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A unique community lifestyle of comfort and convenience that puts the highest priority on safety, security and the
environment, far enough from urban blights but within easy reach to and from mainstream amenities like schools,
banks, places of worship, supermarkets and convenience stores
A strategic regional gateway to Asia's biggest markets with one of the most beautiful and technologically advanced
container terminals in the Philippines, as well as 15 operational piers and wharves - plus modern terminals for cruise
ships, fertilizers, grains and general containerized cargo ship
A well-preserved eco-tourism destination with triple-canopied rainforests and mangroves, mountain trails and
indigenous culture, nature-based theme parks and bird-watching sites - all within a few minutes' drive from modern-
day tourist amenities and other attractions
Visit
A 200-hectare aviation facility - ready for commercial or chartered aircraft operations, air cargo handling and
warehousing, aircraft repair and maintenance, and other general aviation businesses
Fly
The Philippines' first free port and choice investment site of foreign and local businesses and industries ranging from
ship-building to BPOs, from sea to air logistics, and from leisure to general business and manufacturing
Invest
To follow the path: look to the master, follow the master, walk with the master, see through the master,
and become the master." -Zen poem
1992
Year the Republic Act No. 7227, known as the Bases Conversion and Development
Act, was passed
8 billion
worth in US dollars of the property and facilities left in Subic Bay by the US naval
forces. The SBMA then started the conversion of the military base into a free port like
in Hong Kong and Singapore
3
amount in billion pesos, SBMA’s total revenue in 2017
1,546
companies doing business in Subic Bay Freeport as of February 2019
134,000
workers employed at the Subic Bay Freeport as of February 2019
It was one of the most successful models of military conversion in the world.
And since its transformation from a military base to a special economic zone and free
port, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales has been contributing significantly to
the country’s economic development.
The Subic Bay Freeport Zone—located in Central Luzon and straddles along portions
of Olongapo City and the town of Subic in the province of Zambales, as well as the
towns of Hermosa and Morong in the province of Bataan—has always been
historically and strategically important in Philippine history.
Historical significance
In 1607, the town of Subic was founded by the Augustinian Friar, Father Rodrigo de
San Miguel. In 1884, King Alfonso II issued a Royal Decree officially declaring
Subic Bay as a naval port and Subic became Spain’s stronghold in the Far East.
After the Spanish-American war, US naval forces took over Subic and its bay, whose
deep harbor was regarded by Admiral George Dewey as having no equal among
Philippine islands.
In 1901, the US Navy designated Subic Bay as a repair and supply naval base site.
Then US President Theodore Roosevelt issued an executive order in 1903 designating
70,000 acres of land including Subic as an American military reservation because of
its strategic importance. It was once the largest US military naval base in Asia and
home to the US Seventh Fleet.
Japanese bombers and fighter planes attacked Subic Bay and Olongapo on December
14, 1941. Subic then served as a monitoring and defense facility during the Japanese
occupation from 1942 to 1945. On January 29, 1945, some 40,000 troops landed in
Zambales and had advanced through the Subic Bay to regain control of the base.
SBMA creation
On March 13, 1992, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act No. 7227, known as
the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, in anticipation of the pull-out of
the US military bases in the country.
Investment destination
Since then, Subic Bay has been a steady investment destination. Its location is
especially strategic as the Subic Bay opens to the West Philippines Sea while the
western part of its harbor faces the Zambales mountain range, making it naturally
sheltered from typhoons.
At present, the 1,546 companies doing business in Subic are employing some 134,000
workers. Top industries are mainly maritime and port-related, manufacturing, tourism
and leisure, and utilities.
Subic Bay is a mixed land use zone, consisting of residential, commercial and
recreational areas. The richly diverse natural environment in Subic Bay is carefully
cared for and protected.
Earlier this year, lawmakers proposed a bill to expand the free port by adding 41,605
ha to the Subic Bay Freeport.
SBMA earlier disclosed that the initial allotted lands from local governments in
Zambales province included 9,000 ha in San Antonio, 10,000 ha in San Marcelino,
600 ha in Subic, 500 ha in Castillejos and 900 ha in Olongapo City. At least 505 ha in
Hermosa, Bataan are also being considered in the expansion. Previously, the 365-ha
Philippine Refugee Processing Center Complex and the Morong Special Economic
Zone were annexed to Subic freeport through Proclamation No. 984.
Given the sustained efforts of the government and the influx of investors and tourists,
there’s no doubt that Subic Bay will only become even more attractive as an
investment destination.