Subic hotel-casino to create 5,000 jobs

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator Armand Arreza expressed optimism yesterday that at least 5,000 new jobs will be created with the completion of the $120-million hotel-casino along the Waterfront Drive in this free port.

According to Arreza, the 15-story integrated resort-hotel, complete with convention center and casino, is expected to be completed within two years.

Arreza said the landmark development project, which will be known as Ocean 9 Casino and Hotel Resort, is designed to be the most beautiful hotel in the Subic Bay Freeport.

“This promises to be a significant landmark that will create meaningful jobs for Filipinos and transform the face of Subic Bay, making it the pride of Olongapo and Zambales,” the SBMA administrator added.

Arreza also emphasized that the Ocean 9 Casino and Hotel Resort project is considered to be a critical infrastructure in Subic’s bid to attract more foreign tourists to the growing number of holiday destinations in this free port.

The hotel will be located near Subic’s Alava Pier, which is being developed by another firm as a passenger terminal for cruise ships, he said.

Alava is also being used for berthing by visiting US Navy ships that regularly dock in Subic during military exercises between the Philippines and the United States, he added.

Earlier, Arreza, together with Moon-Sung Choi, chairman of the proponent-firm Grand Utopia, Inc., led the groundbreaking ceremonies.

The event was witnessed by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO Efraim Genuino, Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon Jr., Zambales Vice-Gov. Anne Gordon and representatives of the Korean business community in Subic.