BAUAN, Batangas — What was once a quiet port town is now on the cusp of becoming a game-changer in Philippine logistics and trade.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has unveiled bold plans to transform Bauan, Batangas into the country’s first fully automated container terminal and its second-largest overall, a development poised to redefine economic activity in Southern Luzon and decongest the overburdened ports of Metro Manila.
Dubbed the Luzon International Container Terminal (LICT), the facility will be capable of handling up to 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) — just behind the Manila International Container Terminal, the nation’s largest. But what sets LICT apart, according to Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, is not just its scale, but its potential to usher in a new era of digital logistics.
“This is very important in the Calabarzon area because we know that Calabarzon is the industrial capital of the Philippines,” Dizon said in a press briefing Friday, after meeting with local officials and project stakeholders.
‘The rise of this port will also spur the growth of new industrial and manufacturing parks in the surrounding areas. It’s an ecosystem we’re building — not just a terminal.’
LOGISTICS HUB
Batangas, particularly Bauan, is strategically located to serve the high-volume needs of Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) — the country’s most industrialized region. Home to automotive hubs, electronics manufacturers, and agro-industrial complexes, the region has long needed a direct maritime gateway to global markets.
The LICT will be developed in partnership with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI).
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the project not only supports the government’s “Build Better More” infrastructure push but also positions the Philippines as a competitive logistics player in the Asia-Pacific region.
NOT JUST A TERMINAL
Once operational, LICT will be the Philippines’ first fully automated container terminal, designed to integrate artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure for seamless port operations — from gate entry to container handling and cargo release.
Automation is expected to significantly reduce processing times, eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure 24/7 operational capability.
Despite its high-tech framework, Dizon stressed that the project is not job-displacing but job-generating. The construction and operation of LICT are expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from construction workers and engineers to logistics specialists and transport providers.
“The rise of this port will also spur the growth of new industrial and manufacturing parks in the surrounding areas,” Dizon added. “It’s an ecosystem we’re building — not just a terminal.”
STRATEGIC RESET
Construction of Phase 1 is scheduled to begin in September 2025, with completion targeted by the end of 2027. The initial phase will lay down core port infrastructure, including automated cargo systems, berth development, and road connections.
Local government officials have expressed strong support, noting the economic ripple effect it could have across Batangas and neighboring provinces. Environmental compliance and community consultations are also reportedly underway to ensure inclusive development.
With trade volumes steadily increasing and Metro Manila ports nearing saturation, the LICT in Bauan could emerge as a vital pressure valve — and a beacon of modern port management in the country.
For the DOTr, the project is more than just a port. It’s a strategic reset — one that reorients the nation’s economic center of gravity toward the south, unlocking opportunities for industries, communities, and the country’s long-term competitiveness.