THE mere mention of Subic alone connotes trade and investments from where the government has been sourcing a huge chunk of its revenues to defray its day-to-day operations, projects and programs.
Referred to as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), the area which covers 67,452 hectares is home to 1,863 business locators which have been directly and indirectly employing roughly one million people.
But what if Subic falls short? For one, there’s no such thing as a perfect business community, in the same manner that not everyday is a good business day. However, there are ways to keep SBFZ afloat, says Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Eduardo Aliño.
EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
According to Aliño, his marching order from the President is to ensure seamless operation inside the SBFZ maximizing the perks under Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act.
“When the President asked me to take over SBMA, he told me to address the concerns of the investors while protecting the working class,” Aliño said in the vernacular.
“Kung alagaan mo ang mga namumuhunan na maayos ang pamamalakad, madali ang pagnenegosyo… for example sa pagkuha ng permit, pwede naman natin gawin simple yan basta naaayon sa regulasyon ng SBMA. Ganun din sa mga manggagawa. Sila ang life line the mga negosyante,” he added.
Interestingly, SBFZ is not limited to factories and private offices as the economic zone also hosts other businesses including — but not limited to — logistics, leisure, maritime, and the so-called information and communications technology (ICT).
Considering its geographical location, SBFZ also hosts a port which serves as a gateway for international trade –this is where the Bureau of Customs (BOC) comes in.
Leverage technology to enhance transparency in customs operations… (to) include implementing blockchain-based solutions for tracking transactions and automating processes to reduce human intervention and potential for corruption.
ACHIEVING FULL POTENTIAL
To achieve the full economic potential of the SBFZ and ensure sustainable growth, Customs District Collector Atty. Marlon Fritz Broto cited a deeper dive into the ground-level realities faced by the SBMA and BOC.
According to Broto, collaboration among SBFZ stakeholders is a must, even as he outlined long-term recommendations embarking on what he aptly referred to as “holistic approach.”
Broto, a lawyer by profession and an outstanding holder of the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), is neither a stranger nor a newbie to the freeport zone and the international trading at the Subic Port where he once served as deputy district collector for operations. This was before he was elevated as acting BOC deputy commissioner for the Management Information Systems and Technology Group.
Problems hounding the SBFZ is not new to Broto that even stakeholders inside the freeport deem his entry at the Subic Port as urgent and timely in view of an imminent legal squabble arising from questions on whether or not BOC has jurisdiction over a secluded freeport zone.
MODEST RECOMMENDATIONS
Broto cited the need for better and additional facilities to cope up with the growing demand in years to come.
These include a broader strategy that goes beyond just constructing additional cold storage facilities and depots. He particularly hinted at considering additional and bigger facilities “to reduce logistical bottlenecks” in the future.
“The lack thereof can lead to spoilage, losses for businesses, and missed opportunities to tap into lucrative markets,” reads part of his endorsements.
Broto also took note of safety in certain industries, such as pharmaceuticals or hazardous materials, which requires specialized storage solutions consistent with stringent safety and regulatory standards.
Equally crucial, he added, is transportation efficiency, intermodal connectivity — port, airport, road, rail networks, dedicated freight corridors, included, logistics digitalization (real-time tracking, cargo visibility, streamlined customs clearance), use of renewable energy (electricity and transportation).
NO PLACE FOR CROOKS
Broto also gave premium on balancing tax perks and compliance; establishing dedicated help desks or online resources to guide businesses; capacity-building workshops on customs regulations, valuation methods, and best practices for compliance; stakeholder engagement for a collective approach in addressing freeport concerns.
While SBFZ may seem a proto-type insofar among economic zones, the lawyer at the helm of the Port of Subic also emphasized the urgent need to address corruption by enticing whistleblowers through anonymous reporting mechanisms.
Likewise on his radar is the establishment of an Internal Oversight through an independent ethics committee or ombudsman within customs.
With an extensive background in modern-day technology, he vowed full transparency insofar as the customs operations is concerned.
“Leverage technology to enhance transparency in customs operations. This could include implementing blockchain-based solutions for tracking transactions and automating processes to reduce human intervention and potential for corruption,” he quipped.
