In 1992, the Subic U.S. Naval Base was turned over to the Philippine Government and converted into the Subic Bay Freeport. The Phillippine government created a special customs district to attract foreign investment with tax and duty-free imports and exemption from all local and national taxes. The strategy sought to capitalize on the existing infrastrcuture and skilled English-speaking labor force to create an international hub for transhipment, industry and tourism. Federal Express left the cramped airport of Hong Kong and made Subic its Asian Regional Hub and a Taiwanese joint venture opened a 740 acre industrial park for light to medium industries including computer manufactuer ACER and Reebok. The base also contained 5,400 acres of pristine forest area was preserved for toruism and habitat protection.
Sebastian Hardy worked for four years at Subic Bay eventually serving as an interim planning director for the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. He organized an international architectural competition funded by the World Bank for the 420 acre waterfront central business district of the Freeport. He then worked with the winner, Kenzo Tange Associates, to develop detailed urban design guidelines for 6 m.s.f. of development and implemented a new design and development approval process.
He also created population, land use and utility forecasts for the Freeport to guide $110M in World Bank and Asian Development Bank infrastructure and environmental investment. As the interim director, he prepared the SBMA's ten-year Corporate Plan providing strategic guidance and directing investment and staffing to convert the 67,500-acre military base into a transport, industry and tourism hub for the Philippines.
Subic Bay, Minus the U.S., Becomes Surprise Success
NEW YORK TIMES - By Seth Mydans - November 23, 1996
When President Clinton and 17 other world leaders gather here on Nov. 25 for an economic conference, they will stay in new luxury villas built on the site of ammunition bunkets at what was once one of America's main overseas military bases. . . .
Philippine Police Use Tear Gas In Attempt to Oust Freeport Chief
WALL STREET JOURNAL - By Jon Liden - July 24, 1998
What started as a bizarre skirmish on the grounds of this former U.S. military base is turning into an embarrassment for the Philippines. On one side are several hundred . . .