President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday committed to ramping up government support for the fisheries sector, emphasizing the need to go beyond cold storage facilities to preserve the quality of the fish catch and improve industry earnings.
Speaking during his visit to the General Santos Fish Port Complex and dialogue with local fisherfolk, Marcos highlighted the importance of strengthening the entire cold chain infrastructure to ensure the freshness and marketability of seafood products.
“A large cold storage facility has already been built here,” Marcos said, referring to the efforts led by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
“But we need more. That’s why we will do everything to support not just cold storage but the entire cold chain,” he said.
He explained that maintaining high product quality through a reliable cold chain would lead to better market prices and increased income for local fishers.
“To ensure the fish remain fresh by the time they reach the market, the quality must be preserved. This will lead to better sales,” he said.
Marcos underscored the vital role of the fisheries industry in national food security, particularly for an archipelagic nation like the Philippines.
“We are composed of 7,000 islands, so the hope is really with the fisheries industries. We need more fish and agricultural ports to reduce transport costs,” he said.
“Ice plants should also be available in drop-off areas of the yield,” he added.
The President expressed confidence in Laurel’s leadership in the Department of Agriculture, citing his deep understanding of the sector as the former Frabelle Fishing Company president.
“We’re here to check on you, and our Agriculture secretary knows a lot about your industry, given that it is where he started. He understands your needs and potential,” he said.
In response, Laurel revealed plans for a new testing facility aimed at ensuring the freshness of shrimp, further supporting efforts to elevate the quality of aquaculture products in the region.
“The testing facility will ensure that our shrimp are fresh,” Laurel said.