President Marcos is optimistic that a newly opened distribution hub in Calamba, Laguna, will help transform the Philippines’ logistics sector into a major player in the movement of goods in Southeast Asia.
“With the grand opening of the Maersk Optimus Distribution Center, our logistics system will be a step closer to becoming a powerful force—bridging our islands, breathing life into our industries, our businesses, and bringing together our people on a path towards sustained development,” the President said during the facility’s inauguration on Wednesday.
The P4.8-billion distribution center, equipped with advanced technology, is envisioned to serve the CALABARZON and Bicol regions, which encompass 11 provinces.
The chief executive noted that it will facilitate imports and exports, further enhancing the country’s logistics capabilities.
Construction of the center began in April 2022 and is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Mr. Marcos also highlighted the importance of resilient supply chains, noting that the pandemic underscored the need for strong logistics infrastructure.
“The lessons learned from the pandemic are that supply chains have to be robust, so that we still have the capability to move people and goods, even in the face of crises,” he said.
The Philippines ranked 43rd out of 139 countries in the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index, a rise from its 60th place in 2018, driven by improvements in customs efficiency, infrastructure, and on-time deliveries.
Maersk Philippines, operating locally since 1974, now has 11 offices, 99 warehouses, and three container vessels with a combined capacity of 3,300 container vans.
The Optimus center is expected to create approximately 1,000 direct jobs and indirectly support another 1,000 in its first two years of operation.
