SUAL, Pangasinan — Ininspeksiyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. nitong Huwebes ang rehabilitated at modernized na Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) – Sual Fish Port, pangunahing fisheries facility ng pamahalaan sa Northern Luzon.
Kasama ni Marcos sina Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. at Philippine Fisheries Development Authority Acting General Manager Atty. Glen Pangapalan sa pag-iikot sa bagong pasilidad.
Ipinatupad ng Department of Agriculture (DA), sa pamamagitan ng PFDA, ang rehabilitasyon at pagpapalawak ng fish port upang mabawasan ang post-harvest losses, mapahusay ang distribusyon ng isda, at palakasin ang fisheries value chain.
Matatagpuan sa Barangay Poblacion, nagsisilbing sentro ang pantalan para sa mga isdang nagmumula sa Lingayen Gulf, West Philippine Sea at Ilocos coast bago dalhin sa mga pamilihan sa Pangasinan at karatig-lalawigan.
“The rehabilitation of the Sual Fish Port is an investment in both our fishermen and our nation’s food security. 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,” ani Tiu Laurel.
Kabilang sa upgrade ang pinalapad at pinahabang pier na may trading hall; apat na cold storage unit na may tig-50 metric ton capacity o kabuuang 200 MT; blast freezers; chiller rooms; flake ice-making facilities; at fish processing areas na kayang gumawa ng walong MT na finished products bawat araw.
Mayroon din itong wastewater treatment plant, 90-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system, commercial spaces, at pinahusay na kalsada, utilities, access roads at quayside.
Dahil sa mas malaking pasilidad, maaari nang tumanggap ang pantalan ng mas malalaking fishing at transport vessels. Inaasahang mapapabilis nito ang cargo handling at pagdadala ng seafood sa mga merkado.
Makikinabang din ang aquaculture at capture fisheries industries ng Pangasinan, kabilang ang milkfish sector ng Dagupan City na kinikilalang Bangus Capital ng bansa.
“Seeing the Sual Fish Port fully rehabilitated is a milestone for PFDA. This facility will serve fishing communities for many years, providing them with better services, modern post-harvest facilities, and greater opportunities to grow their livelihoods. That is what makes this investment truly meaningful,” ani Pangapalan.
Inaasahang lilikha rin ang proyekto ng trabaho, bagong investment, negosyo at dagdag na kita para sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at coastal communities. /Bistado