26 APRIL 2024, MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., officially launched the opening of the new and improved Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) together with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) at the Port of Batangas today (April 26, 2024).
The PTB of Batangas Port is the most modern PTB in the ports managed by the PPA under its terminal operator Asian Terminal Incorporated (ATI). It connects mainland Luzon to MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, at Palawan), to Iloilo, Negros, Cebu, and Mindanao via fast crafts, ferries, and roll-on/roll-off ships.
“With the completion of this building, we now have an all-year clean and comfortable terminal for all travelers from all over the world," said President Marcos in his speech.
The President recognized the importance of Batangas Port in stimulating the economy as a portal to agricultural powerhouses, a gateway to island tourism paradises, and a hub for goods and other products.
"Therefore, today’s activity is not only a reaffirmation of its importance, but as a vote of confidence in the entire Southern Tagalog, Bicol, and MIMAROPA’s promising and positive future," according to the President.
The President, together with officials from PPA and ATI toured the 1.5-hectare facility with one level, and a high ceiling of 15 meters. Food concession stands are also located for the convenience of the passengers.
“Batangas port is one of the busiest terminals, where during peak seasons, we accommodate up to 22,000 passengers in a single day. The limited space of the terminal has always been a concern in the past. That’s why we expanded it from 2,500 passenger capacity to 8,000 passenger capacity at the batangas passenger terminal building. This is now our largest terminal,” stated PPA General Manager Jay Santiago.
Among the facilities at Batangas PTB that provide comfort to travelers are fully air-conditioned lounges, facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities, baggage x-ray machines, walkthrough metal detectors, and extensive CCTV coverage.
Planning stage for the Batangas PTB modernization began in 2020 and despite the pandemic, the construction commenced in 2021. Phase 1 of the Batangas PTB development was completed in 2022, while in the first quarter of 2024, the construction of phase 2 was completed.
Prior to the modernization of the Batangas PTB, a multi-level car storage facility capable of accommodating 13,000 vehicles at any one time was built in 2018. In 2019, the expansion of the Batangas Container Terminal was accomplished, increasing the capacity of the south Luzon premier international gateway. It now has a capacity of 600,000 TEUs annually, complete with 4 quay cranes and 8 rubber-tired gantry cranes.
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