Philippines endorses ICTSI Subic as livestock, raw materials discharge port

MANILA -- Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. (SBITC) has been endorsed by the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) as a discharge port for containers of imported livestock and raw materials.

The endorsement, signed by DA Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs, Ernesto Gonzales, highlights the terminal's role in ensuring unimpeded trade for the livestock and feed milling industries.  It is also seen as an encouragement for importers to use the Subic container port to help make feeds more readily available and affordable to farmers -- leading to potentially lower market prices of meat products in the greater Manila area and nearby provinces.

"Given the initiatives of the current Administration to support affordable and accessible food for the Filipino people, industry players should be able to tap services which are competitive and will provide access where Filipino consumers demand products," the DA endorsement letter said.

The DA also noted that it was aware of delays in transporting cargo to Luzon during peak seasons, high-traffic months, and unpredictable weather.  

"SBITC is a strategic hub connecting the greater Manila and Central Luzon, the centre of the country's agriculture trade," said Roberto Locsin, SBITC general manager.  "Compared to other ports, we offer lower port fees and up to 10 days of free storage for our partners."

www.ictsi.com (ATI).