The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) recently shared ₱197.85 million with eight nearby towns and cities for the first half of 2025. This amount is a bit less than the ₱204.7 million distributed during the same time last year.
According to SBMA Chairman Eduardo Jose Aliño, the decrease is due to new tax rules from the Department of Finance (DOF). The SBMA now has to pay a 25% tax to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). Also, the agency lost a previous 5% tax privilege, which meant less money was available to share with local governments.
Despite the reduction, the SBMA continued its regular twice-a-year payout.
The top recipient was Olongapo City, which received ₱46.27 million. The other communities that received funds were:
- Subic, Zambales (₱29.68 million)
- Dinalupihan, Bataan (₱24.64 million)
- San Marcelino, Zambales (₱23.76 million)
- Hermosa, Bataan (₱21.18 million)
- Castillejos, Zambales (₱17.99 million)
- Morong, Bataan (₱17.49 million)
- San Antonio, Zambales (₱16.82 million)
These funds, which come from taxes paid by businesses in the Freeport, are used by the local governments to support various projects in areas like tourism, education, health, and infrastructure.
