SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is pressing for the expansion of Subic Bay Freeport boundaries with vigorous legislative help from its first chief executive, Senator Richard Gordon.
SBMA chairperson and administrator Wilma T. Eisma said Gordon, who was SBMA chairman from 1992 to 1998, had filed Senate Bill 2207 the other week to expand the area of the Subic Bay Freeport, as well as that of the neighboring Clark Freeport.
Under the proposed measure, some parts of Zambales and Bataan provinces, along with areas in Olongapo City, will be made an adjunct of the Subic Bay Freeport under a phased expansion program.
Eisma said in consultation with neighboring local government units last year, the SBMA has gotten pledges of about 21,000 hectares of expansion areas for future investment projects.
These included 9,000 hectares in San Antonio; 10,000 hectares in San Marcelino; 500-600 hectares in Subic; 500 hectares in Castillejos; and 900 hectares in Olongapo City, all in Zambales; as well as 505 hectares in Hermosa, Bataan.
“We want these areas to be utilized as economic zones because we’re already running out of space in the Subic Bay Freeport,” Eisma said.
The proposed expansion, she added, “will sustain the growth of the Subic Freeport, attract more investments, and generate jobs for residents from nearby communities and other areas.”
In filing the bill, Senator Gordon said there was a need to update Republic Act 7227, otherwise known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, in order to further strengthen the Subic and Clark freeports.
He said once enacted, the proposed measure will also give the expanded territories the same tax incentives as those in Subic Freeport and Clark Freeport so that they can attract investments projects.
