
ILOILO City – With its P885.1-million modernization complete, the Iloilo Fish Port Complex is set to take on a bigger role as Western Visayas’ economic and fisheries hub — one that could lower seafood prices, secure the region’s food supply, and even draw tourists.
The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) said the upgrade, which includes expanded cold storage, new commercial spaces, and a 390-kilowatt-peak solar power system, positions the only PFDA regional fish port in the Visayas to handle higher trade volumes while promoting sustainability.
“This milestone reflects our shared mission to bring essential services closer to those who depend on the sea. It provides hope to many who rely on the ocean’s bounty for their livelihood,” Agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, noting that PFDA is marking its 50th anniversary next year.
PFDA acting general manager Atty. Glen Pangapalan described the project as “more than just a facility,” calling it “a lasting promise to every Filipino that we are dedicated to building a fisheries sector that will drive our nation’s growth and prosperity for decades to come.”
The complex currently supports over 1,400 stakeholders — from 21 licensed fish brokers and 503 traders to vessel operators, retailers, and their support staff. It draws fresh catches from Iloilo’s coastal towns and neighboring provinces such as Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and parts of Negros.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who visited the port during its reopening on Wednesday, Aug. 13, said the modernized facilities will allow fishermen to keep their catch fresh longer, boosting their earnings.
Iloilo City’s Lone District congresswoman Julienne Baronda called the redevelopment “a bold and concrete step to steering our regional economy towards full recovery,” while Mayor Raisa Maria Lourdes Treñas-Chu said the improvements will help bring down seafood prices and strengthen food tourism.
The PFDA envisions the upgraded Iloilo Fish Port Complex not just as a trade hub, but also as a model for sustainable and resilient fisheries infrastructure that can spur local economies while safeguarding marine resources./PN