SCMAP’s newly established North Luzon chapter started things off with a bang by gathering stakeholders from the public and private sector in a focus group discussion on shipping in Subic.
The morning event was held at the Widus Convention Center at Clark Freeport, Pampanga. The over 50 delegates attending represented major locators in Clark, as well as government agencies from the local and national level, such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Customs and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.
First, Ronnie Yambao of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority discussed development plans for the free port, including expanded trade capacity and new road routes. Then, SCMAP North Luzon director JB Brinas later presented the results of the chapter’s informal research into the costs of shipping through Subic and through Manila, breaking down the factors that make up the total shipping cost.
Later, Dr. Henry Basilio of USAID-COMPETE validated the findings, presenting the initial results of a survey on transport costs, focusing on the breakdown of costs for selected international shipping routes. He also discussed new developments with regards to the ASEAN RORO scheme – the first route of which, plying between Davao and Bitung, Indonesia via General Santos, was launched late in April – as well as amendments to the BOT Law.
Also represented during the FGD were the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association and the Subic Bay International Container Terminal. It presented an opportunity for locators and stakeholders to raise issues and concerns with the use of the Subic port.
SCMAP North Luzon president Frankie Villanueva described the FGD as the opening salvo to the chapter’s advocacy to promote the use of Subic port, especially for locators in northern and central Luzon.