Garcia named SBMA administrator

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Roberto Garcia as the concurrent administrator, Malacanang announced.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing the Office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. confirmed the appointment of Garcia as the new SBMA administrator in concurrent capacity.

Last April, the President appointed Garcia as SBMA chairman and Rafael Reyes as administrator and chief executive officer.

Garcia is a business executive and entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing, food and leisure industries. He was the president and chief operating officer of Oriental and Motolite Corp. when he retired in 2004.

During his 34 years in the battery manufacturing industry, the Palace said Garcia played a pivotal role in growing OMC into the largest battery manufacturer in ASEAN and one of the most technologically advanced companies in Asia. The company also became one of the most fully integrated battery manufacturers in the world.

The SBMA is the operating and implementing arm of the government for the development the 262 square mile (670 square kilometer) area of Subic Bay Freeport in Subic Bay into a self-sustaining tourism, industrial, commercial, financial, and investment center to generate employment opportunities.