1st Pyrotechnic Competition brightens the Christmas season of Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 December 2014) – The 1st "Paskuhan sa Gensan” Pyrotechnic Competition finally came to a close, and spectators are left with higher expectations for next year.

Six contestants from different parts of the country painted the skies of Gensan with beautiful lights and colors for three straight nights on December 21-23.

The performers came from Manila, Dumaguete, Tacurong, North Cotabato, and Gensan.

Two contingents performed every night.

People flocked inside the Oval Plaza during the competition to witness the fireworks launched from the adjacent Mindanao State University High School campus.

Some towering structures around the MSU such as the Florotel Hotel and Sydney Hotel provided the best viewing spots not only for spectators but also for photographers as well.

The competition attracted visitors from nearby areas such as Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani Province.

The pyrotechnics were judged according to the volume of launched fireworks, luminosity and brightness, creative transition, and the overall composition of the display.

In the end, a team from Manila bagged the first prize (P80,000), while pyrotechnic artists from Matalam, North Cotabato (P60,000) and Gensan (40,000) got the second and third place, respectively.

Non-winners got P20,000 as consolation prize.

Jane Gollon-Rivera, Gensan Tourism Council chairperson and the organizer of the pyrotechnic competition, said they will make the competition bigger and brighter next year.

“As we see it, a lot of people were very happy to witness a fireworks competition in the city. It is the first time for something grand to happen here in Gensan and we vow that we will make it a regular event every Paskuhan sa Gensan,” Rivera said. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

Paskuhan sa Gensan bursts into climax

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 December 2014) - The grandest fireworks display takes place on the culmination night of Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014 Wednesday, December 24. The fireworks exhibition painted the sky with vibrant hue that lasted for about 15 minutes. It was a fitting climax to the December 21-23 First Pyrotechnics Competition in Mindanao hosted by Gensan Tourism Council. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Paskuhan sa Gensan’s first fireworks fest paints beautiful sky

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 December 2014) - The last day of Gensan's First Pyrotechnic Competition Tuesday, December 23, is indeed bright and beautiful as successive luminous fireworks delighted spectators at the Oval Plaza. The winners of the competition will be announced on the culmination night of Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014 on Wednesday, December 24. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

City hospital patients get zero bills

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 December 2014)  – One hundred and fourteen indigent in-patients of the General Santos City Hospital were discharged Tuesday ( December 23) without paying their hospital bills through the amnesty program of the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the city government.

The Medical Assistance Program (MAP) is the amnesty program of the DOH that downloads funds to different city and municipal hospitals to help those patients who are not enrolled in PHILHEALTH.

These 114 released patients are those who were confined at the hospital who do not have PHILHEALTH membership.

City Hall spent more than P1 million to shoulder their bills.

The city hospital received P6 million from DOH Region 12 on the first week of December 2013.

Personnel from the City Social Welfare and Development Office are assigned to screen the patients if they are qualified or not to avail of the amnesty program. 

Once a patient is deemed qualified, his/ her entire bills will automatically be shouldered by the city hospital through the allocated funds of DOH.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has already instructed the administrators of the city hospital that they should cater even those who are not residing here in General Santos.

“In this way,” Mayor Rivera said, “we can help these needy people who are currently confined in our hospital. But more than that, we are also slowly decongesting the number of our patients.”

Regie Teves, 29, of Barangay Tambler is one of the grateful beneficiaries of the said program.

“My wife was sent here to undergo a Caesarean operation upon giving birth to our first child. Our bill is only around P5,000 but we cannot pay it because we are poor,” Teves said.

“That is why I am really happy for this program by the mayor and the DOH because they really help unfortunate people like us. This is the greatest Christmas gift for me,” he added.

Gabrielle Fernandez, assistant head of the city hospital, said that they are hopeful that the DOH will give more funds to the city next year so that they can continue this program.

“If we can submit a fully liquidated and detailed report to the DOH national office, then we can ask for more funds for our amnesty program,” Fernandez said. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

231 franchises given to trike drivers, operators

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 December 2014)  – Two hundred thirty and one tricycle drivers and operators are now eligible to ply around the city after the release of their franchises by the Permits and License Division of the City Mayors Office Tuesday (December 23) at the Oval Gymnasium.

Arnolfo Alire, a tricycle operator from Doña Soledad Subdivision in Barangay Labangal, was among the happiest to receive the franchise.

“I started applying for the franchise since 2009 but I was successively rejected because I failed to comply some of the requirements. For me, this is a good Christmas gift already because my family is somehow dependent on the income of the tricycle,” Alire said.

Geraldine Zamora, head of the Permits and License Division, bared that her office should have released 400 tricycle franchises but due to the non-compliance of the applicants, almost half of the applications are pending.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who was present in the turnover, congratulated the drivers and operators for acquiring the franchise.

“I hope that you all will take care of your franchises. By having such privilege, I hope you will also be responsible of the lives of your passengers and be their windows to how beautiful Gensan is,” the mayor stated.

But along with that, Mayor Rivera also warned them that they should obey traffic rules and regulations because anytime, authorities can confiscate or suspend their franchises.

On the other hand, Mayor Rivera announced that the results of the transport study conducted by the League of Cities of the Philippines, University of the Philippines, and the local government unit of General Santos City are already being finalized and will be presented to the stakeholders during the Transport Summit in January.

He said the data of the study will serve as reference in future programs that the city government will implement to address the transportation problems of the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Fireworks over “Frozen” Plaza Heneral Santos

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 December 2014) - Bursts of fireworks provide the perfect accent for the "Frozen"-themed Plaza Heneral Santos on the second night of the 1st Gensan Pyrotechnic Competition Monday, December 22. The competition which ends tonight is part of the Paskuhan sa Gensan highlights.( Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo )

Gensan launches 1st Pyrotechnic Competition

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 December 2014) – Residents of the city were awed by the back-to-back fireworks display during the first night of Gensan’s 1st Pyrotechnic Competition Sunday, December 22.

The first two contingents, RB Fireworks (Tacurong) and Diamond Fireworks (Manila), lit up the skies with their respective fireworks show. The groups owned the blank canvas of the Gensan night sky for approximately three minutes each.

The competition is organized by the Gensan Tourism Council (GTC) as one of the major events of the Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014.

Four more competitors from different parts of the country are making the skies of Gensan brighter and livelier for the succeeding nights of December 22 and 23. Two contingents perform each night at 9pm.

The event is best seen at the Oval Plaza as the fireworks are launched from inside the Mindanao State University High school campus. Exciting elevated views can also be offered by the towering structures near the event area such as Florotel Hotel and Sydney Hotel.

Criteria for judging are the over-all composition of the display, the quantity of materials used, the brightness and distinctiveness, effects, and the diversity of the transitional launching.

The winner bags the P80,000 grand prize while the second and third placers will get P60,000 and P40,000, respectively.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who was present in the event, expressed his amazement for the fireworks exhibit.

“It was really a breath-taking display of fireworks mastery,” Mayor Rivera said.

The mayor also invited the public to witness the fireworks competition as it is a different Christmas experience for everyone and an amazing first for the Paskuhan sa Gensan. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Paskuhan sa Gensan opens

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 December 2014) - The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Paskuhan sa Gensan opens with a grand fireworks display Friday, December 12, at the Oval Plaza. (Photo courtesy of COCOY SEXCION for Gensan CPIO)

Paskuhan sa Gensan presents Lantern Parade

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 December 2014) – The Lantern Parade is one of the highlights of the Paskuhan sa Gensan with the theme "Pasko ng Pamilyang Heneral, Pasko ng Pasasalamat", participated in by different barangays and sectors of Gensan. The Lantern Parade is composed of the open category and barangay category with P30,000 for the 1st prize, P20,000 for 2nd prize and P10,000 for 3rd prize in both categories. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Silway Bridge to connect Mabuhay and Apopong

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 December 2014) - After a series of delays, the construction of the Silway Bridge in the Circumferential Road Northern Section that will connect Barangay Mabuhay and Barangay Apopong has started. This structure is under the second phase of circumferential road project funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways and in coordination with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan Rizal monument gets a makeover

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 December 2014) – The Jose Rizal monument at Plaza Heneral Santos had a major makeover, thanks to the Yuchengo Group of Companies (YGC).

Through YGC’s subsidiary company, RCBC Bankcard Services Corporation, the Jose Rizal monument was renovated and refurbished. The pavement around it was also fixed and the benches around it were also repaired.

The pillar, where the Rizal monument stands, was covered with marble. The statue itself was not replaced but it was repainted to bring back its luster and brimming appearance.

The official turnover of the project by YGC to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera was on December 5. Executives coming from the different YGC companies were present to witness the event.

Regina Millare, Chief Operating and Information Officer of RCBC, and Antonio Rubin, First Nationwide Assurance Corporation president were the ones who turned over the newly-refurbished Rizal monument to Mayor Rivera through a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I am really glad that the YGC included Gensan as one of their recipients for their project. This monument symbolizes the heroism and nobility that Jose Rizal taught us that it is why it is important we preserve it,” the mayor said in an interview.

The renovation of the Jose Rizal monument is part of the “Buhay Rizal” Values Campaign—the flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the YGC.

The said CSR was conceived in 2008 which includes different advocacies like Rizalian Pride Program (restoration of old Rizal monuments), the Rizalian Book Donation Program, the Public Education Program, and the Public Engagement Program.

As of now, there are currently 10 cities which became the recipients of the “Buhay Rizal” Values Campaign, Gensan being the 10^th.

Aside from the Rizalian Pride Program, the Lagao National High School (LNHS) also became a recipient of the Rizalian Book Donation Program.

LNHS will receive Noli Me Tangere books, newly-translated by National Artist of Literature Dr. Vergilio Almario.

“We are doing this because we want the young students of this current generation to appreciate the works of Rizal, not only as a form of literature, but also a form of national-consciousness,” Millare said.

More than 50,000 Noli Me Tangere books have been distributed by the YGC to 38 schools, including the LNHS.

For Mayor Rivera, these donations are proof of a strong partnership between the local government and the private sector.

“Well, as for me, this is a good indicator that when the public and private institutions work together, we can achieve greater things,” Mayor Rivera explained. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

City Hall marks Gabi ng Parangal

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 December 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera recites the Civil Service Oath - an act which indicates sincerity in serving the public – during City Hall’s Gabi ng Parangal Tuesday, December 9.  (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo )

FRAME members enroll with SSS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 December 2014) - Social Security System (SSS) head Jove Colasito receives the SSS membership documents of Family Resource Allocation Management Enhancement (FRAME) members Wednesday, December 10, during the 11th FRAME People's Congress held at Lagao Gym. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Lying-in clinics, RHUs to integrate

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 December 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera answers the queries of doctors on the upcoming lying-in centers and rural health units (RHUs) integration in a forum Tuesday, December 9, in Tierra Montana Hotel. The integration is pursued by Mayor Rivera to expand the health services being offered by the government hospital. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan lines up big projects in 2015, 2016

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

DAVAO CITY (10 December 2014) – General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said national agencies would be downloading more projects to his city in 2015 and 2016.

In the 5th SOCKSARGEN Area Development Plan (ADP) held in Seda Hotel on December 8, it was learned that Gensan will be a recipient of many development projects to be funded by different government offices.

“In fact, I am really awed and excited for these projects that will be granted by the national agencies. At last, we can start on making Gensan a progressive city that has a sustainable economy and enough support facilities for the entry of new investments,” Mayor Rivera said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), the implementer of the ADP, has reported that they are allotting P303 million for the SOCSKSARGEN Food Security Program (FSP) for 2015 which will include the development of three agri-support facilities in General Santos such as the AA Abattoir.  

For 2016, the tentative budget for the SOCSKSARGEN FSP is P489 million which will fund the construction of 23 more farm-to-market roads (45.63 kms in total), three rice and corn mills, and a Project Management Unit.

Out of the 45.63 kilometers, Gensan will have 8.35 kilometers of FMRs that will be fast-tracked in the 2016 FSP, said Mayor Rivera.

He also committed that the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC) is ready to provide the 15% cash counterpart for the following projects.

The DA also accounted that General Santos has generated P7 million savings out of its P70 million FSP allocation. This could still be used to fund other agricultural projects in the city.

Aside from the agricultural improvements, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has already allotted a total budget of P959 million for the development of the General Santos City Airport.

Dubbed as the “Aerotropolis,” the proposed development of the GSC Airport will include the construction and expansion of the Passenger and Terminal Building (PTB), miscellaneous works such as demolition, road inside the airport property, vehicular parking, and the purchase of navigational aids.

Personnel from the DOTC Project Development Services (PDS) have already met with LGU-GSC, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the Area Development Project-Project Management Unit (ADPO-PMU) to gather inputs for the Detailed Engineering Design of the project.

Another P50 million have been also allocated by the CAAP for the improvement of the existing Passenger and Terminal Building to include the expansion of arrival and check-in areas, closure of an existing open space at the second floor, and the rearrangement of the entry and exit doors.

Nonetheless, it was announced by the ADP body that the Task Force Gensan on GSC Airport Development has endorsed a resolution urging the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) to cancel the Certificate of Land Title (CALT) over the 87 hectares of the airport property.

On August 7, a technical team constituted by the NCIP, CAAP, DOTC, DENR, DA, ADPO, and LGU-GSC met in Manila to discuss the matter. The ADP Board will pass a resolution to also urge the NCIP en-banc to expedite action on the matter.

The development of Makar Port, headed by the new port manager, Luis Cuison, will also take place starting 2015.

During the conduct of Makar Port Development Summit last July 2, Mayor Rivera, with other stakeholders from government and private sector, arrived at a consensus to develop the port’s capacity and capabilities to be globally competitive in anticipation of the ASEAN 2015. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

General Santos Doctors’ Hospital opens medical arts building

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 December 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera expresses his support to the management of the General Santos Doctors’ Hospital for their new medical arts building. He said the health facility will complement the health services the government hospital is offering. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan savings to fund more projects

DAVAO CITY (10 December 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera meets up other local executives of Region 12 and other government agency officials in the 5th SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Plan meeting Monday, December 8. In their meeting, it was presented that Gensan has saved P7,176,292.02 out of the P70,279,712.90 budgeted contract for the Food Security Program Implementation as of this year. The savings can be used to fund additional infrastructure projects for the city such as farm-to-market road and other agri-support facilities. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

30 Gensan fishermen repatriated from Indonesia

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 December 2014) - With the assistance of the RD Group of Companies and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, 30 fishermen-repatriates who were caught while fishing in Indonesian waters just got home here in Gensan on December 6. Mayor Rivera has had prior talks with the government of Indonesia regarding the status of these fishermen and has successfully arranged their release. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Sarangani-Gensan Energy Press Corps formed

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 December 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera inducts officers of the newly-formed Sarangani-Gensan Energy Press Corps Saturday, December 6, at Sun City Hotel. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines formed the press corps in order to duly inform the public regarding the power situation of the city and in the region as well. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

City Hall releases list of official PUV terminal locations

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 December 2014) - Public Utility Vehicle (PUVs) drivers and operators have lauded the local government of Gensan for finally releasing the list of official terminal locations.

Victor Reyes, Bulaong Terminal Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) president, thanked City Mayor Ronnel Rivera for acknowledging the needs of their fellow drivers to have their own designated terminals.

“It feels so good that the mayor really knows our problem. I know this won’t really help solve the problem of the transport sector, but at least, this is a good start,” Reyes said.

During the induction of the different transport groups’ officers of the Bulaong Terminal on November 26, Mayor Rivera announced that the terminals for the PUVs are now settled.

Mayor Rivera asked the City Administrator’s Office for help in arranging the terminals for these transport groups, headed by Assistant City Administrator Teodorico Dumagan, as a one of the initial steps on resolving the issues of the transport sector of the city.

The mayor also said that the long awaited Transport Summit will take place this coming December.

Here are the list of the PUVs, actual locations of their terminals, and their respective routes:

BAY NO.	NAME OF TRANSPORT GROUP	LOCATION OF TERMINAL	ROUTE
1	VACANT
2	(SDOA) Samahan ng mga Drivers At Operators Association	Bulaong Terminal	Polomolok
3			Marbel
4			Tacurong
5			Cotabato
6	KPTSI (KCC)	J. Catolico, KCC Mall GSC	Polomolok
7	RWT	Gaisano Mall GSC	Polomokok
8	ABLOG (Davao)	North Osmeña GSC	Davao
9	ABLOG (MKM)		Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum
10	GESATSCO	Bulaong (Petron)	Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum
11	KIAMTRANSCO	Infront of Aguis Clinic	Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum
12	TAVTRANSCO	Bulaong Terminal	Tampakan
13
14	VACANT
15	VACANT
16	PEVODA	Bulaong Ave.	Palimbang
17	PAGADIAN	Bulaong Ave	Pagadian
18	VACANT
19	L-TATSI	Bulaong Terminal	Midsayap
20	AGP	Sampalok Street, Bulaong Ave.	Davao
21			Maasim, Kiamba, Maitum
22	UV EXPRESS	KCC Mall, GSC	Polomolok
23	T’BOLI TRANSPORT SERVICE COOP	Bulaong Terminal	T’Boli
24	LABOS GROUP	Petron National Highway	Polomolok
25	VACANT
26	VACANT

Buhay Rizal advocates honor national hero

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 December 2014) - (From left) Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) lawyer Jessie Gimenez, National Artist for Literature Dr. Vergilio Almario, Gensan Tourism Council chairperson Jane Gollon-Rivera, and YGC Corporate Services EVP and COO Liwayway Gener lead the wreath-laying ceremony for the newly renovated Jose Rizal Monument at the City Plaza Friday, December 5. The activity is a part of the YGC's "Buhay Rizal" advocacy which aims to inculcate the good values and heroic teachings of our national hero, Jose Rizal. This advocacy is supported by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Carnival at the Oval

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 December 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, together with Ms. Jane Gollon-Rivera, Gensan Tourism Council chair, and other city executives can't hide the enjoyment while riding the carousel inside the Oval Plaza Carnival Friday, December 5. The Carnival, along with the Flea Market and other recreational amenities, are available throughout the duration of the Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014 which will start on December 12. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo