Bernie Anabo Jr.
The message was clear, bold, and impossible to ignore.
While others merely talk about improving trade, Port of Batangas District Collector Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan is pushing an aggressive agenda that demands speed, efficiency, and world-class service from the country’s logistics sector.
Delivering the Opening Keynote Address at the 1st Southern Luzon Logistics Conference & Exhibit 2026 held at the Holiday Inn & Suites Batangas LimaPark, Collector Talusan laid down a challenge that resonates far beyond the walls of the conference hall.
“Every efficient shipment strengthens your supply chain.”
Those words are more than a slogan—they are a declaration that every container cleared on time, every cargo released without unnecessary delay, and every reform implemented at the Bureau of Customs fuels investments, creates jobs, and drives the Philippine economy forward.
Collector Talusan emphasized that customs modernization is no longer an option—it is a necessity. Coupled with strategic infrastructure development and stronger collaboration between government and the private sector, she believes CALABARZON
is poised to become the country’s premier logistics and investment powerhouse.
Her vision is straightforward and uncompromising: transform Southern Luzon into a gateway where efficiency replaces bureaucracy, innovation defeats outdated systems, and integrity becomes the standard rather than the exception.
Her rallying call captured the very direction of the region:
“Let us continue working together to make CALABARZON and Southern Luzon not only a gateway for cargo, but also a model of service excellence, innovation, and good governance.”
Those are not empty words. Under Collector Talusan’s leadership, the Port of Batangas has consistently demonstrated that disciplined management, operational excellence, and partnership with stakeholders can deliver tangible results.
At a time when global supply chains demand speed and reliability, the Port of Batangas is proving that the Philippines can compete—and even lead.
Collector “Mimel” Talusan is showing that modern customs administration is no longer just about collecting revenues. It is about building investor confidence, accelerating economic growth, and ensuring that every shipment reaching Philippine shores contributes to national development.
The challenge has been issued.
The logistics industry must keep pace.
Because in today’s highly competitive global economy, delays cost billions—but efficiency builds nations.
And if the momentum generated by Collector Carmelita “Mimel” Talusan continues, the Port of Batangas is not merely moving cargo—it is helping move the Philippine economy toward a faster, stronger, and more competitive future.
