CANDELARIA, Zambales -- The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Zambales province will work closely to further develop and enhance the economic competitiveness of Zambales and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

This was announced by Zambales Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. and SBMA Chairman of the Board Roberto V. Garcia when the Subic executive called on governor at his residence recently.

Garcia made the rounds of the local communities around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone last week and gave courtesy calls to local executives in Zambales and Bataan.

During the meeting, the two executives touched on mutual cooperation and joint planning for the development of local communities.

“There are areas in the province like Anawangin and Silangin coves, which we can help develop to promote tourism in Zambales,” Garcia volunteered.

“We can plan together for this initiative,” the SBMA chair added.

Ebdane, for his part, promised that his office will be supportive of SBMA’s program for community development.

He said Zambales would welcome such assistance from the SBMA as Garcia’s proposal would dovetail with the governor’s program of developing a tourism niche for the province.

“But we have to do it right,” Ebdane stressed, explaining his stand on development.

“There is always the social factor to consider,” Ebdane said. “And if there’s going to be some negative effect on, say, the livelihood of some sectors, then we have to rethink our projects,” he added.

Garcia said the 15-man SBMA board of directors still lacked representatives from the municipality of Subic in Zambales, Olongapo City, and Morong in Bataan.