Metro Manila and suburbs will enjoy more supply and stable prices of fresh and quality fish with the upgrading of the 35-year old Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), according to the Philippine Information Agency.
The upgrading of the NFPC, costing P2.7 billion, is one of the five big infrastructure projects recently endorsed and submitted by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval by the NEDA Board, chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino.
It will entail three major activities, namely: upgrading of landing quay, market halls, piers, parking areas, drainage system, and breakwater; construction of wharf landing, dredging of harbor basin, and provision of an area for ship repair and other agri-fishery enterprises; and provision of new facilities like cold storage system, conveyors, fish sorting areas, and waste water treatment plant.
To finance the project, the Philippine government will seek a loan worth P2.56 billion from the China Export-Import Bank, and share a counterpart of P137 million.
Navotas fish port is considered the country’s biggest and oldest in the country which began operations in 1977.
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Dredging Today Staff, May 27, 2012;