CDRRMC trains barangays for disaster response

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 March 2015) – The Integrated Barangay Affairs and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) have conducted a Rapid Community Response Program (RCRP) to train barangay volunteers for calamity preparedness. 

The RCRP was a two-day training-workshop implemented by the city government to equip residents of different barangays with the basics of disaster preparedness and mitigation skills. 

The participating barangays were Baluan, Fatima, Lagao, San Isidro, San Jose and Sinawal. 

CDRRMC action officer Bong Dacera handled the seminar and introduced the volunteers to the plausible hazards their respective barangays are prone to. 

He also taught them how the CDRRMO analyzes community risk assessment and tools for hazard assessment.

A simulation drill was set on March 21 after the one-week planning.

“After the two-day classroom seminar, they will go down to the purok level and facilitate community organizing,” said Dacera.

“We give them one week to plan, and then the following week is the drill simulation of the first batch,” he added.

The RCRP is also part of the advocacy of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to attain environmental security and rehabilitation through disaster risk resilience.

The city mayor plans to make the activity regular in order to empower barangays in times of disaster or emergency. (Gensan CPIO/ Sharmagne Villacastin)

Barangays learn disaster preparedness

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 March 2015) - Volunteer residents from the barangays of Fatima, San Isidro, San Jose, Sinawal, Baluan, and Bawing participate in the Rapid Community Response Program (RCRP) of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and Integrated Barangay Affairs (IBA) of the city government Wednesday, March 11. This program is crafted by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to equip the constituents of the city on disaster preparedness and mitigation. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera orders re-channeling of Makar River

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 October 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera talks with residents while inspecting the on-going re-channeling of a portion of Makar River at Purok 16, Barangay Fatima Friday, October 3. Mayor Rivera instructed the City Engineer’s Office to do the re-channeling after receiving a report from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that the river overflows during heavy rains, endangering the lives of the nearby residents. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Barangayan goes to Fatima

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 October 2014) - In the resumption of the Barangayan Program of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera on Friday, October 3, constituents of Barangay Fatima once again received different services offered by the local government of General Santos City such as free medical check-up. Here, Mayor Rivera inspects the free medicines being distributed by the City Health Office to the patients. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

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)

Mayor Rivera evaluates Barangay Development Plan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 April 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera participates in the evaluation of the Barangay Development Plan (BDP) of Barangay Fatima Thursday, April 24. Rivera instructed the technical working group, which includes the police and City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office, to immediately finalize their BDP so that it will serve as the blueprint for the priority programs that the city government will focus and provide. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Purok leaders take oath before Mayor Rivera

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 March 2014) – Members of the Association of Purok Chairmen of Barangay Fatima pose with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera Tuesday, March 18,  at the City Mayor's Office after taking their oath of office before the mayor. During the induction, Mayor Rivera told the 24 purok chairpersons to be empowered while performing their responsibilities to their constituents. Rivera also disclosed that he will revitalize the barangay police in coordination with the purok leaders to mitigate public safety concerns. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

250 patients benefit from free surgery

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (19 February 2014) – As many as 250 indigent patients from General Santos City and Sarangani Province with major surgical cases have been able to avail of free operations from the World Surgical Foundation (WSF).

The surgical mission is being conducted at General Santos City Hospital beginning February 17 and would last until the 21st.

Christian Mark Era, an 8-year old boy from Barangay Fatima suffering from hernia, was one of the beneficiaries.  His mother May Era was very thankful after the free procedure to his son.

“I thank the doctors and the people behind the World Surgical Foundation for doing free surgical operation to the needy like us. My son has been suffering from hernia about a year now, we weren’t able to send him for operation because it will cost about P70, 000,” the mother said in an interview.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera committed his and the local government unit’s full support to the project seeing that health accessibility is one of the areas of focus of his CLEAN GenSan Health Agenda. CLEAN stands for Creating a Livable Environment for All Generals towards Nation-Building.

The mayor added that during the foundation’s visit last year he had already expressed the need of people from GenSan and neighboring towns for free surgical operations, especially those constituents needing major procedures.

Subsequently, a contingent of volunteer surgeons, nurses and staff support led by Dr. Domingo Alvear, president and founder of WSF, and Nancy Cohen, executive director, arrived and started the patients’ screening on February 16.

Eight OR Stations were arranged to support the mission.

Most of the surgeries they’re performing are in the areas of ENT, pediatrics, plastics, urology, maxillofacial and OB/GYN.

Forty cases were successfully completed on the first day alone with Dr. Alvear personally conducting the eight of them.

“So far, the whole operation is going on smoothly. I appreciate everybody’s cooperation especially the local doctors and nurses. The coordination is also good that’s why we were able to start earlier compared to the other missions where we start at nine or ten in the morning,” Alvear said.

WSF has been traveling to the Philippines for over 15 years providing medical aid. After completing this mission, Dr. Alvear will travel to Cebu City to do a third annual WSF Pull-through Mission.

General Santos City Grand Surgical Mission is one of the largest operations of the foundation. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Michelle Ann Gonzales)

Mayor Rivera sponsors 23 new scholars

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (16 December 2013) – Twenty-three high school students of Fatima National High School were the newest scholars of the Parent, Teachers Association (PTA) Donation program of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and RCR Foundation on Friday, December 13. During the turnover of the check worth P20,000, Mayor Rivera encouraged the students to pursue their education and disregard poverty as reason to stop or to drop out from school. Currently, the city mayor anchors both "Armchair Donation" and "PTA Donation" to his banner program in education, namely "AKLAT" (Alay sa Kabataang Generals Lahat ng Alaga at Talino). (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

PWDs benefit from Mayor Rivera’s foundation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2013) – Thirty-five Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were given additional livelihood through the “Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Mo” program, a joint venture of the local government of Gen. Santos City, RD Foundation and Ronnel C. Rivera (RCR) Foundation.

“In lieu of hiring chair fabricators, the RD Foundation and RCR Foundation have designated 35 PWDs to construct the said armchairs with an agreed payment of P700 per chair finished, which seems more prolific and profitable for these people (PWDs),” according  Ryan Vidanes, executive director of RD Foundation.

According to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, the joint venture by RD Foundation and RCR Foundation will not only help in reducing the number of lacking chairs in schools, this will also provide additional opportunities for members of the PWD community.

Right now, the PWDs have already constructed 700 armchairs for Zone 11B, Uhaw, Barangay Fatima.

There were 294 armchairs already turned over to Bula Elementary School and another 132 armchairs to Jose Devina Gracia Elementary School last October 23 with a total cost of P292, 800.

The City Mayor’s Office runs the Armchairs Project under the umbrella of AKLAT program or Alay sa Kabataan Lahat ng Alaga at Talino, an education and children’s program. AKLAT aims to make schools and kids perform better by involving private-public partners in giving classrooms, chairs, books and other school needs. Mayor Rivera prioritizes children as the recipients of his three main agenda (health, education and modified social services).

Vidanes also stated that the budget that will be utilized for the fabrication of armchairs, as well as the salary for the PWDs, will come directly from the RD Group of Companies and donations from their business partners and associates.

“Aside from the armchairs, the RD Foundation and RCR Foundation plan to hopefully yield two classroom buildings in public schools in the city next year to support the priority of Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera in education,” Vidanes added. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John Lagare)

Displaced workers to be employed in barangays

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (9 November 2013) - The Department of Labor and Employment Region 12 (DOLE XII) through  City Mayor Ronnel Rivera granted an emergency employment to some 35 displaced employees from the Citra Mina Group of Companies, November 6. They will be employed for 10 days in their respective barangay local government units, specifically, in Barangay Calumpang, Barangay Tambler and Barangay Fatima to which they will receive their appropriate salaries. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Civil wedding solemnized by Mayor Rivera

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 October 2013) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera solemnized a civil wedding at the City Mayor's Office Friday, October 18. In the photo are Jabe Arli Jacob, 22, and Aireen Joy Cahulogan, 19, both from Barangay Fatima who were advised by Mayor Rivera on the importance of marriage in raising a family-oriented city. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera launches first Barangayan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (4 September 2013) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera personally led the first salvo of the first-ever General Santos Barangayan Program in barangay Fatima last August 30.

The Barangayan Program aims to bring the local government services to the host barangays which will differ every week.

City Hall department heads were also present to facilitate the services offered by their offices as ordered by Mayor Rivera.  

Among the services of the Barangayan Program are medical and dental care, land title processing, Phil. Health (PhilHealth) Insurance registration and water and electricity payments.

                                                      

Free legal consultation, business permit and licensing and social welfare assistance were also given by the local government.

Job postings from the Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) and available jobs from private companies were also made available to help residents that are seeking employment.

“Dako kayo among pasalamat sa siyudad ug kay mayor kay nakatabang ang pagpaduol sa mga serbisyo sa amoa, (we are thankful to the city and to the mayor because it helps when the social services are brought directly to the people),” Eden Catigan, a resident of barangay Fatima, said.

Catigan’s four year old son is one of the many beneficiaries of the Barangayan’s medical care wing.

Residents also said that the Barangayan is more organized and comprehensive as compared to previous versions of the program.

During the course of Barangayan, Rivera also convened the local leaders of barangay Fatima in an open forum so that they can address specific problems in the area.

He also invited City Hall department heads and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) so that they can come up with long term solutions to concerns voiced out by officials of the barangay.

Most of the issues identified centered on unfinished road projects, waterways system problems, streetlights and drainages.

Officials also disclosed that as much 655 cement bags intended for the barangay are missing along with the perennial problem with the road system in Purok 6 and the insufficient water supply throughout barangay Fatima.

Problems in land titles of schools in the area were also raised by Dante Cuadrado, South Fatima district supervisor.

City Administrator Atty. Arnel Zapatos assured the local officials that their concerns will also be incorporated in the Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) to guarantee that these issues will be eyed thoroughly for substantial solutions will be implemented.

Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas Nograles who was also present in the Barangayan instructed the leaders of barangay Fatima to list their five priority programs so that the city government can allocate funds for them. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian Jon Lagare)

Local leaders dialog with city officials

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (31 August 2013) - Barangay leaders including school principals of barangay Fatima express their concerns to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera in an open forum Friday, August 30, during the first "Barangayan" organized by the local government of GenSan. All of their concerns were clarified by the mayor and accountable department heads who were present in the forum. Also, Vice Mayor Shirley Banas Nograles together with City Councilors Eduardo Leyson IV, Dominador Lagare III, Jeng Gacal and Arturo Cloma gave their propositions to solve the problems in barangay Fatima. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Crowd welcomes Mayor Rivera in first “Barangayan”

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (31 August 2013) – Residents mingle with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera in the first "Barangayan" held Friday, August 30, in barangay Fatima. The mayor intends to partner with the barangay in the delivery of his social agenda in order to bring City Hall services closer to the people. During the Barangayan, Rivera attended to the concerns of the residents and assured them that his administration is working to alleviate the standard of living in the city with additional services from City Hall in partnership with the barangay. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)