International container port eyed in Bataan

BALANGA CITY, Philippines – A member of the Bataan provincial board is recommending the construction of a Pl-billion container port in Mariveles town to address the port congestion problem in Manila.

Board member Jose Villapando Sr., chairman of the transportation and communications committee, told The STAR that he proposed the idea to Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos during a public consultation the other day at the Crown Royale Hotel here.

Villapando said the proposed container port in the coastal village of Lucanin would also help solve traffic congestion in Metro Manila and speed up transport of products.

He said the limited shipyard container facilities at the port of Manila have reportedly affected the international business community.

The board member said Mariveles, the country’s first export processing zone, has a large tract of privately owned land for the construction of a new international port and well-paved road networks to transport goods faster and safer.

He cited two industrial zones in Bataan that have existing sea ports while four oil firms have been operating their dockyards along the coastal villages of Mariveles.

Villapando said the creation of a new global seaport in the province will generate additional government revenue, provide investors with a healthy and profitable business atmosphere and jobs for residents.