Subic Bay Freeport — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has announced that port infrastructure projects supporting the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) development initiative of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration are expected for completion by 2028.
“This premier Freeport is set to boost the economic corridor of the country by developing both its seaport and airport,” SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño addressed stakeholders at the Build Better More Infrastructure Forum in New Clark City (NCC).
He disclosed that the first project, a Multipurpose Port Terminal (MPT) at the Lower Mau, will include a 570-meter wharf with a depth of 12.9 meters and a back-up area of 17.2 hectares for warehouses and open storage areas.
“This project will provide an additional capacity of 2.5 million metric tons of bulk cargoes. As one of the identified projects under the Public Investment Program of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the project will spur economic growth through the additional berthing facility,” Aliño said.
Another MPT that is set to be constructed at the Redondo Peninsula, will have a 600-meter wharf, with a depth of 14 meters and a breakwater. It has a back-up area of 30 hectares for warehouses, open storage, offices, and support facilities.
The project will increase the port capacity with additional 3 million metric tons cargoes. This is one of the identified projects under NEDA’s Public Investment Program, with a project cost of P11-billion.
“The high percentage of domestic and international commerce is by sea, therefore, the efficiency of maritime transportation has become increasingly essential to national competitiveness,” Aliño said.
The SBMA also plans to construct a Cruise Passenger Terminal area with a project cost of P1.2 billion for phase 1, and P8.96 billion for phase 2. The facility will have a double berth 380-meter pier with a depth of 12 meters, along with the reclamation of 20 hectares for phase 2.
“International and local cruise operations will greatly benefit the local and national economies, with increased employment opportunities, revenue from port fees and dues, and increased tourism spending. This is vital to the National Cruise Tourism Program of the Marcos Jr. administration,” Aliño said.
Also in the pipeline is the proposed improvement of existing buildings and the construction of new facilities inside the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) with a project cost of P7.02 billion.
To modernize ports and allied industries and to decongest passenger traffic in Metro Manila, the Marcos administration will likewise undertake the improvement of the SBIA to be able to accommodate 6 million passengers annually.
A new hotel and parking facilities within the airport complex that will promote the use of the SBIA and further boost the tourism sector in the Subic Bay Freeport is also in the offing. The project is currently under study and will cost around P4.3 billion.
“Locators, port users and prospective investors will also benefit from upgraded and modernized airport facilities, with increased SBIA efficiency, capacity and revenue generation. With these improvements, the SBMA will have additional revenue generating facilities with the rise of a world-class airport hotel and multilevel carpark,” Aliño said.
“Now for the (SBIA) to achieve its maximum potential, we are planning to expand the SBIA by upgrading and modernizing its facilities. Once in place, we are confident to increase both the handling and revenue generating capacity of the airport,” he added.
The feasibility study on the proposed SBIA Expansion Project will include the extension of the runway from 2,745 meters to 3,300 meters in length, expanded aprons, relocated CAAP-ATC tower, and a new passenger terminal building.
