President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Friday inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the General Santos City Fish Port Complex, underlining the administration’s commitment to modernizing the fisheries sector and improving the livelihood of coastal communities.
The facility upgrade—led by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture—marks a return to the agency’s original mandate.
Established nearly five decades ago during the presidency of the late Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. , the PFDA was created to develop fish ports, markets, and other infrastructure vital to building a strong and resilient fishing industry.
The General Santos Fish Port Complex, long known as the country’s tuna capital, is home to six of the seven tuna canneries and provides jobs to more than 200,000 people. As one of the nation’s busiest ports, it anchors the region’s economy. The ongoing expansion includes upgraded cold storage and port facilities aimed at increasing capacity and enabling the efficient handling of other agricultural products.
“This fish port project gives a clear view of a better future,” said Tiu Laurel, who also chairs the PFDA. “It reflects our shared commitment to build a more resilient and profitable livelihood for our fisherfolks .”
A former fisheries entrepreneur, Tiu Laurel emphasized that strengthening the cold chain and agri-fishery port network is the key to reduce post-harvest losses and increase incomes.
“GenSan plays a strategic role not just in Mindanao, but across the national supply chain,” he added.
During a town hall meeting with industry stakeholders, President Marcos and Tiu Laurel listened to feedback from the ground and pledged continued investment in infrastructure that delivers real benefits to local communities.
During the event, the President distributed a total of ₱22.9 million in assistance to various associations and cooperatives. These included 11 Fish Aggregating Devices worth ₱2.2 million; salt production tools such as solar dryers and cooking setups worth ₱5.9 million; and boats and marine engines valued at ₱2.2 million.
Other support for the industry are ₱1.9 million for marine fish cage inputs, ₱50,000 for hito fingerlings, ₱1.5 million for a village-type fish processing center, ₱500,000 for fish processing and marketing equipment, and ₱8.6 million for complete seaweed farm implements and nursery maintenance.
