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News &Views at the Base
Official Publication of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority Vol XI. No. 5 September-October 2011
BASES GROUP LINES
UP HIGH-IMPACT
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
story on page 4

Happenings
December 3-22, 2011
Grand Christmas Caroling
and Dance Showdown
Camp John Hay, Baguio City
This yuletide season, the John Hay
Management Corporation (JHMC) is sponsoring
the Grand Christmas Caroling and Dance
Showdown to be held at the Bell House
Amphitheater inside Camp John Hay in Baguio
City. The event is open to groups ages 5 to 15
for both caroling and dance category. JHMC
President and CEO Dr. Jamie Eloise Agbayani
envisions to host this event annually as part
of JHMC’s thrusts in promoting Camp John
Hay as one of the top historic and eco-tourism
destinations in the North and as a place where
the local youth talents can be nurtured.
For more information, you contact the JHMC
Marketing Division at (047) 423-5402.
4-5
In this issue
Cover Story:
BASES GROUP LINES UP HIGH-IMPACT
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
December 3-18, 2011
Holiday Sounds and Good Cheers
The Venice Piazza, Mckinley Hill
Cheers to soothing music and good company
as Megaworld offers Holiday Sounds and Good
Cheers at the Venice Piazza from December
3-18, 2011. Enjoy live perfomances from
all-time favorite artists Basil Valdez, Lani
Misalucha, Anthony Castelo, Jon Santos, Kuh
Ledesma and Isabella, and Christian Baustista .
For more details, go to
http://www.facebook.com/VenicePiazza or
follow twitter.com/venicepiazza.
December 18, 2011
2011 Clark Distance Classic
Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga
Unleash the monster in you with the 2011
Clark Distance Classic set on December 18,
2011 at the Clark Parade Ground, Pampanga.
Organized by Team Clark, the event offers three
race categories—5K, 10K or 21K , that is sure to
give race enthusiasts an exciting experience.
For inquiries, contact Rinna at 0947-701-7441
or Noel at 09228546577. Or email Team Clark
at teamclark2011@ymail.com
December 31, 2011
Subic Bay’s Annual Fireworks Display
Subic Bay Freeport Zone
One of the biggest celebrations of the year held
inside Subic Bay Freeport Zone is the Annual
Fireworks Display set every 31st of December to
welcome the new year with a blast!
Tourists routinely flock to the zone to enjoy
this special holiday event and witness the New
Year’s Countdown with an amazing display of
entertainment, fun and fireworks.
2
3
6
7
8-9
10
BCDA seeks JICA nod to fund
feasibility study on 3 big
projects
BCDA employee wins third
prize in civil service essay
writing
Raised by Heroes
by Maricar Gay
Savella-Villamil
BCDA to build Clark
International Airport under
DOTC leadership
MNTC’s unsolicited offer
seen to fast-track Clark-
NAIA linkup
FELICITO C. PAYUMO
Chairman
ARNEL PACIANO D. CASANOVA, Esq.
President and CEO
11
12
13
16
Garment firm in Clark
to invest P8.7M on
regional headquarters
SBMA to supply
seedlings for
government greening
program in Region 3
Bataan Techno Park to
upgrade communication
services soon
14-15 BCDA Photo Gallery
Icon:
Maxims Hotel
http://www.facebook.com/travelviaSCTEX
and
http://www.facebook.com/SCTEX
Know more about BCDA.
Visit our website at: www.bcda.gov.ph
News and Views at the Base is a bi-monthly external publication of the
Public Affairs Department of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.
Editor-in-Chief LEILANI BARLONGAY-MACASAET
Executive Editor ROY VICTOR R. ROSALES / Managing Editor MARICAR SAVELLA-VILLAMIL
Writers/Layout Artists GARRY A. CATIVO / MICHELLE S. SAN JUAN
Photographer AGEM O. ALFAFARAS / Circulation IRAH F. DAVID
Editorial Address: BCDA Corporate Center, 2/F, Bonifacio Technology Center
31st Street corner Second Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City Philippines
Tel.: (632) 575-1700 Fax: (632) 816-1113 E-mail: bcda@bcda.gov.ph
Website: http://www.bcda.gov.ph

In the News
BCDA seeks JICA nod to
fund feasibility study
on 3 big projects
Optimism runs high among leaders of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) over the
possibility of a Japanese grant to finance feasibility studies on three big-ticket projects drawn up by the
state-run corporation.
This developed following high-level exploratory
talks with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) officials at the JICA Headquarters to bankroll
the feasibility studies as a pre-requisite for the bidding
processes.
A four-man BCDA delegation met with JICA Deputy
Director General Tanaka Yasushi at the sideline of President
Aquino’s recent visit to Tokyo to seek the Japanese financing
institution’s approval to fund the feasibility studies.
BCDA Chairman Felicito C. Payumo and BCDA
President and CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova who were
part of the presidential entourage joined the initial talks
with JICA Deputy Director General Tanaka.
The BCDA executives said JICA Deputy Director
General Tanaka was “very receptive and supportive of our
proposal,” indicating that a JICA grant to cover the cost of
the feasibility studies is in the offing.
“I see it as a vote of confidence by the Japanese
investment and financing community for BCDA’s projects
to create growth engines that will spur national economic
development,” Casanova stressed.
The three flagship projects on the BCDA drawing
board are a monorail loop system in South Metro Manila,
development of the Clark International Airport in Central
Luzon, and a high-speed rail system connecting Metro
Manila and Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles,
Pampanga.
Casanova disclosed that they also met with
representatives of three dominant Japanese contractors—
Mitsubishi, Hitachi, and Marubeni—who offered to help
launch a lobby to speed up JICA’s approval of the grant.
He pointed out, however, that the Japanese
contractors’ assistance in the lobbying efforts does not
necessarily translate into special preferential treatment in
the bidding process.
“There are no strings attached, there will be a
level field, and all interested contractors are welcome to
participate in the bidding,” Casanova stressed.
He also expressed belief that JICA’s warm
response to BCDA’s propositions “apparently stemmed
from our strong relations born out of JICA’s funding for
the construction of the 93.7-kilometer Subic-Clark-Tarlac
Expressway.”
The BCDA said the three projects, to be
implemented through the public-private partnership
model, are expected to be completed within President
Aquino’s tenure, which ends in 2016, while the preparation
of the feasibility study is expected to commence early next
year to meet the target date of implementation by 2013.
The bidding will start shortly upon completion of
the feasibility study, Casanova said.
The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) is a flagship project of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority
(BCDA) partially funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
3

Bases Grou
Cover Story
high-impact deve
The BCDA and its subsidiaries—called the Bases Group—have ide
projects to vigorously push the government’s national development t
The Bases Group is composed of the BCDA, Clark
Development Corp. (CDC), Clark International Airport Corp.
(CIAC), John Hay Management Corp. (JHMC), Poro Point
Management Corp. (PPMC), North Luzon Railways Corp.
(Northrail), Bataan Technology Park, Inc. (BTPI), and the
BCDA Management and Holdings, Inc. (BMHI).
The Bases Group will harness and develop
centerpiece infrastructures consisting of the Clark
International Airport, San Fernando Seaport and Airport in
La Union, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), and
several railway systems, including the monorail loop system
in South Metro Manila, and the high-speed rail system
connecting Metro Manila and Clark Special Economic Zone
in Angeles, Pampanga.
The Bases Group will launch and implement a
unified masterplan by 2012 covering all its properties and
harnessing its vast land holdings driven by these identified
infrastructure assets. The Group will maximize its airports,
seaports, tollways and railways to bring the greatest impact
to the national economy.
BCDA president and CEO Arnel Paciano D.
Casanova said that “sound regional development and
urban planning, public infrastructure development, human
resource development, corporate social responsibility,
and environment protection, shall lay the groundwork
and generate the synergy among the Bases Group to
collectively accelerate the sustainable and inclusive national
development grounded on integrity, transparency, and
accountability.”
Casanova said the high priority impact projects
were divided into six areas: regional development and
urban planning, infrastructure, business, tourism, trade and
investments, marketing and promotions, social development
and support to armed forces modernization.
For regional development, the group envisions
the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone (CFSEZ),
Poro Point Freeport Zone (PPFZ), the John Hay Special
Economic Zone (JHSEZ), and the Bataan Technology Park
(BTP) to become “beacons of globally competitive and
sustainable centers of economic activities that shall ripple
and spread throughout their respective regions,” Casanova
added.
For infrastructure, the Bases Group seeks to
complete the development of Clark International Airport
terminals including the entire aviation complex. The airport
should accommodate 5 to 7 million passengers by 2015.
The CIAC shall take charge of the management, operations,
marketing and promotion of the facility to attract investments,
tourism and trade.
Meanwhile, the San Fernando Airport located within
the Poro Point Freeport Zone will serve as a feeder airport
Bataan Technology Park
Morong, Bataan
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Fontana Leisure Parks & Casino
Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone
Clark International Airpo
Clark Freeport and Spec

p lines up
lopment projects
ntified a number of high-priority big-ticket infrastructure
hrusts.
for Clark by 2013. The San Fernando Seaport will also be
developed.
Under the policy supervision of the Department
of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the
Bases Group will complete the railway linkage of the Clark
International Airport to Metro Manila by 2018. This linkage
will enhance and fast-track the development of the airport
as an international gateway.
As regards business, tourism, trade and
investments, the Group will develop the entire Clark Freeport
Zone (CFZ) as the fulcrum of Central Luzon development.
Meanwhile, the CDC shall develop the business, industry,
tourism and leisure markets within the CFZ business
and tourism area by 2015. This is to complement Clark
International Airport operations.
The Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone,
John Hay Special Economic Zone, the Poro Point Freeport
Zone, and the Bataan Technology Park will be developed as
banner components of the Philippine tourism infrastructure
by 2014.
To operate more effectively, the Bases Group
seeks to harmonize, simplify and unify all processes and
procedures, including application forms and documentary
requirements for transactions within all economic zones they
manage. The goal of eliminating red tape and promoting a
streamlined bureaucracy is set to be accomplished by 2013.
In a joint statement issued following a meeting held
recently in Baguio City, the Bases Group underscored that
in pursuing the projects, they are “driven by passion and
commitment to blaze the trail for great transformations,” as
well as their common desire to “catalyze growth and uplift
the economic conditions of the communities we serve.”
These short- and medium-term infrastructure
projects would be implemented in collaboration with partner
agencies such as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
(SBMA), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA),
the DOTC, and the Board of Investments (BOI).
Key Bases Group personalities who attended the
meeting were BCDA president and CEO Arnel Casanova,
BCDA executive vice president and concurrent BMHI officerin-charge
Aileen Zosa, CDC president and CEO Felipe
Antonio Remollo, CIAC president and CEO Victor Jose
Luciano, JHMC president and CEO Jamie Eloise Agbayani,
PPMC president and CEO Florante Gerdan, Northrail
president Conrado Tolentino, and BTPI vice president and
chief operating officer Amado Sanglay.
rt
ial Economic Zone
The Manor
John Hay Special Economic Zone
Thunderbird Resorts and Casino
Poro Point Freeport Zone
5

In the News
BCDA employee wins 3rd
prize in civil service essay
writing competition
An employee of the staterun
BCDA Public Affairs
Department bagged third
prize in an essay writing
competition spearheaded by
the Civil Service Commission
( C S C ) t o w i d e n p u b l i c
awareness and appreciation of
the role of government workers
as heroes in their own right.
Maricar Savella-Villamil’s entry entitled “Raised
by Heroes” was inspired by her admiration for her parents
who are both public servants.
The CSC tilt formed part of the 111th Philippine
Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) observance. The contest
had for its theme Kawani, Kaya Mong Maging Lingkod
Bayani (Worker, You Can Become a Public Servant) and
participants of the essay-writing contest had to answer
the question, Ano ang Lingkod Bayani? (What is a Public
Servant)?
Contest rules provided that entries should focus
on the role of government employees in the delivery of
effective, efficient, and excellent service. The essays should
also explain how government employees could be called
servant heroes in the eyes of God and the country.
Distinguished judges were UP Professors
Jose Dalisay, Jr., Maria Oliva Domingo, DPA and CSC
Commissioner Mary Ann Fernandez-Mendoza.
Villamil revealed that she never had any
reservations about joining the contest. “I was really excited
by the challenge to write about civil servants because I
thought it could also be a tribute to my parents who both
served in the government,” she stressed.
BCDA Public Relations Officer Maricar Savella-Villamil (2nd
from left) receives an award from Civil Service Comission
(CSC) Director Lydia A. Castillo of the CSC Regional Office
No. IV (3rd from left) for winning 3rd Place in the CSC Essay
Writing Contest. Looking on are: (from left) BCDA Vice
President for Corporate Services Eleanor L. Atienza, CSC
Asst. Director Lucina Flor B. Ramos, and CSC Asst. Director
Atty. Katherine Limare-Delmoro. The CSC Essay Writing
Contest was spearheaded by the CSC Regional Office No. IV
on the occasion of the 111th Anniversary of the Philippine
Civil Service.
Her father, Oscar Savella, is an acting manager
of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Starting off as a public
school teacher, he spent the past 36 years working for
the government. Her mom, Marilyn Savella, a training
supervisor at the Quezon City General Hospital Medical
Center, has also been a state worker for 29 years now. Her
late grandfather, Francisco, a writer, and aunt, Alicia, are
both public school educators based in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.
Doubtless, being public servants is in the blood of
the Savellas.
The BCDA is a government agency tasked with the
conversion of former military bases such as Subic and Clark,
into lands for public use. It is also the agency responsible
for the development of Bonifacio Global City and Newport
City, among other military lands.
“Joining the contest was also a way for me to show
my appreciation for BCDA and the admirable way it pursues
its mandate,” she added.
6

In the News
Raised by Heroes
By Maricar Gay Savella-Villamil
hree decades of processing the impact
Tof heroes in my life does not entail much
effort. It is a daily fact of my life. In fact, this
very process is effortless and as uplifting as watching
the beautiful sun rise and set day after day.
I have lived 30 years, under one roof—with civil
servants. My father started out as a public school teacher
and has worked most of his 40 years in government service
at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. My mother was once a
staff nurse doing the evening shift at the Quezon City General
Hospital. Back then, she arrived home every morning with
a small brown paper bag of goodies for her firstborn, me.
She stayed on for 29 years, studied more and rose from the
ranks to becoming Hospital Training Supervisor.
It wasn’t difficult at all to notice how hardworking
they were; nor was it hard to feel that the family was always
on a budget. Yet, we achieved modest milestones, that
made us step back and appreciate more all the hardwork
and its rewards from The Great Provider. My parents only
had good friends; and no enemies. And they opened their
home and their hearts to a relative, or a neighbor in need.
Growing up, I was a witness to their capability
to live within their means, their struggle against stories
of corruption and incompetence, the desire to improve
one’s skills and surpass challenges, and the heart to listen.
I was indoctrinated by parents who not only recognized
government but were appreciative of government, thus, I
joined the same race my parents were running at the age of
24. And since, I have been with the Bases Conversion and
Development Authority for close to nine years.
Surviving 12 years of studies in the University of
the Philippines, “paying it forward” seemed to be most
appropriate for us students because we were indebted to
the citizenry who put us through school. But the journey
to a life of public service is not fueled by what is appropriate
but, rather, by what is recognized. For indeed, public service
is a calling anchored on the recognition of the opportunity
to serve the people and to be a servant hero.
Servant heroes have developed a meaningful sense
of ownership for the word “civil servant”. By “owning” it,
government employees, such as my family, embrace solid
values and employ the right social attitude that are essential
in carrying out tasks in dealing with their stakeholders
covered by their institution’s mandate.
Given this, servant heroes are at the frontline of
values-formation. They serve as lead promoters of the right
set of values anchored on respect—respect for authority;
respect for the country and its resources; respect for the
trust given and earned; and, respect for life. Respect is
the forerunner of the values of good governance, anticorruption
and transparency in government. In practicing
your profession, you should realize the proximity of your
position to the head of your agency and even to the
Chief Executive; thus, in your individual transactions you
represent government—a public trust.
To deliver excellent service, servant heroes are
recognized not only for their competence and their desire
to be brilliant in their field but also for the way they
developed themselves individually based on their years of
experience and pursuit of advanced learning.
On the other hand, one’s efficiency in delivering
efficient services is reliant on their ability to rise above their
situation and show resilience. Servant heroes recognize
the value of their stewardship of resources.
And finally, to be effective, one must have an
understanding of people. And that as part of government,
you are inevitably a part of the lives of everyone—whether
it be one’s marriage, childbirth, oil regulation, traffic
enforcement, justice, asset disposition or public private
partnership. Servant heroes engage the public and engage
them further to converse about life.
To sum it all up, a servant hero is a civil servant who
understands the face of humanity and the humaneness of
living.
We all live in the midst of civil servants. And
belonging to a league of government employees, one must
exercise pride in the kind of values which come with one’s
profession.
Again, I was raised by heroes. And I have a lifetime
of reasons to be proud of it.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The author has works published by Star Records,
Communication Foundation for Asia, the UP-University Center for
Women’s Studies and the Ford Foundation. She graduated with
a Master in Public Administration Degree in Organization Studies
and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the UP.
7

In the News
BCDA to build Clark
International Airport
under DOTC leadership
The state-owned BCDA will undertake the construction and development of Clark
International Airport under the leadership of Department of Transportation and
Communications (DOTC) Secretary Mar Roxas, according to its president and chief
executive officer Atty. Arnel Paciano Casanova.
The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) better known as Clark International Airport (CIA) aims to service more
passengers and attract more airlines through the proposed construction and development under the leadership of DOTC.
8

In the News
BCDA wrote Secretary Roxas to map out its plans
and strategies for major infrastructures under BCDA’s
ownership and mandate such as the Clark International
Airport. A coordination meeting was held in September
with DOTC Undersecretary Rene Limcaoco, where BCDA
coordinated and requested DOTC to provide the milestones
in delivering the Clark International Airport Gateway
Terminals and for DOTC to chart the policy and regulatory
framework for the development of the Philippine aviation
industry.
In an unprecedented move and a show of corporate
solidarity, the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC)
and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) supported
the initiative for the BCDA to spearhead the construction and
development of the Clark International Airport. CIAC will
focus on its expertise in operating the airport and attracting
airlines to move to Clark thereby creating the traffic demand
while BCDA shall build the infrastructure using its legal
mandate, experienced team of engineers, and financial
capacity.
and singular focus in delivering the infrastructure which our
country needs for a long time,” Casanova stated.
Casanova said the BCDA has the legal authority,
core competence and the financial capability to undertake a
mega utility project such as the expansion and development
of the Clark International Airport pursuant to its mandate
under R.A. 7227.
Casanova emphasized that the BCDA owns the
properties and assets of the CIAC and CDC which gives it
legal authority to undertake the development of the airport.
“The CDC and the CIAC are 100 percent subsidiaries of the
BCDA,” he said.
He said the BCDA has proven its competence with
its track record of delivering to government the world-class
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and succesfully
concluding a public-private partnership agreement with the
Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC) for its operation
and maintenance. It has also successfully developed the
former Fort Bonifacio now Bonifacio Global City
and the former Villamor Airbase, now Newport City.
Casanova pointed out that the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) considers
the SCTEX as a model Official Development
Assistance (ODA) project. He added that the
operations of the SCTEX, which has been turned
over to the private sector—the Manila North
Tollways Corporation (MNTC)—is also a model
public-private-partnership agreement.
“We undertook most of our development
projects via public-private
partnership (PPP),” Casanova said.
“BCDA has the financial muscle to
fund big ticket projects,” he added.
“We welcome the resolution
passed by the CIAC Board for
the BCDA to take the lead in
the development of the Clark
International Airport while the CDC
Board, on the other hand supported
the move,” Casanova said. He added
that the BCDA Board accepted the
task to fulfill its mandate. This brings
the two BCDA subsidiaries united
under BCDA’s wings.
“The only way to build this
vital airport terminal is through
teamwork and leveraging on each
other strengths. We want to be
a team under the guidance and
leadership of Sec. Roxas. We have
a very short window to make this
happen and we want to do it now with the unity of purpose
“Moreover, we want to show
that the Filipinos are capable
of implementing projects with
transparency, integrity, quality,
at the best cost and on time
which is doable under the Aquino
a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , ” C a s a n o v a
emphasized.
He remarked that the development
of the airport would be through
PPP as well and will commence
within the term of President Aquino
given the urgency for a world-class
airport.
The development of the Clark
International Airport is expected
to boost the country’s economy
with increased tourist arrivals and
the creation of more investment
opportunities and employment.
9

In the News
MNTC’s unsolicited offer
seen to fast-track
Clark-NAIA linkup
An unsolicited offer by a major tollway
operator to build an elevated highway
above a rail system can be the right
package to hasten the necessary linkup between
Clark International Airport and Ninoy Aquino
International Airport (NAIA), according to Felicito
Payumo, chairman of the BCDA.
In a speech, Payumo told Rotary Club Pasig
members that Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) had
made the unsolicited proposal for an elevated expressway
connector using the alignment of the Philippine National
Railways (PNR) to link South Luzon tollway with North
Luzon expressway. He described the proposal as “strategic”
because it would also link Clark and NAIA airports and help
decongest vehicular traffic in Metro Manila.
Payumo said that if
the connector project would
be awarded this year, he
was optimistic that it would
be finished during President
Aquino’s term. “Here is one
of the doables now that is
significant enough to be part
of President Aquino’s legacy to
the Filipino people.”
“By itself, the connector
road is a game changer,”
Payumo further said, adding
that the connector would make
travel time between NAIA and
Clark “a mere 70 minutes,” or
two-fifths of the current travel
time. He recalled that Japan
also had a dual airport system
but the linkup between Tokyo’s
Narita and Haneda airports was
through elevated expressway
for about 10 years until the
completion of an express train
for speedier linkup.
Payumo’s speech came on the heels of a broader
debate whether to transfer NAIA to Clark freeport zone in
Pampanga or to operate NAIA and Clark airports under a
two-airport system catering to both short- and long-haul
flights. The debate was prodded by recent widespread
criticisms tagging NAIA as “the world’s worst airport.”
NAIA’s newest tag has prompted the government
to take another look at a major study by Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) choosing Clark airport as an
alternative to NAIA. Among other factors that it deemed
significant in its choice of Clark, JICA said Clark airport sits
on a 2,500-hectare land and has two runways that can
accommodate A380 airbus jets.
But converting Clark as a real alternative to
NAIA, according to Payumo, would depend largely on
the connectors between the two major airports: a highspeed
rail connection that can
make travel time between two
airports faster or not exceeding
45 minutes; and complete NLEX-
Skyway connections. He added
that the development of support
facilities as well as infrastructures
at and around Clark airport to
serve both budget airlines and socalled
legacy carriers would also
play a big factor in determining
Clark airport’s growth.
Still, Payumo said, any
talk about a linkup between
NAIA and Clark would remain
idle talk “unless we solve the
connection problem” between
the two airports. The linkup, he
added, would “decongest the air
traffic problem at NAIA wherein
airline movements (takeoffs and
landings) already exceeded the
scheduling limit of 36 movements
per hour.”
10

Freeport / Ecozone News
Garment firm in Clark to
invest P8.7M on regional
headquarters
CDC Public Relations Department
CLARK FREEPORT ZONE— The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) announced that a
garment firm is set to establish its Regional Operating Headquarters inside the freeport
zone.
In the Marketing Department’s investment and
business updates submitted to Antonio Felipe Remollo,
the Smart Shirts (Phils.) Inc., is set to infuse P8.738 milion
for the regional facilities and other related activities of the
garment factory.
The reports said that the Hong Kong/Chinese
firm signed sub-lease agreement recently with Philexcel
Business Park. The headquarters will complement the
factory operations of Smart Shirts.
At present, Smart Shirts has 2,362 workers and
among the top 10 exporters of the freeport zone.
Meanwhile, another firm is eyeing Clark Freeport
Zone as it next warehousing project that would complement
the operation of huge firms operating inside the zone.
In the report by the CDC Corporate Planning
Department to Remollo, the MSK Group Work, Inc. hopes
to establish a warehousing project.
The firm is yet to announce the multi-million venture
that it plans to invest within the zone to complement the
needs of various semiconductor firms in Clark.
Since the entry of big ticket semi-conductor firms
inside Clark prompted many investors to take a second
look at the former US-run Clark Air Base which has been
transformed into a premier investment destination in South
East Asia.
With the entry of new warehousing project here,
workers are expected to increase anew complementing the
growing manpower needs inside the zone.
Since the assumption of Remollo las May, workers
inside the Clark Freeport Zone increased by 3.9 percent.
The reports stated that from 60,162 workers at
the year-end (2010), employment in Clark as of July 2011
increased.
The accomplishment reports prepared by CPD also
said that the employment performance was due to steady
growth in the electronics, garments and other manufacturing
sub-sectors, along with the expansion of Information
Technology/ Telecommunications sector.
The increase in investment projects in Clark, and
the improved employment situation, could also be attributed
to the sound economic policies of President Aquino which
gave investors confidence to locate in Clark.
Workers are also expected to increase by the yearend
or early next year as new firms inside Clark are now in
the last stages of the construction of their buildings and as
other firms undertake expansion programs. Most of these
are Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firms,
and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies,
which are in the process of hiring more workers due to the
growing demands in ICT/BPO- related industries.
11

Freeport / Ecozone News
SBMA to supply seedlings
for government greening
program in Region 3
SBMA Public Relations Department
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will supply most of Region
3’s need for seedlings under a national greening program that seeks to plant some 1.5 billion trees
throughout the country in a period of five years.
SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia announced
this recently, as he tasked the SBMA Ecology Center to
intensify its collection of seedlings of various indigenous
tree species in this freeport for use in tree-planting
projects in Central Luzon.
Garcia said the SBMA has taken on a significant
role in the government’s National Greening Program (NGP)
after it signed a joint memorandum of agreement with
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) and the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST) for the establishment of an indigenous tree specie
nursery here.
“We are in the best position to supply planting
materials for the greening program, because the Subic Bay
Freeport has all sort of indigenous tree species in its wellprotected
forests,” Garcia said.
“Aside from this, Subic Freeport has all types of
vegetation — from those that grow in forests to those that
thrive in grasslands and mangroves, so it can really supply
seedlings even for various types of location,” he added.
SBMA forester Patrick Escusa, meanwhile, said
that Ecology Center personnel are currently gathering
seeds and seedlings from a mini-park right at Subic’s
central business district.
“So far, we have Narra and Bani seedlings from
our mini-park here, and after this, we’ll also collect socalled
‘wildings’ — or seedlings that have sprouted from
fallen seeds — at residential areas in the zone,” he said.
The collected seedlings are carefully transplanted
into seedling bags, and then cared for at the SBMA nursery
until they’re ready for distribution.
The NGP aims to reforest 100,000 hectares with
100 million seedlings this year; 200,000 hectares with 200
million seedlings in 2012; and 300,000 hectares with 300
million seedlings annually for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Half of the total number of seedlings to be planted
would be forest tree species for timber production and
forest protection purposes. The other half will consist
of tree species used in agro-forestry sites conducive to
growing cash crops and fruits.
Environment Secretary Ramon Jesus Paje said
that a key feature of the NGP is to correct certain gaps
in past reforestation undertakings that “usually were
concentrated in areas that were most convenient to
(planters) without regard to whether the tree seedlings
planted will thrive in those areas.”
“What we really want are healthy and mature 1.5
billion trees. We want trees we can take care of, not just
numbers,” Paje added.
Garcia said the SBMA would be willing to supply a
huge chunk of the seedling requirements for NGP projects
in Central Luzon.
He added that the SBMA had previously provided
seedlings for reforestation projects in neighboring
communities upon request from local government units,
schools and people’s organizations.
12

In the News
Bataan Techno Park to
upgrade communication
services soon
The Bataan Technology Park (BTP) will soon undergo a massive makeover in terms of
communication and power services to be able to cope with the increasing demands of
its growing family of corporate locators.
Talks are underway between the BCDA and leading
communication service providers SMART and Philippine
Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) on one hand, and with
Subic EnerZone (SEZ) on the other hand, with a view to
improving the communication and energy facilities of BTP.
Bataan Technology Park, Inc., a subsidiary of
BCDA, manages the 365-hectare BTP located within the
Morong Special Economic Zone. BTP was once the site of
the Philippine Refugee Processing Center, which offered
friendship, hope, and new beginnings to around 400,000
refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Now, it is a
developing business hub in Morong, Bataan.
Top executives of BCDA led by chairman Felicito
Payumo met last week with PLDT Alpha Enterprise’s
Corporate Relationship Business Group chief for North
Luzon Dennis Magbatoc, along with representatives of the
various BTP locators, to pave the way for the BTP systems
upgrading project.
The meeting was held to discuss the timeline and
method for improving the telecommunication system
within BTP. These upgrades are being done to bolster
services provided by the current SMART cell site in Morong,
Bataan.
“With nine locators already doing business (at BTP),
and more coming in, it is essential that reliable networking
and internet options can be used as soon as possible,”
Payumo stressed.
“Until a proper connection is put in place next
year, we will beef up the bandwidth capability of this cell
site to compensate for the lack of connectivity in BTP,” said
Magbatoc.
Meanwhile, the PLDT would collaborate with SEZ
in putting up to telephone lines whithin the area.
The BCDA tapped SEZ, an Aboitiz-owned electric
distribution utility servicing the Subic Bay Freeport Zone,
to provide the power requirements of BTP.
Aside from establishing the network connection
by early next year, Magbatoc said that they would also
construct a node to reinforce the BTP’s communications
capability through the PLDT-SMART facilities.
“We are confident that our current and future
locators will be pleased with the services and options
available to them, once the communications network in
BTP is fully upgraded,” said BCDA president and CEO Arnel
Paciano D. Casanova.
Magbatoc said the PLDT-SMART network would
operate at full capacity, comparable to that in Subic and
Clark, within one to two years. Standard rates would be
applied for all networking services, minus VAT, since BTP is
located within the Morong Special Economic Zone, which is
a VAT-exempt growth area.
13

Freeport / Ecozone News
New JHMC President
and CEO takes oath
Arthur Leonard B. Odsey
JHMC Public Relations Officer
John Hay Management Corporation
Chairman of the Board Silvestre
C. Afable (4th from left) swears
in Jamie Eloise M. Agbayani, M.D. as
the new JHMC President and CEO
last September 16, 2011. Looking on
are the Board of Directors (from L-R):
Atty. Ceasar G. Oracion, Mr. Antonio
H. Tengco, BCDA Chair Felicito
Payumo, Chair Afable, Pres. Agbayani,
Ms. Marissa O. Bondoc, Mr. James
Guanso, Jr., Atty. Laurence Wacnang
and Engr. Leandro B. Yangot, Jr.
BCDA-JHMC Donates
50 Cavans of Rice for
Typhoon Victims
BCDA-JHMC donates 50 cavans
of rice for the victims of typhoons
Mina and Pedring. In photo are
(from L-R): JHMC Environment and
Project Services Department Manager
Engr. Ken Aquilet, Administrative
Services Department Manager Peter
Garas, Corporate Planning Manager
Ulysses Gaerlan, Senior Liaison
Assistant Ryan Mang-usan of the
City Mayor’s Office, Alice Malanos of
the Office of the City Social Welfare
and Development Office, City Social
Welfare Officer Betty Fangasan, and
NFA Provincial Manager Nicanor
Rosario.
14

In the News
BCDA AND DND DISCUSS AFP MODERNIZATION.
Undersecretary Eduardo C. Batac (right) of the
Department of National Defense (DND) meets with
Atty. Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Bases Conversion
and Development Authority (BCDA) to discuss the
BCDA Mandate and the AFP Modernization Fund
during the briefing for Military Public Information
Officers held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The
total disposition proceeds of P51.496 billion for
the period May 1993 to August 2011, BCDA has
remitted to the Treasury a total of P21.382 billion
for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) alone.
The amount is broken down into P11.886 billion for
the AFP Modernization Program and P9.496 billion
for the replication of military facilities affected by
BCDA development projects.
BCDA HELPS TYPHOON AFFECTED FAMILIES
IN TARLAC. La Paz Mayor Michael M. Manuel
(third from right) thanks Bases Conversion and
Development Authority (BCDA) President and
CEO Arnel Paciano D. Casanova for donating 50
sacks of rice to the families affected by typhoons
Pedring and Quiel in La Paz, Tarlac. The 93.77-km.
Subic-Clark-Taralc Expressway (SCTEX), built by
the BCDA, passes through La Paz, Tarlac. Looking
on are officials and staff of both the BCDA and
Municipality of La Paz. The said donation is in line
with the agency’s Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) program.
NEW JHMC BOARD MEMBERS TAKE OATH. JHMC Chairman Silvestre C. Afable Jr. (left) administers the oath of office
to newly appointed JHMC Board Members Atty. Cesar G. Oracion, Marissa O. Bondoc and Mita Angela M. Dimalanta.
Looking on are JHMC Board Members: Engr. Leandro B. Yangot Jr.; Antonio H. Tengco; Jamie Eloise M. Agbayani M.D.,
JHMC President and CEO; Felicito C. Payumo, BCDA Chairman; Atty. Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, BCDA President and CEO;
and James M. Guanso, Jr. The JHMC is the management arm of the BCDA for the development of the John Hay Special
Economic Zone (JHSEZ) in Baguio City.
15

MAXIMS HOTEL
Maxims Hotel, the first all-suites hotel in the country, sits in the heart of the Newport City, adjacent to
the Ninoy International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3) where it offers 172 spacious and lavishly-furnished
suites, three villas and a presidential suite. Each suite provides the services of a personal butler to
ensure quality service to its guests 24/7. The three villas boast of its own private individual pools
and measures over 500 square-meters. On the other hand, the presidential suite, considered as the
pinnacle of luxury at the hotel, measures 600 square-meters ; and boasts of its own two pavilions, lush
garden, private swimming pool and massage room, visual room and a bar.
Designed by the world-renowned Gettys of Chicago, the Maxims interior design is well-conceptualized
to give the ultimate luxurious experience in the midst of the metro. Maxims Hotel is the only 6-star
hotel in the Philippines that offers an all-suites accommodation.
source: http://www.rwmanila.com