Role of volunteers in building Subic recalled

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Former workers of this former UN naval base on Friday recalled the “spirit of volunteerism” that helped turn the Subic Bay Freeport into a bustling economic zone.

One of them, Mercedes Washington, said during the 25th anniversary of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) that efforts of volunteers should not be forgotten as they had been part of the freeport’s history.

“The call of founding SBMA chair [now senator] Richard Gordon during that time was for Olongapo residents to unite and protect the military facilities left behind by the Americans. We heeded that call and the spirit of volunteerism began,” she said.

Then 24 years old, Washington joined 8,000 other volunteers, who safeguarded the $8-billion military facility left by the US Navy after the Philippine Senate rejected an extension of the military bases agreement in 1992.

Washington, now 49, said: “I was assigned to join a group of other volunteers to watch over a portion of lot that is now called Bicentennial Park. Despite the uncertainty of that time, we were able to protect the facilities from looters.”

She shared her experience before a crowd composed mostly of SBMA officials and employees. “I’m happy to see the fruit of the spirit of volunteerism. I’m hoping that it will never fade,” she said.

The anniversary celebration was also highlighted by the hoisting of the largest Philippine flag, with a height of 120 feet, which will permanently fly over Subic Bay.

Organizers said 94 feet of that span represents the 94 years of American occupation of Subic; the next 18 feet for the heads of states who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference here in 1996; and the remaining eight feet for the 8,000 volunteers who helped preserve the facilities when the Americans withdrew in 1992.

Republic Act No. 8491, also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, designates the Subic freeport as one of the places where the flag should be “permanently hoisted 24 hours a day and every day of the week,” said SBMA Chair and Administrator Wilma Eisma.

Eisma led the ceremonial unveiling of a National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) plaque which stipulates that the flag must always fly in Subic.

The plaque was installed at the base of the flagpole fronting the SBMA office on Waterfront Road here.—ALLAN MACATUNO