SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño was among those hailed by Stargate PeopleAsia as People of the Year 2026. Awardees were chosen for their achievements and advocacies, most significant of which is Aliño’s belief in choosing “not what is easy, but what is right.”
Aliño is recognized for his “industrialist” leadership, bringing decades of business savvy to his role as SBMA Chairman and Administrator. He embarked on projects that aim to transform Subic Bay into a dynamic economic hub and “green port.” Under his leadership, the authority secured nearly ₱600 billion in investments in 2025 alone.
Other 2026 Awardees include: Ramon S. Ang as a Lifetime Achievement Awardee (San Miguel Corp. Chairman/CEO); Jessica Soho for being veteran journalist and “beacon of truth”; Martin Nievera, known as “The Concert King”; Sheila Romero for being the founder of I Want to Share Foundation. Adding to the prestigious list of awardees are Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD, founder of Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center; DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon; and Dr. Hayden Kho Jr., Managing Director of Belo Medical Group.
Since assuming the top leadership role at the SBMA in January 2024, Aliño has focused on enhancing the Freeport’s revenue, attracting new investments, and integrating sustainability into its operations.
Under his leadership, the SBMA breached its ₱4-billion operating revenue target. In 2025, the agency remitted P1.465 billion in revenue earnings to the national government, landing among the top dividend contributors to the national coffers.
In 2024 alone, Subic welcomed 159 new locators, bringing in a total committed investment worth ₱20.6 billion and generating 6,466 new jobs for the community.
Aliño also launched the Green Anchor Awards to recognize partners excelling in sustainability and trade facilitation. His “Greenport” vision includes developing sustainable industrial parks and expanding digital infrastructure.
In early 2026, the SBMA was ranked 1st in Overall Performance in the Quarterly Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (QSPBI) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
He secured major global players like Hyundai Heavy Industries, which is seen as a significant boost to Subic’s long-term maritime and industrial development.
Aliño spearheaded projects such as the Subic Bay Residencias socialized housing project for SBMA employees, the electric bus public transportation vehicle, the redevelopment of the Boardwalk area, and facilitated the entry of new leisure developments, such as the IBIS Styles Subic Hotel.
