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The recently concluded 1st Southern Luzon Logistics Conference & Exhibit 2026, organized by PortCalls in partnership with the Bureau of Customs–Port of Batangas, drew more than 250 delegates from across CALABARZON and Metro Manila
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Speakers from Bureau of Customs, Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Board of Investments, Asian Terminals Inc., International Container Terminal Services, Inc, Development Bank of the Philippines, and UPS Philippines tackled infrastructure, regulatory, and investment topics shaping Southern Luzon’s emergence as a national logistics hub
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Common themes included the strategic importance of Batangas Port, the power of public-private collaboration, and the urgent need to align infrastructure, policy, and customs modernization to sustain CALABARZON’s growth
The 1st Southern Luzon Logistics Conference & Exhibit 2026 concluded successfully on July 24 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Batangas LimaPark, drawing more than 250 delegates from manufacturing, logistics, transport, port operations, and government — many traveling from Metro Manila and other areas outside Batangas for what has quickly established itself as the region’s foremost logistics event.
Organized by PortCalls in partnership with the Bureau of Customs–Port of Batangas, the whole-day conference — themed “Building a World-Class Logistics Ecosystem in Southern Luzon” — opened with a keynote by BOC–Port of Batangas District Collector Carmelita Talusan, who reported that the port collected ₱120.88 billion in the first half of 2026, exceeding its mid-year target by ₱2.45 billion. “When government delivers efficient and responsive service, businesses are encouraged to comply, investments continue to grow, and trade flows more efficiently,” she said.
Presentations from Asian Terminals Inc.’s Assistant Vice President for Commercial, Ports and Terminals Reginald Rivera; International Container Terminal Services Inc. Vice President for the Philippines Portfolio Phillip Marsham; and the Development Bank of the Philippines’ Senior Assistant Vice President Edward Mansion covered Batangas Port’s growing role in CALABARZON trade, ICTSI’s integrated terminal network from Cavite to Batangas — including the upcoming South Luzon Container Terminal — and DBP’s financing solutions for logistics infrastructure. UPS Philippines’ Solutions Engagement Manager Raymond Barairo provided a practical update on navigating changing trade policies and tariffs.
An afternoon keynote from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority’s Acting Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Emmanuel Cortero, and a presentation by the Board of Investments’ Director Investment Policy and Planning Service Sandra Marie Recolizado unpacked CALABARZON’s supply chain convergence and the incentives available under the CREATE MORE Act and the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan. BOC–Port of Batangas Deputy Collector for Assessment Julius Herald Altiche delivered two sessions on customs best practices, transshipment and transit procedures, and customs valuation.
Moderators Samuel Bautista, Chairman, Professional Regulatory Board for Customs Brokers; and Francis Lopez, CEO and President of InterCommerce Network Services, Inc, acted as moderators on the infrastructure and trade facilitation tracks, respectively.
Across all sessions, common themes emerged: the strategic importance of Batangas Port, the power of public-private collaboration, and the need to align infrastructure development with customs modernization to sustain CALABARZON’s growth as a world-class logistics hub. Extensive networking took place throughout the day, with delegates and sponsors engaging at the exhibition booths.
PortCalls Publisher Liza Almonte, in her closing remarks, captured the spirit of the day. “We didn’t just cover the story — we’re very happy to have convened it. This is the 1st Southern Luzon Logistics Conference & Exhibit. It will not be the last.”
The event was supported by Silver Sponsors DBP, Powertrac, and UPS; Bronze Sponsors Alllink, Asian Terminals Inc., e-Way, InterCommerce Network Services, ICTSI, and Maersk; Exhibitors AboitizLand, Airspeed, Chronicles Ports Inc., Lavelle Trading, and Poro Port Management Corp; and Partners Philippine Multimodal Transport and Logistics Association, Inc and Universal Robina Corporation.
