Face-to-face Christmas parties banned in SBMA facilities, offices

Officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority lead the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Boardwalk area of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. (Photo courtesy of SBMA)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has prohibited face-to-face Christmas gatherings in all its offices and facilities to avoid crowds in the face of the threat posed by COVID-19 and its highly transmissible variants.

In a statement, Wilma  Eisma, SBMA chair and administrator, said the agency would resort to a  virtual yearend thanksgiving program on Friday.

Eisma said they have also canceled the New Year countdown, a popular event that usually draws crowds, as part of the precautionary measures.

“This is the prudent decision by the SBMA because the virus is still here amidst us. The rate of infection may have gone down recently, but we cannot be complacent and fully open up Subic now because we cannot afford to have another surge just like they’re having in other countries,” Eisma said.

But she said the agency respects the individual rights of SBMA employees and other Subic stakeholders to organize or attend gatherings this holiday season, urging them to observe minimum public health standards wherever they may have their Christmas parties or yearend activities.

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