By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (1 September 2014) – While the city gears up for the coming of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) this 2015, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera assured that General Santos City is ready for the outcomes it would bring.
In a press conference last Tuesday (August 26) for the 23rd Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) this September 1-3, Mayor Rivera explicated the implications of the AEC or ASEAN Integration.
Mayor Rivera specifically mentioned the main objective of the ASEAN Integration in 2015 is to create a unified market among ASEAN Member States (AMS) through an unhampered flow of investments, services, and goods. He also said that all entrepreneurs within the AMS can operate in the entire ASEAN region without work permit.
By this, the mayor explained that Gensan will be opening its doors for ASEAN products and services without import duties by 2015.
But even for these information, Mayor Rivera still admitted that the integration may still bring other unexpected outcomes, especially to the economy of the city.
“It is still uncertain what the ASEAN Integration will bring to us, but I will make sure that Gensan will be taking advantages of it,” Mayor Rivera said.
Because of this, the mayor outlined what preparations the city is doing to seize the possible opportunities in 2015.
He said the Sangguniang Panlungsod has recently approved the new Local Investment Code of the city which will make Gensan more business-friendly for investors.
Mayor Rivera has already tasked different organizations such as the SMED Council in equipping small entrepreneurs to be more competitive and aggressive in the ASEAN market.
The Department of Transportation and Communications is expected to grant the General Santos City International Airport P900 million for the construction of a new terminal building by next year.
The construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2015 until 2019.
With this, several airline services are already eyeing additional Manila-Gensan direct flights.
In the recent Port Summit organized by Mayor Rivera, the Philippine Ports Authority and different stakeholders proposed a P1.3 billion budget for the modernization of the General Santos City Port.
As of now, there is an on-going construction for the development of the western wharf and is expected to be completed this year. Underwater structures were re-enforced and railings were also added.
Mayor Rivera constantly works hand-in-hand with the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GSCCCII) in addressing the issues that surround the port such as the route of vessels, shipper’s fee and the inadequacy of facilities that will cater to the various shipments and cargos.
The GSCCCII is eyeing to work out the Gensan-Davao-Tahuna-Bitung Port Connectivity.
Along with this, the mayor is pushing for the construction of the Integrated Food Terminal, as this will be the consolidating area for the different products across the region.
Mayor Rivera also confidently declared that Gensan will have a stable power supply by 2015 and up to the next five years. This will support the city for the possible influx of new businesses.
With the entry of PeakPower Plant, the power issue in Gensan is expected to be mitigated before the year ends.
The Energy Regulatory Commission has already committed that the city will get higher power supply this 2015 from the NPC.
On the other hand, companies like San Miguel and Aboitiz are on their way to construct additional power plants that will augment the 1,300MW dependable power supply of Mindanao. Their aim is to increase the island’s energy supply up to 3,000MW. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)
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