THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines lies right in the heart of Southeast Asia between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea. Comprised of more than 7,100 islands, it is divided into three main areas; Luzon, in the north, where Manila, the capital, is located, Visayas, an archipelago situated in the middle, and Mindanao, in the south.

The country's terrain consists mainly of tropical rainforests, rich valleys, swamp regions, extinct and active volcanoes, five major mountain ranges, and extensive coastal lowlands. Agriculture remains the dominant industry but the country is moving towards rapid industrialization owing to the emerging economies of the region.

The climate is tropical with an average year-round temperature of 32º C (90º F). Summer is from March to May and is always hot and dry. The average daily maximum in summer ranges from 92 to 94º F (33 to 34º C). June to October is the wet season with heavy monsoon rains and typhoons mostly in Luzon and the Visayas. The coolest weather is from November to February, when the daily maximum temperature is 84 to 88º F (29 to 31º C).

The Philippines is marked by a diversity in cultures. The background of the people is Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese and Spanish elements as well. The history of American rule and contact with traders and merchants culminated in a unique blend of East and West, both in the appearance and culture of the Filipinos.

Land Area:
119,268 square miles (298,170 sq. kms.)

Ethnic Groups:
91.5 % Christian Malay, 4% Muslim Malay, 1.5% Chinese, 3% Other

Languages:
Pilipino, based on Tagalog, a native dialect. English is widely spoken and understood throughout the country.

Religion:
83% Roman Catholic, 9% Protestant, 5% Muslim, 3% Buddhist and other

Subic Bay Freeport Zone
SBFZ is operated by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA). The following is an extract from the SBMA web site (www.sbma.com) describing the Subic Bay Freeport zone and its facilities. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority is located at Building 229, Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines 2222 (63-47) 252-7262 (252-SBMA) (6347) 252-4004.

Companies operating within the SBFZ may be 100% foreign owned. Companies wishing to operate in the SBFZ must apply to SBMA and pass a stringent vetting process which determines the number of local staff the company will employ. Typically most companies can only lease land from SBMA and freehold purchase is not generally available.

Companies who are registered with SBMA may then import goods in to the SBFZ without import duty provided those goods are not taken outside the SBFZ perimeter fence. Goods may be imported by air (i.e. through FedEx) or by sea (the SBFZ also has its own seaport)

The SBFZ blends white sand beaches, clear bay waters and tropical forests with a progressive business area making it a perfect model of development in harmony with nature.

Residential Areas & Community Service
There are 1,876 housing units situated in serene and well-maintained areas. Jogging and hiking areas, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts and convenience stores are found in these areas. Over 1,000 housing units are still available for short or long term lease arrangements. One may choose from 2, 3 or 4 bedroom fully air-conditioned units, with capacity for cable television and telephone services (NDD, IDD and facsimile).

International Banking Institutions offer financing facilities, electronic banking and investment services. Postal, courier and internet service providers, along with easy access to all forms of mass media, link residents of the Freeport to the world.

Tourism & Recreational Facilities
Subic Bay offers the best variety of tourism and recreational attractions –luxurious hotels with a total of 1,662 rooms, marina, beaches, golf greens, eco-tourism, water sports, car and go-kart racing, skating, bowling, cycling, moto-cross, duty-free shopping, casinos, restaurants, videoke bars and other amusement facilities.

The Aeta Community
Some 150 families of the natives called Aetas live inside the SBFZ. They opted to live in a community where they are used to, to be able to practice their own system and establish their own society and livelihood. They are able to survive using the resources of the forest and the adjacent Bay.

In terms of health care, the SBMA Health and Welfare Group offer them medical assistance including medical and dental missions. Being experts of the jungle, they are also tasked by the SBMA to act as forest rangers and forest guides.

The Pamulaklakin Forest Trails and the Jungle Environmental and Survival Training (JEST) Camp provide them with additional livelihood through cultural demonstrations, forest tours and maintenance of picnic areas.

EDUCATION
Subic is fast becoming a venue for learning institutions. Brent International School Subic is open to primary and secondary education. SPED or the Special Education for the Gifted Children is a school for the mentally gifted and exceptionally talented and skilled children. The Regional Science High School, Western Luzon Agricultural College and Mondriaan Aura College offer specialized training courses in Math and Science as well as academic proficiency upgrading programs in Management and Social Sciences. The Ateneo De Manila University (Graduate School of Business) and Regis' International Studies developed an MBA program called the ATENEO-REGIS MBA Executive Degree Program designed specifically for adult learners (executives and business leaders).

The International Development and Environmental Shipping School (IDESS) established an IDESS Maritime Centre Subic which offer tanker, navigation and safety courses. For industry-integrated technical-vocational studies, the Philippine Science & Technology Centers Inc. (PSTC) provide training on the modern technical skills to develop Filipino's expertise in self-managed enterprises and cooperatives.

The University of the Philippines put up an extension school with Masteral Degree Programs in Business Management, Public Management and Education Management.

COMTEQ Computer College provides scholarship programs, on-the-job training and employment opportunities utilizing state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

Safety & Security
Peace and order is efficiently maintained in the Freeport. The SBMA Law Enforcement Department effectively enforces traffic rules and regulations, and maintains a perimeter defense through regular mobile and canine patrols in and around the area.

As part of its Law Enforcement and physical security functions, the LED also keeps a special ranger patrol network to safeguard the zone's forests from exploitation.

Health & Welfare
The former US Naval Hospital at Cubi Point has been converted into a 55-bed capacity, the Subic Bay Medical Center (SBMC). The hospital has several Intensive Care Units (ICU) - Surgical, Medical, Pediatric, Neonatal - with world class monitors and ventilators. Its laboratory has the latest automated diagnostic and ultrasound machines.

Its Eye Center has the most advanced laser equipment for eye treatment. High-tech anesthesiology machines and operating microscopes for microsurgery are being used for surgical operations. The OB-GYN Section has computerized fetal monitor and special birthing beds. Orthodontic and Pediatric dentistry are also offered.

The SBMA Health and Safety Group offers quality outpatient and 24-hour emergency health care services. It has three (3) medical outlets inside the zone - the SBMA Dispensary at Dewey Ave. and in Cubi, and the New Terminal Clinic at the Subic Bay International Airport. The group also conducts preventive health programs, training courses and health surveillance to employees through annual physical examinations and pre-employment examinations.

Rescue 911
A fully-equipped 911 emergency response system, the country's first working Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and multi-agency response system comprising of MEDICAL (DIAL 161), FIRE (DIAL 160), and SECURITY (DIAL 166) services, can respond to multiple emergencies in three (3) to five (5) minutes.

There are eight (8) fire stations with ten (10) structural pumpers positioned at Upper Cubi, Naval Magazine, Subic Bay International Airport, Boton, Binictican, Kalayaan, Subic Proper and Grande Island. Rescue operations are also extended to neighboring communities.

Other Companies in SBFZ
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx): Subic Bay International Airport is the FedEx hub for S.E. Asia. Five A300 aircraft and 50 FedEx pilots are based in SBFZ to serve an area from Bangkok to Beijing.

Wistron Infocomm, Phils., (formerly Acer): This Taiwanese company has a substantial manufacturing plant in the Freeport Zone.