Bagong Maersk mega-facility, palalakasin ang PH logistics system-PBBM

PINANGUNAHAN ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang pagbubukas ng bagong mega distribution facility logistics giant na Maersk, nakikita ito na magpapalakas sa import at export activities ng bansa at dalhin ang logistics system ng Pilipinas para maging “a powerful force.”

“With the grand opening of the Maersk Optimus Distribution Center, our logistics system will be a step closer to become a powerful force – bridging our islands, breathing life into our industries, our businesses, bringing together our people on a path towards sustained development,” ang bahagi ng talumpati ni Pangulong Marcos sa isinagawang paglulunsad ng Maersk Optimus Distribution Center sa naturang lungsod.

“As one of the largest logistics centers in the country, the Maersk Optimus Distribution Center is poised to bolster import and export activities in Southern Luzon, especially in Bicol and Calabarzon,” dagdag na pahayag ng Pangulo.

Ang logistics sector ng Pilipinas ay nasa ranggong 43rd mula sa 139 bansa sa 2023 Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ng world Bank.

“A notable improvement from its 60th rank in 2018,” ayon sa Pangulo.

“Our gains in customs efficiency, infrastructure quality, on-time deliveries made this rank improvement possible,”ang tinuran pa rin ni Pangulong Marcos.

Nagsimulang mag-operate ang Maersk Philippines sa bansa noong 1974, mayroon lamang itong 11 tanggapan, kabilang na ang corporate office sa Mall of Asia Complex sa Pasay City at main distribution center sa Cainta, Rizal.

Ang P4.8 billion, 10-hectare investment facility sa Laguna ang itinuturing na largest Maersk distribution center sa Pilipinas at magsisilbing transport hub para sa southern Luzon at Bicol region.

Pagdating naman sa ’employment opportunities’, inaasahan ng Maersk na makakapag- employ ito ng 1,000 personnel sa loob ng unang dalawang taon ng operasyon nito habang nakaalalay din sa napakaraming small and medium enterprises (SME) vendors, lumilikha ng indirect employment para sa 1,000 indibiduwal.

Samantala, pinuri naman ng Pangulo ang Maersk Philippines para sa pagtanggap sa ‘environmentally sustainable practices’ at pagsuporta sa inisyatiba ng pamahalaan tungo sa ‘cleaner at greener’ na Pilipinas.

“From utilizing solar power to reduce its grid consumption by 30 percent to deploying electric vehicles for last-mile services, it is committed to earning a Gold Certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Environmental stewardship is a cornerstone of this administration’s agenda, and it is heartening to see the private sector partners echoing this commitment,” ayon sa Pangulo. (Daris Jose)