SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Despite some business difficulties during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of workers in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone registered a continuing growth and reached a yearend total of 142,177 last year.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said Subic’s job generation effort was buoyed by new investments and expansions in the services and manufacturing sectors, which now respectively hire 72% and 15% of the current workforce in the Freeport.

Eisma said the 3,190 Subic-registered companies that now provide various services here employ a total of 102,540 workers, while 93 manufacturing firms have a total of 21,529 employees.

On the other hand, the 237 construction companies operating in Subic employ a total of 12,225 workers, while 112 companies engaged in shipbuilding and marine-related services hire a total of 5,884 workers.

“It’s true that some of the companies here have closed or were forced to reduce their manpower complement because of the pandemic, but overall, the number of workers in Subic actually increased by 1.03% in 2020 and by 2.31% last year,” Eisma said.

“So, this means that Subic has been coping very well with the challenges posed by the current health crisis, and was finding new opportunities for businesses to survive and even prosper,” she added.

Eisma also pointed out that except for a .32% decrease in workforce count in 2009, the Subic Freeport has been riding an upward trend in job generation since 1999 when the total number of workers stood at 19,969.
“From there, our count continuously climbed to 55,875 in 2004; 88,450 in 2010; 112,653 in 2016; and finally, 142,177 in 2021,” Eisma said.

She added that even with the closure in 2019 of the Hanjin shipyard, which used to employ some 35,000 workers, Subic still registered a manpower increase of 1.37% that year.

“This was because job generation has been the top priority in Subic, as this was the reason for its being—to provide jobs, especially to those who lost theirs when the Subic Naval Base closed in 1992. And we’re proud that since then, Subic has been able to fulfill its mandate,” Eisma said.

According to SBMA Labor Department manager Melvin L. Varias, most of the workers employed in the Subic Freeport come from Olongapo City, which contributed a total of 62,201 or 43.75%, and Zambales, with 25,756 workers or 18.12% of the total.

Next is Bataan with 17,764 (12.49%); National Capital Region with 5,310 (3.73%); Pampanga, 4,388 (3.09%); Tarlac, 1,950 (1.37%); and other areas, 24,808 (17.45%).

Just last December, Varias said that a total of 2,062 workers were hired by Subic firms, mostly in the services (1,519) and manufacturing (494) sectors.

Varias said that as of December 2021, the Subic workforce is comprised of 101,113 male workers, or 71.12% of the total, and 41,064 females, or 28.88%.

He added that the biggest employers in Subic today are Datian Subic Shoes, Inc. with a total of 4,697 employees; Philippine Easepal Technology Ltd. Corp. with 2,766; EZ Set Tong Lung (Phils,) Metal Industry Co., 2,681; Sanyo Denki Phils. Inc., 1,375; and Exact Star Subic Bay Corp., 1,247 workers.

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma confirmed that the neighboring communities of Olongapo City and Subic Bay Freeport continue working together to promote progress and development for their common stakeholders.

“We’re on the same page,” Eisma said on Friday, stressing that friendship and cooperation had long been the cornerstone of Subic-Olongapo relations.

“I believe that we have a shared mission, that we have to get our acts together despite some friction that crop up in the minutiae of operations, which is but normal between two separate entities that work in close proximity,” she added.

Eisma asserted this a day after Olongapo City Mayor Rolen “Len J” Paulino Jr., in an interview with Press Secretary Martin Andanar over Radyo Pilipinas, described a “symbiotic” relationship between Subic and Olongapo.

The mayor’s pronouncement belied charges made recently on social media that the SBMA lacked coordination with city officials on matters like Covid-19 control measures and that it was building a “wall” between the two communities.

In the said interview, Mayor Paulino stressed that the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Olongapo City have a mutually beneficial relationship and that coordination between the two entities has boosted the local economy.

“Actually, the relationship is very symbiotic; it’s mutual. Olongapo supplies manpower (to) the Subic Bay Freeport, and on the other hand, the Freeport is, of course, a major source of employment for Olongapo residents,” Paulino explained.

“It’s a big help, in addition to the business establishments here in Olongapo,” he added.

Paulino also told Andanar that the city government and SBMA had coordinated with each other in establishing health safety measures after the Covid-19 pandemic broke out.

“We continue to coordinate with each other to ensure the control of Covid transmission, so that we can also prevent business disruption. And, of course, when we ensure the continuity of business operations, we also ensure the financial security of our people,” he added.

Following this, Eisma said the SBMA will further initiate cooperation projects with Olongapo and other local government units near the Subic Bay Freeport to improve local response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is another common ground where we can pool our resources and contribute best practices so that we can balance health and economy, and together beat Covid-19,” Eisma said. “In fact, we have already agreed to regularly meet to discuss Covid-19 strategies.”

She also confirmed that the neighboring city is the biggest provider of workers in the Freeport, with a total of 58,957 as of June this year, or almost 43 percent of the Subic workforce. Because of this, Olongapo consistently receives the biggest revenue share from the SBMA among the eight beneficiary local government units contiguous to the Freeport, she added.

Eisma also put to rest the issue that the SBMA is building a wall to separate the Freeport from Olongapo, whose original Spanish-era settlement now comprises the Freeport’s central business district. She clarified that the agency is simply replacing the US Navy-era cyclone wire fence with concrete to avoid costly repairs.

“We are not building a wall to divide the Subic-Olongapo community. What we are actually doing is protecting the single biggest local asset that Olongapeños and other stakeholders in Zambales and Bataan have built and nurtured all through these years,” Eisma said.

“This is our legacy and it is our common task to protect it,” she added.

ZAMBALES, still under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) status upon the request of Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr., has become the only province in Central Luzon (Region 3) to have registered a “zero COVID19-positive case” in the past two weeks, according to the Dept. of Health (DoH) records.

In an announcement over the weekend, Gov. Ebdane, Jr. said that of the total 21 COVID19 positive cases since the month of April, all but one (1) have already recovered, the fatality having died early on during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) lockdown.

“Mayroon pa tayong magandang balita… sa araw na ito ay zero case na tayo dito sa Zambales insofar as confirmed case of COVID19 is concerned,” Ebdane said as he revealed the release from the Pres. Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital (PRMMH) of the last four (4) patients afflicted with the virus.

However, Gov. Ebdane clarified that despite the encouraging development, he clarified that Zambales is not necessarily COVID19 free, adding that the public should continue to follow protocols and practices that are in place to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Hindi po natin pwedeng i-declare ang Zambales na COVID19 free kasi magmula noong mag-rapid test tayo ay na-testing natin lahat-lahat ay 23,830 at ang nag-“react” sa rapid testing ay 506,” Ebdane said, ” ang ginawa natin ay kinon-fine natin sila sa ospital.”

A second rapid test on those that had “reactions”‘ yielded negative results, saved for 73 still awaiting final results on their swab samples, now classified under “suspect case.”

Ebdane said the release of those that already tested negative from the 172-bed PRMMH has boosted the hospital’s capacity to accommodate more patients, if necessary.

In Olongapo City, Mayor Rolen “Lenj” C. Paulino, Jr. was ecstatic in the release of the last COVID19-positive patient from the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital (JLGMH).

“Iyong ating no. 12 po na confirmed case ay nag-negative na rin po, officially recovered na siya,” Mayor Paulino said.

The city had a total of 12 positive cases since the first was recorded during the ECQ.

He, too, warned that the fight against the virus is not over yet. “Hindi pa po tayo tapos. Lahat ng dapat nating gawin, lahat ng precautions kailangan tuloy-tuloy pa rin po,” said Paulino.

While Olongapo has been on a more relaxed status of General Community Quarantine (GCQ) already, as of today, the city still has 47 “suspect cases” awaiting test results, 12 recoveries, and nil probable case.

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HOPES were raised and dashed in a single day as both good and bad news rocked the Zambales – Olongapo – Subic Bay Freeport area on Good Friday (April 10).

First, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Zambales announced that the first confirmed positive case of the COVID19 Virus in the province has recovered.

“Ikinagagalak pong ipaalam ng PHO sa publiko na ang kauna-unahang kaso na kumpirmadong positibo sa COVID19 sa ating lalawigan ay nasa maayos ng kalagayan sa kasalukuyan,” Dr. Noel C. Bueno said in a statement.

The 73-year-old male former US Navy Serviceman from San Antonio, Zambales has already tested negative of the virus twice, Bueno said.

The PHO, however, on the same day recanted an announcement issued the previous day that a patient at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital (PRMMH) in Iba, Zambales has recovered from the virus.

According to Bueno, the 42-year-old female from San Felipe Zambales was erroneously reported to have tested negative on Thursday by the Provincial Department of Health Office (PDHO), thus, the wrong announcement.

“Bagamat hindi sinasadya, humihingi po ng paumanhin ang PHDO sa pagkakamaling ito at nangangakong hindi na mauulit ang pangyayaring ito,” Bueno said.

In the Subic Bay Freeport, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chair & Administrator Wilma T. Eisma announced that a COVID19+ patient at the Baypointe Hospital has been released.

“Today, April 10, 2020, Good Friday, BayPointe Hospital sent home a COVID-19 patient from Olongapo City who have now tested negative and is fully recovered,” Eisma said.

This came as the Olongapo COVID-19 Task Force confirmed that a 35-year-old Filipino female have tested positive for the virus, the fifth case in the city.

“Lima (5) na po ang Confirmed COVID-19 case sa ating lungsod,” said Mayor Rolen C. Paulino, Jr., “Ang pasyente po ay nagkaroon ng sintomas ng COVID-19 at kasalukuyan po siyang naka-isolate sa isang pagamutan sa lalawigan ng Bataan, at nasa stable na kondisyon.”

To date, Paulino said the city has one (1) patient who has recovered from the virus while a total of 1,236 Persons Under Investigation (PUI) and Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) has been cleared of the COVID19.

The latest count place the total PUI of the city at 146, and PUM at 269. (VGV)

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Mayor Paulinos message:

“Good evening po ulet.. paki tignan na lang po ang schedule ng inyong barangay para sa inyong pamamalengke. Sisimulan po natin yan sa Lunes (April 13, 2020). Sarado din ang lahat ng palengke tuwing lingo para sa disinfection.

Ang Barretto at New Cabalan po ay may sariling malalaking talipapa.

Tandaan nyo po di kayo papapasukin sa palengke kung di nyo schedule.

Sumunod po tayo at ipairal ang disiplina.

Maraming salamat po. God Bless us and God Bless Olongapo.”

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OLONGAPO City — A 45-year-old male here previously listed as a Person Under Investigation (PUI) has tested positive of the COVID19 Virus, bringing the City’s positive cases to two (2) as of today (April 4).

In his official announcement, Mayor Rolen C. Paulino, Jr. did not disclose which hospital the patient has been admitted to but said he is in isolation and in a stable condition. He had no history of travel.

“Contact tracing of the persons in close contact with the patient has been done by our City Health Office (CHO),” he assured.

The latest count has placed the number of PUI in Olongapo at 107, and PUM 355.

“We reiterate the need for everyone to comply with the required home quarantine and proper social distancing measures,” Mayor Paulino reminded his constituents.

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Office Services Department (OSD) announced that the validity of SBMA Identification Cards and Temporary Passes issued to Subic Bay Freeport residents and employees set to expire this April will be extended until May 15, 2020.

“Simply present your SBMA ID/Temporary Pass to our LED (Law Enforcement Department) Offciers upon entry at the SBF (Subic Bay Freeport) gates.

Some essential businesses in the Freeport have been allowed to operate despite the enhanced restrictions on the entry and exit of personnel. (EVG)

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“The patient is a 75-year-old Filipino male, he was on the list of our Persons Under Investigation (PUI) and had a history of travel in Manila,” said Mayor Paulino, chair of the Olongapo COVID-19 Task Force.

This brings to three (3) the total of Covid-19 positive patients in the Zambales, Olongapo and Subic Bay Freeport area, in as many days.

Yesterday (March 27), a 70-year-old Balikbayan from Washington, U.S.A who went home to Cabangan, Zambales tested positive for the virus, also at Baypointe Hospital, where the latest victim has been admitted.

The day before, a seventy-three-year-old U.S. citizen residing in Bgy. San Gregorio, San Antonio, Zambales also tested positive, becoming the first case in the province. He is confined at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital in Iba, Zambales.

All three patients are reportedly in stable condition as yet, as contact tracing of people they may have interacted with is continuing.

“Muli ang aking pakiusap sa lahat ng mamamayan ng Olongapo, sundin po natin ang home quarantine,” Mayor Paulino appealed, “wag nang lumabas ng bahay kung hindi importante o emergency. ” (Dulce Leonor V. Torralba)

SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (SBMA) Chair & Administrator Wilma T. Eisma has renewed calls to strictly observe home quarantine as a Person Under Investigation (PUI) in a hospital in the Freeport tested positive today (March 27) for the dreaded Wuhan Virus (Covid-19).

“We are saddened that a PUI at the Baypointe Hospital and Medical Center in the Subic Bay Freeport has tested positive for Covid-19 infection,” Eisma said, calling “for all of us to strictly observe home quarantine so that we can help in not straining the local health care system any further, and thus, in saving lives.”

Earlier, the Zambales Provincial Health Office (PHO) announced that a seventy-year-old (70) female balikbayan from Washington, U.S.A tested positive for Covid-19.

According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Noel C. Bueno, the “patient was exposed to a Covid-19 positive case while in the U.S.” before travelling to the Philippines, arriving in Cabangan, Zambales on March 14, 2020 “with symptoms of cough, colds and body malaise.”

She was admitted to the Baypointe Hospital on March 21 due to persistent symptoms, and thereafter tested. The test results confirmed today that she indeed has been infected with Covid-19 virus, bringing the number of Covid-19 positive persons in Zambales to two (2) in as many days

On Thursday, a (73) male US citizen residing in Bgy. San Gregorio, San Antonio, Zambales has tested positive for the Wuhan Virus (Covid 19) , becoming the first confirmed case in the province since the outbreak began late last year in China.

Bueno said the latest patient is “in stable condition” and set for repeat testing on April 5, 2020.

The Provincial Health Office is coordinating with the Local Government Units and the Department of Health on “necessary actions of subsequent outcomes” as extensive contact tracing is ongoing.

Meanwhile, Olongapo City remains Covid-19 positive-free, despite a spike in the number of PUI, 32 today, up from 10 yesterday.

However, Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) dropped from 624 on Thursday, to 471.

A PUI died today but the cause of death is not being attributed to the virus in the absence of confirmation from actual testing. (Dulce Leonor V. Torralba)