The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) fully support the development of the $800 million Luzon International Container Terminal (LICT) in Bauan, Batangas, a flagship port project led by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) poised to drive economic growth across the CALABARZON region.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said the upcoming terminal will not only boost trade capacity but could also the centerpiece of a new industrial hub in Batangas.
“This Luzon International Container Terminal, by 2028, will be the second biggest container terminal in the country,” Dizon said. “It’s very important, especially in the CALABARZON area, because this is the industrial capital of the Philippines.”
He added that the new port is expected to attract manufacturing facilities, stimulate job creation, and generate significant economic returns. “When this port is built, factories will definitely rise beside it. That means jobs. That means big profits,” he said.
To address concerns about possible congestion, Dizon assured the public that the LICT will not worsen traffic in Bauan. Instead, it will help decongest existing ports in Manila and Batangas.
“We will build an access road from the terminal to the STAR Tollway, a wide road for trucks that will bypass residential areas and avoid disturbing the people of Bauan,” he said.
Set for completion by end-2027 and full operations by early 2028, the LICT will have the capacity to handle up to two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually, including mega vessels.
Located approximately 120 kilometers south of Manila and just 9 kilometers west of Batangas City, the strategic site will provide direct access to major urban and industrial centers in Southern Luzon, particularly in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (CALABARZON).
The LICT is seen as a key component in strengthening the country’s logistics network and positioning Luzon as a competitive international trade hub.
