With flying colors, everyone happily celebrated the Grand Launch of the FAB Central Terminal carrying the hope of many possibilities in the heart of the Freeport Area of Bataan.
LINKING POSSIBILITIES - The overarching theme of the 5.9-hectare mixed-used development owned by the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) and developed by Hausland Development Corporation (HDC) drove the rise of the FAB Central Terminal, only eight months after its groundbreaking in April 2022. The development was officially declared operational on 7 December 2022.
The event was graced with the presence of AFAB Administrator Emmanuel D. Pineda and Deputy Administrator Alewijn Aidan K. Ong, together with Bataan 3rd District Representative Congresswoman Gila Garcia, Vice Governor Cris Garcia, and Mariveles Mayor AJ Concepcion. The guests of honor were from the management of Hausland Development Corporation (HDC) led by Chairperson and President Wilfredo M. Tan and CEO Atty. Christopher Ryan Tan. The members of the FAB transport group have also witnessed the event headed by Ms. Lourdes Monzon.
In his message, AFAB Administrator Pineda expressed his pride and gladness brought by the realization of this project. He described it as “a testament to the solid and productive partnership of the key stakeholders”. He also acknowledged the undying support of the local administration, all the way down to the barangay level, which enabled the project to move forward.
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HDC Chairperson and President Wilfredo M. Tan and CEO Atty. Christopher Ryan Tan on the other hand, expressed their gratitude for the ease of doing business in the Freeport, the good partnership constantly demonstrated by AFAB, and the warm support of all its key stakeholders.
Bataan 3rd District Representative Cong. Gila Garcia highlighted that the continued success of various public-private partnerships acknowledges that transportation is the backbone of the economy. She also envisioned future developments to benchmark the tourism development in other countries, notably in Bali, Indonesia. She also underlined the uplifting of the Human Development Index (HDI), published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which measures key dimensions of human development. The said transport facility development supports a decent standard of living - one of the key dimensions of the HDI.
The head of the transport group, Ms. Monzon, also shared her vision of increased tourism activity in the town unlike ever before.
The guests expressed their dreams of continuous and inclusive growth and progress in the freeport by prioritizing the building of support facilities that will help uplift the quality of life, not only for Mariveles but also for the citizens of Bataan at large.
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The development is envisioned as a transport terminal facility with commercial lot spaces that will cater to all transport vehicles going in and out of Mariveles aiming to centralize the transport system within the freeport and neighboring areas.