For the past few years, the facilities in Sual Fish Port (SFP) have been barely used by fish traders; the main activities in the port used to be transshipment and unloading. This is the reason why, in order to maximize the facilities within the port, they have been leased to private individuals or companies instead.

In March 2015, however, things began to change. It started when UNICREST Philippines, Inc., originally based in General Santos under the company name Gladery Fishing, extended its deep-sea fishing operations in North Luzon and established its base in Sual. Gradually, fish traders started coming in and began conducting business in the port’s piers because, unfortunately, the existing market hall was leased to a private company.

This surprising turn of events encouraged the PFDA to construct a new Market Hall to be used by the public in order to formalize and promote the trading activities in SFP. This new facility of the port, which is about 210sqm wide, is expected to be completed by the end of July 2017.

Also included in the construction project is the completion of the road network from the gate to the pier. About two-thirds of the road, or 71 linear meters, was completed in April 2016. However, due to budget restrictions, the remaining one-third was left undone. This will be finished at the same time as the Market Hall. (Thea Lacson)