Ang Pahayagan

Write, write while alive, the continuation

Continuing with our review on the accomplishments of past and present leaders of the 33 years old government-run Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, what legacy projects made during their incumbency, I could only name few who have accomplished that belong part of the agency’s history.

While Dick Gordon is credited for making noise of SBMA existence, nothing can be compared to the legacy projects of Tong Payumo who caused the construction of the twin modern container ports at the part end of Morong, Bataan side and the establishment of SCTEX, that ease travel between Subic and Clark.

On the other hand, Bobby Garcia increases the facility utilization of the Subic Container port and is now serving incoming cargos for Central and Northern Luzon, plus the write off SBMA foreign loans, incurred by Gordon. Rolen Paulino Sr., honored former volunteer workers while Eisma succeeded in securing national government funding for public works projects including the start of Magsaysay Bridge reconstruction, halted by the corona virus pandemic.

Marcos appointed Antique political leader Jonathan D. Tan, proposed the fielding by the agency of free bus ride to commuters of Kalayaan, Binictican and Cubi, plus the construction of short Binictican Drive. While there was wide rumor of corruption among SBMA contractors and suppliers, Tan is also credited for preventing the takeover of the Subic Airport by the American firm that took over the Hanjin facilities at Redondo.

Incumbent chairman-administrator Engr. Ed Alino, another Marcos appointee vice Tan had recently completed his one year in office. As of now, we cannot attribute legacy projects as he just implemented projects approved earlier, but the incumbent SBMA directors were chided for granting Alino’s private company special favor the company’s financial obligations to SBMA.

Where not for its revenue of petroleum and fuel importation at the oil terminals at Subic, the Bureau of Customs district office is incapable to hit its assigned revenue target as incoming cargo seems to decline due to the prevailing external economic scenario.

Three months ago, it was reported that some ten BOC personnel were reportedly recalled to Aduana. Moreover, the arrival of imported right hand drive truck and buses from Japan also slowed down as Importers cannot compete with the pricing of the Pakistani group that owns large stockyards along the Jose Abad Santos Highway in Pampanga.

Reports claimed that Wing Vans Unit are being sold at P1.2 million when the prevailing price is peg at P2.5 million. Only thru the Port of Subic that used vehicles can be imported.

On the other hand, who is this certain lawyer allegedly assigned at the monitoring section of BOC Subic, we learned that this guy has been collecting grease money from Customs stakeholders and brokers.

In view of alleged bribe taking of some bribe taking BOC personnel, importers are boycotting Port of Subic in favor of Manila ports.