City Mayor joins Brigada Eskwela

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – While participating in the Brigada Eskwela program at Saludin Anas Elementary School in Barangay Labangal Monday, May 25, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said he will be donating armchairs to the school through his Armchair Donation Program with RD Foundation Inc. (RDFI). Known as Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko, the program was launched by Mayor Rivera and RDFI in 2013 to aid the Department of Education provide armchairs in public schools. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Feeding program for children

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (30 March 2015) - A feeding program through the partnership of the Youth Affairs and Development Office and RD Foundation Inc. serve children in Barangay Sinawal during the Barangayan Friday, March 27. This feeding program, as well as other government services, are offered free every weekly Barangayan initiated by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

Mayor Rivera delivers armchairs to public school

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (22 May 2014) - Another school in Barangay San Jose, Shuttle Elementary School, receives 80 armchairs from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and RD Foundation Thursday, May 22, through their program "Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko". The donation is part of the educational thrust of the mayor to address the 14,000 lacking armchairs in the public schools of the city. Since October 2013, the program has already produced more than 4,000 armchairs. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Elementary school gets 100 armchairs from Mayor Rivera, RD Foundation

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (22 May 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera with the RD Foundation delivers 100 armchairs to Bia-o Elementary School in Barangay San Jose Thursday, May 22. The armchair donation is a part of the educational initiative "Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko" of Mayor Rivera in partnership with RD Foundation to supplement the shortage of school armchairs in the city. These armchairs were manufactured by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to give them livelihood. As of now, the program has already donated more than 4,000 chairs to different public schools in the city since October 2013. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Armchair donation resumes for opening of classes

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (22 May 2014) - The armchair donation project of RD Foundation and City Mayor Ronnel Rivera resumes again Wednesday, May 21, before the school year begins. This time, 250 armchairs were given to Bawing Elementary School. Mayor Rivera said that as of today, there are already 4,000 armchairs that have been distributed to different schools since the start of its operation last October 2013. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera teaches kids

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (08 May 2014) - Children beneficiaries of Community Teach Program in Lanton Elementary School, Barangay Apopong pay attention as City Mayor Ronnel Rivera teaches them how to read. The Community Teach is an educational initiative of the city government in partnership with Smart Communications, Department of Education and RD Foundation Incorporated that offers remedial reading classes to selected incoming Grade 3 pupils from 10 public elementary schools in the city. Education is one of the three priority areas the mayor is focusing on under his banner program CLEAN GenSan (Creating a Livable Environment for All Generals towards Nation-Building). (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera with pupil beneficiaries

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (1 May 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera finds time to have a photo opportunity with teachers and pupil beneficiaries of Community Teach and People's Day programs during the launching Wednesday, April 30,  at SM City GenSan’s activity area. The education reform project initiated by the mayor is in partnership with RD Foundation Inc., Department of Education and SMART Communications. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo)

IP kids receive assistance

By Michelle Ann Gonzales 

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (01 April 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has led a team to the Indigenous People (IP) community of Sitio Datal Salvan in Barangay San Jose to extend help among school children.

Together with Ronnel C. Rivera (RCR) Foundation, the team crossed four rivers and rocky terrains to reach Datal Salvan High School (DSHS), one of the many beneficiaries of Mayor Rivera’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) donation.

The far-flung DSHS has only one classroom made from used tarpaulins repurposed as walls. The usage of the classroom depends on schedule.

This school year they were able to serve 37 grade seven and 52 grade eight students.

Students mostly come from the Blaan tribe.

The school received P20,000 as PTA Donation from Rivera.

Furthermore, the city mayor also pledged to put up more classrooms in DSHS through the Local Government Unit employees unions’ build a classroom advocacy.

“Hangyo lang nako sa atong mga ginikanan nga ibutang gyud ang mga bata sulod sa eskwelahan. Mga bata, paningkamot pud kamo nga mag-eskwela ug magdamgo para sa inyong kaugmaon (My plead among our parents is to send your children to school. Children, also strive to study and dream for your future),” Mayor Rivera said.

The Blaan students, teachers and parents expressed their gratitude to Rivera.

“Nalipay ko nga gitagaan ug prayoridad kaming mga Blaan. Gusto gyud namo makatapos og eskwela (I am happy that we the B’laans were given priority. We really want to finish our studies),’’ said Aljun Melody, student.

To date Mayor Rivera has helped almost 150 IP kids in their pursuit for education including those who were enrolled in the Alternative Learning System.

Aside from the PTA Donation, Rivera also assisted in feeding children in the community through a feeding program by the RCR Foundation.

Two large pots of rice porridge and several packs of candies, biscuits, and pouched juices were served by Mayor Rivera‘s team to the Blaan kids. (GENSAN CPIO/Michelle Ann Gonzales)

Kids enjoy Mayor Rivera’s feeding assistance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (01 April 2014) - Aside from the PTA Donation in Datal Salvan High School in Barangay San Jose on March 19, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera also helps in feeding children in the community through a feeding program by the Ronnel C. Rivera (RCR) Foundation. Two large pots of rice porridge and several packs of candies, biscuits, and pouched juices were served by Mayor Rivera to the Blaan kids. (GENSAN CPIO/Russell Delvo

Blaan children receive presents from Mayor Rivera

By Ian John M. Lagare

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (10 March 2014)  - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera led a team to the far-flung purok Daan Banwang in Barangay Upper Labay Friday (March 07) to visit pupils composed mostly of children from the Blaan tribe.

The mayor accompanied by the Ronnel C. Rivera (RCR) Foundation members crossed four rivers and traveled along cliff roads about 40 to 60 meters high to fulfill his monthly Parent Teachers Association donation advocacy.

Mayor Rivera’s team was warmly welcomed by the students of Daan Banwang Elementary School and Almatak Elementary School— the beneficiary of the project.

Daan Banwang principal Joel Penagunda said that the mayor and the RCR Foundation already shouldered the expenses of the 74 students from Daan Banwang and 57 from Almatak for the whole year.

The payment came from the mayor’s salary as chief executive of the city. Ever since he was elected as city councilor and even now as the city mayor, Rivera has been donating his salary to PTAs or schools in the city.

Aside from the PTA donation, the children also received small presents from Mayor Rivera in the form of candies, biscuits and packed juices.

In his speech, Rivera said that he makes it a point to set aside time from his busy schedule to personally see the situation of school children in the city.

In turn, the whole community of Daan Banwang simultaneously shouted "Bong Salamat" (Thank you very much) to Mayor Rivera for his heartfelt support to their school. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)

Medical mission in GenSan benefits thousand

By Ian John M. Lagare

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (06 March 2014) – At least a thousand people in the city and nearby areas are benefitting from the free medical mission being conducted by the Canadian Medical Mission Society (CMMS) in partnership with the city government and RD Foundation Inc.

The free medical mission, which started on February 24 and will end on March 7, is being held at Mindanao Medical Center (MMC).

It aims to cater to some 3,000 patients all over the SOCKSARGEN Region.

As of March 04, the dental operations alone have already served more than 1,800 patients. The minor and major surgeries have serviced at least 153 people.

These figures are expected to increase significantly before the medical mission ends.

On Wednesday (March 05), City Mayor Ronnel Rivera visited the patients at the medical mission.

One of these patients is Ailyn Baluran, 43 years old and a resident of Labangal who has undergone a successful gall stone removal operation. Baluran said “daku ug tabang si Mayor ug ang medical mission kay dakong tabang sa amo. Di mi makapaopera kay tungod pinansyal na kalisod" (The Mayor and the medical mission are really great help to us. We can’t afford the operation due to financial constraints).” (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Ian John M. Lagare)

General Santos City Hospital receives medical equipment from Canada

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (15 February 2014) – The General Santos City Hospital (GSCH) received new medical equipment from the Canadian Medical Mission Society (CMMS) Thursday (February 13).

“I would like to thank Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera for recognizing the lack of health facilities in the city,” said Dr. Benjamin Pagarigan Jr., GSCH chief of hospital, during the ceremonial opening of the container van containing the said paraphernalia.

Mayor Rivera through the RD Foundation appealed to the foreign organization to assist the city hospital’s needs last year.

Subsequently, on December 20, 2013, a 40-ft. container van loaded with electrical hospital beds, dental apparatuses, surgical accessories and assorted medical supplies were shipped to Makar Wharf  in General Santos.

With the help of Rotary World Health, Maersk Line Carrier voided shipping charges.

 Furthermore, a two-week medical mission will be done by volunteer doctors of CMMS at Mindanao Medical Center (MMC) together with the RD Foundation, MMC, and city government.

“The medical mission is tentatively set on February 22-March 07, 2014,” said Ryan Vidanes, executive director of the RD Foundation. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Michelle Ann Gonzales)

Mayor Rivera’s AKLAT Program to raise academic performance

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 January 2014)  – In his bid to raise the academic performance of young Generals, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera formally launched the Alay sa Kabataang Generals Lahat ng Alaga at Talino (AKLAT) as part of the Early Childhood Care Development Initiative (ECCDI) Agenda on January 15 at Robinsons Place.

Handled by AKLAT Division of the City Mayor’s Office, the ECCDI program is in keeping up with the city’s mandate under Republic Act No. 8980 or the “Act Promulgating a Comprehensive Policy and a National System for Early Childhood Care and Development” and Republic Act No. 10410 or the “Act Recognizing the Age from Zero (0) to Eight (8) Years as the First Crucial Stage of Educational Development and Strengthening the Early Childhood Care and Development System”.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) also partnered with AKLAT Division as the implementing bodies for AKLAT: ECCDI.

According to AKLAT Division chief Rogel Bitoon, the development of children 3-4 years old in day care centers is the focus of ECCDI program, which comprises the molding of their physical, social, emotional, cognitive, psychological, and language areas.

Bitoon said by 2018, the aim of AKLAT: ECCDI is to achieve universal access to ECCD programs which targets that 100% of 5 years old are ready for kindergarten school; increase awareness of communities and families in their pivotal role as primary service providers; and establish mechanisms for the systematic professionalization of ECCD service providers.

Bitoon said the interventions of AKLAT: ECCDI in the early learning institutions of the city includes the mechanism and systems for institutionalizing access to ECCD for all barangay day care centers, uniform modules for teachers-training, children curriculum that will support the teachers’ capability building, and implementation of children’s education methods under ECCDI.

“AKLAT: ECCDI program is more than feeding program or the donation of school books. It is the dynamic intrusion of the local government to prepare our children as early as possible to greater challenges of higher education and global competitiveness,” Bitoon said.

He also emphasized that the present city government under Mayor Rivera is serious in implementing an effective ECCDI that will elevate the standards of the educational system of the city.

“Mayor Rivera eyes education as one of his priorities under the flagship program CLEAN GenSan (Creating a Livable Environment for All Generals towards Nation building) and we are collectively compelled to work with him in fulfilling a better GenSan,” Bitoon added.

Aside from the ECCDI, the AKLAT Division in partnership with the RD Foundation and RCR Foundation is spearheading the armchair donation and PTA donation to the public schools as steps to address some of the problems in the educational sector. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Mayor, teacher sign deed of donation for chairs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 January 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and DepEd GenSan Training Division head Nerissa Alfafara sign the deed of donation of the 100 armchairs for Lagao 2nd Barrio Elementary School Friday, January 17. The donation was through the initiative of Mayor Rivera in partnership with RD Foundation to address the lack of 14,000 armchairs in both public elementary and high schools in the city, as reported by DepEd. Improving the educational system of the city is one of the priority areas of Mayor Rivera as stated in his banner program “CLEAN GenSan” (Creating a Livable Environment for All Generals towards Nation Building). (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

GenSan kids celebrate own Paskuhan event

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 December 2013) - Jane Rivera, the wife of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, paints Christmas colors of fun and happiness in kids during a special Christmas party for children called "Paskuhan para sa mga Batang Heneral" at Oval Plaza Grounds on December 21. In coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Sun City Suites, RD Group of Companies and other partners, some 520 kids from the 26 Barangays of General Santos were invited to the Christmas party which was filled with games and prizes. Paskuhan para sa mga Batang Heneral is also a part of the Paskuhan sa Gensan 2013 led by Jane Rivera, who is also Gensan Tourism Council chairperson.  (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera kids share blessings with children in custody

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (23 December 2013) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera’s children Ronnie Rivera (in blue shirt), Raffy Rivera (in white shirt) and Veronica Rivera (in pink sleeveless) share their blessings to the children in need of special protection under the custody of the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) during the Christmas party of City Hall on December 19 at Oval Gymnasium. Mayor Rivera has always taught his kids the value of public service by helping the needy and unfortunate people of the city. Mayor Rivera himself, before he entered politics, has been serving the poor through the RD Foundation and Ronnel C. Rivera Foundation. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

School gets donations from Mayor Rivera

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 December 2013) – The Sarif Mucsin Elementary School in Barangay Buayan receives a Christmas gift from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, RD Foundation and RCR Foundation Wednesday, December 18, in the form of simultaneous PTA and armchair donations. Aside from the donations, Mayor Rivera also distributed school bags to all 400 students of Sarif Mucsin Elementary School. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

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)

Rivera's administration to eradicate armchairs shortage

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 December 2013) - These yellow armchairs donated by Ronnel C. Rivera Foundation and RD Foundation to Romana C. Acharon Elementary School in Barangay Calumpang Wednesday, December 11, signify a breakthrough in the educational system of the city. 150 of these chairs were given to the school to improve the learning condition of the students. The donation, entitled as "Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko", is an effort by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to eradicate the shortage of 7,000 armchairs while helping certain groups of Persons with Disabilities by hiring them as the manufacturers of armchairs. As of now, there are 851 chairs already distributed to five different elementary schools in the city. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)

Rivera assures school children of fatherly care

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 December 2013) - The "Edukasyon Mo, Kabuhayan Ko" program of Ronnel C. Rivera Foundation and RD Foundation delivered 150 armchairs to Romana C. Acharon Elementary School in Barangay Calumpang Wednesday, December 11. Mayor Rivera as the father of the city has also given his insights to the school children there, telling them that together with the current city administration, he will do his best to take care of their education and welfare. (GENSAN INFO OFFICE/Russell Delvo)