Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño has been officially named one of Stargate PeopleAsia’s “People of the Year 2026.” The prestigious award recognizes Aliño’s transformative “industrialist” leadership and his unwavering commitment to ethical governance—guided by his personal mantra of choosing “not what is easy, but what is right.”
Since taking the helm in January 2024, Aliño has pivoted Subic Bay toward a future defined by massive capital infusion and environmental stewardship. Under his tenure, the SBMA secured a staggering ₱600 billion in investments in 2025 alone, cementing the Freeport’s status as a premier global economic engine.
Aliño’s selection places him among an elite circle of 2026 visionaries, including San Miguel Corp. CEO Ramon S. Ang (Lifetime Achievement Awardee), veteran journalist Jessica Soho, and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
The award highlights Aliño’s success in balancing aggressive business expansion with social responsibility. Key milestones cited include:
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Fiscal Excellence: Surpassing the ₱4 billion operating revenue target and remitting ₱1.465 billion to the national government, making SBMA a top-tier dividend contributor.
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Job Creation: Welcoming 159 new locators in 2024, resulting in ₱20.6 billion in committed investments and over 6,400 new jobs.
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Top Rankings: Achieving the #1 spot in Overall Performance in the 2026 Quarterly Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (QSPBI) by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA.
Beyond the balance sheet, Aliño is being hailed for his “Greenport” initiative. This vision integrates sustainability into industrial operations through the development of eco-friendly industrial parks and the launch of the Green Anchor Awards, which incentivizes partners for excellence in trade facilitation and environmental care.
Strategic wins under his leadership include the entry of global giants like Hyundai Heavy Industries, the launch of the Subic Bay Residencias socialized housing project, and the modernization of local infrastructure through electric bus transport and the redevelopment of the iconic Subic Boardwalk.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work of the entire SBMA team and our locators who believe in the potential of Subic Bay,” Aliño stated. “We will continue to build a Freeport that is not only economically vibrant but also sustainable and inclusive for the next generation.”
