By HENRY EMPEÑO | August 20, 2025

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was cited as the “Outstanding Government Agency for Special Economic Zone Management” during the Legacy Icon Awards held recently at Okada Manila in Parañaque City. 

The Legacy Awards recognize icons, trailblazers, and visionaries throughout the country for their accomplishments and legacies, as well as the inspiration they provide in their communities.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the citation solidifies the achievements of the SBMA as a driver of economic progress and as a stable source of employment for some 166,000 workers in the Subic Special Economic and Freeport Zone.

“Our mandate has never changed. We continue to employ the Filipino masses while generating income that the national government can utilize in building a better and brighter Bagong Pilipinas,” Aliño said.

“What has changed is our desire to do more,” he added.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon O. Agregado received the award on behalf of Aliño during the Legacy Awards 2025 gala night on August 15, along with OIC Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications Armina Belleza C. Llamas.

“We accept this [award] as a constant reminder for us to improve our craft in order to provide excellent service and the best quality of life for our stakeholders,” Agregado said in his acceptance message. 

Agregado also said the SBMA employees, Freeport workers, and the leaders who previously shepherded the agency are the “building blocks of this achievement.”

SBM’s entry for the award evaluation was based on its 2024 accomplishment report that delved on the agency’s accomplishments in revenue generation, social services, and infrastructure development, among other initiatives.

The SBMA said it remitted some P3.07-billion dividends to the national coffers last year, the 7th largest among the top 10 remittances from government-owned and controlled corporations. It also distributed a total of P347 million in revenue shares to eight local government units contiguous to the Subic Freeport.

In 2024, the Subic agency also initiated projects aimed at improving the quality of life among Subic stakeholders, including the socialized housing project Subic Bay Residencias, a workers’ dormitory, and an electric vehicles program. 