Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. hailed the Lagonglong Port in Misamis Oriental as a “timely” infrastructure project aligned with the government’s goal to increase food production.
“Lagonglong Port dovetails with the Department of Agriculture’s push to boost agricultural production, ensure accessibility to affordable food, and achieve food security for our countrymen,” Secretary Tiu Laurel said during groundbreaking rites for the project.
Due for completion in March 2025, Lagonglong Port promises to increase trade capacity in Mindanao, enhance logistical capability in the region, and create new jobs.
The project is a private commercial port development of Amadi MGT Terminals Inc. that will cost P4 billion. Amadi will spend P1.4 billion for the first phase, acquiring an annual throughput capacity of 3.3 million metric tons of bulk cargo.
The port will also have storage facilities and modern equipment to handle international and domestic cargo, including perishable goods. Aboitiz Construction is building the multi-grain terminal for Amadi.
The groundbreaking was graced by, among others, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia, Congressman Christian Unabia, Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro, and Lagonglong Mayor Jay Albert Puertas.
“We should build more ports like this. This is critical to the modernization of our country. Once finished, this port will reduce feed costs by at least 2.5 percent or as much as 5 percent. It will reduce the cost of fertilizers also by 5 percent, maybe, or as much as 10 percent depending on the price,” said Secretary Tiu Laurel.
He added that the port project will increase the efficiency of transporting vital goods and provide storage facilities to help maintain the quality of agricultural products and raw materials once finished.
The agriculture chief said that the Lagonglong Port should spur the development of factories, processing plants, and other value-adding facilities once completed. “I’ve seen that happen, and I’ve done it. In Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and other areas in the Western Pacific where we built ports,” he added.
Secretary Tiu Laurel requested Amadi to provide the DA space for cold storage, ice stands, and silos for other agricultural products.