Flea Market opens at Oval Plaza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 December 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (2nd from right) and Gensan Tourism Council chair Jane Gollon-Rivera (3rd from right) lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Flea Market at the Oval Plaza Friday, December 5. With them are City Councilors Shandee Llido - Pestano (extreme left) and Dominador Lagare III (extreme right). The Flea Market is part of the soft opening of the Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014 which officially starts on December 12. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan school receives translated Rizal book

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 December 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (left) witnesses the Memorandum of Agreement-signing between Regina Millare, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Office, RCBC Bankcard (center), and Efren Lemana (right), principal, Lagao National High School Friday, December 5, at Greenleaf Hotel for the donation of newly-translated Noli Me Tangere books to the said academe. National Artist for Literature Dr. Vergilio Almario was the one who translated the Noli Me Tangere books. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera leads Barangayan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 December 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (2nd from left) explains to the barangay council during the Barangayan in Bula Friday, December 5, that the city government is their partner in implementing programs for their constituents. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor thanks teachers for decorating city plaza

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (8 December 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera initiates the lighting of Christmas trees inside the City Plaza on Friday, December 5. These Christmas trees were beautifully decorated by the public school teachers as part of their participation in the Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014 which will start on December 12. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan City Hospital gets P6M from DOH

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (5 December 2014) - The local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC) has received an early Christmas gift from the Department of Health (DOH) in the form of P6 million as hospital funds.

DOH 12 Regional Director Dr.  Teogenes Baluma handed the P6 million check to Committee on Health chairperson City Councilor Rosalita Nuñez, City Health Officer Dr. Edgardo Sandig, City Hospital Director Dr. Benjamin Pagarigan, and City Administrator Atty. Arnel Zapatos on December 01 at the Oval Gymnasium.

According to Dr. Baluma, the amount will be utilized by the city hospital to cater to in-patient indigents pursuant to DOH Administrative Order No. 2014 – 0024 (Guidelines on Medical Assistance to Indigent and Poor Patients in Government Hospitals).

“I hope this gives our indigent patients a degree of confidence to avail the services of the city hospital, knowing that we allocated budget for them,” said Dr. Baluma.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has ordered that a part of the P6 million will be used to cater to those in-patients who are still not registered under Philhealth.

The mayor assured that the funds will be properly utilized consistent to Commission on Audit guidelines to avoid misuse.

“We want to guarantee to our constituents that the city hospital is ready to serve them. In fact, we are also in partnership with different government agencies and NGOs in providing better facilities, equipment, and medicine supplies to our hospital,” Mayor Rivera said.

Since 2008, the DOH has already given P144 million for the improvement of the hospital. This amount was used to procure hospital facilities and conduct refurbishment to the hospital building.

This year, the LGU-GSC has secured a total of P67 million from DOH. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

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 helping Gensan police to curb crimes

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (5 December 2014) - The General Santos City Police Office (GSCPO) has presented its report regarding the peace and order situation in the city to Mayor Ronnel Rivera and to other stakeholders.

On December 1 at the City Hall Conference Room, the City Peace and Order Council headed by Mayor Rivera asked the GSCPO regarding the crime situation of the city from January up to November.

“We have our duties as public servants. We have to extend beyond our means, beyond on what we can do, or else, we will jeopardize the safety of our constituents,” said the mayor in an interview.

“The local government unit of General Santos City is continuously giving the peace-keeping bodies our utmost support, especially on their basic amenities so that they can perform. I chose to help rather than to condemn; that should be the way,” Rivera said.

Mayor Rivera grilled the police specifically on the shooting incidents that took place for the past months.

In the report presented, there is a significant increase in shooting incidents this year compared to 2013, as recorded per police station—a total of 100 as of November 2014.

GSCPO data showed most of these killings happened in Barangay Labangal, Barangay West, and Barangay Calumpang—all urbanized barangays.

Because of that, Sr. Supt. Froilan Quidilla, city police director, said they have strengthened police visibility on these areas with high criminality rate. 

Nightly checkpoints are also being held in the city’s main routes such as in the Silway Bridge, Makar to Calumpang Road, and Tambler to Airport Road.

According to Quidilla, these cases have different motives but mostly involve grudge, drugs, theft, and land conflict.

Out of the 100, 10 are still under investigation.

Aside from that, crimes like drugs, gambling, theft, and robberies, were also taken into account.

The police director explained to Mayor Rivera, as well as to the stakeholders, that they are doing their best to mitigate and solve these crimes despite shortage of personnel.

"The number of our personnel covers only 45% (544 personnel) to the ideal public safety and security requirements of the city based on the ideal police-population ratio of 1:500,” said Quidilla.

He said the insufficiency of anti-crime campaign funds and equipment were also factors why their services are duly affected.

Mayor Rivera acknowledged the fact that the PNP has these problems, but he asserted that they are not excuses for not performing well. 

As of now, the mayor is currently supporting the "force multipliers" or the "barangay police" as an augmentation to the lacking police force. The “force multipliers” are trained by the PNP and JTF. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

All set for Paskuhan sa Gensan

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (5 December 2014) - This year’s Christmas celebration will be certainly jovial, thanks to the series of activities the local government unit of General Santos City has prepared for its constituents.

On top of the list is the annual Paskuhan sa Gensan, one of the four celebrated festivities in the city aside from the Kalilangan (February), Tuna Festival (September), and Yaman Gensan (July).

This year’s Paskuhan sa Gensan, themed as “Pasko ng Pamilyang Heneral, Pasko ng Pasasalamat”, is a festivity that features the traditional celebration of Christmas here in the city, as well in the entire country.

Some of the events to highlight Paskuhan sa Gensan are the Lantern Parade, Movies at the Park, and the much-anticipated Pyrotechnic Competition.

The Pyrotechnic Competition is open to any participant; contenders from different areas in the country were invited to join. During the Paskuhan sa Gensan press conference on December 1 at Sun City Suites, Philip Pabelic, assistant chair of the Gensan Tourism Council (GTC), disclosed that Bulacan has already signified its interest to participate in the contest.

The prizes are P80,000 (1st), P60,000 (2nd), and P30,000 (3rd). Consolation prizes will also be given.

The 2nd Manny Pacquiao Cup International Open Billiard Competition will also take place during the Paskuhan sa Gensan, on December 8-17 at SM City Gensan.

Some activities will start before December 12, such as the opening of Light-a-Tree at DepEd Christmas Alley, Krismas Karnabal and the Movies at the Park.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has already approved the P2.5 million budget for the entire Paskuhan sa Gensan which will officially start on December 12 and will end on December 24.

The festivity is organized by the Gensan Tourism Council headed by Jane Gollon-Rivera and in partnership with the Department of Education.

“We may not make it grand but I can assure the people of the city that the Paskuhan sa Gensan will be as meaningful as possible. I hope that through this, we can be much closer to our families and have a thankful heart for all the blessings we received this year,” Mayor Rivera said.

On the other hand, the Joint Task Force Gensan and the local Philippine National Police have already their security plans laid out during the duration of the festivity.

Heightened security, installation of checkpoints, and deployment of more security personnel in the activity areas are to be expected.

The “No backpack policy” in event areas will be implemented.

Meanwhile, City Hall has also set its own activities for this Christmas as ordered by Mayor Rivera. Some of the activities are the Magic Table, Christmas caroling, gift giving, and the Charity sa City Hall.

The Magic Table is a table located in the City Hall lobby where free food and drinks are being served to the LGU's clients. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Gensan is low-risk in climate change impacts

By IAN JOHN M. LAGARE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 December 2014) - Gensan attained a vulnerability score of 5.75 in the recent Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts conducted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the BPI Foundation, Inc. this 2014.

Jose Ma. Lorenzo "Lory" Tan, CEO and vice chair of the WWF Philippines, bared the vulnerability score of General Santos City Wednesday (December 3) at Greenleaf Hotel.

Tan said the score was culled in terms of climate change impacts and compared to the other 15 cities which participated in the study.

Gensan, among the 16 cities included in the research, has the second lowest vulnerability score, following the city of Angeles which scored 5.56. Baguio, has the highest risk score (7.43) because of its geographical location and susceptibility to landslides, floods, and other extreme weather effects.

Other cities are Laoag (5.80), Dagupan (6.91), Iloilo (6.69), Puerto Princesa (5.89), Batangas (5.65), Zamboanga (6.32), Santiago (6.04), Naga (6.10), Cebu (6.55), Tacloban (6.74), Cagayan (6.68), and Butuan (6.03).

Vulnerability scores were generated from 20-year historical city-level data on climate exposure, socio-economic drivers, and adaptive capacities.

Multi-stakeholder Scenario Building Exercises with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), and City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office also contributed to the scores.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, who was present in the event, was happy with the result but at the same time aware that the report by the WWF and BPI is a warning that the local government unit of General Santos City and other stakeholders should take heed.

Tan advised Mayor Rivera, as well as the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. that they should extrapolate and develop sustainable plans that would make the city “climate change adaptive”.

“Gensan is a strategic and beautiful city. Investors and people swarm in here because of the resources and amenities the city can offer and this could either be a good or bad news for you, depending on how you deal with this fact,” Tan said.

“It is important to be attractive but don’t look too handsome,” Tan pointed out.

The CEO said that since Gensan is in a good state in terms of its business climate and topography, people from its neighboring provinces would flock in to the city. This could jeopardize the city’s resources if not managed well.

Tan also cited the possible sustainable avenues the city can integrate for the climate change, considering the results of their study.

Among these are the multi-transit system, alternate sources of potable water, improvement of drainage system, pavement of roads and alternate routes, and the development of agricultural sector.

Mayor Rivera thanked the WWF and BPI for their study and assured the rest of the stakeholders that the local government is taking the issue into account.

The first step the mayor has made is to incorporate the outputs of the study to the City Land Use Plan with the help of CDRRMC and CPDO. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Gensan school receives sports equipment from Korea

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 December 2014) - Prof. Henry Daut of Mindanao State University (3rd from left) and Dr. Won-Kang Cho (4th from left) and Dr. Yong Koo Noh (5th from left) of Korea Institute of Sports Science (KISS) hand over sports equipment worth P20,000 to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (6th from left) for the Lagao Central Elementary School Thursday, December 4. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

2nd Sargen Inter-LGU Sports Fest begins

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 December 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera bears the torch to signify his support to all local government athletes participating in the Manny Pacquiao 2nd Sargen Inter-LGU Sports Fest on Tuesday, December 2. The sports activities are being held in different venues in Gensan and will last until December 9. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan takes up climate change

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (05 December 2014) - During the presentation of Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts Project by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the BPI Foundation, Inc. on Wednesday, December 3, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera affirms that there is a necessity for General Santos City to adapt sustainable disaster-adaptive measures. The mayor and the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. indicated that they will work hand-in-hand to make the city livable and economically active even amidst the issue of climate change. At extreme right is Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, CEO/vice chair of WWF. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

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)

City Hall lights up for Christmas celebration

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (03 December 2014)  - During the opening of the City Hall Christmas Celebration Monday, December 1, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera conveys to everyone that the essence of Christmas is all about thanksgiving--both for the blessings and the travails that everyone encountered this year. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

City's Crime Report done

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (03 December 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and the Peace and Order Council are updated by the police with the City's Crime Report Monday, December 1, at the City Mayor's Conference Room. This report presents the crime statistics for the month of January to November this year, as well as the preventive programs the police are conducting to mitigate these cases. (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)

Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014 to open Dec. 12

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (03 December 2014) - A press conference is held at Sun City Suites Monday, December 1, with (from left) Joint Task Force-Gensan officer Paterno Padua, DepEd Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Mario Bermudez, LGU-GSC executive assistant on Investment and Tourism Dave Arreglado, City Councilor Dominador Lagare III and City Councilor Shandee Llido-Pestano for the incoming Paskuhan sa Gensan 2014. The Paskuhan sa Gensan will formally start this December 12 and will highlight different events such as the Lantern Parade and the first Pyrotechnic Competition. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Pupils get gifts from Mayor Rivera, RDEX

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (03 December 2014) - Pupils of Balunto Elementary School in Barangay Labangal receive early Christmas gifts from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and RDEX Food International with the distribution of thousands of school supplies Tuesday, December 2. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Tiger Airways now flies Manila-Gensan route

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (03December 2014) - Tiger Airways now flies to General Santos City as (from left) Dante Fernandez, Gensan airport supervisor; Atty Paolo Acharon; Atty Leilani de Leon, chief legal affairs officer of Tiger Airways; Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles; and Nelly Nita Dellira, Department of Tourism Region 12 director cut the ceremonial ribbon for the airline on November 28 at General Santos City Airport. Tiger Airways will depart Manila at 12:30pm every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday and will arrive in Gensan at 2:20pm. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

CLEAN Gensan Family Health Card

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera expresses  his gratitude to the participants of the training seminar for the CLEAN Gensan Family Health Card Wednesday, November 26, at Dadiangas Baptist Church. This health card is a project by the city mayor and will be anchored and implemented by the Integrated Barangay Affairs giving different health benefits to the less fortunate constituents of the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera sets Transport Summit in December

 GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera asks the support and cooperation of different transport groups in resolving the problems of transport sector here in Gensan during a forum Wednesday, November 26. He also revealed to them that the long-awaited Transportation Summit will transpire this coming December. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera updated on City Land Use Plan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 November 2014) - Engr. Nael Cruspero (left) of the City Planning and Development Office and Dr. Bong Dacera (center) of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council update City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (right) on the City Land Use Plan Wednesday, November 26. This update includes the disaster risk points of the city as well as the available land to be utilized for investments, housing, and agriculture. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Transport groups organize in Bulaong Terminal

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (27 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera inducts different transport groups officers at Bulaong Terminal in Barangay Labangal Wednesday, November 26. This is to organize these groups and make them as partners of the local government in addressing the issues on transportation in the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

3-day medical mission of Starkey Hearing Foundation for SOCSKSARGEN

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera thanks the Starkey Hearing Foundation during a thanksgiving party at SM City Gensan Tuesday, November 26, for giving more than 400 hearing aids to the constituents of the city. There were 1,500 hearing aids given by the Starkey Foundation in the entire SOCSKSARGEN Region in their three-day medical mission at Lagao Gymnasium which started last November 24. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

20 new classrooms to open in GSCNHS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2014) - In behalf of City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, Councilor Rosalita Nunez  partners with PAGCOR in donating a four-story building with 20 classrooms to General Santos City National High School (GSCNHS) in Barangay Calumpang on November 20. Targeted to be finished in July 2015, this donation is one of fulfillment of the promise of Mayor Rivera in his State of the City Address last August to address the inadequacy of classrooms in the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

20MW power plant in Gensan inaugurated

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2014) - Local government officials, businessmen, and other stakeholders attend the inauguration of the 20MW power plant of PeakPower Inc. (PPI) on November 20  in Barangay Lagao. Raul Castro, president of PPI, said the power plant will be fully operational before the year ends, as an aid to City Mayor Ronnel Rivera in mitigating the insufficient power supply in the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan filmmakers join Mayor’s Lecture Series

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera gathers the city's aspiring filmmakers to his "Mayor's Lecture Series" on November 25, Tuesday, at KCC Convention Center. The mayor also invited award-winning director and scriptwriter from UP Diliman, Pepe Diokno, as the guest lecturer for the event. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Hero’s welcome for Pacquiao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (26 November 2014) - The "People's Champ" Manny Pacquiao lands in General Santos City Airport at around 5pm Monday, November 24,  together with City Mayor Ronnel Rivera in which he was received with a hero's welcome. Thousands of "Generals" went outside and waited in the streets to congratulate Pacquiao for his dominating victory over Christopher Algieri on November 23 at Cotai Arena, Macau. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan all set to welcome the People’s Champ

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (24 November 2014) – All “Generals” are now waiting for the arrival of the “People’s Champ” Sarangani Congressman Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao after his overwhelming victory over Christopher Algieri last Sunday (November 23) at Cotai Arena, Macau.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has ordered the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC) to prepare a hero’s welcome for Pacquiao days prior to the fight, whether he wins or loses.

According to Rivera, “Pacquiao is worth celebrating. We will give him the support that he needs, that he deserves.”

Pacquiao, together with his team, is expected to arrive here in Gensan around 4pm. – 5pm today, November 24, aboard two chartered planes.

The LGU-GSC has already set the route for the convoy of Pacquiao where his fellow “Generals” can meet and greet him.

The parade will end in the City Hall Lobby where a short press conference will be held.

During the day of the fight, the LGU-GSC also gave a free Pay-Per-View (PPV) at the Lagao Gymnasium which catered to thousands of people.  

To show his support to the fighting congressman, who is also his close friend, Rivera accompanied Pacquiao to  Macau to watch his fight.

Pacquiao won the brawl over the younger but taller Algieri via unanimous decision, with the scores of 119-103, 119-103 and 120-102.

During the entire twelve rounds, Algieri was knocked down to the canvass six times by Pacquiao—a statement that the former is still not talented enough to face one of the best boxers of his era.

“That was an amazing fight. If you can see it up close, you can really feel the intensity and speed of Manny. I was really amazed how the fight transpired,” the mayor said. (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John M. Lagare)

Calumpang High School gets donation from Mayor Rivera

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera lets his junior counterpart, Abigail L. Huang, to join him in the donation of P20,000 to support the needy but deserving students in  Calumpang High School, Opringville Subdivision, Barangay Calumpang Tuesday, November 18. One of the thrusts of the mayor is to equip the youth in public service and enable them to become participative in various civic activities. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Calumpang High School receives armchairs

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera signs the Deed of Donation for the 100 armchairs that he gave to Calumpang High School, Opringville Subdivision in Barangay Calumpang Tuesday, November 18. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera delivers 100 armchairs to Calumpang High School

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (20 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera  donates 100 armchairs to Calumpang High School, Opringville Subdivision in Barangay Calumpang Tuesday, November 18. Mayor Rivera also gave P20,000 to support the needy but deserving students in the school. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

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)

Mayor Rivera delivers donation for scholars

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (18 November 2014) - Amalia Caballes, principal of Bula National School of Fisheries, raises the cheque donation given by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera to their school on November 14. This donation is a personal initiative of Mayor Rivera called "PTA Donation" where he provides personal monetary help to different needy but deserving scholars in the city. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera funds fisheries school’s repair

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (18 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera inspects one of the inundated classrooms of Bula National School of Fisheries on November 14 subsequent to his PTA Donation Program. Mayor Rivera will allocate P700,000  for the improvement of the drainage system and elevation of ground floor of the school. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Gensan hosts 1st National Aquaculture Freshwater Congress

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera welcomes Senator Cynthia Villar, committee chair on agriculture and food, in the 1st National Aquaculture Freshwater Congress being held in the city Friday, November 14, at SM Gensan. The congress is attended by different stakeholders in the country, discussing matters regarding the sustainability and competitiveness of the freshwater fishing industries in the local and global market. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

US Ambassador visits Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 November 2014) - US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg visits General Santos City Thursday, November 13, and is being welcomed by City Mayor Ronnel Rivera (extreme right), Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles (2nd from left), and Councilor Mario Empal (3rd from left). (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Mayor Rivera donates salary for education

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (14 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera continues his advocacy in improving the educational system in the city as he donates his salary for the benefit of 26 students of the Datu Balunto High School in Barangay San Jose Thursday, November 13.(Gensan CPIO/Russell L. Delvo)

Mayor Rivera backs Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera expresses his support to the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Program of the Department of Education and of the Muslim Community here in the city Wednesday, November 12, during the Kanduli (Thanksgiving) of ALIVE teachers and staff at the Sangguniang Panlungsod. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

World Taekwondo champ is from Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (13 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera welcomes Gensan's new sports champ Jean Pierre Sabido Wednesday, November 12. Sabido, a resident of Barangay Sinawal, bagged two gold medals in the recent 9th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships held in Aguascalientes, Mexico from October 30 to November 02. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

DOLE Philippines Expo in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 November 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera takes part in the DOLE Philippines Expo Monday, November 10, at KCC Veranza featuring the company's different corporate social responsibilities. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)

Women’s coop gets livelihood program

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 November 2014) - A women’s cooperative has received help from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Social Security System and the local government unit of General Santos City (LGU-GSC).

The RD Tuna Ventures Inc., South Sea Fishing Ventures Inc., Asia Pacific Ventures Inc. Fishermen/ Dependent Multi-Purpose Cooperative (RSAFDMPC), the name of the organization, was granted by DTI a sewing livelihood package on November 7.

Amounting to around P865,000, the grant includes 20 sewing machines (P29,000 each), three round cutting machines (P5,000 each), three steam presses (P5,000 each), three zigzagger machines (P30,650 each), three edging machines (P30,650 each), and three piping machines (55,995 each).

According to Engr. Arnel Zayco, DTI Gensan Office head, the original project cost for the machines is P980,000 but with the support from City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, the cost was reduced.

The cooperative office, located at First Road, Barangay Calumpang is composed of the 136 fishermen wives and dependents working at different fishing industries such as RD Fishing Corporation. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

White corn production eyed in Gensan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (12 November 2014) - The local government of General Santos City is eyeing a 100-hectare land as the site for its agricultural development.

The property which is located in far-flung Purok 15, Barangay Mabuhay is owned by the Manero family.

Edel Manero, one of the heads of the clan, said that he is “willing to let his land be used by the government so that agricultural development will soon take place.”

Because of this, City Mayor Ronnel Rivera, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 12, created a project that would utilize the waived land as a major site for white corn production.

The program is aligned with the Agri-Pinoy Corn Program of the Department of Agriculture which seeks to meet the food needs of the Philippines, particularly for staple food, and make them nutritious and affordable for the residents of General Santos.

Aside from Barangay Mabuhay, DA and the LGU-GSC are also eyeing to develop the lands of San Jose, Tinagacan, and Upper Labay for white corn production.

According to the Department of Science and Technology, white corn is next to rice when it comes to the potential source of staple food in the Philippines.

As much as 20% of the population eats corn rice as staple food. (Gensan CPIO/Ian John M. Lagare)

DTI grants sewing machines to women’s coop for fishing industry

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (06 November 2014) – City Mayor Ronnel Rivera and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Gensan office head Engr. Arnel Zayco inspect the newly-granted sewing machines for the RSA Women's Cooperative Thursday, November 06. These machines from DTI will be used as sources of livelihood by the cooperative as they will be supplying industrial garments to Gensan’s fishing industry. (Gensan CPIO/ Russell Delvo)