Officials of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the significant improvements made to the Iloilo Fish Port Complex that transformed the port into a globally competitive and disaster-resilient facility, boosting regional trade and local livelihoods.
In an interview with the Presidential News Desk, PFDA Acting General Manager Glen Pangapalan highlighted how the port’s market hall has evolved from a small and simple facility to a world-class complex, directly responding to the needs of fisherfolks and clients.
“Mas in-improve, mas pinaganda. Sabihin na natin, this is ’yung global standard. Kahit pumunta ka sa ibang bansa na mas advanced pa sa atin, parang mai-compare mo itong market hall na ito or ‘yung structure ng Iloilo fish port na hindi man makapantay, but malapit-lapit na sa kanila ‘yung standard,” Pangapalan said.
“Ganoon ‘yung nagawa nung rehabilitation at improvement ng port,” Pangapalan added.
Key features of the rehabilitated complex include a modern cold storage facility, solar panel installations, separate commercial and administration buildings, an improved road network, and a breakwater that protects the area from strong waves and flooding.
PFDA Iloilo Port Manager Jovy Garrido said the rehabilitated port has significantly improved the market’s resilience to typhoons and heavy monsoon rains.
“Yung structure na ito, disaster-resilient na siya kasi ‘pag bumagyo dito or habagat lang ang hangin, aakyat kaagad ‘yung alon sa market hall. Sa ngayon, hindi na, kasi nakasarado na siya lahat tapos mayroon ng breakwater doon na harang,” Garrido said.
Conveying deep appreciation to the President, Garrido emphasized that the infrastructure upgrades directly respond to the needs of fisherfolk and clients who rely on the port’s daily operations.
“Sa mahal na Pangulo, salamat at mayroon tayong mga infrastructure na para dito. Sagot natin sa kailangan ng mga fisherfolk, ng mga kliyente natin dito sa Iloilo fish port complex,” Garrido said.
Garrido also underscored the significant impact of the rehabilitated port on the livelihood of local communities.
“Tulong din sa mga kabuhayan ng halos lahat ng nandito lalo na sa Iloilo Fish Port. Salamat sa infrastructure na mga ganito. Sagot sa mga problema, sagot sa lahat,” Garrido added.
The Iloilo Fish Port serves as a trading hub for seafood coming from across Western Visayas and some parts of Mindanao. | PND
