MARIVELES, Bataan – This coastal and industrial town in Bataan strategically located along the mouth of Manila Bay and Corregidor Island is the best alternative to decongest Manila ports, a top provincial official said yesterday.
A native of this town, Board Member Jose “Peping” Villapando urged authorities in the national government to take a look at the deep seas and harbor of this town that are suitable for international shipping and is accessible to cargo ships coming to and going outside Manila.
Mariveles has several existing international seaports and its harbors are deeper than those in Manila ports, said Rep. Enrique “Tet” Garcia, 2nd district-Bataan.
The national government has recommended the nearby Subic International Seaport as an alternative to decongest Manila ports, but it is farther and also congested compared to this town, said Villapando. Aside from the international seaport in this town, Mariveles also has shipyard and dry dock facilities.
Mariveles town mayor Jesse I. Concepcion has also invited investors such as construction magnate Jerry Acuzar to invest in this town, saying this town has a wide coastal area that can be reclaimed and converted into a commercial area.
Mayor Concepcion said that investors can also reclaim and construct industrial and commercial centers right at the center of the Mariveles ocean that is, if pushed through, accessible both to this town and Metro Manila.
The national government can decongest its ports and also solve the heavy traffic in Metro Manila, by utilizing our seaports,” said Concepcion.
This town hosts the Freeport Area of Bataan, the fastest growing freeport in the country, that employs thousands of workers.
