“We have envisioned this project for such a long time, and now, we are one step closer to that dream. This feeder port will help the fisherfolk and farmers of Sagay City.”

This was according to Negros Occidental governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. during the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of Sagay Feeder Port/ Fish Landing in Old Sagay, Sagay City, Negros Occidental on January 30.

The P153,515,647.50 feeder port under the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) will benefit 12, 521 farmers and 2, 787 households. About 80% of the constituents in the influence-area can avail of the social, agricultural and technological services after the project implementation.

The project aims to increase the market value of agricultural and fishery products that pass through the feeder port. This will also help in the transporting of muscovado, swine, fish products and other commodities from Sagay City to the neighboring islands of Visayas.

With the construction of the feeder port, it is expected that the post-harvest losses will be reduced to 2% especially for muscovado, swine and fish products which have approved enterprises under the I-REAP Component in Negros Occidental.

Sagay City Fishery and Aquatic Resources Municipal Council (FARMC) Chairperson Norma Arañez is thankful for the construction of the feeder port in their city. According to her, this will ease their problem of accessibility to bigger market opportunities in the province.

Arañez said that one of the problems encountered by fisherfolk is the lack of an establishment where they can drop their fish catch. This resulted to varied supplies and prices of the fish product. Through the fish landing port, farmers from the different islands of Sagay and neighboring towns will be able to drop their fish catch to a common area. She emphasized that this is advantageous to both farmers and buyers because the price for the fish products will be regulated thus avoiding the over pricing of these products.

“We need to take good care of our marine biodiversity because this is where we get our food and income,” said Marañon to the farmers and fisherfolk of Sagay. He also reminded fisherfolks to avoid the use of illegal fishing practices and other activities that may destroy the marine ecosystem.

Meanwhile, PRDP-Project Support Services Visayas Cluster Project Director Remelyn R. Recoter said that the province of Negros Occidental ranked 3rd in the provinces with the highest amount of projects availed in the PRDP across the country. This includes farm-to-market roads (FMRs) and livelihood enterprises.

“This feeder port will provide inclusive growth and opportunities to the people of Sagay,” said city mayor Alfredo Marañon III. He said that additional incomes will be available because other business opportunities that may be put up in the vicinity of the ports like food stalls, pasalubong centers and many more.

The feeder port is expected to be completed on April 18, 2019. (Aileen Joy M. Subade, RPCO 6, Writer)