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TUNA LOAD. A worker at the General Santos Fish Port Complex carries a huge tuna on his shoulder from a fishing boat.
Rommel Rebollido/Rappler
Century Pacific Food and Alliance Select Foods hope to resume operations within a week at the earliest
MANILA, Philippines – The seafood industry in General Santos City , the Philippines’ tuna capital, has taken a hit following the destructive magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani province in Mindanao on Monday, June 8.
Major tuna and sardines producer Century Pacific Food Incorporated confirmed on Tuesday, June 9, that three of its personnel were killed after a portion of a warehouse wall in their facility in General Santos collapsed due to the quake.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident and are extending support to the affected families,” the food conglomerate owned by the Po family told the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).
Among the tuna and sardines brands of Century Pacific Food are Century Tuna, 555, Blue Bay, Fresco, and Lucky 7. It acquired the legacy brand Ligo in 2021.
“We are currently assessing the full extent of the impact to our facilities and are aiming a return to operations within one to two weeks, subject to the findings of our structural assessment and clearance from relevant authorities. From a business continuity standpoint, our facilities are covered by insurance, and our partner retailers currently hold ample stocks to meet near-term demand,” the company added in its disclosure.
The late Ricardo Po Sr. established Century Canning Corporation in 1978, exporting canned tuna. It later became Century Pacific Food Inc. after it expanded and diversified into other food businesses .
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the factory of Century Pacific Food subsidiary General Tuna Corporation in General Santos City on July 4, 2025.
Temporary suspension
In the meantime, another major tuna producer and exporter, Alliance Select Foods International, told the PSE that it has temporarily shut down its facility in General Santos City after a number of its personnel were injured in the quake.
“As a precautionary measure and due to continuing aftershocks, operations at the facility have been temporarily suspended while safety inspections and damage assessments are being conducted,” Alliance Select Foods said.
“Preliminary assessments indicate damage to the warehouse areas, as well as certain inventory stored therein. The Company is currently conducting a comprehensive evaluation to determine the extent of the damage to its facilities, inventory, and operations.”
The company said it expects to resume operations next week, on June 16, after the completion of safety checks and remediation measures that may be required. It said it could not yet give a “full financial and operational impact” of the quake.
Alliance Select Food exports tuna to Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It started processing, canning, and exporting canned tuna products in 2004.
Its premium product is the Bay of Gold brand. Aside from exports, it also sells its tuna products to restaurants, hotels, and commissaries, and toll packs for wholesalers, distributors, and other food firms.
Its tuna business accounts for 93% of the group’s revenues as of end 2025.
Prior to the earthquake, seafood producers in the Soccsksargen region had been grappling with high prices of fuel due to the conflict in the Middle East .
The Philippines is among the world’s biggest producers of tuna, and its biggest tuna landing center is the General Santos Fish Port Complex in General Santos City. The country produced over 400,000 metric tons of tuna and more than 300,000 MT of sardines in 2023. It also exported 88,970 MT of tuna in 2023, its top fish export, valued at US$391.8 million, according to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center . – Rappler.com
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Read the full article at Rappler →📄Source document: Senator Camille Villar's Office
6 reports
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 89Objective 958 days agoThe provincial government of Bukidnon has provided P1.5 million in financial assistance to General Santos City to support relief and recovery efforts after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani, causing widespread damage in southern Mindanao. The aid was formally transferred by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on June 11. General Santos City remains under a state of calamity as it recovers from the earthquake, which damaged homes, commercial buildings, public infrastructure, and government facilities.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the aid provided by Bukidnon to General Santos City following the earthquake. It includes details about the amount of aid, the recipient, the purpose of the aid, and the context of the disaster. The language is neutral, and no overtly biased or emotionally charged terms are used. The article does not favor one political side or group over another.
Official sources cited
- government Provincial Government of Bukidnon
- government Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO)
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 89Objective 9512 days ago Cotelco sends linemen to aid power restoration in quake-hit GenSanSix linemen from the Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Cotelco) have been sent to General Santos City to assist with restoring electricity following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. The linemen are part of Cotelco's 'Task Force Kapatid' initiative and are working alongside the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II). Cotelco's general manager accompanied the team to assess damage and identify additional ways to support recovery efforts.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a cooperative effort between Cotelco and Socoteco II to restore electricity in earthquake-affected areas. It provides factual details about the deployment of linemen, their qualifications, and the purpose of the mission without apparent ideological framing or biased language.
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 89Objective 9512 days ago Cebu province approves P10-M aid for earthquake-hit General Santos CityCebu province approved P10 million in financial assistance for General Santos City, which was affected by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8, 2026. The resolution was sponsored by Provincial Board Member Red Duterte and certified as urgent by Governor Pam Baricuatro. Duterte emphasized that General Santos City is not the only area impacted and called for identifying other local government units needing assistance.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the approval of financial aid without apparent ideological framing. It includes direct quotes from officials and does not exhibit biased language or selective sourcing.
Official sources cited
- government Provincial Board Member Red Duterte
- government Governor Pam Baricuatro
RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 89Objective 8913 days agoSeveral large businesses operating in General Santos City, including Jollibee Foods Corporation, confirmed that there were no fatalities following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck near Sarangani province. Jollibee stated that all employees at their locations in the city were accounted for and unharmed, with no reports of injuries in their stores. The company expressed concern for those affected by the disaster.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual updates from corporate entities regarding the safety of their staff and customers following an earthquake. It does not present any overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The focus is on confirming the absence of casualties and expressing concern,
Official sources cited
- organisation Jollibee Foods Corporation Statement
Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 897 days ago Camille Villar brings aid, honors earthquake hero in GenSanSenator Camille Villar visited earthquake victims in General Santos City and distributed relief supplies including rice, groceries, and mineral water. She was accompanied by Senator Robinhood Padilla, General Santos City Mayor Lorelie Pacquiao, and Barangay Lagao Chairman Jaime Tatad during the visit to two evacuation centers.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a charitable act by a politician without taking a stance on any political issue. It focuses on the provision of aid and does not present any biased language or framing that suggests support for one side over another.
Official sources cited
- organisation Senator Camille Villar's Office
RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8912 days ago 2 big tuna exporters in General Santos City suspend operations after earthquakeTwo major tuna exporters in General Santos City, Century Pacific Food and Alliance Select Foods, have suspended operations following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani province in Mindanao. Century Pacific Food reported that three employees were killed when part of a warehouse wall collapsed during the quake. The company expressed condolences to the affected families and stated it is assessing the full impact of the disaster. Both companies aim to resume operations within a week.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on the economic impact of an earthquake on two major tuna exporters without taking a stance or using biased language. It provides factual information about the event, the casualties, and the companies' responses without editorializing or emphasizing any particular political angle
Official sources cited
- government Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)
PH