Subic Bay Freeport — This premier Freeport won big at the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Central Luzon Tourism Recognition for Enterprises and Stakeholders (TRES) Awards 2024 held at the Quest Plus Conference Center, Clark Freeport Zone on 26 February 2025.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, "Subic Bay Freeport winning four prestigious awards is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the agency, tourism stakeholders, and the tourists themselves."

The Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) won the Most Outstanding Community-Based Tourism Program (Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit 2024), emerging as the champion.

The SBFZ also won the 1st Runner Up in the Most Outstanding Tourism Month Celebration, the Most Creative Printed Marketing Collateral (Ecotourism Brochure), and the Top Tourist Destination in the Province/ Freeport Zone category.

During the awarding ceremony, DOT Region 3 Regional Director Richard Daenos gave the award to SBMA Chief of Staff Atty. Von Rodriguez and Tourism Department Manager Jamelle Camba, who represented the agency on behalf of Chairman Aliño.

The chairman cited that the agency aims to boost the tourism aspect of the SBFZ, adding that "the agency is currently working on infrastructures and facilities that will provide tourists more reasons to visit this premier Freeport."

In addition to Subic Bay Freeport’s success at the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Central Luzon Tourism Recognition for Enterprises and Stakeholders (TRES) Awards 2024, two of its prominent stakeholders were also honored at the prestigious event.

Acea Subic Beach Resort became the Grand Winner of the Most Gender-Sensitive Accommodation Facility, winner of the Tourism Quality Citation: MICE Event Venue (Outdoor), and second runner-up for the Green Champion award. The resort was also recognized as the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Advocate.

Ayala Malls Harbor Point received the Mabuhay Citation: Public Toilet for having the cleanest and most PWD-friendly toilets in Central Luzon. The mall’s management highlighted that maintenance, employee training, cleanliness, odor control, restroom amenities, and air circulation were key factors in achieving the award.

Meanwhile, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is advancing the Race to Carbon Neutrality, aiming to reduce carbon emissions in the SBFZ by 30 percent by 2030, with a long-term goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2040. SBMA Chairman Eduardo Jose L. Aliño stated that the initiative would enhance SBFZ’s competitiveness, improve its brand image globally, and attract more green foreign direct investments.

“This will also bring the SBMA at the forefront of introducing carbon-neutral development strategies into the economic, industrial, and trade policies of our country,” Aliño added.

DOT Region 3 Director Richard Daenos emphasized that the TRES Awards highlight the invaluable contributions of industry partners. He said, “The DOT3 doesn’t undermine the efforts of our industry partners, quite the opposite, we shine a spotlight to their outstanding contributions to the tourism sector for the past year through this award-giving event.”

The DOT3’s Tourism Development Division and Tourism Regulations Division were responsible for narrowing down the list of nominees for this year’s TRES Awards.

“The TRES Awards is aimed at inspiring and challenging its stakeholders to remain committed, driven, and empowered to enhance and elevate the overall tourism experience in the region through their significant contributions,” Daenos said.