Navotas Navigational Gate Undergoes Crucial Repairs
Navotas lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco has urged local fisherfolk and boat operators to avoid using the Tangos River due to ongoing maintenance. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and its contractors are conducting essential three-day repair work on the navigational gate along the waterway.
In a statement shared on social media, Tiangco included a letter from the DPWH regional office requesting a temporary restriction on vessel movement along the Tangos River. This measure aims to ensure safety and facilitate smooth completion of the maintenance activities.
Details of the Maintenance Activities
The joint contractors, St. Timothy Construction Corp. and Anore Construction, will focus on several key tasks during this period. These include apron cleaning, dredging, and desilting of the river channel. Additionally, they will install pipes for the flushing mechanism, carry out further repairs to the gate, and perform surveys to assess previous repair work.
According to DPWH Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, these efforts are vital to maintain the operational integrity of the navigational gate and to prevent future obstructions or damages. The temporary ban on vessel entry and exit will also protect workers and stakeholders involved in the project.
Historical Context: Flooding and Infrastructure Challenges
The urgency of this repair work is underscored by recent flooding incidents in Navotas and neighboring Metro Manila cities. In July 2024, heavy rains intensified by Typhoon Carina caused widespread flooding, leading the national government to declare a state of calamity in Metro Manila.
Local officials noted that damage to the Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate worsened flooding in Navotas. Tiangco previously remarked that despite having fewer pumping stations in 2009 during Typhoon Ondoy, flooding was more controlled. However, the damage caused by a barge collision with the navigational gate a month before Carina’s arrival compromised flood defenses, allowing seawater to inundate communities during high tide.
Ongoing Repairs and Related Concerns
Flooding recurred in 2025 after repairs to the navigational gate’s wall remained incomplete. St. Timothy Construction Corp., one of the contractors involved, is also under scrutiny for alleged failures in rehabilitating a river-protection structure in Bulacan.
Sources reported that the Commission on Audit (COA) has launched a fraud audit on multi-billion peso flood control projects implemented by DPWH across Bulacan and other regions, highlighting concerns about the quality and oversight of such infrastructure works.
Community Impact and Moving Forward
The three-day restriction on Tangos River vessel traffic aims to expedite necessary maintenance and minimize the risk of further flooding. Local leaders and stakeholders have been asked to cooperate to safeguard both the navigational gate’s functionality and community safety.
As Navotas continues to address these critical infrastructure challenges, officials emphasize the importance of sustained maintenance and accountability. Ensuring the navigational gate’s effectiveness remains a key element in protecting the city from future flood events.
For more news and updates on Navotas Navigational Gate, visit Filipinokami.com.
