The Department of Agriculture (DA) is leading a push to modernize the country’s major fish ports under the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).
It aims to transform traditional fishing hubs like Navotas into modern agri-fishery business centers to spur job creation, attract investments and cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs.
DA Secretary Tiu Laurel, attending the two-day Navotas Business Conference on Oct. 28 and 29, lauded the city as “the fishing capital of the Philippines and home to one of the busiest and most vital fish ports in the country.”
He cited Navotas as a “cradle for entrepreneurs, innovators and fisherfolk who drive the nation’s food supply,” suggesting its success could be a template for other regions.
The PFDA modernization program will focus on upgrading ports, cold storage facilities and logistics systems to significantly enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of fish landing sites.
These improvements are expected to generate opportunities for local businesses and simultaneously boost the incomes of fisherfolk.
The PFDA network is being strengthened to enhance value creation, ensuring that every kilo of fish is properly handled, preserved and sold at competitive prices. The agency actively manages regional ports and oversees 136 project locations under the Municipal Fish Ports Program.
The overarching goal is to position Navotas and similar cities as hubs of sustainable, modern agri-fishery enterprises, providing mutual benefits for the government, the private sector and local communities.
Tiu Laurel said the agency’s vision is to develop these areas as centers for trade, processing and logistics, converting short-term livelihoods into long-term enterprises.
The program is also set to enhance the resilience of fish ports against challenges like typhoons, rising fuel costs and shifts in the global market, he said.
This will be achieved by constructing climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting science-based practices, and stabilizing logistics and supply chains, he said.
“Resilience means having systems that can adapt and recover quickly,” Tiu Laurel said.
“We want every port, especially Navotas, not just to bounce back after a disaster, but to emerge stronger and smarter,” he said.
He said the investments in modern facilities should empower food producers, streamline supply chains and guarantee safe, affordable and nutritious food for all Filipinos.
