Subic Bay Port Terminal International (Photo by NOEL PABALATE)

Aside from being one of the most frequented tourist destinations in the Philippines, Subic Freeport Zone in Zambales continues to be one of the country’s major economic engines, the other one is the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles, Pampanga.

With more than 700 investment projects, including the fourth largest shipbuilding facility in the world which is Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, the Subic Freeport has implemented projects totaling $23.7 million, or about P1.08 billion, in 2009. This was despite the effects of the global recession during the previous year which proves that Subic has the right atmosphere for growth.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza, there were a total of 25 approved expansion projects proposed in 2009 by Subic-registered investors, which comprised of companies in the manufacturing, leisure, and logistics sectors.

Out of the 25 expansion proposals, eight projects involved an additional investment exceeding $1 million each. The approved investors included the Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation, an all-Filipino firm that operates terminal and oil depot facilities in Subic, which earmarked $7.17 million for its expansion project.

Another Filipino-owned firm, the Mega Subic Terminal Services, Inc. operates an integrated cargo handling facility for bulk and bagged cargoes, and pledges an additional $417,000 in February and $3.65 million in August, with a total of $4.06 million expansion projects.

Other investors are the Koryo Subic Inc., a Japanese manufacturer of high precision plastic molding for electronic products (additional investment worth $3.73 million), United Auctioneers, Inc., a Filipino-owned trading and auctioning firm (with $1.62 million), Innasia Corp, a property developer ($1.44 million), Grand Pillar International Development, Inc. (with $1.19 million), Puregold Duty Free (Subic), Inc. (with $1.05 million), and Nicera Phils., Inc. (with $1 million).

With the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), it is predicted that there will be additional onslaught of investment for the Subic Freeport as well as to the other two key economic zones in Central Luzon, the Clark Freeport in Angeles and the Central Techno Park in Tarlac City.

The flagship project of the national government and the biggest infrastructure undertaking of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BDCA), the 94-kilometer expressway is playing a significant role in the development of the Central Luzon since it became a hassle-free gateway of transportation and communication.

“The SCTEX will connect the Subic seaport and the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark, allowing faster and efficient transport of people and goods which may result in a region-wide economic boom,” says SBMA administrator Arreza.

The expressway also deems to boast the tourist influx in the region. Subic and Clark have maintained their allure which has charmed the US servicemen and their families to stay in the country. With its thrust to preserve and protect the bay and the surrounding forests as well as its flora and fauna, Subic Bay offers interesting sights and adventures for its varied tourism profile.

The SCTEX brings tourists faster to the summer destinations up north of Manila. In Subic alone, there are several tourist destinations that the family could enjoy.

One is the Ocean Adventure, the open-sea marine park. Located at Camayan Wharf, West Ilanin Forest Area, Subic Bay, the marine park houses the world’s most beautiful mammals such as dolphins, whales, and sea lions. Tourists can interact with these sea creatures and learn how to preserve and protect the ocean.

Then, there’s the Zoobic Zafari, a wildlife amusement park which first opened in 2004.

Located in a 50-hectare forested area, called Ilanin Forest, the amusement park has unique attractions such as the Savannah, a ride-through attraction where guests can get up close with ostriches, goats, sheep, and wild boars; Croco Loco where kids can feed the crocodiles; Animal Museum which showcases animal preserves; Hip Hop Bay-A-Wak where guests can hop through the elevated steps while turtles and lizards watch every move; the mini-forest Rodent World; Zoobic Park with exotic and farm animals; Serpentarium, the world of reptiles; and Aeta’s Trail where tourists can interact with the Zambales indigenous people, among others.

But the main attraction of the amusement park is the Tiger Safari where tourists can feed the tiger and see these wild animals in their natural environment.

Take the SCTEX to have less time on the road, and more time to enjoy your summer escapades.