SUBIC BAY

Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) is located north of Manila. You can reach the Freeport by air (30 minutes from Manila) by car (2-8 hours on Northern Luzon Expressway) or by ferry (1 hr. ferry Manila to Orion, then 1 hr. drive to Subic). The Freeport is a special economic zone and while there are many benefits to living inside the Freeport (security, atmosphere, regulations) there are also laws and situations which are different than the rest of the Philippines (see RA 7227 on Philippine government web sites). This may also include the importation of household goods and vehicles. Please consult with the web site of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA www.sbma.com) or the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC www.subicchamber.org) for references and assistance with those matters. I have tried to stay consistent with the information written concerning living in Manila but added some activities since this is a tourism destination. Since this is a rather small but very international community you should feel comfortable asking other expats for assistance. Maps of the area are available free of charge from SBMA Tourism. The Chamber may also have some in their office. Inside the Freeport both Philippine pesos and US dollars are accepted and credit cards are usually accepted also.

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Temporary Housing
When you arrive, many families opt for a temporary living arrangement while they seek out a permanent residence. There is a shortage of suitable housing inside the Freeport and it is good to have temporary arrangements so that you are able to negotiate your situation. I tried to list places with cooking facilities available but I would ask to be sure. Also inquire as to whether they allow you to bring in food, some do not. Pets are also an issue but allowed in some units. Also keep in mind that I am listing places that I would be comfortable having my guests visit, there are much cheaper choices available both inside and outside the Freeport. Some choices for temporary living are:

- Kalayaan- Mountain Woods
Binictican- Forest Hills (now Greenview)
Subic Homes
SBMA housing units
Cubi-Legenda Suites
Central Business District- many hotels
Residences throughout for weekend or temporary
Barrio Barretto-Playa Papagayo

We do not have any 4 & 5 star hotels in Subic Bay but there are a number of hotels which will offer a discount for extended stay while you house hunt. Many of the hotels are new and will offer a decent, clean, and safe room for a moderate price. This is a tourist area so these hotels are set up for this type of client. Beware of their in-house prices for additional services which are higher in price but not quality than the rest of the Freeport.

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Transportation
When first arriving and perhaps house hunting there might be a need to have transportation. Public bus is available, the company is called Winstar. Taxi service is available via Winstar or SBMA also has a taxi service-be warned these are not metered taxis as in Manila but fixed rate and it might be cheaper to rent a car if you are planning on a lot of running around. Rates are available on a rate sheet which will at least get you consistent charges. Car rental is available, there are several small companies in Olongapo and there is also an Avis and Budget office. You can look these up on the internet.

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Where Do I Live?
Choosing where you will live can depend upon a number of factors. Since the area is much smaller than Manila the choices are much fewer. Living inside the Freeport is more expensive than outside the Freeport. The level of security and the environment is also very different. Currently there are single, duplex, and row houses available. Some apartment type buildings look to be in the works but as of the fall of 2005 they are not completed.

Another factor to consider might be the proximity to schools but even then there are only a couple choices available. The crime rate of the area and the view would be the only other contributing issues aside from the price. Nice neighborhoods seem to be a growing issue and this can be researched by contacting SBMA LADD office (047-252-4409) Houses range in price from $300-$2000 a month rent. The house rent is usually determined by the condition of the house not the location. Also the houses are small in scale compared to Manila as they were formally US military housing. That said, some have been totally renovated and now have private tennis courts and in-ground pools. Since the Freeport is such a contrast to the surrounding area it is especially important to find something temporary so that you are not in a rush to negotiate. Most persons use SBMA LADD, word of mouth and a community newsletter called the Just FYI In/About Subic Bay. If you put it out there that you are looking the property managers will find you. It is also possible to lease direct from SBMA.

All houses within the Freeport are subleased from SBMA and SBMA is open with information concerning the houses and the lessees so it is good to also check out your prospective landlord. Leases range from 1-50 years and are held by Filipinos, Expats, SBMA or property developers.

Subic Bay Freeport Zone-the environmentally protected area has a few small neighborhoods, a couple with security guards at the checkpoints. There are a wide variety of homes available but most are duplex or row homes, most have carports which is an important asset in the rainy season.

Most homes require (as does SBMA) a deposit of 2 months rent in advance. Of course they will ask for more but it is not common. Something to be sure to clarify is who is responsible for what. There are residential rules and regulations and because this is an environmentally protected area you can easily get large fines for things your land lord did not take care of. To avoid this make sure a copy of your lease is on file with SBMA Land Asset Development Department, get a copy of the rules and also a document called “certificate of occupancy”. The certificate is free and assures that if something is amiss it is documented as the lease-holders problem. SBMA LADD also provides a list of authorized contractors and can assist with permits. Cost of permits is minimal and takes about a week which is quicker than in the US . Keep a copy of all documents should there be a problem.

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Driving
The traffic in Subic is refreshing for most expats as we have signs, stoplights and friendly law enforcement officers. This might be frustrating to those who do not like traffic rules but to those of us who like to exercise outside or tour about on bikes it is wonderful. The traffic in Olongapo is chaotic in comparison. Most of us have our own vehicles and drive ourselves, even to Manila. If your home country driving license is valid it is very easy to get a local license (do not let it expire). There is a LTO (www.lto.gov.ph for rates) office inside the Freeport and also one outside the Freeport. The associated exams (vision and urinalysis) can be acquired near the office on Gordon Rd. in Olongopo City. It still might be quicker to get the documentation done inside the Freeport if you can. It is also pretty easy to register your vehicle inside the Freeport, it is best to do it yourself if you have the time and then send someone (errand runner) after that time. It is also easy to find a vehicle so it may not be worth importing the vehicle from your home country.

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Supermarkets & Grocery Stores
There are a number of supermarkets in the Freeport which are not in comparison to what can be found in Manila but we do have many products not available in Manila. Olongapo also has a couple small groceries. There are a few open air markets in Olongapo. An SM grocery is about two hours away. There are a couple delis available but the stock is unreliable in both quality and presence. Many residents go to SM or even Manila once a month for shopping. Be sure to read the Manila information in this area.

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Dining Out
We have at least a dozen restaurants in the Freeport and many good ones in the nearby area, and one of them is Mexican which is difficult to find in Manila. The water is safe to drink inside the Freeport, outside is your own choice but you can inquire and persons are usually very honest. We also have many restaurants that will deliver, almost all do take-out and a couple are open 24 hour.

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Electricity & Utilities
As in Manila we have high utility rates. Unlike Manila some homes do have central air conditioning. That said you will want to be aware of the age of the aircon as the older units seem to use quite a bit of electricity. Window or room units are available but may not be more efficient than the central unit if you don’t have good habits in turning them off/on. Many residences are wired for both 110V and 220V electricity, but you should check that out with your landlord before selecting a home. You will need step-down converters for your US appliances if your home comes only with 220V, which is the standard in the country.
Gas: There are no central gas lines in residences. Any appliance requiring gas will need to use a tank of LPG. These are readily available throughout the country.
Water: In the Freeport Zone we have a central water and sewage systems. The water inside the Freeport is safe to drink (personal hygiene a factor) but some people have bottled water delivered.

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Mail Service
We have the same mail situation as in Manila, Philippine mail service is a risk. We do however have many residents who use it, there is a post office inside the Freeport and PO boxes are available. There are plans of PO boxes in the residential areas as mail delivery is unreliable, inquire at the post office. Our zip code is 2222.

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Schools
Expats seem to choose one of several options; home schooling, Brent International School or Casa Kalayaan. Information regarding Brent can be found on the internet but for all three I would recommend contacting persons who have children in or have had children in the various types of education available. Casa Kalayaan or home schooling is better for those who want flexibility in their lifestyle and their children’s education.

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Health Care
Good quality health care is available in the Philippines, although many of the facilities may not be up to US standards from a physical appearance perspective. In our area we have the Subic Bay Medical Center which is in Cubi but has passed ISO certification. There are also other medical facilities in the area. When choosing a doctor or dentist, it is recommended that you talk with long term resident ex-pats to get suggestions on those physicians who have met their past needs in terms of quality of care and bedside manner. The SBMC has a dentist on staff and they also brought many of their physicians from Manila. It is very important to be open and firm about making appointments as the province mentality can have them show an hour or more late. Once this relationship is established it is hard to change and I’ve had to leave the office to get the point across. Basic medical is available but I do travel to Manila for medical care.

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Weather
Our weather is similar to Manila but the area is a bay surrounded by mountains. Binictican gets more rain than Kalayaan. This is important to know if you have a big yard to water. Flooding outside the Freeport is not uncommon during rainy season, nor is contamination of the water system.

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Activities
There are play groups for children and a women’s lunch group and other activities, all set up by residents. Casa Kalayaan offers activities similar to what you would find at a US summer camp even to children not enrolled in their program. Since this is a vacation destination the area is set up to cater to the tourist. Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, jet ski’s, para-sailing, sailing, motor boats, cycling, diving, snorkeling, beaches, pools, bird watching, zoos, go carts, golf, horse back riding, spas…you get the idea. Lessons are available at very reasonable prices. The SBMA arts center has a variety of courses, seasonal plays and other activities. Subic also is a site of the SEA (South East Asian) games so there is a very nice new sports complex that is open to the public. The sports complex has a gymnasium, track, tennis courts, badminton courts and accessory buildings for yoga, boxing or ballet. There is a branch of Slimmer’s World International in Subic , small in comparison. This is also a good area for training for triathlons or similar events, a couple internationally ranked events are held yearly.

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Safety
Living in metro Manila is just like living in any large city anywhere in the world. Living in our area is a bit safer. That said purse/phone snatching, counterfeit money or cell phone cards, change not correct, are not uncommon. Inside the Freeport is a bit safer and persons seem to fall into a false sense of security because of the gates and security patrols. Information regarding safety and security can be obtained from the SBMA IIO (internal investigations office) or SBMA LED (law enforcement department). Personal safety is important for ex-pats. Common sense will get you through just fine. There are certain areas where you should use extra caution at night such as barrio barretto (lots of bars). The same advice applies for those living in Manila and I would like to add that we should be careful with giving out any unnecessary personal information. Questions are often very specific such as “where are you going” but vague answers are easily accepted such as “to run errands”.

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