Subic Bay Freeport — Former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Felicito C. Payumo passed away a few hours ago today while in Hong Kong, at the age of 88.

Born on 7 March 1937, his full name was Felicito Cruz Payumo.

The former chairman served as the highest official in the Subic Bay Freeport from 1998 to 2004, replacing then-Chairman and Administrator Richard J. Gordon after Payumo was appointed at the behest of then-President Joseph Estrada.

Fondly called "Chairman Tong," the politician from Bataan was instrumental in the privatization of the Freeport’s power distribution system. He opened up the Freeport to local businesses in the aftermath of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

It was also his vision for SBMA to build a container terminal, and he accepted the offer of JBIC to finance its construction.

The Filipino businessman held several prominent roles throughout his career. As of late 2025, he had continued to be involved in educational and social endeavors.

Payumo was the founder and chairman of the University of Nueva Caceres–Bataan (UNC-B), which he established in partnership with Atty. Federico C. Pascual. The university's website was last updated in early 2023, listing him in this role.

A former president of Engineering Equipment Inc., he held an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in Economics from Ateneo de Manila University, which he completed cum laude.

Other high-ranking positions he held included Chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) from 2011 to 2012. He also served as congressman for the First District of Bataan from 1987 to 1998, a period during which he authored numerous bills, including a law on water wells.