Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone explained

Subic
Official Name:Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone
Settlement Type:Freeport and special economic zone
Pushpin Map:Philippines#Luzon
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:14.807°N 120.287°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Philippines
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Provinces
Subdivision Type3:City and municipalities
Subdivision Name1:Central Luzon
Subdivision Name2:Bataan and Zambales
Subdivision Name3:Bataan
Zambales
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:March 13, 1992
Leader Title1:Chairperson and administrator
Leader Name1:Eduardo Aliño
Population Density Km2:auto
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code: 2222
Area Code: +63 47
Blank Name Sec1:Catholic diocese
Blank Info Sec1:Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga (Hermosa and Morong, Bataan)
Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba (Olongapo and Subic, Zambales)
Image Map1:
Frame-Width:250

The Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone, often shortened as Subic Bay or Subic, is a special economic zone and freeport area covering portions of the city of Olongapo and the town of Subic in Zambales, and the towns of Hermosa and Morong in Bataan in the Philippines.[1] [2] The relatively developed and fenced area is called the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

The economic zone was the location of U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay, until the latter's decommissioning in 1992. The SBFZ is operated and managed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), a sub-agency under the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). The harbor faces the Zambales Mountains to the west and Subic Bay opens to the West Philippine Sea.

History

See main article: U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay. Subic Bay is surrounded by the towns of Hermosa, Morong, and Subic, and the city of Olongapo in the provinces of Bataan and Zambales, respectively. The Spanish buit a shipyard and naval base in Subic bay in the 1800s. During the Philippine Revolution, the Cuban-Filipino Vicente Catalan and his fleet in the nascent Philippine Navy, seized Subic from the Spanish and delivered it to the First Philippine Republic. Afterwards when the Americans invaded, it became an American naval base. The development of Olongapo was largely tied to the presence of the United States Navy base, once the largest U.S. military naval base in Asia. An arsenal and ship-repair facility was established at Subic Bay in 1885 by the then colonial power, Spain. Following the Spanish–American War, Subic Bay became a U.S. Navy and Marine base, and grew to be a major facility. Until 1991, it was the base of the United States 7th Fleet. A red-light district developed around the base, drawn by the presence of American personnel.[3] In early 1991, after the collapse of protracted negotiations, the Philippine Senate rejected terms for renewal of the base's lease. The U.S. Navy was already in the process of downsizing its Subic operations in June 1991, when Mount Pinatubo erupted. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in the last 100 years, it covered the Navy Base in volcanic ash and collapsed a significant number of structures.

On March 13, 1992, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 7227, known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, in anticipation of the pullout of the US military bases in the country. Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7227 converted Subic Bay Naval Base into Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone and created the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to develop and manage the Freeport which provides tax and duty-free privileges and incentives to business locators in the special economic zone.

Richard Gordon, then the mayor of the City of Olongapo, became the first SBMA chairman.

The last ship, USS Belleau Wood, left on November 24, 1992.

Post–Cold War

Subic Bay was converted into a commercial zone largely through the efforts of some 8,000 residents of nearby Olongapo, under the leadership of mayor Richard Gordon, who wanted to protect and preserve the $8 billion worth of facilities and property from looting and destruction. Subic was transformed and became a model for bases conversion into commercial use after the Cold War with blue chip companies like Coastal Petroleum and Fed Ex pumping in over $3 billion of investments, creating 70,000 jobs in the free port's first four years.[4] It was host to the 4th APEC Leaders' Summit on November 24, 1996[5] and FedEx's Asia-Pacific hub, Asia-One, was located in Subic Bay for almost ten years.[6] [7]

In 2013, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that the Philippines intended to move military forces to the base in response to the territorial disputes in the South China Sea.[8] The United States Navy sought access on a rotational basis for ships and Marines,[9] and conducts maritime patrol aircraft patrols from bases in the Philippines.[10]

Geography

While the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone (as well as the agency responsible for the freeport zone's operations and management Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA)) shares a name with a nearby town, it covers portions of Olongapo and the town of Subic in Zambales, and Hermosa and Morong in Bataan. It covers a total area of 67452ha, but the 14000ha area that is secured and fenced hosts much of the development. This area is referred to as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and out of this area 2800ha is suitable for development, with the remaining portions consisting of high slopes, forests, or protected areas. In 2017, negotiations with local government units next to the Subic Bay Freeport Zone expanded the fenced area.[2]

The special economic zone is adjacent to Subic Bay. At least six mangrove areas are found in the Freeport Zone.[11]

Districts

The Subic Freeport Zone is divided into districts. The freeport zone has a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) Land, which is the ancestral domain of the Aeta people.[12] [13]

Demographics

Subic Freeport's population of at least 6,000 people is concentrated in the Kalayaan and Binictican areas.[14] Portions of the Subic Freeport area form part of a formally recognized ancestral domain of the Aetas, an indigenous ethnic group living in the area prior to its usage as a US military base. A significant Aeta settlement in Subic is Pastolan.[15]

Economy

In mid-2019, some 135,000 workers were employed in Subic Bay Freeport, 68% in the service industry and 17% in the manufacturing industry. Subic was a shipbuilding hub. The now-defunct Hanjin Philippines was the single biggest employer in the area prior to its bankruptcy in January 2019. As of mid-2019, 5,901 workers were employed in the shipbuilding and maritime industry by 96 firms.[16] Subic is served by the Port of Subic.

Tourism

Subic Bay is a popular destination for weekend visitors from Metro Manila. Attractions include beaches, an underwater aquarium, jungle survival tours, and duty-free shopping.

Destinations include eco-tourism theme parks, the Ocean Adventure,[17] Zoobic Safari,[18] and the Pamulaklakin Nature Park,[19] which is home to the indigenous Aetas who once trained the U.S. Navy in jungle survival tactics.[20]

Subic International Raceway (SIR), the Philippines' first purpose-built motorsports venue, opened in 1994 near Subic Bay International Airport. It was established by racing champion Pocholo Ramirez and his family. SIR hosted international racing events, such as the Asian Festival of Speed, Asian Formula 2000 and the Asian Formula Three Championship.[21] Local races, such as the Philippine Touring Car Championship, Run What You Brung (RWYB) and Circuit Showdown were held there. The racetrack closed in 2010 after its lease ended.[22]

The economic zone hosts the Subic Bay Yacht Club. The bay is favored for sailing sports, especially during the Habagat season. Subic Bay hosted the sailing events for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.[23]

The Subic Sun Convention Resort and Casino, will be the first international branded hotel complex in Subic and is set to open in 2025.[24]

Transport

The Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone is served by the Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway. Subic is the site of Subic Bay International Airport which can be used for chartered flights. The airport was a former Asian hub of multinational logistics company FedEx. The Port serves direct passenger traffic through ferries going to and from Orion, Bataan.[25] The freeport zone is accessible via its gate in Morong.

Industrial parks

Most of the businesses inside the Freeport Zone are manufacturing, construction, and warehousing. Operations are subdivided into industrial parks, namely:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Proclamation No. 532, s. 1995 - DELINEATING THE METES AND BOUNDS OF THE SUBIC SPECIAL ECONOMIC AND FREEPORT ZONE . Official Gazette . 31 August 2022 .
  2. News: Empeño . Henry . SBMA plans extending Subic Freeport to contiguous towns . 6 January 2020 . BusinessMirror . 31 January 2017.
  3. Web site: Marquardt . Alexander . Waterfield . Alex . Alleged Underage Prostitution in Philippines; Americans Targeted . ABC News . 31 January 2019 . en . 25 February 2013.
  4. News: Mydans . Seth . November 23, 1996 . Subic Bay, Minus U.S., Becomes Surprise Success . January 16, 2024 . The New York Times.
  5. Web site: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. www.apec.org. en. 2017-05-05.
  6. Web site: FedEx - About FedEx - Press Releases. www.fedex.com. 2017-05-05.
  7. News: Brief History. Cruz. Ed Michael Lee. Official Website of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. 2017-05-05. en-PH.
  8. http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/manila-to-move-air-force-navy-near-disputed-sea-1.232649 "Manila to move air force, navy near disputed sea ."
  9. http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130727/NEWS/307270004/Navy-wants-to-expand-Philippine-presence-create-temporary-base "Navy wants to expand Philippine presence, create temporary base."
  10. https://medium.com/war-is-boring/2e889c33cdd9 "It’s Boom Time for Naval Spy Planes"
  11. Mallari . Rhea Jane . Alcazar . Lilia . State of the Mangroves in Subic Bay Freeport Zone . 2014: State of the Mangrove Summit: Northern Luzon Proceedings . 23–28 . 6 January 2020.
  12. Web site: Major Districts . Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority . 26 May 2021.
  13. Web site: Ancestral Domain Delineation and Recognition: CADT of Aytas of Bataan DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES FOREIGN-ASSISTED AND SPECIAL PROJECTS SERVICE eLibrary . 2023-10-23 . faspselib.denr.gov.ph.
  14. Web site: Residents' Profile . live.mysubicbay.com.ph . 6 June 2021.
  15. News: Empeño . Henry . Subic Aytas preserve roots while embracing the new. 6 June 2021 . BusinessMirror . 4 November 2017.
  16. News: Empeño . Henry . Subic work force back at 135,000 despite closure of Hanjin . 6 January 2020 . BusinessMirror . 11 September 2019.
  17. Web site: About Us – Ocean Adventure. www.oceanadventure.ph. en-US. 2017-05-05.
  18. Web site: Fast Facts About Zoobic Safari Zoobic. zoobic.com.ph. 2017-05-05.
  19. Web site: Pamulaklakin Forest Trail (Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines): Top Tips Before You Go - TripAdvisor. www.tripadvisor.com.ph. 2017-05-05.
  20. Web site: Indigenous Peoples of the World — The Aeta. Waddington. Ray. www.peoplesoftheworld.org. en-US. 2017-05-05.
  21. http://www.autoindustriya.com/motorsport/improved-subic-international-raceway-bows-this-april.html "Improved Subic International Raceway bows this April"
  22. http://www.autoindustriya.com/motorsport/the-last-lap.html "The Last Lap of Subic Raceway"
  23. News: Mohan . Matthew . Sailing: Ryan Lo wins SEA Games gold, retains title . 26 May 2021 . Channel News Asia . 7 December 2019.
  24. News: Datu . Mahatma Randy . World-class resort and casino to rise at Subic Bay Freeport. March 18, 2024 . . March 15, 2024.
  25. Web site: Getting to Subic Bay . 6 January 2020 . My Subic Bay . Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
  26. News: Sapnu . Ric . Japan firm starts P2.3 billion Subic expansion. April 5, 2024 . . April 4, 2024.