Marcos: New Batangas Port Terminal to help decongest Manila Port

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Friday underscored the importance of maximizing the Port of Batangas to decongest the port in Manila. 

At the inauguration of the Batangas Port Passenger Terminal Building, Marcos said this would be a gateway to the nation’s dynamic capital region, ''a portal to agricultural powerhouses, access point to island tourism paradises, and a receiver of goods that fill and fuel the vibrancy of our economy.''

''True enough, 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,'' Marcos said 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. 

Marcos said the upgraded terminal building could accommodate 8,000 passengers. Previously, the terminal had a capacity of 2,500. 

''This increases the Batangas Port’s annual passenger capacity from four million to 12.8 million. There’s also good news for those of you bringing your vehicles to the port. The Port of Batangas Passenger Terminal Building has a multi-level car storage facility that can take on 13,000 vehicles,'' he added. 

Marcos lauded the Philippine Ports Authority and the Department of Transportation for accomplishing the upgrade project and for delivering what the government had promised to the people. 

''Let me also express my gratitude to Asian Terminals Inc. for helping the government achieve this milestone accomplishment,'' he added. 

The Batangas Port's PTB was the most modern of the ports managed by the PPA under its terminal operator ATI. 

It connected mainland Luzon to MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, at Palawan), to Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, and Mindanao via fast crafts, ferries, and roll-on ships. — DVM, GMA Integrated News