Legazpi City — The Bureau of Customs (BoC) -Port of Legazpi announced on Wednesday, February 21, that it will launch an international container line, slated to begin operations in March, with the aim of generating a P1 billion monthly collection.
The Maiden Voyage of Containerized Shipment project, set to launch at the Port of Legazpi City, aims to promote Bicol’s local products through exports to destinations such as Singapore, the Middle East, America, and Europe.
Additionally, it includes facilitating the arrival of an international cargo vessel to dock in the Bicol Region as part of Regional Container Lines’ Maiden Voyage preparing for the Container Load, with a route from Tabaco to Singapore.
According to Dindo G. Nabol, the Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bicol, having only one BoC office at Legazpi port restricts collections, leading to trade disparities and hindering direct transactions.
Nabol also emphasized the potential economic benefits for both businesses and Bicolanos, citing increased opportunities for importers and exporters as key advantages.
“Maraming opportunity ang mga importers and exporters as well (as) make our imported products cheaper for the benefit of the consumers. This is not only for the benefit of our businessmen but also for Bicolanos as well,” Nabol asserted.
“[Ang] Bicol Region [ay] magiging competitive international market. We’ve been promoting our Bicol Products in so many foreign markets; in fact, the European Commission approved the entry of Pili Products in Europe as novel food from a 3rd country like the Philippines, it’s a big market,” he added.
Likewise, Marlon Isah De Guzman, general manager of Eagle Express Lines, emphasized the significant reduction in transport and warehousing costs, ensuring predictability in the arrival of goods.
De Guzman underlined the potential for increased economic advantages, including reduced logistics costs and improved access to job opportunities and affordable goods for the Bicolano community.
The international container line is a collaborative effort between the BoC and the RCL, a Thai-based container shipping line company with some 40 years of experience. I Kimberly Palenzuela, Gabby Bajaro
