SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño, with the SBMA officials, and awardees at the SBMA Mabuhay Awards
Thirty businesses were recognized for their good practices during the annual Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Mabuhay Business Awards ceremony held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) on Dec. 13, 2024.
This is in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s instruction to launch an aggressive “Make It Happen in the Philippines” campaign and raise awareness of the new business climate ushered in by structural reforms made by his administration under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
Speaking before businessmen in Malacañang recently, President Marcos assured investors and development partners that the Bagong Pilipinas “will foster an economy where businesses and investments remain at the heart of our progressive development.”
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño said the 30 awardees were given honors for their exceptional contribution to the business growth of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in 2024.
The Subic Freeport Zone is home to 1,909 businesses. Some 162,891 workers are employed by them.
Aliño said the SBMA Mabuhay Awards embodies the agency’s commitment to recognize the outstanding contributions of businesses that have significantly impacted the domestic economy, hence the word ‘Mabuhay.’ He added it symbolizes life, enthusiasm, and positivity.
Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III said that the companies not only contributed to the business growth of the Subic Bay Freeport but also provided employment and created downstream economies.
“Aggregate investments amounting to P577.99 billion as of third quarter of 2024 accrued to the SBMA, and the Total Operating Revenue generated from 1992-2023 has amounted to P64.36 billion. In the first half of 2024, the SBMA released a total of P204.7 million [in] Net Revenue Shares, higher than last year’s (2023) same period,” he said.
“This is why the SBMA holds the Mabuhay Business Awards, to recognize our top performing locators,” said Lee, adding that “this year, after a rigorous deliberation, the SBMA has determined the 30 top performing Subic Bay Freeport locators (businesses).”
The awardees for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) of the Year Award were the MJY 88 Medical Clinic, La Banca Travel and Tours Corp., and Grand Food Venue Corp., owner of XtremelyXpresso, Subic Ben’s Kitchen, and Iron Grill Asian Fusion.
With the awardees are (from the left), John Aquino,Office of the Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, Edralin Besmonte, BID for Manufacturing and Maritime, SBMA Director Raul Marcelo, SBMA Director Kenneth Rementil, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño, SDA Renato Lee III
Together with the awardees during the celebration are (From left) Atty. John Aquino, Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, Rhonalyn Balingit, OIC, BID for Logistics, SBMA Director Kenneth Lemuel Rementilla, SBMA Director Raul Marcelo, Engr. Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, SBMA Chairman and Administrator, Renato Lee III, Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment, Wyneth Taguiam, Account Officer BID for Logistics.
For the New Business of the Year, the recipients were Skarya Builders Inc., Maritime Expert General Services Corp., Bistro Italiano Corp., Good Manufacturing Leathers Inc., Intelligent Outsourcing Inc., MSK Group Work Inc., Strategic Channel for Career Development Corp., Swire Agrotech Agricultural Products Inc., Pure Petroleum Corp., Sands of Triboa Resorts and Spa Inc., Subic Bay Yacht Club, Norden Subic Entrepreneurs Inc., and Grainpro Philippines Inc.
The Top Importer of the Year award was given to Raizen Asia Pte. Ltd., while the Top Exporter of the Year went to Sanyo Denki Philippines Inc.
For the Eco-Innovation Award, the SBMA hailed the Subic Smart Community Corp.
Subic Bay Town Center Inc. bagged the Health and Wellness Business of the Year award.
For the Corporate Social Responsibility Award, the SBMA cited the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corp.
The Business Developer of the Year awardees were Aolly Home Inc. and Sachi Subic Inc.
The Loyalty Business Awards went to Idess Interactive Technologies Inc., Subic Bay Multi-Purpose Cooperative, MOF Company Subic Inc., Royal Duty Free Shops Inc., and Mikuni Terminals Mechatronics Philippines Corp.
The top performer for Excellence in Occupational Health and Safety Practices was Tong Lung Philippines Metal Industry Co. Inc.
Meanwhile, a Special Award was given to the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce Inc.
“Our awardees do not only have remarkable profiles in terms of their economic growth contributions, but they also have shown exemplary and notable accomplishments in delivering quality service and have gone the extra mile to contribute to the sustainable development of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and its neighboring communities,” said Lee.
He added, “As the SBMA continues to thrive in our mission to maintain investor confidence and to empower our people and communities through shared stewardship and good governance, the agency will not falter in acknowledging our locators’ contributions and accomplishments. And this is one of our ways to show you how important you are to us, the Mabuhay Awards.”
The Freeport has a total of USD 12 billion worth of investments.
The Marcos Jr. administration is aggressively pursuing the Build Better More (BBM) infrastructure development program which seeks to expand the previous administration’s Build! Build! Build! (BBB) Program in addressing the inadequacies of the country’s infrastructure. The BBM infrastructure program for 2023-2028 presently includes 198 high impact infrastructure flagship projects (IFPs) with an overall investment cost of P8.8 trillion. (PBS)
