SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia, who signed the agreement with GigaMare President- CEO Jari M. Ullakonoja, said that the new training center project also manifests Subic’s efforts to become a major maritime logistics hub in the region.
Walden Tantuico, GigaMare’s chairman of the board, said the firm will establish, operate, and manage a training center designed for short courses in maritime, power plant, and offshore oil, gas, and mining industries.
He added that the center will utilize audio- visual simulator facilities, information technology, computers, and other equipment to provide the necessary actual training for maritime cadets.
Under the contract signed by Garcia and Ullakonoja, GigaMare has committed to infuse over P60 million for its seven-year development program, which includes the provision of 12 scholarship grants (including two slots for SBMA) per year starting academic year 2016-2017.
GigaMare Inc., which was established in March 2013, took over the operations of Wärtsilä Corp., which conducted similar training operations in the Philippines. GigaMare also took over Wärtsilä’s training infrastructure located in a four-building complex at the Ilanin forest in Subic Bay Freeport.
In signing the contract, Garcia noted that the Port of Subic is becoming a model for many ports in the country in terms of innovations and marketing strategies, which has resulted in greater revenue growth for the SBMA sea port.
Garcia also said the Subic agency plans to develop a well-managed sea logistics hub for joint civilian and military use, utilizing the full capacity of sea port facilities here like the former Naval Supply Depot (NSD) and the New Container Terminal (NCT).
By putting the plan in place, the Port of Subic will become the preferred logistics gateway in Northern and Central Luzon, including the Greater Manila Area, by year 2020, Garcia also said.
