DA orders structural check of GenSan fish port after M7.8 earthquake

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered a comprehensive structural assessment of the General Santos Fish Port Complex (GSFPC) after several sections of the facility were shuttered following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8.

According to the DA statement on Sunday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued the directive following an initial assessment on June 8 and 9, which identified conditions warranting the temporary closure of GSFPC Market Halls 1, 2 and 3, as well as the limited use of Market Hall 4 pending further evaluation.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Mindanao earthquake

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The more comprehensive follow-up assessment, said Tiu Laurel, aims to provide a more complete understanding of the facility’s condition, supplemented by a geotechnical investigation and additional inspections in light of subsequent aftershocks.

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Meanwhile, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) acting General Manager Glen Pangapalan noted in a June 18 report that preliminary findings indicated the port remains “structurally sound.”

He also reported that no casualties or injuries were recorded among employees, traders, and other stakeholders despite the strong tremor.

However, Pangapalan welcomed the follow-up evaluation as a more detailed assessment would further validate the facility’s condition and guide any necessary interventions.

Tiu Lauren stressed the need to complete the comprehensive assessment as quickly as possible.

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“Although the wharf generally appeared structurally sound, we should expedite further inspection of subsurface conditions,” he said in a statement.

“We cannot risk the lives of our people who rely on this fish port for their livelihood,” the secretary added.

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The GSFPC is one of the country’s most critical fisheries facilities, especially for General Santos City, which is widely regarded as the country’s tuna capital.

The DA said the fish port complex serves as a vital gateway for the tuna industry and supports an extensive supply chain that stretches across Mindanao and international export markets. /da /atm

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The Inquirer Foundation is calling for support for communities devastated by the recent magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao.

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The Philippine Red Cross has activated its emergency fund campaign and deployed teams on the ground to provide medical services, distribute relief goods and extend psychosocial support to affected families.