Hey, welcome to my blog about Subic Bay. The bay is a spectacular natural harbour surrounded by mountains. It has a fascinating history and an excellent infrastructure (even though the population is just a few hundred thousand people). The ecosystem is unique and includes grasslands, mangrove swamps and the largest area of unspoiled rain forest remaining in the Philippines. Birds and other wildlife abound, and several dozen endangered species survive in Subic's protected habitats.
Subic Bay
Source: Google Maps
In most countries such an amazing location would be classified as a Heritage Site or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But the Philippines is so overloaded with natural beauty that when you are here it is easy to take nature's gifts for granted. Which is precisely what has happened to Subic. It is taken for granted.
Located on the west side of the Philippines, just 100km from Manila, Subic Bay is one of the world's largest natural harbours. It is almost 9 km sailing from the mouth of the bay to the shipyard near Subic town, and about 5 km across the widest point. Yet the shipping channel at the entrance is only 644 metres wide, and the surrounding mountains make the Bay a perfect deep water anchorage.
In 1542, Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo sailed into Subic Bay . He probably thought "very nice, but there is nothing here for me." In those days, the bay had very little flat land and was probably home to just a few small fishing villages. Nearby Manila Bay, with endless acres of flat land and bustling commerce, made a much better naval base. When the British captured Manila in 1762, the Spanish revisited Subic Bay, and in the late 1800s it became a coaling station for the Spanish fleet.
In the second year of the 1898-1901 American-Spanish War, the Americans took over the Subic Naval Base. It remained under US control until 1991 (except from 1942 to 1944, and a few days either side, when it was occupied by the Japanese).
Under the US, the area was developed into a very significant naval reserve with roads, offices, accommodation for thousands, hospital facilities, etc. and an air and sea port that handled up to 44 warships at any one time, along with the supply chain and massive support operation that all this implies.
In the 1950s, US Navy engineers went so far as to slice off the top of a mountain and dump it into the bay. The reclaimed land enabled them to create a naval airport with a 2.3 km runway, still capable today of handling the largest transport aircraft. This was the world's biggest earth moving operation since the Suez Canal was dug. Subic was, of course, a strategic base during the Vietnam War.
Under the US, the area was developed into a very significant naval reserve with roads, offices, accommodation for thousands, hospital facilities, etc. and an air and sea port that handled up to 44 warships at any one time, along with the supply chain and massive support operation that all this implies.
In the 1950s, US Navy engineers went so far as to slice off the top of a mountain and dump it into the bay. The reclaimed land enabled them to create a naval airport with a 2.3 km runway, still capable today of handling the largest transport aircraft. This was the world's biggest earth moving operation since the Suez Canal was dug. Subic was, of course, a strategic base during the Vietnam War.
Subic Bay in 1990, showing the sea port (right and bottom),
the airport (left) and the mouth of the bay (top left).
Source: US Navy, public domain
In 1991, the Americans closed their bases in the Philippines (I'll write about this one day). The Navy left behind the complete airport and seaport infrastructure in Subic Bay.
It is also relevant to note that under the Americans, huge areas of forest around the bay were not developed but were protected from outside interference or destruction - and the resulting pristine forest is a very important part of the US legacy.
However, although the US left behind a golden opportunity for the Philippines (in the infrastructure and nature reserve) the local town of Ologapo lost a US $2 million a day cash injection from the US forces. Sadly, I am not sure that the town or the port have ever recovered their former glory.
Nevertheless, what we have today is a truly unique place. My photos and words cannot possibly do it justice. But in this modest blog I will describe some of the beauty I see in Subic and maybe make some humble suggestions about providing a viable and sustainable future for the area. I hope my readers will contribute.
Acknowledgement: This blog came into existence because my good friend Nigel Hollyman forced me into it by setting up the systems. Nigel is multi-talented and creative. I strongly recommend his blog fishingnews.co.nz even if you are not into fishing, for its insights about life and nature.
Acknowledgement: This blog came into existence because my good friend Nigel Hollyman forced me into it by setting up the systems. Nigel is multi-talented and creative. I strongly recommend his blog fishingnews.co.nz even if you are not into fishing, for its insights about life and nature.
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