Spanish envoy eyes investments in Subic Freeport

Subic Bay Freeport — Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines, His Excellency Miguel Ultray Delgado, is eyeing more Spanish companies to invest in this premier Freeport.

During his visit to Subic Bay Freeport on 22 May 2025, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials, led by Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, welcomed Ambassador Delgado at the administration building.

Trade and Economic Counsellor of the Embassy Silvia Torices de la Varga, Market Analyst of the Embassy Jose Primo Santos Mendoza, Economic and Commercial Attache Pedro González Lendínez, and Metalyset CEO Jose Moreno Sanchez Perez accompanied the ambassador.

The group was given a presentation by Business and Investment Department (BID) for Manufacturing and Maritime Manager Karen Magno, as well as Senior Deputy Administrator (SDA) Ronnie Yambao.

Delgado said, “Subic Bay stands now as a beacon of economic potential, and if it is able to sustain this progress, it can become a premier logistics and trade hub in Southeast Asia.”

He added that as proof of its progress, Subic Bay Freeport is among the best Economic Zones in the world on the White Paper study that the Spanish company IDOM is preparing together with FEMOZA (World Free and Special Economic Zones Federation).

Delgado said that the visit occurs at the perfect timing, adding that the Spanish government is acknowledging interest in Subic by several Spanish firms of a variety of sectors. “We have brought here the best possible example with Mr. Moreno and Metalyset, and we are expecting to bring more in the following years,” he added.

Metalyset is an international technical and industrial services company that was founded in 2008 in Spain by professionals with extensive experience in the metalworking industry. The company has been continuously expanding and growing, developing increasingly large-scale projects until its international expansion in 2015.

Chairman Aliño said that the visit is a testament to the strong ties between the Philippines and Spain, citing that one of the most historic sites in the Subic Bay Freeport is the Spanish Gate, the original gate of Subic. The SBMA gave a presentation to the officials during their visit.

Also present during the delegation’s visit was Xantheng Subic International Corporation Assistant to the CEO Best Chang, who was on hand to provide the Spanish delegation a glimpse of the various Taiwanese investments in Subic Freeport, including the Tipo High-tech Eco Park (THEP) and the Subic Bay Gateway Park (SBGP).

Chairman Aliño thanked the Spanish government for their unwavering support in helping develop the Philippines into an economic powerhouse in the sectors of renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and maritime education.