The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), through its subsidiary Poro Point Management Corporation (PPMC) officially signed lease agreements with three of the country’s leading energy companies, Chevron, Shell, and Petron, for their continued operations at the San Fernando International Seaport in La Union.
The signing ceremony, held recently, secures the continued presence of these critical industry leaders at Poro Point which solidifies the seaport’s position as Northern Luzon’s primary logistics hub for fuel, essential commodities, and commercial trade.
BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua Bingcang emphasized that maintaining a transparent and well-managed port environment is vital for long-term economic stability and future investment.
“By reinforcing a transparent and well-managed port environment today, we preserve the vital operational conditions required to drive long-term growth and attract future investments to La Union,” Engr. Bingcang said.
Meanwhile, PPMC President and CEO Servillano Flores, Jr. highlighted the strategic role of the Freeport in fostering sustainable development and productive stakeholder partnerships across the region.
“These lease renewals underscore PPMC’s dedication to fostering strong stakeholder partnerships and ensuring efficient, reliable operations within the Poro Point Freeport Zone. Together with our partners, we are ensuring that Poro Point continues to serve as an indispensable catalyst for trade, industry, and economic growth in Northern Luzon,” Flores said.
The corporate partners echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the operational stability that the public-private alliance affords.
Mario Serranillo, Chevron’s Manager for DM&C Field Operations, Lubricants & International Terminals, reaffirmed the energy firm’s long-term reliance on the port, pointing to a shared interest in maintaining “safe, reliable, responsible, and sustainable operations.”
Petron Vice President for Procurement Jacqueline Ang noted that Petron’s footprint at the site traces back to the 1960s, a heritage now absorbed into the modern BCDA framework.
“With the BCDA Group taking over the administration of the property, we are very much excited to advance this leasehold partnership, serve the industries in the region, and provide world-class fuel products to the public,” Ang said.
For Shell, the seaport serves as a critical distribution node for a high-priority regional market. Shell Contracts and Maintenance Manager Paulo Ocampo noted that the agreement directly guards against energy bottlenecks in the north.
“This signing is very important to Shell as it will continue to ensure the stability of fuel supply in the region. La Union, together with the rest of Northern Luzon, is one of Shell’s key markets,” Ocampo added.
The strategic lease signing at Poro Point directly support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ‘s administration’s agenda to modernize critical infrastructure and build robust, interconnected supply chains across the Philippines.
By strengthening key maritime gateways like the San Fernando International Seaport, the BCDA and PPMC are actively enhancing energy security, reducing logistics bottlenecks, and fostering an environment conducive to sustained regional economic growth. This collective effort ensures that Northern Luzon remains well-positioned to meet growing industrial demands and drive national economic expansion. NLMonitor
