The Bislig City Fish Port in Barangay Mangagoy is one formal step away from belonging to the city. On October 13, 2026, Bislig's Sangguniang Panlungsod authorized Mayor Florencio C. Garay to sign the Certificate of Turnover and Acceptance for the port's construction from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).

The authority is in Resolution No. 2026-815, adopted during the 65th regular session of the Tenth Sangguniang Panlungsod and published on the city government's website. It was authored by Vice Mayor Conrad C. Cejoco and co-authored by Councilor Victor B. Alvar Jr.

What the resolution says

The resolution describes the completed port as "a major milestone in local economic infrastructure," built to serve as a hub for fish landing, post-harvest processing, commercial trading and maritime commerce for Bislig's coastal communities and nearby towns in Surigao del Sur.

It explains why a signature is needed. According to the resolution, the formal transfer of "management, operation, maintenance, and ownership responsibilities" for the finished facility requires an official Certificate of Turnover and Acceptance from PFDA to the City Government of Bislig. Under the Local Government Code, the mayor signs contracts and similar documents for the city only with the council's authority, which is what this resolution grants.

The council called the acceptance "advantageous and necessary" for running the city's aquatic and agricultural facilities.

Why this matters for fisherfolk and buyers

Turnover is the point where the city, not the national agency, becomes responsible for day-to-day operations. That includes running the landing area, maintaining the buildings, and setting rules for who can use the port and how.

The city has already passed the law that will govern it. Resolution No. 2026-815 cites Ordinance No. 18, series of 2026, which it calls the "Bislig City Fish Port Complex Ordinance," for the management and operation of the port. The ordinance was enacted on July 21, 2026. As of October 29, 2026, its full text still has not been posted on the city's ordinance page, so the specific fees and operating rules are not yet public.

How we got here

This resolution is the latest in a series of steps this year:

  • May 6, 2026: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Bislig, and city records at the time described the fish port site as being validated.
  • July 21, 2026: The council enacted Ordinance No. 2026-18, establishing a multipurpose fisheries complex at the port.
  • August 18, 2026: Resolution No. 2026-705 asked PFDA to expand and dredge the port, saying siltation keeps larger boats from docking, especially at low tide.
  • September 1, 2026: Resolution No. 2026-748 asked PFDA to let the city run a dry run of the port before its inauguration and turnover.
  • October 13, 2026: Resolution No. 2026-815 authorized the mayor to sign the turnover.

Bislig Today reported on the dry-run and depth requests on October 24.

What is still not known

The resolution authorizes the signing. It does not say when the certificate will be signed, whether the dry run took place, or when the port will open to the public. It also does not mention whether PFDA has agreed to the dredging and expansion the council asked for in August.

Neither the city government nor PFDA had published a turnover date or an inauguration schedule as of October 29, 2026. Bislig Today will report the opening date and the port's operating rules once either is released.

Sources: City of Bislig, Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 2026-815 (October 13, 2026), Resolution No. 2026-705 (August 18, 2026), Resolution No. 2026-748 (September 1, 2026), and the ordinance listing for Ordinance No. 2026-18 (July 21, 2026), all published at bislig.gov.ph.