DA pushes Pantao Port upgrade to boost farm and fisheries trade
LIBON, Albay — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. announced plans to develop the Port of Pantao into a major agricultural logistics hub through a P500-million expansion project aimed at increasing the earnings of local farmers and fishers.
During his visit to Libon on March 13 for the distribution of government aid, Tiu Laurel said funding for the port’s expansion, along with post-harvest facilities, has already been allocated under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
He added that additional funds are being considered for 2027 to build a farm-to-market road that will improve access to the port.
The agriculture chief also said he would coordinate with Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to speed up repairs on the existing road connecting Pantao Port to the Maharlika Highway.
The Department of Agriculture will work closely with the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of Transportation, and the Albay provincial government to prepare for increased cargo and passenger movement once the port upgrade is completed.
Tiu Laurel emphasized the need for a unified government approach to maximize the port’s potential. He noted that improved road access and post-harvest facilities such as cold storage and ice plants would help fishers preserve their catch and reach wider markets.
He expressed hope that the port expansion and related infrastructure projects will be finished by early 2028, bringing stronger economic opportunities to Libon and nearby areas.
Located along Albay’s western coast, Pantao Port serves as a key gateway connecting the Bicol Region to Masbate and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Although smaller than the ports in Legazpi and Tabaco, it offers an alternative route for both cargo and passengers traveling to Southern Luzon and Metro Manila.
The roll-on/roll-off port, managed by the Philippine Ports Authority in partnership with the Albay provincial government, resumed operations in August 2024 after being inactive for nearly 20 years due to damage caused by Typhoon Milenyo in 2006.
Local officials believe that improving access roads and adding cold-chain facilities will help position Pantao as a regional hub for agriculture and fisheries, while also easing congestion in other Bicol ports.
NPO NEWS Team | DA Press Office - PR
