Mayor Rivera welcomes IP Representative to city council

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) - After decades of waiting, the indigenous community here in the city finally got a representative in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

On the afternoon of Tuesday (July 22) at the City Hall lobby, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera made good on his promise to provide a voice for members of the Indigenous People (IP) in the city.

Blaan chieftain Mario Empal took his oath as the official IP Representative of General Santos City in front of the mayor, city councilors, LGU-GSC employees, and different IP groups.

“I am thankful that Mayor Rivera had pushed for an IP representation in SP. We asked this for a very long time and it was only now that this was realized—when Mayor Rivera is already the mayor of the city,” Empal said.

Representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) also witnessed and certified the legality of putting Kagawad Empal in one of the seats of SP.

According to the DILG, Section 16 of RA 8371 or The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 says that the State shall ensure that all Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and IPs must be given a mandatory representation in policy-making bodies and other local legislative councils.

The DILG ascertained that there was no irregularity in naming Empal as the IP representative and as the 13th city councilor of the 17th SP.

This thrust of Mayor Rivera is also supported by the SP through Ordinance No. 8 authored by City Councilor Rosalita Nunez.

The ordinance outlines the need for an IP representative in the city, as well its functions and responsibilities.

In the said ordinance, Empal will have a three-year term which officially started on the day of his induction.

“I am happy that for how many years and administrations, we finally have an IP representative in the SP that will push the welfare and rights of our IP constituents,” Mayor Rivera said.

“But aside from that, I also expect Councilor Empal to also help in resolving the problems that affect the city, such as of the poverty incidence. Since he is in the SP already, improving the lives of every General should also be his utmost priority,” the mayor said.

Mayor Rivera is also hoping that the next IP representative would come from other indigenous tribes here in Gensan.

Councilor Empal assured the city mayor that he will do his role to be the voice of his fellow IPs and ICCs. (GENSAN CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

Blaan chieftain is new city councilor

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) – Blaan chieftain Mario U. Empal (center) takes his oath of office Tuesday, July 22, before City Mayor Ronnel Rivera as the 13th city councilor being the Indigenous People’s (IP) representative to the 17th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP). After so many years, it is only now that the IP representation in the SP has finally been realized. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

City highway brightens up

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera speaks after switching on the new 180 LED streetlights of the Hadano Park-to-DARBCI highway Monday, July 21, as part of his streetlighting project. In this 4.5-km stretch, LED lights illuminate numerous establishments such as the Mindanao Polytechnic College, Holy Trinity College Annex, the Citi Hardware, and some adjacent residences. Also, 105 temporary sodium streetlights were simultaneously lit up in the 1.3-km Makar-to-Hadano Park while the LED streetlights are still not in place. As of July 22, the electrification and street lighting project of Mayor Rivera in partnership with the City Engineer’s Office, Department of Public Works and Highways, and SOCOTECO II is already 60% completed--with a running cost of P14,451,125 out of the P27,971,394 earmarked for the project. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Day care centers get child devt checklist

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) - To fully push the Early Childhood Care Development Initiative (ECCDI), City Mayor Ronnel Rivera distributes Child Development Checklist (CDC) to 32 day care centers at Barangay Calumpang Tuesday, July 22, during their Nutrition Month celebration. This checklist serves as a unified teaching module for all day care centers in the city to enable young children learn faster and more efficiently. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Irineo Santiago High School reports SOSA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera conveys his thrust towards improving the educational system of the city to the students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders during the State of the School Address (SOSA) of Irineo Santiago High School Tuesday, July 22. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera joins Nutrition Month celebration

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera takes part in Barangay Calumpang's Nutrition Month celebration Tuesday, July 22, which was attended by different day care center contingents. The city mayor told the parents and teachers that it is important to keep their kids nourished and healthy. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera reports educational reforms

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (19 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera reports his on-going educational projects to the parents, teachers, and students of Katangawan Central Elementary School during their induction of Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) officers Thursday, July 17. The mayor also conveyed to them that he strengthened his ties with the Department of Education (DepEd) Gensan to fully realize his aim to raise the educational system of the city. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan celebrates disability prevention and rehab week

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (19 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera leads the local government unit of General Santos City in celebrating the 36th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week Thursday, July 17, which was participated in by over 600 persons with disabilities (PWDs) from different schools and barangays. The city government, in partnership with private organizations, rendered free services for the PWDs such as medical check-up and feeding program. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

13 families relocated by Mayor Rivera

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (July 19, 2014) - Carmen Villarosa, 50, a former resident of Purok Matinabangon, Barangay Labangal, an area beside the Silway River, expressed her joy after she and her family were relocated to Promise Land Village at Barangay Mabuhay with the help of the local government led by the city mayor.

Due to the succeeding swelling of Silway River, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera ordered a mandatory relocation of residents living within the 10-meter "no residential zone" of the said area. This 10-meter no residential zone is from the main river to the riverbank where Purok Matinabangon is located.

The Villarosa family is among the13 families relocated to Promise Land on Wednesday (July 16).

The most recent flooding that struck the river was on June 30 which had scoured the foundations of Silway Bridge resulting into its one-day closure. Also, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRM) reported at least 20 families were affected during the flooding.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the standard "no residential zone" should be 25 meters away from the river, but has limited it to 10 meters after considering the plea of the residents of Purok Matinabangon.

In the case of Carmen, her family is among the 13 families that were identified by the City Housing and Land Management Office (CHLMO) and City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) that are living in the danger zone of the river.

Carmen is happy that she and her family are finally relocated here in Promise Land, knowing the dangers of living in the Silway riverbank.

"We lived there for 21 years already. We had experienced a lot of floods already and it really scared us," Carmen stated in vernacular.

"For many years, we have been requesting the local government of General Santos City to relocate us to a safer place, but it is only now, when Rivera is already the city mayor, that we have been finally relocated," Carmen divulged.

The Gawad Kalinga, a non-profit organization, has also helped in the relocation of the families. They have provided the materials for the construction of their new houses in Promise Land.

The Promise Land village is a government-owned relocation site that has the basic amenities that makes it conducive for living such as electricity, water system, and paved roads.  (GENSAN CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Mayor Rivera accelerates city's development with PPP

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 July 2014)  - The local government unit of General Santos City has partnered with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center for the development of the city as the trade hub of the region.

On Tuesday (July 15) at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles, and PPP Center representative Atty. Sherry Ann Austria signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will help LGU-GSC in engaging PPPs, specifically on agri-industrial projects.

The MOA, known as the "Integrated Economic Development of Regional Trade in General Santos City", is an approved project supported by SP Resolution 535 that aims to expedite the development of the city's agri-industrial sector.

In this agreement, the PPP Center will provide assistance to the local government in fast tracking the implementation of PPP projects and programs. This involves the provision of technical assistance, trainings, and capacity development to LGU-GSC.

An Internship Program Strategy will also be employed by the PPP Center in training specific LGU-GSC departments so that they will learn the technicalities in implementing PPP programs in the city.

PPP Center is an attached agency of the National Economic and Development Authority.

"One of the problems in implementing PPPs here in the city is that no one has the exact knowledge on how to do it. This assistance coming from the PPP Center will be a great help so that we, in the local government, can finally engage knowledgeably in such ventures," Mayor Rivera said.

The mayor also stressed the importance of PPP in the development of the city.

"There is a need for us to adopt PPP projects and initiatives in the city. We don't operate with an unlimited budget; that is the reason why we have to find ways to develop the city, and for now, engaging in a PPP would be beneficial," the mayor pointed out. 

A Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on the Integrated Economic Development for Regional Trade in General Santos City was already commissioned by the Cities Development Initiatives for Asia (CDIA) in response to the request of LGU-GSC to pre-assess the economic situation of the city.

The city mayor targets to have linkage with private entities for the construction of an Integrated Food Terminal (IFT), as well as the development of farm-to-market roads, support facilities and the refurbishment of the General Santos City Public Market.

"Our goal here is to make Gensan as the Agri-Industrial hub of Region 12. In doing so, we also want to give opportunities to small enterprises as well as open employment to the constituents of the city," Mayor Rivera surmised. 

Finally, the mayor clarified that engaging in PPP is not a step towards privatization.

"All of these facilities are still owned by the public even though we enter in PPP projects. We just ask help from the private companies to assist us, but it doesn't mean that they will assume ownership. It is a given consensus between them and us," Mayor Rivera affirmed.  (GENSAN CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

SMED, City Hall host Yaman Gensan jobs fair

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera expresses his support to the 12th Yaman Gensan Jobs Fair held at KCC Convention Center Wednesday, July 16, participated in by 21 local companies and 17 overseas employers. The event was organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council and City Hall. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Silway river bank residents relocate to Promise Land

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 July 2014) - Thirteen families residing within the 10-meter "no residential zone" of the Silway River are being relocated to Promise Land, Barangay Mabuhay with supervision from the City Housing and Land Management Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office, and barangay government of Labangal Wednesday, July 16. This relocation has been directed by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera due to recent swelling of the Silway River which threatened the lives and properties of those who are residing in its banks. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo).

Ligaya receives PTA Donation and books

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 July 2014) - The Ligaya High School receives a PTA and book donation from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and RCR Foundation Inc. (RCRFI) Wednesday, July 16. New groups also partnered with the city mayor in giving free services to the public schools of the city such as the Mike Wee Foundation and K101 Love Radio. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Officers of Indigenous People, Bangsamoro associations installed

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (16 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera inducts the new set of officers of the Indigenous People Association Movement (IPAM) and the Association of GSC Bangsamoro People Inc. (AGSCBPI) Tuesday, July 15, with the presence of the Joint Task Force Gensan, General Santos City Police Office, General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., City Councilor Rosalita Nuñez, ABC president Ruel Pacquiao and the Bangsamoro and IP community. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Military, police and IP group sign MOA for development

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (16 July 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera facilitates the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Joint Task Force Gensan commanding officer Col. Rolando Bautista, PNP City Director PSSUPT Froilan Quidilla, and Indigenous People Association Movement  Tuesday, July 15, at Mindanao State University - College of Education Training Department. This MOA signifies the participation of the indigenous community in the development of Gensan specifically on peace and order efforts. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan signs MOA with PPP Center for economic development

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 July 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (seated, extreme right) and Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles (3^rd from right) sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center represented by Atty. Sherry Ann Austria (center) regarding the Integrated Economic Development for the Regional Trade in General Santos City Tuesday, July 15, at Sangguniang Panglungsod. This partnership between the local government unit of General Santos City and PPP Center will fast-track the development of Gensan as the agri-industrial hub, such as the construction of the Integrated Food Terminal and many farm-to-market roads. Witnessing the MOA-signing at the back are the city councilors. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera grinds Gensan PNP over shooting incidents

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has admonished Police City Director Sr. Supt. Froilan Quidilla regarding the rising number of shooting incidents in the city the past few months.

The mayor also urged director Quidilla along with the General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) station chiefs to expedite the resolution of the said cases.

This comes in the heels of a report to the Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) last July 1 made by Quidilla, together with all the chiefs of police of the city, regarding the peace and order status of General Santos.

In a meeting initiated by Mayor Rivera last July 11 (Tuesday), the police director was asked to present the crime profile of the city.

The mayor also asked Quidilla on what are the actions of the PNP regarding the frequency of shooting incidents in the city beginning January 2014.

In the report given by Quidilla, there were already 70 shooting incidents that had taken place in the city since the start of the year. Out of these 70 killing cases, 31 are still unsolved.

Also, most of the reported perpetrators of these shooting incidents are criminal "riding-in-tandem" assailants.

Mayor Rivera also asked the city director how the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC) can aid the operations of the PNP. 

"We need to solve these cases immediately because it is already affecting the peace and order of the city, more specifically it is detrimental to the business atmosphere that we are trying to project to investors," the mayor said in vernacular.

"The most hurtful part of this is the prevalent public notions that PNP and the LGU are not doing anything. Even if there are considered solved cases, we cannot gain the trust of the people unless these criminals are held accountable," the mayor stated.

Quidilla said the PNP is doing its best to solve these crimes, but admitted they cannot do it alone unless there is cooperation from the community and the local government. 

"We also have inadequacies in our part especially on the insufficiency of personnel and equipment to strengthen the security of the city. Therefore, we really need the cooperation of everyone to make Gensan peaceful," Quidilla said.

For his part, the mayor has procured patrol motorcycles for the PNP and increased allocated funds for patrolling police and supplies such as gas and food for on-duty patrol officers.

Mayor Rivera also called on “force multipliers” to aid the PNP in improving the patrol visibility in different barangays.

"We in the local government are willing to help you, but the challenge to solve these incidents is still in your hands," Mayor Rivera told the police officers. (GENSAN CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare) 

Fatima marks founding day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera graces the 31st Founding Anniversary of Barangay Fatima Monday, July 14. The celebration, dubbed as the 4th Kalton Festival, gives recognition to the indigenous community of the city and their contribution to its progress. Also present were Congressman Jun Acharon, City Councilor Brix Tan, City Councilor Dominador Lagare III, City Councilor Shandee Llido Pestano and IP Representative Mario Empal. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Local employees hold CSC sportsfest

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera makes the ceremonial toss of the LGU-GSC Inter-Department Palarong Pang Empleyado Monday, July 14, as part of the celebration of the 114th Anniversary of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The city mayor also gave his brief message on the role of sports to develop camaraderie among local government employees. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Power plants for Gensan inaugurated

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 July 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and executives  of PeakPower SOCSKSARGEN Inc. (PSI), General Santos City Chamber of Commerce Inc. (GSCCCI), and SOCOTECO II conduct a tree-planting activity at the PeakPower site inside the SOCOTECO II compound in Barangay Apopong Friday, July 11.  Three 6.9 MW power plants from the Wartsila Engines that arrived were also inaugurated. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

New high school forms PTA & SSG

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera speaks before the first set of officers of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) and the Supreme Student Government (SSG) of the new Calumpang High School in Barangay Calumpang on Friday, July 11. The Calumpang High School was opened last March through the effort of Mayor Rivera and the Department of Education. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera, DepEd execs visit new high school

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 July 2014) - The Calumpang High School, an annex of the General Santos City National High School (GSCNHS), is the newest secondary school of the city. It was formally founded on March 12 through a ground-breaking ceremony by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Schools Division Superintendent Gildo Mosqueda and DepEd Assistant SDS Mario Bermudez. It has two buildings with four classrooms that cater to 186 students from Barangay Calumpang. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera directs police to solve killings

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 July 2014) – Police City Director Froilan Quidilla and all the chiefs of police stations report the current crime profile of the city to Mayor Ronnel Rivera Friday, July 11. Mayor Rivera directed Quidilla to explain the crime statistics of the city, especially the spate of shooting incidents, so that the mayor can devise a way on how the local government can further assist the police. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

High school students get PTA Donation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 July 2014) - Fifty-five 4th year high school students from Elias Buscano High School in Barangay Olympog are selected to be beneficiaries of the PTA Donation of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and his RCR Foundation Inc. (RCRFI) Friday, July 11. Books from the Gensan Tourism Council headed by Jane Gollon-Rivera were also delivered to the school. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Additional power plants for Gensan arrive

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 July 2014) - Top executives of PeakPower SOCSKSARGEN Inc. (PSI) show to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera Friday, July 11, the three 6.9MW power plants from Wartsila Engines that will be used to augment the power supply of the city. These power plants are expected to be fully operational this coming September. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Women’s federation officers take oath of office

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera poses with the new officers of the General Santos City Women's Federation Tuesday, July 8, at Grab-a-Crab restaurant. Mayor Rivera, who administered their oath of office, told the officers that women's empowerment is a necessary tool for the nation-building process not only for the city but for the country as well. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Water and sanitation projects operate in puroks

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 July 2014) - Integrated Barangay Affairs head Joel Sy Duterte explains to the officers of Rural Water and Sanitation Association (RWSA) of Barangay San Jose on Thursday, July 10, about their role in the successful operation of RWS project in their respective puroks. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

PTA donation in Baluan for 22 students

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel  Rivera visits Baluan High School Wednesday, July 09, to render his PTA donation. Twenty-two students from the school were selected to be the beneficiaries of this donation by the city mayor. (GENSAN  CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera, Vice Mayor Bañas-Nograles deliver Philhealth MDRs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera accompanies Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles in the distribution of thousands of PhilHealth Membership Data Records (MDRs) to the residents of Barangay San Jose Thursday, July 10. As of July 10, almost 40,000 MDRs have already been distributed to the constituents of the city as a result of the coordination of Mayor Rivera and City Social Welfare and Development Office with the PhilHealth. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera visits public school pupils

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera mingles with the children of San Jose Elementary School as they eat their lugaw sponsored by the Mike Wee Foundation.  (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mass oath taking of RWSA in San Jose

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera empowers the Rural Water and Sanitation Association (RWSA) officers of Barangay San Jose through a mass oath taking Thursday, July 10. The mayor also gives a lecture on how the RSWA can generate income that can be used to fund other barangay projects. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

School gets PTA Donation from Mayor Rivera

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 July 2014) - A far-flung school at Barangay San Jose and an extension of General Santos City National High School (GSCNHS) is Maligaya High School which receives a PTA Donation from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera Friday, July 04. All of the beneficiaries are Blaan students who are living in Purok Maligaya as well as those who are in the outskirts of San Jose. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

PWDs, elderly receive groceries

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 July 2014)  - During the Barangayan at Bawing, 200 senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) receive grocery packages Friday, July 4, from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, in coordination with the Integrated Barangay Affairs headed by Joel Sy Duterte and PhilBest Company. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Food served to village kids

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 July 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera helps serve  arroz caldo to students of Maligaya High School, a far-flung school attended mostly by Blaan kids at the mountains of Barangay San Jose. The mayor also delivered his PTA Donation to the school Friday, July 4. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Diskwento Program rolls out with Barangayan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 July 2014) - Cheaper basic goods are sold Friday, July 4, in Barangay Bawing as part of the first Diskwento Program of the Integrated Barangay Affairs (IBA), Department of Trade and Industry  (DTI), and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera. IBA head Joel Sy Duterte tapped the Gaisano Mall of Gensan to sell goods in a much lower price. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Barangayan goes to Bawing

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 July 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera visits his constituents at Barangay Bawing during the Barangayan Friday, July 4.  Barangayan is a program of the mayor which aims to bring the government closer to the people. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Rivera)

Silway Bridge reopens to light vehicles

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (30 June 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council action officer Bong Dacera  (left) inspect the Silway River Monday, June 30, to assess the damage caused by heavy flooding last Sunday (June 29). The City Engineers' Office (CEO) reported that there are scouring on the dikes of Silway Bridge. Traffic at the bridge is limited to light vehicles (2,500kg and below) until it will be finally repaired by the CEO and the Department of Public Works and Highways as ordered by Mayor Rivera. The momentary closure of the bridge had caused a massive traffic jam at the national highway on Monday morning. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera calls emergency meeting at damaged Silway Bridge

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (30 June 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera makes an emergency meeting Monday, June 30, at Silway Bridge with officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, City Engineers' Office, City Housing and Land Management Office and officials of Barangay West and Barangay Labangal to take an immediate action for the damage caused by heavy flooding last Sunday (June 29). Mayor Rivera is set to declare a 10-meters "no-build-zone" away from the river banks to reduce risks. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

School gets help

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 June 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera donates a part of his salary to Ondok Gawan Elementary School at Barangay San Jose Wednesday, June 25. Mayor Rivera said the donation is an act of help, in his personal capacity, to give back to the constituents to the city especially to the children. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera meets transport group

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 June 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera delivers a brief report before hundreds of tricycle operators and drivers regarding the transportation plans he has for the city during the General Assembly of General Santos City Federation Tricycle Operators and Drivers' Association (GSCFTODA). The mayor said this coming October, the study by the League of City of the Philippines will be finished and will give him the baseline data on the real scenario of transportation system of GenSan. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Hazards of smoking raised in health forum

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 June 2014) – City Councilor Rosalita Nunez conveys the advocacy of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to minimize cigarette smoking here in GenSan during the Department of Health (DOH) Mindanao-wide Red Orchid Awards Thursday, June 26. This advocacy of Mayor Rivera is in support to the thrust of DOH to mitigate smoking and its adverse effects to health and environment. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Education tackled in People’s Day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 June 2014)  - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera hands educational assistance to 70 needy but deserving constituents during the weekly "People's Day" of the City Mayor's Office. Mayor Rivera told them that education is one of his priority areas and that he is doing his best to give an accessible, quality education to his constituents. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Books for children

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 June 2014) - Aside from the monetary donation City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has given to Ondok Gawan Elementary School in Barangay San Jose on Wednesday, June 25, he also gave the pupils books and other reading materials. (GENSAN CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

First MSME Regional Congress held in GenSan

By Ian John M. Lagare

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 June 2014) – Hundreds of Micro, Small and Medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) across Region 12 gathered in General Santos City on June 17 for the first ever MSMEs Regional Congress.

Held at KCC Convention Center, the “Yabong Maliliit na Negosyo sa Rehiyon 12: the 1st MSMEs Regional Congress” was hosted by the General Santos City Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council Inc. (GSC SMEDCI), in coordination with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.

The congress garnered support and attendance from different government agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Budget and Management, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Science and Technology, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority .

Rosanna Bernadette Contreras, GSC SMEDCI president, expressed her delight for the success of the congress and expressed her high hopes that the event would yield good outcomes for the MSMEs community.

“Perhaps, the person right beside you or the person on the next table will be your future business partner. Anyone in here could be your next supplier, associate, or investor,” Contreras stated.

“The goal of this event is to acknowledge the role of MSMEs in gearing the economy of this region. We play an important role in creating progress and employment in our respective places, and that what we should develop more,” she added.

Also discussed in the congress were the overview of MSMEs in Region 12, the RA 9178 or the Barangay Micro Business Enterprise, the local government units’ initiatives in support of MSME development, and the government agencies’ initiatives in support of MSME development in Region 12.

The GSC SMEDCI included topics regarding the role of social media in the growth of MSMEs to teach local business owners to utilize the benefits of the technology.

Contreras also thanked Mayor Rivera for helping the GSC SMEDCI in organizing the 1st MSMEs Regional Congress.

Mayor Rivera stressed the importance of the congress to support MSMEs in the entire Region 12 and gave his insights as a fellow businessman.

“I understand that the role of our MSMEs is imperative in creating new industries and employment. They generate jobs in the locality, and they bring about a more balanced economic growth and equity in income distribution,” Mayor Rivera said.

“To attract investments, there are several critical areas we must address. There are several steps to be taken and several processes to undergo. We need to give them the support and mechanisms that will strengthen their capacity to sustain and to expand, to create and innovate,” the mayor said.

Mayor Rivera emphasized that he supported the 1st MSMEs Regional Congress because it “serves as a venue to help the constituents of the city in giving them employment and income.”

The GSC SMEDCI is also gearing up for the 12th Yaman Gensan this coming July. (GENSAN CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Senator Villar supports GenSan’s MSMEs, agri-industrial hub

By Ian John M. Lagare

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 June 2014)  – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera got the support of Senator Cynthia Villar for his thrust to develop and give opportunities to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the agricultural business sector in the city.

On Friday (June 20, 2014), Senator Villar, Senate Committee Head on Agriculture, graced the opening of the 12th Yaman Gensan organized by the General Santos City Small and Medium Enterprises Development Council Inc. (GSCSMEDCI), in coordination with Mayor Rivera.

During the event, Senator Villar lauded the efforts of Mayor Rivera for GenSan to have a more business-friendly atmosphere.

“I have attended several big conferences and events here, including the 23rd Hog Convention and 17th Dairy Congress, in which I have seen the effort of Mayor Rivera in opening opportunities for the city,” Sen. Villar said.

“You can find many good things here in GenSan and all over in Mindanao. Some of my business ideas came here based on the things that I’ve seen,” the senator added.

One of the priority areas that Mayor Rivera want to develop during his administration is in making GenSan the agri-industrial hub of Region 12.

Mayor Rivera said this is possible because of the strategic location of General Santos City as an entry and exit point of products.

The mayor has already submitted to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala a list of possible projects and budget allocations for the city.

Currently, the mayor is hoping that the P200 million worth of projects he proposed to the Department of Agriculture will be approved.

That project proposal is for the creation of the Integrated Food Terminal (IFT) and for the development of the mango industry in the city.

On May 7, Secretary Alcala turned over to Mayor Rivera the certificate of completion of the newly-developed General Santos City Soils Laboratory at Barangay Lagao.

“Many of our businesses here are involved in agriculture. We want to give them a chance to grow and that is our objective in this 12th Yaman Gensan. Of course, the same support will be given to other small and starting businesses,” Mayor Rivera stated.

According to Senator Villar, two-thirds of the country’s population is directly or indirectly involved in agriculture.

“But these individuals are facing constraints too. Example, coconut farmers here in Mindanao earn less than P50 a day. In the country, the daily income of a farmer is P156 while for the fishermen, P178,” the senator said.

“My mandate is to raise the standards of living of farmers and fishermen because we also consider them as entrepreneurs. That’s why I’m happy that Mayor Rivera and GSCSMEDCI are having this event to promote the same advocacy,” Senator Villar added.

Nieda Ramos, a health product entrepreneur selling in GenSan, expressed her support for the 12th Yaman Gensan and its drive to give better opportunities to small businesses like them. Ramos’ Cresing’s Foods from Maitum, Sarangani produces organic rice coffee and corn coffee, and the MASE Juice made of brown rice, lemongrass and fruit extracts. (GENSAN CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)