Iloilo city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday unveiled his plan to establish 10 new fish ports equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment throughout the Philippines. This initiative is part of a broader effort to develop the agri-fishery sector and achieve food security.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos made this commitment during the inauguration of the rehabilitated and improved Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC) in Barangay Tanza-Baybay, Iloilo City. In his address, Marcos emphasized the necessity of constructing new fish ports with essential structures, such as cold storage facilities, to improve operational efficiency and tackle logistics challenges.
Marcos explained that the upgraded fish ports would allow for immediate loading and distribution, eliminating the need for trucks and reducing transportation costs. He expressed excitement about the construction of new fish ports, highlighting their importance in keeping pace with neighboring countries like Thailand and Vietnam, which have implemented similar systems to enhance their fisheries sector, boost global competitiveness, and increase food production.
The president noted that the new fish ports are expected to benefit over 2 million Filipino fishermen, potentially leading to higher incomes. He stressed that infrastructure is crucial, as even simple designs can become central hubs for fishermen, linking them to ice plants, frozen food retailers, and other small retailers.
The rehabilitated fish port, completed in March, was funded through the PFDA’s Multi-Year National Government Subsidy with a contract price of PHP885.14 million. It features modern facilities and increased capacity to better serve clients and stakeholders.
The PFDA-IFPC is now equipped with a 390-kilowatt peak (kWp) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system, featuring 1,152 370-watt PV solar panel modules installed on key structures including the new market hall, refrigeration building, cold storage facility, commercial building, public toilet, and administration building.
As a bustling hub of fisheries and trade in Western Visayas, the PFDA-IFPC hosts over 1,400 industry players who contribute to the region’s economy. Inside the new market hall are 21 licensed fish brokers with 369 helpers, 503 fish viajeros with 344 helpers, as well as 66 major overland fish suppliers, seven fishing vessel operators, and 37 retailers supported by 74 personnel, creating an efficient fishery supply chain from sea to market.
