City Mayor commends RSWA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera congratulates members of the Rural Waterworks and Sanitation Association (RSWA) of Purok Baganga, Barangay Apopong Tuesday, May 26, for electing their new set of officers. Mayor Rivera told them the Integrated Barangay Affairs of the City Mayor's Office will be guiding them on how to improve their operations as an RWSA. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

City Mayor joins Brigada Eskwela

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – While participating in the Brigada Eskwela program at Saludin Anas Elementary School in Barangay Labangal Monday, May 25, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said he will be donating armchairs to the school through his Armchair Donation Program with RD Foundation Inc. (RDFI). Known as Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko, the program was launched by Mayor Rivera and RDFI in 2013 to aid the Department of Education provide armchairs in public schools. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

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)

GTC helps Brigada Eskwela

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) - The Gensan Tourism Council (GTC) led by Gensan first lady Jane Gollon Rivera (right) delivers paint and other materials to Saludin Anas Elementary School in Barangay Labangal as part of their participation in the Department of Education's Brigada Eskwela. GTC personnel also helped in painting the classrooms of the school and repaired some of its broken fences. (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)

Mayor Rivera launches Likay Droga

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera launches the Likay Droga Program -- a city government initiative to educate the youth with the dangers of drug abuse and addiction -- during the closing of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival on May 23. Likay Droga is also backed by the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and various private schools in the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Vice Mayor Bañas-Nograles opens tournament

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 March 2015) – Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles (4th from right) and City Councilor Mario Empal (3rd from right) make the ceremonial toss for a friendly match in inter-LGU sports tournament on May 22 at the Oval Covered Court.(Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

Gensan hosts inter-LGU sports tournament

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – City Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas- Nograles (left) and City Councilor Mario Empal (right) light the torch to open the inter-LGU sports tournament at the Oval Covered Court on May 22 participated in by Tacurong, Polomolok, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sarangani, Alabel and General Santos local government units (LGUs).  (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

Gensan Summer Youth Fest pits Bula vs San Isidro

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – Barangay Bula and Barangay San Isidro play the championship game of the Gensan Summer Youth Fest Summerlympics at Oval Covered Court on May 20.  The game ended 109- 98 in favor of Barangay Bula. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

City officials update media

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – City officials update the media about issues and concerns like salary increase of Job Order employees, monitoring of children involved in illegal drugs, and drainage and highway construction by the Department of Public Works and Highways in a press call at the City Mayor’s Office conference room on May 20. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

Barangayan goes to Mabuhay

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – Residents of Barangay Mabuhay get free haircut from the city government through its Barangayan Program on May 22. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

Sen. Marcos, Mayor Rivera support civil registration law amendment

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (22 May 2015) – Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera have indicated their support to amend the “obsolete” provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 3753 or the Law on Registry of Civil Status.

Senator Marcos flew to Gensan Tuesday (May 19) to attend both the 13th National Biennial Convention on Civil Registration and 3rd National Capability Building Seminar of Barangay Secretaries and Partners in Civil Registration which simultaneously took place on May 18 – 21 at SM Trade Hall.

Mayor Rivera welcomed the senator at the General Santos City Airport. They went directly to SM Mall Gensan and were met by around 2,300 local civil registrars from all over the country—one of the biggest gatherings so far according to the Philippine Association of Civil Registrars (PACR).

Marcos pointed out that there is a need to amend Commonwealth Act No. 3753 as some parts of it are already obsolete and inapplicable to the present social scenario of the Filipino people.

“The law of civil registration has been there since 1930. We have seen a lot of presidential transition (since 1930) but our law (civil registrar law) has still no changes. We need to change it,” Marcos emphasized.

Luchi Flores, national president of the PACR, echoed the statement of Marcos saying that there is a need to update the law for the good of the public and as well as the civil registrars. 

“I have already whispered to Senator Marcos regarding our concern about the civil registrar law,” Flores announced to fellow civil registrars.

For Mayor Rivera, the amendment of Commonwealth Act No. 3753 is a big step to further strengthen the reach of services given by civil registrars of each local government unit.

“Furthermore, the (update of) civil registry, in fact, creates greater impact on government policies and actions as it does not only provide basis for individual legal identities, but also allows government agencies to identify their most pressing issue and concern in the local governance,” Mayor Rivera emphasized.

“I have encountered countless instances where I have to direct my staff to assist fishermen who were repatriated (mostly from Indonesia). And truly the most important thing that they should possess with them is their physical manifestation of their legal identity through civil registration,” Mayor Rivera narrated.  

“And from there comes the most crucial part of a civil registrar together with other partners in civil registration to be fully equipped with knowledge and skills, not only to play in the physical numbers, but also to know the legal impediments that may affect citizenship,”  the mayor said.

Senator Marcos also gave his thoughts regarding the role of civil registration in the daily lives of every Filipino.

“Civil registration is carried out primarily to establish legal document as provided by law. Such of these are the vital events like birth, death, marriage, annulment of marriage, adoption and legitimization, and other legal documents derived from civil registration,” Marcos said.

“To be honest, if you don’t consider those things important, I don't know what is,” Marcos lamented.

Currently, there are bills pending in Congress to update the civil registration system. An example is how the first copy of a birth certificate of child will be obtained for free.

There are also suggestions on how to devise institutionalized systems for civil registration to adapt the growing population.

Among the topics discussed in the conventions were the immediate amendment of the civil registry law, accessibility to the civil registry documents, creation of national inter-local civil registry database and network, designation of barangay secretaries as civil registration assistants and involving them in capacity building.

Dr. Lisa Grace Bersales of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also gave an update on the civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) of the country.  She said the current CRVS of the Philippines in terms of birth registration is already 93%. By 2024, CRVS would reach 100%.  (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

Civil registrars, barangay secretaries convene in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 May 2015) - Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera attend the 13th National Biennial Convention on Civil Registration and 3rd National Capability Building Seminar of Barangay Secretaries and Partners in Civil Registration on May 18 at SM Gensan Trade Hall. The purpose of Senator Marcos' attendance was to gather support from civil registrars in amending Commonwealth Act 3753. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Madaris PTA officers swear in

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 May 2015) - During the Musabaqah Ammah (Islamic Intramurals) on May 18 in Barangay Ligaya, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera inducts the officers of Madaris Parents-Teachers Association (PTA). (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera supports Musabaqah Ammah

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20  May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera extends his support to the Musabaqah Ammah (Islamic Intramurals) in Barangay Ligaya on May 18 by saying that the city government would give an annual budget to the event. He also said he was planning to include Musabaqah in the Gensan Summer Youth Festival. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Neon Fun Run for youth

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) – Some 746 participants join the fun run part of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Fest. The runners include campers, PNP members, city based organizations, parents and barangay officials who finished the 1.5-kilometer run from the Oval Plaza Roxas St., Pioneer Ave., Queen Tuna Park and back.  This activity was initiated by the Integrated Barangay affairs and Amigohanay Sa Barangay. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

National mountain clean-up day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) – City government officials and mountaineers climbed the highest peak of Gensan, the Sanchez Peak, as part of the National Mountain Clean-up Day on May 9. Sanchez Peak lies at the boundary of barangay Conel and Olympog. The activity aims to clean up the trash left by trekkers and make them aware of environmental issues.  (Gensan CPIO / Jan Rey Libunao)

Mayor Rivera opens youth festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (center) joins hundreds of youth in a community dance Tuesday, May 12, at Oval Stadium that signifies the opening of the 1st Summer Youth Camp of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Hippie floats parade

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) - The 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival features the first Hippie Float Parade in which creative floats roll on from SM Mall Gensan to Oval Plaza Tuesday, May 12. Each barangay has its own float crafted by its own young people. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan Summer Youth Fest ongoing

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) - Atty Rochelle Sero (center) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) lectures some youth participants of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Fest of the basic functions of DILG. This lecture is part of the Gensan Summer Youth Fest's events called the Balay Tinun-anan where different government agencies explain the role of their offices and how the youth can access their services. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo

Youth camp at Oval Plaza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 May 2015) - The first Summer Youth Camp opens on the night of Tuesday, May 11, with community dancing of hundreds of young people. The Summer Youth Camp, starting May 12 - 15 inside Oval Plaza, was initiated by the city government for teenagers to socialize with other youth coming from different barangays. (Cocoy Sexcion for Gensan CPIO)

Gensan all set for Pacquiao’s hero’s welcome

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 May 2015) – Gensan is now set to welcome Manny Pacquiao.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has confirmed the city government is now ready for the “hero’s welcome” for Pacquiao on Thursday (May 14), including the security plans and route his convoy would use.

Mayor Rivera said that although Pacquiao had lost to Floyd Mayweather, he still made his fellow countrymen proud.

“Manny is still our champion. He deserves a hero’s welcome,” Mayor Rivera said.

The military will do planeside honors for Paquiao, who is the congressman of Sarangani, at General Santos City International Airport.

Pacquiao and his party will then be welcomed by Mayor Rivera, Vice Mayor Shirlyn Nograles, and Sarangani Governor Steve Solon.

The municipal mayors of Sarangani, city councilors of General Santos, and other provincial and city personnel will also be present.

Manny Pacquiao will be joined by his wife Sarangani Vice Governor Jinkee Pacquiao, Mayor Rivera, Vice Mayor Nograles, Governor Solon, Dionisia Pacquiao, and Freddie Roach in the motorcade.

The motorcade will end in SM Gensan where a press conference will be held at the mall’s atrium.

The Philippine National Police, Gensan’s Joint Task Force, and City Security Unit will be deployed in the streets.

It is expected that the streets where the motorcade will pass will be filled with thousands of people.

Locals in the city already prepared streamers and tarpaulins to show their support and appreciation of Pacquiao who has risen from poverty to be one of the greatest and richest in the sport of boxing.

In the “Fight of the Century”, Pacquiao was defeated through a unanimous decision by Mayweather with the scores of 116-112, 116-112, 118-110. But here in Gensan, the residents are still delightful for the performance Pacquaio has shown during his showdown against Mayweather.

Jypril Quintana, a resident of Barangay Labangal, said that Pacquiao had really proven once again that he is a real fighter and not just a boxer. “Mayweather won the titles, Pacquiao won the hearts,” Quintana said. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

Remote Intake Operation launched for Region XII

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - The Human Rights Violations Claims Board has assessed the listed applicants of human rights violations of Martial Law in Region 12.

The assessment called Remote Intake Operations was being held in Barangay Hall of Lagao. It would end on Friday.

This is the first time the intake immersion went to General Santos to reach the far-flung clients. 

As of today, about 400 individuals have been listed out of the 5,000 soon-to-be identified human rights violations victims.

They were assessed by the heads of the three divisions of the board, namely, Atty. Ginber Luna, Atty. Rachelle Patam-ki and Atty. Maureen dela Cruz, of the first, second and third division, respectively.

To be identified as Human Rights Violations Victim under the law, and to be enlisted eventually in the Roll of Victims, the clients of the board have to undergo interview and submission of requirements to prove their claim.

"The perpetrators must be state agents during Martial Law. If NPA-CPP, they cannot be considered victims," said Karol Hernandez, board administrative assistant.

The board is an offshoot of Republic Act 10368, otherwise known as the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013. It was passed into law on February 25, 2013.

It provides for the recognition of monetary and non-monetary reparation for victims whose human rights were violated by persons acting in an official capacity and/or agents of the state, from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986.

"The board is attached as a separate body to the Commission of Human Rights, but not under it," Hernandez added.

A joint resolution was approved last February 17 to extend the period for filing the claim for reparation until the end of this month. (Gensan CPIO/Sharmagne Villacastin)

U4U: Understanding teenage whims

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) – Sixteen year-old Jamie Marie Cortes learned that unwanted pregnancy will instantly end her dreams.

A resident of Barangay Calumpang, Cortes is among the hundreds of youth in the city that were taught the consequences of teenage pregnancy during the U4U symposium of the City Population Management Office (CPMO) Tuesday, May 12.

“I learned that engaging in sexual activities while you are still young will not do you well. I will not take such things lightly unlike the past,” Cortes said.

The U4U, an activity under the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival, aims to educate the youth regarding issues that concern them and at the same time let them discover their multiple intelligences.

Judith Janiola, CPMO head, explained the teaching method being implemented in the U4U. “We divided the U4U into five segments and called the teen trail. The first trail is all about self-discovery; the second one is youth’s health and nutrition; the third one is youth experiences; the fourth—and the most crucial—is sex education and fertility; and the last trail discusses teenage relationship,” Janiola said.

“Each day, staring May 12 to 15, we will cater 100 youth participants for U4U. This 100 will then be divided into a group of 20 and will be assigned to a respective trail,” she added.

Janiola also revealed that more participants joined, exceeding their expectations.

CPMO’s population officers handled the lectures. All of them received training from offices like Commission on Population, Commission on Health Services, Inc., Department of Health, and United Nations Population Fund.

“I am glad that Mayor Ronnel Rivera has made the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival a venue for us (CPMO) to teach the youth to be aware on issues that involve them, especially sex,” Janiola said.

In its 2013 report, the CPMO declared that there were 3,577 teenage mothers (female aging 10 -20 years old) in the city. Barangay Calumpang topped the list, with a number of 380 (11.95%) of teenage mothers.

Mayor Rivera said that he is hopeful that through the Gensan Summer Youth Festival, the city government will be able to slash down the increasing incidents of teenage pregnancies.

“It is quite alarming that pregnancy among the youth in the city is rising. There is a need for us (local government) to take action on this and the U4U is one of our formulated solutions,” Mayor Rivera stated. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

Neon Fun Run a colorful success

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - The first ever Neon Fun Run organized by the city  government in support of the on-going Gensan Summer Youth Festival is a colorful success.

More than 700 youth participants joined the fun run. Members of the Philippine National Police, parents of campers, local elected officials and other city-based organizations also joined the 3-km run.

The race route started at the Oval Plaza going to Roxas Avenue, down Pioneer Avenue, to Queen Tuna Park and back.

Before the race started, runners were doused with water and dusted with colorful powder.

"The sprinkling of colored dust signified youthfulness, youth enjoyment and vigor," said Ferdinand Villasenor, Amigohanay sa Barangay president.

Philip Castronevo finished first for the male category with a time of 10:12:87. Cinderella Dimasuhid won the female category with a time of 11:49:28. 

The other winners for the male category were, Alvin Jay Genosas, Reden Estillore, Jemar Torres and Jayce Francisco, second, third, fourth and fifth placers, respectively; while female winners were Saira Mae Ambon, Irish Kent Parcon, Rina Anuber and Marielle Ann Mondoyo also in the same order.

The fourth placer Jemar Torres said, "I felt tired after running, but I enjoyed it because it was fun."

"Meron siyang lesson. Hangga't hindi ka pa nakakaabot ng finish line, dapat kayanin; don't give up," he concluded.

The first, second and third placers would receive cash prizes during the awarding ceremony.

The event served as the soft opening of the week-long youth camp that commenced on May 11 and would end on Friday.

The youth camp is part of the Youth Convergence which is one of the three components of the youth festival.

Other components include Summerlympics and youth and the arts. The activity was sponsored by government and other partner organizations and businesses. (Gensan CPIO/Sharmagne Villacastin)

Neon run, party highlight youth fest opening

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - The 2nd Gensan Youth Summer Fest kicks off Monday, May 11, with colorful splashes and youthful spirit as 700 teenagers join the Neon Fun Run in Oval Plaza. After the run, the participants were drenched with colored water for a fun neon-party. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Zumba, exercise good for youth

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - According to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Gensan Youth Summer Festival advocates the physical fitness of the youth through hosting a regimen of zumba dance exercises, starting May 11 - 15 in the Oval Plaza. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Neon run winners awarded

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - Julius Castroñevo (1st), Alvin Jay Genosas (2nd), Reden Estillore (3rd), Jemar Torres (4th), and Jayce Francisco (5th) outpaced other male teenagers in the 2nd Neon Fun Run Monday, May 11, of the Gensan Summer Youth Festival. Cinderella Dimasuhid (1st), Saira Mae Sambon (2nd), Irish Kent Parcon (3rd), Rina Añuber (4th), and Marielle Mondoyo were the fastest in the female category. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Vice Mayor joins Gensan youth

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - Vice Mayor Shirlyn Nograles opens the 2nd Gensan Youth Summer Fest in behalf of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera Monday evening, May 11, at Oval Plaza Stadium. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

RD Foundation, IHome donate school building

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera graces the groundbreaking ceremony of a one-storey, three-classroom building donated by RD Foundation Inc. and IHome to Ondok Gawan Elementary School in Barangay San Jose on May 8. Mayor Rivera said this donation is a big help in cutting down the 274 classroom shortage in the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

All set for 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 May 2015) - Different local government offices and agencies outline the preparations they have made for the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival from May 11 to May 22 in a press conference Monday, May 11, at the City Mayor's Office.  (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

All set for Gensan Summer Youth Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 May 2015) – City Population Management Office (CPMO) head Judith Janiola said all was set for the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

               

Janiola said all departments and offices involved in the Gensan Summer Youth Festival are already geared for the May 11-22 activity.

She detailed out that all departments have been busy for the past months in preparing for the events and activities for the youth festival.

“We have been constantly preparing for this even since last year. Things were not always smooth for us because we have to settle the budget, events, and participants,” Janiola said. “But I am assured that we are now ready.”

The City Population Management Office, City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office, Youth Affairs Division Office, and Integrated Barangay Affairs are the main departments and offices tasked by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to organize the Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

These offices have already finalized the schedules of the different events for the festival.

Some of the featured activities are the Youth Camp (May 12 – 15), Balay Tinun-anan (May 13 – 14), Neon Fun Run (May 11), Hinabang Caravan (May 13 – 14), It’s Gensan Now Tour (May 13 – 14), and U4U (May 12 – 15).

A series of night parties and shows in the Oval Plaza will also be taking place, starting May 12 to 14, to enliven the Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

Food stalls managed by youth entrepreneurs will also be placed in the Oval Plaza. Mayor Rivera included this scheme in the Gensan Summer Youth Festival to encourage the youth to develop their skills in entrepreneurship.

“While they are away from school, we can teach them to do business and learn how to earn from it. In this way, they can create opportunities on their own,” Mayor Rivera said.

Setups for the Oval Plaza and its stadium are already being finalized by the General Services Office. The City Environment and Natural Resources Office will deploy personnel to the plaza to maintain the cleanness of the area.

The safety of the participants is already secured as the Philippine National Police, Joint Task Force Gensan, and the City Security Unit will be working hand-in-hand to provide security.

Personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will also be mobilized in case of emergency.

“We really want this (Gensan Summer Youth Festival) to transpire here in the city so that we can give the opportunity for our youth to participate in many exciting events, plus, giving them the chance to develop their skills,” Mayor Rivera explained.

He also revealed that plans for institutionalizing Gensan Summer Youth Festival as one of the city’s regular annual festivals is underway.

If this happens, Gensan Summer Youth Festival will be listed under the annual festivals that the city celebrates such as Kalilangan, Tuna Festival, Yaman Gensan, and Paskuhan sa Gensan. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

City govt, mountaineers clean Sanchez Peak

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 May 2015) – The highest peak of Gensan is now clean. 

On May 8 and  9, personnel from the city government and several mountaineering clubs did a thorough cleaning of Sanchez Peak and its surroundings. 

Located within the boundaries of barangays Conel and Olympog, Sanchez Peak is the city’s highest point at about 800 meters above sea level. It is a famous climbing destination due to its breath-taking views of Gensan, Sarangani Bay, and Mt. Matutum. 

Reports of irresponsible climbing to the peak have been going viral lately in Facebook showing garbage and thrash scattered in the area.

This is the reason why City Mayor Ronnel Rivera tasked the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office, and Human Resource Management and Development Office to spearhead a massive clean-up drive at Sanchez Peak that coincided on the 2nd National Mountain Clean-Up Day.

Mayor Rivera invited mountaineering clubs and environment advocates to join the clean-up drive.

Some of these organizations are the Calumpang Youth for Environment (CALYE), Sarangani Bay Youth Action Network, Wasalak Mountaineering Club, and Baktas MSU.

Faculty from Mindanao State University – General Santos City also took part in the cleaning of Sanchez Peak. 

Around 200 participants joined the clean-up drive. 

Mytoni Dalid, a member of CALYE, said that he is happy that the city government took the initiative to clean Sanchez Peak. 

“Even though it was very rainy, it didn’t deter us from cleaning the peak. We just ignored the bad weather and just pursued picking garbage so that we can see so that we can restore this mountain,” Dalid said. 

On the other hand, Mayor Rivera has already asked the Sangguniang Panlungsod to pass an ordinance that will protect and promote Sanchez Peak as Gensan’s eco-tourist spot. Once implemented, the local government can sanction and penalize anyone who is caught throwing garbage at Sanchez Peak.

“We want to make our environment here in Gensan to be clean and protected. I am asking everyone that we should be responsible and do not litter carelessly,” Mayor Rivera said. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

Negosyo Center opens in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 May 2015) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) opened its first Negosyo Center in Gensan Tuesday, May 5, to further strengthen the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the city.

The Negosyo Center is a strategic hub to educate interested entrepreneurs on how to successfully run a business pursuant to the Go Negosyo Act which took effect last January.

Specifically, the Negosyo Center will be providing services such as skills training, easier access to market information, and business registration assistance for MSMEs.

Dorecita Delima, DTI 12 assistant regional director, announced that DTI has made a strong partnership with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC).

She disclosed that the LGU-GSC will detail some of its employees to the Negosyo Center to assist entrepreneurs in the business registration process.

“We do not only assist clients in their business registration; there is much more. We can assist them with the help of Mayor Rivera and his support to the Negosyo Center,” Delima said.

DTI Undersecretary of Regional Operations Group (ROG) Zenaida Maglaya, who graced the event, also emphasized that the aim of the Negosyo Center is to assist hundreds of entrepreneurs and create more jobs.

“We want to make sure that we can come up with Negosyo Center that will be open and will be continuously working to assist the entrepreneurs,” Maglaya stated.

She commended Mayor Rivera for his efforts to strengthen the business atmosphere of Gensan and cited the city as an “economic trailblazer”.

“Gensan is considered as one of the fastest developing regional trade and commercial hubs,” Maglaya said.

Maglaya cited the “2014 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index” of the National Competitiveness Council where Gensan ranked 12th in the most competitive cities and 5th in economic dynamism. This index is participated in by 136 cities all over the country.

Mayor Rivera stated that the city government will continue its thrust to develop and diversify the economy of the city.

“It is our direction in the local government to improve the economy of the city, as well as help our entrepreneurs to have more opportunity here,” Mayor Rivera said.

The Negosyo Center is now housed in the former DTI – 12 National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center (NERBAC) office along South Osmeña Street in. 

Meanwhile, the NERBAC was transferred to the DTI – 12 Regional Office in Koronadal City.

There are already eight Negosyo Centers established in the country. These are located in Cagayan, Iloilo, Daet, Bulacan, Camarines Norte, Albay, Kalibo, and General Santos. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

Gensan receives award for RPT and local revenue collections

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 May 2015) – The city government recently bagged two awards from the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) regional office for its revenue generating efforts.

The city ranked second in the list of highest local revenue collection and third for Real Property Collection program for the entire region in the provincial and city level.

The awards were received by City Treasurer Rodilon Lacap last April 27 at Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City.

The BLGF recognized the efforts and consistent commitment of the city government which resulted to the success of Real Property Tax (RPT) collection after having obtained 104.62 percent collection efficiency against their target of P206,748,167 for calendar year 2014.

Lacap was also recognized for his wholehearted support, active involvement, exemplary performance and commitment which ensured the success of the local revenue collection which consisted of business taxes, fees and charges/economic enterprise after having collected 111.07 percent collection efficiency against the assigned total annual target collectibles of P529, 599,242.88 for calendar year 2014.

The first and second ranks for real property collection were garnered by Koronadal City and South Cotabato with a percentage collection of 156.07 and 119.56, respectively, while Kidapawan City and Tacurong City ranked first and third for local revenue collection after garnering 118.96 and 102.30 percentage of collection, respectively.

The awarding is part of the regular program of the Department of Finance through the BLGF, which has administrative supervision of local governments nationwide.

The BLGF assessed and evaluated the performance of local government units on an annual basis based on collection efficiency each every year.

Gensan was also an awardee during the previous years under the same two major classifications of collection, according to Lacap.

The recognition received by Lacap was a product of dedication to public service being an assistant treasurer and in charge of office for almost 19 years since his promotion to the treasurer’s office in 1996. (Gensan CPIO/ Sharmagne Villacastin)

DILG backs Gensan Summer Youth Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 May 2015) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum Monday (May 4) encouraging the youth sector from the 26 barangays of this city to participate in the coming Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

The memorandum was issued by DILG City Director Atty. Rochelle Sero. It was issued in support of Resolution No. 2014 passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on April 28 which requires barangay officials to bring interested youth from their area to the summer festival.

The SP resolution outlined that the Gensan Summer Youth Festival, as anchored in the R.A. 8044 or Youth in Nation-Building Act, was enacted by the city government to ensure the full participation of the youth by mobilizing their skills and talents through meaningful civic activities.

The festival—a program of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera—is divided into three major components that will cater to the different areas of youth development. These components are: the Youth Convergence, Summerlympics, and the Youth and the Arts.

“This activity is very unique because we can teach the youth the things that are not really taught in school, as useful skills in life,” Atty. Sero said.

“What I really like in the Summer Youth Festival is that we can equip the younger generation to be our future leaders. We are like passing the torch to them,” Sero emphasized.

She also revealed that she will also be participating in the Gensan Summer Youth Festival, specifically in a sub-event called the Balay Tinun-anan (Learning House).

In the Balay Tinun-anan, different partner agencies of the local government in the Summer Youth Festival such as the Philippine National Police will do lectures regarding the functions of their offices and how the youth can access their services.

For Sero, she will be the one who will be conducting the seminar for the DILG, specifying her eagerness to educate the youth.

The Gensan Summer Youth Festival is now in its second year. It was a bigger version of the Summer Youth Festival last year, as it already integrated several competitions, skill and talent camps, as well as youth socialization.

It will start on May 11 and will end on May 22. But some activities, like basketball games and other ball games have already started on May 1 and will continue until the end of the month.

The city government is already planning to institutionalize the Gensan Summer Youth Festival and make it an annual celebration of the city—aside from the Kalilangan, Tuna Festival, Yaman Gensan, and Paskuhan sa Gensan.

According to City Population and Management Office head Judith Janiola, the SP is now drafting an ordinance that will make Gensan Summer Youth Festival the same level as the other festivities here in the city.

“When that happens, it will create a big impact to the local government as well as of the youth sector. It will really reflect the advocacy of Mayor Rivera to empower and organize the youth,” Janiola said.

Part of the budget for the Summer Youth Festival came from the 10 percent of the Sangguniang Kabataan Fund as embodied in the Youth Development Plan. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)