Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez agrees with President Marcos on the need to expand and modernize the country’s cold chain system, which directly affects the livelihood of fisherfolks nationwide.

“Malaki ang maitutulong ng pagdami ng mga fish ports at cold storage facilities para maibaba ang transportation at production costs ng ating mga mangingisda. Makakaasa sila sa suporta ng Kongreso para magtayo ng mas makabago at modernong mga pasilidad,” Romualdez said in a statement Sunday, July 7.

(The expansion of fish ports and cold storage facilities will significantly help lower transportation and production costs for our fisherfolk.They can count on Congress’ support in establishing newer and more modern infrastructure.)

Romualdez--expected to retain the House Speaker in the current 20th Congress--made the commitment following President Marcos’ inspection of the General Santos Fish Port Complex (GSFPC), the hub of the nation’s tuna industry and a vital economic driver in Mindanao.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), two major infrastructure projects were recently implemented at the fish port: the expansion and improvement of GSFPC Package II and the construction of the GSFPC cold storage.

These initiatives aim to enhance the fish port’s capacity and efficiency as a key fisheries logistics hub.

Romualdez underscored the need for Congress to pass measures to establish modern fish ports and cold storage facilities to improve the country’s fisheries industry.

The veteran solon said he expects his colleagues to actively participate in scrutinizing the National Expenditure Program (NEP) for 2026 once the executive branch submits it to House and ensure that next year’s national budget has enough allocations to support the upgrade in infrastructure for the fisheries industry.

“Bibigyang prayoridad ng mga mambabatas ang programang ito ni Pangulong Marcos. Isa ito sa mga kailangan ng pamahalaan para maabot ng Pilipinas ang food security para sa bawat Pilipino,” said Romualdez, president of the dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

(Lawmakers will prioritize this program of President Marcos. It is one of the key initiatives the government needs to achieve food security for every Filipino.)

The NEP is the precursor of the national budget measure.

During the President’s visit to General Santos City on Friday morning, he said more modern fish ports and cold storage facilities should be built to upgrade the country’s fisheries infrastructure and maintain the quality and safety of fish and other types of seafood.

He also inspected the fish port and witnessed tuna trading activities such as unloading, weighing, and grading fresh tuna for export.

The President assured fishermen that the government would support improvements to the country’s cold chain system and reduce production and transportation costs.