GenSan, Japan project benefits sanitation workers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2013) - In line with the "CLEAN Gensan" platform (Creating a Livable Environment for All towards Nation Building) of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) together with local government of General Santos City initiated the Social Inclusion and Alternative Livelihoods for the Informal Waste Sector Project.

The project would benefit more than 700 sanitation workers.

During the project conference on November 20 at Lagao Gymnasium, Mayor Rivera, together with the representatives from Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAAP), met the beneficiaries and thanked them for taking part in the project.

Rivera stated the significance of the project to the sanitation workers especially those that will be affected by the closure of the dumpsite in Barangay Tambler, in accordance to RA 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

"It is important that the local government of General Santos City engage in public private partnership so that we can maximize our potential to create sustainable livelihoods for our constituents," said Rivera.

Present in the conference were Edna Soriano, project consultant from the World Bank which funded the project, and Aileen Tolimao, executive director of Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) in Region 12.

Also part of the Technical Working Group of the project came from the selected agencies of the city government and from the RD Foundation Inc..

The objectives of the project are to improve the livelihood and facilitate social inclusion of the informal waste sector, cooperatives and their communities through the development of alternative livelihood and opportunities; and to incorporate them into the formal solid waste management sector within the duration of June 18, 2012 to August 15, 2014. 

As of now, the only beneficiary officially registered as a People's Organization (PO) in General Santos City is the Earth Saver's Association (ESA).

According to SWAAP, there are 10 areas in the Philippines which were targeted by the grant, namely Bacolod City, Butuan City, Cabanatuan City, General Santos City, Legaspi City, Naga City, Pili Municipality of Camarines Sur, Polangul Municipality of Albay, Surigao City and Tabaco City. 

In the SWAAP development outcome indicators, at least 25% of participating informal recyclers were provided with livelihood opportunities outside of waste industry which shows a 20% increase in average income of informal recyclers from project-related resources. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John Lagare)

Consuls affirm investment in GenSan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2013) - From left, RD Foundation general manager Rodrigo Rivera Sr.; Consul General of Malaysia Abdullah Jawani Tohar; Consul General of Indonesia Eko Hartono; City Mayor Ronnel Rivera; Honorary Consul of Spain Francisco G.O Lon; Consul of Palau to the Philippines Federico Puyod and Department of Foreign Affairs Davao OIC Flora Belinda Bacosa discuss the possible opening of the city to investments from ASEAN countries, specifically in trade and commerce, manufacturing, agriculture, hotel and restaurant services and infrastructure Friday, November 22. During the meeting, the consuls bared that GenSan is a prospect for the ASEAN Ro-Ro (Roll on-Roll off) link, making it accessible to ASEAN countries. The consuls told Mayor Rivera that they will bring the Mindanao Business Conference in 2014 here in GenSan. The mayor assured that he will create a business-friendly environment in GenSan to make it conducive for international business ventures. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

GenSan-Vietnam fishing venture eyed

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (9 November 2013) - On the fulfillment of the agreement on bilateral cooperation in the field of fisheries between the Philippines and Vietnam, delegates from Vietnam led by Nguyen Viet Manh, director of Science and Technology and International Cooperation, Directorate of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, visited City Mayor Ronnel Rivera Thursday, November 7, for possible fishing ventures. The delegates also conferred with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 12 and Manila in the 3rd meeting of the Fisheries Joint Committee held at East Asia Royal Hotel last November 5-7. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Korean investors eye GENSAN for aquaculture, palm oil

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (19 July 2013) - Korean investors eye aquaculture and palm oil plantation and processing plant investments in GENSAN as they make a business presentation Thursday, July 18, at the mayor’s office. The Korea-based "FELDA CAVIARTIVE SDN BHD" Felda Phil. delegation was introduced to Mayor Ronnel Rivera (2nd from left) by former world boxing champion Gerry Penalosa (extreme left). (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

New commercial center opens in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (06 July 2013) -  Gensan City's prominent hotel, The Microtel, opens its commercial center, The Valley High, Friday, July 5, with Mayor Ronnel Rivera and Dona Nenita Floirendo cutting the ribbon at the opening program. The creation of a highly competitive and premier cosmopolitan city to a total development and sustainable growth is one of the visions of the new city administration. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)