MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. is backing the construction of a deepwater port in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, describing it as a structural solution to high food prices and long-standing farm-to-market bottlenecks.

The proposed P2-billion Abra de Ilog Deep Water Port, to be implemented by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), is designed to accommodate large vessels and move fish and agricultural products more efficiently between Mindoro, Luzon, and export markets.

“Ports reduce costs, losses and delays, areas where food inflation often begins,” Tiu Laurel said, framing the port as infrastructure with a direct impact on household expenses. He added that cheaper logistics through bulk shipping reduces food costs from inputs to final products.

The DA chief said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. plans to complete a chain of at least 10 deepwater ports to boost economic growth, generate investments, create jobs, cut production costs, stimulate interisland trade, and ensure food security.

Abra de Ilog currently serves as a maritime gateway through its roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) link to Batangas, but limited capacity has constrained its economic potential. The proposed port is expected to unlock growth, building on recent Philippine Ports Authority upgrades such as port expansion, additional Ro-Ro ramps, breakwaters, and dredging works.

The project includes a finger pier, modern fish market, cold storage and ice plants, warehouses, wastewater treatment facilities, solar power systems, and reefer vans, all aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring compliance with export-grade food safety standards.

Construction is expected to take about 24 months once approved. The port is designed to reshape regional trade flows, ease congestion at Batangas port, shorten shipping times, and serve as a cost-efficient transshipment hub for fish, meat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables.

Tiu Laurel highlighted the expected benefits for local communities: “The Abra de Ilog port is a targeted intervention to cut input and food costs by fixing logistics bottlenecks and building a more efficient gateway for agricultural trade.”

Construction is also expected to generate local jobs and attract logistics providers, processors, fuel suppliers, and tourism-related businesses, with fisherfolk and farmers benefiting most from reduced spoilage and middleman costs.