Subic seen as next major agri transshipment hub

SUBIC BAY FREEFORT – This premier freeport zone will become the country’s next major transshipment hub of agricultural products with the recent opening of a modern bulk grain terminal that will help boost the government’s food security program.

Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo said that with the full operation of this bulk grain facility here, the country would be ensured of free-flowing supply of primary agricultural products such as soybean, wheat and corn.

"President Arroyo is streamlining our logistics and transport systems particularly the distribution of agricultural products throughout the country to make it more affordable to consumers," Lorenzo said during the inauguration of the first of the 12 9.5-metric ton grain storage silos that will be part of the comprehensive bulk grain handling facilities here.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Felicito C. Payumo said that the setting up of bulk grain handling facilities would indicate the multi-facited business opportunities being offered in Subic Freeport.

"This only shows that Subic offers not but a factory site and tourism related amenities but a total community that could also support the country’s agriculture industry," Payumo said.

Payumo stressed that the project forms part of the over-all master plan with the on-going Subic Port Modernization Program to maximize Subic’s biggest asset offering deep sea harbor and strategic location in the Asia-Pacific region to totally transform this former military base as an alternative international seaport.

Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal Services, Inc. (SBFGTSI) president Eduardo Aliño said that terminal will have two high-speed bulk grain unloaders, two-kilometer conveyor system, 12 silos and about 24,000 square meter warehouse space.

The bulk grain handling facilities with estimated total project cost of up to P1 billion is located at the Leyte Wharf along Cubi Point area, a short distance away from the $215-million Subic Container Port which broke ground last week.

Aliño added that the grain terminal will be having a total storage capacity of over 200,000 metric tons capable of unloading up to four Panama-type sea vessels every month that would "surely help stabilize the supply of agricultural products in the country."