The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is readying P115 billion worth of infrastructure projects at the Subic Bay Economic and Freeport Zone, majority of which would support the Luzon Economic Corridor.
In a report, SBMA administrator Eduardo Alino said SBMA has attracted $11.54 billion investments and exported $1.97 billion in 2023. Subic has 1,800 locators employing 158,969.
In the report, Alino identified five projects with a total value of P3.5 billion to be completed by the end of the Marcos administration while another five projects with a bigger value of P45.46 billion are targeted to hit significant accomplishment by 2028.
The biggest projects, totaling P66.63 billion, are targeted for feasibility study (FS) by the end of the Marcos’ term.
For completion by 2028 is a P250-million project for the short power connection for carbon neutral ports, the first ship- to- shore power in the country. This will provide shoreside electrical power to a ship at berth while its main and auxiliary engines are shut down.
SBMA also eyes the development of a P100-million holding area that can accommodate 100 trucks and vehicles to eliminate hazards on roadside parking and queuing.
The project is in support of the Luzon Economic Corridor which connects the three logistics zones, Clark, Subic and Calabarzon.
A P2-billion socialized housing program for 1,300 low-income families as well as a P960-million dormitories for workers are also planned.
Another project is the Subic Bay Smart City project for road safety and security costing P224 million.
Also up for completion by 2028 is a center for excellence for training of the 154,120 workforce at the Freeport for P21.15 million.
Up for significant accomplishment by 2028 are major port projects which will increase cargo handling capacity in Subic.
One involves the construction of a P13-billion multipurpose terminal which will have a 570-meter wharf with a depth of 12.9 meters.
The report said this will provide an additional capacity of 2.5 million metric tons (MT) bulk cargoes.
Another port project is an P11-billion multipurpose port terminal in Redondo Peninsula which will have a 600-meter wharf with a depth of 14 meters and a breakwater.
SBMA said this will increase the port capacity with additional 3 million MT cargoes.
Both projects which will support the Luzon Economic Corridor are among the priority projects of the National Economic and Development Authority.
SBMA also plans a P10.6-billion Subic Bay cruise ship facility to support tourism.
This project involves the construction of a double berth 380- meter pier with a depth of 12 meters (phase 1, P1.2 billion) and the reclamation of 20 hectares (phase 2, P8.96 billion) for the cruise passenger terminal and an area for cruise related businesses.
SBMA said international and local cruise operations will greatly benefit local and national economies, including job creation, revenue from port fees and dues, and increased tourism spending.
The project is seen as vital to the National Cruise Tourism Program of the government.
SBMA is also poised to improve the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) for P7.02 billion to decongest passenger traffic in Metro Manila. The upgrade can accommodate 6 million passengers annually.
The project also suppor the Luzon Economic Corridor.
To boost tourism, SBMA aims to build a world-class SBIA Hotel for P4.3 billion.
Two infrastructure projects are targtted to undergo FS by 202.
One is the expansion of SBIA for P33.6 billion involving the extension of the runway from 2,745 meters to 3,300 meters, expansion of the runway and the relocation of the ATC tower.
The future airport at full annual capacity will generate revenues of P12.5 billion annually, according to the report.
Also for FS is a 5.5-kilometer (km) long Subic Bay Bridge or Bridge-Tunnel Option (Ilanin-Grande Island-Redondo) and an 8-km, four-lane road from Sitio Naglatore to Sitio Agusuhin (existing Hanjin Road) in Redondo Peninsula.
Approximate cost is P33 billion.
The project aims to increase connectivity and spur economic growth and provide development expansion from the Freeport towards Redondo Peninsula.
