matccopublishers
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| Baguio | |
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| Subic | |
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Philippines Subic
Subic is favorite weekend getaway among vacationing Manileņos due to its proximity to the metropolis. Located just approximately 100 kilometers away from Manila in Luzon, Subic Bay has been transformed as the county's chief freeport from its previous role as the largest American naval base in Asia. Today, it has been declared as a Special Economic Zone where products, commercial, industrial and other business establishments enjoy tax and duty free privileges. As such, Subic has in the recent years, become a shopper's paradise where visitors can readily choose from a variety of imported PX goods such as household appliances, toiletries, clothing, perfumes and so much more.
For the most part since Subic has
ceased to become a primary American base in 1992, the Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority tasked to govern the entire area has relied much
from tourism to fuel its economic growth. Tourism developments have been
geared toward the natural beauty of the bay featuring boating, wreck
diving, whale watching, swimming, jet skiing, parasailing; and nature
oriented eco-tourism such as hiking through rare triple-canopy jungles,
biking and mountain climbing. Due to this thrust to improve tourism,
facilities within the freeport are no less than world-class, with fully
featured hotels and suites. Outside the freeport, tourist facilities
range from basic to first-class accommodations.
Tourist attractions range from the
Gordon Memorial Park where Mayor James Gordon, the "father of
Olongapo City" was interred to the Subic Bay Lighthouse which
provides a spectacular view of the entire bay area; from the World Peace
Memorial which commemorates those who lost their lives in the battle of
Zigzag Pass from World War II to the Magsaysay Drive and Rizal Avenue
where a chain of bars and nightclubs can be found. There are also wide
stretches of parks including the Marikit Park for young kids and the
Friendship Park which is another mini-children park and where the
Olongapo Bremerton Sisterhood Marker can be found.
In the recent years, foreign investors have been highly encouraged to set up business establishments within the freeport granting these investors generous tax incentives, including a special tax rate of 5% on adjusted gross profits and duty free importation of raw materials and capital equipment. Major industrial parks with office, retail and commercial spaces have also been put up to lure multinational companies.
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