President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inauguration of the rehabilitated and improved Philippine Fisheries Development Authority – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC) in Barangay Tanza-Baybay, Iloilo City on 13 August 2025. Screenshot from the livestream of RTVM 

ILOILO CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the advantages of the rehabilitated and improved Iloilo Fish Port Complex — including cold storage facilities and solar panels — which are expected to help around 1,500 fishermen.

During port's inaguration in Barangay Tanza-Baybay, Iloilo City on Wednesday, Marcos said the modernized features of the facility is promising.

"Mahalaga po ito dahil ang mga gagamit nito ay nasa 1,500 mangingisda ang gagamit sa rehabilitated fish port na ito," he said.

"Marami tayong pwedeng gawin na 'di natin pwedeng gawin noon, kagaya ng paglagay ng cold storage. Dahil alam naman natin na 'yun ang pinakaimportante na hindi naman masira nag inyong mahuhuling isda at madala natin kahit malayo na sariwa pa lang."

The President said the solar panels at the port will help save energy as cold storage facilities are utilized.

"Mabuti na lang mayroon na tayong solar. Sustainable pa, hindi na tayo kailangan magpaandar ng generator, gumamit ng krudo," he stressed.

He said this is the administration's commitment to bring the market closer to every sector of agriculture, including fishers and farmers.

"Lahat po ng ating sektor ng agrikultura ganito po ang aming ginagawa. Sa pagsasaka naman, para makadiretso na sila sa merkado, wala nang gumigitna. Inaayos po natin itong fish port na ganito na pwede dito isakay agad, 'di na kailangan isakay sa truck tapos kung saan-saan pa dadalhin," Marcos emphasized, saying the government is already dismantling the concept of middle man.

He added the improved port is only one of 10 new modernized ports that will be constructed all over the country.

"I'm looking forward doon sa ating ibang itatayo. 'Yon di na rehabilitation 'yon, bago 'yon, we'll have to put fish ports na bago," he said.

The rehabilitated port is also envisioned to be a tourist spot, Marcos said, as restaurants and "paluto" areas will also be constructed.

"Kailangan din kapag tinitingnan natin ang ginagawa ng ibang bansa kagaya ng Taiwan, ng Vietnam, ng iba-ibang bansa na nakapaligid sa atin. Napakaganda ng kanilang sistema, kaya mahirap makipagkumpetisyon sa kanila kung hindi natin ayusin ang sistema natin," the President explained.

Marcos said the government is prioritizing the improvement of production, transportation, and delivery of agriculture products — while ensuring that fishermen and farmers are also valued.

FOOD-SECURE PHILIPPINES

Aside from Marcos, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) general manager Atty. Glen Pangapalan, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr, and Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne "Jam-Jam" Baronda were present at the event.

Marcos said they inspected a nearby flood-control project and a bridge that encountered some problems before attending the inauguration.

PDFA, meanwhile, affirmed its commitment to the administration's vision of having "food-secure Philippines."

"Ang PDFA po ay kaisa ng inyong administrasyon sa hangaring magkaroon ng makabago, matatag at food-secure na Pilipinas. Nagpapatuloy ang PDFA sa pagpapatayo ng mga world-class fish port facilities na disaster resilient at gumagamit ng renewable source," Pangapalan said in his speech.

"Ang mga pinalakas na pasilidad na ito ay mahalaga para sa mga mangingisda, industry farmers, at consumers para mapababa ang ating post harvest losses," he added.

An audio-visual presentation was also showed which highlighted the improved port's new facilities and upcoming services, including New Market Hall with solar panels, soon to rise "paluto", Gender and Development Multi-purpose Building, Solid Wate Facility and Wastewater Treatment Facility.