Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is set to tighten security this summer in an effort to better secure both residents and tourist coming in and out of Subic Freeport.

The move was in compliance with the instruction of SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza to maintain a high level of security in the zone and to safeguard properties of transients and residents.

“We cannot afford to lose the credibility that makes the Subic Bay Freeport proud to be among the safest and most secure places in the country,” Arreza said. “So we have to upgrade our security system and implement better guidelines.

Arreza also noted that Subic continues to be a favorite tourist destination because of well-defined security and safety policies that are implemented by well-disciplined but courteous law enforcers.

Currently the authority has created new law enforcement units to ensure full implementation of new and existing security policies in the housing areas.

“Most of these policies are already in place, but our LED Operations Group (LOG) is conducting a series of meetings with home owners to consult them on what else can be done to improve security,” SBMA Law Enforcement Department Manager retired Gen. Orlando Maddela said.

Major Vicente Tolentino, who heads the operations group, said that among the enhanced security measures to be implemented in the housing areas is the so-called Monitored Mobile Police Patrols program, whereby all security patrol-related activities are to be relayed to the department’s control center.

The LOG will also initiate “On-the-go” housing security coordinators who will be roving residential areas on 24/7 routines; posting of strict but courteous checkpoint sentry guards; and 100 percent security vehicle inspection.

Housing area vehicle decals and stickers can be availed of at the Motor Vehicle Registration Office, while residents ID cards can be secured at the SBMA Office Services Department, formerly the Pass Processing Department.