Jimmy Saberon
BATANGAS CITY — The Bureau of Customs – Port of Batangas (BOC-POB) and key port stakeholders have advanced plans for the expansion of the South Luzon Container Terminal (SLCT) in Bauan, Batangas, a major infrastructure project expected to enhance regional trade capacity and decongest Metro Manila ports.
District Collector Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan led a meeting on February 23, 2026, with representatives from Bauan International Port, Inc. (BIPI) and Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal (LGICT) to discuss updates on the terminal’s ongoing expansion.
Among those present were LGICT General Manager Carmela N. Rodriguez, Commercial Operations Officer John Victor T. Ilin, and BIPI General Manager Ferdinand S. Magtalas.
BIPI officials reported that construction of the expanded facility began in the third quarter of 2025. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, with full operations targeted by 2028.
Once completed, the SLCT will expand from 22 hectares to 56.21 hectares and is projected to accommodate more than two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually. The facility aims to become the country’s second-largest and most modern container terminal.
Located approximately 8.6 kilometers from the Port of Batangas, the expanded SLCT is expected to improve cargo movement across the CALABARZON region, accommodate larger volumes of containerized shipments, and help ease congestion at ports in Metro Manila and Batangas.
Collector Talusan emphasized the importance of the project in promoting trade growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting sustainable port development in Batangas province.
The expansion aligns with the modernization agenda of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, which prioritizes trade facilitation, process streamlining, digital transformation, and strengthened public-private partnerships.
The Bureau of Customs said the collaboration reflects its continuing efforts to modernize port operations and reinforce Southern Luzon’s position as a key logistics and trade hub in the country.
With full operations projected by 2028, the SLCT expansion is expected to play a significant role in strengthening the region’s contribution to national economic growth.
