THE investment of Sinisian Lemery Batangas Port and Industrial Park Corp. (SLBPIPC) for a logistics and supply chain hub facility in this town is helping drive Lemery’s push for cityhood, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro L. Leviste said during the SLBPIP inauguration Friday
Leviste described SLBPIPC’s decision to establish its integrated port and industrial complex in Sinisian as a “vote of confidence” in the leadership of Batangas province and the officials of Lemery.
The young legislator emphasized that it took wise planning and sound governance to encourage investors that will help progress the towns along the Balayan Bay which in turn proved that Lemery is now ready for its quest to cityhood. He gives emphasis that local leaders like Vie Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas have rightfully espoused worthwhile investment like the SLBPIPC.
SLBPIPC CEO Ferdinand Co affirmed that the project started during the incumbency of Vice Governor Mandanas when the latter was still the governor of Batangas, and former Lemery Mayor Larry AIilio, the late father of incumbent Mayor Ian Alilio.
Co also recounted the company’s challenging yet inspiring journey, which began with the groundbreaking in 2019. Despite disruptions from the Taal Volcano eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic, SLBPIPC pursued its vision to address critical logistics gaps.
“Aside from meeting logistics and industrial needs, this complex now provides more than 300 jobs, excluding haulers and truckers, and generates taxes that help the economy and community,” Co added. “We are proud to support Lemery’s growth and its goal of becoming a city.”
By the way, SLBPIPC is now home to both cement and oil silos catering to both local and international players.
The Lemery Cement Silo imports quality cement in bulk and in 40kg. bags to be placed in cement silo and with packing facilities in 40kg. and jumbo bags for local markets. LCSTC is offering Uno Type 1 and Barako Type 1T brands. It also carry CGBFS (granulated ground blast furnace slag) being supplied to batching plants to make ready mix concrete more durable, eco-friendly and cheaper.
On the other hand, the Lemery Oil Terminal Corp. (LOTC) is servicing Unioil and Insular Oil, two downstream oil players in the country.
Meanwhile, Lemery is also home to the multi-billion peso steel mill project of SteelAsia Lemery Works Inc. which has been granted a “green lane” endorsement by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Board of Investment One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI).
SteelAsia’s project has an initial investment cost of P19.3 billion.
Cong. Leviste pointed out that “Batangas has vast areas along Balayan Bay and Lemery’s coastline ready for development, and Sinisian’s future tax payments will help boost Lemery’s income to levels needed for its cityhood.”
The Local Government Code (RA 7160), as amended by RA (11683), so provides that a town can be converted into a component city if it has (i) )annual income of not less than P100-million for two consecutive years based on the 2000 constant prices as certified by the Department of Finance; (ii) a territory of not less than 100 square kilometer as certified by the Land Management Bureau (LMB); and a population of not less than 150,00 as certified by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Section 1 of RA 11683 also provides that the shortage on the requirement on territory or population can be allowed by the requirement on income is a non-negotiable requirement.
The town of Lemery is certified as a first-class municipality. Based on RA 11964, a town that is declared first class if it recorded a P200 million annual income.
Clearly, SLBPIPC and SteelAsia Lemery Works, Inc. will be the best driving factors to keep Lemery’s economic growth.
Lemery Mayor Ian Kenneth Alilio lauded SLBPIPC for being the first major industrial project to locate in the municipality; and as the town’s lucky charm, it encourages the entry of other industries into Lemery.|
