Subic Bay Freeport – The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) won first place in Overall Performance at the Quarterly Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (QSPBI) conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

According to Planning and Development Office (PDO) Acting Department Manager Engr. Lilibeth S. Baza, the citation was awarded during the 2025 Provincial Stakeholders’/Respondents’ Forum on Establishment-Based Surveys at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in Subic Bay Freeport on 13 January 2026.

QSPBI is a nationwide survey by the PSA that collects data on revenue, employment, and compensation for key Philippine industries to support national accounts (GDP), economic indicators, and monetary policy.

“This data helps government and businesses understand the country's economic performance for better planning and decision-making, with respondents often recognized for their cooperation,” she said.

Aside from winning first place in Overall Performance, the SBMA also won first place in Timeliness, second place in Quality, and received a Certificate of Appreciation “for the valuable contribution to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the conduct of its establishment-based surveys, which generate essential statistics for economic planning and analysis.”

PSA Zambales Chief Statistical Specialist Norman Bundalian presented the award to SBMA officials, noting that it was based on the 2024 Quarterly Survey of Philippine Business and Industry.

The 2024 QSPBI was conducted to gather economic data, with findings from the Q1 2024 Business Expectations Survey (BES) showing optimism for hiring and expansion, particularly in manufacturing, while later reports indicated rising capacity utilization by late 2024.

These surveys track key metrics such as employment, investment plans, and production, helping shape national economic policies. Data is released periodically by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the PSA, complementing overall economic growth figures.

According to SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, some 2024 performance highlights include ₱20.63 billion in new investments, a 107.17 percent increase from the previous year. The number of new investors rose to 159, up from 131 in 2023.

He added that the total workforce reached 164,400 employees in 2024, reflecting a 4.8 percent increase. The manufacturing sector was a primary driver, growing from 21,433 workers in 2023 to 27,484 in 2024.

He also said that the SBMA reported total operating revenues of ₱1.706 billion for the full year 2024 and turned over ₱1.465 billion in dividends to the national government based on its 2024 earnings.