In its effort to bring fisheries development at the grassroots level, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) inaugurated yet another municipal fish port in Brgy. Luyon Bonbon, Opol, Misamis Oriental. The ceremony was led by Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan, General Manager of PFDA with the presence of Ms. Asuncion J. Maputol, Officer-In-charge BFAR-Reg. XI, Hon. Maximo B. Seno - Opol Municipal Mayor, Hon. Chizarina M. Otigoza - Opol Vice Mayor, and other local officials in the municipality.

Prior to the construction of the port, fishing boats unload their catch at the deteriorated pier in the municipality, which becomes congested when commercial fishing boats unload their catch simultaneously. There are 311 fishing vessels operating in the municipal waters of Opol, with 11 commercial fishing vessels and 300 municipal fishing boats.

With the operation of the newly constructed fish port, fish unloading and trading activities will be centralized in the municipality. It is expected to ease congestion in unloading activities, permit better handling and improve transportation. It is also anticipated that the newly constructed port will attract more fish traders resulting to more competitive prices and better income for fishers due to significant cutback on fish transportation expenses and improved quality of fish. The unloading convenience brought about by the establishment of the fish port will also result to faster turn-around time for fishing boats and facilitate extra time for fishing operations. The daily volume is estimated at an average of 7 MT, mostly consisting of mackerels and squids.

The Opol Municipal Fish Port is projected to generate income mainly from berthing, trans-shipment and unloading fees totaling to more than P 2 million annually. (MTFrancisco)