THE NEWLY modernized Iloilo Fish Port Complex – inaugurated by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. this Aug. 13 – is a strategic investment in our nation’s food security.
With its expanded cold storage, modern market hall, and integrated logistics systems, the port is now positioned to reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize seafood supply, and secure better prices for both fishermen and consumers.
For Iloilo and the broader Western Visayas, this is a game changer. Every day, the port receives fresh catch from the rich fishing grounds of Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and parts of Negros. Before the upgrade, the lack of adequate cold storage meant that fish often spoiled before reaching the market, forcing fishermen to sell at lower prices or risk total loss. Now, with dedicated ice production and improved refrigeration, seafood can be preserved for longer periods, allowing for wider distribution and better market timing — a direct boost to the income of over 1,400 stakeholders working within the complex.
The benefits extend beyond the docks. By improving storage and transport efficiency, the upgraded port can help stabilize seafood prices in Iloilo and beyond. This matters to every household, especially in a time when food inflation continues to squeeze family budgets. When fishermen can sell their catch fresh and at fair market value, consumers also stand to gain — it is a cycle of prosperity that begins with strong infrastructure.
The redevelopment of the Iloilo Fish Port demonstrates how infrastructure investments can generate multiple streams of growth. Apart from improving fisheries operations, the port’s new facilities — including restaurants and paluto areas — have the potential to attract tourists, creating fresh opportunities for small businesses and service providers. By linking fisheries with tourism, Iloilo strengthens both its economic resilience and its cultural identity as a seafood capital in the Visayas.
But the Iloilo experience should not be an isolated success. Many coastal regions in the Philippines still operate with outdated, inadequate port facilities, leaving them vulnerable to wastage, price volatility, and market inefficiencies. The lesson: if we want to protect our food supply and strengthen rural economies, we must invest in modernized fisheries infrastructure nationwide.
The Iloilo Fish Port Complex is proof that when government commitment meets strategic vision, the results can be transformative. It should serve as both a model and a call to action — because securing the food on our plates begins with empowering the hands that haul it from the sea.
