GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Key government and industry stakeholders have expressed strong support for House Bill 03839, or the “Port of General Santos Act,” which seeks to elevate the city’s Sub-Port of Dadiangas into a principal port of entry and establish an independent Customs Collection District separate from Davao.

During a consultative meeting held on 05 November at Makar Wharf, Port of General Santos, local officials and representatives from the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Collection District XII, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and the South Cotabato Integrated Port Services Inc. (SCIPSI) discussed the bill’s potential to boost trade, logistics efficiency, and regional competitiveness.

The meeting was convened to align support and gather technical data to strengthen the bill’s passage in Congress. Stakeholders emphasized that upgrading the port’s status would streamline customs processes, attract new investments, and reinforce General Santos City’s role as a major trade gateway in Southern Mindanao.

Ahead of the consultation, local leaders conducted an inspection of Makar Port to assess its current operations and capacity. The visit reaffirmed that the city is operationally ready for the proposed upgrade, citing improvements in port facilities and consistent cargo volume growth.

Congresswoman Shirlyn Nograles and the bill’s proponents said the move represents a strategic milestone in General Santos City’s long-term economic plan, aiming to decentralize customs administration and further position the city as a hub for maritime trade, agri-fisheries export, and logistics development in Mindanao.

With unified support from national agencies and the private sector, stakeholders vowed to work closely in completing the required documentation and pushing for the swift approval of House Bill 03839 in Congress.