2012 R - 50 - EXPRESSING OPPOSITIONS TO THE PLAN OF THE SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (SBMA) TO COVERT SUBIC BAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SBIA) INTO A COMMERCIAL ZONE, INSTEAD, SUPPORTING SBIA’S RETENTION AND FULL UTILIZATION

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF OLONGAPO, HELD ON MAY 09, 2012 AT THE CITY HALL.

PRESENT:

Hon. Rolen C. Paulino - City Vice-Mayor & Presiding Officer

Hon. Eyrma Yvette Marzan-Estrella - City Councilor

Hon. Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr. - - - “        “

Hon. James G. Delos Reyes - - - “        “

Hon. Gina Gulanes-Perez - - - “        “

Hon. Elena C. Dabu - - -   “        “

Hon. Eduardo J. Piano - -  “        “

Hon. Edna A. Elane - - -   “        “

Hon. Noel Y. Atienza - -  “        “

Hon. Sarah Lugerna Lipumano-Garcia - - “        “

Hon. Carlito A. Baloy - - - President, Liga ng mga Barangay           

Hon. Dolly Mae M. Ramos - - SK Federation President   

ABSENT:

Hon. Rodel S. Cerezo - - - City Councilor (On Official Business)

RESOLUTION NO. 50

(Series of 2012)

A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING OPPOSITIONS TO THE PLAN OF THE SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY (SBMA) TO COVERT SUBIC BAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SBIA) INTO A COMMERCIAL ZONE, INSTEAD, SUPPORTING SBIA’S RETENTION AND FULL UTILIZATION

WHEREAS, the Naval Air Station Cubi Point now known as Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA), was constructed October 2, 1951 and befits all the requirements of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as a Historical site, symbolizing the lasting friendship and cooperation between the people of the Philippines in general, the Olongapo constituents in particular, and the American People;

WHEREAS, the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA), which lies strategically at the center of the Asia-Pacific heartland, serves as a secondary and main diversion airport for Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA);

WHEREAS, while NAIA is now over-its-capacity limit and Clark International Airport (CIA) is expected to duffer the same fate as the Manila airports in the next five to ten years, the SBIA is capable of international and domestic flight operations which complements the general aviation requirements of Luzon;

WHEREAS, SBIA, an irreplaceable asset that entails a construction costs worth billions of dollars, can serve as an International General Aviation Hub and can be a backup for Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia airports which have reached either its full or nearly full capacity in terms of Aircraft Management, Interior and Painting Facilities and Maintenance and Repair facilities;

WHEREAS, an article by Aviation Industry Newspaper (AIN), published by Aviation Industry 6,000 plus participants in China and 100,000 in the US and Europe, says that Subic Bay is an excellent “alternative to Hong Kong hassles” thereby creating new aviation careers for the Philippines with jobs providing long-term growth and high income potential;

WHEREAS, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has expressed its plan to demolish and destroy SBIA and convert the billion-dollar asset into a commercial zone for future leasable areas for the development of what they termed as an “Integrated Family-Oriented Tourist Destination”;

WHEREAS, the City Government believes that we retain the runway vis-à-vis the plan commercialization of SBMA;

WHEREAS, while the City Government of Olongapo supports the business expansion at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, it, however, found its proposed plan untenable due to the following reasons:

1)      The planned conversion is ill-advised as it forfeits the use of an international airport and demolish a billion-dollar investment which can be utilized for the benefits of both local and national interest;

2)      Converting and demolishing billions-worth of infrastructure to make way for a 200-hectare leasable area for prospective investors is economically and financially unsound, especially if a 3,000-hectare area at the Redondo Peninsula is available for expansion and development;

3)      The proposal of SBMA to cram in one contiguous area all kinds of projects of various categories is technically and environmentally unsound; and

4)      It shall diminish the viability of the Philippines, in general and Subic Bay, in particular as a Cooperative Security Location (CSL) especially in terms of aerial operations and logistical requirements of allied countries.

WHEREAS, the planned expansion of the SBMA can be established at Redondo Peninsula which has been described in the official portals of the Department of Tourism (www.visitmyphilippines.com) as scenic 3,800-hectare area earmarked for the development of subdivisions, golf courses, resort hotels and restaurants. Part of Redondo Peninsula is being reserved for the Green Beach One Project for both tourism and industrial based developments which may include an eco-village development, a resort, marina and entertainment complex are some of the possible tourism-based projects suitable in the area and ship-building facility, container port, specialized industrial park and institutional research center are some of the industrial-based developments;

WHEREAS, with both the airport and seaport intact, the capability of Subic Bay as Cooperative Security Location (CSL) shall be greatly enhanced and the national government, the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the City of Olongapo and outlying LGUs shall benefit from the lease-rentals of the two facilities;

NOW, THEREFORE, on motion of City Councilor Eduardo J. Piano, with the unanimous accord of the Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod present;

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in session assembled to express, as it hereby express opposition to the plan of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to convert Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) into a commercial zone, instead, supporting SBIA’s retention and full utilization.

Let copies for this Resolution be furnished the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Secretary, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of the National Defense, the National Economic Development Authority, the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Department of Tourism and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, May 09, 2012.