The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has posted a positive revenue despite the challenges posed by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic as of July 15 this year.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in the Sept. 15 public address of President Rodrigo Duterte that the SBMA “posted positive records” in its operating revenue at P1.66 billion, which surpassed the first half of 2020 numbers by 8.62%.
“Their operating revenue at P1.53 billion in the first six months ng 2020, naging 1.66 billion sa first six months ng 2021. Mula ‘yan sa mga collections nila from leases, from port operations, from regulatory fees and from miscellaneous sources,” Nograles said.
Based on his report, the SMBA collected P718 million from leases, P685 million from port operations, and P189 million from miscellaneous sources.
The official said imports also grew by 40% from $601.8 million last year to $842.29 million, while exports rose by 86% to $636.8 million.
Port revenues of SBMA was at P645.8 million during the first quarter, or 17% higher than last year’s figures. A 14% increase from 107,740 to 122,862 was also recorded from containerized cargo.
In terms of workforce, the 134,268 total in 2019 increased to 138,110 in 2020, and to 138,964 in the first half of 2021.
“Sa services sector alone, that’s already comprising 73% ng total workforce sa SBMA,” he said.
“The SBMA attributes all of this growth to sound economic policies, best practices sa mga anti-COVID measures, and the renewed growth under new normal circumstances,” he said, adding the economic activities will continue despite the pandemic.
AFAB, CEZA improvements
The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) likewise recorded an improvement in its workforce with 5,500 additional workers, or from around 34,000 to 40,485.
At least 8,849 export transactions were conducted amounting to $425,340,000, while there were 8,114 import transactions amounting to $206,968,000.
Meanwhile, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority’s (CEZA) revenues reached P104.17 million “mainly from licensing fees, rent, lease, seaport system fees, processing fees, passport, visa and application fees, [and] other business incomes.”
Infrastructure projects are also ongoing, such as ageing piers retrofitting, Port Irene’s four new warehouses that are nearing completion totaling 30,000 square meters, and loose cargo port face-lifting.
Nograles said there is a “newly completed road and bridge section of the port” for trucks’ turnaround routes and cargo hauling.
“In the San Vicente Port, they plan to open its new extended wharf para sa inter-island ships, RORO operations, and fishermen using the facility,” he said.
“Kahit na may pandemya ay moderate ang growth ng nga locators. And despite the pandemic, mayroon din pong moderate growth in their tourist arrivals,” he added.
A total of 2,598 workers are directly employed in CEZA from the Cagayan Valley region. – AG-rir
