History of Olongapo City

Olongapo was first inhabited by the Aetas before it was discovered by the Spaniards. It was
then a small fishing village of Subic with the majority of the people getting their livelihood through it.
When the Spaniards came and conquered the town on 1884, they made it as their navy settlement.
King Alfonso II declared Subic Bay as Spain’s stronghold in the Far East because of its notable deep
water harbor and the protection provided by the mountains surrounding the place against strong
winds.

After 14 years of Spanish-American War, Admiral George Dewey took Olongapo and Subic
Bay, making the bay area and the whole Olongapo as U.S. Military reservation. Millions of dollar was
spent converting the base. Estimated cost spent was $170 million. But after 8 years, the Filipino
citizens demanded that Olongapo be returned to the governance of the Philippines. Thus in
December 7, 1959 Olongapo was turned over to the Philippine government and changed into a
municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 366 by issuance of President Carlos P. Garcia.

Seven years later, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Republic Act No. 4645 on June 1,
1966 making Olongapo as a chartered city. In 1983, Olongapo City became the highly urbanized city
in Central Luzon.

On June 15, 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted causing extensive damage at the U.S. Facility
and in Olongapo City. It was also noted that in this year, the Senate of the Philippines rejected the
Treaty agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States of America.

A year later, President Corazon Aquino signed R.A. 7227 creating Subic Bay Metropolitan
Authority and appointed Mayor Richard J. Gordon as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

On November 24, 1992, the U.S. Naval Facility was turned over to the Philippine
Government, and Subic was turned over to the governance of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
(SBMA).

Products and Services

There are four leading investment areas in Subic Bay Freeport Zone, these are the Central
Business District, Subic Gateway, Subic Bay Industrial Park, and Subic Techno Park. Manufacturing,
electronic communications technology businesses are also present in this place. The city also has
warehousing, trans-shipment, banking firms and education facilities that yield assets and generate
thousands of jobs.

Business Opportunity

Considering the continued development of the Subic Bay Freeport especially with the
completion of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, there is no doubt that Olongapo City offers a lot of
opportunities for entrepreneurs. Two areas of investment can be the priority namely: tourism and
real estate. Hotels, resorts, commercial and residential buildings would be in great demand as more
and more tourists and businessmen descend on the freeport. For small and medium enterprises, the
production of items needed by the visitors are encouraged. Jewelry, garments, fashion accessories,
furniture and fixtures, souvenir items, and giftwares are some businesses to be engaged in.

Tourist Spots

 Olongapo City Museum – this museum contains dioramas, artifacts, and paintings about te
history of the city. At the entrance, a rotating Ulo ng Apo statue meets the visitors.
 Marikit Park – One of the earliest parks of Olongapo, it has become famous in its time. Today, it
is near Gordon College, the museum, the convention center and the library.
 Olongapo Lighthouse – this is a panoramic view perfect for picture taking. This old lighthouse is
located along the national highway going to the north. It overlooks the Subic Bay Freeport area.

Festivals and Celebrations

 Dinamulag Mango Festival – is celebrated for the specific mango variety in the city. It is thought
by some that this mango is one of the sweetest. This festival is celebrated every April.
 Sibit-Sibit Festival – is a word derived from the word that means a small paddle boat used for
fishing as Olongapo was ultimately born from being one of the ancient fishing villages of the
country. Sibit-Sibit festival is an annual event held in the city to interpret the rich and colorful
history of the it. There are lots of activities int his festival such as aqua sports activities, club
activities, entertainment sprees and talents showdowns. Aqua sports ativities are the banca
races: single rowing, double rowing, motorized banca race and motorized exhibition game.

Prepared by:

MARIA CHRISTINA R. BORBON

ALS- Student