By Henry Empeño | August 9, 2024

MARIVELES, Bataan — Top-performing enterprises in the special economic zone here received recognition from the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) for their achievement in various fields ranging from export production to job generation and workplace safety.

AFAB Administrator and CEO Hussein P. Pangandaman led the presentation of 56 awards to outstanding firms and individuals during the 11^th Stakeholders’ Night last Tuesday, August 6, and thanked them for their collective accomplishments that he said contributed to the continued success of the free port.

“With your support, the progress we’ve made is evident, and our data reflects our achievements,” Pangandamn said in his message to stakeholders.

“But we are not stopping there, as we continue to develop and fortify the AFAB into a stronger, more capable organization to deliver the goals laid out in our charter,” he added.

The Freeport Area of Bataan, which covers 1,686 hectares at the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula, now boasts of 91 registered enterprises that employ a total of 37,312 workers as of June this year.

Majority of the companies are Filipino-owned at 62 percent, followed by Korean at 14 percent. Most are involved in manufacturing at 47 percent, and estate development at 15 percent.

During the recognition night, AFAB cited Perpetual Prime Manufacturing as first place in the Overall Best FAB Enterprise Award, followed by Essilor Manufacturing Philippines, Inc. in second place, and Surex Safe Venture, Inc. in third place.

Perpetual Prime manufactures and exports quality bags, while Essilor produces medical equipment, and Surex makes safety shoes and related equipment.

AFAB also gave the Top Exporter Award to electronics manufacturer Mitsumi Phils. in the large enterprise category; Perpetual Prime, medium enterprise category; and Bataan Gloves and Safety Manufacturing, Inc. in the micro and small enterprise category.

Second- and third-place awardees were also named for each category in all of the awards presented.

The Top Employer Award, meanwhile, went to medical equipment producer Essilor Manufacturing Philippines, Inc. in the large enterprise category; Perpetual Prime, medium enterprise category; and Wire Harness Takachi Corp. in the micro and small enterprises category.

AFAB also presented awards to recognize enterprises that contributed to community development; agencies that partnered with AFAB for project collaborations; firms that demonstrated exceptional standards in human resources management, workplace safety, and industrial peace; outstanding individuals and leaders; and enterprises that made exemplary performance across multiple categories.

Named Top Community Building Champions are: Mariveles Power Generation Corp., for large enterprises; Perpetual Prime, for medium enterprises; and Surex Safe Venture for mnicro and small enterprises.

The “FABnership Award for Government Agencies” meanwhile went to the Department of Labor and Employment-Bataan, Regional Conciliation and Mediation Branch III, TESDA Mariveles, and PhilHealth Bataan.

Best HR Practices Awards were presented to the respective human resources departments of GNPower, Mitsumi Phils., and Essilor; while the Excellence in Workplace Safety Award went to Perpetual Prime, Mitsumi Phils., and San Miguel Foods, Inc. 