batangas city is classified as a regional growth center in the calabarzon region. under the mandate of the medium term philippine development plan and the eco-zone act of 1995, the city has also been identified as a regional agro-industrial center and special economic zone. aside from its harbor, batangas city also serves as an alternate commercial hub for southern luzon and metropolitan manila. the completion of the southern tagalog arterial road (star) and the south luzon expressway calamba interlink make travelling to batangas city faster, safer and more convenient. the city is also at the heart of the western nautical highway network to visayas and mindanao via the batangas city-calapan city link. in 2010, batangas city was recognized as the most honest and transparent city in its dealings and the most supportive city to micro, small and medium enterprises by the asian institute of management (aim) policy center, the us agency for international development (usaid) and the german technical cooperation agency (gtz).