SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has waived the $200 accreditation fee for all port-related businesses for a limited period as part of its efforts to turn Subic into a major transhipment center in the country.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said port users could avail of the free accreditation program if they will guarantee to bring in at least one container within one month from filing of application or renewal of accreditation certificate.
The offer is good from October 18 to December 31, 2017 only.
With the hashtag #GoSubicBay, the SBMA began offering its open-window access initiative for container port-related businesses during the 43rd Philippine Business Conference and Exposition at the Manila Hotel on Wednesday.
Eisma said the agency’s port marketing program aims to showcase and broaden industry awareness of the use of the container terminal at the Port of Subic, as well as increase container port traffic and utilization rate.
“Subic Freeport has a faster turnaround time, there’s no red tape, has reduced processing time, no congestion, no traffic and no truck ban,” she told prospective port users during the program launch.
Eisma also pointed out that vessels using the Port of Subic can immediately dock upon their arrival, and gain from Subic’s built-in advantages of lower tariff and higher efficiency with ISO quality service by the SBMA.
“The hashtag #GoSubicBay actually has two meanings: first, it is an invitation to go to Subic Bay to use our port facilities, and second, it is a clarion call to let the industry know that the Port of Subic is ready to serve their businesses,” Eisma explained.
Eisma added that the SBMA’s port marketing program would also help decongest the Port of Manila and accommodate small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in pursuance of the agency’s commitment to promote inclusive business (IB).
SBMA Seaport Promotions Manager Ronnie Yambao said that under the SBMA’s open window access program, the agency will waive the $200 accreditation fee for the first 80 new business entrants and the first 20 accredited entities due for renewal of accreditation certificate.
The promotion covers ship agents, freight forwarders, brokerage firms and trucking services related to container movement.
Yambao stressed, however, that failure by applicants to guarantee the entry of at least one container would cause the Port of Subic to require the payment of the $200 accreditation fee.
Yambao also assured port users of the quality of service at the Port of Subic, pointing out that container port here is managed by the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC).
The SBITC, he added, is an affiliate of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), which is acknowledged as one of the best port management firms in the world. (Dante M. Salvana)