Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan (photo: SBMA) 

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Jonathan D. Tan has ordered a crackdown on all fraudulent transactions and conspiracies involving organized crimes across various government agencies operating within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

The SBFZ is the country’s first freeport and recognized around the world as one of the best models of conversion from military facilities to socio-economic purposes, and Tan said he wants to sustain such recognition by further improving the services to investors and locators.

“The improvements in SBMA’s services to investors and locators assure increased productivity and profitability. The SBMA, being in charge of the SBFZ, is morally bound to lead in keeping the integrity of its operations as a government facility while maintaining the independence of each agency,” Tan said as he stressed the need to tighten inter-agency cooperation.

“We will put the house in order by taking a deep look into the financial operations of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and enforce all pertinent policies on payment delinquencies of locators, truckers and other business entities that are using our facilities,” he added. 

Tan’s statement came following the conduct of discreet internal study wherein he preferred not to reveal the results amid the ongoing reforms and corrective measures. 

In pursuing a crackdown to improve the SBMA’s services, he emphasized that policies in accordance with law are non-negotiable.

“But we in the government can reward compliance through integrity, efficiency and improved services that boost the business performance of our clients and provide economic benefits to the rest of our constituents,” Tan explained.

Increased revenue, more jobs 

For the first half of 2023, Tan said the SBMA generated a total of P207.65 million from the five percent corporate taxes of SBFZ-registered enterprises.

Around P203 million went to the local government units constituting the SBFZ, according to Tan.

These LGUs are Olongapo City and the towns of Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino and San Antonio in Zambales, and the municipalities of Dinalupihan, Hermosa and Morong in Bataan.

“As part of the executive (branch), we implement the law even in pursuit of noble goals, which are totally consistent with the national economic development thrust of President BBM (Bongbong Marcos Jr.).”

Tan expects increases in SBFZ’s revenues and employment generation when all his policies and plans are in place. 

Tourism, investment boost 

Tan said all of SBMA’s policy ethos and operational activities should be guided by its vision of turning the SBFZ into a preferred tourism and investment destination and global business hub.

“Turning the SBFZ into a preferred tourism and investment destination and global business hub will benefit everybody and the national economy,” Tan said.

“But to turn that vision into reality, we have to attain our goals by first putting our house in order,” the SBMA Chairman added.