Isko Moreno opens Agri-Trade Fair of Kalilangan Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 February 2015) - Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (3rd from left) joins Gensan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (4th from right) and Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles (2nd from right) at the Agri-Trade Fair and Fiestahan sa Barangay Booth inside the Oval Plaza Monday, February 23. Moreno, a former showbiz celebrity, came here to Gensan to experience Kalilangan 2015. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Caratela ride now available at Oval Plaza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 February 2015) - Indigenous People (IP) Representative Mario Empal (3rd from right) accompanies Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno (4th from right) in the opening rites of the Caratela - a Carabao leisure ride held every Kalilangan - inside the Oval Plaza Monday, February 23. Together with them are Gensan City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (4th from left) and Vice Mayor Shirlyn-Banas Nograles (2nd from left). (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan marks IP Day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (4 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera joins the indigenous people (IP) and Muslim community in celebrating the 5th IP Day on October 29 at Oval Gymnasium. He specified that the IPs have crucial role in the economic development of the city, as well as on preserving and protecting the environment. (Gensan CPIO/Allan Jay Resane)

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)

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)

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)