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.

The container terminal, located in Bauan, Batangas, may also become the site of a new industrial zone in the province.

“By 2028, it will be the second biggest container terminal in the country. Napaka-importante nito lalo na sa Calabarzon area kasi ito ang industrial capital ng Pilipinas (This is very important, especially for the Calabarzon area, because it is the industrial capital of the Philippines),” he said.

Dizon said the port project will attract the establishment of factories.

“Ibig sabihin nun trabaho. Ibig sabihin nun malaking kita (This means jobs, big revenues),” he added.

Dizon also allayed concerns that the project would create vehicular traffic in Bauan and the port is expected to ease vessel congestion in Manila and Batangas ports.

“Magkakaroon tayo ng access road mula sa terminal diretso sa Star Tollway. Malapad ‘yan na kalye kung saan ang mga truck natin ay kasyang kasya at hindi makakaistorbo sa daanan ng mga taga Bauan (We will have an access from the terminal straight to Star Tollway. It will be a wide road where trucks can easily fit and won’t cause inconvenience to Bauan residents),” he said.

The LICT is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and operational by early 2028.

The terminal was designed to accommodate an estimated 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units per year, including mega vessels.

On Friday, Dizon and other DOTr and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) officials visited the site of the LICT and expressed 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. (PNA)