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I was stationed at Subic Bay Naval Station when Mt Pinatubo erupted. At that point, the base negotiations were nearly complete. The only sticking point remaining was that the US wanted the new term to be 10 years, PI only wanted it to be 7 years before the next renewal.

After the eruption, the US was no longer as interested because of the predicted cost of the clean up and repairs. The base at Subic had lost over 80 buildings, most collapsed due to the weight of the ash, along with the rains from the super typhoon that also hit at the same time.

The negotiations just fell through after that. It was portrayed by some of the politicians as them “kicking us out,” but that was just for political gain.

Subic was the best liberty port in the Pacific IMHO. It was so friendly and laid back. I would have retired there in 1 more year if the volcano hadn't changed my plans for me. If the bases did open back up, I'd go back to stay.

I was in Manila at that time. We wanted some concessions with the closure of Clarke and repairs at Cubi and Subic. PI pols thought they had us over a barrel but Cheney was not budging. The corrupt anti USA pols saw money to be made with the largest dry docks in Asia. They did not realized the docks were not permanent structures. I heard they did not find out until the first dry dock arrived in Guam. Truth is outside of Olongapo there was no special relationship, unless you equate the love of dollars to loving Americans. My wife is a very well educated Filipina from Manila and she is familiar with the negotiations. She felt the rich politicians did not care about the jobs provided by the base for the poor. Trends against prostitution were already beginning and had the bases remained anti-sex trafficking laws would have made most bars off limits years ago.
It was portrayed by the Philipino politicians as kicking us out for political gain most Americans aware of the details understood it was more about money and Cheney and Bush refusing to be held over a barrel. I say we build a new era of special relationship with Vietnam.

Thanks for the info on Pinatubo and the base negotions, FCinSD.

I would have retired there in 1 more year if the volcano hadn't changed my plans for me. If the bases did open back up, I'd go back to stay.

There are many American Military Retirees living in and around both the Subic Bay and Angeles City areas, bases or no bases. I have heard from a few former shipmates that have made return trips to Subic after the base closed. They say the place is really nice and although Olongapo City itself is pretty quiet now, nightclub/barscene wise, the Barrio and Subic City is still going strong like before.

There is a Retired Activities Office (RAO) in the Barrio, serving DOD military retirees, as well as a thriving VFW Post in the Barrio. The American Legion Post on Magsaysay is still open and there is also a Fleet Reserve Association Post going in San Antonio (outside the old San Miguel Naval Communications station). Below are a couple of links you can check out for the RAO and the Barrio VFW Post - they have lots of up to date info on the Subic Bay area.

http://www.raosubic.com/

http://www.vfw11447.org/index.html