BY IVY TEJANO
DAVAO CITY – The Mati city government formally opened on Monday, October 23, the fish port complex in Purok Calagundian in Barangay Central.
MATI City fish port. (FB)
According to the City Information Office (CIO), the first phase of the port provided various facilities such as reclamation, concreting, drainage and sewerage systems, water and electrical distribution networks, fencing, administrative offices, and a trading or market hall.
In her message, Mati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat said the fish port will meet the needs of about 200 commercial fishing vessels and improve the fishing industry in Mati City and bordering cities.
The establishment is estimated to handle and process 4,000 tons of fish yearly, exceeding the required seafood demand for Davao Oriental. The fish port is also expected to be a self-operating economic enterprise, generating a P5 million annual income in the next five years.
Rabat thanked the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) and other officials who became instrumental in funding and completing the fish port.
They were former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte, and Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno.
Rabat said the significant opening of the fish port complex only underscores the local government's abundant plans, projects, and programs for the city.
The construction of the multi-million fish port was initiated and funded by the PFDA, with a budget of P75 million, in 2021. The structure is still in its initial phase and the second phase will soon commence with an additional P150 million solely from the PFDA.
Rabat said that the fish port would serve as a hub for systematic activities in commercial fishing in the province and function as a terminal point for unloading, loading, and selling fish and other aquatic products.
“All will be done with sanitary methods to prevent harm to the ocean and preserve the quality of seafood products,” Rabat said, adding that the operation of the port is anchored on City Ordinance No. 561, the City of Mati Fishport Operation and Management Ordinance of 2023.
She said registered fishing boats in the city through the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) Fish-R and Boat-R would be allowed to use the facilities and unload fish without charge.
The opening of the facility was graced by Rabat, Mati Vice Mayor Lorenzo Leon G. Rabat, City Administrator Allan Andrada, city councilors, the PFDA led by General Manager Glen A. Pangapalan, and Davao Fish Port Complex Port Manager Albert Aguinaldo.
