Marcos cites key economic role of upgraded Batangas Port

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr leads the inauguration of the newly expanded Batangas Passenger Terminal Building on April 26, 2024. (Photo by JEAN MANGALUZ | INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said that the newly-improved Batangas Port could help decongest the ports in Manila.

Marcos led the launch of the newly renovated Batangas Passenger Terminal Building in Batangas City.

“Maximizing the port of Batangas helps in decongesting our Manila ports, causing the dispersal of economic activities to places more than capable of housing entrepreneurial and industrial boom,” said Marcos in his speech.

“Of its many uses, nothing surpasses its success in connecting people, from distant islands and diverse cultures, bringing them together in fruitful and enjoyable interaction that strengthens the national bond and the unity of Filipinos,” he added.

The port is said to be the “biggest, busiest, and the most modern” terminal building in the Philippines, a play on Marcos’ acronym, BBM.

Other officials joined the president in touring the 1.5-hectare facility. Following the project’s expansion, the passenger capacity increased from 2,500 to 8,000 daily.

According to Marcos, this increased the port’s annual capacity from 4 million to 12.8 million passengers.

“Today, we are inaugurating the bigger and the better passenger terminal to fully unlock the potential of the places and the people that this port serves. In so doing, we validate its status, not as a provincial port, but as a port of national significance,” Marcos said.