THE Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) is seriously considering a proposal from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to explore the titling of illegally reclaimed coastal areas, with the aim of converting them into legal ports and livelihood hubs for fisherfolk.
The proposal was discussed during a meeting between PRA and BFAR officials this week, PRA Chairman Alex Lopez told The Manila Times.
“If it’s for the poor, we will expedite the process,” Lopez said, highlighting the PRA’s commitment to community-focused development.
Lopez said the urgency for such infrastructure was emphasized during the meeting. In Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, an aging concrete pier is slated for a P200-million reconstruction and expansion. Officials noted visible cracks, spalling, broken deck sections, and collapsed portions caused by structural fatigue. The upgraded port, covering more than 2,000 square meters, is intended to serve production zones, landing areas, and urban markets across eastern Misamis Oriental, becoming a central hub for post-harvest activity.
Similar modernization projects are planned across other fisheries management areas. In Misamis Oriental, Balingasag’s port is set for reconstruction, while Southern Leyte will receive a new fish landing facility in Tomas Oppus. Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte is scheduled for port rehabilitation, and Baliangao in Misamis Occidental will host a new fish port. Additional plans include new and upgraded ports in Bohol, Sibutad, and Lopez Jaena, with some facilities integrating ecotourism features to promote local development.
Beyond infrastructure, Lopez said the initiative aims to resolve land conflicts and provide legal certainty for investment. PRA and BFAR officials envision a LGU-Cooperative Management Model, in which local governments partner with fisherfolk cooperatives to manage the ports.
“Titling would formalize these arrangements, ensuring that the benefits reach the communities they are meant to serve,” Lopez said.
He added that the impact on local fisherfolk is expected to be significant. The Dapitan City rehabilitation alone will accommodate more than two thousand fishing vessels and over three thousand fishermen, while the Baliangao project targets hundreds of direct beneficiaries.
“Across all planned facilities, thousands of fish traders, boat owners, aquaculture operators, vendors, and processors stand to gain from the upgraded infrastructure,” Lopez noted.
