GENERAL Santos City — General Santos City opened its 2026 Tuna Festival on Sept. 1, using the weeklong celebration to help local businesses, workers and fisherfolk recover from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the region in June.

Held at City Hall Drive, the opening reaffirmed General Santos’ identity as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” while highlighting the tuna industry’s role in jobs, livelihoods and the city’s economy.

Mayor Lorelie Geronimo-Pacquiao led the opening ceremonies with city officials, including Tourism Committee Chair Michael Pacquiao and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

The festival carries the theme “Giting at Pagkakaisa, sa Pagbangon Sama-sama” or “Courage and Unity: Rising Together.”

Among the opening highlights was the traditional ceremonial slicing of tuna, a symbol of the industry’s importance to the city’s economy and culture.

Festival seen as part of recovery

Festival Director Joey John Concepcion said city officials initially questioned whether the celebration should proceed following the earthquake.

He said Mayor Pacquiao ultimately decided that the festival should continue, giving residents and businesses an opportunity to move forward.

“Ang unang narinig ko kay Mayor, ‘Mag-Tuna Festival pa ba ta?’ And then she decided that we should really celebrate Tuna Festival. We all deserve this celebration,” Concepcion said.

The festival is expected to create opportunities for local entrepreneurs, exhibitors, workers and businesses connected to the tuna value chain.

City coordinates on safety

The city also emphasized that safety measures remain part of the festival preparations.

City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) Department Head lawyer Leonard V. Flores said the local government informed the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) about its plans to proceed with the activities.

Flores said the city was advised that the festival could continue provided that additional precautionary measures were implemented.

“We are mindful of that,” Flores said, adding that the city continues to coordinate with agencies involved in disaster preparedness and response.

Handline summit targets stronger tuna sector

The festival opening also coincided with the 6th All About Tuna Handline Summit, which brought together fisherfolk, industry leaders and government representatives.

Led by Chairperson Kerick G. Teng, the summit carried the theme “LAYAG: Sama-sama Tungo sa Pagbangon ng Tuna Handline.”

Discussions focused on sustainable fishing, fishery management and protecting the livelihoods of fisherfolk.

For General Santos, the summit provides a platform for closer cooperation between the city government and the fishing sector as the region continues its rehabilitation.

The city’s message this year is clear: the Tuna Festival is not only a celebration, but also part of efforts to keep livelihoods, businesses and the tuna industry moving forward.