Manila, June 11 -- Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez ordered the immediate rehabilitation of Mabila Port on Balut Island in Davao Occidental, said to be the worst-damaged port after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the region on Monday.

In a statement on Thursday, Lopez said rehabilitation of the port is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s order to immediately fix damaged infrastructure to ensure the safety of passengers and continuing trade.

"Talagang matindi ang natamong pinsala ng pantalan, kaya kailangang maayos, ma-rehab natin ito agad para sa mga kababayan natin sa Balut Island (The port sustained significant damage; it needs to be fixed, and we'll rehabilitate this for the people of Balut Island)," he sai...