Welcome to SBFCC!

The Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, a member of the national Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is an independent, nonprofit, membership-funded organization founded in 1995 to serve and represent the interests of its member businesses.

We are actively involved in a number of areas and are in the forefront of issues affecting our member businesses, their employees, and their families.

The single distinguishing characteristic that sets SBFCC apart from other Chambers of Commerce is that our members come from some 20 countries around the world.

Freeport Economic Data

The Subic Bay Freeport's economic data that covers almost the full 2009 is now available in the Chamber Forum for Chamber members. Click here to go there.

Also available are information related to the 2009-2010 Philippine Economic Briefing held last December 14 at the Holiday Inn in Clark, Pampanga. Click here to view the info.

Chamber Events

State of the Freeport Address

PRA, SBMA, SBFCC Tripartite MOA

After almost a year of arrangements and negotiations, a Tripartite Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippine Retirement Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, and the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce is now official. The MOA commits the three organizations to continually help in the development and transformation of the Subic Freeport into a retiree-friendly destination. With the MOA, potential retirees can now apply, through the Subic Chamber, for PRA membership from Subic instead of going to Manila (click here for info about retiring in the Philippines). The Chamber can also provide assistance to establishments wanting to be accredited by the PRA.

In the picture from left to right are: Susan Dudley, former SBFCC executive director and instrumental in crafting the MOA; SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, PRA Chairman Gen. Edgardo Aglipay; Prof. Danny Piano, SBFCC President and CEO of ASI-Phil Branch; Rose Baldeo, SBFCC Vice-President and CEO of Global Development; Lawrence Lusung, Chamber Treasurer and Senior Manager of the Bank of Commerce; and USN Capt. Eloy Bermudez (Ret), SBFCC Director and General Manager of Subic Dry Dock Corporation.

Locators' Congress

Once a year, the Subic Chamber provides the opportunity to its members to meet face to face the SBMA Administrator, Senior Deputy Administrators, and department heads all in one room -- and ask them questions to clarify issues and concerns. This year, the panelists include SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza himself, SDA Stef Sano, Engr. Mar Sanqui, DA of PWTSG, and Maj. Teng Tolentino of, Chief for Operations of LED. Not in picture but present are more than a dozen more SBMA officers.

We thank the SBMA officials for taking the time out from their busy schedules to meet with us.

Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge Multi-Sector Meeting

In an effort to obtain and disseminate definitive information about the closure of the old Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge, and in an attempt to persuade collaboration between the various stakeholders to alleviate the expected traffic congestion, the Subic Chamber organized a multi-sector conference involving SBMA, the City of Olongapo, the Metro-Olongapo Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau.

Christmas Party

Fun! This was what members of the chamber had during the recently held Christmas party last December 11 at the Global Terminal. Great food catered by Rali's Grill, lots of gifts and prizes raffled away, games, and music by Vanity band... not much else to ask for.

Annual Blood Drive

Thank you to everybody who participated in the Subic Chamber's Annual Blood Drive. There were 210 donors who came in, 45 were deferred due to various issues (high blood pressure, etc.), and 160 who successfully made the donation. Big thanks to the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA), SBMA's Fire Department, and Lindbergh for coming in with the biggest contingents of donors. There were also around 50 volunteers, from nurses to doctors, who helped out.

The Chamber also wishes to thank the sponsors of the event including Rose Baldeo of Global Terminal, Raul Peralta of Rali's Grill, Brent School, and the Rotary Club of the Freeport Zone.

For detailed information and to view photos taken during the Blood Drive, please visit the Chamber's Forum by clicking here.

5th Annual SBFCC Golf Tournament

The recently held golf tournament at the Mimosa Golf & Country Club was a complete success! Several companies sponsored the event and a total of 69 players participated. The weather also cooperated and was perfect that day! Click here to see the list of winners and here to see the list of sponsors. A gallery of pictures taken during the event can be viewed by clicking here (you must be a registered member of the SBFCC Forum).

SBFCC Relief Operations for Typhoon Victims

The recent typhoons that hit many areas of the Philippines wrought havoc to the lives of hundreds and thousands of Filipinos. The Subic Chamber, since early August asked for donations from its members where many good-hearted individuals and companies responded positively. Goods were purchased, repacked, and sent to Botolan, Manila, and Pangasinan. Click here to see the topics in the Chamber Forum related to the disasters and the relief operations made.

Memorandum of Understanding between SBFCC and GSBTB

The Subic Chamber and the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau headed by George Lorenzana recently signed a MOU for better collaboration on improving the tourism capability of the Freeport and surrounding areas.

General Membership Meeting

Another successful general membership meeting and mixer/networking night was held recently. SBFCC President Danny Piano reported on the accomplish-ments of the Chamber as well as future projects that we are going to be involved with. SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza, on the other hand, talked about the current state of the Freeport as well as discussed the various new investments that are expected to come in. He also answered several questions from the audience. A delegation from PCCI, where SBFCC recently became a member, also graced the program. Overall a very successful night! Thanks to the Lighthouse Marina Resort for hosting the event.

State of the Freeport Address

During the SOFA, an annual event organized by the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, Administrator Armand Arreza disclosed that despite the global economic slowdown, SBMA is still eyeing a $ 7.5 billion investment target in 2010 which should create more than 100,000 jobs and post some $2 billion in exports by 2010... click here to dowload full presentation.

Induction of 2009 Chamber Officers

Administrator Aramand Arreza inducted the 2009 officers of the Chamber during the recent SOFA. From the left are President Danny Piano, board member Jerry Hammond, Vice-President Romy Duran, Corp Sec Rose Baldeo, and board member Pastor Cho; absent were Treasurer Dante Pollescas, and board member Tom De Bruin.

Citizen of the Year 2008

John Corcoran, President of Ocean Adventure and Camayan Beach Resort, was presented with the Citizen of the Year award for his outstanding contributions and service for the betterment of the Freeport community.

Subic Bay International Airport Revival Committee

The transfer of FedEx to China not only is a big blow to SBMA's income but also affected hundreds of employees who were laid off and even affected several companies that used to provide services to the courier company. To help lessen its impact, the Chamber's Business Development Committee, headed by Prof. Danny Piano, formed a sub-committee tasked to countermand the situation. The committee is composed of locators, SBMA, and various stakeholders from within and outside the Freeport. Some are members of the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce and some are not; but that is beside the point since we are all in this together and have to work hand in hand to revive the Subic International Airport.

Picture below standing from left to right are: Paul Gan of Chungnan Textile, Louis Kuo of Subic Technics, Myra Morales of Hanafil Golf & Tour, Kenneth Peralta of SBFCC, Prof. Danny Piano, President of SBFCC, Victor Prieto of Pacific Commerce, Sammy Chou of Limech and Chairman of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, George Lorenzana of Mountain Woods Hotel and White Rock Resort and also Chairman of the Greater Subic Bay Tourism Bureau, Jeff Lin of SBDMC, Jimmy Chen of Limech; and sitting down are Yvette Ocampo of Jungle Joe’s World, Jean Verzosa of Subic Park Hotel and GSBTB, Baby Dela Llana of Tender Touch and Board Member of the Province of Zambales, and Michele Johnstone of Hanafil Golf & Tour. Bottom picture also includes Dr. Teresa Yap of GSBTB, Charles Davis of Seahorse Tours, and Mar Santos, Rey Guevarra, Zharrex Santos, Cel Racel, and Nelia Diloy of SBIA.

Mixer Nights

Dozens of name cards are always exchanged and contact info shared between members. Friends, old and new, enjoy these evenings. Many members of the Chamber are not only businessmen looking for business connections, but have cultivated real friendships with other members as well.

Message from the President

Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge Closure

A little more than two weeks from now, the Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic. Are we ready to cope with the expected traffic congestion?

As early as May 2009, the Subic Chamber had started informing its members about the potential problems that the closure and construction of a new bridge will bring about. Albeit at that time, there were no specific dates yet, and the demolition and construction of the Main Gate Bridge was still in the equation.

Last December 8, 2009, SBMA provided information to the Chamber related to the “Milestones for the Implementation for the Construction of New Kalaklan Bridge and Security Plaza Project.” By end of the same day, the Chamber mass-emailed to its members the information.

With the fast approaching Christmas season, priorities are understandably into other things and the issue of traffic congestion due to the bridge closure has not surfaced over the entire span of the holidays.

It is not hard to comprehend the debilitating effects of traffic gridlock to business and individuals both. Something must be done, and soon. Right after the New Year, the Chamber sent invitation letters to various stakeholders for a multi-sector meeting. On January 12, during the meeting, things came to light, and collaborative planning developed.

The existing bridge is already more than 60 years old, is already a safety hazard because of weakened structural components, and needs to be replaced. The new bridge will be constructed offset from the old; the latter will be closed to vehicular traffic on 15 February and to pedestrians on March 1; and that the new bridge is expected to be completed by the first week of January in 2011. The new bridge will have two lanes and the span of the middle columns will be 22 meters and will have a height of 5-7 meters, depending on the tide — wide and high enough for a dredging boat and for basnigs (big bancas with outriggers) expected to ply the river when the Olongapo fish port in Banicain becomes operational.

To mitigate traffic congestion, SBMA will be posting additional traffic personnel near the two remaining “vehicle-capable” bridges — the Rizal and the 14th Street Bridge. Olongapo City will be distributing traffic volume through rerouting. They have also requested additional personnel from SBMA to help them manage the traffic situation. Directional signs will be posted in the appropriate places.

Businesses are requested to become familiar with the truck ban schedules (see Chamber Online Forum for details) so that the trucks they own, and the delivery trucks of their suppliers can schedule deliveries at times that will not cause additional traffic congestion.

Back to the original question: Are we ready to cope with the expected traffic congestion? Yes we are! Well, maybe not completely… but, the willingness of various sectors to work together is as good an indication that we can confront problems in the face and get the better of it.

In the March 2009 issue of the Chamber newsletter, I wrote an article entitled Freeportopia primarily discussing about working together and building relationships that are mutually beneficial. A little less than a year later, SBMA/SBFCC working groups were formed, there is now closer ties with the City of Olongapo, and we now have MOUs with other business groups around the area, particularly MOCCI and GSBTB. The collaboration between these organizations and agencies in the current issue that we are all facing — the Kalaklan Lighthouse Bridge closure — is proof-positive that a potential for joint action can be achieved by bringing people together.

Prof. Danny J. Piano

President

Click here for Archive of President Messages

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