The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has cleared the release of P6.037 billion as the national government’s subsidy for the implementation of the Fisheries Infrastructure Development Program.
In a statement yesterday, the DBM said the budget will be released to the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
The PFDA, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture, was created to promote the development of the fishing industry through the provision of post-harvest infrastructure facilities and essential services that improve efficiency in the handling and distribution of fish and fishery products and enhance their quality.
The PFDA sustains the operation of the nine regional fish ports in Navotas, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Camaligan, Lucena, Sual, Davao, General Santos and the Bulan Fish Port.
It likewise jointly manages the Tacloban Fish Port with the municipality of Leyte.
Of the said amount, P1.1 billion alone will be used for the construction, rehabilitation and improvement of fish ports and other fishery post-harvest facilities in the country.