LGUs receive share of revenue from SBMA

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials met with the chief executives and representatives from the freeport’s neighboring local government units (LGUs) to distribute the 178.7-million revenue shares due to them.

During the event, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Rolen Paulino welcomed the mayors and their finance officials at the Terrace Hotel for a short program.

“This is the second time we are doing it face to face since the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic eased up. And as we slowly go back to our usual activities, I hope that these revenue shares would greatly help augment development in their respective communities,” Paulino said.

“Because the SBMA and LGUs support one another, extending to them their share of our revenue is just appropriate. After all, we all are committed to protecting the freeport for our future generations.”

Meanwhile, SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Atty. Ramon Agregado disclosed that SBMA’s performance has improved in 2022, with higher revenues generated and more business projects in the pipeline.

“The higher the revenue, the higher the tax payments, and that will be good for the LGUs,” Agregado assured as he mentioned a few projects in the pipeline that will generate a better outlook for the freeport for the rest of the year.

Periodical figures show that the revenue shares rose from 140,602,568 to 178,705,824 for the second semester of 2021 and 2022, respectively, for a 27.1 percent increase.

Paulino explained that the increase may have been largely attributed to the Fast, Friendly, Flexible service implemented when he assumed his post as chairman and administrator.

He further said that the shares are derived from the five-percent corporate taxes paid by business locators in the freeport to promote parallel development in our neighboring communities and enhance LGU projects in tourism, infrastructure, education, peace and order, health, and livelihood generation.

All the mayors and finance officials expressed gratitude for the revenue shares, especially since they received larger amounts for their first tranche this year.

“Castillejos, Zambales is a thirdclass municipality. A very small community and the revenue we generate is not enough. I am grateful to the SBMA for this revenue share, which is a big help for our finances, and more so because of the 4-million increase from last year,” Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun said.

“Our youth, our students in Dinalupihan, Bataan are thankful to the freeport workers for their benefit from the tax they pay. We pray for good health for everyone so we can all serve our constituents,” Mayor Herman Santos Jr. said.

During the pandemic, distribution of LGU shares was done on appointment basis to avoid crowding, in compliance with health protocols being enforced in the freeport.

For the collection period of January to December 2022, the SBMA has released 319.3 million revenue shares, which is computed according to population (50 percent), land area (25 percent) and equal sharing (25 percent).

As such, the biggest LGU beneficiary for this period is Olongapo City, which received a total of 41,779,273. It is followed by Subic, Zambales with 26,842,905.77; Dinalupihan, Bataan with 22,257,027.69; San Marcelino, Zambales with 21,461,412.26; Hermosa, Bataan with 19,103,262.77; Castillejos, Zambales with 16,277,249.93; Morong, Bataan with 15,780,896.32; and San Antonio, Zambales with 15,203,796.43.

Revenue shares are released twice a year — August for the first semester, and February of the following year for second semester.