AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Sunday ordered a more comprehensive structural assessment of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority’s (PFDA) General Santos Fish Port Complex following a strong earthquake that struck the region on June 8.
Initial inspections led to the temporary closure of Market Halls 1, 2, and 3, while Market Hall 4 was placed under limited operations as a safety measure.
In a June 18 report to the PFDA Board, Acting General Manager Glen Pangapalan said preliminary findings indicate that the facility remains structurally sound. He added that no employees, traders or stakeholders were injured.
Tiu Laurel said further inspections, including an assessment of subsurface conditions, should be completed as soon as possible to ensure public safety.
Pangapalan said the expanded assessment, which will include a geotechnical investigation and inspections following aftershocks, will help validate the facility’s condition and determine any needed interventions.
Fish port operations have largely continued through contingency measures to maintain the flow of fish products and export activities while safety checks are ongoing.
The General Santos Fish Port Complex is a key facility for the country’s tuna industry, supporting the livelihood of over 200,000 Filipinos in fisheries activities in Mindanao and export markets.
The Department of Agriculture said that the recent earthquake highlights the growing importance of resilient food logistics infrastructure as the country faces recurring climate-related disasters and seismic events.
It added that ports, trading centers and cold storage facilities play a critical role in food security and export competitiveness.