Jimmy Saberon
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Newly appointed Bureau of Customs (BOC) Port of Subic District Collector Arnaldo M. Saulong has moved swiftly to assert hands-on leadership, conducting a comprehensive facility inspection and operational walkthrough as one of his first official actions since assuming office on March 30, 2026.
The inspection, carried out in coordination with the Subic Bay International Terminal Corporation (SBITC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Seaport Department, aimed to provide the new district collector with a complete assessment of the port’s current operations, infrastructure, and logistics systems.
Saulong personally visited key operational areas of the port, reviewing cargo handling procedures, vessel movements, inter-agency coordination systems, and existing facilities essential to trade and customs processing.
The visit underscored Saulong’s management style, emphasizing direct engagement and field-based assessment as foundations for effective governance.
According to port officials, the inspection was intended to identify opportunities for operational improvements, enhance efficiency, and ensure smoother cargo movement in one of the country’s vital maritime gateways.
Saulong stressed the importance of firsthand evaluation in crafting responsive and practical policies.
He noted that understanding real conditions on the ground enables leadership to make informed decisions and implement reforms that address actual operational challenges.
The joint walkthrough also highlighted the continuing partnership between the Bureau of Customs and key port stakeholders in maintaining seamless port operations and improving service delivery.
The initiative supports the Bureau’s 5-Point Priority Program, particularly in the areas of modernization, trade facilitation, stronger stakeholder collaboration, and institutional efficiency.
With Saulong now leading the Port of Subic, officials expressed confidence that the district will continue strengthening transparency, operational excellence, and revenue performance under a proactive administration.
