General santos city: All ships traveling to and from Makar Wharf in General Santos City, Sarangani, have been rerouted to Malalag Port in Davao del Sur to maintain the flow of passenger and cargo transport in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez announced that the decision aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to ensure economic activities and services to passengers remain uninterrupted after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the region on Monday. In his statement, Lopez emphasized the need for continuous transport to avoid disturbances in the economy, which led to seeking an alternative port.

During a command conference held on Wednesday with Lopez, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the Port Management Office (PMO) in General Santos City, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago instructed PMO officials to work with their counterparts in Davao del Sur for the rerouting of ships. Santiago also called for the immediate rehabilitation of Makar Wharf after assessing the structural integrity of the port facilities.

An intensive assessment by engineering teams is ongoing, preventing a precise determination of the damage costs at this time. The inspection includes the Makar Wharf's passenger terminal building and its underwater structures. Santiago assured that necessary rehabilitation and restoration efforts would begin promptly to restore the facilities to a safe and proper condition, ensuring continuous service to the public.