SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — A new head of agency took over the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority(SBMA) today after being appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.Former Olongapo City mayor Rolen Paulino Sr., one of the historic SBMA volunteers who propelled theSubic Bay Freeport’s economic miracle in 1992, became the eighth SBMA chairman and administrator, replacingWilma T. Eisma who resigned on Tuesday.Paulino took his oath of office in Malacañang before Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea also onTuesday.The new SBMA chief is expected to usher in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone into normalcy in face of thewaning Covid-19 pandemic.In his first day at work, Paulino met with department managers of the Subic agency, as well as officials ofthe Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce—marking his priority as the sustainability of business operationshere.“We need to chart a new course for Subic post-pandemic,” Paulino said on Wednesday. “As we all know,the Covid-19 health crisis also made a deep impact on business and productivity in this Freeport, so a lot ofcorrective measures need to be in place.”“I intend to tap the cooperation and support of all stakeholders in the Freeport and in the surroundingcommunities so that we can attract more business, employ more people, and make full economic recovery as soon aspossible,” he added.He added that he would pursue an inclusive policy so that SBMA programs and facilities would benefitmore residents in nearby communities.Paulino on Wednesday asked the SBMA board of directors to cancel the entrance fee to Remy Field, apopular sports venue here, so that residents, especially athletes and health enthusiasts, can use it freely. The SBMApreviously charged an entrance fee of P20 for the upkeep of the facility.“’Yung konting paglalaro ng mga bata, h’wag na nating singilin pa. Maliit na halaga ang entrance fee,kumpara sa mararamdaman nila na sa kanila ang Subic Bay Freeport,” Paulino said.Paulino was first elected mayor of Olongapo City in 2013 and later on won another two successive terms.His son Rolen Jr., who is the incumbent mayor, succeeded him in 2019.--------------=Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma on Tuesday, 1 March 2022announced her resignation from her post.“I’d like to inform everyone that I am stepping down as Chairman and Administrator of the Subic BayMetropolitan Authority effective today, March 1, 2022,” Eisma said.Eisma cited health and family as reason for her decision to step down.“And so, I now leave the Subic Bay Freeport with a happy heart, knowing that, together, we have setrealistic goals, and achieved them to give Subic Bay a better, more sustainable future. And without a doubt, we havemade our mark well,” she added.Former Olongapo mayor Rolen C. Paulino is said to replace Eisma.
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