The said rehabilitation is part of efforts to modernize fisheries infrastructure and strengthen support for fisherfolk.
On Thursday, July 30, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected the newly rehabilitated Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA)-Sual Fish Port Complex in Pangasinan.
The rehabilitation project was implemented by the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).
The said project, per the department, “transformed one of Northern Luzon’s key fisheries hubs into a modern facility designed to reduce post-harvest losses, improve fish distribution, and strengthen the country’s fisheries value chain.”
Apart from rehabilitation, the fish port was also expanded and had its old pier and related facilities upgraded to enhance its capacity and support the fisheries industry and the efficient movement of products across the region.
The upgraded port now features a widened and extended pier with a trading hall, four 50-metric ton cold storage units with a combined capacity of 200 metric tons, blast freezers, chiller rooms, and flake ice-making facilitie.
It also has fish processing areas capable of handling up to eight metric tons of finished products daily, a wastewater treatment plant, a 90-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, commercial spaces, and improved roads and utilities.
The modernization project included the rehabilitation and construction of access roads, and other support infrastructure.
The fish port serves as PFDA’s principal fisheries facility and only regional fish port in Northern Luzon, linking fish landed from the Lingayen Gulf, the West Philippine Sea, and the Ilocos coast to major trading centres across Pangasinan and neighbouring provinces.
The rehabilitation was undertaken after aging facilities and damaged infrastructure contributed to operational inefficiencies and a decline in fish unloaded at the port, from 485.66 metric tons in 2024 to a measly 74.13 metric tons in 2025.
Meanwhile, during the inspection, the President was joined by other government officials and members of local fisherfolk associations.
“The rehabilitation of the Sual Fish Port is an investment in both our fishermen and our nation’s food security,” said Tiu Laurel. “By providing better post-harvest facilities, cold chain infrastructure, and more efficient trading systems, we reduce losses, preserve the quality of our catch, improve incomes for our fisherfolk, and ensure that more affordable and nutritious fish reach Filipino families.”
Upon arriving at the fish port, the President witnessed the sale of 500 sacks of government-subsidized rice at PHP20 per kilo for local residents before touring the upgraded facilities with Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Marcos also inspected the Refrigeration and Processing Building, where he received a briefing on the rehabilitation project and its operational improvements.
The President toured the classification area, ice storage and chiller rooms, fish processing sections, packing room, blast freezers, boxing area, cold storage facilities, and the loading area.
Following the facility inspection, President Marcos proceeded to the pier area where he met local fishermen and personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The President also greeted the 28 crew members of BRP Cabanigan and BRP Robert Servañez, who were subjected to water cannon attacks by the Chinese Coast Guard while conducting a routine mission near Bajo de Masinloc on July 23 and 24.
The Chief Executive also met the captains and crew of other BFAR vessels docked at the port, including BRP Datu Dumangsil, BRP Datu Paduhinog, and BRP Joselito.
President Marcos later boarded BRP Datu Paduhinog for a brief inspection before holding a short discussion with local officials on fisheries and port operations.
