By Brian Campued
“Tiyak na laging may sariwang isda sa ating mga hapag-kainan.”
As part of efforts to strengthen the fisheries sector in the country, the modernization and rehabilitation of fish ports remain among the priorities of the Marcos Jr. administration to improve fisheries supply chain and support to Filipino fisherfolk.
This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led an inspection of the newly rehabilitated Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA)-Sual Fish Port Complex in Pangasinan on Thursday.
The modernization project included the rehabilitation and construction of market halls, cold storage facilities, a multi-purpose pier, sorting areas, and access roads, among other support infrastructure aimed at improving port operations.
“Malinaw ang utos ng Pangulo sa Department of Agriculture, gawing mas moderno ang ating mga fish port sa buong Pilipinas para makasabay sa pangangailangan ng mga mangingisda at mamimili,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during the Malacañang press briefing.
“Isinagawa ang mga improvements sa nasabing fish port upang palakasin ang kapasidad nito, pabilisin ang pagdala ng produkto sa mga pamilihan, at panatilihin ang kalidad at abot-kayang presyo ng pagkain,” she added.
As the sole regional fish port in Northern Luzon, the upgraded complex is expected to improve fish handling and processing efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, expand market access for fisherfolk, and help ensure a steady supply of quality fish and other marine products.
It is likewise seen to generate more livelihood opportunities while strengthening the government’s support for fishing communities along the Lingayen Gulf, the western coast of Pangasinan, and parts of the Ilocos coastline.
During the visit, President Marcos Jr. witnessed the sale of government-subsidized rice under the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program and inspected the Refrigeration and Processing Building, classification area, ice storage and chiller rooms, fish processing sections, packing room, blast freezers, boxing area, cold storage facilities, and the loading area.
The President also interacted with local fishermen and personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), including the 28 crew members of BRP Cabanigan and BRP Robert Servañez, who were subjected to water cannon attacks by the China Coast Guard while conducting a routine mission near Bajo de Masinloc on July 23 and 24.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., for his part, described the rehabilitation of the Sual Fish Port as an “investment in both our fishermen and our nation’s food security.”
“By providing better post-harvest facilities, cold chain infrastructure, and more efficient trading systems, we reduce losses, preserve the quality of our catch, improve incomes for our fisherfolk, and ensure that more affordable and nutritious fish reach Filipino families,” he said.
PFDA acting General Manager Glen Pangapalan echoed Laurel’s statement, noting that the “facility will serve fishing communities for many years, “providing them with better services, modern post-harvest facilities, and greater opportunities to grow their livelihoods.”
-jpv
