Bauan: The Luzon International Container Terminal (LICT) is expected to boost regional economic growth and generate employment in Calabarzon once it begins operation in 2028, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said Monday. In a statement, Dizon said the construction of the LICT is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to encourage trade in regional areas and enhance the country's supply chain.

According to Philippines News Agency, the container terminal, located in Bauan, Batangas, may also become the site of a new industrial zone in the province. Dizon emphasized the significance of the project, stating that by 2028, it will be the second biggest container terminal in the country. He highlighted its importance for the Calabarzon area, which is considered the industrial capital of the Philippines.

Dizon explained that the port project would attract the establishment of factories, leading to job creation and increased revenues. He also addressed concerns about potential vehicular traffic in Bauan, assuring that the port is expected to ease vessel congestion in Manila and Batangas ports.

The development plan includes an access road from the terminal straight to Star Tollway, designed to accommodate large trucks without disrupting the daily activities of Bauan residents. The LICT is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and become operational by early 2028.

The terminal was designed to handle an estimated 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units per year, including mega vessels. On Friday, Dizon, along with other Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) officials, visited the site of the LICT and expressed their support for its development.

The project is being developed by the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), a global port management company headquartered in the Port of Manila. Calabarzon is composed of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.