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