Welcome to Subic, Olongapo!
Subic Bay Freeport (SBF)
is located southwest of the Luzon Island in the Philippines. The
harbor is sandwiched by the Zambales Mountain Range at the east
and the Subic Bay at the west and opens up to the South China
Sea. It is northwest of the Bataan Peninsula and southwest of
the Zambales Province. SBF is 110 kilometers north of Manila.
Manila Bay and the Bataan Peninsula separate SBF from Manila.
The mountain ranges around the Subic Bay area and the deep natural
harbor provide excellent and protected anchorage. In addition,
these features make SBF naturally sheltered from typhoons as well
as from the effects of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
SBF belongs to Region III or the Central Luzon
Region. It is one of the points in the growth triangle and is
an engine for economic development in the region. SBF is a supplier
of services and products for the Central Luzon Development Program
(CLDP), a regional growth area composed of the provinces of Bulacan,
Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales.
Climate
Like the rest of the Philippines, the climate
in SBF is tropical.
There are two seasons:
Dry,
from November to May.
Rainy,
from June to October.
The climate is without extremes. Average temperature is 80 degrees
Farenheit or 26 degrees Celsius.
Population
The population in SBF is estimated at 3,000.
Right next to SBF is Olongapo City with a population of approximately
194,260.
The adjacent provinces to SBF, Bataan and Zambales,
have populations of 557,660 and 433,542 respectively as of 1995.
Region III or Central Luzon, encompassing the provinces of Bulacan,
Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, and Zambales, has a combined
population of 8.030 million as of May 1, 2001.
Environmental Protection
SBMA continues to pursue its environmental protection
responsibilities. The Authority has an Ecology Center that studies
and monitors the preservation of the Subic Bay's natural resources
and wildlife. All development projects are required to submit
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) studies to ensure compliance
with existing environmental standards.
The Subic Watershed Forest Reserve (SWFR), located
at the southern portion of the Zambales Biogeographic Zone, 160
km. by road northwest of Manila, is one of the ten priority sites
of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), noted
for its high biodiversity and endemism. This lowland dipterocarp
forest covers approximately 9,800 hectares, 3,000 hectares of
which is closed canopy. The forests were protected from over exploitation
for more than 50 years while under the jurisdiction of the Americans
during the US Naval Base period.
The SWFR lies entirely within the metes and
bounds of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ). SBMA has administrative
jurisdiction over these protected areas under the authority of
Republic Act 7227 of 1992, and in a Memorandum of Agreement signed
between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
and the SBMA.
A wide range of habitats are present in the
forest due to the terrain, presence of streams, fringing grasslands
and other breaks in the canopy. It is possible to draw an imaginary
line through the rain forest, running water, grassland and mangrove
habitats that blend into the marine seagrass and coral reef habitats.
These represent the major habitats of the tropics.
The preliminary results of the forest biodiversity
survey revealed 745 plant species. Three of which are endangered
while four others are potentially threatened. Hence, the urgency
of preserving the Subic Forest is highlighted.
Ecologically and economically important tree
species such as White Lauan, Apitong, Guijo, Palosapis are most
dominant in Subic forest. A rattan palm species previously found
only in Mt. Arayat was discovered.
At the southwest portion of the reserve is a
well maintained network of paved roads which links two piers to
a complex of 6 groups of earth-covered, concrete ammunition bunkers
formerly known as the Naval Magazine. These bunker groups are
enclosed in fences. It is linked to the rest of the Freeport Zone
by a two-lane road intersected by a narrower road leading to the
municipality of Morong, Bataan. This area has been reserved for
low-impact, eco and adventure tourism oriented development.
The Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium project is
taking shape. The Camayan Wharf is now home to Subic Bay Ocean
Adventure, the first and the most amazing attraction in the country
exposing some of the world's most attractive sea mammals like
dolphins, false killer whales and sea lions in their natural habitat.
The western side of Grande and Chiquita Islands
contains the highest coral cover in the bay with up to 75% of
which are living. There are 75 species of fish present in Subic
Bay. Important reef fish species comprises 96.25%. The world's
rare and endangered Olive Ridley turtle and Hawksbill dwell in
Subic Bay. Six species of seagrasses are growing in the marine
preserved areas of Triboa and Ilanin Bays.
Ecotourism has tremendous potential given the
variety of flora and fauna and the presence of streams, waterfalls
and trail systems. Ecotour attractions are plentiful in SUBICBAY.
Here are some you shouldn't miss:
Tourist Activities
& Attractions
APALIIN TRAIL
Hike through the trails of Apaliin and discover the wonders
of the Subic Forest. Awe at the panoramic view from the tip of
Apaliin Point, and enjoy the sight of Subic Bay on a banca ride
back to the Central Business District.
BAT KINGDOM
Get mesmerized at Subic's Bamboo Bats and Flying Foxes.
Over 10,000 fruitbats, the biggest of its kind in the world roost
in the protected forest reserve of Subic along with the Bamboo
bats, which are the smallest in the Philippines.
BAT HIGHWAY
Marvel at the beauty of the bats in flight as they pass
through this narrow strip at the setting of the sun.
BICENTENNIAL PARK
Enjoy outdoors with family and friends at these scenic
picnic grounds. Native fishing gears are available for those who
would like to try their hand at fishing in the man-made lagoon.
CAMACHILE PARK
A perfect near-the-bay stop shaded by numerous Camachile
trees, best for picnics among tour groups.
EL KABAYO
Canter around the extensive grounds of the El Kabayo
Equestrian Center. Riding lessons and mounts are available for
horseback riding enthusiasts.
GRANDE ISLAND
Live through the grandeur of Grande and enjoy the amenities
of a beach resort in an island setting. Enjoy a scenic ride to
the island on board a motorized banca.
HILL 394
Subic's most popular peak takes you 394 meters above
sea level and offers a spectacular view of the legendary Mount
Natib and Subic Bay, in the northwest. Visit Hill 394 and let
its beauty speak for itself.
JEST (Jungle Environmental Survival
Training) Camp and Butterfly Garden
Familiarize yourself with jungle survival techniques
from Aeta trained US Navy and US Marines. Visit the Mini Zoo
and discover Subic's diverse biological resources or see how the
butterflies live and flourish at the Butterfly Kingdom.
MALAWAAN PIER
Spend the day shoreline or day fishing at the designated
fishing areas, or take a peek at SBMA's Seaport Operations.
MANGROVE GRAVEYARD
The sight of these giant driftwoods may surprise you,
or simply leave you breathless. These dead dipterocarps are remnants
of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Unable to stand the high sulfur
content spewed by the volcano, the mangrove graveyard bears witness
to one of the worst calamities to hit the country.
MT. PINATUBO CRATER TREK
Sense a relaxing mood while kayaking at the crater lake
of this mountain. Discover hotsprings, cool mountain pools, lahar
fields and canyons as you take a trip or trek to see remains of
towns destroyed by the mudflows.
Pamulaklakin Forest Trails / Pastolan
Aeta Village
Take part in the Ecology Tour and trek inside the forests
of Subic with the help of a native guide. Immerse yourself in
the culture of the Aetas. Educate yourself in the various types
of medicinal plants. Camp in the heart of the forest or simply
have a unique picnic in the deep parts of the jungle.
REDONDO BEACHES
Behold the beauty of this undeveloped beach and explore
the riches of a newfound land on the shores of the Redondo Peninsula.
SHIPWRECKS
Delve the magnificent underwater world of Subic Bay and
come face-to-face with its rare marine inhabitants. Explore relics
of history that date back to the Spanish and American eras. (Oryoko
Maru. Seian Maru, USS New York, USS Rochester, LCV Landing Craft
and LST).
SUBIC BAY OCEAN ADVENTURE
The first and most astounding nautical sanctuary in the
country that showcases some of the world's most amazing sea mammals
like dolphins, false killer whales and sea lions in their inherent
habitat. Dive with them. Frolic with the
whales!
SUBIC BEACHES
The sun. The sand. The sky. And a vast stretch of marvelous
sea waiting to be explored - Dungaree, Officers', All Hands, Miracle,
Nabasan, Hidden, Grande Island.
TRIBOA BAY MANGROVE PARK
Drive through Subic's low-lying forest through the mangroves,
via boardwalk to the Triboa Bay Marine Park. This bay is home
to a nursery and breeding site for clams, crustaceans and fish.
WATERFRONT BOARDWALK
Watch the majestic rising and setting of the sun, as
it unfolds all its beauty over the Subic Bay. Complementing the
grandeur of the mountains of the Redondo Peninsula, it is truly
a sight to behold.
SUBIC BAY'S FLYING FOXES
This camp of over 10,000 fruit bats, readily seen at
the Subic Bay Freeport, is one of the last large bat colonies
of its kind. Found only in the Philippines, the Golden Crowned
Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus) and the Philippine Giant Fruit Bat
(Pteropus vampyrus lanensis) are the largest bats in the world,
with wingspans up to 2 meters. Bats such as these eat only plants
and are critically important to the health of tropical forests
in the Philippines.
By dispersing the seeds of forest fruits and
spreading pollen between the forest flowers they visit, fruit
bats maintain and restore forests by aiding in the reproduction
of forest plants. Many fruit crops important to people, such as
durian, wild banana, and kapok, also rely on fruit bats for their
reproduction. Their cute, puppy-like faces add to their appeal.
Despite this, fruit bats are heavily hunted, and the loss of their
forest homes has made many of these bats endangered with extinction.
SUBIC BAY'S BAMBOO BATS
The bamboo bat, Tylonycteris sp., is the smallest bat
found in the Philippines. With a total wingspan smaller than a
child's hand length and weighing only about 2 grams, it is just
slightly larger than the world's smallest bat. Both of the world's
two species of bamboo bats are found in the Philippines, and Subic
Bay with its large bamboo forests is an important host to these
bats.
They have flat skulls that allow them to easily
enter the bamboo holes originally created by chrysomelid beetles.
Their suction cup feet make it easy to hang upside-down on the
smooth inside of the bamboo. Bamboo bats typically give birth
to twins and roost in harems, meaning one mating male with many
mating females and all their offspring.
Sometimes as many as 40 little bamboo bats may
be found roosting together in a single bamboo chamber. These bats
emerge from their bamboo hide-away at dusk to feed on insects,
especially termite swarms, and by dawn have already returned to
their home. So, bamboo bats are best seen in the sky when the
sun is setting. (Source WWF Subic)
Subic Resorts
and Hotels
Ocean Adventure
Subic
International Hotel
Legenda
Hotel
White
Rock Beach Hotel
Subic
Homes

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