City holds transportation summit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 January 2015) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera is positive that the first Public Transportation Summit of Gensan on Thursday, January 22, will yield comprehensive results that would gradually solve the long overdue problems in the transportation system of the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Drivers, city official in transportation summit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 January 2015) - Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers got a chance to give their recommendations to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and the rest of panelists of the first Public Transportation Summit Thursday, January 22, on how to solve the existing problems of the transport system of the city. The mayor thanked them for their suggestions and stated that what these drivers raised will be listed and will be integrated to the transportation management plan. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Cash assistance for elderly

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 January 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera hands the cash assistance to the elderlies of the city Tuesday, January 20, inside the City Hall. The cash assistance is a program by the Department of Social Welfare and Development and is implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development Office. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Senior citizens get cash allowance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 January 2015) - Around 300 elderlies are at City Hall Tuesday, January 20, to receive their quarterly cash assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the city government with support from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Elderlies receive cash allowance from LGU-Gensan, DSWD

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 January 2015) – Calixta Bacalso, 91, a resident of Barangay Conel, beamed with happiness despite the queue inside the City Hall Tuesday (January 20). She was there after all to claim her quarterly pension from the city government.

The pension, which is a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and implemented by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), is a dedicated stipend for the elderlies of Gensan.

Each month, a senior citizen is entitled to P500 cash which is distributed quarterly.

The DSWD is allocating P6.5 million every year for this program.

Bacalso, knowing her circumstances, was very happy when she finally received her allowance.

“I am very old already. Even if I want to, I cannot work anymore. My body is not as it used to be. That is why this (money) will be helpful to sustain my daily needs,” Bacalso said in vernacular.

She said the money will be used to buy her medicines, milk, and rice.

To qualify for the cash assistance program, a senior citizen must be 77 years old and above, with no pension, and is a bona fide resident of General Santos City.

Currently, there are 1,052 registered senior citizens in this program.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, in a statement, said that he is thankful for the support of the DSWD towards the local government’s campaign to ensure the welfare of the elderly.

“As I always said, I cannot do it alone. That is why I need everybody’s help in developing Gensan into a competitive city that cares for the indigents and the vulnerable sector,” Mayor Rivera said.

The mayor also conveyed his support to the thrust of the DSWD to enroll all senior citizens under the Phil. Health Insurance Corp. (PHIC).

“Right now, the DSWD is currently supporting the Senate Bill No 712 or a measure that would mandate the PHILHEALTH to cover all senior citizens in the country,” the mayor explained.

“If finally implemented, this would certainly profit our senior citizens, adding to the benefits that they must receive,” Mayor Rivera added.

As of now, this bill has been already approved and is currently on its third reading. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

City government gives assistance to farmers, fisherfolk

GENERAL SANTOS CITY(16 January 2015) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera together with the City Agriculturist Office distributed seedlings to farmers from Barangay Tinagacan and Barangay Batomelong Thursday (January 15).

The farmer-beneficiaries’ crops were destroyed by strong winds commonly known as ipo-ipo last April 2014.

Sixty-one farmers (53 from Tinagacan, 8 from Batomelong) identified by the City Agriculturist Office will be able to start again after receiving different varieties of seedlings and fertilizers.

The seedlings are mango (630), coconut (500) and banana (3,012). Aside from that, 100 sacks of organic fertilizers and 100 complete fertilizers were also given to these farmers.

Even with a limited budget of P299, 000, Merlinda Donasco, head of City Agriculturist Office, said that they have to maximize whatever they have to help the victims.

“The mayor already asked us to help these affected farmers. For us, enabling them to start again is the best assistance we could give. It is more than money,” Donasco said.

Fishermen from Barangay Bawing and Barangay West also received shallow water fish shelters (locally known as “payao”) with the help of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Eighty-five fisherfolk (30 from Bawing, 55 from West) became the recipient of the project which has a total cost of around P200, 000.

According to Mayor Rivera, the project will ensure rapid restoration of depleted fisheries resources and at the same time will provide sustainable livelihood for small fishermen. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Gensan celebrates Sto. Niño patronal fiesta

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (16 January 2015) – At least 200 fishing vessels sailed the waters of Sarangani Bay to join the fluvial procession for the Feast of Sto. Niño Thursday (January 15).

The Feast of Sto. Niño is one of the most awaited festivals here in General Santos City.

It is a celebration centered in Barangay Bula as a way of giving thanks to the patron saint for the bountiful catch of fishing firms that have flourished in the city.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera was present to show support for the festival and explained why it is a very significant event.

“Gensan is a city made and built by fishing. A huge portion of our economy is sustained and developed by our fishing industry for decades already. It is a good thing that we celebrate… and we give thanks,” Mayor Rivera said.

In line with that, the SOCKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries has already stated that they support Mayor Rivera in strengthening the fishing industry of the city.

“We may not expect a huge rise in the industry anymore but we do not expect also a big fall. The fishing industry will remain stable for the years to come,” the mayor said.

The fluvial parade is one of the most anticipated events of the festival. It features Bula’s fishing vessels sailing from the shore of Gensan at Queen Tuna Park towards Sarangani Bay and then back while carrying the statue of Sto. Niño.

A fishing boat from the RLG Fishing Company carried the Sto Niño statue and led the fluvial parade which started at around 6:30am and came back to shore at around 8:30am.

Later the Sto. Niño was handed to an amphibian vessel owned by Domeng Congson to be transported to Barangay Bula. This part of the festival is locally known as the “Salubong”.

Devotees rushed towards the amphibian vessel as it reached the shoreline in attempt to get a flower from its decorated bow. The faithful believed that the flower will bring blessing and abundance for an entire year.

Some devotees have also brought their own Sto. Niño statues to partake in the celebration.

More or less 2,000 people were present during the fluvial parade.

Aside from the parade, the Isda-Isdaan Festival is also integrated in the Patronal Feast of Barangay Bula giving more color and flavor to the activity.

It was anticipated that thousands of people from other barangays of Gensan were coming to Bula for the celebration.

The Joint Task Force Gensan and Philippine National Police deployed additional personnel in the area to beef up security throughout the duration of the festival.  (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Fluvial parade for Sto. Nino

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (16 January 2015) - The amphibian boat (center) carrying the statue of Sto. Nino heads towards the shoreline of Queen Tuna Park after the fluvial parade for the patronal festival of Barangay Bula Thursday, January 15. The Sto. Nino was then brought back to the Bula Parish Church through a foot procession. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Fisherfolk, coastal villagers mark Sto. Nino fiesta

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (16 January 2015) - At least 200 colorful and decorated fishing vessels participate in the fluvial procession at Sarangani Bay for the annual Sto. Nino patronal festival of Barangay Bula Thursday, January 15. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has expressed his support for the festivity, emphasizing the role of fishing industry in the economy of Gensan. (Cocoy Sexcion for Gensan CPIO)

Calamity victims get seedlings

GENERAL SANTOS CITY  (16 January 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Councilor Arturo Cloma and City Agriculturist Office head Merlinda Donasco distribute mango, coconut, and banana seedlings to 61 farmers Thursday, January 15. The farmers’ crops were damaged by a twister last April 2014. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

LGU-Gensan, new partner gear for Kalilangan 2015

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 January 2015) – After being recently crowned as “Hall of Famer” in the Best Festival, Culture and Arts Category of the Department of Tourism, the local government of General Santos City is getting ready for Kalilangan 2015.

One of the major changes that Kalilangan will undergo this year is the transition of the festivity’s organizers—from Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GSC) to Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC).

MSU-GSC, which has held Kalilangan for four straight years, has waived its role as one of the lead organizers of the event, citing the institution’s academic pursuits as the main reason.

The management of RMMC, headed by France Chris Millado, bared on Monday (January 12) during the flag ceremony at City Hall that they are happy for the opportunity of hosting Kalilangan 2015.

“We in the RMMC are in gratitude to Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera as well as to the tourism personnel of the city like Councilor Shandee Llido-Pestaño for trusting us Kalilangan this year,” Millado said.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed this January to formalize the partnership of RMMC and LGU-GSC.

“Kultura Ko, Identity Ko” is the theme of Kalilangan 2015 as divulged by the RMMC.

This theme will highlight once again the very inception of the culture of the city and its significance to the current generation.

“We will add new flavors to Kalilangan 2015 while following the regular course of activities,” Martin Millado, one of the organizers, said.

RMMC also promised that they will tap other key institutions in running the festivity “to maximize the potentials of the Generals.”

Academes like the Holy Trinity College and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University are among the institutions.

Kalilangan 2015 will be celebrated for one week starting February 23 up to February 27.

The soft launching is tentatively scheduled on February 9 while the Flea Market will open as early February 2.

Kalilangan 2015 also marks the 76th Foundation Anniversary of General Santos City. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

City government, UP, partners to conduct flood assessment

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (January 14, 2015)  – The University of the Philippines – National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) in partnership with the RD Foundation, General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. (GSCCCII) and the city government will start a study here in General Santos City for the enhancement of landslide and flooding susceptibility information.

The study which will take 180 days will start on January 13 and will analyze the susceptibility of areas around Makar River in terms of flooding and landslide.

This research is expected to provide an updated and more comprehensive information, following the data given by the Department of Environment of Natural Resources – Mines and Geoscience Bureau (DENR-MGB) last 2005 on the flooding susceptibility of Makar River.

“We are very aware of the changes that Makar River has been going through for the past decade as caused by natural and man-made factors and detriments. We are expecting that this study will guide the city to what will it do in order to protect its constituents living beside the river,” City Mayor Ronnel Rivera explained.

“We in the local government also support this study so that we can develop Gensan as a disaster resilient city,” Rivera addeed.

The study will cover the seven-kilometer stretch of Makar River starting in its estuary.

The UP-NIGS will bring specialists who will conduct hydrogeologic and hydrographic studies in Makar River to determine the site’s vulnerability to flooding. They will also evaluate the city’s predisposition to landslide hazards.

Also, the research will give particular emphasis to the possible effects of these natural phenomena to Gensan and its development plans by integrating various climate change scenarios.

Profiles on Makar River’s average depth, sediment thickness, flow rate—factors for flooding—will be provided by the study.

Inventory of local flooding events, Morphometry, Geomorphic Evolution, Bathmetry studies are also expected to be carried out by UP-NIGS specialists.

The City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office headed by Bong Dacera will assist the UP-NIGS in the study.

On the other hand, the GSCCCII will shoulder the P3 million cost of the study while the RD Foundation will cater the entire accommodation of the UP-NIGS team.

The GSCCCII is also expected to fund future hard projects, if in case the study will recommend the construction of any structures/facilities that will mitigate the flooding and landslide along the banks of Makar River.

A Memorandum of Agreement has already been signed by the involved parties last November 25, 2014 to pursue the research. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

First overpass in Gensan breaks ground

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 January 2015) - Gensan will soon have its first pedestrian overpass.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, and other local government officials spearheaded the ground-breaking ceremony of the footbridge in Barangay Calumpang Friday (January 9).

The overpass will be constructed at the corner of Cahilsot and the National Highway and will have an estimated length of 30 ft. It will also follow the standard vertical clearance of 5.6 meters so that big trucks can pass underneath it.

It was strategically positioned in the said area as many students from nearby schools such as General Santos City National High School (GSCNHS) are daily exposed to road hazards as they cross the highway.

Vehicular accidents are also common in the area prompting the necessity of a footbridge.

Mayor Rivera expressed his delight for the construction of the overpass.

“Now, we can have a peace of mind knowing that our children are safe while they cross the streets,” Mayor Rivera said.

“Actually, we also have talks with the DPWH for the construction of two other footbridges. One will be at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University area and the other one will be placed adjacent to St. Elizabeth Hospital,” Mayor Rivera added.

He also pointed out that the construction of the footbridges is another way to ease traffic in the city.

It will take 142 days before the footbridge will be finished, starting January 12.

Engr. Pio Lumungsod, DPWH Gensan head, said the total allocated budget for the project is P12.2 million, but winning bidder Reydan Builders had it lowered to only P11.9 million.

“The budget was taken from the Motor Vehicle User Charge (MVUC) which is managed by the Road Board of the DPWH,” Lumungsod said.

“I am really glad that the local government of Gensan is really working hand-in-hand with us in our projects, especially on the road constructions and street-lighting,” the engineer said.

Aside from the footbridges, the DPWH is also in partner with the city government for the street-lighting of the dark city routes such as in Katangawan and Apopong.

For the past year alone, 617 LED street lights were already installed by the DPWH, City Engineers’ Office (CEO), and SOCOTECO II in the main routes in the city: 180 in the DARBCI-Hadano Park junction; 247 in the Lagao to Katangawan stretch; and 190 in the Lagao to Katangawan road.

The sum of P47M was allocated by Mayor Rivera with the help of the Sangguniang Panglunsod for the street lighting. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

First Gensan overpass breaks ground

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 January 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera initiates the ground-breaking ceremony of the first overpass in General Santos at the Cahilsot-National Highway Junction in Barangay Calumpang Friday, January 9. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Fire victims get relief goods from City Hall

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 January 2015) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera visits the 20 families in Barangay Bula Friday, January 9, whose houses were razed on January 4. Together with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Mayor Rivera also distributed relief goods to the fire victims. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera: No to fixers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 January 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera checks the different transactions in the One-Stop-Shop for business permits and renewals Wednesday, January 7, in the ground floor of the One-Stop Building. He also made sure that there are no "fixers" who would be present throughout the duration of the one-stop shop operation on January 5- 20. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

No fixers at One Stop Shop

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 January 2015) – The Business Permits and License Division (BPLD) of the City Mayor’s Office is strengthening its policy against the alleged operation of "fixers" in the said office.

“Starting January 5, 2015, only professionalized bookkeepers and processors are allowed to transact here in the one-stop shop for the business permits and renewals,” according to BPLD head Geraldine Zamora.

Zamora said City Mayor Ronnel Rivera strictly ordered the end for fixers during the business renewal and application season as mandated by the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (RA 9485).

“Mayor Rivera is really serious with this matter; he doesn't want any kind of delays to be caused by these fixers. Moreover, he doesn't want any of the local government unit employees to be involved in these kind of undertakings,” Zamora added.

The BPLD conducted a seminar last November 2014 for designated company and business bookkeepers, processors, and representatives. The purpose of the seminar is to identify and regulate these individuals, as well as to orient them regarding the process flow of the one-stop shop.

“Those who were not in the seminar are automatically forbidden to perform any transactions here in the one-stop shop,” Zamora said.

Vicky Oculam, an owner of a water refilling station in Lagao, said that the seminar is good because it somehow guaranteed that everyone will be treated fairly.

“Having fixers is really unfair. If you don’t have money, you can’t do anything,” Oculam said.

The one-stop shop will last until January 20.

Mayor Rivera has already instructed the involved departments to extend their services even on weekends if necessary.

The one-stop shop consolidates every necessary procedure into a single venue to lessen the expense of money and energy of any processor.

Philhealth, SSS, Pag-Ibig, and respective barangay offices are positioned in the ground floor of the One-Stop Building at the back of the Old City Hall to decongest the lobby of the City Hall.

For those who are trying to apply for new business permits, pre-requisite requirements include:

Unified Application Form, Barangay Clearance, Certificate of Registration of Business Name from DTI (single proprietorship), Certificate of Registration from SEC and Articles of Incorporation / Partnership and By-laws and Secretary’s Certificate (corporation), certificate of registration from CDA, Articles of Cooperation, By-laws and Secretary’s Certificate (cooperatives), and certificate of registration with DOLE, By-laws and Secretary’s Certificate (associations).

The other requirements are Zoning Clearance, OBO Clearance, Conditional Sanitary Permit to Operate, RPT Clearance, ENR Clearance, Cedula, Fire Safety Inspection Certificate, SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-Ibig clearances, and BIR Form 0605 duly paid.

For business renewals, the barangay clearance, community tax certificate, gross sales forms starting November 2014 onwards, building permit/occupancy clearance from December 2014 onwards, RPT clearance starting December, 2014 onwards, ENR clearance starting December 15, 2014 onwards, and SSS, Philhealth, Pag-Ibig clearances starting December 2014 onwards. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)