Batangas expects to become a regional trade center through the creation of the ASEAN Batangas Access Zone or ABA Zone which is a 100-hectare development that will connect "superports" across the ASEAN.
The ABA Zone will feature a Smart Logistics Hub, a food port, a regional food terminal, and a coastal access road that will connect Batangas International Port to Bauan Port.
"The ABA Zone will help in making Batangas as one of the major economic centers of the Philippines. As such, we believe this development will stimulate the creation of high-paying jobs that will uplift citizens' standards of living," Hermilando Mandanas, Governor of Batangas, said.
"In addition, we believe the ABA Zone will help in making our province even more attractive to local and foreign investors.
Even now, we are seeing more investments in Batangas because of favorable trends such as accessibility to Metro Manila and attractive land prices, among others," Mandanas added.
Masterplan being drafted
On 27 April, the provincial government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Trade and Industry and YCH Group Singapore for a masterplan on the development of ABA Zone.
A property that the national government owns in San Pascual, Batangas is seen as a potential site of this Public-Private Partnership Project.
Mandanas also accompanied President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in his state visit to Singapore last 6 to 7 September. During the visit, the Governor discussed the next steps of the development of ABA Zone with the President, DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and YCH Group Singapore.
The Governor also visited YCH Group Singapore's Supply Chain City in Bulim Avenue, Singapore to take inspiration on how to pursue the development of ABA Zone. This facility is a mega supply chain, cold storage, and fulfillment facility in the middle of a 100-hectare master planned logistics and supply chain site.