Mindoro, Zamboanga ports to be configured for agri trade logistics
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said two new deepwater ports in Mindoro and Zamboanga del Norte will specialize in agricultural products, with the aim of reducing the cost of logistics for farm goods.
It said a port in Albay will also be rehabilitated to also facilitate the flows of such goods.
The two new port projects will receive P2 billion from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, while the Albay rehabilitation has been allocated P400 million.
The sites of the new ports are Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, and near Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte.
The Albay project involves deepening Pantao Port to handle larger vessels.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters at a briefing last week that the ports are expected to make transport more efficient for fertilizer and bulk agricultural products.
Mr. Laurel said Mindoro requires around 100,000 metric tons of fertilizer annually, which are transported through Metro Manila and Batangas before reaching the province via roll-on/roll-off vessels.
“With the new deepwater ports, imported fertilizer from China or Vietnam can be shipped directly to Mindoro, and agricultural products can be moved in larger vessels instead of small trucks,” he said.
The DA said construction of the two new ports is expected to begin before June, with full operations targeted by the end of 2027. The Albay port rehabilitation could be completed by mid-2027.
Mr. Laurel said the broader plan is to develop and construct up to 10 agri-focused ports, including five main ports and five auxiliary ports.
He added that the DA is also looking at constructing another agri-port in Batangas.
“Batangas is also a key area, but land for a port has not yet been secured. Most feed mills and poultry operations are in San Jose, and their products currently pass through a small port. If we can build another agri-port there, bulk shipments of soy, corn, wheat, and even cooking oil could go directly through it,” Mr. Laurel said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel
You May Also Like
Adam Wainwright Takes The Mound Again Honor Darryl Kile
Federal Reserve expected to slash rates today, here's how it may impact crypto
Market participants are eagerly anticipating at least a 25 basis point (BPS) interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday. The Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, is expected to begin slashing interest rates on Wednesday, with analysts expecting a 25 basis point (BPS) cut and a boost to risk asset prices in the long term.Crypto prices are strongly correlated with liquidity cycles, Coin Bureau founder and market analyst Nic Puckrin said. However, while lower interest rates tend to raise asset prices long-term, Puckrin warned of a short-term price correction. “The main risk is that the move is already priced in, Puckrin said, adding, “hope is high and there’s a big chance of a ‘sell the news’ pullback. When that happens, speculative corners, memecoins in particular, are most vulnerable.”Read more
