New SBMA head known soon, say BCDA execs

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The appointment of a new administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) will be announced this week, a top official of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said.

BCDA Chair Felicito Payumo said President Aquino has signed the appointment papers of the replacement of SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza.

“A choice has been made already. The public has long been waiting for this,” Payumo said by telephone.

Payumo, however, declined to name the appointee and said: “The announcement will be made soon… within the week.”

While Mr. Aquino earlier appointed Roberto Garcia as SBMA chair to replace Feliciano Salonga, Arreza’s replacement has been a source of confusion for freeport locators as conflicting statements were made by top SBMA officials.

In May, Garcia told the Inquirer that Rafael Reyes, who was appointed as SBMA administrator on the same date as he was, had quit before he could assume office.

Later, however, the SBMA issued a statement, quoting Arreza, that said Reyes had not backed out.