President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday inaugurated the new and improved Batangas Port Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) seen helping solidify its position as the country’s biggest and most advanced inter-island maritime hub.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said the expanded PTB now accommodates 8,000-passengers from only 2,500 and has fully air-conditioned lounges, facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities (PWDs), baggage x-ray machines, walkthrough metal detectors, food concession stands and extensive CCTV coverage.
The PTB is also the largest and most modern among ports managed by the PPA and terminal operator, Asian Terminal Incorporated (ATI).
The port connects mainland Luzon to Region IV-B or MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) to Visayas (Iloilo, Negros and Cebu) and Mindanao via fast crafts, ferries and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessels and plays a significant role in helping spur the economy as a portal to agricultural areas, a gateway to island tourism destinations, and a hub for goods and other products.
The PPA said planning for the Batangas PTB modernization started in 2020. Construction began in 2021 and Phase 1 of the project completed in 2022. Phase 2 similarly completed in the first quarter this year.
