including Japan’s top shipbuilders such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd. and Universal Shipbuilding Corp. During the project presentation, Salonga said the SBMA will be setting-up a modern shipbuilding facility designed to accommodate the fleet requirements of domestic shipping operators as part of the government’s domestic shipping development plan.

Salonga cited the recent study conducted by experts from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which has been extending technical assistance and funding for national development as a part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance programs. The study shows that the domestic shipping industry in the Philippines today is composed of second-hand and aging vessels, majority of which came from Japan. The JICA study concluded that all of the 1,502 domestic vessels with ages ranging 20 to 30 years old should be replaced and 635 more ships would be needed in the domestic trade starting next year until year 2015. The project is intended to address the immediate need to build about 18 new tankers for the use of local shipping operators through the so-called lease-to-own scheme being offered by the National Maritime Leasing Corp. as a subsidiary of the National Development Co.

A total of 1,502 vessels have been determined for replacement such as 28 container ships, 854 general cargo, 266 passenger-cargo, 149 RORO vessels and 205 tankers with ages ranging from 20 to 30 years old.

SBMA provides strings of incentives to locators including tax and duty-free importation plus a 5 percent corporate tax on gross income, unrestricted entry of foreign investments, no foreign exchange control, and a four to six year income tax holiday for qualified investors. Ayen Infante

A



SUBIC DISPENSARY TO SERVE MORE PATIENTS; ACQUIRES NEW DENTAL EQUIPMENT FOR MODERNIZATION PROGRAM

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT-Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority-Public Health and Safety Department (PHSD) is set to serve more patients as it recently acquired two new state-of-the-art dental chairs as part of the first phase of healthcare services modernization.

The acquisition of the new dental chairs by the Subic Dispensary Dental Section is aimed at serving more patients better and with greater efficiency.

The new equipment was formally opened to the public after a short ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing, which was headed by SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Atty. Ramon Agregado and PHSD-Subic Dental Section head Dr. Allan Arellano.

Agregado said, "We are currently looking at the procurement of modern equipment that will help provide better health services to our employees and locators."

According to Arellano, the new equipment, which cost almost a million pesos, guarantees improved dental

services to all its registered patients and will now enable the Subic Dispensary to extend services to private patients as well.

"These new chairs are modern and equipped with all the amenities needed for dental care service. It also allows us to serve more patients, and will help in our effort to modernize the dental services of the dispensary," he said.

A product of dental equipment manufacturer giant KAVO Corp., the new chairs boasts of a complete accessory set-up based on dentists' requirements. It is also equipped with an intra-oral camera accompanied by an internal memory card and a built-in automatic scaler.

Currently, there are six registered dentists at the Dental Section of the Subic Dispensary providing dental services and surgery to patients coming from the SBMA and the different investors within the Freeport.


US Merchant Marine Academy post-graduate school to rise in Subic Freeport By Jacqueline L. Ong

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) through its continuing education program provider, Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS) has expressed interest to set up an international maritime school in this premier freeport zone.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Feliciano G. Salonga announced the USMMA proposal after receiving a letter from Captain John E. Hanus of the US Maritime Service for the establishment of an education center for graduate studies.

In his letter, Hanus said that, “as a global leader in this field (maritime education), we are very much interested in assisting SBMA in this endeavor provided that our role is mutually agreeable and politically acceptable to all concerned.” Hanus added that USMS would not want to duplicate existing capacity for maritime training in the Philippines or the Asian region to its plan to set up a maritime school in Subic Freeport.

Salonga, who himself is a graduate of USMMA, added that Subic Freeport is on the verge of the biggest maritime industry boom in the country.

The US Merchant Marine Academy was established in 1943 on the North Shore of Long Island, consolidating several maritime training facilities that were set up around the US during WWII.

ICTSI unit eyes new Subic facility Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC), a majority-owned unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), has proposed to operate container handling operations at the new facility to be put up by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, ICTSI said the SBMA board has approved the revised terms and conditions of SBITC’s proposal for the management of the New Container Terminal-1 at Cubi Point in Subic.

The SBMA will now invite by publication comparative or competitive proposals for the management and operation of NCT-1. The invitation will be published for three consecutive weeks in at least two newspapers of general and international circulation. If no other proposal is received for a period of 60 working days after the last publication, SBMA will enter into a contract with SBITC on the basis of SBITC’s revised proposal.

In the event another proponent submits a proposal more favorable or more advantageous to the SBMA, SBITC shall have the right to match or better the terms and conditions of such proposal within 30 days of being notified of those terms.

If SBITC matches or betters the proposal, SBMA will enter into a contract with SBITC based on such matching proposal. If SBITC is unable to match the better proposal, SBMA will enter into a contract with the proponent who submits the better proposal. SBITC will then lose its rights to operate the container handling services at Subic.

SBITC is a joint venture company owned 15 percent by SBMA and 85 percent by Subic Bay International Terminal Holdings Inc., which in turn is 83.33 percent owned by ICTSI and 16.67 percent by Royal Port Services Inc. (RPSI).

SBITC is the current exclusive container cargo operator in Subic Bay Freeport under the concession agreement granted by SBMA on Feb. 2000.

ICTSI reported a 37 percent jump in its net profit last year to P1.845 billion from P1.35 billion in 2005, mainly driven by higher sales from overseas operations.

The company is widely acknowledged to be a leading global developer, manager and operator of container terminals in the 50,000 to 1.5 million TEU/year range. It has an experience record that spans six continents and continues to pursue container terminal opportunities around the world.


FOR SALE: 2001 Ford F-150 Lariat (extended cab w/ bench) Red w/ Tan leather interior US$17,500.

Excellent condition, new tires and battery, low miles (second vehicle kept in carport), locking bed cap (w/windows), bed liner, movable bed

divider, lots of extras (window/hood deflectors/hood bra). All maintenance done at Ford dealership in Pampanga.

Taxes and duties paid. For details or information please call Chamber office – 252-3180.

SubicTel Powers Up Internet Speed

MANILA, Philippines, March 8, 2007 – Subic Telecommunications Company Inc. (SubicTel), subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., will soon double the speed for its broadband Internet service at no cost to help lure more subscribers to the service.

SubicTel General Manager Henry Abes said that this is part of SubicTel’s aim to continuously provide better services to clients in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

“Aside from offering innovative services such as broadband Internet through DSL technology, we want our clients to enjoy the best of what our technology can offer through continuous service improvements. Early this month, we just connected another 45 Mbps bandwidth pipe from PLDT doubling last year’s bandwidth capacity. We intend again to significantly increase our Internet backhaul in the next 3 to 6 months to meet the growing demands of our customers,” said Abes.

He added that SubicTel recently tapped Fujitsu Philippines, a leading provider of customer-focused information technology and communications solutions, to maintain SubicTel’s facilities and efficiently provide data services such as DSL, or digital subscriber line.

Due to its robust Internet Backhaul facility, SubicTel’s Internet services remained on-line even during the recent Taiwan earthquake which caused a major downtime in the other telcos’ and ISPs’ services in the region.

“This is just the start. Existing and prospective clients can expect other innovative service offerings from SubicTel in the coming months. With this network upgrade, we can affirm our claim that we have the best Internet wireline value for money services in the region,” said Abes.

SubicTel has already invested almost P1 billion since 1994 to develop the telecommunications infrastructure in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It was created in 1994 after PLDT, SBMA and AT&T of the US decided to form a joint venture to provide state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities for the Freeport Zone.

At that time, PLDT was the only telecommunications company who accepted former SBMA Chair Richard Gordon’s call for help in rebuilding Subic. Because of this missionary role of SubicTel, locators soon came in and contributed to the development of Subic.

SubicTel continues to invest in the development of the telecommunications infrastructure in the Freeport Zone to meet the needs of locators and potential investors. The other services that SubicTel offers to locators in the Freeport zone and retail clients include residential lines, private leased lines, and Virtual Private Network (VPN).


The Threats of Climate Change and Global Warming Scientific experts agree that the Earth’s climate is changing. Climate change, more commonly known as global warming, is caused by the emission of heat trapping gases produced by vehicles, power plants, industrial processes and deforestation. As these gases build up, they act like a big blanket, over-heating the planet and threatening our health, our economy and our environment.

Research shows that the world has now become hotter than at any time during the past 1000 years. Climate models that project future conditions show that global warming will continue if emissions of heat-trapping gases continue to increase.

Earth's Ecosystems at Risk

Global warming is changing distributions of plants and animals, population sizes, growth rates, timing of plant flowering, and timing of animal migration. Climate change is changing the intensity and frequency of storms, droughts and fire, raising the level of the oceans, and melting glaciers.

While land is fixed in space, the climate is not. Many of the places we protect are selected because they provide the proper habitat and climate for unique and important plants or animals. Unfortunately, given global warming, these places may no longer have the right climate for the species or communities that were the reason underlying their selection.

Scientific research shows that heat-trapping emissions from human activities have caused most of the global warming observed over the past 50 years. Climate change threatens natural communities and human well-being. Each person can make a difference because one small positive act multiplied millions of times produces immense benefits.

We can all lower our carbon emissions by following top energy and climate-saving tips.

Easy Things You Can Do To Help Our Climate: 1. TIP: Travel light. Walk or bike instead of driving a car. Cars and

trucks run on fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Automobiles produce over 20 percent of total carbon emissions. Walk or bike and you’ll save one pound of carbon for every mile you travel.

2. TIP: Teleconference instead of flying. For office meetings, if you can telephone or videoconference, you will save time, money, and carbon emissions. Airplanes pump carbon emissions high into the atmosphere, producing 12 percent of total emissions.

3. TIP: See the light. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. These energy-efficient bulbs help fight climate change because they reduce the amount of fossil fuels that utilities burn. You will save 100 pounds of carbon for each incandescent bulb that you replace with a compact fluorescent, over the life of the bulb.

4. TIP: Recycle and use recycled products. Products made from recycled paper, glass, metal and plastic reduce carbon emissions because they use less energy to manufacture than products made from completely new materials. For instance, you’ll save two pounds of carbon for every 20 glass bottles that you recycle. Recycling paper also saves trees and lets them continue to reduce climate change naturally as they remain in the forest, where they remove carbon from the atmosphere.

5. TIP: Inflate your tires. If you own a car, it will get better gas mileage when the tires are fully inflated, so it will burn less gas and emit less carbon. Check your automobile monthly to ensure that the tires are

fully inflated. Follow this tip and save 300 pounds of carbon dioxide for every 10,000 miles you drive.

6. TIP: Plant native trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air and use it as their energy source, producing oxygen for us to breathe. A tree in the temperate zone — found between the tropics and the polar circles—can remove and store 700 to 7,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime. A tree that shades a house can reduce the energy required to run the air conditioner and save an additional 200 to 2,000 pounds of carbon over its lifetime.

7. TIP: Temperature control. Air conditioning draws more than half of the energy that a home uses. Adjust your air conditioning when you leave the house or got to bed. You can easily install a programmable thermostat that can save up money and carbon.

8. TIP: Buy renewable energy. Electricity generation produces 40 percent of carbon emissions. A growing number of utilities generate electricity from renewable energy sources with solar panels, windmills and other technologies. If your utility offers renewable energy, buy it. If not, send them a message asking for clean energy.

9. TIP: Act globally, eat locally. If you shop at a supermarket, the food you buy may travel in a plane from the other side of the world, burning fossil fuels the entire trip. Shop at a local farmers’ markets and you will find fresh and healthy food, and help save our climate.


GOLDEN EAGLE MEMBER

COMPANY: GLOBAL TERMINALS DEVT INC. GLOBAL SHIP MANAGEMENT & MARINE SERVICES INC.

Representative: ROSE B. BALDEO Alternate Representative ANLI F. RODRIGUEZ Type of Business: Marine Terminal Operation and Prime Real Estate Development Address: Bldg. 12P Rivera Pier SRF Compound, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-5951; 3159 E-mail Address: [email protected]

SILVER CIRCLE MEMBERS COMPANY: SUBIC ENERZONE CORPORATION Representative: ENGR. DANTE T. POLLESCAS Type of Business: Electric Distribution Address: Labitan St., Cor. Canal Road, Central Business District, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-7398; 252-7392 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: INNOVE COMMUNICATIONS Representative: JESSIE ALANO Alternate Representative: DAX APOLINARIO / CATHY SALCEDA-ILITO Type of Business: Telecom Services Address: 15/F Globe Telecom Telepark 111 Valero St., Salcedo Vill., Makati City Tel. No.: 0917-797-5282 (DA) E-mail Address: [email protected] / [email protected]

COMPANY: DJ AEROSPACE INC. Representative: RASHEDUL CHOWDHURY Type of Business: Assembly of aircraft parts Address: #12 Aim High Corner Commitment St., SBIP, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1340; 252-1341 E-mail Address: [email protected]

NEW MEMBERS COMPANY: HAGAFEA CORPORATION Representative: ALEJO C. ANTONIO Type of Business: AURORA M. ANTONIO Address: #63F Binictican Drive, SBFZ, #96 Magsaysay Drv., Olongapo City Tel. No.: 252-1842; 223-7415 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: LIMECH GARMENTS MANUFACTURING CORP. Representative: VINCENT TSOU Type of Business: Hotel and Restaurant Address: #38 Golden Future St. Lot 65a SBIP, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1888 E-Mail Address: [email protected];[email protected]

COMPANY: THE LIGHT HOUSE MARINA RESORT Representative: JESUS AVENCILLA Alternate Representative: CYNDY TAN JARABATA / CARMEN LOPEZ Type of Business: Hotel and Restaurant Address: Blk 4 Lot 1 Moonbay Marina Complex, Waterfront Road, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-5000 E-Mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

COMPANY: ZEN STEP PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT CORP. Representative: PETER R. TUMANDA Type of Business: Real Properties Management Company / Services Address: Subic Loft Admin Bldg. Canal Road cor Manila Ave., SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-2430; 224-8084 E-Mail Address: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS COMPANY: AIR 2100 INC. Representative: GLORIA ESTABAYA Type of Business: Courier Services Address: BLDG 8131, ARGONAUT HIGHWAY, SBIA , SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-7329; 252-6511; 252-9056; 252-9354 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY Representative: ALBERTO L. BUENVIAJE Alternate Representative: DANIEL W. BARRENECHEA Type of Business: Educational Institution Address: Graduate School of Business, 2nd Flr F.I.R.S.T. Bldg, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-2601; 02-898-5007 E-mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

COMPANY: BRENT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (SUBIC) Representative: DICK B. ROBBINS Alternate Representative: EDNA LAGUNDAY Type of Business: International School Address: Bldg. 6601 Binictican Drive, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-6872; 252-6873 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: CHINATRUST (PHIL.) COMMECIAL BANK CORP. Representative: EDUARDO E, ENCIO Type of Business: Commercial Banking Services Address: Subic Bay Industrial Park Phase 1, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1381 E-mail Address: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS COMPANY: DATAWORX OFFICE SOLUTIONS Representative: JAKE OH Type of Business: Computer sales & services, retail , furniture, supplies & equipments Address: #16 Mt. Apo, 1st St., East Tapinac, Olongapo City Tel. No.: 222-8707 E-mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

COMPANY: JARDINE LLOYD THOMPSON INSURANCE BROKERS INC. Representative: RHEA LIZBETH ANNE A. ABLAN Type of Business: Insurance and reinsurance Broker, risk management and consultancy Address: 25th Floor, Philamlife Tower 8767 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City Tel. No.: 02-884-5600 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: KEIHIN-EVERETT FORWARDING CO., INC. Representative: EDGARDO AUSTRIA Alternate Representative: JOHN CABALIDA JR. Type of Business: Freight Forwarding, Import/Export Service Provider, Cargo Consolidation Address: Unit 3-5 Gamma Commercial Complex, Rizal cor Manila Ave., SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-3108 252-3109 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: KORYO SUBIC, INC. Representative: SHINJI OBATA Alternate Representative: GLORIA GELACIO Type of Business: Industry of Plastic Moulding Injection Address: Bldg. 8095 Boton Wharf, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-8701 252-8702 loc. 104 E-mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

COMPANY: LORENZANA DENTAL CLINIC Representative: DR. ANA MARIA A. LORENZANA Type of Business: Dental Clinic Address: #14-20th St., East Bajac-Bajac, Olongapo City Tel. No.: 222-3638 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: LEGEND INTERNATIONAL RESORTS, LTD. Representative: Type of Business: Hotels, Casinos and Restaurants Address: Bldg. 662 Taft. St. SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1888 E-mail Address:

COMPANY: SEAVIEW HOLIDAY HOME Representative: EDNA BINKOWSKI Alternate Representative: KATHY ESCAÑO CARPIO Type of Business: Tourism, accommodations, real estate Address: 226 Villa Leonor Subdivision Limay, Bataan 2103 Tel. No.: 047-244-4348 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: SMART COMMUNICATIONS INC. Representative: TONY RADOVAN Alternate Representatives: NOEL A. MANALASTAS / CONRAD REYES Type of Business: Telecommunications Address: 7th Flr. PLDT WYSE Tower 6799 Ayala Avenue Makati City Tel. Nos.: 0918-949-9237 (TR); 0918-909-7726 (NM) E-mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

COMPANY: SUBIC TECHNOPARK CORPORATION Representative: ICHIRO TSUJI Type of Business: Construction, Operation, Leasing, Maintenance and related Services Address: Subic Techno Center, Along Argonaut Highway, Boton Area, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-1710 E-mail Address: [email protected]; [email protected]

COMPANY: SUBIC GAS PHILIPPINES & COMMERCIAL CENTER CORP. Representative: ALAN BARRETTO Alternate Representative: VINCENCIO DE SEQUERA Type of Business: Gas Station & Shopping Mart / Convenience Store Address: BLDG. 724 DEWEY AVE. SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-3120 E-mail Address: [email protected]

COMPANY: YUSEN AIR & SEA SERVICE PHILS. Representative: RUSTICO C. ARVESU Type of Business: International forwarder Address: Unit 27 Gamma F Commercial CBD, SBFZ Tel. No.: 252-6774; 02 852-7101 E-mail Address: [email protected]

NORTH LUZON EXPRESSWAY MOTORIST HANDBOOK & GABAY LAKBAY

-- available @ the Chamber office. Great value for only

P20.00 (Motorist Handbook) P10.00 (Gabay Lakbay) 120 pages of full-color General Tips for Driving the NLEX, Handling

Emergencies, Road Signs and Signals, Traffic Rules and Regulations and excellent linear maps of each NLEX interchange.


JOHN E. CORCORAN Phone No: 252-9000

SBFCC President Fax No: 252-5883

President and COO, Ocean Adventure E-Mail: [email protected]

Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area, SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE

Bus. Nature: Marine Theme Park & Beach Resort Hotel

ROSE B. BALDEO Phone No: 252-3158

SBFCC Vice President Fax No: 252-3072

Pres.& CEO, Global Terminals & Dev., Inc. (GTI) E-Mail: [email protected]

Pres & CEO, Global Ship Management & Marine Services Inc.

Bus. Nature: General Shipping Agency &

12P Bldg. Rivera Pier, SRF Compound, SBFZ International Ship Supplier

RASHEDUL CHOWDHURY Phone No: 252-1340 252-1341

SBFCC Treasurer Fax No: 252-1342

Vice President for Operations, D-J AEROSPACE, INC. E-Mail: [email protected]

#12 Aim High Corner Commitment St., SBIP, Phase 1, SBFZ Bus. Nature: Assembly of Aircraft Parts

PETER R. TUMANDA Phone No: 252-2430; 224-8084

SBFCC Corporate Secretary Fax No: 252-2430

President, ZEN STEP Professional Management Corp. E-Mail: [email protected]

Subic Loft Admin Building Canal Road cor Manila Avenue Central Business District, SBFZ

Bus. Nature: Real Properties Management Company / Services

DANNY PIANO Phone No: 252-3934; 252-5235

SBFCC Director Fax No: 252-3935

President / CEO, Absolute Service Inc. E-Mail: [email protected]

Bldg. 1149 George Dewey Complex, SBFZ

Bus. Nature: Data Entry, Typesetting and Prepress Technology Services

JEREMY SIMPSON Phone No: 252-3896/6173


Managing Director, The Exquisite Box Company, Inc. E-Mail: [email protected]

Bldg. 8096, Boton Industrial Area, SBFZ Bus. Nature: Luxury Gift Items Manufacturing

STEVE J. HAUCH Phone No: 252-1310 252-7906


Vice President and Country Director, CORPORATE AIR, INC. E-Mail: [email protected]

Bldg. 8128 Subic Bay Int'l Airport, SBFZ Bus. Nature: Air Charter

Documents

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SUBIC BAY …sbfcc.com/newsletters/apr2007.pdf · THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE SUBIC BAY FREEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ... APRIL 2007 SBFCC Newsletter