By Kenneth Marcos 
On a busy morning in Navotas, fish vendors unload their latest catch under the humid sun — a scene that has remained unchanged for decades. But this may soon transform, as the Department of Agriculture (DA) rolls out plans to modernize the country’s major fish ports to match global standards and open new opportunities for local workers and entrepreneurs.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. announced on Tuesday that the agency, through the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), is pushing to turn traditional fishing ports like the Navotas Fish Port Complex into modern agri-fishery business centers. These upgrades aim to improve operations, increase fish supply efficiency, and attract both local and foreign investors.
According to Laurel, the modernization program will not only enhance fish handling and storage facilities but also create more jobs for communities that rely on fishing for livelihood. The upgraded ports will feature cold storage systems, better sanitation, and modern logistics to reduce post-harvest losses — a major problem in the local fishing industry.
The DA plans to implement the modernization in phases, prioritizing large and high-traffic ports such as those in Navotas, General Santos, and Zamboanga. These ports are key hubs for fish trading and distribution across the country.
Laurel emphasized that modern ports can serve as “agri-fishery business centers” where small fishers, traders, and entrepreneurs can collaborate and access training, financing, and market linkages. The goal, he said, is to make the fisheries sector more competitive and sustainable under the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision.
Industry data show that the fisheries sector contributes around 1.2 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides income to nearly two million Filipinos. However, the sector has struggled with poor infrastructure, outdated facilities, and high post-harvest losses that cut into fisherfolk earnings.
By investing in modernization, the government hopes to improve fish quality, strengthen export potential, and stabilize fish prices in local markets. “We want our fish ports to be centers of growth — places that not only trade fish but also create livelihoods and inspire the next generation of agripreneurs,” Laurel said.
The DA also assured stakeholders that the modernization plan will include consultation with fisherfolk groups, local governments, and private sector partners to ensure that the transformation benefits all players in the value chain.
As the project moves forward, fishers and vendors alike are hopeful that the long-awaited upgrades will finally bring better income and stability to their communities.
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