Gensan’s hotels, inns, fully booked

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 September 2014)  – Gensan Tourism Council Officer and Gensan Hoteliers Association president Philip Pabelic has confirmed that all hotels and inns in the city were fully booked since two weeks ago, thanks to the big events that were taking place in the city in the month of September.

Pabelic declared that in the first week of September, Gensan has been flocked by visitors and tourists from around the country and the world as well.

He said that this was due to the successive grand and highly significant events that were held in the city starting September 1.

These events included the 23rd Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon), 16th Tuna Congress, and the 16th Tuna Festival.

Pabelic explained that the importance of these events have certainly peaked the flow of incoming visitors in the city. 

The 23rd MinBizCon highlighted one of the crucial issues the nation is facing today, the ASEAN Integration 2015, while the 16th Tuna Congress delved on the different accomplishments and the current challenges faced by the tuna industry and fishing industry as a whole.

On the lighter side, the 16th Tuna Festival, as City Mayor Ronnel Rivera described during an interview after the opening of the celebration on September 5, has been so “successful” in drawing many people to witness it. 

Pabelic also said that the influx of visitors is a proof that Gensan can already accommodate hundreds up to thousands of people with the rise of new hotels and inns.

As of now, Gensan has 26 hotels and 35 pension houses. 

With the increase in the number of visitors, Mayor Rivera has already tasked the PNP and the Joint Task Force (JTF) Gensan to beef up the security in the entire city. This includes the augmentation of additional checkpoints, police visibility, and force multipliers.

The implementation of “gun-free zone” and “no-back-pack” policy took effect in the Oval Plaza where most of the Tuna Festival booths and activities were held. 

The National Convention of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) will also be held in the city this coming September 24-25. This event is expected to have more than one thousand delegates. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Gensan sets largest fish display record

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 September 2014) – Gensan cemented its claim as the reigning “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” as it unofficially set a new Guinness World Record for the Largest Fish Display.

Before the celebration of the 16th Tuna Festival has begun, the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC) headed by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and the Philippine Fishport Development Authority (PFDA) already divulged their intention to dethrone the Netherlands which holds the world record for the largest fish display.

The Netherlands is the current record holder at only 4.5 metric tons.

On September 11 at the Market 1 Gensan Fishport Complex, 20 different fishing companies participated in the Guinness World Record attempt in the hope of ousting the Netherlands.

The fishing companies lent their fresh yellow-fin tunas for 15 minutes and piled it at the stainless steel bidding tables. Afterwards, they immediately moved the displayed fishes to the weighing scales.

A total of 946 tunas weighing a minimum of 25 kg. each were displayed during the event.

According to the official tabulation by Atty. Rey Cartojano, the fishes weighed about 33,614 kilograms or 33.61 metric tons.

The figure has an overwhelming 29.11 metric tons difference from the current world record.

There was no adjudicator from Guinness present during the attempt.

Nonetheless, the activity was properly documented through photographs, videos, and comprehensive records; copies of which will be sent to the office of the Guinness World Records in London.

The official results and declaration would come three days after the submission of entry.

Gensan Tourism Council chairperson Jane Gollon-Rivera is excited for the results of the said Guinness attempt.

“I am happy that we made it through after a lot of scrupulous preparations and guidelines given by the Guinness World Records. I think with that, I can finally see Gensan holding the title of the largest fish display,” Rivera stated. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

Tuna Festival’s largest fish display at fish port

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 September 2014) - In celebration of the 16th Tuna Festival, Gensan beats the Netherlands in the Guinness World Records for the Largest Fish Display Thursday, September 11. The latter, which holds the record with 4.5 metric tons, was unofficially dethroned by Gensan with its 33.61 metric tons of fish display. Nonetheless, organizers of the event including City Mayor Ronnel Rivera are waiting for the official decision of the Guinness World Records office. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan shows largest fish display

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 September 2014) - A fish port laborer is arranging the pile of tunas Thursday, September 11,  in the hope to snatch the Guinness World Record for the largest fish display from the Netherlands. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan aims for largest fish display Guinness record

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 September 2014) - In celebration of the 16th Tuna Festival, Gensan beats the Netherlands in the Guinness World Records for the Largest Fish Display Thursday, September 11. The latter, which holds the record with 4.5 metric tons, was unofficially dethroned by Gensan with its 33.61 metric tons of fish display. Nonetheless, organizers of the event including City Mayor Ronnel Rivera are waiting for the official decision of the Guinness World Records office. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Tuna Festival is on!

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 September 2014) - A 7-minute fireworks display lights the sky of Gensan with a spectrum of colors and glorious sparks during the opening night of the 16th Tuna Festival and 46th Charter Anniversary of the city Friday, September 05. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, together with the city councilors and event organizer, led the 16-second countdown before the Tuna Festival finally opened. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera leads Tuna Festival opening

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 September 2014) - To honor the "prized catch" of Gensan, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera is about to lead the ceremonial slicing of a large tuna during the opening night of the 16th Tuna Festival and 46th Charter Anniversary of the city Friday, September 05. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Stakeholders laud Gensan's fishing industry

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE 

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (06 September 2014) - "This is a city built on Tuna."

This is the statement made by Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Atty. Asis D. Perez during the opening of the Trade Fair and Exhibit of the 16th Tuna Congress Thursday (September 04, 2014).

According to Perez, Gensan, as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, has greatly shaped the fishing economy of the country, as well as helped the local employment generation.

The BFAR director declared the "true heroes" of the fishing industry in the city are the small local fishermen who have worked hard perennially just to catch fishes.

SOCSKSARGEN Fishing Federation and Allied Industries Inc. (SFFAII) president Joaquin Lu added to the words of Perez and emphasized that the tuna economy of Gensan is in good hands.

"Our current administration here in Gensan is always ready to help the fishing sector," Lu stated.

Prior to the 16th Tuna Congress, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has already invoked that Gensan's fishing industry has been steady in its catches and contribution to the local economy.

He also debunked some claims that the tuna industry in the city is already flunking, and that Gensan has been ousted in its throne as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines by Mindoro.  

In 2013 alone, Gensan has a total fish catch of 167,578,75 tons (152,024,884.74 kilos) compared to the 600,000 kilos of Mindoro in the fusion of their 2012 and 2013 catches.

Regardless of this, Mayor Rivera bared that tuna industry won't pose any significant growth for the years to come due to the strict regulations imposed by foreign countries regarding fishing in international waters. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

Mayor Rivera to Tuna Congress delegates: Invest in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera invites different delegates and stakeholders of the 16th  National Tuna Congress which opened Thursday, September 4, to invest in Gensan, as it is a city with "tons of potentials". (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

16th Tuna Festival begins

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera invites all the constituents of General Santos Friday, September 5, to participate and witness the opening of the 16th Tuna Festival and 46th Charter Anniversary of General Santos City. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

16th National Tuna Congress at SM City Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) - From left, BFAR director Atty. Asis Perez, Senator Cynthia Villar, and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Trade Fair and Exhibit of 16th National Tuna Congress Thursday, September 4, at SM City Gensan. (Gensan CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Tuna festival holds debate competition

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) – Prominent lawyer Raymond Fortun holds a light conversation with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera before adjudicating the first Tuna Festival Debate Competition on Wednesday, September 3. The debate is participated in by different colleges and universities in Mindanao. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Media promotes Tuna Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) - Different media groups pledge to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Councilor Shandee Llido-Pestano, and Philippine Fishport Development Authority (PFDA), the organizers, that they will help in promoting the incoming 16th Tuna Festival this September 5-13. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan Carnival revs up Tuna Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) - After the unveiling of the tuna centerpiece, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (3rd from right) with councilors Brix Tan (3rd from left) and Shandee Llido Pestano (2nd from right) tour around the booths and rides of the Gensan Carnival. Mayor Rivera enjoyed his time as he played one of carnival's coin games. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Centerpiece of Tuna Festival unveiled

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (center), City Councilor Brix Tan (extreme left) and Gensan Fish Port Manager Custodio Balaoing Jr. (extreme right) lead the unveiling of a tuna-studded globe at the center of the Oval Plaza Tuesday, September 02, as this year's 16th Tuna Festival centerpiece. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

City tourism venture with MSU

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (9 November 2013) - MSU GenSan's chancellor Atty. Abdurrahman Canacan (right) and Academic Affairs vice president Dr. Mary Lynn Abierra (left)  discuss with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera on Friday, November 8, how to make the Tuna Festival place its mark as one of the most grandiose festivities in the whole Philippines. This step is also a clear intent of both MSU and the city government under Mayor Rivera to develop tourism in General Santos City through aggressive promotions.  (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera pays tribute to Tuna industry workers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 September 2013) - One of the activities of the 15th Tuna Festival, the Fish Festival or "Fishtival" Friday, September 6, showcases the affluence of the tuna industry of General Santos City. City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and Engr. Edwin Maliwat of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) inspected the GenSan fishport to see the catch of the local fishermen. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera cites opportunities in years to come

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 September 2013) - "From a simple past to a progressive present," this was the phrase tagged to General Santos City as coined by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera during the opening night of the 15th Tuna Festival Thursday, September 5. He recalled the humble beginnings of the city and assured the people that he will lead the city to "deep blue" opportunities in the years to come. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera assures development of Tuna industry in his watch

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 September 2013) - In the 15th National Tuna Congress Friday, September 6, at SM Mall of Gensan, both international and national business companies heard City Mayor Ronnel Rivera’s plans to develop the Tuna industry of GenSan as a "formidable" fishing market globally. Rivera also introduced the healthy business climate in General Santos City thru his flagship projects. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera affirms full support of City Hall to Tuna industry

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 September 2013) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera stressed the importance of fishing industry sustainability in the economy of General Santos City during the Fishtival Celebration at the City Fishport Friday, September 6. He assured that City Hall is consolidating the industry's stability as well as the welfare of the "fishing folk" in the city. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)