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)

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)

Meeting on Sanchez Peak issues held

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (6 May 2015) – City government officials and mountaineers are planning to climb the highest peak of Gensan, the Sanchez Peak. The meeting was conducted at the City Mayor’s Office conference room on April 30. The meeting aims to clean up the trash left by trekkers.  (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

City treasurer lauded for high collection efficiency

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (6 May 2015) – Acting City Treasurer Rodilon Lacap announces during the flag ceremony Monday, May 4, that the city government has received a plaque of recognition from the Bureau of Local Government Finance regional office for achieving 111.07 percent local revenue collection efficiency and 104.627 percent property tax collection efficiency. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

HRMDO conducts frontline service orientation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (5 May 2015) – A service orientation of all frontline employees of the city government has been conducted by the Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRMDO).

The orientation was the second time this year spearheaded by the Welfare and Discipline Division of the HRMDO.

The orientation serves to test the preparedness and effectiveness of the frontline service providers in giving total quality services to their customers.

Marlene Pelayo of HRMDO stressed the importance and difference of the terms clients and customers.

“When you say client, it connotes that the service providers are more important. When you say customers, it means they are more important than the service providers, and now we are addressing them as customers,” she said.

Pelayo also emphasized that as frontline service providers, good appearance and greetings are important.

“Look good in your own eyes and in the eyes of the customers. Say thank you to them. Be professional, personal, warm and responsive,” she added.

The Civil Service Commission Region XII will conduct its audit on all local government unit frontline employees to check on the adoption and implementation of the principles of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007.

This is an Act to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public by reducing bureaucratic red tape, preventing graft and corruption, and providing penalties.

The said Act was signed into law by then president Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo on June 2, 2007.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations took effect on September 5, 2008 via Memorandum Circular issued by the CSC.

As of today, most local government units are in the process of integrating and implementing the Act in their service process. (Gensan CPIO/Sharmagne Villacastin)

Training for Gensan Rescue 727

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (1 February 2015)  - In partnership with the City Mayor's Office - Integrated Barangay Affairs, Bong Dacera, action officer of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, lectures about Rapid Community Response Project before different barangay representatives on January 28. This four-day seminar is under the Gensan Rescue 727 program of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to make the city disaster-resilient. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Updated CLUP indicates risk-prone barangays

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (5 December 2014) - The city government is now preparing the City’s Land Use Plan (CLUP) as an added adaptive measure to mitigate disaster risks.

Engr. Nael Cruspero of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and Dr. Bong Dacera of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) presented to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera on November 26 several maps that indicated different projections for the city’s land use.

Among these are the Population Density Map, Critical Point Facilities Map, Agriculture and Fisheries Exposure Map, Built-Up Exposure Map, and the General Hazard Map.

According to Dr. Dacera, the current update of the CLUP is in the coordination with the CDRRMC to create more disaster-resilient communities in the city.

“This CLUP is also necessary for us to orient the future investors on where they will put up their establishments, as well as in helping to strategically place them so that they will be close to their support facilities,” Dacera said.

Cruspero also told the mayor that they will conduct a series of consultations with the identified risk-prone barangays, especially those near the coastal lines so that they can discuss to these communities their status and possible preventive response.

Mayor Rivera lauded the update of CLUP and expressed to Cruspero and Dacera that he will give the necessary support for whatever programs that will come out as a result of the full study. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

City Hall employees sing Christmas carols

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (03 December 2014) – City Hall employees surprise Mayor Ronnel Rivera amidst his busy work when they serenaded him with Christmas carols Monday, December 1. Following Filipino tradition, the generous mayor gave them a cash gift.  (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Magic Table opens for Christmas at City Hall

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (03 December 2014) – City Hall opens the Magic Table Monday, December 1, at the lobby. The Magic Table is a special treat of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera this Christmas for the constituents of the city where free food and drinks will be served. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

CGSO head recognized for 38 years of public service

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 February 2014) – The local government of General Santos City has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to outgoing City General Services Office (CGSO) department head Roman Lasmarias Salazar as he bids farewell to public service after reaching his retirement age of 65.

A farewell party Monday (February 10) at the Oval Gymnasium celebrated the 38-year journey of Salazar, which had started on April 01, 1975 as a Job Order (JO) Clerk Collector for the city.

On October 01, 1978, after passing the Civil Service Examination, Salazar was absorbed as a regular employee—from the position of Revenue Collection Clerk up to Supply Officer IV of CGSO in January 01, 1987.

Salazar was then endorsed to become the CGSO Department Head II on February 08, 1992 and held the position up to February 10, 2014—a total of 21 years.

During the party, all of the department and assistant department heads expressed their gratitude for the camaraderie and the pleasant dealing Salazar has had for his employees.

Federico Cabanit, City Accounting Office department head and a close friend of Salazar, serenaded the latter together with the City Hall Employees Choir Division.

In his speech, Salazar thanked everyone that he worked with on his one-of-a-kind experience on public service.

“I thank everyone for being with me in this line of service. I know public service is hard, but then I made it here. So I’m thankful,” Salazar expressed.

Salazar kidded that he will focus his time on “apostolic missions” now that he is retired.

“I have no work now so my new duty is to fetch my apos (grandkids) before and after their school,” Salazar chuckled.

Lastly, Salazar pitched his warmest gratitude to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera for extending his service for six months.

“I was supposed to retire last August 03, 2013 but the city mayor requested the Civil Service Commission to extend my service for six months for meritorious reasons. I can’t thank Mayor Rivera enough for the faith he has for me and it is my honor to serve him before I retire,” Salazar. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)