THE Korean International Cooperation Agency (Koica) officials are expected to arrive in Iloilo on Wednesday, February 1, for the ceremonial exchange of the Record of Discussions that contains the terms and conditions to implement the rehabilitation of Concepcion fish port.
Koica is set to renovate the fishing port for the fishermen in Northern Iloilo following the approval of the proposed $4.5-million rehabilitation of the said infrastructure project.
The development of Concepcion fish port is still part of the post-Yolanda aid of South Korea to the Philippines under the “Northern Iloilo Comprehensive Fishery Rehabilitation and Development Project” proposed by Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the ceremony on Wednesday aims to inform the public, especially those who will directly benefit from the project, that it will push through after a long wait.
Banias recalled that the project stemmed from the promise of help of Koica vice president Doo Jungsoo after seeing the aftermath of the super typhoon during his visit in the province sometime in November 2013.
“A few weeks after Yolanda, the vice president of Koica was here and we toured him around Iloilo. Seeing the massive destruction caused by the typhoon, he told us that he will help. He then committed an indicative amount of $10-million for the rehabilitation of the fishing ports of Estancia, Concepcion and Carles,” Banias said.
“We were incredulous of the amount but it was really the aid they intend to give us. But after their evaluation of the proposed project sites, only the fishing port of Concepcion was prioritized. For them, the two other fishing ports have been rehabilitated,” he added.
The activities for the port rehab involve the repair of the pavement, revetment covering and essential structures, conversion of the existing wet market into a passenger terminal and improvement of restaurant stalls and construction of selling area for local products.
There will also be reclamation of the new fish port complex with a total pavement area of 6,500 square meters (sq. m.), construction of new wet market, administration building, causeway, access road, ice storage facility, and installation of solid waste and wastewater treatment facility.
The 3,300 sq. m. fish port of Concepcion is located at the town proper. It is surrounded by commercial and service establishments, residential structures and public market.
The rehabilitation of Concepcion fish port envisions to improve the living conditions of marginalized fishermen through upgraded, resilient, and dependable fish port infrastructure and facilities. It also aims to contribute to the development and sustainability of Iloilo’s fishing industry.