New P40M fish port opens in Antique, promising boon for economy

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) has formally turned over a P40-million port to the San Jose de Buenavista government.

Good news has come to Antique’s shores, as Mayor Elmer Untaran of the province’s capital and the people of Antique were delighted to receive the new fishing port from the PFDA, an agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“Custodio Balaowing, acting manager of Iloilo Fish Port Complex, said the San Jose Municipal Fish Port will boost the livelihood of Antiqueño fishermen as well those who own fishing boats,” reports Tara Yap.

Apart from the port, the DA also granted cold storage facilities that will aid in keeping the daily catch fresh.

Yap adds that the DA had previously promised even more aid to Antique’s fishing sector: “In one of his earlier visits, Secretary Manny Piñol vowed to provide 50 fiberglass boats to fishermen in Sebaste town.”

According to The Daily Guardian, attendees of the turnover ceremony included Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Fernando Corvera and Pio Jessielito Sumande, the Municipal Economic Enterprise Development Office (MEEDO) staff, Sangguniang Bayan Members and Barangay Council members of San Jose, Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG) Rockclif C. Buling of the Philippine Coast Guard, a representative from Patrilla Builders (the contractor of the fish port) Fisherfolks, and employees of other Local Government Units.

via Manila Bulletin / Tara Yap