Subic Bay Freeport – Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Port of Subic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will regulate the admission of recyclable non-hazardous materials inside this Freeport.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño and BOC-Port of Subic District Collector Noel C. Estanislao signed the MOU that will boost the recycling sector in the freeport, at the Corporate Boardroom of the Administration Building here on October 2, 2025.
“This agreement will not only ensure proper regulation of recyclable non-hazardous materials, but also enhance our shared efforts to safeguard our borders, protect the environment, and support legitimate industries within the Freeport,” Estanislao said.
The MOU stipulates that the SBMA has formulated the Proposed Guidelines relative to the Admission of Non-Hazardous Materials, in line with the Freeport’s policies and regulations, and to facilitate the admission of goods and operations in the recycling industry.
The MOU also states that both agencies will coordinate and collaborate to ensure the smooth, transparent, compliant, and efficient conduct of recycling operations, exchange of information on the recycling industry, and provision of capacity building initiatives for SBMA and BOC personnel, as well as registered SBFZ recyclers, to ascertain proper understanding of policies and guidelines.
A policy review will also be conducted to periodically assess and evaluate its applicability and propose recommendations as needed, to rectify and address operational gaps and challenges, and changing circumstances.
Aliño expressed his gratitude to the BOC Port of Subic for the unwavering commitment to nation-building, citing that the collaboration between government agencies and the private sector is necessary in attracting more businesses while protecting the environment.
Recyclable non-hazardous materials are identified as common waste items such as paper, cardboard, metals (cans), glass (bottles and jars), and certain plastics (such as pet bottles) that generally do not pose a significant threat to human health or the environment.
While generally safe, proper sorting and cleaning of these materials are essential to prevent contamination and ensure they can be processed for reuse, thereby conserving resources and reducing landfill waste, which eventually benefit the environment.
Senior Deputy Administrator for Regulatory Amethya Dela Llana said that the Subic Bay Freeport has 12 companies in the recycling industry, with four other companies eyeing to set up their businesses here.
Dela Llana added that the SBMA regularly conducts Recyclables Collection Events (RCEs) and weekly recycling initiatives to collect these materials for recycling and upcycling, the proceeds of which support charities like ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.
Prior to the MOU signing, a public hearing was held at the Subic Bay Yacht Club where locators were presented with Proposed Guidelines, Implementing Procedures, Liquidation reports, and Basis of Fines and Penalties in the Admission of Non-Hazardous Materials in the SBFZ.
