General Santos

General Santos
Heneral Santos
Highly Urbanized City
City of General Santos

Aerial view of urban GenSan

Seal
Nickname(s): GenSan, Dadiangas
"The Tuna Capital of the Philippines"
Motto: Magandang GenSan: Beyond The Bay

Map of South Cotabato with General Santos City highlighted
General Santos

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 06°07′N 125°10′E / 6.117°N 125.167°E / 6.117; 125.167
Country Philippines
Region SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province South Cotabato (geographically only)
Districts 1st District of South Cotabato
Incorporated August 18, 1947
Cityhood 1968
Barangays 26
Government
 • Mayor Ronnel Chua-Rivera (UNA)
 • Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles (UNA)
 • District Representative Pedro Acharon Jr. (NPC)
Area[1]
 • City 492.86 km2 (190.29 sq mi)
Elevation 15.0 m (49.2 ft)
Population (2010)[2]
 • City 538,086
 • Density 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
 • Languages Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Tagalog, English
Demonym(s) Generals, Heneral
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Zip code 9500
Dialing code 83
Income class 1st
Website www.gensantos.gov.ph

General Santos, officially the City of General Santos (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos; Filipino: Lungsod ng Heneral Santos; previously known as Dadiangás, and abbreviated G.S.C. or GenSan) is the southernmost city in the Philippines.[3] Classified as a highly urbanized first class city, General Santos is the 15th most populous city in the country with 538,086 inhabitants as per census data of 2010.[2] General Santos City is the regional center for commerce and industry of the SOCCSKSARGEN region, and geographically in the province of South Cotabato but administered independent of it.

History

The nomadic B'laan people are the original inhabitants of General Santos, and traces of their early settlement of the area are found in the city's place names, which are derived from their vocabulary. Their name for the city, Dadiangas, is from the thorny Ziziphus spina-christi tree that was once abundant in the area and is now a protected species under Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 2007. The B'laan tribe presently lives alongside the city's new generation of settlers and other immigrants.

Waves of migration

Organized under the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) of the Commonwealth Government headed by President Manuel L. Quezon, General Paulino Santos led the relocation of 62 Christian settlers from Luzon to the shores of Sarangani Bay aboard the steam ship “Basilan” of Compañia Maritima on February 27, 1939. The 62 pioneers, mostly agricultural and trade graduates, were the first large batch of settlers to land in the area with the mission to industriously cultivate the region. After this first influx of pioneers, thousands more Christians from Luzon and the Visayas have subsequently moved into the area, gradually driving some of the resident B'laan to the mountains and lost their livelihood.

In March 1939, the first formal settlement in the city was established in ’’Alagao’’ which is now known as Barangay Lagao. Lagao district was known then as the “Municipal District of Buayan” under the jurisdiction of the deputy governor of the Municipal District of Glan. Until it officially became an independent Municipal District of Buayan on October 1, 1940, appointing Datu Sharif Zainal Abedin—an Arab mestizo married to a daughter of a very influential datu of lower Buayan—as the first district municipal mayor.

Second World War

During the Second World War, the Municipal District of Buayan become one of the last frontiers between the combined American and Filipino forces and troops from the Empire of Japan. Retreating Imperial Japanese forces made Klaja Karsts Land their last ground for defence, constructing round cement bunkers and tunnels. These bunkers can still be seen at Sitio Guadalupe; most of the tunnels, however, have since been damaged and even destroyed by treasure hunters and land developers.

Renaming and elevation to city status

A year after the Philippines regained full sovereignty from the United States on July 4, 1946, the Municipality of Buayan became a 4th class regular municipality by virtue of the Executive Order Number 82, dated August 18, 1947 by President Manuel Roxas, absorbing the Municipal District of Glan whose low income bracket at the time disqualified it for the honour. Dadiangas was the seat of government for the Municipality of Buayan electing Irineo Santiago as its first Municipal Mayor on a local election that was held on November 11, 1947. Mayor Santiago was formally inducted on January 1, 1948.[4]

Six years later, in June 1954, the Municipality of Buayan was renamed General Santos as a tribute to the leading pioneer via Act No. 1107[5] authored by Congressman Luminog Mangelen of Cotabato Province.

From 1963 to 1967, the municipality's economy experienced a boom under Mayor Lucio A. Velayo, as several large agri-based and multinational firms such as Dole Philippines, General Milling Corporation and UDAGRI expanded into the area. Although it was then qualified to become a fourth class city from being a municipality, the residents rejected a move by Congressman Salipada Pendatun to convert the Municipality of Buayan into a city and to rename it ’’Rajah Buayan’’.

On July 8, 1968, the Municipality of General Santos was converted into a city upon the approval of Republic Act No. 5412, authored by Congressman James L. Chiongbian. It was inaugurated on September 5 of that year, with Antonio C. Acharon became the new city's first mayor. In 1988, it was declared a highly urbanized city of South Cotabato.

Geography

General Santos City lies at the southern part of the Philippines. It is located at 6°7'N 125°10'E latitude. The city is southeast of Manila, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Davao.

The city is bounded by municipalities of Sarangani Province namely Alabel in the east, and Maasim in the south. General Santos is likewise bounded by the South Cotabato municipality of Polomolok and Sarangani Province municipality of Malungon in the north, and the municipality of T'boli in the west.

Climate

General Santos City has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification Aw).

Climate data for General Santos City
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 32.2
(90)		 32.5
(90.5)		 33.1
(91.6)		 33.4
(92.1)		 32.3
(90.1)		 31.4
(88.5)		 31
(88)		 31.1
(88)		 31.5
(88.7)		 31.9
(89.4)		 32.2
(90)		 32.1
(89.8)		 32.06
(89.73)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.8
(80.2)		 27
(81)		 27.4
(81.3)		 27.9
(82.2)		 27.5
(81.5)		 26.9
(80.4)		 26.5
(79.7)		 26.5
(79.7)		 26.8
(80.2)		 27.1
(80.8)		 27.1
(80.8)		 26.9
(80.4)		 27.03
(80.68)
Average low °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5)		 21.5
(70.7)		 21.7
(71.1)		 22.4
(72.3)		 22.7
(72.9)		 22.4
(72.3)		 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 22.2
(72)		 22.3
(72.1)		 22
(72)		 21.8
(71.2)		 22.03
(71.76)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 68
(2.68)		 69
(2.72)		 47
(1.85)		 57
(2.24)		 108
(4.25)		 118
(4.65)		 110
(4.33)		 93
(3.66)		 84
(3.31)		 113
(4.45)		 98
(3.86)		 87
(3.43)		 1,052
(41.43)
Source: Climate-Data.org[6]

Barangays

General Santos City is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.[1]

  • Apopong
  • Baluan
  • Batomelong
  • Buayan
  • Bula
  • Calumpang
  • City Heights
  • Conel
  • Dadiangas East
  • Dadiangas North
  • Dadiangas South
  • Dadiangas West
  • Fatima
  • Katangawan
  • Labangal
  • Lagao (1st & 3rd)
  • Ligaya
  • Mabuhay
  • Olympog
  • San Isidro (Lagao 2nd)
  • San Jose
  • Siguel
  • Sinawal
  • Tambler
  • Tinagacan
  • Upper Labay

Demographics

Population census of General Santos
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 250,389—    
1995 327,173+5.14%
2000 411,822+5.06%
2007 529,542+3.53%
2010 538,086+0.58%
Source: National Statistics Office[2]

Cebuano is widely spoken but there are also Ilonggo settlers in the city and they are from South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

Religion

The predominant religion in the city is Christianity, with the largest denomination being the Catholic Church, comprising about 70 percent of the population. Some 8 percent self-identified as belonging to one of several Protestant churches, including the Aglipayan Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and various Alliance, Baptist, Born Again, Church of God, Evangelical, Methodist and Pentecostal groups. Included also in this percentage is the Iglesia ni Cristo.

The remaining 22 percent belong to non-Christian faiths, particularly Islam.

Economy

The city's major economic activity is primarily anchored in two sectors namely the agro-industry and fishing industry.

Fish Port of General Santos City
General Santos City Fishing Port Complex
Aerial view of port of general santos

General Santos City has registered 1,365 new medium to large enterprises in 2011. An aggregate investment involved is estimated PHP 1.202 billion. Top industry for new investment in 2011 are as follows: Hotel and Restaurant-31%; Wholesale & Retail Trade-20%; Repair of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles and Personal & Household Goods, Real Estate & Renting Business Activities-17%; Other Community, Social & Personal Services-8%; Financial Intermediation-5%; Manufacturing-5%; Fishing-3%; ICT-3 %

As of 2000, there are 59 banks serving the city. This composed of 46 commercial banks, 5 savings banks, 7 rural banks and 1 cooperative bank. Aside from this, there are 48 lending institutions as well as 49 pawnshops providing emergency loan assistance.

Shopping

General Santos City is the shopping capital of the SOCCSKSARGEN region. Residents from nearby towns and provinces visit the city to do shopping and enjoy life and leisure activities. There are several huge shopping malls in the city, notable ones are KCC Mall of Gensan, SM City General Santos, Robinsons Place GenSan, Gaisano Mall of GenSan, RD Plaza (Fitmart), Veranza Mall, and the newest addition to the city which is RD City Mall located at Brgy. Calumpang and Unitop Shopping Mall in Brgy. Dadingas West. SM Savemore has two branches in the city and another branch will be built within the downtown area. There are also news about building an Ayala Mall and Puregold. These malls are home to both national and international brands of retail merchandises as well as restaurants and cafes. There are many merchandise and large groceries owned by local and foreign Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean businessmen in the city.

Infrastructure

Communication

Modern and state-of-the-art communication facilities at par with global standards are readily available and are provided in General Santos City by major telecommunication companies in the country. These include voice, data, internet and network solutions, among others, in both wired and mobile forms.

Transportation

Airliners disembarking at General Santos City International Airport

GenSan and the whole of SOCCSKSARGEN region can be reached by air, land, or sea.

Air Transportation

The General Santos International Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao.[7] It has a 3,227-metre concrete runway[8] capable of handling wide-bodied jets like Airbus A340 and Boeing 747. It was also called Rajah Buayan Airport in the 1990s and Tambler Airport in year 2008 before it was renamed to its current name. Flights to and from Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu are currently being operated in the airport by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. General Santos International Airport is the second busiest airport in Mindanao and 9th busiest airport in the Philippines.

Sea Transportation

The Makar Wharf is the main international sea port of the city and is one of the finest sea ports in the country. It is location in Barangay Labangal, away from the central business district. With a 740 metres (2,430 ft) docking length and a 19 metres (62 ft) width, the wharf can accommodate up to nine (9) ship berthing positions all at the same time.[9] The port is complete with modern facilities like container yards, storage and weighing bridges to name a few.[10] Several shipping companies operate regular inter-island ferry service to and from other major ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Negros Navigation, SuperFerry and Sulpicio Lines provide these inter-island shipping routes while numerous Indonesian shipping lines operate international ferry service between General Santos City and neighboring ports in Indonesia carrying both passenger and cargo loads.

Pioneer Avenue, General Santos City
Land Transportation

Commuting in and around General Santos City is a fast and convenient ride. More than 400 passenger buses, public utility vans and jeepneys wield routes within the city and neighboring provinces like in Koronadal, Cotabato, Davao, Tacurong, Pagadian, Cagayan de Oro and others. Three-wheeled motorized cabs known as tricycles are the city's main mode of public transport and have been on the road since the pioneering times. Air-conditioned taxis also ply the city streets offering commuters a choice of a more comfortable mode of transportation.

Maintained by the City Engineers' Office, the city's major road networks are paved and endowed with safety road marks, signs and signals to ensure a secure and efficient traffic flow within the city. The Pan-Philippine Highway links the city by land to other major cities in Mindanao and to the rest of the country.

The General Santos City Terminal—popularly known as Bulaong Terminal; located in Barangay Dadiangas North is the city's main integrated land transport terminal. The terminal serves as the city's gateway for land travelers. Buses and other forms of public mass transportation—to and from various parts of Mindanao such as Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato, Davao, Kidapawan, Digos, Pagadian, and Cagayan de Oro.

Utilities

Power
Majority of the city's power supply is being serviced by the second district of South Cotabato Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO-II). The said power distributor acquires the majority of its power needs for the city's consumption from the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) while other sources are drawn from various Independent Power Producers (IPP) from nearby power plants and barges.
Water
Majority of the households and other entities in the city are provided and serviced with clean, safe and potable water supply from deep well sources by General Santos City Water District (GSCWD). Potable water sources in other far flung and remote parts of the city where cannot be reached by the local water utility service are being served by their individual Barangay Water And Sanitation systems.
Waste management
In a bid to achieve an efficient and sustainable management of non-hazardous waste the city produces every single day, the finalization and construction of the city's waste water treatment facility is currently underway at the corner of P. Acharon and I. Santiago Boulevards.[11] The said location is adjacent to the city public market and is the former site of the city's Fish Landing. The facility will include settling ponds and anaerobic reactors, among others.
Likewise is the finalization stage for the construction of a multi-million peso solid waste management and disposal system in Barangay Sinawal. The new and modern solid waste management facility will replace the existing city dumpsite in Barangay Siguel.[12]

Security and Civil Defense

The Philippine National Police, a military task force has been formed to protect the city from terrorist attacks and other crime. Task Force GenSan is affiliated with the Philippine Army and headed by an army colonel. 8 Police Stations are build on each barangay to keep the safeness and a peaceful order in city. Agencies and Organizations are forming a good and peaceful will to group an order in a city.

Health Services

The average life expectancy of Gensanon is 70 for females and 65 for males. There are 19 hospitals, with a total of 1,963 beds, in the city including GenSan Doctors Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, SOCSARGEN Country Hospital, Mindanao Medical Center, R.O Diagan Cooperative Hospital and the General Santos City District Hospital servicing a care for the people.

Education

Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, a Catholic institution run by the Marist Brothers or FMS (Fratres Maristae a Scholis)

Aside from more than 50 Private Schools and more than 100 public schools, General Santos City hosts three universities. These are the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Mindanao State University - General Santos and New Era University - General Santos Campus.

Soon the General Santos campus of the country's oldest academic institution, University of Santo Tomas, will rise in Barangay Ligaya.

Media

Notable media publications in the city are the SusStar General Santos, Periodiko Banat, Sapol, and other local newspapers. Brigada Newspaper General Santos is the most popular newspaper company in the city.

There are several television stations in the city that are owned and operated by broadcasting networks—ABS-CBN 3 Soccsksargen, CNN Philippines Channel 7, GMA 8 Soccsksargen, AKTV 10, TV5 Channel 12 Gensan, GMA News TV 26, ABS-CBN Sports+Action Channel 36, AksyonTV Channel 38, Brigada News TV 46. Most of these television networks reaches as far as Davao Region and Northern Mindanao; and caters the whole SOCCSKSARGEN Region. Major and other minor cable and satellite television companies are also operating in the city. Most of the FM and AM radio stations are operating in the city 24 hours a day such as MOR 92.7 General Santos, 89.5 Brigada News FM, iFM 91.9, 94.3 Yes! FM General Santos, Radyo5 97.5 News FM, K101.5 Love Radio GenSan, Barangay 102.3 GenSan and others.

There are three local newscasts programs in General Santos: TV Patrol Socsksargen (ABS-CBN 3 Soccsksargen), GMA Soccsksargen Flash Bulletin (GMA 8 Soccsksargen), Balita38 (EGTV Channel 46) and Ronda Brigada (Brigada News TV channel 34).

Notable people

Sister cities

Local

International

See also

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to General Santos.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for General Santos City.
 Malungon, Sarangani
Polomolok
T'Boli		 Alabel, Sarangani
   General Santos City  
Maasim, Sarangani
Sarangani Bay
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