Long a magnet for industry and manufacturing in the Calabarzon region, Laguna province is eager to put itself on the map as a premier hub for the booming logistics industry.
This was evidenced by the opening of the Maersk Optimus Distribution Center in Calamba City, Laguna, which government officials touted as a boost to the country’s import and export activities.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. joined Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez and Calamba City Mayor Roseller “Ross” Rizal at the opening ceremony for the ten-hectare facility located in Barangay Batino.
“With the grand opening of the Maersk Optimus Distribution Center, our logistics system will be a step closer to become a powerful force – bridging our islands, breathing life into our industries, our businesses, bringing together our people on a path towards sustained development,” Marcos said in his speech during the event.
“As one of the largest logistics centers in the country, the Maersk Optimus Distribution Center is poised to bolster import and export activities in Southern Luzon, especially in Bicol and Calabarzon,” he added.
The Philippines’ logistics sector ranked 43rd out of 139 countries in the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index (LPI), a notable improvement from its 60th rank in 2018, according to the President.
“Our gains in customs efficiency, infrastructure quality, on-time deliveries made this rank improvement possible,” Marcos said.
Maersk Philippines has been operating in the country since 1974, with 11 offices, including its corporate office in the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City and a main distribution center in Cainta, Rizal.
The P4.8 billion investment facility is the largest Maersk distribution center in the Philippines and will serve as the transport hub for southern Luzon and Bicol region.
In terms of employment opportunities, Maersk expects to employ about 1,000 personnel within the first two years of its operation while also catering to numerous small and medium enterprises (SME) vendors, creating indirect employment for another 1,000 individuals.
The President also commended Maersk Philippines for embracing environmentally sustainable practices and supporting the government’s initiatives towards a cleaner and greener Philippines.
“From utilizing solar power to reduce its grid consumption by 30 percent to deploying electric vehicles for last-mile services, it is committed to earning a Gold Certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Environmental stewardship is a cornerstone of this administration’s agenda, and it is heartening to see the private sector partners echoing this commitment,” he said.
(With report from PNA)
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