TAGOLOAN, Misamis Oriental (PIA) – PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority (IA) has granted Mindanao International Container Terminal Services Inc. (MICTSI) a 25-year contract extension to manage the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) within the PHIVIDEC industrial estate. This move aims to drive Northern Mindanao’s economic growth.
On December 19, 2024, PHIVIDEC IA and MICTSI signed an amendment and supplement to the MCT contract, paving the way for Phase II of the terminal’s expansion.
“This extension empowers us to pursue our ambitious vision for MCT. We are investing over $100 million in the next three years to extend the berth by 300 meters, enabling larger vessels to dock and expanding service routes to connect Mindanao to global markets like never before,” said MICTSI President and General Manager Aurelio C. Garcia.
The expansion, he reported, would increase MCT’s capacity from 350,000 to over 800,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), enhancing logistics and attracting new international trade routes. This positions MCT as a key gateway for global commerce, boosting both imports and exports in Mindanao.
Garcia added that MICTSI plans to acquire state-of-the-art equipment to optimize operations, significantly improving capacity and efficiency. He emphasized that the upgrades aim to expand capabilities and empower regional businesses to thrive and compete globally.
“This investment supports PHIVIDEC’s efforts to attract new investors and locators, create more jobs, and stimulate Mindanao’s economic activity,” Garcia said.
PHIVIDEC IA Administrator Atty. Joseph Donato Bernedo cited the project’s potential to drive the region’s economic growth by unlocking new markets, increasing trade, and creating more business opportunities.
“This will undoubtedly increase the region’s GDP with larger shipping capacities, new market openings, more products and businesses coming in,” Bernedo stated.
He explained that the expanded terminal capacity will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Mindanao.
The PHIVIDEC administrator underscored that priority shipping access and routes empower SMEs to compete globally, fueling growth and leveling the playing field with large-scale exporters. (DCC/PIA10)
