THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has agreed to waive port fees for Philippine and visiting foreign navy ships docking at Subic, the military’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said yesterday.
The decision was reached during a courtesy call of Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca to SMBA chairman and administrator Jonathan Tan last Wednesday, said Maj. Anthony Pueblas, acting Nolcom spokesman.
Pueblas said Buca proposed to Tan the possibility of waiving the port fees “as a way of demonstrating their commitment to strengthen regional partnerships and promote collaboration.”
“The SBMA management recognized this, they are in favor of the idea,” said Pueblas.
“It will be implemented… Fees for all Philippine Navy and foreign military vessels invited by the Armed Forces of the Philippines are already free. The fees are already waived,” he said.
Pueblas could not immediately say how much port fee the SBMA was collecting from Philippine Navy and foreign ships docking at Subic.
On whether the decision would lead to a big income loss for the SBMA, Pueblas said, “According to the (SBMA) management, they are happy because that’s their contribution when it comes to regional security.”
Pueblas pointed out that before the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, port fees for Philippine Navy and visiting foreign ships is free in Subic.
During the pandemic, Pueblas said, authorities began collecting fees. He could say immediately say why.
“What happened now is there will no longer fees to be collected from (Philippine) Navy vessels, to include the invited foreign vessels,” he said.
Pueblas said US Navy vessels, participating in military exercises with the Armed Forces, are among foreign ships that are docking at Subic.
