Ang Pahayagan

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE — Eight local government units (LGUs) near the Subic Bay Freeport Zone will receive P158.9 million in revenue shares from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for the second semester of 2025.

The funds will be used to help local governments improve basic services and implement programs on disaster preparedness, health, education, and community safety using income generated from businesses operating inside the freeport.

SBMA Chairperson and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño said the upcoming release reflects an increase compared with last year.

“The current amount for release surpassed P143.17 million released during the same period last year, by 10.99 percent,” he said.

Aliño said the revenue shares will be computed based on three factors: 50 percent population, 25 percent land area, and 25 percent equal sharing among the recipient LGUs.

Under the allocation, Olongapo City will receive the largest share at P36.73 million, followed by Subic town in Zambales with P23.95 million, and Dinalupihan town in Bataan with P19.99 million.

Other beneficiaries will include San Marcelino town in Zambales with P19.14 million, Hermosa town in Bataan with P17.06 million, Castillejos town in Zambales with P14.44 million, Morong town in Bataan with P14.09 million, and San Antonio town in Zambales with P13.5 million.

Aliño said the revenue shares will help LGUs fund programs for calamity response, health and safety, peace and order, livelihood generation, education, tourism, infrastructure, and social services.

In August 2025, SBMA released P197.85 million for the first semester. With the upcoming second-semester allocation, total revenue shares for LGUs in 2025 will reach P356.74 million.

The funds will come from the five-percent taxes paid by business locators inside the freeport. 

Collections are made from January to June for the first semester and from July to December for the second semester.

Revenue shares are scheduled to be released every August for the first semester and every February of the following year for the second semester. (Reia G. Pabelonia / PIA-3)