The Department of Agriculture (DA) said Tuesday that the proposed deepwater port in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, will boost the local economy and sharply cut food costs in the province.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the proposed P2-billion Abra de Ilog Deep Water Port will accommodate large vessels, improving the movement of agricultural commodities between Mindoro, Luzon, and export markets.

“The Abra de Ilog port is a direct intervention to lower input and food costs by fixing logistics bottlenecks and creating a more efficient gateway for agricultural trade,” he said.

Tiu Laurel said bulk food shipping lowers costs from production to final products.

“Ports cut costs, losses, and delays—where food inflation often starts,” he said.

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) will implement the Abra de Ilog Deep Water Port project.

Project components include a finger pier, a modern fish market, cold storage, ice plants, warehouses, wastewater treatment facilities, solar power systems, and reefer vans.

These facilities will help meet food safety standards and reduce post-harvest losses of local produce.

The project is also expected to maximize the economic gains from recent Philippine Ports Authority upgrades, including port expansion, added Ro-Ro ramps, breakwaters, and dredging works.

Tiu Laurel said the port will create jobs and eventually ease congestion at the Batangas port.

Once approved, construction of the Abra de Ilog Deep Water Port is expected to take about two years.

He added that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. aims to complete at least 10 deepwater ports to form a logistics network that will spur economic growth, attract investments, create jobs, cut production costs, boost inter-island trade, and ensure food security.