18 November 2016 —Chairman Martin Diño and officials of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) paid a visit to the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles and met with Consul General Adelio Angelito S. Cruz on November 11 as part of their promotional campaign to market Subic Bay as a Philippine tourist destination.

Mr. Martin Diño, former Chairman of Volunteers Against Graft and Corruption (VACC) was recently appointed as Chairman and Administrator/CEO of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on September 23.

During his call, Chairman Diño shared his goal to rebuild SBMA’s ageing infrastructure and to modernize Subic’s port facilities.  At the top of his wish list are four projects that would enhance the site’s business allure.

One is the widening of the existing Tipo Road to a four-lane highway and the construction of a new tunnel and bridge to accommodate the new lanes.

Another is the expansion of New Container Terminals 3 and 4 over 30 additional hectares to extend the Freeport’s handling capacity to 600,000 TEU, or twenty-foot equivalent unit capacity.

Also earmarked is the expansion of its bulk cargo facilities, which involves the construction of two additional wharves and the rehabilitation of the Sattler Pier.

A more ambitious project that may take longer to realize is the proposed 17.273-km bypass road that would connect the seaport terminals directly with the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

The same is true for the proposed Circumferential Road for cargo transport between Subic Bay and the Cavite Economic Zone along the Manila Bay coastline, and an “Express Commuter Train Service” from Manila to Subic Bay via the Clark Economic Zone. 

“We are riding on the wave of an economic boom” Chairman Diño said.  “For us to ride the crest of the wave to a higher level of growth, there is no rest.  We will do what is necessary and achieve what is doable.”

Consul General Cruz, for his part, thanked Chairman Diño and the officials of SBMA for visiting the Consulate General and for sharing the good news about their efforts in transforming Subic Bay into “Asia’s Premier Freeport Zone”. 

He also affirmed the full support of the Consulate General in this campaign. END