Beaches, parks, forest trails beckon as Subic OKs leisure travel for all ages

June 9, 2021 London

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The long wait for the chance to enjoy beaches, parks, forest trails and other tourism sites in the Subic Bay Freeport is finally over after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) allowed leisure travel here for persons of all ages—even for residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) and neighboring areas that just recently eased down to general community quarantine (GCQ).

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator Ramon O. Agregado said the Subic agency released new travel guidelines over the weekend after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) issued Resolution 118-A that allowed point-to-point travel from NCR and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite to areas under modified GCQ without age restrictions.

This opened Subic’s gates practically to everyone—from infants to seniors, but with strict enforcement of established safety protocols.

“It’s a significant step forward from when visitors from NCR-Plus can enter Subic only for business purposes, and when we required proof of business appointments,” Agregado said. “But we will continue to strictly implement existing health safety protocols despite some relaxation in border controls.”

Agregado said the SBMA “will conduct 100 percent inspection” of travel requirements at Subic gates, and continue to strictly enforce rules on minimum health measures and physical distancing in all areas in the free port.

While the new travel guidelines allow entry without age restrictions, Agregado pointed out that the IATF nevertheless required those under 18 years and over 65 years of age to present a negative RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test result when entering Subic.

He added that the previous requirement for negative RT-PCR results still applies to visitors who will stay in Subic for at least four days and three nights, regardless of age and place of origin.

“We have gained this additional freedom, so to speak, because we enforced safety protocols before and we’ll continue doing so to be able to open up more business in Subic,” he added.

Meanwhile, SBMA tourism manager Jem Camba said that Subic continues to be the go-to destination in Central Luzon because of its beaches, rivers, mountain trails, theme parks, and shopping centers.

She said the new protocols already allow seniors in retail establishments, even when customer capacity is still kept at a maximum of 50 percent.

Camba added that as per previous guidelines, travelers 15-16 years old from MGCQ areas can enter the Freeport for leisure purposes without presenting RT-PCR tests results. However, the SBMA is still awaiting advice from the Regional IATF if the same would now apply to persons of all ages from MGCQ areas, she added.

Camba also said that current health protocols in Subic still prohibit those under three years old in beaches and exercise areas, and that wearing of face mask and face shield in public places is still a must.

She said the SBMA previously set the fines for violation of these protocols at P1,000 for a first offense, P2,000 for a second offense, and P5,000 for succeeding violations.