Ang Pahayagan

Why do good men die early?

I was jolted yesterday morning when I opened my Facebook page where the death notice was flashed, announcing the departure of Roberto Garcia, former chairman-administrator of the state run Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). Unbelievable, I told myself, Bobby last time I visited him at his retirement place at Holy Land, religious resort was strong and health and proudly informed me that he purchased BYD electrical car to save on gas.

Moreover, told me that he seldom take a trip to Metro Manila, although he has a live in driver. I visited Bobby to inform him that his girl protégée Armie Lllmas banned me from all SBMA media gatherings because of my advocacy to give independent media people access to coverage.

Hopefully incumbent agency boss Engr. Alinio is unaware of this Llamas edict. Anyway, since there are less important events and heated atmosphere, I am more Hua bound due to ageing. I cannot move much more drive at night due poor eyesight at night driving.

Anyway, during Bobby’s regime, his main concern was how to market the recently opened twin modern container terminals at San Bernardino in Morong, Bataan. Although the facilities were leased to international port cargo operator ICTSI headed by Enrique Razon, The Department of Finance headed by Cesar Purisima was frantically worried by SBMA may6 put the government is a bad light, fearing of payment default to JICA funder of the container ports.

But Garcia was not a worrier unlike Purisima, he told then President Nonoy Aquino, that it will never happen under his watch. Garcia then mobilized his group and ITTSI management and the BOC Subic to launch a marketing and promotion campaign to promote the Port of Subic to importer/ exporters in the Central and Northern Luzon area.

In 2014, the Ports of Manila and ICTSI were hit by cargo congestion problem. Garcia held Maritime Summit where leading cargo handlers, brokerages and shippers were in attendance. Garcia created an Adhoc Group and sought BOC to simplify its rules in releasing cargo. He promoted the Port of Subic , travel free and hazel free on cargo movements.

Aside from this developments, Garcia was able to solicit the help of Rene Almendras, a close confidant of Pres. Aquino.

Moreover, Garcia was supported by former CDC President Art Tugade, who was also an entrepreneur before being tap for government service. BOC Sub district Collector Atty. Emelito G. Aquino and of course the team of SBITC and ICTSI Subic headed by Boj Locsin, now president of Manila Water. SBMA conducted two Maritime Summit under Garcia and it pave the way for the Port of Subic to become the ideal supply chain hub in the region.

But the biggest achievement of Bobby G as SBMA top honcho was his ability to turn around the agency from a financial failure to profitable government agency and succeeded in paying the outstanding dollar loan.

More on Bobby G in our next column. I am two years older than Bobby.