By Jonas Reyes
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to rescind the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the agency and the Philippine Air Force (PAF). This was the statement made by SBMA administrator Atty. Wilma Eisma after revealing the SBMA board’s decision in a press conference on Monday.
Eisma said the standing MOU between the two government agencies was supposed to maintain and enhance a part of the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA), but reiterated that no such thing has happened.
“The board has asked me to rescind the MOU since the PAF has not even bought a broom that will be used to clean the area. This is certainly disadvantageous to the SBMA,” she said.
The resolution that allows the PAF, along with the Philippine Navy (PN), to set up partial military bases inside the Freeport was approved in 2014 by then SBMA chairman Robert Garcia. The PAF plans to house 25 fighter jets from South Korea in the old Federal Express area adjacent to the SBIA.
The Philippine Navy, on the other hand, has asked for the area encompassing the Alava Pier where the two naval cutter class vessels would be home ported. So far, the PN has made the area their base port and has sent numerous ships to tours from the area.