Maynilad to invest P37M to replace pipes in Navotas Fish Port

MANILA, Philippines - West Zone water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services is investing more than P37 million to replace almost six kilometers of pipes in the Navotas Fish Port Complex (NFPC), one of the largest fish trading center in Asia and a major fish supplier to Metro Manila.

Once the pipe-replacement project is completed in the first quarter of 2015,  water availability in the fish port is expected to increase from only four to five hours daily to 24 hours a day.

Water pressure in the service area is also expected to improve to 30 pounds per square inch (psi) from

 The project is also set to improve water pressure in the complex from five pounds per square inch (psi) to 30 psi. It takes about seven psi for water to reach the second floor of a building.

Other than the fish port complex, more than 200 households along Lapu-Lapu Avenue and R10 in Navotas City would benefit from the project.

“It is important to have adequate water in the NFPC especially because it provides a food staple to major markets in Metro Manila,” said Maynilad president and CEO Ricky P. Vargas.

The Navotas fish port is the traditional landing place of commercial fishing boats operating in various fishing grounds in the Philippines. It is situated on a 47.5 hectares reclaimed land at the Northeastern section of Manila Bay.

Thousands of buyers visit the port daily where an estimated 20 commercial fishing vessels call port and unload a total volume of about 800 tons. Overland vehicles from different provinces also bring in additional volume of 50 tons.

Maynilad is closely coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the local government of Navotas for the traffic management schemes to lessen the inconvenience that may be caused by the pipe-laying project to motorists.