General Santos
General Santos | ||
---|---|---|
City of General Santos | ||
Other transcription(s) | ||
• Jawi | جنرل سنتوس | |
Aerial view of urban GenSan; Robinsons Place GenSan; Barbecue grill stalls at Tiongson Arcade; General Santos highway | ||
Founded August 18, 1947 | | |
Cityhood | July 8, 1968 | |
Highly urbanized city | September 5, 1988 | |
Named for | General Paulino Santos | |
Barangays | 26
(see Vice Mayor Rosalita T. Nuñez | |
• Representative | Loreto B. Acharon | |
• City Council | Members | |
• 2022) | ||
Area | ||
• Total | 492.86 km2 (190.29 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 197 m (646 ft) | |
Highest elevation | 869 m (2,851 ft) | |
Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | |
Population (2020 census)[4] | ||
• Total | 697,315 | |
• Density | 1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi) | |
• Households | 175,345 | |
Demonym | Gensanon | |
Economy | ||
• Gross domestic product (GDP) | ₱129.015 billion (2022)[5] $2.279 billion (2022) ZIP code 9500 | |
PSGC | ||
IDD : area code | +63 (0)83 | |
Native languages | Hiligaynon Cebuano Tboli Blaan Tagalog Maguindanaon | |
Website | www |
General Santos, officially the City of General Santos,[note 1] and abbreviated as GenSan, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the region of Soccsksargen, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 697,315 people.[4]
It is located on the island of Mindanao, it is the southernmost and 15th-most populous city in the Philippines. It is the regional center for commerce and industry of the Soccsksargen region, and is geographically located within the province of South Cotabato but administered independently of it.
Etymology
The city was named after Gen.
History
The nomadic
Beforehand, the B'laan would were forced upland into the surrounding hills after the Muslims settle in the area under the rule of the Sultanate of Maguindanao.
After the fall of Maguindanao, Datu Uto of Buayan expanded his domain south towards Sarangani Bay. Dadiangas remained as a port under the Sultanate of Buayan until the American era.
Waves of migration
Organized under the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) of the
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
Second World War
During World War II, 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.[8]
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[9] 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
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. On September 5, 1988, a decade after its inauguration as a chartered city, GenSan was declared a highly urbanized city of South Cotabato.
Even after becoming a
In April 2001, Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino, an ally of deposed president Joseph Estrada, coordinated with various mayors and governors to bring their respective constituents to Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in Metro Manila to protest the arrest of Estrada.[12]
Geography
General Santos lies at the southern part of the Philippines. The city is southeast of Manila, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Davao.
The city is bounded by municipalities of
Climate
Climate data for General Santos (1991–2020, extremes 1949–2020) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 37.5 (99.5) |
38.0 (100.4) |
38.9 (102.0) |
39.0 (102.2) |
39.4 (102.9) |
38.5 (101.3) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.0 (98.6) |
36.5 (97.7) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.5 (99.5) |
39.0 (102.2) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.3 (90.1) |
32.9 (91.2) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.3 (93.7) |
33.5 (92.3) |
32.2 (90.0) |
31.7 (89.1) |
31.7 (89.1) |
32.2 (90.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.8 (91.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.7 (90.9) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.5 (81.5) |
27.9 (82.2) |
28.5 (83.3) |
28.9 (84.0) |
28.5 (83.3) |
27.7 (81.9) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.3 (81.1) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.7 (81.9) |
27.9 (82.2) |
27.8 (82.0) |
27.9 (82.2) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22.6 (72.7) |
22.8 (73.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
Record low °C (°F) | 17.1 (62.8) |
17.2 (63.0) |
16.9 (62.4) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.7 (65.7) |
17.9 (64.2) |
17.2 (63.0) |
17.5 (63.5) |
18.0 (64.4) |
18.2 (64.8) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.0 (64.4) |
16.9 (62.4) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 96.9 (3.81) |
53.0 (2.09) |
55.3 (2.18) |
54.1 (2.13) |
72.2 (2.84) |
101.9 (4.01) |
98.1 (3.86) |
91.3 (3.59) |
83.3 (3.28) |
99.6 (3.92) |
77.5 (3.05) |
74.9 (2.95) |
958.1 (37.72) |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 106 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
79 | 76 | 75 | 75 | 78 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 79 |
Source: |
General Santos has a
Barangays
General Santos is politically subdivided into 26
- 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
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1903 | 33 | — |
1918 | 9,787 | +46.15% |
1939 | 14,115 | +1.76% |
1948 | 32,019 | +9.53% |
1960 | 84,988 | +8.47% |
1970 | 85,861 | +0.10% |
1975 | 91,154 | +1.21% |
1980 | 149,396 | +10.38% |
1990 | 250,389 | +5.30% |
1995 | 327,173 | +5.14% |
2000 | 411,822 | +5.06% |
2007 | 529,542 | +3.53% |
2010 | 538,086 | +0.58% |
2015 | 594,446 | +1.92% |
2020 | 697,315 | +3.19% |
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[16][17][18][19] |
There are two major languages spoken in the city, with
Religion
The predominant religion in the city is
Economy
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org. |
The city's major economic activity is primarily anchored in two sectors namely the agro-industry and fishing industry.
- Agro-industry: Endowed with rich volcanic soil, ample and well distributed rainfall all throughout the year and a typhoon-free climate, General Santos produces export quality high valued crops such as corn, coconut, pineapple, asparagus, banana and rice. It also yields quality exotic fruits, vegetables and cut flowers. The city is also a top producer and exporter of quality livestock such as poultry, hogs, and cattle. But with the continuing growth in population and economy in the passing of time, a number of the city's agricultural lands have gradually been converted into built up areas in order to address the relatively growing need of dwelling and viable spaces.
- Fishing industry: General Santos is the largest producer of National Capital Region. The fishing industryin yields a total daily capacity of 750 metric tons of fish catch, and employs about 7,800 workers. General Santos is home to seven tuna processing plants. The Fishport Complex in Barangay Tambler has a 750 metres (2,460 ft) quay and a 300 metres (980 ft) wharf for 2,000 GT reefer carriers. The fish port is equipped with modern facilities that comply with international standards on fish catch handling. Locals in the city boast that fish and seafood do not come fresher than what is found in their locality.
General Santos 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 was 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 is the shopping capital of the
Infrastructure
- Communication
Modern and state-of-the-art communication facilities at par with global standards are readily available and are provided in General Santos by major telecommunication companies in the country. These include voice, data, internet and network solutions, among others, in both wired and mobile forms.
Transportation
GenSan and the whole of Soccsksargen can be reached by air, land, or sea.
- Air transportation
The General Santos International Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao.[28] It has a 3,227-metre concrete runway[29] 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 2008, before being 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
- Land transportation
Commuting in and around General Santos is a fast and convenient ride. More than 400 passenger
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 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.[32] 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.[33]
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 built 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 more than 2,200 beds in the city including General Santos Doctors Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital,
Education
Aside from more than 50 Private Schools, such as The Quantum Academy, and the
Soon, the General Santos campus of the country's oldest academic institution, University of Santo Tomas, will rise in Barangay Ligaya.
Notre Dame of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Notre Dame of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (NDST; formerly Canonico Antonio Institute, Inc.) is a private educational institution. It offers primary education, junior high school and senior high school, in adherence to the K-12 education system as implemented in the Philippines. The school is administered by the Disciples of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (DST), a Catholic religious congregation. The school's campus is located along Purok Nopol Road, Sitio Nupol, Barangay Conel in General Santos.
In 1992, Jovita Onez, a devout Catholic Christian from General Santos donated one hectare of land to the DST congregation. The Mother General at that time, accepted the donation and decided to establish a convent and school in the said place. The construction of the new convent started in 1999. Both buildings were finally established in 2001 with all its furnishings and were officially blessed and opened on January 3, 2001. By the following months, the DST Sisters were accepting enrollees for preschool and primary education. The school had officially set into operation on the opening of the academic year of the same year.
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—
There are three local newscasts programs in General Santos:
Notable personalities
- Sebastian Benedict (Baeby Baste) of Eat Bulaga!, child actor
- Gerald Anderson, actor
- Ethel Booba, TV personality
- Melai Cantiveros, actress
- Nonito Donaire, professional boxer
- Rolando Navarrete, professional boxer
- Jinkee Pacquiao, politician
- Manny Pacquiao, professional boxer
- UAAP basketball of Ateneo de Manila UniversityBlue Eagles
- Shamcey Supsup, Miss Universe 2011Pageant 3rd Runner-up and National Director of Miss Universe Philippines
- YouTube personality
- Racso Jugarap, international artist
- XB Gensan, dance group, Grand Champion, Showtime Season 1
Sister cities
Local
- Quezon City, since October 12, 1994[34]
- Iloilo City, since 1980[35]
- Naga, Camarines Sur[36]
- Cotabato City[37]
International
Gallery
-
General Santos City Hall
-
Amarandi Cove Lake
-
KCC Mall General Santos
-
Pioneer Avenue
-
SM City General Santos
See also
- List of renamed cities and municipalities of the Philippines
Notes
- ^ Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos; Hiligaynon: Dakbanwa sang Heneral Santos; Maguindanao: Ingud nu Heneral Santos; Blaan: Banwe Dadiangas; Tboli: Benwu Dadiangas; Filipino: Lungsod ng Heneral Santos
References
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- (DILG)
- (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ a b Census of Population (2020). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ^ "City of General Santos Posts the Fastest Growth Among Economies in SOCCSKSARGEN in 2022".
- IMF. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ "History of General Santos City". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
- ^ "An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Buayan, in the Province of Cotabato, to General Santos". LawPH.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2011.
- ^ Congress of the Philippines (March 11, 2019). "Republic Act No. 11243 - An Act Reapportioning the First Legislative District of the Province of South Cotabato, thereby creating the Lone Legislative District of General Santos City" (PDF). Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Gloria, Glenda M. (August 29, 2015). "Remembering the Iglesia-led EDSA 3". Rappler. Rappler Inc. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
This story on 'EDSA 3'[...] was first published by Newsbreak in May 2001.
- ^ "General Santos City, South Cotabato Climatological Normal Values" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
- ^ "General Santos City, South Cotabato Climatological Extremes" (PDF). Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Archived from the original on October 13, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
- ^ "Province: South Cotabato". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
- ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
{{cite encyclopedia}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^
"Province of South Cotabato". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities AdministrationResearch Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
- ^ Philippine Statistics Authority (July 26, 2017). "Muslim Population in Mindanao (based on POPCEN 2015". Archived from the original on August 31, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
- ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
- ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
- ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
- ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Fel V. Maragay (July 4, 1996). "Demos in South get ugly; Ramos unfazed: Mindanao Council is good formula, FVR insists". Manila Standard. Philippines. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ "General Santos International Airport". Archived from the original on September 19, 2010.
- ^ "International Container Terminal Services, Inc". Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Construction of Waste Treatment Facility, P. Acharon BLVD. Corner Santiago BLVD., General Santos City | General Santos City". Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
- ^ "11CS-GSC-001 – Contract to Design, Build and Operate a Sanitary Solid Waste Management and Disposal Project at Barangay Sinawal, City of General Santos, Philippines. | General Santos City". Archived from the original on March 8, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
- ^ "Sister Cities". The Local Government of Quezon City. Archived from the original on October 1, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ Tayona, Glenda; Silubrico, Ruby (August 25, 2018). "Iloilo to showcase culture to 'sister cities' tonight". Panay News. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "RESOLUTION RENEWING AND REVITALIZING THE EXISTING SISTER CITY TIES OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL SANTOS WITH THE CITY OF NAGA, CAMARINES SUR" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ "Resolution Sisterhood Cities in Region12". Facebook. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022.
- ^ "DIRECTORY OF AUSTRALIAN SISTER CITY AFFILIATIONS 2018" (PDF). Sister Cities Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 13, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c "GENSAN and JERSEY CITY to Sign SISTER CITY Agreement AUGUST 14". Gensan Magazine. August 2, 2018. Archived from the original on January 12, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
Come August 14, Jersey City will become Gensan's third international sister city (after Monterrey, Mexico and Hadano City, Japan), while Gensan becomes Jersey's second Philippine sister city (after Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental).
- ^ "Jersey City and GenSan now "sister cities"". Philippine Daily Inquirer. INQUIRER.net US Bureau. August 30, 2018. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.