General Santos City (GenSan for short; formerly called Dadiangas) is a 1st class city in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines. It is situated at the southern part of the country. It is bounded by three municipalities of Sarangani Province and two municipalities of South Cotabato, namely Alabel, Malungon, Maasim, Polomolok and T'boli. The city's economy is basically agro-industrial. As a component of the SOCCSKSARGEN growth area, it has contributed much to the area's emergence as the country's leading producer of major commodities. Due to its rich soil, good rainfall and typhoon-free climate, the area is the largest producer of corn, coconuts, copra, pineapples, asparagus and rice. The area also produces other high value crops such as exotic fruits, potatoes, vegetables, cutflowers and okra. It accounts for the largest total daily fish landings in the country. it is leading producer of sashimi grade tuna. Fish and seafoods probably do not come fresher than in the city.

History

On February 27, 1939, General Paulino Santos led the first and largest batch of settlers organized under the National Land Settlement Administration to the shores of Sarangani Bay. The 62 pioneers who mostly came from Luzon industriously tilled Cotabato's fertile expanse of land. After this first influx of pioneers, thousands more from Luzon and Visayas migrated into the area.

In January 1948, by virtue of Republic Act No. 82, Buayan District became a full fledged municipality whose territorial boundaries included the present municipalities of Sarangani and South Cotabato Provinces, namely Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, Malungon and Polomolok. NLSA Hospital Administrator Irineo I. Santiago became its first mayor.

Six years later, in June 1954, the Municipality of Buayan was renamed General Santos as a tribute to its great pioneer. This was made possible by Republic Act No. 1107 authored by Congressman Luminog Mangelen of Cotabato Province.

From 1963 to 1967, during the incumbency of Mayor Lucio A. Velayo, an upsurge in the municipality's economy was experienced as several large agri-based corporations such as Dole Philippines, General Milling Corporation and UDAGRI expanded into the area. Although it was then qualified to become a fourth class city, the residents rejected a move by Congressman Salipada Pendatun to convert General Santos into a city and to rename it Rajah Buayan.

Finally, however, on July 8, 1968, upon approval of Republic Act No. 5412, the Municipality of General Santos was converted into a city while keeping its name. It was inaugurated on September 5 of that year. Antonio C. Acharon became its first city mayor. In 1988, two decades after its inauguration, it was declared as a highly urbanized city.

Physical infrastructure

The presence of major economic infrastructure support facilities provide the city an edge in terms of comparative advantage due to its standards that are comparable to international benchmarks.

The International Standard Airport, It has a 3,200-meter runway capable of handling wide-bodied jets like Airbus 300 series and Boeing 747.This puts almost all key cities in the Philippines like Manila, Cebu and Iloilo.

The world class Fishport Complex has a 750-meter quay, 300-meter wharf for 2,000 GT reefer carriers, refrigeration facilities with 1,500 cold storage capacity, 60 tons/day ice plant, brine, air blast and contact freezers.

The 561-meter Makar Wharf is one of the most important ports in Mindanao. It has been expanded by 151 meters to accommodate more berthing capacity.

The abundant power supply, retailer of the National Power Corporation provides the power requirement of the city.

The communication services offered by major telephone companies. The area is also serviced by Mobile telecommunication system and the availability of internet service providers serve as key to be top of the domestic and international businesses.

The state-of-the-art traffic system, provides better transportation in city, equipped with latest sensoring system for better transportation.

Festivals

Gensan celebrates Kalilangan Festival every February 'Kalilangan' means festival, festivity or jubilee. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones. In a broader perspective, Kalilang projects a positive and dynamic meaning for it engulfs the artistic, humane and altruistic aspects of social interaction that takes place in any occasion or celebration. Kalilangan is a noble tradition. It is a complete work of art nourished and nurtured by rich cultural heritage that has withstand the test of time from generation to generation.

It is also a pageantry of unique and colorful ethnic rites, rituals and traditions like marriage celebrations, religious ceremonies, anniversaries, funerals, enthronement of royal dignitaries, thanksgiving and other forms of social, political and economic activities.

It is not just an economic activity, but a continuous season of merriment, gaiety and merrymaking accentuated by sharing of gifts, traditional sports competition, dancing, singing and instrumental rendition and other forms of exhibition games, entertainment and amusement.

Every September a part of the charter celebration. General Santos City is known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. Thanksgiving and festivities are being celebrated annually thru its Tuna Festival. Focusing on its main industries. Tuna Float is an awesome event to taste also sumptuous tuna treats during the Tuna Culinary Contest.

Noteworthy

* GenSan is nicknamed "The Tuna Capital of the Philippines"
* International Boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao hails from Labangal, General Santos City.
* General Santos City has been hailed as one of the fastest growing cities in The Philippines and has one of the highest standard of living in the country.

Malls

KCC Mall of Gensan is one of the Biggest Mall in Socsksargen Area. It has a state-of-art and high-tech infastructure and it was called "The Biggest Supermarket In Mindanao".

KCC Mall of GenSan takes the lead in trying to serve the region’s shoppers better. Today's shoppers prefer to have everything they need under one roof. At KCC Mall of GenSan, an extensive array of shops and boutiques awaits everyone.

State-of-the-art The mall is a three-storey building that is equipped with modern facilities like escalators, walkalator, elevator, wide staircases, clean comfort rooms, parking at all three levels, six cinemas, and an atrium where events are held.

Complete and Wide Variety From shoes and apparels, bags, accessories, food items, toiletries, to household items and furniture, appliances, music and sports equipment, school and office supplies, hardware supplies, and service shops, KCC Mall of GenSan provides its shoppers a broad range of products to choose from.

Fun Shoppers can enjoy kiddie rides, game machines, and video-game arcade at the Worlds of Fun or KCC Mall of Gensan's Cinemas that are equipped with the latest digital sound system.

Convenient Location KCC Mall of Gensan is located at J. Catolico, Sr. Avenue, Lagao, General Santos City, right at the heart of the city. As the biggest shopping mall so far to operate in the city, it has a total floor area of more than 80,000 square meters and 200 tenants.


GEN. SANTOS FORUMERS, THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!

From the history section, the municipality was established as Buayan. Right after it was renamed as Gen. Santos City.

The intro says it was formerly called Dadiangas. What period was it when it was called Dadiangas?

ahh yes. i miss general santos city. i used to go there every summer vacation from grade 4 until i was in grade 6. very nice memories i have of that place.

Random General Santos photos from the net:

-wrong photo attached, as pointed out by davaoeagle, and a rolling laugh by rajah_soliman. thanks

Pioneer Avenue

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/pioneer.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/p50-StreetsofGeneralSantos.jpg

City Hall

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/newcityhall.jpg

KCC Mall

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b332/MatteoMatt/KCC-MALLt.jpg

your topmost pic is Davao's not of Gensan.

your topmost pic is Davao's no of Gensan.

:rofl:

from Mindanao thread:

Gen Santos City

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/eastasia1-PA250007.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/tunacapital-PA290013.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/londonbeach1-PA260009.jpg

Tuna Festival

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/tunaparade1-PICT0055.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/tunaparade2-PICT0143.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/tuna-st-dancing-boy-PICT005.jpg

Kalilangan Festival

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/kali3-P2270101.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/kali2-P2270096.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a157/kulaskusgan/mindanao/kali1-P2270086.jpg

heres Makar Wharf in Gen Santos City:

http://www.ictsi.com/www1/cgi-bin/photogallery/pics/high/Berth%2008SCIPSI.jpg

http://www.ictsi.com/www1/cgi-bin/photogallery/pics/high/Aerial%20View1SCIPSI.jpg

http://www.ictsi.com/www1/cgi-bin/photogallery/pics/high/p22SCIPSI.jpg


GENSAN

http://static.flickr.com/44/156584808_55ddf718c1.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/77/156584795_d6a1d86550.jpg

galing UNO :)
d ba dyan yung TUNA capital of Philippines
nakita ko yata sa Pipol :D

From the history section, the municipality was established as Buayan. Right after it was renamed as Gen. Santos City.

The intro says it was formerly called Dadiangas. What period was it when it was called Dadiangas?

They said that during the 80s and even early 90s, people in Davao and Southern Mindanao Region referred to Gensan as Dadiangas. :)

galing UNO :)
d ba dyan yung TUNA capital of Philippines
nakita ko yata sa Pipol :D

yup..Gensan is the TUNA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES :)

yup..Gensan is the TUNA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES :)
Also, Gensan is the hometown of world's No. 1 pound for pound boxing great Manny Pacquiao. :okay:

I miss Gen San and Polomolok where I lived. I miss the chicken beef and pork at the Dole Clubhouse because they are chunky and juicy. They say the chickens, cows and pigs are fed heavily with pineapples, asparagus and other Dole products. So they are really good.

I miss passing through Kimball (now gone) and Gaisano (where Gen San had its 1st French Baker type of cafe). I miss having my haircut at Hair and Nails and Pretty Looks. I remember having my teeth cleaned by Dr. Arenas in the city.

Gen San has so much to offer. If only the national government can push its development more intensely....

I do not have photos of Gen San and Polomolok with me. More photos from the folks out there please. I left my old photos in Manila.

Are there any malls/shopping centers in GenSan?

They said that during the 80s and even early 90s, people in Davao and Southern Mindanao Region referred to Gensan as Dadiangas. :)

... actually its still called like that until today.... Gen San is dadiangas and koronadal city to the south is Marbel....

I already went there.... :)

Are there any malls/shopping centers in GenSan?

yes..KCC mall of gensan..designed by palafox and associates..however, dili ni cya katung naka post na pix sa taas, kay ive been there and dili man in anto itusra and color..

^^ Oh yes, I forgot about that, I even posted a pic in the old Luzviminda Malls thread. :D I'll try to look for that.

galing UNO :)
d ba dyan yung TUNA capital of Philippines
nakita ko yata sa Pipol :D

hmmm...

http://static.flickr.com/37/84818249_5a39bdb099.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/38/84818944_20e4e84287.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/38/84818800_56cf521a23.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/39/84818520_6c3df66671.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/36/84818461_1a8a3da9fb.jpg

courtesy of flickr

http://flickr.com/photos/rorofernandez/page10/

bkit hindi pumatok ang thread na to?
hehe!!

It looks like the two tunas already know what's going to happen to them by the look on their faces.

YESSS!!! A gensan thread at last!

I last visited Gen San for a field trip, in the corn field. How's the BT Corn experiment there na?

hmmm...

http://static.flickr.com/37/84818249_5a39bdb099.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/38/84818944_20e4e84287.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/38/84818800_56cf521a23.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/39/84818520_6c3df66671.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/36/84818461_1a8a3da9fb.jpg

courtesy of flickr

http://flickr.com/photos/rorofernandez/page10/

Some say that this place doesn't have a place in any of tourist's or foreiger's itinerary. Void of trees, desert-like climate, stinking smell of fish and copra oil, and terrorist threats. I beg to disagree. Peaceful bala diri! Di na ya ma-paranoid sa balita kay ginasensationalize man lang na sang media!

Cause Gensan and South Cotabato rocks! Ahay! Gusto ko tani magbalik dira galing ang problema, kwarta! huhuhu!

I miss na mag-tambay sa KCC and sa Fishport (always nasa Fishport)!

Padayon Dadiangas! This city has a legacy of Christian Pioneers that explored and risked their lives for settling the "Land of Promise" earlier in the 20th Century.

Some say that this place doesn't have a place in any of tourist's or foreiger's itinerary. Void of trees, desert-like climate, stinking smell of fish and copra oil, and terrorist threats. I beg to disagree. Peaceful bala diri! Di na ya ma-paranoid sa balita kay ginasensationalize man lang na sang media!

Cause Gensan and South Cotabato rocks! Ahay! Gusto ko tani magbalik dira galing ang problema, kwarta! huhuhu!

I miss na mag-tambay sa KCC and sa Fishport (always nasa Fishport)!

Padayon Dadiangas! This city has a legacy of Christian Pioneers that explored and risked their lives for settling the "Land of Promise" earlier in the 20th Century.

ana man jud ang media preng..theyre hurting us mindanaoans as much as the rebels do by stereotyping mindanao as a war torn, poverty stricken, backwards island..haay

init ako ulo everytime sa news ila ingon war in mindanao..

whats the major dialect in gen. san and s. cotabato?

whats the major dialect in gen. san and s. cotabato?

I should say ....ilongcebkaptag (short for ilonggo cebuano kapangpangan tagalog... in no specific order) :lol:

Congrat's on Gensan's New Thread!!! :grouphug:

I should say ....ilongcebkaptag (short for ilonggo cebuano kapangpangan tagalog... in no specific order) :lol:
hmmmm...

ganyan din ang dialect ko! hehe!

anyway, pwede naman CEKATAGGO!

CE- Cebuano
KA- Kapampangan
TA- Tagalog
GGO- Ilonggo

di ba? easier ug dali ra malitok!

hmmmm...

ganyan din ang dialect ko! hehe!

anyway, pwede naman CEKATAGGO!

CE- Cebuano
KA- Kapampangan
TA- Tagalog
GGO- Ilonggo

di ba? easier ug dali ra malitok!

kabalen, biyasa kang ring mag-kapangpangngan?... :)

sort of...

masabtan ra nako ang ilonggo. not so much in kapampangan.
I can speak ang understand Cebuano and Tagalog and English.
And a little bit of Spanish.

Some say that this place doesn't have a place in any of tourist's or foreiger's itinerary. Void of trees, desert-like climate, stinking smell of fish and copra oil, and terrorist threats. I beg to disagree. Peaceful bala diri! Di na ya ma-paranoid sa balita kay ginasensationalize man lang na sang media!

Cause Gensan and South Cotabato rocks! Ahay! Gusto ko tani magbalik dira galing ang problema, kwarta! huhuhu!

I miss na mag-tambay sa KCC and sa Fishport (always nasa Fishport)!

Padayon Dadiangas! This city has a legacy of Christian Pioneers that explored and risked their lives for settling the "Land of Promise" earlier in the 20th Century.


naglaway ko sa tuna. Go Tuna Capital of the Phils., Go!

Joke here: Mom, is the fish dead? then why is it staring at me???

Region 12 identifies 3 top tourist sites
Written by Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews
Friday, 12 May 2006 19 21 22

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of Tourism will develop the white sand beaches of Gumasa in Glan, Sarangani, the Mt. Apo nature park in Kidapawan City and the scenic Lake Sebu resort town in South Cotabato as banner tourist destinations in Region 12 or Soccsksargen Region.



Sohura Dimaampao, Department of Tourism-Region 12 director, said they are currently seeking potential investors that would build up the three tourism sites into world-class destinations, focusing on the establishment of premiere tourism facilities and the upgrading of existing infrastructure.

"These sites already gained their places in the global tourism map and we want to capitalize on that as we promote the region's diverse potentials for tourism," she said.
"These sites already gained their places in the global tourism map and we want to capitalize on that as we promote the region's diverse potentials for tourism," she said.

Dimaampao said the promotion of the three sites as the region's banner destinations was initially endorsed last week by tourism stakeholders during the First Regional Tourism Summit here.

Based on results of the summit's technical workshops, she said the three tourism destinations were also chosen as models for the tourism investments and development of other tourism sites in the region.

Dimaampao said they are initially planning to build up Lake Sebu, the home of the famed T'nalak cloth and the T'boli tribe, as the region's cultural and eco-tourism center.

She said the proposed investments would focus on the development of a T'boli model community village in the area to showcase the area's rich indigenous culture, the upgrading of facilities of resorts surrounding the area's three lakes and seven waterfalls and the upgrading of skills for the area's tourism service providers.

For Mt. Apo, Dimaampao said they are encouraging potential investors or cooperatives to invest in developing tourism facilities, training of tourism service providers and the implementation of a solid waste management program.

She said they are also seeking investors for the improvement of facilities and the establishment of premiere resorts in Gumasa and the improvement of the area's basic services or utilities such as water and transportation.

Overall, Dimaampao said they are pushing for the improvement of road networks leading to the three tourism sites, security and establishment of additional cellular phone sites in the area.

"It would be easier for us and the local government units to put an aggressive marketing drive when all these would eventually be in place," Dimaampao said.

To encourage investors, Dimaampao said they were working with local government units in the region for the implementation of investment incentives and business-friendly policies.

She added that the Regional Development Council of Region 12 has endorsed the promotion of tourism investments as among the priority development initiatives of the region over the next three years.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 May 2006 10 58 24 )

I should say ....ilongcebkaptag (short for ilonggo cebuano kapangpangan tagalog... in no specific order) :lol:

Pagsulod mo Gensan, Bisaya (Sugbuanon/Cebu) ang mayorya but if you notice within their conversations, makuha mo guid ang mga tinaga (words) nga Ilonggo, Kapampangan, Tagalog kag iban pa.

TV Patrol Soccsksargen is now using Tagalog as a medium because of the diverse peoples around the region.

Kay pagsulod mo sa South Cotabato, kalabanan (majority) Ilonggo parte na sa Allah Valley kag Marbel. Amo na ya ang fact nga Mindanao is a melting pot of cultures. Gensan was, still and will be the gateway to the Land of Promise.

A proud Tubao (Tubong Mindanao) ko ya biskan di man ako nagdaku diri.

And with regards sa negativity sa image ng Gensan, blame it all to media and paranoia outside the affected places. Nainit lang ko kon me ara ga-generalize sang situation sang Mindanao! JI hiding in Mindanao may be true but does that mean that the island is a no-man's land?

amen!!! :angel1:

Pagsulod mo Gensan, Bisaya (Sugbuanon/Cebu) ang mayorya but if you notice within their conversations, makuha mo guid ang mga tinaga (words) nga Ilonggo, Kapampangan, Tagalog kag iban pa.

TV Patrol Soccsksargen is now using Tagalog as a medium because of the diverse peoples around the region.

Kay pagsulod mo sa South Cotabato, kalabanan (majority) Ilonggo parte na sa Allah Valley kag Marbel. Amo na ya ang fact nga Mindanao is a melting pot of cultures. Gensan was, still and will be the gateway to the Land of Promise.

A proud Tubao (Tubong Mindanao) ko ya biskan di man ako nagdaku diri.

And with regards sa negativity sa image ng Gensan, blame it all to media and paranoia outside the affected places. Nainit lang ko kon me ara ga-generalize sang situation sang Mindanao! JI hiding in Mindanao may be true but does that mean that the island is a no-man's land?

Oh well, nothing we can do about that na man.kapila na ko nitawag sa ABS before anang ilang style nga pag report..told them nga theyre hurting mindanao more than the rebels do...part ata ng agenda ng media na may area talaga na mainit sa gulo..

hmmm may capampangan used in gensan? im a cabalen myself..pero d ako marunong mag capampangan..i know lang na masanting ako.hehehe

hmmm may capampangan used in gensan? im a cabalen myself..pero d ako marunong mag capampangan..i know lang na masanting ako.hehehe

your 'nose' tells me that you are a cabalen :)

naydamo!..hehe joke lang po

ano yang cabalen??

GOOD MORNING FORUMERS!

musta na kayo?
may fresh news?

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/berniemack/1f0c.jpg

Ang namuno sa paglilipat at pag-susurvey ng mga kalupaan sa Kamindawan. Si HEneral Paulino Santos ang tinaguriang "Pioneer", ang nasimuno sa NLSA (National Land Settlement Admin) na nagpasimuno sa pagtaguyod ng mga kabayanan sa katimugan at kalagitnaang bahagi ng Mindanao.

Ng dahil dito, tinaguriang "Lupang Pinangako" ang Mindanao. Sa pangakong iaangat sa kahirapan ang dati'y mga magsasaka na nakikisaka lang sa lupang hindi naman nila pag-aari sa Luzon at Visayas.

Ang Buayan o Dadiangas ang naging pantalan para sa mga magigiting na mga ninuno na nanggaling sa Luzon at Visayas.

At ang buong bayan ng Dadiangas ay naging Lungsod Heneral Santos o GenSan bilang alaala kay Santos at sa mga ninuno na naghirap para maitaguyod ang "Lupang Pangako"

Gensan thread is going fast.

GenSan by the way might be an active Ilonggo place. I've seen those Pau De Arco commercials (which was unusually Ilonggo) and was thoroughly amazed that Gen San and the other surrounding places (especially Saranggani) might speak the tongue.

Good Afternoon Gensan Forumers!

Good morning too folks...

I should be enticing other folks from GenSan to post in this one-of-a-kind forum for them! :D

Good morning too folks...

I should be enticing other folks from GenSan to post in this one-of-a-kind forum for them! :D

Suggestion ko lang: Include South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani for this matter or the whole SOCCSKSARGEN region na lang. I think meron naman siguro forumers sa rehiyon dose.

Is it true that the GenSan highways, airport and seaport were constructed by US based Pentagon contractors?

Is it true that the GenSan highways, airport and seaport were constructed by US based Pentagon contractors?

the airport and (partly) the higways under the USAID program YES :) I don't know with the seaport

Suggestion ko lang: Include South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani for this matter or the whole SOCCSKSARGEN region na lang. I think meron naman siguro forumers sa rehiyon dose.
next time pag puno na to.

By the way, isama nyo friend ng bayan na si Manny Pacquiao dito. taga-barangay Calumpang kaya sya.

Hehehh... The Manny Pacquiao thing...

Visited GenSan for the first time in May 2006. Beautiful place...hope to see it skyrise to a growing metropolis one day... (while preserving its beauty!)

Landing into GenSan Airport with the view of the coast. Look at all that undeveloped land!!! AYALA, where you at?!!!

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2928/dscn2714ew8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Inside KCC Mall

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4607/dscn2731ga3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MANNY PACMAN'S store in GENSAN, near his house!!!

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6727/dscn2791xq6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Developing fishport

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1158/dscn2760uo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This building manufactures the blocks of ice used in preserving all that tuna at the fishport complex...

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9957/dscn2776mx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The MOSQUE BUILDINGS of GENSAN (Philippine style!!!)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5707/dscn2800jr9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/3937/dscn2788ud6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:)

^^ i always see that mosque whenever i go to gensan so many years back. the kcc mall is surely nice!

KCC mall looks like an SM IMHO..cguro kasi Palafox designes mall din siya like the earlier SM malls (davao,cdo,pampanga etc)

I thought nga when the first time I saw it, SM Gensan, pati ang logo very familiar sa SM kasi. Iba lang ang letters.

Disyerto sa Mindanao ang western Dadiangas (Tambler, Siguel and especially Fatima)...nice view!

grabe na man nang diyerto..though mainit talaga sa gensan..bakit nga ba? i remember one article saying nga instead nga dadiangas..pwede sin dustdiangas.(oi no offense lang ha)

pero i like the marbel-gensan corridor i think the two cities can very well complement each other

grabe na man nang diyerto..though mainit talaga sa gensan..bakit nga ba? i remember one article saying nga instead nga dadiangas..pwede sin dustdiangas.(oi no offense lang ha)

pero i like the marbel-gensan corridor i think the two cities can very well complement each other

I like the highway from Gensan to Marbel. The Best Highway na nakita ko outside Manila so far. Sobrang straight, kala mo pinarebond. No curves, no hassles, very wide, very fast ang Yellow Bus, Husky and Holiday and L300 vans, Mount Matutum on the right, Pinya and then end it on a roundball sa Marbel.

The best pa da, semento...hindi spalto! 35 kilometro or more ang straightness ng daan! Grabe! Astig!

may interior pics ba sa kcc mall?
curious ako eh!

maayong gabi-i gensan!

musta naman mo?

post na!

UNDP, S. Cotabato signs pact for peace, dev't programs

THE United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has forged a partnership with the Provincial Government of South Cotabato for the implementation of various peace and development programs in the area.

South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes said UNDP agreed to link up the initiatives of the agency's Act for Peace program with the local government's Development Alternative Framework or Project DAF.

Project DAF, a flagship program of the provincial government, is a convergence of various socio-economic and development initiatives of the local government for areas and communities previously affected by conflict or influenced by rebel groups.

The ACT for Peace Program is the fourth phase of the government and the UNDP's peace and development work in Mindanao. It is aimed at strengthening the peace building efforts and sustaining the gains of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front.

"We will try to synchronize these two programs and jointly implement our social development programs," Fuentes said.

During the province's 40th foundation anniversary last Tuesday, the UNDP released an initial grant of some P2.16 million to the provincial government.

A huge replica of the check was turned over by Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, chair of the Mindanao Economic and Development Council, and Australian Ambassador Tony Hely.

The Australian Government is the biggest single donor of the UNDP program in Mindanao.

Through the Project DAF, which tapped the Army's 27th Infantry Battalion as main partner, she said community development workers of the provincial government and soldiers jointly implement various development activities in conflict-affected areas and communities in a bid to win back the trust of local folks.

Fuentes said the soldiers, who usually go to a target area unarmed, conduct lectures and workshops on law enforcement, security and assist the community development workers in providing livelihood and skills trainings and some basic dental and medical services.

"We're winning back the trust of our people and at the same time drive away some groups that have been threatening our peace without firing a single shot," she said.

The governor said among the program's biggest accomplishments so far was the neutralization of the New People's Army's Front 73 that used to operate in the mountains of Banga, T'boli and Tupi towns.(Allen V. Estabillo)


(July 24, 2006 issue)
source: Sunstar General Santos

ok yan ha! salamat!

Bulaong Terminal along the 3 major bus companies plying GenSan-Dvo-Marbel-Cotabato route

(YellowBus, Holiday and Husky [the only bus company na molarga Gensan to Cotabato])
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/BulaongTerminal-GSC.jpg

Sana mag-open na ng bagong ruta ang CebuPacific pa-Gensan!

Good Morning Forumers!!

Any fresh news?

I've read 5J talking about opening a GES-ILO-MNL route before, whatever happened to that..... No one from gensan here?

grabe na man nang diyerto..though mainit talaga sa gensan..bakit nga ba? i remember one article saying nga instead nga dadiangas..pwede sin dustdiangas.(oi no offense lang ha)

my guess is lahar because of mt matutum. when my group had a shooting safari in gensan before, we were allowed in some parts of the airport plus of course the environs. sandy gyud kaayo. not much trees and lots of shrubs. it could be that it was the path of lahar that occurred during an ancient eruption.

GenSan to erect world’s biggest tuna mon ument





GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A very ambitious project is now in its planning stage in this city.


According to members of the Tuna Festival Council, proponent of the project, they are planning the construction of a tuna landmark, distinguished in form and huge in size, that will proclaim General Santos as the tuna capital of the world.

The structure will at least be 50 meters in size and will be made of steel, fiberglass and concrete. This will be erected at the General Santos International Airport overlooking Sarangani Bay.

The group said they are also targeting the inclusion of the edifice in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Tuna Festival Council, composed of NGOs, business groups and government agencies, is supported by major business groups in General Santos. The council is headed by Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr.; Antonio G. Veneracion, president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.; and Thomas "Bebot" Haw, festival project director.

If Haw and the council are able to achieve their goal, the structure will be bigger than the Tuna Man Monument on Shelter Island in San Diego, California, currently the world’s biggest tuna landmark.

The Shelter Island monument is the work of Vianello, one of the few world sculptors experienced in enlarging monuments in heroic dimensions and casting them in bronze.

Vianello’s commissioned monuments, including the one on Shelter Island, are said to be large enough to fill a city square.

Project funding will be raised by the Tuna Canning Association of General Santos City, tin can factories, major players in the fishing industry, and some local businessmen.

Local designers, sculptors, engineers and architects will be tapped to create the design in order for them to showcase their talents.

"This is a gift from the business sector to the loving people of General Santos City," Haw proudly proclaimed.

kung naa na picture sa tuna monument, i-post dinhi ha!
gusto nako makit-an ang monumento.

and.....wheeeeee!!!

at 50 meters..or 150 + feet (tama ba?) wouldnt that pose a threat to aviation security?anyway i trust that itd be planned such that it wont pose any bother to the airplanes but still.... its too much..they should prioritize other projects first..,

my guess is lahar because of mt matutum. when my group had a shooting safari in gensan before, we were allowed in some parts of the airport plus of course the environs. sandy gyud kaayo. not much trees and lots of shrubs. it could be that it was the path of lahar that occurred during an ancient eruption.

I used to be assigned in Gensan for 3 long years (pardon the sarcasm there) and the dust and heat kills you for real. lol. I got my asthma triggered by dust and heat there, good thing my job got me free consultations with my client doctors.

When you shower, sand also finds its way into your head along with the water. I found it crazy even to wash my car on a sun-shiny day 'coz dust seemed to lurk in every nook of the place.

My landlady when asked why GSC is laden with heat, dust and sand, she muttered it's the lahar that crept from the last eruption of Mt. Matutum, all the way to the flatlands of the city. So being flat, and the city sitting on sand and dust make for the rather disturbingly scorching climate in Gensan.

I'm not bashing GSC here as I love the place for it's nice, accomodating people and it's really a bustling economy.

I used to be assigned in Gensan for 3 long years (pardon the sarcasm there) and the dust and heat kills you for real. lol. I got my asthma triggered by dust and heat there, good thing my job got me free consultations with my client doctors.

When you shower, sand also finds its way into your head along with the water. I found it crazy even to wash my car on a sun-shiny day 'coz dust seemed to lurk in every nook of the place.

My landlady when asked why GSC is laden with heat, dust and sand, she muttered it's the lahar that crept from the last eruption of Mt. Matutum, all the way to the flatlands of the city. So being flat, and the city sitting on sand and dust make for the rather disturbingly scorching climate in Gensan.

I'm not bashing GSC here as I love the place for it's nice, accomodating people and it's really a bustling economy.

Well, at least pag mag-ulan, paspas magmala ang soil. Dili muddy,hehe!
Igang kaayo ang Gensan but there's something about it na I wanna go back from time to time...

Well, at least pag mag-ulan, paspas magmala ang soil. Dili muddy,hehe!
Igang kaayo ang Gensan but there's something about it na I wanna go back from time to time...

ha ha mao gyud tapos balik na pud ang abog. LOL

kung naa na picture sa tuna monument, i-post dinhi ha!
gusto nako makit-an ang monumento.

and.....wheeeeee!!!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

at 50 meters..or 150 + feet (tama ba?) wouldnt that pose a threat to aviation security?anyway i trust that itd be planned such that it wont pose any bother to the airplanes but still.... its too much..they should prioritize other projects first..,

hehehe i think that 50 meters figure refers to the length of the monument, and not the height

hehehe i think that 50 meters figure refers to the length of the monument, and not the height

Ano kayang itsura ng estatwa? Will it be a bronze statue of a kargador in the fishport carrying tuna? It's been an icon for Gensan already.

Ano kayang itsura ng estatwa? Will it be a bronze statue of a kargador in the fishport carrying tuna? It's been an icon for Gensan already.
kato untang ning-ambak ang isda gikan sa tubig.

Unsaon kaya na no?

sana sticky na tong thread na to!!

Well, at least pag mag-ulan, paspas magmala ang soil. Dili muddy,hehe!
Igang kaayo ang Gensan but there's something about it na I wanna go back from time to time...

i say it's a give and take. whatever it lacks or abounds, the warmness (pardon the pun) of the people compensates for it.

i say it's a give and take. whatever it lacks or abounds, the warmness (pardon the pun) of the people compensates for it.

I would definitely agree with that. I like it there. Warm ang weather, warm ang people...kaya ayun...Thats Gensan. :)

^^ we had a some project (for your guide magazine of midtown printing) before in gensan so we had to shoot some pics. after that, there was this hotel who gave whole platter of sashimi as a send-off. such warmness.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/tn.jpg
General Santos' Lifeblood....The Tuna Industry

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/PanoDadiangas_MSU.jpg
Sarangani Bay as viewed from MSU-Gensan Tambler-Fatima campus

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/Matutum-Polomolok.jpg
Mount Matutum (Xenxa sa quality, camphone na nasa YellowBus pa me)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/Gensansecurity.jpg
The ever present Joint Task Force Gensan

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/PioneerAve-GenSan.jpg
Pioneer Avenue

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/BernieMack14.jpg
Pioneer Ave again

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/General%20Nostalgia/BernieMack18.jpg
Ug ingon ni GenSan, "Di namin kayo tatantanan!"

May balita bang bago at sariwa?

as in fresh?

Note:Report from GenSan only!!!!! (unfortunately...no mention of GenSan - BIMP-EAGA route)

Business News
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Talks up for new air routes in BIMP-EAGA

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug. 1 (PNA) -– The government has opened up talks with various domestic and international airline companies for the immediate opening of additional air routes among key cities in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab, the Department of Tourism's national coordinator on BIMP-EAGA affairs, said members of the sub-region's joint tourism development cluster agreed to prioritize the establishment of regular air linkages among the area's key cities in a bid to accelerate the planned integration of the area's tourism development initiatives.

He said such initiative was endorsed by BIMP-EAGA tourism officials, who met in Koronadal City two weeks ago, as part of the implementation of the five-year BIMP-EAGA roadmap to development and action plan that started this year.

"Among these priorities is to immediately set up the air connections between Davao or Palawan and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah (Malaysia )," Palabyab said.

He said the proposed air route will complement the ongoing efforts by the sub-region's stakeholders to strengthen the air connections within the Borneo Island, which covers Sarawak and Sabah of Malaysia, Kalimantan of Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.

Palabyab said the government considers the establishment of the air linkages between Davao or Palawan and Kota Kinabalu as a strategic move as it will eventually connect the southern part of the country "to the rest of the world."

The Kota Kinabalu International Airport, which serves more than 70 international flights a week, is presently one of the busiest airports in the Asean region.

Among the airline companies reportedly interested about the proposed air route is Mosphil Aero Inc., a new airline put up by Russian and Filipino businessmen.

Mosphil, according to it's corporate profile, will primarily operate low-cost passenger and cargo flights covering various international and domestic destinations from its base in Clark, Pampanga. The airline said it has already obtained its air carrier operating certificate from the Air Transportation Office and permits from the Civil Aviation Board for passenger and cargo services.

The company earlier announced its plans to open flights for various routes in Mindanao. These include flights to Palau via Davao and Zamboanga City to Sandakan in Malaysia.

Palabyab said they expect more airline companies to venture in the BIMP-EAGA soon with the liberalization of the sub-region's air travel regime.

Last month, the government decided to revive the travel tax exemptions for travel within the sub-region in support of such development. The tax exemption was last implemented in December 2004. (PNA)

another jackpot!!

tama ka nga! walang gensan!

another jackpot!!

tama ka nga! walang gensan!


:laugh:

siempre mga amigo, kung dili viable ang pag-open ug international flight from GSC tungod kay walay pasahero, malugi gyud siguro ang negosyo na na.

GenSan is also a promising city. IMHO. Because of its vicinity in the BIMP-EAGA, it can become a footstone in Mindanao.

But GenSan should stop its reliance to Tuna.

GenSan is also a promising city. IMHO. Because of its vicinity in the BIMP-EAGA, it can become a footstone in Mindanao.

But GenSan should stop its reliance to Tuna.
sus uy!

mao gani na tuna ang ilang trademark kay daghan man tuna sa gensan!

davao man gani durian! sige lang gud! kanya-kanyang siyudad naa'y trademark.

ana lang gud na!

i understand ady's point. what we missed here is there's so much potential for gensan, and not only rely on tuna. same with davao, we should play with the potential of bimp-eaga. sayang ubang resources sa region kung tuna lang ang saligan. it seem like the usual predicament of us pinoys, kung nay nagbentag martilyo nya kusog, ang tanan magbenta pug martilyo.

it's not a matter of trademark or symbol, it's maximizing whatever we have.

Did you know that Durian ice cream is now being sold here in US Chinatowns, as well as mangosteen juice for medicinal purpose. Those products, the Philippines should have marketted.

Tropical fruits and juices command a good price here. Pandan is now being identified with Vietnamese dish instead of the Philippines.

didn't know that. if you go to an asian store/grocery here in toronto, you'll find:
jasmine rice is from thailand
coconut juice is from thailand
pandan cake is from singapore or malaysia
soy sauces are from taiwan and vietnam (our own silver swan, datu puti brands are poorly package compared with brands from these countries)
lots of veggies (even the lemon grass are from vietnam & thailand all the others are from asean and china)
the tuyo and dilis is from china
mangoes are from mexico
bananas are from ecuador or central america
frozen fishes are from china, galunggong, milkfish & baby tuna from gensan
durian is from thailand or malaysia
mango juice is from the philippines
chicharon is from guess what? toronto made by pinoys (only thing is, me msg)
etc.

what i've noticed are:
all these countries have progressed well in terms of packaging their products (they are really spending well on these). a lot of countries have stopped using msg (vetsin) in their ingredients.

didn't know that. if you go to an asian store/grocery here in toronto, you'll find:
jasmine rice is from thailand
coconut juice is from thailand
pandan cake is from singapore or malaysia
soy sauces are from taiwan and vietnam (our own silver swan, datu puti brands are poorly package compared with brands from these countries)
lots of veggies (even the lemon grass are from vietnam & thailand all the others are from asean and china)
the tuyo and dilis is from china
mangoes are from mexico
bananas are from ecuador or central america
frozen fishes are from china, galunggong, milkfish & baby tuna from gensan
durian is from thailand or malaysia
mango juice is from the philippines
chicharon is from guess what? toronto made by pinoys (only thing is, me msg)
etc.

what i've noticed are:
all these countries have progressed well in terms of packaging their products (they are really spending well on these). a lot of countries have stopped using msg (vetsin) in their ingredients.
truly asia!

grabe talaga ang asians!!!

whhhheeeee!!

good evening!

may fresh news?

Gen Santos is a perfect city for development. and as a development zone in the South East Asia. Mindanao has the capability to be a front runner in the Philippines. :runaway:

we need to focus on the 2 premier cities of Super Region Mindanao..
Davao and Gen San

Gen Santos City has the potential to be the next Subic / Clark in the Mindanao.

May news nanaman about Cebu Pacific opening flights from Manila to GenSan, but according to a cebu pacific official, wala pa raw negotiations... so ibig sabihin, matagal pa bago magka cebu pacific sa GenSan, at di matutuloy yung news na sa september daw...

Isa sa reasons kung bakit walang development sa GenSan kasi mahal ng pamasahe, instead na pupunta ka ng GenSan, mag Davao ka nalang o kaya mag Hong Kong mas maganda pa at mas practical...

No offense pero totoo yan, taga GenSan ako pero dito na ako sa Manila nakatira for six years, bago ako umuuwi ng GenSan nag checheck muna ako ng fares like Bangkok, KL pati HK tapos kung di magkalayo yung price nag-aabroad nalang ako...

Kaka balik ko lang ng Manila from GenSan kahapon, boring masyado sa GenSan walang magawa... Yung view lang talaga ok dun at yung fresh air..

Gen Santos is a perfect city for development. and as a development zone in the South East Asia. Mindanao has the capability to be a front runner in the Philippines. :runaway:

we need to focus on the 2 premier cities of Super Region Mindanao..
Davao and Gen San

Gen Santos City has the potential to be the next Subic / Clark in the Mindanao.

uhmmm isnt it davao and CDO?..tapos Zamboanga..then GEnsan :)

uhmmm isnt it davao and CDO?..tapos Zamboanga..then GEnsan :)

Yup... fourth lang ang GenSan sa Mindanao....

I agree and I have been to all these cities.

^^ GenSan had to improve its roads though. I've been to dusty areas and I'm pretty sure you won't need face powder because you've had enough.

Can somebody please post some pictures of Gaisano?

Some pictures of Gensan:

http://static.flickr.com/59/193352682_a3ef7ead8b.jpg?v=0

http://flickr.com/images/spaceball.gif

http://static.flickr.com/54/159153091_f4b785a6ef.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/40/84818144_513e0fb876.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/74/156297480_7a946a809e.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/49/155807029_ba6d87f10b.jpg?v=0

Credit goes to the Flickr people from GenSan.

Some pictures of Gensan:

http://static.flickr.com/40/84818144_513e0fb876.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/74/156297480_7a946a809e.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/49/155807029_ba6d87f10b.jpg?v=0

Credit goes to the Flickr people from GenSan.

Marbel man ni Ady001. Ang duha: Sydney Hotel kag Silway River and Mount Matutum, ara guid sa Dadiangas. :)

Pero yung ari sa babaw, sa Marbel na ina, including yung Marvella Hotel. :)

But thanks for uploading Soccsksargen to it. :)

Bakit kaya ang development ng GenSan e sobrang bagal? Tagal kong nawala sa GenSan pag balik ko wla pa rin pagbabago... ewan ko kung pano siya naging competetive city?? Bulok siguro o kurakot yung mayor dun....

Bakit kaya ang development ng GenSan e sobrang bagal? Tagal kong nawala sa GenSan pag balik ko wla pa rin pagbabago... ewan ko kung pano siya naging competetive city?? Bulok siguro o kurakot yung mayor dun....

^^ Perspective. People's negative perception of GenSan's atmosphere created a negative response to GenSan's booming momentum. Yep, "booming" was one of the causes of GenSan's delayed progress. Lam mo naman kung paano mag-exaggerate ang media sa kanilang balita. Sa mga taga-GenSan, "what's new" lang yan, pero sa mga taga-labas ng Mindanao, napaparanoid na, lalo na ang foreigners.

But I still believe in the potentials of Dadiangas to rise up.

Good Morning!

wala lang!!!

labay lang!!

can i ask a question??

pwede ba lisdan ang title sa gensan?

ang balak nako kay dungagan nako ug Koronadal City.

ok lang?

u cant change a title man Sky! why not create another thread for koronadal?

waaaaaaaaahhhh!:cry:

^^ GenSan had to improve its roads though. I've been to dusty areas and I'm pretty sure you won't need face powder because you've had enough.

ha ha ha, you reminded me about dustdiangas.

While Davao is busy with the Kadayawan, wazzup with the upcoming Tuna Festival?

Will someone from Gen San please pressure the government to at least renovate the airport terminal building? The ceiling boards are falling down and there's dust everywhere. The toilets stink. And the personnel look sooo bored. It's pathetic.

waaaaaaaaahhhh!:cry:

*slaps sky*
fer crying out loud, stop being such a baby!
*slaps sky even harder*
*much harder*

lols peace sky!

Will someone from Gen San please pressure the government to at least renovate the airport terminal building? The ceiling boards are falling down and there's dust everywhere. The toilets stink. And the personnel look sooo bored. It's pathetic.

well if you dont have that much flight frequency whats the use?

and i thought it was a fairly new terminal? but anyway, i think they should start increasing flight frequencies to gensan or at lest add intenational flights ( can someone from BIMP-EAGA please arrange for a Gensan-BIMP EAGA link?)

hello SkyscraperCity Forumers!
pa plug lang! try to see this video...
Visit Davao!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJJey5tbs-0

tnx

lols he half ng nandito sa GENSAN thread mga tga davao man..hehe

lols he half ng nandito sa GENSAN thread mga tga davao man..hehe
sige lang gud! at least nagapost pud ta sa laing thread para makabalita sa laing news!

well if you dont have that much flight frequency whats the use?

and i thought it was a fairly new terminal? but anyway, i think they should start increasing flight frequencies to gensan or at lest add intenational flights ( can someone from BIMP-EAGA please arrange for a Gensan-BIMP EAGA link?)

Increasing frequencies, arranging for new links, these are easy jobs. Ang tanong, eh, may market ba?

yun nga lang..well thats prolly the reason they dont bother sprucing up the termianl din..how many flights a day does gensan have?

yun nga lang..well thats prolly the reason they dont bother sprucing up the termianl din..how many flights a day does gensan have?

2? One from Manila, One from Cebu? Monopolized pa ni Lucio Tan!

Mindanao-North Sulawesi shipping route starts October PDF Print E-mail
Written by Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews
Tuesday, 08 August 2006 10 02 35
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/07 Aug) – Sarangani officials are planning to send an exploratory trade mission to North Sulawesi in Indonesia to forge more business arrangements before October, when the shipping route between Tahuna and Bitung in Indonesia and at least three coastal municipalities in Sarangani and Davao del Sur provinces, begins. Engr. Nenita Barroso, executive director of the Sarangani Trade Investment Promotion Center, said the trade mission will explore opportunities that would help sustain the viability of the proposed shipping route.

Last week, officials of JAGS-CT, an emerging economic triad of coastal municipalities in Davao del Sur and Sarangani provinces, set the maiden voyage from Glan port to Tahuna and Bitung on October 8.

JAGS-CT stands for Jose Abad Santos (Davao del Sur), Glan (Sarangani) and Sarangani (Davao del Sur)-Cooperation Triangle. The area is being developed by the government as a key trading point in the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Barroso, who is also the provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry, said the business community initially endorsed the proposed trade mission to the Indonesian province.

“Our goal is to come up with long-term trading arrangements to ensure that we will meet the required load of 100 metric tons for every shipment,” she said.

Barroso said cargo firm NHU Customs Brokerage and Shipping Agency signified to serve the shipping route using its cargo vessel M/L Aljamar.

Based on the initial product requirements of the North Sulawesi area as conveyed by the Indonesia’s trade ministry to the Mindanao Economic and Development Council, Barroso said JAGS-CT traders would send electronic parts, paints, coco coir and some agricultural commodities.

In turn, the Indonesians will trade their prime cosmetic, personal and beauty care brands, food products and garments.

She said local businessmen have agreed to consolidate their products so they could easily meet the required load.

Barroso said they would utilize the trading route later on as the launching pad for fishery products, high value fruits and spices like chili produced by the province.

“Right now, that’s their immediate needs (electronic parts and paints). But we expect to identify more products that we can ship to them, especially those that we really produce locally, through the trade mission,” she said.

BIMP-EAGA Transport Ministers agreed during its meeting last June 5 in Brunei Darussalam to pursue the selected domestication of shipping services in the sub-region.
Among those endorsed for immediate development are the Glan-Tahuna-Bitung and the Makassar-Bitung-General Santos shipping services.

JAGS-CT was formed in 2003 to facilitate trade, tourism and investments within the area by enhancing cross-border linkages with the northern provinces of Indonesia.(Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

Will someone from Gen San please pressure the government to at least renovate the airport terminal building? The ceiling boards are falling down and there's dust everywhere. The toilets stink. And the personnel look sooo bored. It's pathetic.

How sad it is for our neighbor. It could be a bore working there due to lack of flights coming in and out of the area. Well, the best that they could do I guess is to dust off soiled areas to while away boredom.

Maintainance of their facillities can be a good way nevertheless to lure people to use them re: broken ceilings et. al.

^^ OK Uncle Manny... Do your part :D

^^ Perspective. People's negative perception of GenSan's atmosphere created a negative response to GenSan's booming momentum. Yep, "booming" was one of the causes of GenSan's delayed progress. Lam mo naman kung paano mag-exaggerate ang media sa kanilang balita. Sa mga taga-GenSan, "what's new" lang yan, pero sa mga taga-labas ng Mindanao, napaparanoid na, lalo na ang foreigners.

But I still believe in the potentials of Dadiangas to rise up.

I think GenSan should diversify. Other than Tuna, it should develop other industries, like Corn and Agricultural products.

pssst....

asang gensan sa news?

lols he half ng nandito sa GENSAN thread mga tga davao man..hehe

gensan needs our support. who is best to do it is it's neighbour. GO GENSAN!

^^ syempre! go gensan!

sana we can invite gensan people to join the SSC family din..

sa mga masipag mag surf dyan, maybe you can look for GSC forums and invite them here in SSC

Pangit nga talaga ng airport terminal... ang init... low-tech pa, sungit pa ng mga tao... Ang ganda ng runway, mas maganda pa kesa sa Davao, pero ang terminal.....

Sana man lang kahit dalawang tube (aerobridge) e lagyan... laki ng space sa second floor na hindi ginagamit....

Increasing frequencies, arranging for new links, these are easy jobs. Ang tanong, eh, may market ba?

MALAMANG WALA!!! Kahit nga Cebu Pacific hanggang press release lang na lilipad sa GenSan eh... Kasi kung may market matagal na sana may Cebu PAcific sa GenSan at hindi binawasan ng Air Phil flights nila.. dati may MNL-GES at CEB-GES ang Air Phil e (daily pareho)... Dahil walang market, MNL-CEB-GES-CEB-MNL na ulit route nila... at yung Merpati, naka 2 or 3 flights lang suspended na agad... <---- Walang Market sa GenSan... Sayang yung airport!!!

Isa pa, fare ng PAL 9,100 ang cheapest MNL-GES na roundtrip parang HK na Cebu Pacific e sa Davao makakuha ka ng 4,200 lang na RT (PAL, CEB, 2P pati 6K)... e san pa sasakay yung mga tao, e di sa Davao na.. maganda pa terminal, mura pa fare, marami pang flights...

At wala nang development ang GenSan o kung meron man SOBRANG bagal, kung wala ang tuna at si Pacquiao, ano pa ang GenSan???

^^ Acharon, please do your part!!!!!

Cebu Pacific plans GenSan-Iloilo-Manila route
By: Romer S. Sarmiento and Robert Leonoras | BusinessWorld
4 January 2006 | 9:47 AM


General Santos City - Cebu Paci-fic is planning to open flights here in the first quarter, an airport official yesterday said.

Nathaniel Nazareno, General Santos International Airport manager, told BusinessWorld the airline company's management wants to service the GenSan-Iloilo-Manila route using an Airbus 320, and vice versa on a daily basis.

No airline company has been servicing that route in the last several years. "Considering that majority of people from South Cotabato and adjoining areas hail from Iloilo, there's actually a good market for this route," Mr. Nazareno said.

At present, he said passengers from South Cotabato have to go to Davao City because it offers many flight destinations, unlike at this city's airport.

Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines have daily flights here from Manila and vice versa in the past several years. Air Philippines flies to Manila and here via Cebu City. A new airline company, South Phoenix Airways, earlier considered servicing the GenSan-Iloilo route.

However, Mr. Nazareno said that executives of South Phoenix, a company owned by former pilots and executives of local aviation operators, have shelved the plan due to lack of airplanes.

In Bacolod City, Cebu Pacific is set to offer more flights between Manila and Bacolod at lower costs using the new Airbus A319.

Candice Iyog, marketing director, said travel time between Manila and Bacolod will also be reduced to 30-35 minutes from 45 minutes with the new plane.

Danilo Mojica, general manager, said the use of the new aircraft will boost passenger traffic between Manila and Bacolod.

MALAMANG WALA!!! Kahit nga Cebu Pacific hanggang press release lang na lilipad sa GenSan eh... Kasi kung may market matagal na sana may Cebu PAcific sa GenSan at hindi binawasan ng Air Phil flights nila.. dati may MNL-GES at CEB-GES ang Air Phil e (daily pareho)... Dahil walang market, MNL-CEB-GES-CEB-MNL na ulit route nila... at yung Merpati, naka 2 or 3 flights lang suspended na agad... <---- Walang Market sa GenSan... Sayang yung airport!!!

Isa pa, fare ng PAL 9,100 ang cheapest MNL-GES na roundtrip parang HK na Cebu Pacific e sa Davao makakuha ka ng 4,200 lang na RT (PAL, CEB, 2P pati 6K)... e san pa sasakay yung mga tao, e di sa Davao na.. maganda pa terminal, mura pa fare, marami pang flights...

At wala nang development ang GenSan o kung meron man SOBRANG bagal, kung wala ang tuna at si Pacquiao, ano pa ang GenSan???


relax!!! ang puso mo..lols

anyway, wag naman sana ganun ka harsh ang pst mo re: gensan..so its kinda slow there, pero its still among the phils top cities diba? how much more na lang yung iba..pero yes, its kinda sad na gensan lost its momentum as a boomtown in the late 90s..what happened ba?

edt..tksa PAL uses A330 for the gensan route diba? not many cities are served by the A330 bya..i thik cebu, davao, palawan and gensan lang.. so baka naman ok din ang market

bump up para di mawala. GO GENSAN!

lets fill this thread up and merge the next thread with koronadal...

a better thread next time - socsargen (do i have the right name?) para apil na sarangani, gensan, sultan kudarat etc.

www.ato.gov.ph/Airports/APPICS/gensanterm.jpg
providogaylor.com/.../PH2003R002_small.jpg

gensan intl airport..net finds

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Cebu Pacific opens Manila-General Santos service for only P99


Cebu Pacific (CEB) will open daily flights to General Santos city, starting October 2, 2006, with a special introductory offer of only P99 one-way. CEB will be using its brand new Airbus A319 to service the new route.

The Manila - General Santos service departs from Manila at 1:35pm arriving in General Santos at 3:20pm. The flight then leaves General Santos at 3:50pm to arrive back in Manila at 5:35pm.

CEB, which now operates an all Airbus fleet, said that the launch of its Manila-General Santos service is part of the airline’s expansion program. “We are confident that our entry into this market will once again bring down the fares significantly. Now, the people in General Santos and its nearby towns will have a low-fare alternative with Cebu Pacific,” said Lance Y. Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO.

General Santos, which is dubbed as the “Tuna capital of the Philippines” is also known for its various tourist attractions. Favorite attractions for both tourists and businessmen include its white sand beaches and pristine waters in Sarangani, waterfalls, lakes and natural springs of nearby South Cotabato.

“Cebu Pacific’s vision is to bring air travel closer to more Filipinos. As we expand our operations and open new markets, we will continue to offer the lowest fares in the destinations we fly to.,” Gokongwei said.

CEB will introduce its Manila-General Santos service with a seat sale fare of only P99 one-way. The sale will run from August 29 to September 5 only and is good for travel from October 2 to December 15, 2006. After the seat sale, the year-round ‘Go’ fares to General Santos start at only P868 one-way, almost 60% lower than the current regular airfare. The promo and ‘Go’ fares are exclusive of regular surcharges and government tax.

This new service will be CEB’s 19th domestic destination. The airline also flies to Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea. It is also set to start service to Singapore on August 31, 2006.

Now in its 11th year, the airline has the youngest fleet in the Philippines and one of the youngest in Asia as it operates 11 brand new Airbus aircraft. The airline awaits the delivery of 3 more Airbus planes until February 2007 to complete its two year re-fleeting program.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/gensan1.gif

This is a very good news indeed! I hope the GES airport will pick up more flights soon. What happened to the proposed GES-ILO flight by 5J?

This is a very good news indeed! I hope the GES airport will pick up more flights soon. What happened to the proposed GES-ILO flight by 5J?

Their still studying it. I think its feasible though. Think of it, most of the college students in Iloilo that are Tubong Mindanao are from Soccsksargen area. Its already a big market.

Hope that this one is a NON STOP flight ILO-GES-ILO so that students can afford this opportunity. Di na 24 hours ang aantayin. Oras na lang.

The fare in the ferry from ILO-GES for a tourist bunker accommodation is almost P3000 with meals.

Their still studying it. I think its feasible though. Think of it, most of the college students in Iloilo that are Tubong Mindanao are from Soccsksargen area. Its already a big market.

Hope that this one is a NON STOP flight ILO-GES-ILO so that students can afford this opportunity. Di na 24 hours ang aantayin. Oras na lang.

The fare in the ferry from ILO-GES for a tourist bunker accommodation is almost P3000 with meals.

3000?? really? Jesus! how can the students afford it?

Isn't there anyone here from Gensan that can give us updates?

Their still studying it. I think its feasible though. Think of it, most of the college students in Iloilo that are Tubong Mindanao are from Soccsksargen area. Its already a big market.

Hope that this one is a NON STOP flight ILO-GES-ILO so that students can afford this opportunity. Di na 24 hours ang aantayin. Oras na lang.

The fare in the ferry from ILO-GES for a tourist bunker accommodation is almost P3000 with meals.
last time sumakay ako superferry (and business class pa to ha) P2,500 ra man w/ meals...

Ngayon na may Cebu Pacific na sa GenSan, malamang mga taga socsksargen and nearby areas e sa GenSan na sasakay di na sa Davao... Kasi dami kong kakilala na sa Davao dati sumasakay kasi more than 50% ng fare ang matipid nila compared mag PAL papunta ng GenSan... sa Php 99.00 promo ng Cebu Pacific, Php 3,016 lang ang fare (RT) compared sa Php 9,100 na discounted fare ng PAL...

Ano kaya next step ng PAL?? Bababa ng presyo? Pero kung sa plane lang din, malabong mag downgrade ang PAL, kasi ang PAL daw sa GenSan cargo palang kumikita na, yung passenger e parang dagdag nalang daw sa income nila....

Sana mag double daily ang CEB sa GenSan at mag operate ng flight sa gabi para magamit naman runway lights sa GenSan..

Ngayon na may Cebu Pacific na sa GenSan, malamang mga taga socsksargen and nearby areas e sa GenSan na sasakay di na sa Davao... Kasi dami kong kakilala na sa Davao dati sumasakay kasi more than 50% ng fare ang matipid nila compared mag PAL papunta ng GenSan... sa Php 99.00 promo ng Cebu Pacific, Php 3,016 lang ang fare (RT) compared sa Php 9,100 na discounted fare ng PAL...

Ano kaya next step ng PAL?? Bababa ng presyo? Pero kung sa plane lang din, malabong mag downgrade ang PAL, kasi ang PAL daw sa GenSan cargo palang kumikita na, yung passenger e parang dagdag nalang daw sa income nila....

Sana mag double daily ang CEB sa GenSan at mag operate ng flight sa gabi para magamit naman runway lights sa GenSan..


The law of capitalist/free market. Because of competition, PAL may find ways to lower its fare. If the trend is that, GenSan and Soccsksargen people will find CebPac ok, it'll alarm PAL. Talagang may gagawing paraan ang PAL, biruin mo lahat ng lugar sa Pilipinas may Super 5 fares pwera sa GenSan in which Dadiangasnons and Soccsksargenhons are complaining.

Southernmost city pa kaya ang Gensan sa Pilipinas. Ang layo kaya! Kaya dapat lang may CebPac na sa Gensan, para naman mamaximize ang dambuhalang airport sa paanan ng Mt.Parker :D

Medyo malayo ang Mt. Parker sa GenSan Airport, nasa may T Boli ang Mt. parker...

Medyo malayo ang Mt. Parker sa GenSan Airport, nasa may T Boli ang Mt. parker...

:lol: Eh di sa paanan ng mga kabundukan ng South Cotabato, hehehe! :lol:

Ang layo kasi ng Gensan airport! Ang jeep hanggang Fatima lang. Habal-habal, taxi or pasundo ka na lang kung mag-lalanding dito. But the airport is one big asset of the city.

Yup, sobrang laki talaga at ok ang location kasi malayo sa civilization... Pero yun nga lang wala gaanong traffic... Sana i-renovate ang terminal at gawin gaya sa Davao...

Their still studying it. I think its feasible though. Think of it, most of the college students in Iloilo that are Tubong Mindanao are from Soccsksargen area. Its already a big market.

Hope that this one is a NON STOP flight ILO-GES-ILO so that students can afford this opportunity. Di na 24 hours ang aantayin. Oras na lang.

The fare in the ferry from ILO-GES for a tourist bunker accommodation is almost P3000 with meals.

You cannot sustain an air route which fills up only during peak season (Christmas, summer vacation, etc.). Lugi negosyo lucio tan at gokongwei at iba pang singkit. PAL has already tried before a Davao-Iloilo flight. It was promptly stopped. Mas marami pa yatang stewardess kaysa pasahero.

How I wish the stigma of terrorists in Gensan would fade away para naman umusad ang Gensan!

Pero dati Pal was operating 2 weekly Fokker 50 flights from GenSan to IloIlo before the 1998 crisis... ok naman performance... siguro kahit 2 weekly A319 or B737 ok na rin... Dami kasi ilongo sa South Cotabato....

Pero dati Pal was operating 2 weekly Fokker 50 flights from GenSan to IloIlo before the 1998 crisis... ok naman performance... siguro kahit 2 weekly A319 or B737 ok na rin... Dami kasi ilongo sa South Cotabato....

Grabe ang passenger volume traffic sa Gensan ng mga Ilonggos, although seasonal but there is a steady flow throughout the year. It's lucrative. Ang mahal kasi ng offer ng AirPhil pa-Iloilo, mga more than P2,000! Mas mahal pa kung ikukumpara sa ILO-DVO! Yikes!

PAL vs. Cebu Pacific in GenSan?

PAL vs. Cebu Pacific in GenSan?

As it has been. Para may kumpetisyon. It may be a good indicator that things are picking up in Gensan and the rest of Soccsksargen area. Even though wala na sya sa "Competitive List of Cities", I still believe the potential of this land as what General Paulino Santos envisioned for Koronadal Valley and Soccsksargen! :horse:

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The 8th Tuna Congress, held on Saturday in this city, attracted at least 42 local and foreign exhibitors who showcased their products at the Family Conutry Hotel and convention Center.

Marfenio Tan, president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., said this year's congress lured the biggest participants since the event was conceived.

"We have more than 300 participants and this is so far the biggest among our previous congresses. This shows that the industry is still vibrant despite the factors that affected our operation such as oil price increases," he said.

Some of the products displayed by exhibitors important to the tuna industry were navigational equipment, marine engines, and cold storage facilities.

The exhibitors came from as Thailand, China and Spain but most were Philippine-based companies.

The foreign tuna buyers and industry players, on the other hand, came from Papua New Guinea, China, Indonesia, Africa and Korea.

Meanwhile, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., lauded tuna investors for locating in the city as he acknowledged the difficulties the players went through in establishing a viable industry.

"Our achievement today did no come overnight. It came with years (of hard work) and partnership between the local government and the private sector," he said in formally opening the congress.

Acharon offered the local government's renewed partnership with the players to sustain the tuna industry.

"The local government will extend its assistance to the industry. Just tell us when, where and how," he said.

The country's tuna industry is concentrated in this city, earning it the moniker "Tuna Capital of the Philippines."

Six of the country's eight tuna canneries are presently based here.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/09/04/bus/42.exhibitors.join.tuna.gab.in.gensan.html

I miss Gen. Santos City. I miss the Tuna, the people, KCC , and Notre Dame...

Dadiangas is so eager to move out from the bad image and I noticed that.

Lot of potentials but left out because of that "terrorist image". From Dadiangas to Polomolok, you could feel and smell on how the area has a strong potential as an industrial corridor in southern Mindanao.

I was awe-struck when I saw the roads of Dadiangas and South Cotabato. Sobrang lapad. Sementado pa, diretso pa!

I know, General Paulino Santos didn't made a mistake choosing Koronadal Valley and the rest of Mindanao as the "Land of Promise".

I really hope that Gen. Santos City, as well as the whole of SOCSKSARGEN Region, can finally move on and prove to the world that this is one dynamic area with a huge economic potentials. Way to Go Region 12!!! Break a Leg!!

When I went to Subic last July I was mesmerized by the quality of roads that they have. It's really amazing to see such an infrastructure here in the country. I remembered Gen. Santos Airport, Seaport and Fishport... Such an ideal infrastructure for a medium-sized city. Sayang lang talaga kung di magagamit. I've heard Cebu Pacific is opening a MLA-GES vv Route this October. I hope it will be a successful business feat for the Gokongwei's.

I miss Gen. Santos City. I miss the Tuna, the people, KCC , and Notre Dame...

Same here.. Althougb i don't strongly feel the same about Notre Dame...

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Gensan Fishport

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Napadaan sa Marbel with Hinugyaw Festival on going

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Lake Sebu

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Alunan Highway, Polomolok, South Cotabato

I miss this room, I've been sick lately. BTW, could someone post the latest pictures of the Tuna Festival coz I haven't heard or perhaps seen any news about the recent Tuna Festival aside sa public market blast...

Dear SSC Forumers, please take note on our guideline on posting news articles: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=9944541&postcount=8
Do not mind what you have posted before for it will be very tedious if you will edit all of those. It'd be appreciated if you follow the guideline immediately upon your next posting of news articles. Thank You :)

Thread renamed as requested

FYI: PAL is also offering very cheap rates from Manila to General Santos... around Php 150 more expensive than Cebu Pacific...
PAL slashed its RT fares to GenSan by more than 50%........

The cheapest RT between MNL and GES is around Php 4,7++ nett....

It's better to fly with PAL to GenSan considering that it flies out of NAIA Terminal 2 and flies with a larger aircraft (A330, A343 or B744)....

8th NTC Exhibit Hits 64.2M Sales
-------------------------------------
General Santos City (Sep-19) -- As a major side event of the National Tuna Congress (NTC), the 8th NTC Exhibit generated 64.247 Million cash and booked sales. The exhibit was held on September 1-2, 2006 at the Family Country Hotel, General Santos City.

A total of 44 exhibitors participated in this 2-day fair comprising of producers/dealers of marine equipment; fishing gear and materials, navigational equipment, packaging materials and equipment, pallets and other shipping materials, fish processing equipment, laboratory chemicals, electronic gadgets, and freezing equipments.


Also featured in the exhibit are the OTOP Tuna-Value-Added products of General Santos City. Support services such as ICT equipment and facilities, consultancy firm and bank financing services also joined the exhibit along with government agencies assisting the fishing sector.

Producers of marine equipment were the top earners hitting PhP44M. sales with Propmech Corporation having the biggest.

Ms. Joji-Ilagan Bian, the private sector representative of Mindanao to the Export Development Council (EDC) graced the Opening Program as the Guest Speaker. She assured the key industry players of the EDC’s strong support to the fishing industry, especially at this time when the sector is faced with problems such as stricter European Union (EU) requirements and the soaring world oil prices thereby reducing their marginal profit.

The Tuna Festival together with the Tuna Congress is slated annually by the LGU on every first week of September at the famous "Tuna Capital" of the Philippines - General Santos City.


http://www.sme12.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=67

P5.3M Fish Control Lab to be set-up in Gensan
***************************************
:applause:

Tuna exporters from the tuna capital of the philippines will soon enjoy the fish quality control lab to be established in GensanResponding to the clamor of the tuna and aquaculture export industry in region 12, a fish control laboratory is set to be established in General Santos City.


This was announced by the private sector representative to the Export Development Council (EDC) Joji Ilagan Bian during the Opening Ceremonies of the National Tuna Expo, one of the highlights of the Tuna Festival celebrated annually in the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, General Santos City. Bian said, EDC has recommended to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas the funding of such project.


All exported marine and aquaculture products have to secure laboratory analysis from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) as one of the requirements of export documentation.


However, the existing laboratory facility of BFAR 12 is not big enough to meet the demand of the industry. Neither is it complete to conduct analysis on tuna and other marine products that are required by export markets. There are likewise no existing laboratories in the city or nearby areas that can service the needs of exporters. As such, most of the exporters still go to Davao City to avail of the services extended by a similar laboratory there, which becomes an added cost.

The tuna and aquaculture sector has raised this issue among others during the focus group discussion conducted by the Department of Trade & Industry 12 as inputs for the localized national export congress (LNEC) in region 12. The issues were presented to concerned local agencies and eventually to the EDC for them to make appropriate responses in the form of projects.


Trade & Industry 12 director Ibrahim K. Guiamadel said, that this is one of the “quick wins” of the LNEC. Conducted only last May 30, there is now a commitment from the EDC to address one of the long-time problems encountered by the biggest export earner of the region.


The marine sector remains as the top contributor to the Region’s export trade. Since 1997, it was the number one export sector in terms of volume and value. Average export sales for the period 1997-2005 was placed at US$166M.


Canned tuna is traditionally the sector’s principal export earner as well as the region’s biggest foreign exchange earner accounting for an average annual export sales of US$122 Million. Fresh/frozen tuna is the second biggest export earner with an average export sales of US$27 Million annually. /ndillera

http://www.sme12.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=136&Itemid=67

Koronadal City (Marbel)

South Cotabato's capital city and Soccsksargen's new regional center, it was one of the settlements of the Koronadal Valley Settlement of National Land Settlement Administration lead by General Paulino Santos before World War II.

Locally known as "Marbel", it is the largest Ilonggo settlement outside of Western Visayas.

"Koronadal" came from B'laan word that meant "kolon" and "datel" which means "cogon hills". Marbel on the other half meant "murky waters" which reffered to Marbel River.

Located in the northern part of South Cotabato and in the upper Koronadal Valley, surrounded by Roxas Mountain Range in the West and the Quezon Mountain Range in the East and Mount Matutum in the south and Lake Buluan in the north. It has no pronounced rainy or dry season.

It has a total of 62,625 inhabitants as of 2000.

The settlement of Koronadal and its creation as a municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 82 dated August 18, 1947 was marked by a rapid initial development, so that when the province of South Cotabato was created under Republic Act No. 4849 on July 18, 1966, it easily became the capital town. In the past, the place was populated by B'laans and Maguindanaos. The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B'laan words- koron or kolon meaning cogon grass and nadal or datal meaning plain which optly described the place to the natives. On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a B'laan term "Marb-El" which means "murky waters" (it is possible that name was first used to) referring to a river, now called Marbel River.

Koronadal used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'Boli to the southeast.

It was in August 18, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of South Cotabato, one of which was Koronadal. The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials. Elected were Datu Kudanding Kamsa, Municipal Mayor, Perfecto Sueno Sr., Vice Mayor; Councilors: Porferio Cuenca, Felix Suscano, Alejandro Poticar, Gregorio Hechanova, Zacarias Cadule, and Dencio Sarate. The first Municipal Judge was Braulio Hurtado and the first Health Officer was Dr. Felimon de Jesus, Cornelio Mariveles became the Chief of Police and Godofredo Gazo, the Municipal Secretary.

The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000.00. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T'Boli, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan.

Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement

Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato now known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000. At present, Koronadal is a fast developing growth center composed of twenty seven (27) barangays including the four (4) zones in the poblacion. Being the capital town of South Cotabato, it is the center of the province in terms of political, cultural and socio-economic activities. Business firms and other establishments sprout in Koronadal. Identified also as the Provincial Agri-industrial Center of South Cotabato. Koronadal boasts of its favorable geographical location, rich human and natural resources, and potentials conducive for trade business and industry. Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement.

How to get here:
It takes about an hour to reach General Santos City which boasts of seaports and airport having international capabilities. Koronadal is approximately 59 kilometers away from General Santos City and the travel time is approximately one hour (1.0) by bus or by public utility vehicle. Travel time from the other two entry points, Kidapawan and Cotabato City, varies from 1.5 to 2.5 hours either by bus or public utility vehicle.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Marbel_Roundballcopy2.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/poster1.jpg*

*Poster courtesy of LGU Koronadal City (www.koronadal.gov.ph)

with credits from the Local Government of Koronadal and Mr. Elric Bantilaran of KIC/Koronadal Tourism Office and Ate Mitch

--dupe post--

Let me share an article that I wrote with my first encounter with Cotabato City. I'll be back there someday.

Stone Fortress: A First Encounter of Cotabato City
It was estrangely alluring to me to go to Cotabato City...a place evaded by many people who have no business with the place or even paranoid tourists and travelers. And speaking of paranoia, whenever this place is mentioned, fear and pessimism occupies everyone outside of Mindanao. Its a no-man's land, or in this case, a city.

Negative impressions were imprinted in this city of more than 100,000. It was the capital of the Empire Province of Cotabato, once the largest province in the counrty. A city with rich history and pride. The Stone Fortress of Mindanao.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/berniemack/downtwn.jpg

Passing through one of the most well-paved concrete and asphalt roads in the country, the L300 zoomed passed by Isulan and moved towards no-man's land. Sparse population, agricultural activity in contrast with a big palace in Shariff Aguak is what Maguindanao can be best described.

Cotabato seemed to be so isolated from the rest of the world. Its so hard to go here honestly. Trips from Manila is less frequent than any other cities in Mindanao. Only few bus companies go to Cotabato and the main port is 15 kilometers. Roads are heavily guarded by the Army and the MILF, it does gives you the creeps whenever there are inspections that are ongoing. Goin north of the city was the heavily-bombarded Buldon-Barira area where Camp Abubakar was and to th east and south by the Tiduray Mountains and the wetlands.

Cotabato City was seen to be one of the fastest growing city in Mindanao as the Land of Promise was opened for Christian Settlers from Luzon and Visayas. It was an entry port for most of the travelers who are going central. The port teems with life as the old people say. Business transactions were being made here. Migrants from different places in the Philippines merged here along with the natives, abd because the population became so mixed, it is the only Tagalog-speaking city in Mindanao.

Cotabato was far progressive from Davao City back in the 50's. What it seems to be a busy mecca in the south that had supposedly manifested homogenity between two age-old foes, the Christians of the north and the native Muslims and Lumads in the south, was shattered by the war that has been gearing on for generations. It had left Cotabato isolated from the rest of Mindanao...And was left behind.

Small streets which are not clogged with jeepneys and tricycles ply the city. It is hilly with a mild tropical climate. Surrounded by the two estuaries of Rio Grande de Mindanao or Pulangi, Cotabato is swampy with a hill imposing over downtown, PC Hill, where the name got its name...Kutang Bato or Kota Wato.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/berniemack/berniemack_25_.jpg

I went here on sembreak so I wonder how busy Cotabato is whenever there are classes in Notre Dame University and the other schools which are located in the city. Busy I guess. It reminded me of Iloilo....old yet smaller.

There are only few routes for the jeepney so there is no reason why you should get lost in the city. All "Town" jeepneys ply towards the city center which features an architectural marvel...The City Hall of Cotabato. Mixed with Spanish, American and Moro influence...Its a landmark that distinguishes Cotabato City.

The main public market is all but a bustle. Although dirty, it is still full of life as compared to the gory depictions of the media. Different kinds of stuff from all over Cotabato are being sold here. The market seemed like a big jar of jellybeans...assorted with Muslims and Christians and even the Lumads.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/berniemack/cotabatoctyhall.jpg

Even though Cotabato City is the administrative center for the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, the city itself is still part of Region 12 which is Soccsksargen. The ORC is the government center of ARMM, with a museum and the office of the ARMM governor located here. Recently, Cotabato's importance declined as the regional center was moved to a newer city of Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

I was only given a day to go here as I was advised that I should be back at Tacurong befor 6PM as the roads are not safe to be traversed at night. I went to the only caves in the center of the city at the foot of PC Hill. And I went up of the Old Capitol, delapidated and needs to be renovated as it resembles architectural importance with the City Hall.

As I made myself to the top of the stone fortress, I saw the panoramic view of the city. Silent, unchaotic...Its so serene. I can't hear the bustle that was in the downtown. Progress has been deprived ton this once important mecca. The oldest city in Mindanao at the heart of Mindanao itself. There were no malls yet, just markets. A river that runs through it. A once bustling port and a city in like an island in the middle of the sea of conflict.

Cotabato City was lost in the map of the Philippines not unless stated by the media bringing bad news. It has left a negative impression on a city stuggling to move forward with peace as its banner. As the Husky Bus whisked out of the city, I've seen the heart that is Mindanao, that is Cotabato, living up to its name.

Cotabato, a stone fortress, dignified and standing strong amidst the sea of conflict surrounding it.

*Title and article modified from original and originally posted at Notes From SouthCentral (www.berniemack.i.ph).

Tragic: 12 people were believed to have been killed and several injured as several bombs rock Cotabato.

Tacurong City, then the most casualties was on Makilala, Cotabato then another bomb exploded in Cotabato City.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/DSCF0087.jpg
Koronadal City Hinugyaw Festival with Security Forces watching over safety of the citizens

Cotabato Blasts

Please refer to the Cotabato Bombings thread in Samahan...

The Cotabato Provinces
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/teknikota.jpg
modified by habagatcentral
(source: Microsoft Encarta)

Call center opens next year in GenSan

Written by Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews
Friday, 27 October 2006 12 13 35


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/26 October) -- A Mindanao-based call center company is planning to open the city's first-ever call center by next year in a bid to provide work opportunities for a growing local pool of qualified call center agents.

Joji Ilagan-Bian, chair of Davao City-based SixEleven Global Services, said the company has set as top priority the immediate expansion of its call center operations in the city, which she described as an ideal investment area for the growing Information and Communication Technology industry.

"The (expansion) is already in the pipeline and right now we have started the groundworks for it," she said.

On Wednesday, Bian led the inauguration of the newly acquired facilities of SixEleven's sister company JIB e-Academy and Solutions that recently launched its call center and English language school here.

A company briefer cited that JIB e-Academy will serve as the training base for its upcoming call center operations in the city and other companies in the call center industry. MORE (http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1160&Itemid=50)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2006/10/30/bus/gensan.business.chamber.named.best.in.mindanao.html


THE business chamber in this "Tuna Capital of the Philippines" was recently awarded the "best business chamber" in Mindanao this year.

In winning the plum, the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry bested 26 other business chambers in the island.


Antonio "Tonyboy" Veneracion, president of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, received the award on October 20 during the Philippine Business Conference in Metro Manila.

Veneracion said his group was chosen on the basis of services extended to the members, community involvement, and networking with government agencies.

The award came at the heels of a controversy caused by the bolting out of the Davao City business chamber from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Romeo Serra, chairman of the Mindanao Business Council and who resigned as PCCI vice president for Mindanao, last week said the Davao chamber disaffiliation from PCCI "will have a snowballing effect" in the island.

Serra claimed that 16 other business chambers in Mindanao are "poised to follow the lead" of the Davao chamber.

Asked about the controversy, Veneracion immediately denied his group would follow suit.

"We have no plans to bolt PCCI. There's no discussion among the members to that effect," he said last week.

The local chamber here counts among its members, tuna processors and others engaged in the fishing industry.

This city hosts six of the country's eight tuna canneries and dozens of smaller tuna processors.

EU guests impressed with General Santos
Published : 2006-10-27

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The visiting health and safety inspectors from the European Union were impressed by the cleanliness and improvement they saw during inspection at the city fishing port complex and other tuna production chain. Mike Lamberte, General Santos City Fish Port mamanger, said he personally heard the positive comments made by the EU inspectors during the visit. The EU inspection team, led by Dr. Luca Farina, arrived here Tuesday last week to inspect tuna production facilities and operations in the city. The team visited the tuna processing sites, fishing vessels' berthing area, tuna unloading zone, freezers, laboratories and canneries. They wanted to ensure compliance to the EU standards by the tuna producers and exporters here before further opening its door to the city's tuna products. Lamberte was optimistic the fish port and other tuna production chain would be able to pass the scrutiny of EU regulatory and safety inspectors. Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. expressed similar optimism, by saying he had seen the favorable reactions of EU inspectors. "They commented favorably especially after seeing the improvement in physical, infrastructure and good manufacturing practices inside the fish port complex and tuna canneries," Acharon said. The result of EU inspection is expected to come after a month. EU inspectors would reportedly submit their reports before the EU Commission for deliberation. The country's tuna products like canned tuna are given access to European markets. Acharon said EU's approval of the city's application for accreditation would further boost the tuna industry here.

http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/story.php?id=14369

Voters approve new Mindanao province

By Edwin Fernandez, Charlie Señase
Inquirer
Last updated 06:10pm (Mla time) 10/30/2006

COTABATO CITY -- Voters in Maguindanao’s 29 municipalities have approved the creation of a new province to be composed of 10 towns, the Commission on Elections here said.

Kasan Usi, acting Maguindanao provincial election supervisor, said the plebiscite conducted Saturday was peaceful.

Of Maguindanao’s more than 500,000 registered voters, 285,372 approved the creation of Shariff Kabunsuan province. Only 8,802 voted against the proposal, Usi said.

The new province, carved out of Maguindanao, is composed of the towns of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Sultan Mastura, Parang, Buldon, Matanog and Barira.

It is the sixth province in the ARMM and the country’s 80th.

ARMM is now composed of Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the city of Marawi.

“(ARMM Regional) Governor (Zaldy) Ampatuan will soon name the officials who will run the affairs of Shariff Kabunsuan,” engineer Norie Unas, Maguindanao provincial administrator, told the Inquirer.

Ampatuan signed Regional Legislative Assembly Bill No. 445, seeking the creation of the new province, on September 7. This paved the way for the plebiscite.

There are talks Maguindanao Vice Governor Bimbo Sinsuat will be named caretaker of the youngest local government unit in the country. But Unas refused to comment on this.

Sinsuat himself declined to comment when asked to comment on reports that the regional governor had chosen him to head the new province.

The new province is named after an Arab-Malay Islamic preacher who introduced Islam to Central Mindanao in the 14th century.

Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan originally pushed for the creation of the new province to decentralize governance and maximize development in poor Muslim communities, most of which have been areas of armed conflict for decades.

Under Republic Act 9054, the regional government has the power to create barangays, municipalities, and provinces within the region, subject to a plebiscite.

“I hope the noble motive of the governor in decentralizing governance would not be destroyed by political bickering,” Unas said after several local officials have lobbied to be named as acting provincial governor, vice governor and members of the provincial board.

Source: Inq7.net
Link: http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/metroregions/view_article.php?article_id=29593

^^ Now, this is not something new from Cotabato's history.

e-Competition to Showcase Creative e-Concepts
Written by Nelle Agatep
Monday, 23 October 2006


General Santos City (Oct. 22) -- An e-competition will be held on Oct. 28-30, 2006 at the Mallway of KCC Mall of Gensan as part of the 3rd e-Business Week Celebration.


This activity focusing on ICT related or electronic generated contest is being conducted to challenge IT talented individuals to come out and showcase their skills and talents to a broad audience of spectators from all walks of life as well as to the key industry players.


There will be 5 categories to be competed on: Auto Cad; Web-page Development; Speed Typing; Speed Transcribing for Medical Transcription Reports and Other; Quiz Bee; and Poster Making. All these categories are open to except for Quiz Bee and Poster Making which are for Secondary Schools only.


Web-page Development will be judged according to content, design, usability, and functionability of each entry made.


The Quiz Bee for High School Students will have two (2) elimination rounds to trim down the number of contestants. Only the lucky ones that passed the eliminations can compete for the final round. While the Poster Making Contest will dwell on IT-related concepts.


For the MT graduates and students, a speed transcribing contest will be done and winners will be guaged according to speed (40%,) and accuracy and completeness (60%).


e-Competition aims to discover talented individuals. It's noteworthy to mention that 2005 e-Competion's grand champion Marthin Anthony Millado is now pursuing a formal study in Animation. Marthin outwon his competitors in the categories of Original Character Design, Digital Graphic Design, and Digital Fine Art Competition. The world of animation production and design is currently being dominated by the Japanese but Marthin believes the Filipinos can even outshine them being naturally creative.



e-Compettion is a joint effort of the Department of Trade and Industry, STI, ACLC and Transcode One Solutions in cooperation with LGU-GSC and ICT Solutions Association of General Santos City.


http://www.sme12.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=67

Arroyo to inaugurate P320-M capitol building of Sultan Kudarat

By BONG REBLANDO

TACURONG CITY — Mindanao has a new landmark, the R320-million capitol building of Sultan Kudarat, said to be Southeast Asia’s biggest.


It is described as a legacy of Gov. Pax Mangudadatu, the first Muslim governor of this predominantly Christian province.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will lead guests at the inauguration this month of the four-storey edifice, whose design is a combination of Muslim and Christian symbols with a gold-painted "Dome," a worship area, which separates the east wing from the West wing of the building.

"The construction of the capitol building is finished. We have transferred here last Sept. 18 with all government offices in place and functional. This is our legacy of service to our people. They deserve no less from my administration," Mangudadatu told reporters yesterday.

Except for the Dome, this "Palace of the People" with a sprawling floor area of 10,000 square meters is painted in pure white and is built in the center of the Kenram palm plantation which is owned by the family of Don Juan Garcia Jr., who donated the land to the provincial government.

"The design of the Capitol is unique. It is a combination of the architectural designs of state buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangkok, Thailand and Saudi Arabia, which had been visited by Governor Mangudadatu," said Arturo Uy of Gemma Construction, the contractor.

Uy dismisses charges that the building is substandard, citing its strict adherence to the designs and program of work and the strict monitoring by structural engineers, private consultants and government offices.

"It’s impossible that the building is substandard. Many eyes are watching us. We have structural engineers and the private consultants, who are dead serious in ensuring that we comply strictly with the plans and programs of the building," Uy said.

The construction of the capitol building started in 2003 with a R200-million loan obtained from the bank. The cost went up further to R320 million as changes were made while construction was going on to follow the foreign designs Mangudadatu wanted.

The new building boasts of a helicopter pad at one of its wings, an olympic-size tennis court, an elevator, VIP basement parking area, a ladder-type fire escape and imported acoustic board-sound system.

Uy said that the capitol building is also equipped with an automatic transfer-switch generating set and smoke-detection device with water sprinkles, which could abort the spread of fire.

He said the building is elevated, making it free from floods, while the landscape of the capitol site is of the latest design bolstered by the human-size statue of Sultan Kudarat, one of the country’s national heroes.

http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV2006110378736.html
Manila Bulletin 11.03.2006

NotreDame University. Cotabato City
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/e989.jpg

Hinugyaw Festival.
Koronadal City, South Cotabato

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/689d6e72.jpg

In celebration of Koronadal City's Foundation (Marbel)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/4a4526da.jpg
This airport deserves to be well maintained because finally....

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/0611050001.jpg
Someone broke the monopoly. Hopefully Gensan would again fly to Iloilo and Cebu like before.

From JetPhotos.net
Photos by Rommel Dorado

Since I'm from this region, This might be interesting...

Report: Pacquiao to run in South Cotabato polls

After closely considering his options, Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao has decided to enter the political race in his home province of South Cotabato this May.

The only question for the "people's champ" now is whether he wants to run for mayor of General Santos City or as provincial representative in Congress.

Radio station dzEC reported that as of Wednesday noon, Pacquiao has yet to make up his mind on which post to seek.

Either way, the radio report said, Pacquiao believes he can still serve double duty as a professional boxer and as a provincial executive.

Pacquiao said he has already withdrawn his registration for residency in Manila, and "returned" his certificate of residency to General Santos City.

He also said he has convinced his mother Dionisia to allow him to enter politics.

The 28-year-old prized fighter is set to slug it out in the boxing ring in Macau, China this April or at the height of the election campaign period. However, he insisted that the electoral race would not impact his training.

For her part, South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio advised the boxing champ to make sure his decision to enter politics will not be because of the "dictates" of other people.

"If he wants to pursue a political career he must make sure it is a decision of the heart and not a product of pressure," she said in Filipino.

Both Pacquiao and Custodio hail from the province's first district. The boxer is closely associated with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo while the lawmaker is a member of the United Opposition.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr welcomed Pacquiao's reported plan to run for mayor this May.

Acharon, one of the godfathers at Pacquiao's wedding, told dzBB radio Wednesday he learned the boxing champ is weighing his options on whether to enter the world of politics.

Earlier this month, Pacquiao met with members of the Lakas party who assured him of their support if he would run for city mayor.

During that meeting, Pacquiao said he had decided not to run for mayor in Manila because outgoing mayor Jose Atienza Jr had "done so much" for the city.

Atienza, a staunch supporter of Pacquiao, is hoping that his son Ali would replace him at the Manila mayor's office.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/28782/Report-Pacquiao-to-run-in-South-Cotabato-polls

City of Koronadal (Marbel) South Cotabato
295WGkanJqc

hehehehehe.. i live there for 6 yrs.. and i really love the place.. actually i have lots of friends who lives there right now..

well.. this month the city will gonna celebrate KALILANGAN FESTIVAL.. its really fun.. there will be Disco sa Kalye and many more....

the Disco sa Kalye is like the whole Pioneer avenue will be close and all the FM radio Stations will find there own site.. have a disco..

i really miss it.. co'z its really fun....

hehehehehe...

Go GENSAN!!!!

Umm. I need help with pronouncing the name of the region.
especiallly this part: ccsks (is that kksex? sok seks sar hen?)

Whoever came up with such an ugly, lousy, undecipherable replacement name for the Cotabato Region?

its a shortcut SOuth Cotabato Sultan Kudarat SARangani GENeral santos REGION

come to think of it most region acronyms sound funny to..

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/4a4526da.jpg
This airport deserves to be well maintained because finally....

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/0611050001.jpg
Someone broke the monopoly. Hopefully Gensan would again fly to Iloilo and Cebu like before.

From JetPhotos.net
Photos by Rommel Dorado

hala! ang ganda naman pala ng GES airport.. Ang LAKI! May boarding bridges din ba yan? para kasing may 2nd floor.. diba this airport is of Int'l standards? Bakit ganyan ang pangalan? Sana GENSAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT nlng..

walang boarding bridge to lew, afaik SBIA, DMIA, NAIA and DIA pa lang ang may boarding bridge..tapos susunod syempre and ICIA (iloilo intl) BCIA (bacolod) and LIA :D

this airport, duda ko, was built by the americans para gawing airbase noon, kaya kahit di maganda ang terminal, SUPER and runway :D

;11672496']
this airport, duda ko, was built by the americans para gawing airbase noon, kaya kahit di maganda ang terminal, SUPER and runway :D

Hindi lang ikaw ang nagdududa. Pati ang ibang political analysts pinagdududahan ang effort ng USAID sa Gensan. Kasi gagawin nilang NEW SUBIC and CLARK ang Sarangani Bay kuno. :?

^^correct nung lumalabas na sa newspaper na it's another american base , daling nawala mga amerikano :lol:

^^correct nung lumalabas na sa newspaper na it's another american base , daling nawala mga amerikano :lol:

sabi naman ng mga relatives ko sa Saranggani, treasure DAW talaga ang pakay ng mga kano doon.

sayang nga lang kung hindi sa mga bombings baka hindi lang ganito kaganda ngayon ang Gensan and SOCSKSARGEN in general.:ohno:

;11672496']walang boarding bridge to lew, afaik SBIA, DMIA, NAIA and DIA pa lang ang may boarding bridge..tapos susunod syempre and ICIA (iloilo intl) BCIA (bacolod) and LIA :D

nakalimutan mo ang MCIA bai way! :D

at 600 has. if i'm not mistaken, gensan's airport is the largest outside of Luzon.

P50-M meat inspection lab to rise in GenSan

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW021507/content.php?id=051

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will build a P50-million laboratory in Mindanao to support the Philippines’ current effort to export pork to Singapore and other countries.

DA Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) director Davinio Catbagan said in an interview yesterday that the facility will be a meat inspection laboratory armed with disease-detecting equipment.

Mr. Catbagan said the facility will be located in General Santos, a move he expects to stimulate local hog farming activity.

He said land has been donated for the laboratory and Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap has committed funding.

"We target to start exporting [to Singapore] by July. We hope to finish the laboratory as soon as possible," he said.

Mr. Catbagan said preparations for this thrust include installation of a farm information system (FIS), which is a requirement by the Singaporean government.

He explained that, with FIS, information of hogs’ history — from conception to maturity, and including details like the vitamins and the feeds given to them — will be provided the Singaporean importer of Philippine pork.

"The Singaporeans want to trace if the pigs have any illness. They also want to know the drug residue of the feeds on the meat," Mr. Catbagan explained.

Mr. Catbagan said Singapore will be a test case for other markets. "If we could make it with the first shipment and pass the quality standards set — including on drug residues — this will be good for our local hog raisers," he said.

However, Mr. Catbagan said his office is still determining how the exportation will impact on the supply of pork in the country. "We are still weighing things. We are examining if pork supply will still be sufficient once exportation starts," he said.

Mindanao-based meat processors Nenita Quality Foods Corp. and Matutum Meat Packing Corp. are expected to lead the way for other companies to follow in this thrust.

Singapore has decided to source some of its pork requirements from the Philippines, since the latter remains foot and mouth disease (FMD)-free.

But pork products only from Mindanao have been cleared for export. The Philippines is still awaiting clearance from the Office Internationale de Epizooties (OIE) declaring all other parts of the country as free from FMD contamination.

Once the OIE clearance is given, the country will be able to increase its pork exports to Singapore. Furthermore, Mindanao is a major producer of corn, which is a vital animal feed.

It has several breeder farms and meat processing facilities.

The hog industry grew 3.9% in 2006 from 2005, grossing P126.5 billion and accounting for 14.3% of total agricultural production.

It is the country’s second major industry, just behind palay which grew 18.3% year-on-year and grossed P162.5 billion in 2006.

Local growers exported about $650,000 worth of processed meat products from January to September 2006 to Micronesia, United Arab Emirates, Marwill Islands, United States, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Pacific Trust territories, Cana-da, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Italy. — Mark Ivan C. Roblas

Night view of Pioneer Ave, General Santos City...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/Pioneer_ave.jpg

Official website of General Santos City :

http://www.gensantos.gov.ph

sabi naman ng mga relatives ko sa Saranggani, treasure DAW talaga ang pakay ng mga kano doon.

sayang nga lang kung hindi sa mga bombings baka hindi lang ganito kaganda ngayon ang Gensan and SOCSKSARGEN in general.:ohno:

maybe , but IMO it started when the bases were closed (Clark and Subic) and Mr. Tabako ( Fidel Ramos) was the president. come to think of it Gensan has a big airport but under utilized .

Night view of Pioneer Ave, General Santos City...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/Pioneer_ave.jpg

nice photo @earlat...lots of memories haha i mean in Pioneer Ave. , i had a project before in Pioneer Ave. (halius mall) tapos mag lakaw ko mag suroy2x question naa pa ba Pretty Looks diha?

^^ shot from Sydney Hotel?

^^ Berns, imoha nang student number? hehehe :D

Anyway, this thread needs to go the way it should be. Any new projects in gensan besides the politicking of Mr Pakiao.

^^ @Ady. You're right! hehehe!!! :D

I haven't heard of any projects in Soccsksargen so far.

I miss Dadiangas! I used to have haircut at Pretty Looks and Hair & Nails. Gaisano was new and there was a bakery a la french baker near the supermarket. wala na rin kimball. i wish i can go back to the philippines and visit gen san.

^^ really kailan pa ba? you know Susan Ong or her sister? yeah it was so long ago, maybe 96:D i remeber Gaisano Gen San it was bigger than Gaisano Davao before.

This is good news for all generals!

From Sunstar.com.ph/gensan:

2 GenSan IT parks get endorsement

EFFORTS to establish two Information Technology parks in General Santos have gained momentum after the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) endorsed the proposal and submitted the same to Malacanang for approval, officials said.

Ellorence Cruz, Board of Investments coordinator, is optimistic that the Mabuhay Techno Park and the IT Park of the Mindanao Polytechnic College would get the approval of the Palace.

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"The establishment of these parks would be a boon to the city's thriving economy. Malacanang would declare them as IT parks," she said in a recent interview.

Cruz noted that if the proposal gets the approval of Malacanang, locators at the parks would get four to six years' corporate income tax holidays.

Also, equipment that would be brought in to these parks would be duty-free, she added.

The city is positioning itself as an alternative Information and Communications Technology hub outside Metro Manila.

Dorecita Delima, Department of Trade and Industry-Central Mindanao deputy director, said the IT parks will be put up by private investors with assistance from the local government and the local trade department office.

She added the IT parks will attract investors in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry such as call centers, medical transcription, animation, architectural and engineering design, among others.

The local trade department office and the City Government have been conducting "e-business" week celebration in the past three years in a bid to drum up the ICT potentials of the locality.

Mayor Pedro Acharon said the advantages of the city in luring BPO players are its "quality human resources, the low cost of doing business and the presence of needed support systems such as telecommunication, accommodation, and infrastructure facilities." (BBS)

waaaaaaaaaaaah... i really miss gensan.. wish i didn't leave that place.. the atmosphere is very nice.. and people there is very friendly...:(

^^ yeah, Gen. Santos is a small but a nice city. I'm hoping that Gen. Santos could develop faster economically.

R-12’s exports soar to $390M in 2006
Written by MindaNews
Thursday, 22 February 2007 11 27 27
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/21 Feb) -- Region 12’s exports in 2006 increased by 18 percent, reaching a total of $390.5 million, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The growth was reportedly mainly due to the increased canned tuna exports produced in General Santos City, which have surpassed receipts from canned pineapple products.

GenSan -- which hosts six of the country’s eight tuna canneries -- is known as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines.”

Last year, canned tuna exports earned $174.3 million, which was 44.6 percent of the region’s top 10 export products.

In 2005, canned pineapple exported by giant Dole Philippines, Inc. was the forerunner at $112.3 million, while canned tuna was only $89 million.

Aside from canned tuna and canned pineapple, Southwestern Mindanao also exports crude coconut oil (valued at $56 million in 2006), fresh/chilled/frozen tuna ($23.5 million), copra meal ($7 million), fresh pineapple ($3 million), frozen cooked/pre-cooked tuna loins and flakes ($2.33 million), steel scrap ($2.27 million), banana chips ($2.2 million) and smoked fish $1.7 million).

The region covers the provinces of South and North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

The increase in the performance of the regional export sector may have been brought about by the roll back in prices of diesel fuel in late 2006, despite the appreciation of the peso against the greenback.

This was reflected by figures that showed that in the first quarter of 2006, export receipts were placed at $87 million. But in the last quarter of the year, export receipts surged to $112.4 million, when the country’s oil companies started a series of roll back.

United States was the top export destination for products coming from the region at 44.9 percent of the foreign market with a value of $175.4 million.

Next was the European Union at 29.1 percent ($113. 7 million), then Singapore at 9.3 percent ($36.4 million). Japan was fourth at 4.6 percent ($18.1 million).

Other major foreign markets for the region’s various products include Taiwan, China, Canada, Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia.

http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1821&Itemid=50

Agusan Sur wants to adopt SoCot’s computerized finance system
Written by Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews
Friday, 23 February 2007 13 13 17
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/22 Feb) -- The provincial government of Agusan del Sur plans to adopt South Cotabato's computerized revenue generation system as model for its finance operations.

Danilo Supe, head of the South Cotabato local finance committee, said members of the of the Expanded Local Finance Committee (ELFC) of Agusan del Sur specifically wanted to replicate the province's successful implementation of the computerized information system in its treasury, assessor and other fiscal offices.

The ELFC members cited this plan following a recent study mission at the South Cotabato provincial capitol in Koronadal City.

Agusan board member Alan Santiago, who headed the delegation, said they studied the operations of the treasury, assessor and other fiscal offices, especially the revenue generation plan, the computerized information system in the real property tax and related taxation systems.

The study mission was facilitated by the Development Academy of the Philippines-Mindanao office, which was commissioned by the Philippine-Australia Human Resource Development Facility to assist preparations for the implementation of an enhancement program for Agusan del Sur's revenue generation system.

South Cotabato was one of the three provinces earlier selected under this project, which covers key components such as pre-work activities, six-day course on revenue generation planning, digitizing maps, local and international benchmarking, accomplishing the outputs, monitoring, coaching activities and presentation of outputs.

This covers the five-year comprehensive revenue generation plan, re-entry plan and digitized maps of five component municipalities in the province.

The provincial government has adopted the fiber optic technology in a bid to improve its centralized computer systems network.

Last year, the information technology unit of the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) completed the network connection of the provincial government’s departments and divisions.

It also facilitated the documentation and conduct of analysis and development of various systems that are useful to the province and worked on the recovery of the real property tax database of the provincial government's treasury and assessor offices.

Supe, who is also PPDO coordinator, said they will soon utilize the fiber optic technology to boost the line speed of its computer network, which currently covers all the major departments and divisions of the provincial government.

He said a "multi-mode graded index-type" of fiber optic cable will be deployed to the line using a technology developed in Germany, which is the pioneer in the fiber optics. The equipment and the required upgrading works will cost at least P600,000.

http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1829&Itemid=50

Tuna Festival of General Santos City:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/44/Tunaparade.png

:pepper: :) :cheers2:

Here are the KCC Malls of Region 12.

KCC MALL of GENSAN:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/315front_big.jpg

KCC MALL of MARBEL (Koronadal, South Cotabato):

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Kccpers470.jpg

:) :) :)

A landmark in Gen. Santos City:

:) http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/images/tuna_festival3.jpg

:) :) :)
Airport:
http://notredamegensan.org/images/2003/5BoatsPlanes.jpg

Downtown: (with Mt. Matutum)

http://gensan.freehomepage.com/images/gscstat.jpg


Seaport:

http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/profile/images/geninfo/cannery.jpg

Sarangani and Mt. Matutum:

http://www.thelandofpromise.com/sarangani/capitol-matutum-PB120013.jpg

bat di to naka sticky? :dunno:

btw, is that the provincial capitol of Sarangani?Nice..:okay:

Sticky now :okay:

I took this picture a few years ago when I was in preliminary (at the same time vacation) inspection of the site (Mindanao) for my thesis. I passed my by best friend's workplace in GenSan FishPort and took this bustling scene.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/327960090_ec5258d87f.jpg

nice pics from r12! iligan city used to be a part of that region

I took this picture a few years ago when I was in preliminary (at the same time vacation) inspection of the site (Mindanao) for my thesis. I passed my by best friend's workplace in GenSan FishPort and took this bustling scene.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/327960090_ec5258d87f.jpg

Wow!!! Look at those tuna fish! Superb fishing industry! It is really thriving. :applause:

It is great to see that the local fishermen are not deprived of their fish harvest by bigger fishing boats/ships.

not really @lili even you can see small boats most are still owned by big companies :D yung nakikita mo kargador lang yan .

Corn facility up in South Cotabato
:applause: :applause:

By Aquiles Zonio
Inquirer
Last updated 08:31pm (Mla time) 03/04/2007


KORONADAL CITY--Corn production in South Cotabato is expected to get a boost following the completion of a multi-million peso post-harvest facility in Banga town.

South Cotabato is one of the country's leading corn producing areas.

Abusama Alid, director of the Department of Agriculture in Central Mindanao, said the agency shouldered P15 million of the total project cost of P22 million.

The remainder was contributed by the local government.

Alid said Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap led the inauguration last week of the facility, the second of its kind in the country.

The first one was constructed in Kabacan, North Cotabato and was finished in August last year.

The Banga facility, with a total capacity of 200 metric tons, would serve as processing, drying, shelling and trading center for corn farmers in Banga town and nearby areas.

Alid said the sgriculture department bankrolled the project to further improve the condition of corn farmers.

"We realize that corn farmers continue to criticize us due to the lack of a post-harvest facility. The DA had already developed the necessary technology to increase corn production. Now the DA's new mandate is to enhance the corn farmers' profitability," Alid said.

As a trading center, farmers can also sell their produce at the facility for higher prices, he said.

Compared with commercial buyers, the government buying price at the trading center is higher by P1 a kilo.

Private grains traders buy yellow corn at P8.50 a kilo and white corn at P9.50.

Alid said the charges for drying, shelling and storage of corn by farmers were already included in the DA buying price.

He said that the agriculture department would also construct a similar facility in Malungon, in nearby Sarangani province.

With the government providing post-harvest facilities, Alid said that corn farmers can now focus on production without worrying about their profit.
http://business.inquirer.net/money/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=52839

not really @lili even you can see small boats most are still owned by big companies :D yung nakikita mo kargador lang yan .

Ganon? But the fishing industry still benefit the people, right? The financial gains are trickling down to Gen. Santos economy?

^^ really kailan pa ba? you know Susan Ong or her sister? yeah it was so long ago, maybe 96:D i remeber Gaisano Gen San it was bigger than Gaisano Davao before.

ambi, ato-ato lang ni, i design the pretty looks logo when i was working at southgate. that was way back 1990-91.:)

P20-M shipyard to rise in General Santos City


By BONG REBLANDO

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A P20-million shipyard will be constructed at Barangay Tambler here by a private firm here to support the multi-billion peso fishing industry and as a show of businessmen’s confidence in the local economy.

The Signal Marine Shipyard Corp., a consortium up of some of the biggest names in the local fishing industry, will bankroll the construction of the modern facility.

When finished, the shipyard is expected to employ about 300 locals.

In his remarks during the ground-breaking ceremony, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said this multi-million peso project signifies the trust and confidence of local and foreign businessmen in the city’s capacity to host huge investments.

"This investment made by Signal Marine Shipyard Corp. shows clearly how our businessmen are bullish on our economy. It only means that traders do business here because they are assured of their earnings," Acharon said.

Marfenio Tan of SAFI Group of Companies, one of the consortium members, said his group agreed to bankroll the project to support the needs of the growing fishing industry in the city.

"We have poured our investment here due to the remarkable growth of the fishing industry and because we have our full trust and confidence in the economic policy of Mayor Acharon," Tan said.

Tan cited Acharon for making the General Santos City Fish Port Complex passed the standard of the European Union on fish handling, storage and processing.

Mayor Acharon is the chairman of the fish port’s Fish Quality Enhancement Multi-Sectoral Task Force (FQEMTF) which monitors the terminal’s compliance with world standards on cleanliness and sanitation.

Another tuna magnate, Franciso Tiu Laurel of Frabelle Fishing Corp., said that the shipyard project conforms to "world standards" and "could accommodate even the biggest ships for repair."

The shipyard will have three slipways or ramps for ships needing repair.

The shipyard, the first in the East ASEAN Growth Area, is also designed to service foreign fishing vessels, including huge fishing boats or super-seiners.

Laurel said construction of the P20-million facility would take six months. When operational, it will employ some 300 workers and generate more taxes and money for the local economy.

Mayor Acharon thanked incorporators of the Signal Marine Shipyard Corp. like Domingo Teng (TSP Marine Corp.), Ferdinand Lim (RBL Fishing Corp.), John Reynaldo Tiangco (Trans-Pacific Journey Corp.), and Paul Tan (Ocean Canning Corp.).

"I am happy and grateful for this new investment by Signal Marine Shipyard Corp. This only shows that General Santos City is a indeed a haven for investment where investors are assured of return of their investments (ROI)," Acharon said.

GenSan exports 50% of tuna production to EU
by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (21 March) -- Half of the total tuna fish production of General Santos City goes to the EU market.

In an interview with Domingo Teng, president of the TSP Marine Industries after the launching of ”Talk Mindanao” at the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), he said that their produce are now assured entry to the EU market after their product passed assessment by a European team that fly to General Santos City to analyze the quality of the fish and the facilities they used..

A delayed telecast, Talk Mindanao is a forum spearheaded by Medco that is aired in key cities of Mindanao namely Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos and produced twice monthly every other Tuesday.

He said they were given accreditation in November 2006 after passing the test for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).

For every export fish product, the government fish quality laboratory checks among others the level of histamine in tuna where EU sets allowable limits at 100 ppm (parts per million). The US standard is at 50 ppm. Excessive histamine in fishes can cause allergy that is manifested by itching.

The test is administered to processed products such as canned and vacuum pack.

The tuna production of the country in 2006 accounted to 500,000 tons or about 10 percent of the world total production. The world catch was pegged at 4 million tons.

He said in Asian countries, the Philippines ranked second next only to Taiwan and the country ranked fourth in terms of tuna supply to the world.

Teng however said that in terms of value adding to tuna production Mindanao is named as the country’s capital of the tuna sardine industry.

He said of the eight fish canneries in the country, six are located in Mindanao with 4 in General Santos City and two in Zamboanga. (PIA XI)


Source: (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p070321.htm&no=4&date=)

P397M port expansion to start soon

EXPANSION works worth P397 million at the Makar wharf in General Santos City are expected to start in the next few weeks as part of efforts to accommodate future increases in cargo and passenger traffic, an official said Tuesday.

"The [necessary] equipment was already procured to start the construction works," said Fernando Mapalo, Jr., information officer of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

He said among the expansion projects at the wharf is the 160-meter expansion of the berthing area to further accommodate large vessels.

The existing mooring area is presently at 752 meters, he added.

The average length of vessels using the port here is 120 meters, Mapalo said.

Aside from domestic cargo and passenger vessels, foreign ships from Singapore and Taiwan loaded with cargo are using the wharf here for their port calls.

Mapalo expressed optimisms that foreign vessels' use of the wharf will increase once the modernization of the wharf is completed probably by 2008.

Cargo handling operations at the wharf will also be improved at par with international port standards, he said.

Funding for the expansion works at the wharf came from the allocation of the national office of the PPA, Mapalo said.

PPA general manager Oscar Sevilla said enhancement of ports across the country will boost economic activities, provide employment and increase tourism potentials in the countryside.

The National Government earlier identified 17 major port projects expected "to lessen travel time and cargo transportation costs."

But this city's wharf is not among the National Government's port priority projects.

Still it will undergo major facelifts, officials said, in support to the agro-industrial potentials of this city and nearby localities. Aside from tuna products, the area produces agricultural products like pineapple, rice, corn, banana, mango, asparagus and other high value crops.

The 17 priority projects were part of the 28 port projects President Arroyo identified in her Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) program at the beginning of her administration which costs P23.5 billion spread until 2010, said Presidential Management Staff Director General and Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force Chief Cerge Remonde.

He pointed out that the "travel time and cargo transportation costs from Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao and vice versa are expected to be reduced further with the completion of 17 priority port projects in various parts of the country this year." (BSS) :banana:

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/gen/2007/03/27/news/p397m.port.expansion.to.start.soon.html

^^ That port is big. Makar Wharf is so wide, kapoy molakaw diha gikan gate kon naa ka 3 boxes of Pinya and Tuna, hehehehe!!! :lol:

2 foreign firms to invest P96B in RP mine
:banana:

By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 03/30/2007

Indophil Resources NL and partner Xstrata Plc, the world’s fifth-largest miner, may spend about $2 billion (P96 billion) by 2010 to develop Southeast Asia’s biggest untapped copper deposit, Indophil managing director Tony Robbins said.

The investment in Tampakan includes a port and a mill, Robbins said. Xstrata, based in Zug, Switzerland, is set to take over management control of the South Cotabato mine with its 62.5-percent stake. Indophil holds the balance.

Overseas miners such as Xstrata are developing mines in the Philippines to gain access to metals and feed rising global demand, led by China. The country may have $1 trillion in mineral wealth, according to government estimates.

Tampakan "should prove profitable," Chris Brown, an analyst at ABN Amro Morgans Ltd. in Brisbane, said. "The capital costs are high, but so are commodity prices."

Three-month copper futures on the London Metal Exchange, the world’s largest such bourse, soared to a record $8,800 a ton in May. The contract gained as much as $65, or one percent, to $6,725 yesterday.

"At today’s copper prices, we expect to recover our investments in five years after opening the mine,’’ Robbins said in an interview in Singapore. "We’re still firming up plans with Xstrata."

Shares in Melbourne-based Indophil rose as much as 2.5 Australian cents, or 3.5 percent, to 74.5 Australian cents yesterday. Stock in Xstrata, which has gained 57 percent in the past year, settled at 2,528 pence in London Wednesday.

Developing the mine site and building a mill to make copper concentrate would cost about $1.4 billion and the construction of a port would be at least $500 million, Robbins said.

At least 10 smelters, including those in Japan, Korea, India, Poland, Germany and the Philippines have expressed interest in buying concentrate from Tampakan, Robbins said.

Among the would-be buyers is Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corp., a unit of Glencore International AG, Robbins said, without naming the other smelters.

Glencore, a Swiss commodity trader that made a $5.3 billion profit last year, owns 35 percent of Xstrata’s shares, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Xstrata gained control of the Tampakan mine by exercising its option to acquire 62.5 percent of Sagittarius the common stocks of Sagittarius Mine which Corp. is developing the minesite.

In line with this, Paul G. Dominguez is stepping down as president of Sagittarius Mines effective today. Dominguez was instrumental in developing policies and strategies that created strong community support for the SMI project which enabled the company to undertake its exploration activities and to complete its pre-feasibility study on schedule. Under his watch, SMI embarked on innovative community and environmental projects that went well beyond what was mandated by the government regulations

Tampakan will produce an average of 540,000 tons of copper concentrate, containing 40 percent copper, and 10 grams of gold a ton, a year from 2011, Robbins said. It is worth $1.4 billion at today’s prices, he added.



http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200703300701.htm

Home for homeless kids in GenSan opens GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/28 March) --

:applause: :applause: Homeless street children now have their own place in the growing metropolis following the completion of an P8.3 million drop-in and social development training facility right at the heart of the city.

Rebecca Magante, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) chief, said the city government opened the new two-storey Social Development Center on Monday to provide temporary shelter for street children and those who are in need of special interventions.

The construction of the facility, which is located beside the CSWDO compound, was jointly funded by the city government and the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

The AusAID assistance was part of a program implemented by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Magante said the center, which will be managed by the CSWDO, will mainly serve as a processing and drop-in place for street children and other children in especially difficult circumstances.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific said "children are in especially difficult circumstances whentheir basic needs for food, shelter, education, medical care, or protection and security are not met."

She said it will also be utilized as a venue for training and assemblies for social development workers and other social service clientele and sectors.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development noted that children under such condition are those who were abandoned, neglected, sexually abused, victims of acts of lasciviousness, sexually exploited, victims of pornography, physically abused, youth offenders, child laborers and victims of armed conflicts.

The city government earlier raised alarm over the growing number of street children, also called "batang tun-og," who were allegedly involved in street crimes and prostitution activities.

The local police and social workers have been conducting regular rounds in various parts of the city to monitor these activities.

Magante said the city government has assigned highly-trained social workers and counselors to lead the operations of the facility.

"We will offer counseling sessions and other related interventions to those who may need them at the center," she said.

Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. said the establishment of the center is part of the city government's investments for the "future of our children."

"This is in line with our vision to build a peaceful community through the teaching of proper values to our children," he said.

Acharon committed to provide additional resources to further improve the facility and the city's various social development initiatives, especially those that cater to the welfare of the children.(Allen V. Estabillo/MIndaNews)

Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 March 2007 01 17 21 )

@earlat baka pwede magrequest ng mga latest pics ng GenSan, kahit phonecam pics lang post mo dito. especially ung mga well-known places and establishments jan.

Miss ko na rin Diangas, hindi nawawala yan sa itinerary ko pag nagbabakasyon ako ng Davao.

^^ Sure. Currently I'm in Cebu and hopefully be coming back home in May.

Dolefil testing blueberry production ni SouthCot
Written by MindaNews
Thursday, 05 April 2007 11 08 31


POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato (MindaNews/04 April) – Blueberries anyone?
Pineapple giant Dole Philippines, Inc. (Dolefil) has conducted an experiment on blueberry production to determine its suitability in South Cotabato province, officials said. A senior Dolefil executive, who requested not to be named, confirmed recently the trial planting of the crop touted to be high in anti-oxidants, which slow the aging process.

"We have imported 12 blueberry varieties from the United States and three to four are showing promise," he said.

The executive said that if blueberry will be successfully tested, they would market them in fresh frozen form also in the United States .

Testing the suitability of the crop has been going on since last year at the Kalsangi district here, an exclusive residential area for top Dolefil executives that also houses a golf course.

The source said that if the experiment is successful, the company will cultivate the crop through contract growing schemes at areas with higher elevation.

He said blueberry thrives in cooler climates or those with areas at least 1,000 meters above sea level.

"We will transfer the technology to those who are willing to raise the crop if ever the adoptability test says so. We are very particular on the quality of the fruits," he said.

The executive revealed they are now doing tissue culture on blueberry varieties that are showing promise, in a laboratory maintained by six women.

"Blueberry has a very huge demand in the United States as consumers have shifted to it instead of peaches and the like," the executive said.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance Fuentes said the high-value crop “would enhance the province's image as an agricultural producer.”.

In its website, the firm confirmed selling fresh frozen blueberries as a healthy snack item to be mixed with the firm's crushed pineapple and banana products and laced with milk.

Dolefil ventured in this town in 1963 and is maintaining at least 10,000 hectares of pineapple plantation through a rental scheme aside from the 6,000 hectares planted by contract growers.

Data from the regional Department of Trade and Industry showed that canned and fresh pineapple largely produced by Dolefil reached export sales of about US$696 million from 1997 to 2004 alone, or an average of US$99 million a year (around P4.9 billion).

Kevin Davis, Dolefil general manager, earlier said their locally produced goods are virtually in every corner of the world, especially processed pineapples.

Davis said fresh pineapples are marketed in Japan and Korea, tropical fruit cocktail in many parts of Asia, the United States and Europe, fruit bowl in North America and Europe and nata de coco in Japan.

Fuentes wished the company the best of luck in its blueberry experiment, suggesting more work opportunities to the locals when the experiment succeeds.

Employment data released by the firm earlier showed it has at least 6,000 workers, 90% of which are paid on an hourly basis. The firm's worker average service years are pegged at 18.

In Maasim, Sarangani province, Alberto Arquillano, municipal planning and development office chief, said Dolefil has been scouting the area for possible blueberry production.

"The town can provide them at least 50 hectares if the company will decide to grow blueberries here," he said.

Before Ms. Fuentes announced the blueberry project of Dolefil, Sagittarius Mines, Inc had embarked on strawberry research in its project site.

Sagittarius, based in Tampakan, South Cotabato, has established a strawberry nursery in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat after they successfully tested it in remote Sitio Salnaong, Barangay Datal Blao..

Rolando Doria, Sagittarius project coordinator, said they have established a strawberry nursery in the firm's research station in the village for massive distribution and planting of the crop to upland communities covered by huge copper and gold venture of the firm.

"We will transfer the technique to the communities with the women sector a top priority so they can help their families earn money. Our target is to make strawberry cultivation in the area a backyard industry," he said.

The company initially developed a 25x15-meter field trial site in early 2006 for two trial varieties of strawberries – Bukod, which is mainly planted in Benguet and Marilog in Davao City, and Nyoho, a Japanese variety.

Dominic Dice, an agro-forestry expert at Sagittarius research station said “we have produced better quality strawberries in Salnaong that can compete, or perhaps surpass, the quality produced by Baguio City.

Salnaong is about 800 meters above sea level. (MindaNews)

http://mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2124&Itemid=54

^^ Blueberries at the foothills of Mount Matutum? Why not! :)

PIA Daily News Reader

PIA Press Release
2007/04/11

Halal certifying body for Region 12 opened
by A Zonio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (11 April) -- Two local executives in Central Mindanao lauded the setting up of Mindanao Halal Authority (Minha), Inc. here Wednesday.

Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. was optimistic the establishment of Halal certifying body in the city would further boost the local economy, particularly fishing industry and other firms involved in food processing.

"With MINHA around, I expect the market expansion of our tuna industry particularly in Middle East countries," Acharon said.

Sarangani governor Miguel Dominguez pledged support in promoting halal industry in the province.

"I encourage local government-private sector partnerships in developing our halal industry," Dominguez said.

Dominguez urged the local firms to apply for certification with Minha for them to access the huge global halal markets.

With the prevailing apathy of the national government in promoting halal trade in the country, Dominguez said "We cannot afford to continue waiting for the national government."

National government's inaction has delayed the issuance of national halal standards and the creation of the country's accreditation agency, prompting stakeholders to seek recognition from international halal certifying bodies to gain credibility and competence.

Mohammad K. Ali Suib, chair of the Muslim Business Forum (MBF) here, said halal trade has been existing for years but the national government is not exerting serious efforts to further boost it.

"The irony is, despite having a large Muslim communities, the Philippines is not a major player in the halal trade," Suib lamented.

Quoting an MBF report, Suib claimed that Thailand, a Buddhist-dominated country, posted an annual average of more than US$6 billion halal exports since 2001.

President Gloria Arroyo issued memorandum order 201 last December directing the Department of Trade and Industry, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Health, Tourism and the Office on Muslim Affairs to get their acts together and harmonize all halal export development programs of the national government.

Apparently, Suib said, this move was aimed at strengthening the country's halal industry.

Suib, succeeded in getting international recognition for Minha from Halal Certification Authority of Australia, Halal Certification Authority International, Halal Certification Authority of Europe and Halal Certification Authority of the Pacific Islands.

MBF is a USAID-Gem assisted business support organization and a member of the small and medium enterprises development council of the city.

Minha, which share an office space with MBF here, would serve as halal certifying body for Central Mindanao.

Mohamed El-Mouelhy, chair of Halal Certification Authority of Australia, said the creation of Minha here opened up opportunities for local firms to access the 1.9 billion potential global halal markets estimated at US$ 150 billion world trade annually.

El-Mouelhy came over here as guest of honor and speaker during the Minha launching ceremony. (PIA 12) [top]

Japanese investors apply for tuna processing venture
Published : 2007-04-17

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews) -- A group of Japanese investors want to set up a tuna processing business in this “Tuna Capital of the Philippines.” Ten Point Manufacturing Corp., a firm with Japanese investors registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, has applied for a permit at the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO). Retsu Satu, a representative of Ten Point, said the firm is interested in the production of processed tuna and other marine products. Ten Point is an affiliate of Pescarich Manufacturing Corp and has been building its facility at the latter’s manufacturing plant in Barangay Labangal here. Arlene Serna, Pescarich corporate secretary, said Ten Point’s projected investment is around P40 million. “The building of the company is already completed and just awaiting the necessary permits to finally operate,” she said. She said the equipment for the production of smoked tuna products and fresh and chilled fillets is yet to be installed. Joaquin Tiongco, investment division head of CEMCDO, said they are still evaluating Ten Point’s application. “Their intention to put up a business in the city manifests foreign investors’ confidence in the locality. We hope other foreign groups would follow suit as major investments over the last few years have come from local investors,” he said. Tiongco said Ten Point would have initial investments of at least P20 million to jumpstart the venture hat would provide locals work opportunities. Serna said the firm is eyeing the Japanese market for its smoked tuna and other marine products. But Japan has banned smoked tuna products from the Philippines since the late 1990s. Serna, however, said, Ten Point would employ a “different smoking processed method” that would allow the firm’s products to enter the Japanese market. Entrepreneurs from the frozen smoked tuna industry have been asking the government to work out the lifting of the ban in Japan and in European Union, through several resolutions adopted in recent annual tuna congresses here. The ban in the Japanese market has been in effect in the last 10 years after the Japan Kouseisho (Department of Health and Welfare) implemented restrictions on the importation, production and sale of frozen smoked tuna, hamachi (yellowtail) and tilapia in 1997 due to health reasons. According to the Kouseisho, frozen smoked tuna products contain carbon monoxide that allegedly prevents color-deterioration in red meat fish species, leading consumers to err on their perception of the freshness of fish meat. Rock Garay, who co-owns a company also engaged in smoked tuna production, said the ban has hampered the growth of the sector. “We lost a good market in Japan with the ban on our products. We could have earned more millions of dollars if we are allowed to export filtered smoked tuna products there,” he said. The frozen smoked tuna sector is a vital component of the tuna industry, having an annual export value of at least $50 million and provides employment to about 80,000 workers, processors and fishermen nationwide, industry records showed.

Lake Sebu Images

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/5422/img0870zq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
The T'bolis' warm nature and characteristics are very loving and caring towards their elders and siblings. Kuya is very protective of his little sister. This was taken while they wait for their turn during pictorial.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2747/img0521rn4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Old lady

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2126/img0490xg7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/7219/img0853xn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
father and daughter

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/7752/img0680jr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
T'boli tribe

http://jojiealcantara.multiply.com/photos/album/58

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1141/img0806hv4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/4949/img0893bx9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/5514/img0456qf9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

falls #1
http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/4086/img0874he9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

falls #2
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/3673/img0827act3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8484/img0781be1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)]

Excited na akong malaman kung sino ang panalo sa labanang Pacman at Darlene :D

Darlene is still leading as of the moment. Hope it continues...^^

http://i8.tinypic.com/4uv4t4k.jpg

Pacman got knock out by paperweight Darlene Custodio

GSC voters are intelligent .... :applause:
watch out... if Pacman runs for Senator.... you know who would vote for him and in which city* he would win ;)

Darlene ‘knocks out’ Pacquiao

By Aquiles Zonio
Inquirer
Last updated 04:24am (Mla time) 05/16/2007

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—It was the kind of fight where not even his world renowned American trainer, Freddie Roach, would have been much help.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, reelectionist Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio was leading Manny Pacquiao by nearly 10,000 votes—20,818 to 11,227—with less than a quarter of total precincts accounted for, according to an unofficial tally by the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

The contest for the first congressional district of South Cotabato pitted the 130-pound terror of world boxing’s superfeatherweights against the 90-pound warrior who was backed by the powerful political machinery of her clan.

A political neophyte, Pacquiao had bulldozed his way into local politics relying mainly on his popularity in the ring and the ragtag machinery of former Mayor Rosalita Nuñez.

Custodio’s mayoral and vice mayoral candidates were also leading in their respective races, holding a wide margin over their opponents.

As it appears, the Antoninos’ Achievement with Integrity Movement could again be headed for a sweep.

Educator Bro. Manny de Leon said the emerging poll results would indicate that popularity alone would not spell victory in an election.

He said that Custodio was no match to Pacquiao in popularity but she compensated for that weakness by using her solid machinery.

“The political machinery of the Antoninos is still strong. They had a well-organized campaign down to the purok level and they sustained it up to the finish line,” De Leon said.


*NCR

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: Kudos to Gensan voters!

British firm lures farmers to grow tuba-tuba
Written by MindaNews
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 00 44 14
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MIndanews/21 May) – Pay upon harvest.

A British firm going around Mindanao to entice farmers to cultivate tuba-tuba (Jatropha curcas), is providing the farmers planting materials, technical assistance and a marketing agreement. “Farmers can pay us upon harvest,” Recto Doctor, country agronomist of D1 Oils Asia Pacific, Inc., a subsidiary of D1 Oils UK, said. The firm wants jatropha planted in at least 10,000 hectares of land.

Doctor said the firm is aggressive in its jatropha project now that the country is implementing the Biofuels Act, which was signed into law only last January 17.

But Doctors said they prefer unutilized lands turned into jatropha plantations rather than converting existing farmlands planted to corn, rice and other crops.

Jatropha, he said, would help alleviate poverty in the countryside and can help in the protection of the environment since it can prevent soil erosion.

The crop is due for harvest seven months from planting and has a life span of 30 years. For the first year, a hectare could yield between P15,000 to P20,000 and grows bigger to P30,000 as the plant matures.

D1 Oils Asia is working out a financing window for farmers through the Land Bank of the Philippines

The firm has plans to establish a refinery in the country but only after the desired number of hectares will be planted to jatropha, Doctor said.

Jatropha planted over 500 or 1,000 hectares would be good for an extracting plant, he said.

At present, jatropha has been planted in less than 100 hectares of land in Southwestern Mindanao.

Riding on the prospect of the biofuel industry, independent oil producers like Seaoil Philippines Corp. earlier revealed plans to embark on an initial public offering this year or early 2008 to raise funds for the construction of an ethanol plant.

Under the Biofuels Act, gasoline should initially be blended with 5% ethanol, ensuring a steady market for ethanol producers.

Seaoil is also part of the recently formed Enerfuse Holdings, Inc. that is putting up a biodiesel plant in Sasa, Davao City. Enerfuse also includes independent oil firms Eastern Petroleum Corp., Flying V and Unioil

Jatropha is a rich source of biodiesel that is considered an alternative to the depleting global supply of fossil fuels. Biodiesel is being promoted also as an environmentally friendly fuel.

In its website, D1 Asia, based in Singapore, said that future demand for biodiesel is expected to be strong in Southeast Asia, a region with a suitable climatic condition for jatropha.

In 2005, D1 Asia forged an agreement with the Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp. to collaborate on a project in the Philippines aimed at rehabilitating land previously degraded by mining through the cultivation of jatropha.

In the Philippines, the price per kilo of jatropha fruits is reportedly at P10. (MindaNews)

GenSan prepares for 9th Tuna Congress
Written by MindaNews
Tuesday, 22 May 2007 00 39 16
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/21 May) -- The 9th Tuna Congress is still three months away but industry players are now busy preparing for the arrival of an expected 300 domestic and foreign delegates.
Bayani Fredeluces, executive director of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc., said that during the tuna congress on August 31 to September 1, discussions will revolve around “latest developments in the international and domestic tuna industry. Policy resolutions to make the country’s tuna industry become more competitive in the world tuna industry would be brought to the attention of concerned government agencies.”

He said the congress would give domestic and foreign industry players a chance to forge alliances or business partnerships.

The two-day event, part of the city’s week-long tuna festival, includes corporate presentations, technology fora, and tuna/fisheries products and services exhibit.

The local government unit has allocated two million pesos for the tuna festival, which last year was cited as one of the five best festivals in the country.

Thomas Haw, tuna festival director, said he has met with various event managers to ensure that this year’s festival would be livelier.

“New events will be introduced this year to give the residents and visitors more excitement and fun,” he said.

The General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. expressed strong support to the holding of the tuna congress and festival.

The holding of the annual tuna congress this September is just one of the two big events that will be held in this “Tuna Capital of the Philippines.”

The other one is the Mindanao Business Conference, a gathering of prominent government and business leaders in the island.

The tuna congress is a partnership between the tuna federation, the city government, the South Cotabato first congressional district office, Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Trade and Industry and the SOCSKSARGEN Area Development Project Office.

This city’s economy is largely dependent on the tuna industry, which provides employment to tens of thousands of people here and in nearby areas. It accounts for the bulk of the tuna industry, which has an estimated value of $420 million.

Six of the country’s eight tuna canneries are based here. (MindaNews)

What local tuna brands have their tuna produced in GenSan?

What local tuna brands have their tuna produced in GenSan?

CDO :D kidding ,maybe del monte i have no idea

^^ century tuna & blue bay are manufactured in brgy tambler gensan.

Wala bang plans i-rennovate yung Airport Terminal ng GenSan? Sobrang Luma na kasi at parang di na maintain.... Sana ayusin yun at lagyan kahit man lang 2 aerobridges....

Wala bang plans for new flights sa gensan?

Ano pala balita sa Robs and SM GenSan?

^^ what's wrong w/ gen san airport it's still squeaky clean than other airports;)

http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/3936/2038541630068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2038541630068377371McsUXy)

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City Hall
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East Asia Royale Hotel, Gen San

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/5929/2191304320068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2191304320068377371NrcMzI)

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/6011/2508986070068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2508986070068377371bCLbxp)

home of the "peoples champ" ...in boxing :D
http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/4709/2789457730068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2789457730068377371gojMtF)

watch for the opening of queen tuna park :okay:

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/5693/2927325430068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2927325430068377371UArkAq)

http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/808/2348031060068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2348031060068377371OaPpMV)

what else Pacman is all over the place ....:D
http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/6075/2793452790068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2793452790068377371cIbRWi)

pacman's nemesis..tatata luv ko to :D
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/3482/2969362020068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2969362020068377371rtnItF)


santiago blvd,
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tuna ,tuna and more tuna!!! :banana:
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/3176/2640512480068377371S600x600Q85.jpg (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2640512480068377371ZrDLYG)

^^ Himala, umulan!! :cry: Tears of joy! Kasi kung uulan sa Gensan, wala ako. Uulan lang kung nasa Polomolok or somewhere in South Cotabato na ako. :D