Kinabuksan Means "Tomorrow"

It can be taken for granted or be a hope of a new day to come. Having a tomorrow to look forward to is what the citizens of Kinabuksan Sitio hope for as they live their quiet and peaceful existence in this beachfront fishing town. Full of rich agriculture and a community of close families, this village stands to be recognized as not only beautiful, but worthy of keeping their existence against the high tide of industry in the local area.

Mayor Jefferson "Jay" Khonghun paid a visit to the children of Kinabuksan Integrated Elementary School to donate self-promoting backpacks.(Image Source: subic.gov.ph)

An ever-growing source of growth and industry lies on the Western coast of Philippines called the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ), also known as the former U.S. Naval Base of Subic Bay. The fenced area was created in 1992 and was the first success conversion of a former U.S. military base into a tax and duty-free zone. For those who are unfamiliar with “Freeport Zones,” these are defined as designated international ports or large areas that operate under different laws then the countries they exist in. The laws are more relaxed for those who work and operate within the zone. This can create a floodgate for not only rapid growth and huge profits, but corruption.

Overhead view of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Image Source: http://www.mysubicbay.com.ph/about-us

So, with billions of dollars in deals being made every day for the land surrounding this bay, and even more in profit being promised to investors, those in charge of making these decisions for the region are front and center in the media promising the public that what they are achieving is what is “best” for the people surrounding Subic Bay.

It is important to know that the SBFZ is managed by the Subic Bay Municipal Authority (SBMA). The day-to-day management of the SBMA is currently handled by CEO and administrator Wilma “Amy” Eisma. She was appointed directly by the Philippine President in 2016, and being handpicked by Duarte gives her much "power," a word she uses to describe her position, over the people of this area. The SBMA has also become an umbrella organization that manages all local law enforcement in the surrounding area as well.

Wilma "Amy" Eisma was named one of the 100 most influencial Filipina Women in the world in 2017 by The Filipina Women's Network Magazine. Image Source: https://www.scribd.com/document/363981908/FWN-Magazine-2017-Wilma-Eisma

Here is a link to her speech "My Journey to Leadership:"

https://www.filipinasummit.org/blog/wilma-eisma-leadership-keynote-fwnsummit2017

Another political and business powerhouse in the area is the Khonghun Family. The head of the family, the father Jeffery D. Khonghun, currently holds the postition of Congressman for the 1st District of Zambales. The 1st district includes the City of Ologapo, and the Municipalites of Castillejos, San Marcelino and Subic. His term ends in 2019. Prior to being a Congressman, he was the Mayor of Subic from 2001-2010. Following in his footsteps are his 4 children. His son, Jefferson "Jay" Khonghun, is currently the Mayor of Subic and was elected in 2016. There is also brother Jonathan "Jon" Khonghun who is currently a board member for the 1st District of Zambales. Then the third brother, Jan Joshua Khonghun, who sits on the Board of Directors for the SBMA. The sister, Jacqueline "Jaq" Khonghun, represents Region 3 for the Congressional Spouses Foundations, Inc. 17th Congress.

The Khonghun Family from left to right: Jefferson, Jacqueline, Jeffery, Jonathan & Jan Joshua. Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/khonghun

The Governor of Zambales, Amor P. Deloso was elected to his current term in 2016, and he served 3 additional terms as Governor prior to that (9th, 11th and 14th). He is also a Chairperson for the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC). Like the Khonghun Clan, The Deloso Family presence can be felt across the province. Amor's daughter, Cheryl "Cherry" P. Deloso-Montalla has held her seat in the House of Representatives for Zambales since 2013, and is opposite of Jeffery Khonghun who represents the 1st District, she is in the 2nd District. She is also an attorney. Then there is the Deloso nephew, Jury Deloso, who currently sits as an elected Board Memeber of the 2nd District of Zambales. Just like Jonathan Khonghun in the 1st District. Governor Deloso (pictured below) signed an Executive Order Number 1 to temporarily cease all mining in the Zambales Province.

Governor of Zambales, Amor Deloso, signing the Executive Order Number 1 in 2016 temporarily ordering all mining to cease in Zambales. Photo by Randy Datu/Rappler

Within the the Province of Zambales and the Municipality of Subic, there is the Cawag Barangay. The head of the council for Cawag is Chairman Arthur P. Garcia.

All of this leads up to the small village of Kinabuksan Sitio, or locally referred to as "Red Beach" in English. This small fishing village is home to thousands of families, local fisherman and farmers. Although it is a town that struggles financially, there are schools, a church and a gateway for the sales of fish and produce.

One can argue that the progress that has, and continues, to arise in Subic Bay can be see as positive and progressive for the locals. Eisma herself said, “We continue to fulfill our mission of attracting investments and generating jobs, even as we are now practically running out of space in the Subic Bay Freeport.” Well perhaps the Freeport Zone is running out of space. Then that is what must be keeping the SBMA’s eye staring across the bay to the land of the Redondo Penisula. “We are now in consultation with officials of local government units nearby, so that we can develop more areas for trade and business operations,” according to Eisma.

The SBFZ and SBMA have been working for decades on the land that lies on the inner west coast of Subic Bay that reside on the Redondo Penisula in order to allow foreign investors to come in and build. The former village, called "Green Beach," that existed just north of Kinabuksan was torn down and replaced with a Korean owned port Hanjin Substation, known locally simply as “Hanjin.” Those villagers where offered compensation and assistance in relocating their citizens. An even smaller town a little south of Kinabuksan called "Purple Beach" has also been replaced and there now existed RP Energy Power Plant (actually owned by Aboitiz Power who is a 75% shareholder) which produces energy using coal. The town to the south was also given financial compensation and relocation assistance.

So finally, the last man standing is Kinabuksan. Wedged between a billion dollar power plant and an even more expensive Korean owned port.

“It’s a good thing that the neighboring towns have pledged about 21,000 hectares for these future projects,” Eisma states in an article from Subic News Link.

Here is the link to that blog:

http://subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2018/07/sbma-sees-rosy-prospects-for-subic.html

She said, "these include 9,000 hectares in San Antonio, Zambales, which are ideal for resort development and leisure businesses; 10,000 hectares in San Marcelino, Zambales, for agriculture, mining and quarrying; 500-600 hectares in Subic, Zambales for factories, agriculture, and energy; and 500 hectares in Castillejos, Zambales for light to medium industry, and warehousing.”

These statements by Eisma make it clear which “officials of local government” are on board with the SBFZ and SBMA agenda, and they are the Mayors of San Antonio, San Marcelino, Subic and Castillejos. The number of Mayors could possibly have grown since she made those statement.

We see that 500-600 hectares are being promised from Mayor Khonghun himself to come from the Subic area and delivered to the SBMA.

A local fisherman layed claim to the majority of land located in Kinabuksan, also know as Red Beach in English. However, over that time the village grew. People came across the bay in their boats to call Red Beach home. Now their reside close to 6,000 people, a school and a community that was built on one man’s desire to own a piece of his country. He has since passed away and the land has been distributed to his surviving children.

As a member of the this local family, I want to stand and help the thousands of people that currently call Red Beach home. I want them to be able to keep their land and the homes they built on it. I call them “citizens” because that is what they are, a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth. They have rights and those rights should be protected by the government.

The purpose of this site is to show the beauty of this village and the people who reside there.

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