Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) and the Local Government Unit of City of Mati inaugurated the newly constructed Mati City Fish Port in Brgy. Centro, City of Mati, Davao Oriental on October 23, 2023.

The construction of the Mati City Fish Port aims to provide the city with an adequate post-harvest facility that will facilitate the handling and distribution of fish and fishery products, efficiently and effectively ensure food security, and sustain the incomes of fishery-based households and enterprises in the area.

During the opening ceremony, PFDA Acting General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan said this project is a testament that when the local government works together with national government agencies, we can achieve a fruitful project like the Mati City Fish Port.

“Mati City is a very strategic location to build a fish port because it is located along the eastern seaboard and is a tuna highway. With this, there is a big potential for Mati City Fish Port to be a bigger fish port. Continue working with enthusiasm to further develop the Mati City Fish Port,” Atty. Pangapalan said.

In addition, GM Pangapalan invited the local fishing operators to support and utilize the new Mati City Fish Port to improve the economic trade and activity and boost the tourism industry in the city.

Moreover, Mayor Hon. Michelle Marie Denise Nakpil Rabat said that this is indeed a momentous event for Mati City and extended her utmost appreciation to PFDA for taking the risk of funding this project.

“Mati City has so much potential, and we should take advantage of this. To PFDA and to everyone who helped us in this project, thank you very much for making our dreams into reality,” Mayor Rabat said.

The ceremony was also attended by the PFDA Top Management and officers, City of Mati Councilor Samuel Rodriguez, and BM Shella Go, District II – Board Member of Davao Oriental. 

Local fish producers, fish buyers (wholesalers, retailers, and viajeros), and constituents of Mati City are expected to benefit from the project. The Mati City Fish Port has a market hall, harbor area, fish landing, and other necessary components of a post-harvest facility.

(Mc Christian Julius A. Macaranas II and Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division)