Clark Freeport Zone- Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC) Chairman Edgardo D. Pamintuan led the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among SCADC, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), and the Southern California Logistics Airport Authority (SCLAA) recently at the Victorville Logistics Center in California.

The primary objective of the MOU is to form an alliance that will promote the growth and development of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA), the Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) and the Southern California Logistics Airport. The alliance will advance the growth and development of these airports through the free exchange of ideas, expertise, best business practices and other cooperative agreements.

Early last year, CIAC Chairman Nestor S. Mangio, SCAD Council Chief of Staff Linda B. Pamintuan and SBMA Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez visited the SCLA and the Logistics Center and Rail Complex in Victorville, California. They noted the similarities among the Victorville complex and the airports of Clark and Subic, more particularly their common histories as former military installations of the US Armed Forces. Chairman Mangio’s team saw the possibility of using this logistics center as the model for the development of the SCAD Corridor into the Subic-Clark Logistics Hub. Seeing the potential that the SCADC Corridor offers, the management of SCLA and the Victorville Logistics Center signified their interest in establishing an alliance with the Subic-Clark Logistics Hub.

Southern California Logistics Airport is now a dedicated international all-cargo airport centered around a multimodal business complex and free trade zone that integrates manufacturing, industrial and office facilities while DMIA, SBIA and the Port of Subic Bay represent the sea and air hub of the multi-modal, mega logistics hub that will rise within the 98,000 has. of the Subic-Clark Economic Corridor.

The MOU also cited SCLA, DMIA and the SBIA as sister regional gateways for international air cargo. As such, they could create common areas of interests and advantages that would improve the market share of each airport; formulate joint marketing campaigns and strategies that would target the freight forwarding companies, importers, exporters, logistics players, BPOs and long haul international freight airlines. The MOU also calls for technology exchange along with technical personnel that would enhance the operational capabilities of ground handling and cargo processing.

As founding members, SCADC, SBMA, CIAC and SCLAA have the preferential options to entertain future applicants for membership in this alliance. Signing for SCADC is Chairman Pamintuan while Administrator Armand Arreza, President Jose Victor I. Luciano and Chairman Terry Caldwell signed for SBMA, CIAC and SCLAA, respectively. PRC/SCADC

(L-R, seated) SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga, CIAC Chairman Nestor Mangio, Southern California Logistics Airport Authority Vice Chairman Mike Rothchild, SCADC Chairman Sec. Edgardo D. Pamintuan and Consul-General Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon signs the MOU that establishes the alliance among SCADC, SBMA, CIAC and the SCLA held at Victorville, San Bernardino, California, June23, 2009. Witnessing the event are (standing L-R) Peter Soderquist, Airport Director of SCLA, Atty. Ferdinand Hernandez, Senior Deputy Administrator of SBMA, Guy Fox of SCLA, Joel Longares of Atlas Shippers International, Dan Concepcion of Alphasino Logistics Inc. PRC/SCADC

OFWs can now send their “balikbayan” boxes thru the Port of Subic Bay

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) can now rely on a faster, safer and more reliable delivery of their balikbayan boxes to their families in the Philippines. This is after Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Alphasino (Alpha Cargo) Logistics Inc. and Atlas Shippers International, Inc in Los Angeles, California recently.

Recognizing the benefits of using the New Container Terminal-1 (NCT-1) inside the Subic Freeport Zone for the transport of “balikbayan” boxes of OFWs from any part of the world to the Philippines, SBMA, Alphasino Logistics Inc and Atlas Shippers International Inc resolved to enter into a MOU for the purpose of promoting growth of international maritime trade in Subic Freeport Zone. The NCT-1 has a capacity to handle 300,000 TEUs of import and export annually.

On the other hand, Atlas Shippers and Alphasino Logistics recognize the advantage of using the NCT-1 with its access to the newly constructed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway and to the rest of Central and Northern Luzon. In addition, by transferring their bases of operation inside the Subic Freeport Zone, they will enjoy the incentives available for companies registering as locators inside the Freeport.

Alpha Cargo was established in October 1993 by the US-based Filipino businessman Dan M. Concepcion, as an Ocean Transportation Intermediary Company, specializing in forwarding cargo overseas and particularly serving the Filipino communities outside the Philippines. Thru the years, it has established its presence not only in the San Francisco Bay Area but in other parts of the USA.

Atlas Shippers International, meanwhile, is primarily a US based freight forwarding company that delivers door-to-door cargo to the Philippines. Established in 1993in California by its Filipino owner, Mr. Joel Longares, it is now operating all over the US-Midwest Region, East Coast, Hawaii and Alaska. In 2001, it opened its doors to the international market by establishing offices in HongKong, Italy and Singapore to serve the growing Filipino communities in Asia and Europe.

SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga (seated, center) signs the MOU with Mr. Dan Concepcion (with hat) of Alphasino Logistics Inc. and Mr. Joel Longares of Atlas Shippers International, Inc. Witnessing this event are (L-R) Mr. Guy Fox of Southern California Logistics Airport, Consul-General Mary Jo Bernardo-Aragon, Sec. Edgardo D. Pamintuan, SCADC Chairman, and SBMA Deputy Administrator Ferdinand Hernandez. Held at the Port of Los Angeles on June 24, 2009. PRC/SCADC