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