General Santos City
July 4, 2025

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. paid a visit to the General Santos Fish Port Complex (GSFPC) to witness the tuna trading activities in the area and meet the fisherfolk in General Santos City and surrounding localities.

General Santos City is recognized as the center of the Philippine tuna industry, being home to eight (8) major tuna canneries, fish processors and exporters. With approximately 200,000 workers dependent on this sector, the industry is a major contributor to local employment and national economic development.

Anchoring this thriving industry is GSFPC, the Philippines’ foremost tuna unloading facility catering to both domestic and international fishing vessels. As the primary hub for post-harvest operations, the fish port has consistently provided the necessary infrastructure and services for the efficient handling, trading and export of tuna and other fishery products.

In an interview with Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Acting General Manager Glen Pangapalan, he said that this fish port serves as one of the economic drivers of the country, with over 20,000 clients and stakeholders holding permits to conduct business and employing around 12,000-13,000 individuals.

The PFDA, a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) attached to the Department of Agriculture (DA), handles the operations of GSFPC. As part of its continuing commitment to empower the fisherfolk aligned with the directive of the President, the Agency implements rehabilitation and improvement projects to meet the GSFPC’s increasing operational demands and make its facilities at par with international standards.

Two (2) major infrastructure projects were recently implemented within GSFPC, namely the Expansion and Improvement of GSFPC Package II and the construction of the GSFPC Cold Storage. These initiatives form part of the broader effort to enhance the port’s capacity and efficiency, further solidifying its role as a key fisheries logistics hub in the country.

Apart from his ‘ugnayan’ with the fisherfolk, President Marcos Jr. also led the distribution of livelihood projects from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). These include Fish Aggregating Device (FAD)/Payao; salt production; fishing boats; marine engine; fish farming inputs; village-type fish processing center; fish processing equipment and marketing supplies; and complete seaweed farm implements and maintenance for six (6) seaweed nurseries.

Among the beneficiaries are Patriotismo Germise Jr. and Angelica Flores, fisherfolk from Malapatan, Sarangani. They expressed their sincerest gratitude to the President for paying close attention to their needs and expressed their sincerest hope for the government to continue supporting the industry.

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