The Department of Agriculture has expressed strong optimism over the ongoing upgrade of fish port facilities in Surigao City, following an inspection led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., as the government accelerates efforts to modernize the country’s fisheries sector.
The visit, conducted with officials from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, underscores a broader push to boost fisherfolk incomes, cut post-harvest losses, and strengthen national food security.
The Surigao City Fish Port development is being rolled out in two major phases designed to transform the area into a modern fisheries hub.
The first phase, valued at ₱193.6 million, is already more than halfway complete at 56%. It includes critical infrastructure such as slope protection works, a 10-by-70-meter pier with mooring and fendering systems, and key support facilities like a market hall and administration building. Completion is targeted for October 2026.
The second phase, worth ₱172.39 million, is a major expansion focused on cold chain and preservation systems. Now 32% complete, it will introduce refrigeration facilities, an ice plant, blast freezers, cold storage, and commercial spaces, along with power and safety systems. Civil works including embankment, steel sheet piling, and perimeter wall construction are underway.
Officials said the twin-phase project is designed to work as a complete system—covering everything from fish landing to storage and distribution—significantly reducing spoilage and improving product quality.
Authorities stressed that once fully completed, the upgraded fish port will not only stabilize fish supply and prices but also position Surigao City as one of the most competitive fisheries centers in Mindanao, delivering stronger economic opportunities for coastal communities and reinforcing the country’s food security backbone.
