Prioritize location relative to your customer base and main carriers, dock and bay capacity for throughput, inventory and WMS integration, SLA for order processing and returns, and scalability for peak seasons. Also evaluate local labor availability and contingency plans for weather-related disruptions.

Main drivers are land/rental rates, labor, inbound/outbound transport, and handling fees. Optimize by consolidating SKUs, negotiating carrier volume rates, using cross-docking to reduce storage days, and selecting facilities with efficient layout and automation to lower pick-and-pack labor.

Facilities in the province can shorten transit times to Southern Luzon markets and provide alternative routing to ports, which improves resilience and lowers trucking distances into Metro Manila. Access to feeder ports also expands inter-island carrier choices and can reduce sea transit legs for nearby island markets.

Verify utility reliability, security, loading bay count, racking and storage types, WMS/APIs, temperature control (if needed), and certifications like ISO or local regulatory compliance. Confirm carrier integrations, reporting capabilities, and proven peak-season throughput performance.