Marcos inspects Navotas fish port rehabilitation

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), saying the modernization of the country’s largest fish trading hub will improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk and help ensure a stable food supply for Filipinos.

In a post on his official Facebook page on Sunday, Marcos uploaded photos and videos of his inspection of the 50-year-old fish port with Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.

“With a more modern and better-equipped port, operations will become safer and more efficient, the livelihoods of our fishermen, traders, and others who depend on the fishing industry will improve, and we will help ensure a steady supply of high-quality food for our fellow Filipinos,” he said.

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According to Marcos, he personally inspected the rehabilitation of the 49-hectare Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC) to ensure that “our infrastructure keeps pace with the growing needs of the fisheries sector.”

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The president’s inspection was originally scheduled for the evening of July 7 but was postponed for undisclosed reasons. Malacañang did not invite the media to the activity on Saturday evening.

The Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA), an agency under the Department of Agriculture that operates the NFPC, approved a P1.6-billion infrastructure program in June to upgrade key fisheries facilities across the country.

The PFDA said the third phase of the NFPC Modernization Program includes the rehabilitation of Market Halls 1 and 2. The project is expected to be completed in December.

READ: PFDA allocates P1.6 billion for fisheries modernization drive

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The PFDA also approved the second phase of the NFPC Shipyard Development Project to decongest operations and improve support services for fishing vessels. The project is scheduled for completion in June next year.

The planned upgrades will expand the complex by nearly 25 hectares.

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The NFPC directly benefits at least 30,000 people, with the number rising to about 50,000 during peak season. The complex was reclaimed in 1977 during the Marcos Sr. administration and has since become the country’s largest fish port and one of the biggest in Asia. /mcm

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