Subic Bay Tourism Bureau

MANILA, Philippines—No trees will be cut for any project inside the Subic Freeport, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Thursday.In a press conference, Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza also said his agency was taking control over environmental concerns in Subic.“There will be no tree-cutting in Subic. We need environmental accountability there and we are committed to protecting the trees,” he said.Atienza said the controversies “have put into question the ability of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to enforce environmental laws” inside the former US naval facility.In a statement, SBMA chief Armand Arreza said he respected the DENR decision to take over environmental concerns at the free port.“We also wish to reiterate that the SBMA remains committed to the protection of the environment and will seek the DENR’s reconsideration,” said Arreza.

 Source: Inquirer.net

He said the project should either be transferred to another site or should incorporate the trees.

On existing environmental compliance certificates, Atienza said the DENR will review all ECCs already issued by the SBMA.

A memorandum of agreement was signed in 2006 between the DENR and the SBMA granting powers to the SBMA to issue their own ECCs.

Last year, the South Korean-owned Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Corp., a shipbuilder, was assailed after it cut down to build one of its facilities.

In November, the Korean-owned firm that planned to build a $120-million casino hotel came under fire after its plan to cut down more than 300 trees was exposed.

The trees in both cases were part of areas in the former US naval facility considered as old-growth forests.

Trump, 2 partners to invest over $1B in Subic.

The Trump Organization signed a memorandum of agreement with two of its partners, Korean firm Heung-A Property Group (HAPG) and Westgate Resorts Asia Ltd., for the construction of an integrated leisure, sports and entertainment facility.

“Our initial foray in the Subic Freeport zone signals the extreme confidence of various highly funded multinationals with respect to both the near and long- term economic and investment prospects in the Philippines,” Seung Guk Yang, chairman of Subic Neocove Corp. said.The billion dollar investment will be built in 457 hectare beachfront facility in Subic.Also expected to be competed first are the basic accommodations like the hotels, the school and the convention center.

Source: Philfaqs

MANILA, Philippines—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard have signed an agreement that will bolster maritime safety within the Freeport, in a bid to encourage more investors to locate there.SBMA chair Feliciano Salonga called the agreement timely, considering that more and more companies have been bringing their ships to Subic, instead of other ports in the country for repair and other services.The Subic Bay area is home to Korean shipbuilder Hanjin, as well as to the ship repair facilities of Subic Dock. The Philippine Shipping and Engineering Co. is also undergoing expansion in the area."We will deploy some of our vessels in Subic Bay to assist the SBMA in implementing maritime safety and humanitarian operations within and in contiguous areas of Subic Freeport,'' Coast Guard Commandant Wilfredo Tamayo said.

Source: Inquirer.net

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is clearly on the move to capture a larger share of the growing outbound tourist market worldwide with its aggressive tourism promotion program and the continuous development of tourism facilities in this free port.

SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza said Subic's tourism thrust will be boosted further when the free port hosts the 8th Philippine Incentive Marketing Conference (PIMC) this April.

"This is an event institutionalized in 1994 by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC), and the Movement of Incentive Travel Executives (MITE) to continually upgrade the standards and quality of services of existing tourism facilities and services in the country," explained Arreza.Figures from the SBMA Tourism Department indicate that the number of foreign and local tourists increased considerably over the last two years. Source: SubiwNewsLink

‘Water Bonsai’, ProudlyY “Gawang Gapo”

Source: SubicBayNews

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. recently acknowledged before the city government officials and employees Edwin Dela Torre who    introduced to the city the ‘Water Bonsai Plant’ technology during the flag raising ceremony held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court.

Dela Torre hails from General Santos in Mindanao and settled in Olongapo in 1989. Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. recently acknowledged before the city government officials and employees Edwin Dela Torre who    introduced to the city the ‘Water Bonsai Plant’ technology during the flag raising ceremony held at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Covered Court.

Dela Torre hails from General Santos in Mindanao and settled in Olongapo in 1989.


“Dati nag-aalaga lang ako, isa, dalawa, natutuwa lang ako na tingnan, nadiscover ko ito noong 2006 . Itong November ay nafeature nga itong Water Bonsai sa ‘Gawang Gapo’ ni Mayor Gordon,” Dela Torre said.

Dela Torre’s ‘Water Bonsai Plant’ was featured at the Gawang Gapo Booth of the city on November 17-21, 2008.

ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda featured Dela Torre’s product on December 4, 2008 where Dela Torre introduced the water bonsai plant to the viewers of the show with program hosts Donita Rose and Edu Manzano.

“Ang ‘Water Bonsai’ ay di lamang simpleng tanim, pwede rin itong gawing decorasyon sa bahay at panregalo sa mga kaibigan,” Dela Torre added.

“Ang kilalang ‘Bonsai Plant’ ay kalimitang tumutubo sa paso, ngunit itong ‘water bonsai’ ay nabubuhay sa pamamagitan ng ‘formulated mineral water’ , kahit hindi maarawan ay tutubo ito sa tubig lamang,” Dela Torre explained.