Gensan launches investment and tourism TV ad

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins the launching of General Santos City Investment and Tourism TV Commercial and at the same time Gensan Tourism Pageant night held at SM Fountain Court on September 27. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gifts for kids and women of Badjao village

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) - An outreach activity of Mindanao State University students with the partnership of Gensan Tourism Council headed by Ms. Jane Gollon Rivera, president of Gensan Tourism Council, and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera benefits 250 children and 50 women of Badjao village who received early Christmas gifts. (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)

Mayor Rivera comforts fire victims

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera comforts seven families of Olaer, Barangay Labangal whose houses were raze by a midnight fire on September 18. The mayor committed to shoulder the schooling expenses of the kids of these affected families. He also offered financial support to them for their daily needs while they are reconstructing their houses. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan TreeVolutionists plant 35,000 seedlings

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) - Gensan participates in the greening Mindanao advocacy TreeVolution where 35,000 seedlings are planted by more than 4,000 participants in the mountain ranges of Purok Daan Banwang and Purok Abtu-is in Barangay Upper Labay Friday, September 26. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan joins TreeVolution

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera is one of the more than 4,000 volunteers who planted 35,000 seedlings in the mountain ranges of Purok Daan Banwang during the greening advocacy TreeVolution on Friday, September 26. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera tackles employee management and safety

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera gives his insights regarding employee management and safety to officials of the Industries Tripartite Council of the Department of Labor and Employment on September 25 at East Asia Royale Hotel. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Labangal civic orgs ready for action

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) - Officers of various civic organizations of Barangay Labangal are now ready to fulfill their tasks as City Mayor Ronnel Rivera inducted them on September 25 at Balunto Elementary School. (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)

Kalilangan finally a Hall of Famer

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (28 September 2014) – Gensan’s Kalilangan once again elevated its prestige as the Department of Tourism–Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (DOT-ATOP) inducted it into the Hall of Fame as “Best Festival, City Level, Culture and Arts Category”.

In the 15th ATOP National Convention on October 4-5 in Bacolod City, local government officials of General Santos were invited by the DOT to receive the Hall of Famer award.

Committee on Tourism chair Councilor Shandee Llido Pestaño, Councilor Ramon Melliza and newly-appointed Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO) head Leah Tolimao were delegated by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to receive the award by DOT-ATOP.

Since 2011 up to 2014, the Kalilangan has been consecutively chosen by the DOT as the Best Festival at the City Level in the Culture and Arts Category competition.

Aside from that, Cora Tito of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) was also chosen finalist of the “Best Tourism Officer of the Philippines 2014.”

Kalilangan, which means festival, is the main festival General Santos City celebrates every February. This is a standout aside from the Tuna Festival – celebrated on September - and Pasko sa Gensan.

Kalilangan showcases the cultural heritage of the city while giving importance to the preserved traditions of indigenous pioneers of Gensan, namely the Blaan and Maguindanaon.

For four years, the Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GSC), in partnership with City Hall has been spearheading the festival, adding more culturally-significant events year by year.

Mayor Rivera expressed his delight for the recognition given to Kalilangan and to the institutions that backed the festivity.

“I am happy that our festival has been recognized nationwide. This means that we are doing great in highlighting what Gensan has to offer to tourists and prospect investors,” the mayor said.

“I will personally talk to Councilor Pestaño to see if there is a need to increase the budget for the Kalilangan 2015. If it is necessary, then I will not think twice. I will support it,” he added.

In Kalilangan 2015, the MSU-GSC will withdraw itself as the main organizer of the said festivity, primarily because the academic institution will focus on improving its educational system and projects.

Alma Aguja, one of the organizers coming from MSU-GSC, has expressed her satisfaction for the years that they have handled Kalilangan.

“It was really a pleasant experience to handle Kalilangan. It was really great to work with great people in making a great festival. I think it is time for us to rest for a while and give chance to other bodies who want to hold the festival,” Aguja said. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

PCL convention in Gensan boosts local economy

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (29 September 2014) – An estimated 3,000 councilors from all over the Philippines were here in Gensan as the city hosted the 3rd Quarterly Philippine Councilors League (PCL) National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting conducted on September 25-26.

Organized by the PCL Gensan and PCL Sarangani, the convention was one of the biggest so far in the history of events held in the city when it comes to the number of delegates.

According to the event secretariat, there were only around 800 pre-registered participants but it quickly ballooned to 2,000 on the first day alone.

Because of this huge turnout, Gensan hotels, inns, and pension houses were once again fully booked.

Also, businesses in Gensan such as restaurants, malls, and souvenir stores flourished during the PCL convention as the delegates were eager to experience what Gensan has to offer.

In the second day of the convention, the delegates were given different tour packages; they were allowed to choose the tourist destination they want to visit. Tour packages included trips to various sites in Sarangani, South Cotabato and the entire SOCSKSARGEN.

Seldio Pilongo, councilor from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, expressed his joy and satisfaction in his visit to Gensan and to the tourist destinations in the Region 12.

“It is really nice to see these places we once dreamed of visiting. The eight hours land trip we had was definitely worth it,” Pilongo said.

Last August 20, PCL chairperson Alma Moreno visited City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to say that PCL has selected Gensan as the host city.

She told the mayor that time that there are a lot who are eager to participate when they heard that the convention will be held here in Gensan.

Prior to the convention, Mayor Rivera had instructed the peace-keeping agencies and the intelligence community to beef up the security of the city to preserve peace and order in all activities and events.

Sarangani Lone District Congressman Manny Pacquiao, a close friend and political ally of Mayor Rivera, also backed the city in hosting the PCL convention.

The congressman gave thousands of boxing gloves with his signature printed as souvenir for the delegates.

The PCL convention is a quarterly gathering of local legislators where they deliberate on different innovations in legislation and governance. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

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)

8 blast victims suffered minor injuries

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera immediately rushed to the explosion site at Plaza Heneral Santos Tuesday evening (September 16) then visited hospitals where victims were taken to look after their safety.

A blast took place in the Rizal Monument of Plaza Heneral Santos around 7:45 in the evening Tuesday. The monument is about 30 meters away from City Hall.

An official statement from the PNP, JTF Gensan, and the local government unit of General Santos City said the explosion was caused possibly by a grenade.

Hospital and City Social Welfare and Development Office records identified the victims as:

1.      Sarah Arquiza, 18, of Barangay Labangal;

2.      Christian Paul Amimong, 20, of Soriano Subdivision, Barangay City Heights;

3.      Jay Ar Magnanao, 17, of Barangay City Heights;

4.      Marlon Pasada, 23, of Panay, Sto. Nino, South Cotabato;

5.      Joanne Michelle Abranilla, 10, of Lansones St, General Santos City;

6.      James Ralph Abreo, 23, of Yumang St., General Santos City;

7.      Andy Galapen;

8.      Sheena Mae Maquinda.

They only sustained minor injuries.

As of noon today only three victims remain at St. Elizabeth Hospital while all the rest have been discharged, including those brought to General Santos City Hospital.

Mayor Rivera visited the patients and checked their condition Tuesday night. He also assured their families that the government will shoulder all their hospital expenses and medicines.

The first one to tend to the victims was the Rescue 727 team and the reorganized City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Mayor Rivera.

The mayor convened the Philippine National Police and Joint Task Force Gensan and ordered them for the immediate resolution of the treacherous crime.

“I want to pin down immediately whoever are behind this explosion. I don’t want these people to create more havoc to Gensan,” the mayor stated.

“Gensan is steadily progressing. This blast will somehow be a deterrent to the vibrant economy of the city, especially to the entry of investments,” Rivera added.  

When asked to what motive/s may have driven this incident, Mayor Rivera was careful not to conclude anything, as “anything is possible at the moment”.

Nonetheless, the mayor urged the Generals or Gensan residents to remain calm and vigilant with this attempt to disrupt the peace of the city.

“I want all Generals to be strong in these times. Let us not blame and point fingers because that won’t really help. Let us be vigilant, let us help one another because Gensan is our home,” Mayor Rivera said.

As press time, the authorities are still continuing their investigation and have tightened the security around the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Blast victims suffered minor injuries

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 September 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (in black shirt) talks to a blast victim taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital Tuesday night, September 16. An explosion took place around 7:45 in the evening in the vicinity of Rizal Monument at Plaza Heneral Santos causing minor injuries to eight persons. The monument is about 30 meters away from City Hall. The mayor visited the victims at St. Elizabeth Hospital and GSC Hospital and assured them that he will handle the expenses of their treatment. As of press time, there are no shrapnels or fragments found in the blast site. An official statement from the PNP, JTF Gensan, and the local government unit of General Santos City said the explosion was caused possibly by a grenade.  (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera inspects blast site

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (17 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (in black shirt) inspects the blast site at the Plaza Heneral Santos Tuesday evening, September 16. An official statement from the PNP, JTF Gensan, and the local government unit of General Santos City said the explosion that took place around 7:45 in the evening was caused possibly by a grenade. The blast occurred in the Rizal Monument of Plaza Heneral Santos. The monument is about 30 meters away from City Hall. As of press time there are no shrapnels or fragments found in the site. Mayor  Rivera immediately visited the victims in St Elizabeth Hospital and GSC Hospital and assured he will handle the expenses of their treatment. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

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)

Pacquiao, Rivera host international pool competition

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 September 2014) – Professional pool players all over the world have gathered here in Gensan to vie in an international billiards competition organized by Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera.

Topnotch billiards players from countries like Germany, China, Taiwan, and the United States gathered for the first Manny Pacquiao Tuna Festival International Open 10-Ball Competition that started last September 2.

Billiards legends Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante also participated in the competition.

The 10-Ball competition is divided in to two divisions. For the singles, there were 92 participants and 52 for the doubles.

Three-time World Billiards Champion Thorsten “The Hitman” Hohmann outplayed other cueists in the singles division bagging the $13,000 cash prize.

Everyone is now waiting who will grab the doubles championship which started last September 10.

Reyes and Bustamante have teamed up in the doubles category.

According to Pacquiao, there are a lot of billiards players in Mindanao that show great promise in the ball-and-cue game.

In his speech, Mayor Rivera expressed his intent to support the competition and to all the local players whom have joined in the event.

He also thanked Congressman Pacquiao for hosting a world-class event in Gensan to support the 16th Tuna Festival of the city, which started last September 5 up to September 13. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Jobs Fair held in 16th Tuna Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 September 2014) - Jerome Amoguis, 23, a resident of Barangay Conel, expressed his joy after he was hired on the spot during the 16th Tuna Festival Jobs Fair at the Gaisano Mall atrium.

Amoguis, who vied for a utility position, was immediately employed by the Express Manpower Services after his interview in the company.

“I am in a hunt for a job for a couple of months already. Before the jobs fair, I felt that I was certainly unlucky because I cannot find one. Thanks to this jobs fair,” said Amoguis in vernacular.

Amoguis is one of the hundreds of job seekers the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC) through Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) sought to help in the 16^th Tuna Festival Jobs Fair.

According to PESO head Nur Juanday, the jobs fair is held during the Tuna Festival to let the people know that celebration is more than just revelry but also an opportunity to provide civil service.

Juanday also explained that the jobs fair was assigned by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to them to help foster employment in the city.

There are 175 local companies and 30 international companies that participated in the event, opening more than 5,000 job vacancies.

As of September 11, the PESO has already registered 546 job seekers.

Sheena Banuelos, HR Staff of the Marbel Food Company, advised job hunters to bring the necessary requirements such as bio-data, resume, and certificate of past employments or any prior employment credentials, if available. (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)

Top pool players in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (center) and Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao (left of mayor) take a pose with the 52 professional pool players of the first Manny Pacquiao Tuna Festival International Open 10 Ball Competition Wednesday, September 10, at SM Mall of Gensan.The Philippine's very own top-notch cueists also participated in the competition such as Efren Bata Reyes and Francisco Django Bustamante. (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)

Mayor Rivera chairs PNP Crime Laboratory Office Advisory Council

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera presides as chair of the PNP Crime Laboratory Office Advisory Council Thursday, September 4, at Camp Fermin Lira. (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)

DOLE, fishing federation sign MOA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 September 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera witnesses the MOA-signing between DOLE Region 12 Director Ofelia Domingo and SOCSKSARGEN Fishing Federation and Allied Services Inc. (SFFAII) president Joaquin Lu Wednesday, September 3, to improve the welfare of fishing workers. (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)

PTK Program of Sen. Cayetano assists transport groups

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (5 September 2014)  – In coordination with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, the Presyo, Trabaho/Kita, Kaayusan (PTK) Program of Senator Allan Peter Cayetano benefited two transport groups in the city.

On his visit Tuesday (September 2), Senator Cayetano gathered all Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA) presidents and briefed them regarding the PTK as a livelihood assistance program specifically designed for people like them.

The senator said the PTK program of his office is an initiative to create another source of income for these tricycle drivers and operators, aside from plying the city streets.

“In PTK,” the senator said, “all authorized and legal transport groups will be given a chance to start a cooperative livelihood, which will generate a sustainable profit, if managed properly.”

He said that these TODA groups can enter in any business they want. But for starters, he advised them to have a lending-type of business.

Senator Cayetano further explained that the PTK program is a thrust to eliminate 5/6 lending system, which deprives a needy Filipino family’s chance for economic growth.

He divulged that the PTK source of funds is not from the government, but from various businessmen who “believe in the Filipino capacity to improve himself.”

The two transport groups, Buayan TODA and Gaisano TODA, were the first two legal transport groups here in the city granted with the livelihood assistance from Senator Cayetano.

Each of these groups received P50,000 as a starting capital.

Baran Restitio, president of Gaisano TODA, conveyed the joy in behalf of his TODA for receiving the said amount.

“We are so happy that we became recipients of this PTK program of Senator Cayetano. We also thank Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera for his effort in bringing this program closer to us. If it had not been for him, this opportunity wouldn't have happened,” Restitio said in vernacular. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)