GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Representative Shirlyn Bañas has formally introduced House Bill No. 3839, also known as the “Port of General Santos Act,” which seeks to elevate the Sub-Port of Dadiangas into a principal Port of Entry independent from the Port of Davao.
The proposed measure aims to designate the facility as the Port of General Santos, strengthening its role as the primary economic gateway of the SOCCSKSARGEN region, particularly as the country’s top producer of tuna.
“For so long, our Sub-Port of Dadiangas has driven regional trade, yet it has remained under the administrative supervision of the Port of Davao,” Bañas said. “Through this bill, we intend to establish an independent port that can directly transact with the Bureau of Customs, making trade faster and more efficient.”
According to Bañas, the bill is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits for General Santos City and the surrounding region. Among the anticipated impacts are:
- Faster trade and reduced bureaucracy as cargoes and documents can be processed directly without additional administrative layers.
- Improved infrastructure development through greater resource allocation for the port, reinforcing its role as a vital hub in the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
- Economic growth and competitiveness by strengthening supply chains and stimulating the local economy.
Residents are also expected to benefit through lower commodity prices as faster processing reduces storage and logistical costs, more job opportunities from increased port activities, and greater support for local businesses that will enjoy faster and more affordable shipment processing.
The proposal has already gained support from local government units, business chambers, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA-PMO SOCSARGEN), and Regional Development Councils.
“This is a monumental step for our future,” Bañas said, urging her constituents to back the measure. “Let us work together for a more prosperous General Santos City.”