Mayor Rivera launches Likay Droga

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 May 2015) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera launches the Likay Droga Program -- a city government initiative to educate the youth with the dangers of drug abuse and addiction -- during the closing of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival on May 23. Likay Droga is also backed by the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and various private schools in the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Neon Fun Run for youth

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) – Some 746 participants join the fun run part of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Fest. The runners include campers, PNP members, city based organizations, parents and barangay officials who finished the 1.5-kilometer run from the Oval Plaza Roxas St., Pioneer Ave., Queen Tuna Park and back.  This activity was initiated by the Integrated Barangay affairs and Amigohanay Sa Barangay. (Gensan CPIO/ Jan Rey Libunao)

National mountain clean-up day

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) – City government officials and mountaineers climbed the highest peak of Gensan, the Sanchez Peak, as part of the National Mountain Clean-up Day on May 9. Sanchez Peak lies at the boundary of barangay Conel and Olympog. The activity aims to clean up the trash left by trekkers and make them aware of environmental issues.  (Gensan CPIO / Jan Rey Libunao)

Mayor Rivera opens youth festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (center) joins hundreds of youth in a community dance Tuesday, May 12, at Oval Stadium that signifies the opening of the 1st Summer Youth Camp of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Hippie floats parade

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) - The 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival features the first Hippie Float Parade in which creative floats roll on from SM Mall Gensan to Oval Plaza Tuesday, May 12. Each barangay has its own float crafted by its own young people. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan Summer Youth Fest ongoing

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 May 2015) - Atty Rochelle Sero (center) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) lectures some youth participants of the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Fest of the basic functions of DILG. This lecture is part of the Gensan Summer Youth Fest's events called the Balay Tinun-anan where different government agencies explain the role of their offices and how the youth can access their services. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo

Youth camp at Oval Plaza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 May 2015) - The first Summer Youth Camp opens on the night of Tuesday, May 11, with community dancing of hundreds of young people. The Summer Youth Camp, starting May 12 - 15 inside Oval Plaza, was initiated by the city government for teenagers to socialize with other youth coming from different barangays. (Cocoy Sexcion for Gensan CPIO)

U4U: Understanding teenage whims

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) – Sixteen year-old Jamie Marie Cortes learned that unwanted pregnancy will instantly end her dreams.

A resident of Barangay Calumpang, Cortes is among the hundreds of youth in the city that were taught the consequences of teenage pregnancy during the U4U symposium of the City Population Management Office (CPMO) Tuesday, May 12.

“I learned that engaging in sexual activities while you are still young will not do you well. I will not take such things lightly unlike the past,” Cortes said.

The U4U, an activity under the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival, aims to educate the youth regarding issues that concern them and at the same time let them discover their multiple intelligences.

Judith Janiola, CPMO head, explained the teaching method being implemented in the U4U. “We divided the U4U into five segments and called the teen trail. The first trail is all about self-discovery; the second one is youth’s health and nutrition; the third one is youth experiences; the fourth—and the most crucial—is sex education and fertility; and the last trail discusses teenage relationship,” Janiola said.

“Each day, staring May 12 to 15, we will cater 100 youth participants for U4U. This 100 will then be divided into a group of 20 and will be assigned to a respective trail,” she added.

Janiola also revealed that more participants joined, exceeding their expectations.

CPMO’s population officers handled the lectures. All of them received training from offices like Commission on Population, Commission on Health Services, Inc., Department of Health, and United Nations Population Fund.

“I am glad that Mayor Ronnel Rivera has made the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival a venue for us (CPMO) to teach the youth to be aware on issues that involve them, especially sex,” Janiola said.

In its 2013 report, the CPMO declared that there were 3,577 teenage mothers (female aging 10 -20 years old) in the city. Barangay Calumpang topped the list, with a number of 380 (11.95%) of teenage mothers.

Mayor Rivera said that he is hopeful that through the Gensan Summer Youth Festival, the city government will be able to slash down the increasing incidents of teenage pregnancies.

“It is quite alarming that pregnancy among the youth in the city is rising. There is a need for us (local government) to take action on this and the U4U is one of our formulated solutions,” Mayor Rivera stated. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

Neon Fun Run a colorful success

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - The first ever Neon Fun Run organized by the city  government in support of the on-going Gensan Summer Youth Festival is a colorful success.

More than 700 youth participants joined the fun run. Members of the Philippine National Police, parents of campers, local elected officials and other city-based organizations also joined the 3-km run.

The race route started at the Oval Plaza going to Roxas Avenue, down Pioneer Avenue, to Queen Tuna Park and back.

Before the race started, runners were doused with water and dusted with colorful powder.

"The sprinkling of colored dust signified youthfulness, youth enjoyment and vigor," said Ferdinand Villasenor, Amigohanay sa Barangay president.

Philip Castronevo finished first for the male category with a time of 10:12:87. Cinderella Dimasuhid won the female category with a time of 11:49:28. 

The other winners for the male category were, Alvin Jay Genosas, Reden Estillore, Jemar Torres and Jayce Francisco, second, third, fourth and fifth placers, respectively; while female winners were Saira Mae Ambon, Irish Kent Parcon, Rina Anuber and Marielle Ann Mondoyo also in the same order.

The fourth placer Jemar Torres said, "I felt tired after running, but I enjoyed it because it was fun."

"Meron siyang lesson. Hangga't hindi ka pa nakakaabot ng finish line, dapat kayanin; don't give up," he concluded.

The first, second and third placers would receive cash prizes during the awarding ceremony.

The event served as the soft opening of the week-long youth camp that commenced on May 11 and would end on Friday.

The youth camp is part of the Youth Convergence which is one of the three components of the youth festival.

Other components include Summerlympics and youth and the arts. The activity was sponsored by government and other partner organizations and businesses. (Gensan CPIO/Sharmagne Villacastin)

Neon run, party highlight youth fest opening

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - The 2nd Gensan Youth Summer Fest kicks off Monday, May 11, with colorful splashes and youthful spirit as 700 teenagers join the Neon Fun Run in Oval Plaza. After the run, the participants were drenched with colored water for a fun neon-party. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Zumba, exercise good for youth

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - According to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Gensan Youth Summer Festival advocates the physical fitness of the youth through hosting a regimen of zumba dance exercises, starting May 11 - 15 in the Oval Plaza. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Neon run winners awarded

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - Julius Castroñevo (1st), Alvin Jay Genosas (2nd), Reden Estillore (3rd), Jemar Torres (4th), and Jayce Francisco (5th) outpaced other male teenagers in the 2nd Neon Fun Run Monday, May 11, of the Gensan Summer Youth Festival. Cinderella Dimasuhid (1st), Saira Mae Sambon (2nd), Irish Kent Parcon (3rd), Rina Añuber (4th), and Marielle Mondoyo were the fastest in the female category. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Vice Mayor joins Gensan youth

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 May 2015) - Vice Mayor Shirlyn Nograles opens the 2nd Gensan Youth Summer Fest in behalf of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera Monday evening, May 11, at Oval Plaza Stadium. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

All set for 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 May 2015) - Different local government offices and agencies outline the preparations they have made for the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival from May 11 to May 22 in a press conference Monday, May 11, at the City Mayor's Office.  (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

All set for Gensan Summer Youth Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 May 2015) – City Population Management Office (CPMO) head Judith Janiola said all was set for the 2nd Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

               

Janiola said all departments and offices involved in the Gensan Summer Youth Festival are already geared for the May 11-22 activity.

She detailed out that all departments have been busy for the past months in preparing for the events and activities for the youth festival.

“We have been constantly preparing for this even since last year. Things were not always smooth for us because we have to settle the budget, events, and participants,” Janiola said. “But I am assured that we are now ready.”

The City Population Management Office, City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office, Youth Affairs Division Office, and Integrated Barangay Affairs are the main departments and offices tasked by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to organize the Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

These offices have already finalized the schedules of the different events for the festival.

Some of the featured activities are the Youth Camp (May 12 – 15), Balay Tinun-anan (May 13 – 14), Neon Fun Run (May 11), Hinabang Caravan (May 13 – 14), It’s Gensan Now Tour (May 13 – 14), and U4U (May 12 – 15).

A series of night parties and shows in the Oval Plaza will also be taking place, starting May 12 to 14, to enliven the Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

Food stalls managed by youth entrepreneurs will also be placed in the Oval Plaza. Mayor Rivera included this scheme in the Gensan Summer Youth Festival to encourage the youth to develop their skills in entrepreneurship.

“While they are away from school, we can teach them to do business and learn how to earn from it. In this way, they can create opportunities on their own,” Mayor Rivera said.

Setups for the Oval Plaza and its stadium are already being finalized by the General Services Office. The City Environment and Natural Resources Office will deploy personnel to the plaza to maintain the cleanness of the area.

The safety of the participants is already secured as the Philippine National Police, Joint Task Force Gensan, and the City Security Unit will be working hand-in-hand to provide security.

Personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office will also be mobilized in case of emergency.

“We really want this (Gensan Summer Youth Festival) to transpire here in the city so that we can give the opportunity for our youth to participate in many exciting events, plus, giving them the chance to develop their skills,” Mayor Rivera explained.

He also revealed that plans for institutionalizing Gensan Summer Youth Festival as one of the city’s regular annual festivals is underway.

If this happens, Gensan Summer Youth Festival will be listed under the annual festivals that the city celebrates such as Kalilangan, Tuna Festival, Yaman Gensan, and Paskuhan sa Gensan. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

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)

DILG backs Gensan Summer Youth Festival

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (7 May 2015) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum Monday (May 4) encouraging the youth sector from the 26 barangays of this city to participate in the coming Gensan Summer Youth Festival.

The memorandum was issued by DILG City Director Atty. Rochelle Sero. It was issued in support of Resolution No. 2014 passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod on April 28 which requires barangay officials to bring interested youth from their area to the summer festival.

The SP resolution outlined that the Gensan Summer Youth Festival, as anchored in the R.A. 8044 or Youth in Nation-Building Act, was enacted by the city government to ensure the full participation of the youth by mobilizing their skills and talents through meaningful civic activities.

The festival—a program of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera—is divided into three major components that will cater to the different areas of youth development. These components are: the Youth Convergence, Summerlympics, and the Youth and the Arts.

“This activity is very unique because we can teach the youth the things that are not really taught in school, as useful skills in life,” Atty. Sero said.

“What I really like in the Summer Youth Festival is that we can equip the younger generation to be our future leaders. We are like passing the torch to them,” Sero emphasized.

She also revealed that she will also be participating in the Gensan Summer Youth Festival, specifically in a sub-event called the Balay Tinun-anan (Learning House).

In the Balay Tinun-anan, different partner agencies of the local government in the Summer Youth Festival such as the Philippine National Police will do lectures regarding the functions of their offices and how the youth can access their services.

For Sero, she will be the one who will be conducting the seminar for the DILG, specifying her eagerness to educate the youth.

The Gensan Summer Youth Festival is now in its second year. It was a bigger version of the Summer Youth Festival last year, as it already integrated several competitions, skill and talent camps, as well as youth socialization.

It will start on May 11 and will end on May 22. But some activities, like basketball games and other ball games have already started on May 1 and will continue until the end of the month.

The city government is already planning to institutionalize the Gensan Summer Youth Festival and make it an annual celebration of the city—aside from the Kalilangan, Tuna Festival, Yaman Gensan, and Paskuhan sa Gensan.

According to City Population and Management Office head Judith Janiola, the SP is now drafting an ordinance that will make Gensan Summer Youth Festival the same level as the other festivities here in the city.

“When that happens, it will create a big impact to the local government as well as of the youth sector. It will really reflect the advocacy of Mayor Rivera to empower and organize the youth,” Janiola said.

Part of the budget for the Summer Youth Festival came from the 10 percent of the Sangguniang Kabataan Fund as embodied in the Youth Development Plan. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare)

PNPA valedictorian from Gensan gets LGU recognition

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 April 2015) - The local government unit of General Santos City led by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera gave a warm recognition on Saturday (April 11) to Police Inspector Dennis Yuson Jr., valedictorian of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Lakandula Class of 2015.

Inspector Yuson was welcomed by city officials headed by Mayor Rivera with a motorcade from the airport going to the Sangguniang Panlungsod building for a short program.

During the ceremony, Yuson expressed his gratitude to the local officials and generals (Gensan residents) who welcomed him at the Gensan airport.

Yuson also graced the City Hall flag raising ceremony Monday (April 13) at the Oval Covered Court.

"Today, there is another reason to be thankful because of the recognition given to me by the Gensan community," said Yuson.

"This is the first time that I will be sharing my thoughts as a police officer to the people of my hometown, and eventually leave a trail of inspiration to our beloved city of General Santos," he added.

He also talked about his awareness on the challenges he is going to face now that he is already out of the academy.

"Sa pagbukas ng pinto ng realidad at pagsasabuhay ng aking serbisyo ay sisilawin ako ng tukso," he said.

"Gayunpaman, naniniwala po ako na kung gaano kami sinanay ng buong husay ay siya ring tatag ng aking paninindigan na itakwil ang kamalian at pumanig sa katwiran," Yuson elaborated.

Mayor Rivera, for his part, said he is proud of Yuson’s achievement and lauded the Gensan native for being a great example of what the city’s youth can achieve with the proper guidance and training.

“Let us thank Inspector Yuson for proving once again that General Santos is really the home of the champions hindi lang sa sports pati na din sa ibang bagay,” according to the mayor.

Aside from being the PNPA valedictorian this year, Yuson also graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame of Dadiangas University with the course of BSEd-Mathematics last March 2011.

The PNPA valedictorian is also a licensed math teacher before he entered the academy in May 2011. (Gensan CPIO/ Sharmagne Villacastin).

Junior city officials assume office

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (18 November 2014) - In behalf of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas Nograles inducts this year's set of Junior Officials Monday, November 17, at Oval Gymnasium. The set is composed of 16 high school students from different campuses of the city. They were screened by the Youth Affairs Division Office and the Junior Officials Committee for four months before being selected. Abigail Huang, 16, a student of Hope Christian School was picked to be the counterpart of Mayor Rivera for one week. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Amigohanay sa Barangay organized

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 October 2014) - City Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas - Nograles swears in the new set of Amigohanay sa Barangay officers on October 24. Amigohanay sa Barangay is an initiative of the local government of General Santos City to develop potential community leaders that would in turn help mold future leaders. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)