BATANGAS CITY (PIA) — A newly-expanded world class manufacturing complex for naphtha was unveiled on January 19 and is poised to generate more jobs, higher income for locals, and more opportunity for the communities in Batangas City.

During the inauguration graced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the President said that the expansion of the first and only naphtha cracker plant in the country, owned and operated by the JG Summit Olefins Corporation, will further revitalize the Philippine manufacturing industry and will aid the progress of Filipinos who will directly benefit from it.

“It is among the linchpins of our industrialization, a vital link in moving up the value chain, and guarantees the supply of a critical production ingredient. It is directly and indirectly employing 6,200 individuals. You are a major contributor to an industry that is forecasted to enrich our economy by Php215 billion next year,” President Marcos Jr. said.

PBBM said that the 160-hectare petrochemical facility and is a part of a USD 1.3 billion expansion project, is a testament on the greatness and excellence of the Filipino in business and innovation, embodied by businessman and philanthropist John Gokongwei.

The President said: “What you have built here is more than a cutting-edge technology. It is a testament to Filipino skills, a proof of business confidence, an example of manufacturing resurgence, and a realization of the vision of a great Filipino industrialist, the patriot John Gokongwei.”

He expressed his gratitude to the workers and the local government of Batangas for their support in pursuing a ‘national mission’.

“To all the men and women, scientists and engineers, who keep this complex running, thank you for your labor, you hardwork in pursuing this national mission. To the people of Batangas, an economic powerhouse in itself, thank you for hosting this critical enterprise, which you support by supplying the workforce that it needs and providing the local government support which is essential to the success of such large projects,” PBBM added.

The President then toured the complex and was accompanied by JG Summit President  and Chief Executive Officer Lance Gokongwei, JG Summit Olefins President Arnel Santos, JG Summit Holdings Inc. Chairman James Go; Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual; Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Batangas City Mayor Beverley Rose Dimacuha.

In an interview, Mayor Dimacuha said that the plant significantly helps the city.

“There are more jobs, more opportunities that this expansion will usher in, and that is what we really aspire – to welcome more investors for the benefit of our kababayans, to work here and to improve their livelihood,” said Dimacuha.

Mandanas, meanwhile hopes that the petrochemical plant will expand the local market and slash the country’s dependence on importation.

“This will lessen our importation, we could save more money, it will provide more job opportunities, and will lessen the cost of raw materials for the factories so we expect that this expansion will go over and beyond, and will benefit many people,” the governor added.

According to JGSOC President and CEO Arnel Santos, the petrochemical industry plays a strategic and basic sector of the economy as it provides raw materials to other major sectors of the economy like packaging for food, fibers for clothing, materials for shelter, components for transport vehicles, other agricultural inputs, among others.

Currently, the company employs more than 40 percent of residents from barangays Pinamucan Ibaba and Simlong in Batangas City as part of their commitment to the communities. (BPDC, CH/PIA-4A)