President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the Navotas Fish Port Complex on Saturday as the government moves to modernize the facility and improve operations for fisherfolk, traders and other industry stakeholders.
In a social media post on Sunday, Marcos said the 50-year-old facility remains one of the country’s major fish trading and distribution hubs, making its modernization necessary to meet the growing demands of the fisheries sector.
The President said the inspection was intended to ensure that the required improvements were being implemented and would directly benefit those who depend on the facility.
“Sa mas moderno at mas maayos na pantalan, magiging mas ligtas at mas episyente ang operasyon, mapapabuti ang kabuhayan ng ating mga mangingisda, negosyante at iba pang umaasa sa industriya ng pangingisda,” Marcos said.
“With a modernized and improved port, operations will become safer and more efficient, and the livelihoods of our fisherfolk, traders and others dependent on the fishing industry will be improved,” he added.
“Masisiguro rin ang tuloy-tuloy na suplay ng de-kalidad na pagkain para sa ating mga kababayan,” the President said.
Marcos also recognized the contributions of Filipino fisherfolk, saying they deserve a safe, properly maintained port.
“Ang bawat huling isda ay bunga ng sipag ng ating mga mangingisda. Karapat-dapat lamang na mayroon silang mas ligtas at mas maayos na pantalan,” he said.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., who accompanied Marcos during the inspection, said the rehabilitation includes measures to address flooding, which has reduced the fish port’s operating capacity.
He said the project also involves expanding the complex to accommodate not only fish and other seafood products but also agricultural goods from different provinces.
According to Tiu Laurel, the modernization and expansion would make operations more efficient and reduce transportation costs.
Lower logistics expenses could help bring down market prices and eventually ease inflation, he added.
Philippine Fisheries Development Authority Acting General Manager Glenn Pangapalan said the rehabilitation of the Navotas Fish Port would serve as a model for similar modernization projects nationwide.
“Ang Navotas Fish Port ang premier fish port natin sa buong bansa. Pag naayos natin ang Navotas Fish Port, iyan ay nagsi-signify na bubuti at patuloy na bubuti iyong mga regional fish ports, municipal fish ports natin at malaking epekto noon sa kabuuang fishing industry,” Pangapalan said.
“The Navotas Fish Port is our country’s premier fish port. Once we upgrade it, it signals that our regional and municipal fish ports will also improve, which will have a significant impact on the entire fishing industry,” he added.