The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Subic Water and Sewerage Company Inc. (SubicWater) have extended their Franchise Agreement (FA) for another 20 years.

During the signing of the 3rd Amendment to the Franchise Agreement and the 4th Amendment to the SBMA-SubicWater Lease Agreement held at the Boardroom of Building 229 on 20 March 2025, the two entities agreed to extend the term of their FA until 31 March 2047.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño welcomed the development, citing that the partnership between the agency and SubicWater has been harmonious since it first started.

He added that part of the 3rd amendment will modify the FA, including the first and second amendments, to achieve 100 percent wastewater coverage for the franchise area, stabilize tariff rates, and amend certain provisions in the agreement.

The agreements were signed by Chairman Aliño and SubicWater Chairman Engr. Apollo C. Tiglao, and were witnessed by Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. and SubicWater CEO and General Manager Benjamin Antonio III.

Chairman Tiglao said that under the amendment, “The SubicWater shall conduct its operation with a goal to achieve 100 percent wastewater coverage, which includes combined sewerages and sanitation services for Subic Bay Freeport and Olongapo City.”

He noted that this endeavor would be more beneficial to SubicWater’s customers, adding that they can now expand their services to far-flung areas of the Subic Freeport such as Redondo Peninsula and Tipo. He also said Olongapo City will now have wastewater services and sewer lines.

He thanked the SBMA Board of Directors for allowing the company to extend its services and continue serving customers.

Mayor Paulino also expressed his gratitude to the SBMA and SubicWater for the continuation of the water company’s services. “We want SubicWater to expand their services. We have been clamoring for wastewater coverage in Olongapo City,” he added.

“We really appreciate that we are involved in the process, and special thanks to SBMA’s Senior Deputy Administrator Atty. Ramon Agregado for advocating for the benefit of Olongapo City and all other constituents,” he said.