[3] To address the problems beforehand, Gordon led the citizens of Olongapo to mobilize and lobby for the inclusion of a free port concept into the national legislation for the conversion of the U.S. bases.

[6] Volunteerism and the high civic spirit of the host community marked the pioneering efforts at conversion - thus the "Bagumbayan Movement" started as a volunteer group whose members served in the SBMA.

[7] The Bagumbayan Movement composed of more than 30,000 volunteers was officially launched on April 27, 2009 at the historic Manila Hotel on the occasion of the 488th anniversary of the Battle of Mactan, the nation's first victory against the colonial invaders.

About 2,000 delegates flocked to the movement's grand launching and national convention that raised P17 Million through individual contributions and which was graced by Senator Richard Gordon, the keynote speaker.

The senator was joined by other guest speakers, to wit: world flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr., CNN Hero nominee Efren Peñaflorida, Journey lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, and Chikka.com founder Dennis Mendiola.