Farmers and fisherfolks hold congress

 GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources head Sammy Malvar, City Agriculturist Merlinda Donasco and City Councilor Brix "Liklik" Tan, chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, open the 2nd Farmers and Fisherfolks Congress at Lagao Gymnasium Monday, May 25. The congress aims to address the issues that farmers and fishermen of the city are facing right now, as well as to teach them innovative methods for better production and income. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

IFT to help farmers, fisherfolks

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera explains to fishermen and farmers the initiatives that the city government are doing to help improve the agricultural sector of the city. One of these, the mayor said during the 2nd Farmers and Fisherfolks Congress on May 25 at Lagao Gymnasium, is the creation of the integrated food terminal (IFT) to assist farmers and fishermen in finding a fair and profitable market for their products. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Government helping farmers hit by dry spell

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (18 April 2015) - The City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO) would not recommend the declaration of a state of calamity in the city despite the ongoing dry spell.

This was the statement of Merlinda Donasco, CAO department head, during the Question and Answer Hour of the 85th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Donasco explained that, according to law, a requisite of 20 percent crop damage or affected farmers must take place in order for the city to declare a state of calamity.

Based on the crop damage report of CAO, only 6 percent of the farmers were affected by the dry spell, or 623 persons, and a total of 1069.9 hectares of land were affected, way beyond the 20 percent required by law.

The total estimated loss amounted to P37,600,230.

The crops affected were rice, corn, and high-value crops such as mango, coconut, banana and vegetables.

As reported, the dry spell or weak El Niňo according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) developed in December last year.

PAG ASA also warned of erratic typhoon season and declared that the phenomenon is likely to affect the rainfall pattern in different parts of the country in the coming months.

In an interview, Donasco mentioned further that the dry spell is expected to last until August of this year.

Donasco credited the cooperation of the local farmers with the different local government units in reducing the amount of crop damage despite the dry spell.

As part of the initiative and mitigation action plan, the CAO conducted activities as early as 3rd quarter of last year to create awareness to farmers and fisherfolk.

The initiative included the conduct of massive information/dissemination about the El Niňo phenomenon, advocacy campaign for planting root crops and other drought-tolerant crops, advocacy campaign for saving water and practicing container gardening to augment food production, and coordination with the Department of Agriculture for cloud-seeding operation to stimulate rain.

The Food for Work Program in the mitigation action plan provided temporary food relief to the farmers, farm workers, and fisherfolk by distributing 2,000 bags of rice for 10,000 families, or 10 kilos per family.

The CAO is continually monitoring operations, especially in barangay Mabuhay, San Jose, Sinawal and Tinagacan. CAO would distribute seeds and vegetables from Department of Agriculture amounting to about 250 kilos to the affected farmers. (Gensan CPIO/ Sharmagne Villacastin)

Farming coops get facilities

TUPI, South Cotabato (5 March 2015)- Post-harvest facilities and farming equipment are donated by  the Department of Agriculture (DA) represented by Sec. Proceso Alcala and Senator Cynthia Villar to farming cooperatives of Gensan Tuesday, March 2, at DA-12 Research Facility. Gensan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera also received a certificate of completion of the P10-million Fatima-San Jose farm-to-market road. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

DA, Sen. Villar give equipment to Gensan farmers

TUPI, South Cotabato (9 March 2015) – The Department of Agriculture (DA), with counterpart from the city government, has given post-harvest facilities to several farming cooperatives in Gensan.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Senator Cynthia Villar initiated the turnover of farming machines, post-harvest facilities, and project funds - amounting to almost P1 billion - for Gensan and other local government units in SOCSKSARGEN on March 3 at DA Research Center in Bololmala, Tupi.

For Gensan, the DA gave two corn mills, two corn shellers and one floating tiller with a total cost of around P1 million. The LGU Gensan has a 15% counterpart per project component.

Aside from that, a certificate of completion of the Fatima-to-San Jose farm-to-market-road (FMR) costing P10 million was also given to Gensan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.

DA is also funding the on-going construction of an FMR in Barangay San Jose.

Senator Villar, during the activity, said that they gave these projects to Gensan to support its pursuit to become the agro-industrial hub of the SOCSKSARGEN region.

“I met Mayor Rivera several times in the past already—during different national conventions held in Gensan. He always conveys how he wants to develop Gensan into an agro-industrial hub that’s why we (with DA) want to help him,” Villar said.

Villar described Mayor Rivera as “my favorite mayor.” 

When Mayor Rivera was elected as local chief executive of Gensan last 2013, he benchmarked various initiatives to develop the agricultural sector of the city.

Among these was the pursuit of the construction of an Integrated Food Terminal (IFT) for centralized trade, farm-to-market roads, and other agricultural support facilities.

He is also pushing for the refurbishment of the General Santos City Public Market through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

For the past few years, the local government of Gensan has forged strong linkage with DA that highlighted Gensan’s capacity to become an agricultural hub.

The 23rd National Hog Convention, First National Dairy Congress, and some other agricultural conventions have been held in Gensan for the past year and a half—proving that Gensan is gaining ground as an agricultural city.

Mayor Rivera also highlights his interest for Gensan to be a major producer of crops, mango, and dairy.

Recently, it was known that General Santos City, aside from being the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”, is now a key exporter of hogs to various regions in the country.

According to Dave Arreglado, LGU Gensan executive assistant on investment and tourism, Regions 3 to 11 are now getting their pork supply from this city.

“Ninety percent of our swine products are being shipped to other regions; only 10% remain here for consumption. Unlike Cebu and other cities, 100% of their production is just for local consumption only,” Arreglado said.

Mayor Rivera said that he will continue his effort to develop and diversify Gensan’s economy—not just reliant on the fishing industry.

“We are stepping up to become more than just the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. I want Gensan to become a beacon of investment and opportunities that is why we are working hard to achieve this,” Mayor Rivera emphasized. (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)

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)

White corn production eyed in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 November 2014) - The local government of General Santos City is eyeing a 100-hectare land as the site for its agricultural development.

The property which is located in far-flung Purok 15, Barangay Mabuhay is owned by the Manero family.

Edel Manero, one of the heads of the clan, said that he is “willing to let his land be used by the government so that agricultural development will soon take place.”

Because of this, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 12, created a project that would utilize the waived land as a major site for white corn production.

The program is aligned with the Agri-Pinoy Corn Program of the Department of Agriculture which seeks to meet the food needs of the Philippines, particularly for staple food, and make them nutritious and affordable for the residents of General Santos.

Aside from Barangay Mabuhay, DA and the LGU-GSC are also eyeing to develop the lands of San Jose, Tinagacan, and Upper Labay for white corn production.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, white corn is next to rice when it comes to the potential source of staple food in the Philippines.

As much as 20% of the population eats corn rice as staple food. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

Farm inputs delivered

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (06 November 2014) – The City Agriculture Office delivers inputs for 52 hectares -- 52 bags of open pollinated variety white corn seeds, 260 bags of fertilizer and 260 packs of Bio-N -- during the turnover ceremony of Agri Pinoy Corn Program held at Manero Farm in Purok 15, Barangay Mabuhay Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Manero family also awarded a certificate of commitment to the city government as a co-partner in the development of five hectares to be used as an agri tourism site. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan farmers get crop-loss insurance from Mayor Rivera, GOCC

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (04 October 2014) - Local farmers of this city just got free insurance with the help of a Government Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC) and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Mayor Rivera on Thursday (October 2) about insuring the agricultural assets of farmers in the city.

Bonifacio Pales, PCIC regional manager, explained to the mayor the insurance programs that the PCIC is offering to the different LGUs in the country.

Among these insurance programs are the Rice and Corn Crop Insurance, High-Value Commercial Crop Insurance, Non-Crop Agricultural Asset Insurance, Livestock Insurance, and some Term Insurance Packages.

“We in the PCIC offers various insurance programs so that we can prevent crop and non-crop agricultural assets loss due to natural calamities such as typhoons, drought, floods, earthquakes, as well as plant disease and pest infestations,” Pales explained.

“But we cannot give such if we don’t have any implementing institutions as our partners because it would be hard for us to find the appropriate recipients for our program. In our case, the PCIC finds the local government unit of General Santos City a good partner.”

Mayor Rivera tasked City Agriculturist’s Office head Merlinda Donasco to be the partner of the PCIC in implementing the program.

“Usually, the farmers have to pay for the insurance they will acquire from us. But in General Santos City, we will be giving it for free,” Pales said.

“But there are different terms for each insurance program. For example, when a farmer is engaged in rice and crop production, we will cover his entire plant-to-harvest. If he is on swine production, we cover only the fattening period of the pigs,” he added.

Pales also pointed out that agricultural properties such as tractors, threshers, trailers, and commercial transport vehicles will be covered by the insurance.

Mayor Rivera gave his support to the program of the PCIC saying that this will help the local farmers in the city, especially those under the marginal line.

“This program will really help small farmers to avoid loss in their business. If a certain calamity or event will befall them, we can be sure that they can stand up again,” the mayor stated.

The program will start before the year ends.

Under the Creating a Livable Environment for All towards Nation-building (CLEAN - Gensan) agenda of Mayor Rivera, one of his thrusts is to make the city as the agri-industrial hub of Region 12. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Mayor Rivera, PCIC ink MOA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (04 October 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), a Government Owned and Controlled Corporation, to  give farmers in the city free insurance for their crops, livestock and poultry in case of fortuitous events. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

SM’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan benefits local farmers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) – City Hall employees show the harvest of local farmers from the fertile soil of Barangay Mabuhay on September 24. The farmers participated in SM's Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Program in partnership with the City Agriculturist’s Office. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Farmers pass Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan training course

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera congratulates the 110 local farmers who have recently passed the three-month farming program "Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan" of SM Group of Companies in partnership with the City Agriculturist’s  Office on September 25 at SM City of Gensan. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan to pursue agri-fest plan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014)  – Local government officials are pursuing plans of holding an agricultural festival here in the city, after looking at the potential of General Santos as the agri-industrial hub of Region 12.

Councilor Ramon Melliza, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, emphasized his intent to create an agricultural festival to showcase the bountiful harvest of Gensan farmers.

In his visit to Barangay Mabuhay during the culmination of SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Program in partnership with the City Agriculturist’s Office, the councilor was awed to see the potentials of the farmers. He said if given the proper training, local farmers would be more successful.

“I am really astonished that even local farmers like you can grow as healthy and as ripe as these fruits and vegetables. Now, I do really want to propose to Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera and to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) for Gensan to have an agri fest,” Councilor Melliza said in vernacular.

“Also, highlighting Gensan’s agricultural potential is a great leap to make us more than just the Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” he added.

Mayor Rivera has always indicated his aspiration to make Gensan as the agri-industrial hub of the SOCSKSARGEN region as a way to diversify the economy of the city.

If realized, Gensan would have three major festivals already, adding to the recent Tuna Festival and the upcoming Kalilangan in February.

SM’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan is a nationwide corporate social responsibility program of the SM Group of Companies, in which they train local farmers to innovate their farming methods and improve the quality and quantity of their yields.

In Gensan, there are already two barangays that became recipient of this program, last year in Katangawan, and now in Mabuhay.

This year, 116 local farmers were chosen by the City Agriculturist’s Office to be trained by HarBest, an SM agricultural company, for three months which started last July.

SM will be their market also, as the mall committed that it will purchase their yields and sell them in their different branches. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Gensan plants 35,000 seedlings on TreeVolution day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) – The “TreeVolution: Greening MindaNOW” sprouted hope in the mountains of Upper Labay where thousands of seedlings were planted in an hour on September 26.

From 8:30am to 9:30am, 35,000 seedlings of Mahogany and Nabol trees were propagated in the mountains of Purok Daan Banwang and Purok Abtu-is in Barangay Upper Labay by more than 4,000 volunteers.

The seedlings were provided by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC).

CENRO did not expect the TreeVolution to exceed the number of volunteers needed. CENRO had to reduce the number of seedlings per person so that everyone will have a chance to plant.

One of the eager planters was City Mayor Ronnel Rivera who arrived early in the site at Daan Banwang.

The mayor said the TreeVolution is an opportunity to restore the damaged forests here in Mindanao.

“Even our mountains and forests here are not really deforested compared to the other regions in Mindanao, it is still our duty to protect, preserve and make them flourish. We want the succeeding generations to still see what we are seeing today,” Mayor Rivera said.

The TreeVolution is a national greening program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) which aims to plant 4.6 million trees in 9,272 hectares of land in the six regions of Mindanao, namely region 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and ARMM for an hour.

The massive tree planting activity is also an attempt of the Philippines to break the Guinness Book of World Records’ “Most Trees Simultaneously Planted in Multiple Locations” set by India.

India’s current record stands at 1,945,535 trees planted by 340,200 participants in one hour.  

According to DENR Region 12 director Datu Tungko Saikol, they wanted to cover 1,000 hectares of land in the 20 planting sites within SOCSKSARGEN’s four provinces and five cities for the TreeVolution.

The director also conveyed that they distributed 504,500 seedlings to the participating LGU’s in Region 12 for the TreeVolution.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje was also present in Davao City to observe the tree planting there, along with the representatives from Guinness World Records.

Undersecretaries of DENR were delegated by Secretary Paje in selected planting sites such as in General Santos, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga to also observe the activities. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Mayor Rivera, DA team up to upgrade GenSan soils lab

By Ian John M. Lagare

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 May 2014) – In an effort to jumpstart the city’s bid to become the next “Agri-Industrial Hub” of Region 12, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera announced the upgrade of its soils laboratory.

The mayor said the project is funded mainly by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The upgrading of the General Santos City Soils Laboratory has already been “substantially finished” and is now fully operational, according to the mayor.

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala handed to the mayor the certificate of completion of the upgrade during the 4th Area Development Plan (ADP) board meeting at Sun City Suites Wednesday (May 7).

The DA earmarked P7,275,000 for the upgrading of the soils laboratory while the city government pitched in P1,284,664.

Upgrades include the renovation of the building for supplementary space needed for the additional laboratory equipment; and the procurement of laboratory glassware and equipment needed for the improvement of the facility.

Prior to the upgrading, the laboratory was limited to basic soil analysis and soil pH determination through the use of soil test kits.

The upgraded soils laboratory can now do analysis for soil, organic fertilizers, both micro and macro nutrients, and as well as water analysis.

“Now that the laboratory has been handed to us, this is a good benchmark for us to gear the city to become SOCKSARGEN’s Agri-Industrial Hub. We can attract those who are in the line of agriculture and related industries to invest in GenSan because we have now additional support facilities for them,” Rivera stated.

Aside from the soils laboratory, Mayor Rivera is expecting Alcala’s approval regarding the proposed construction of Integrated Food Terminal and funding for the mango industry in the city. (GENSAN CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

GenSan gets soils lab from DA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 May 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera accepts the turnover of the completed General Santos City Soils Laboratory project by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala Wednesday, May 7, at Sun City Suites during the 4th SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Plan Board Meeting. The soils laboratory located near the Lagao Public Market is an P8.5 million project proposed by Mayor Rivera and the City Agriculturist’s Office to the Department of Agriculture. This laboratory will be used in analyzing the quality and nutrient contents of the soil substrates in the city, which in turn would be significant in making GenSan as an agro-industrial hub of the region. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

GenSan hosts National Dairy Conference

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 May 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins officials at the 17th National Dairy Conference at Family Country Hotel Wednesday, May 7. With the 35 % growth in the Philippines dairy production, Rivera is optimistic that the country will further develop into a competitive dairy hub in the global market. The city mayor pushes on strengthening various agricultural projects to make General Santos as the agri-hub of the South. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Sen. Angara lauds GenSan’s poverty reduction thrust

By Michelle Ann Gonzales

GENERAL SANTOS CITY  (05 April  2014) - Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara lauded City Mayor Ronnel Rivera’s thrust of poverty reduction through  women empowerment during the Women’s Month Culmination Wednesday (April 02) at the Oval Gymnasium.

“Women nowadays have shown an exemplary performance in leadership and various decision makings. This shows that we are beginning to recognize that women are full and equal partners of men in development and nation building. If we continue this, we can improve the condition of our city,” Senator Angara said in his speech.

The senator specifically cited Mayor Rivera’s direction to reduce the poverty rate through intensifying gender and development initiatives. This is anchored on Rivera’s banner program CLEAN GenSan which means “Creating a Liveable Environment for All Generals towards Nation building in GenSan.”

CLEAN GenSan recognizes women and children as the most vulnerable sector of the society who must be empowered and protected by giving them quality government services in health, education and social services.

Mayor Rivera for his part encouraged local undertakings to continually adhere to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which aims “to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women, as effective ways to combat poverty, hunger and disease and to stimulate development that is truly sustainable.” (GENSAN CPIO/Michelle Ann Gonzales)

GenSan hosts national hog convention

GENERAL SANTOS CITY  (4 April 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera welcomed Senator Cynthia Villar and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala as he led the opening of the 23rd Hog Convention Wednesday (April 2).

South Cotabato Swine Producers Association (SOCOSPA) president Chester Warren Tan and National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) president Vicente Mercado were also there to witness the event.

SOCOSPA and NFHFI are the major organizers of the 23rd Hog Convention

Secretary Alcala expressed his gratitude at the enthusiasm that Mayor Rivera showed when it comes to agriculture related initiatives.

Earlier this year when Sec. Alcala was also in the city, Mayor Rivera proposed two projects to the Department of Agriculture for the development of the mango industry and of the Integrated Food Terminal in the city.

"Sana di ka magsawa na makita ako ni Mayor kung ganito," Alcala kidded.

Senator Cynthia Villar, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food chair, also thanked Mayor Rivera for inviting her to the hog convention.

In the same event, Mayor Rivera also led the ceremonial slicing of lechon (roasted pig) and the ribbon cutting ceremony which signaled the start of the Trade Exhibits.

The 23rd Hog Convention is the biggest gathering of swine investors and stakeholders in the country. It is a three-day event, starting from April 3 to 5.

Seminars regarding swine herd health management and strategies, updates on the prevention and control of swine-related diseases, consolidation of swine market ideas and schemes will also be held as part of the convention.

SOCOSPA president Warren Tan said he is happy that after 17 years, the city was able to host the Hog Convention.

"Proud tayo after 17 years, malaki na ang pagbabagong narating ng GenSan kaya ngayon ay napili ang city para maging host ng convention," Tan stated.

"There are two factors bakit matagal ulit naging host city ang GenSan. First, dahil ang selection ng city ay cycle and second, dahil nung nakaraan, kulang pa ang hotels ng GenSan para mag accommodate ng at least 2,500-3,500 na participants," he added.

The emergence of Greenleaf Hotel, Sun City Suites, Microtel and Roadhouse hotel have supplemented to the capacity of East Asia Royale Hotel and other existing inns and hotels in the accommodation of the visitors for the convention.

Tan stressed that they want to expand the hog industry in GenSan and the rest of Region 12.

Tan said that every year, there is an increasing production of swine and swine products in the region by not less than 10%.

In the 2013 data given by the Department of Agriculture Region 12, the hog production of Region 12 ranks 3rd in Mindanao and 7th in the entire Philippines.

He is also thankful to Mayor Rivera for the support given by the local government of General Santos City to the hog convention.

"I really appreciate the support of the local government, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, other government agencies and of course to the city mayor. They are all very cooperative"

Aside from staging the expansion of the hog industry, Tan said that he wants to promote GenSan as a hog industry player to help Mayor Rivera make the city as the agri-industrial hub of the region.

A map shown by the DA indicated GenSan as the hub for the market trade of livestock. Products from the areas of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani are delivered here in GenSan before being marketed in Davao, Iloilo, Negros and Cebu.

"With this 23rd Hog Convention, we want to showcase GenSan as a must-visit city. 70% of GenSan's visitors are first timers so we want to take this opportunity to help promote the city's tourism," Tan added. (GENSAN CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)