SBMA releases P147-M LGU shares
SUBI C BAY FREEPORT— The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently has released a total of P147 million representing revenue shares to eight local government units (LGUs) adjacent to the freeport.
SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the revenue shares were given to help finance development projects on health, education, peace and order, and livelihood programs.
The funds will allow contiguous communities cope up with developments inside the Subic Bay Freeport and Special Economic Zone.
Based on SBMA records, Olongapo City received the highest revenue share with P34.35 million; followed by the municipality of Subic, Zambales with P22.46 million; and Dinalupihan, Bataan, with P18.32 million.
The other municipalities in Zambales that received the LGU share were Castillejos, with P13.69 million; San Marcelino, P17.66 million; and San Antonio, P12.65 million.
Morong and Hermosa towns in Bataan received P12.79 million and P15.31 million, respectively.
Mayors Rolen Paulino of Olongapo, Jay Khonghun of Subic, Jose Angelo Dominguez of Castillejos, Elvis Soria
Solidum also revealed back then that Phivolcs never issued certifications to residents to build houses inside the said megadike.
After nearly two years, Hizon said that Solidum’s statement still affects Bacolor town as it halted the development of the town.
Solidum’s statement has scared away potential investors, according to the mayor.
He described Bacolor as “very investorfriendly” with its vast and low-cost land properties still available.
The town now has an ideal elevation compared to other towns in Pampanga due to the lahar deposits following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 but investors are very minimal, Hizon said.
“Until now, no one is investing in my municipality dahil sabi niya (Solidum) may threat ng lahar. Sino nga naman ang mag-iinvest kung natatakot ka. Ang nangyayari ngayon, sariling langoy kami,” Hizon stressed.
Hizon also disclosed that Phivolcs never discussed with the municipal government of Bacolor the said pronouncement including the study conducted in 2008 which Solidum cited in his statement.
The mayor is now demanding a clarification from Solidum regarding the real situation of the province and the town in terms of lahar threat. “Otherwise a complete retraction of his statement.”
“Kung seryoso talaga siya, sana nakipag-usap o tinawagan niya muna ako para nasolusyunan sana namin imbes na pumutak sa sa media. Parang tinakot niya lang ang mga tao e, kaya kailangan klaruhin niya itong sinabi niya para malaman ng mga investors na ligtas na ang Bacolor sa lahar,” the mayor said.