GUINDULMAN, Bohol – A modern fish landing and trading hub is moving closer to reality after the municipality hosted a stakeholders’ consultation on July 23, 2026 for the proposed BLUE PORT Facility. The project, under the national FishCoRe program, promises to cut post‑harvest losses and lift incomes across the coastal community.
A Plan Hatched at the Waterfront
The consultation gathered an array of partners rarely seen around a single table. Local government officials sat beside representatives from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Bohol Island State University, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police. BFAR Region VII led the technical discussions, while fisherfolk leaders spoke plainly about their daily struggles.
Executive Order No. III‑34, Series of 2026 created a technical working group to steer the project. The workshop became the group’s first major assignment, tackling site suitability, implementation strategies, and the specific roles each agency would play. Participants traded insights that will shape the facility’s design.
What a Blue Port Brings
The BLUE PORT Facility is not just a new dock. It is envisioned as a complete ecosystem where fish are landed on clean surfaces, immediately chilled, and processed to meet higher quality standards. Better handling means less spoilage and a product that can command a premium price in both local and regional markets.
For the fisherfolk of Guindulman, the gains are tangible. Reduced post‑harvest losses translate directly into higher earnings, while improved market access opens doors to buyers who previously avoided the area because of inconsistent quality. The facility also embeds climate‑resilient features, ensuring it can withstand the typhoons that regularly batter the Bohol Sea.
Coastal Livelihoods and Food Security
Beyond individual incomes, the project strengthens the entire community’s food supply. A reliable landing site with cold storage keeps fish fresher longer, allowing it to reach more households. In times of disaster or rough weather, a sturdy, well‑equipped port becomes a lifeline for emergency supplies and evacuation.
The FishCoRe program, a seven‑year, ₱11.42‑billion initiative backed by the World Bank, targets over 1.15 million fisherfolk across the country. Guindulman’s inclusion signals that the national government views this stretch of the Bohol coast as a priority area for fisheries modernization.
Partners Align for the Next Phase
The stakeholders agreed that the consultation was just the starting point. On August 7, 2026, the FishCoRe Regional Project Implementing Unit will conduct a Project Scoping and Social Validation. The assessment will verify the proposed site’s environmental and social suitability, ensuring the community is fully ready before construction begins.
The technical working group, supported by BISU’s research expertise and the enforcement muscle of the PCG and PNP, will use the August findings to refine the blueprint. The collaboration between national agencies, the provincial government, and the municipality is designed to guarantee that the facility remains viable for decades.
