Despite the pandemic, the country’s state-run fish ports were still able to unload a total amount of 480,000 metric tons (MT) of fish from January to end-November.
This was based on the report of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), which said that Regional Fish Ports (RFP) all over the country were able to serve 48,026 clients as of November 30.
“ have already presented their 2021 accomplishments and undertakings during the agency’s Year-End Assessment,” PFDA said. “Through this assessment, all PFDA RFPs proudly showed their significant success in terms of unloading volume and port utilization despite all the challenges that they faced over the year”.
For Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), the largest fish port in Southeast Asia, fish unloading stood at 177,825.27 MT, while the number of clients served stood at 17,411.
The port also had 9,686 vessel arrivals, which are more than 100 percent of their target number of vessel arrivals for the year, while the utilization rate of the port’s market halls and commercial areas stood at 100 percent.
“On top of this, the PFDA-NFPC also successfully conducted several initiatives, including monthly disinfection activities, COVID-19 vaccination program, the rollout of isDA ON THE GO (iOTG) retail stores, and fish importation,” PFDA said.
Meanwhile, the PFDA – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC) surpassed its target volume after unloading 20,491.08 MT of fish. The port also had 1,828 total vessel arrivals and served 2,777 clients over the year.
Likewise, the PFDA-IFPC maximized the utilization of all its port-harvest facilities, while accomplishing 54.52 percent of the renovation as part of the flagship rehabilitation project.
The PFDA – Zamboanga Fish Port Complex (PFDA-ZFPC), too, surpassed its unloading target for the year after delivering a total of 7,172.52 MT of fish and has managed to expand the number of clients by 1,939.
The PFDA-ZFPC has also successfully utilized all its post-harvest facilities like pier facilities, market halls, cold storage, ice-making plant, processing area, and commercial areas, among others.
Like the other ports, the PFDA-ZFPC also joined in several official commitments to further enhance its organizational capabilities and build relationships with local government units and other agencies.
As for the PFDA – Lucena Fish Port Complex (PFDA-LFPC), it has also shown significant performance in 2021, delivering 18,628.53 MT of fish to its 1,429 port clients.
In terms of vessel arrivals, the port has welcomed 7,020 fishing vessels. For its ongoing rehabilitation project, the PFDA-LFPC is on its way to having a renovated look with an 85.64 percent completion rate.
Furthermore, the PFDA-Davao Fish Port Complex (PFDA-DFPC) also demonstrated a noteworthy performance with 3,980.59 MT of unloaded fish supply.
The port has served a total of 926 clients, welcomed 1,213 vessel arrivals, and produced 5,249.05 MT of ice over the year.
As the port continues to utilize all its port facilities efficiently, the PFDA-DFPC has registered five new port clients for the year.
Likewise, the PFDA – General Santos Fish Port Complex (PFDA-GSFPC) successfully unloaded 234,894 MT of fish and served 19,935 port clients.
In addition, the port also welcomed 12,979 fishing vessels and produced 16,280 MT of ice.
The PFDA-GSFPC also fully utilized all its port facilities like market halls, cold storage, processing areas, commercial areas, and harbor quays.