TACLOBAN CITY – The provincial government of Leyte will construct an international seaport in Babatngon town to boost trade, reduce shipping costs, and position the province as a major investment hub, Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla announced during the Provincial Executive and Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, August 20.
The P1.6-billion project, to be called Leyte Province International Port and Export Processing Zone, will be funded through a loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines. Petilla said the facility will eliminate the need for international cargo shipments to pass through Cebu before reaching Eastern Visayas.
“There will be no more transshipment for imports intended for Region 8, resulting in cheaper prices of goods,” Petilla said, citing expected benefits such as lower tariffs for port users, local job generation, and faster cargo movement.
Babatngon was chosen for its strategic location near Northern Samar and its accessibility without crossing the San Juanico Strait, which currently limits larger vessels due to clearance issues at the San Juanico Bridge. The project will also ease reliance on Tacloban and Ormoc ports, reducing congestion in urban areas.
The initial development will cover 20 hectares, with an additional 20 hectares for future expansion. Plans include a container yard, warehouse, and RORO(roll on-roll off) area. An access road from the national highway will also be built.
Construction is set to begin this year and finish by 2027. While the provincial government will initially manage the facility, Petilla said operations may later be outsourced to private firms for efficiency.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
