MANILA – Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) efforts to modernize the country’s major fish ports under the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) to transform traditional fishing hubs such as Navotas into modern agri-fishery business centers that generate jobs, attract investments, and nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the two-day Navotas Business Conference, Tiu Laurel described Navotas as “the fishing capital of the Philippines and home to one of the busiest and most important fish ports in the country.” He said the city serves as a cradle for entrepreneurs, innovators, and fisherfolk who sustain the nation’s food supply, adding that its success should be replicated across the country.

Tiu Laurel said the PFDA’s modernization initiative will upgrade ports, cold storage facilities, and logistics systems to make fish landing sites more competitive and profitable for local fisherfolk.

The PFDA manages regional ports and oversees the development of 136 project locations under the Municipal Fish Ports Program. The upgrades aim to enhance value creation by ensuring that every kilo of landed fish is properly handled, preserved, and sold at competitive prices.

According to Tiu Laurel, the modernization program seeks to make Navotas and similar cities models of sustainable agri-fishery enterprises where government, the private sector, and local communities all benefit. Beyond fishing, the goal is to transform the city into a center for trade, processing, and logistics to turn short-term livelihoods into long-term enterprises.

He added that the improvements will also strengthen the resilience of fish ports against typhoons, rising fuel costs, and global market shifts.

The agriculture chief outlined three priorities for the initiative: building climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting science-based practices, and stabilizing logistics and supply chains.

“Resilience means having systems that can adapt and recover quickly. We want every port, especially Navotas, to not just bounce back after a disaster, but to forge ahead stronger and smarter,” Tiu Laurel said.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “Agriculture and fisheries will only thrive if we work together. Gatherings like the Navotas Business Conference bring together the energy and creativity that drive local economies.”

Tiu Laurel said investments in new facilities should focus on empowering food producers, streamlining supply chains, and ensuring safe, affordable, and nutritious food for every Filipino.

“Navotas has always been a symbol of hard work and resilience,” he said. “Now, it must also be a symbol of innovation and shared prosperity.”