Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) held its first Board Meeting for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 chaired by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Mr. Francisco “Kiko” P. Tiu Laurel Jr. at the PFDA – Iloilo Fish Port Complex (PFDA-IFPC), Iloilo City on April 5, 2024.

The PFDA team, led by Acting General Manager Atty. Glen A. Pangapalan and Assistant General Manager Ms. Iris R. de Vera, together with the PFDA-IFPC team led by Port Manager Ms. Jovy M. Garrido, warmly welcomed the arrival of Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Mr. Francisco “Kiko” P. Tiu Laurel Jr. and the members and representatives of the PFDA Board of Directors. 

PFDA Board Meeting for FY 2024 held at PFDA-Iloilo Fish Port Complex

As the chair of the meeting, DA Secretary Tiu Laurel highlighted the need to continuously improve and modernize the PFDA ports by complying with advanced trading and logistic facilities and a streamlined export process for fishery products.

With the continued support of the PFDA, the Agri chief shared the goal of securing food security through more efficient and cost-effective ways of addressing problems in the fisheries sector.

During the meeting, the PFDA presented its FY 2024 project updates, which include the ongoing rehabilitation of the PFDA-IFPC, PFDA – Navotas Fish Port Complex, PFDA – Lucena Fish Port Complex, PFDA – Bulan Fish Port Complex, PFDA – Zamboanga Fish Port Complex, and PFDA – General Santos Fish Port Complex.

Moreover, the agency also introduced the upcoming projects for FY 2025, which include developmental projects under the ‘Build-Better-More’ infrastructure program and the construction and establishment of Deep Water Ports.

After the meeting, the members of the Board had a quick tour around the port. They inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the PFDA-IFPC market hall and the newly built cold storage facility.

DA Undersecretary for Fisheries Ms. Drusila Esther E. Bayate, DA Western Visayas Regional Executive Director Mr. Dennis R. Arpia, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 6 Regional Director Ms. Remia A. Aparri, and other board members and representatives joined the Secretary and the PFDA team during the inspection.

Rehabilitation inspection of PFDA-IFPC market hall and newly built cold storage facility

(Mark Angelo N. Perez – Public Information Division with report and photos from Ms. Jovy M. Garrido – PFDA-IFPC and DA Western Visayas Facebook Page)