MANILA — Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has directed authorities to conduct a more extensive structural assessment of the PFDA-General Santos Fish Port Complex following a strong earthquake that prompted the temporary closure of several sections of the facility.

The order came after an initial post-earthquake inspection conducted on June 8 and 9 identified conditions that led to the temporary closure of Market Halls 1, 2, and 3, while the use of Market Hall 4 was limited pending further evaluation.

According to the Department of Agriculture, the assessment will be supplemented by a geotechnical investigation and additional inspections following a series of aftershocks to gain a clearer picture of the facility’s condition.

In a report submitted to the board of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) on June 18, Acting General Manager Glen A. Pangapalan said initial findings indicated that the fish port remains structurally sound. He added that a more detailed evaluation would help confirm the facility’s condition and determine whether any interventions are needed.

Tiu Laurel said the comprehensive assessment should be completed as soon as possible despite the encouraging preliminary findings.

“Although the wharf generally appeared structurally sound, we should expedite further inspection of subsurface conditions. We cannot risk the lives of our people who rely on this fish port for their livelihood,” he said.

Pangapalan also reported that no employees, traders, or other stakeholders were injured during the earthquake.

Despite the temporary restrictions, fish port operations have largely continued through contingency measures, allowing the movement of fish products and export activities while safety checks are ongoing.

The General Santos Fish Port Complex plays a key role in supporting the fisheries industry in General Santos City, which is known as the country’s tuna capital. The facility serves as a major gateway for the tuna sector and supports a supply chain that reaches markets across Mindanao and overseas.

The department said the incident underscores the importance of strengthening critical food logistics infrastructure as the country continues to face recurring seismic events and climate-related disasters.

It added that ports, cold storage facilities, and trading centers are vital to food security, export competitiveness, and the livelihoods of more than 200,000 Filipinos who depend directly and indirectly on the General Santos fisheries industry.