MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday led the inauguration of the Cavite Gateway Terminal (CGT), the country’s first and only container barge port located in Barangay Capipisa East, Tanza, Cavite.
Duterte said the PHP1.5-billion terminal is the result of the collaboration between the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) that aims to address the perennial problem of port and road congestion.
“By allowing the transport of cargo by sea instead of by land, this project is expected to result in 140,000 fewer truck trips per year. This will not only decongest our roads, but also address the long queue of trucks in the Port of Manila,” the President said.
“The efficient transport of cargo and goods to and from our ports is an important element in the supply chain industry,” he added.
The President commended the ICTSI officials and staff headed by its chairman and president, Enrique Razon, for helping the government provide every Filipino a comfortable life.
He also thanked the local officials headed by Cavite Governor Jesus Remulla and Tanza Mayor Yuri Pacumio for allowing the CGT to be part of the province’s growing economy.
The terminal was designed to facilitate the seaborne transport of containers from Cavite to major Luzon port facilities, including the Ports of Subic and Batangas, and can accommodate 115,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containerized cargo each year.
Once fully operational, the CGT is expected to reduce Metro Manila traffic as it will maximize the role of Ro-Ro (roll-on, roll-off) vessels in the transfer of containerized cargo going to and from the Port of Manila via Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
The CGT is located within 5 km. to 30 km. radius that has the presence of several major economic zones, including the Cavite Export Processing Zone in General Trias and First Cavite Industrial Estate in Dasmariñas.
Assisted by Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade and Razon, Duterte led the ceremonial loading of Ro-Ro cargo vessel destined to travel to the Port of Manila for two-and-a-half hours.
“This terminal will promote inter-regional trade and development, provide greater access to South Luzon, and spur the growth of its thriving industries,” Duterte said.
He said the CGT will serve as a model for similar port infrastructure projects to be built across the country in line with his administration’s massive “Build, Build, Build” program.
“I assure everyone that in line with our ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, this administration will continue to pursue the timely implementation of crucial projects that will uplift the lives of our countrymen,” Duterte said.
“Together, let us work hand in hand as we lay down the physical foundations of a better life for every Filipino,” he added.
Aside from Ro-Ro barge berthing, the CGT also offers other services, such as container storage/yard leasing, container maintenance and repair, weighing and other related services with 24/7 state-of-the-art logistics hub. (PNA)
