Gensan Tourism

Isang napakalaking karangalan at biyaya para sa ating lungsod ang pagtanggap ng Mobile Hospital Bus mula sa Zenith International Group of Companies.

Taos-puso ang aking pasasalamat sa kanilang patuloy na pagtitiwala at suporta sa mga programang makatutulong sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng bawat Heneral.

Sa pamamagitan ng makabagong Mobile Hospital Bus na ito, mas mapapalapit natin ang mga serbisyong pangkalusugan sa ating mga komunidad. Isa itong mahalagang hakbang upang mas marami pang mamamayan ang mabigyan ng mabilis, maayos, at dekalidad na serbisyong medikal.

Lubos din ang aking pasasalamat kay First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos sa personal na pagturn-over ng napakahalagang proyektong ito. Ang kanyang suporta at malasakit ay malaking inspirasyon sa aming patuloy na pagsisikap na mapabuti ang kalidad ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan.

Kasama si First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, personal naming inikot ang Mobile Laboratory Van upang makita ang mga makabagong kagamitan at serbisyong maihahatid nito sa ating mga kababayan.

Tunay na nakakatuwang makita ang mga oportunidad na mabubuksan nito para sa mas malusog na General Santos City.
Maraming salamat, Zenith International Group of Companies, sa pagbibigay ng isang serbisyong mag-iiwan ng pangmatagalang benepisyo para sa ating lungsod. Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang isang mas malusog, mas matatag, at mas progresibong General Santos City.

— Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao, MMPA

Photos: Denn Jib Seblos | BJ Lapera

𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗦 | The Department of Tourism Regional Office 12 in partnership with the Local Government Unit of General Santos City successfully concluded the 7-day Community Guiding Seminar held on May 20-26 in General Santos City.

This initiative aimed to equip our local tour guides and community leaders within General Santos City with the knowledge in guiding and effective communication skills to better serve our tourists coming in the region.

Now, our newly trained guides are ready to welcome the world with a smile carrying a top-tier guiding standards!

Tourism supported 7.70 million Filipino jobs in 2025, accounting for 15.7% of the country’s total workforce, according to data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The industry also contributed 8.1% to the Philippine economy last year, generating ₱2.27 trillion in direct gross value added from businesses tied to travel, including hotels, restaurants, transport services, and other tourism-related activities. The figure was down 1.4% from ₱2.3 trillion in 2024.

Despite the decline in direct economic value generated by the sector, overall tourism spending still climbed to ₱3.96 trillion in 2025, up 1.2% from ₱3.91 trillion a year earlier.

Domestic tourism continued to drive the industry, with local travelers spending ₱3.26 trillion, up 3% year-on-year. Revenue from foreign visitors, however, declined 6.4% to ₱698.46 billion, while spending by Filipinos traveling abroad rose 3.5% to ₱357.93 billion.

The figures show how heavily employment across transport, hospitality, food services, and small tourism-linked businesses still depends on local travel demand, even as earnings from inbound tourism weakened during the year.

Report by radar Business

Kabilin Historical Symposium Traces General Santos City’s Journey Through Time

The history and transformation of General Santos City took center stage during the Kabilin: General Santos City Historical Symposium held today at 3rd floor SM City General Santos as part of the Handumanan Photo Exhibit 2026 and the city's observance of National Heritage Month.

Carrying the theme "Roots & Horizon: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future," the symposium gathered history enthusiasts, students, educators, researchers, and members of the public for an afternoon of discussions on the historical development of General Santos City and the Valleys of the South.

The event was formally opened by Francisco "Tito" Santos, president of The Pioneers-Descendants of General Santos City, Inc., who welcomed participants and underscored the importance of preserving and sharing the stories that shaped the city and its people.

Faculty members, researchers, and historians from Mindanao State University-General Santos City led a series of lectures that examined the region's evolution from the late 19th century to the modern era.

Topics included the historical dynamics of the Valleys of the Southern Lands from the 1880s to the 1940s, the area's emergence as a modern frontier, migration and settlement under the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA), life in the settlement during the Japanese occupation, Buayan's journey to cityhood, General Santos City's development from cityhood to the EDSA period, and the city's growth in the years following EDSA.

The presentations provided participants with a deeper understanding of how migration, settlement programs, wartime experiences, governance, and economic development contributed to the growth and identity of present-day General Santos City.

During the closing ceremony, Eliodoro Alcaya Jr., representing Atty. Leonard V. Flores of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO), expressed gratitude to the organizers and participants and conveyed his office's appreciation for being part of the event.

City Councilor Virginia Tiongson-Llido, representing City Councilor Michael Stephen Pacquiao, also delivered a message of support. She commended the organizers for the successful conduct of the Handumanan Photo Exhibit and Historical Symposium and emphasized the importance of promoting local history and heritage.

She likewise expressed hope that future editions of the event should be held in a larger venue to accommodate more participants, particularly from the academic community, noting that discussions on the city's history play an important role in fostering cultural awareness and appreciation.

Representing City Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao, Executive Assistant Joey John Concepcion conveyed the city government's gratitude and continued support for initiatives that promote heritage preservation, historical awareness, and community engagement.

The Handumanan Photo Exhibit and Historical Symposium were presented by The Pioneers-Descendants of General Santos City, Inc., the Local Government Unit of General Santos City, SM City General Santos, and Mindanao State University in partnership with cultural and heritage stakeholders. (CPIO/MBDG/RSC)

GIVE BLOOD. GIVE HOPE. SAVE LIVES. ❤️🩸

One blood donation can save multiple lives.

Join us as Dadiangas Medical Center, in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, holds a Mass Blood Donation Drive this coming June 2, 2026.

Every bag of blood collected becomes a lifeline for patients in need — from emergencies and surgeries to cancer treatments and critical care.

Your simple act of kindness can make a life-changing difference.

• June 2, 2026 (Tuesday)
• 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Dadiangas Medical Center, 3rd Floor Conference Hall

🩸 In partnership with the Philippine Red Cross

👥 Open to:
• Employees
• Partners
• External volunteers and community donors

📞 Contact Person:
Ms. Iris Cruz - Laboratory Department, Blood Station Section Head
0917 190 2565 or through email [email protected]

Together, let us continue building a healthier, more

💙💚❤️

DadiangasMed is committed to serve the people of General Santos City and its neighboring communities. This state-of-the-art medical facility employs the faculties of innovative technology, driven by the highest patient-and-family-centered safety standards, all enabled by our valued teams who are trained and empowered to partner with YOU and YOUR FAMILIES in delivering paramount excellence in safe, compassionate, and quality healthcare.

DADIANGAS MEDICAL CENTER, Your Trusted Health Partner, is truly close to home, close to your heart.

🛺 VISIT US. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.
Allado Compound, Leon Llido St.,
City Heights, 9500 General Santos City
South Cotabato, Philippines

☎️ CALL US. WE LOVE TALKING TO YOU.
Tel Nos. (083) 520 7881; (083) 310 6975;
0917 190 2568

𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍: 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐎𝐒 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐔𝐌 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Kabilin: General Santos City Historical Symposium highlighted the closing ceremony of the city’s National Heritage Week celebration on May 30, 2026 at SM City General Santos, bringing together heritage advocates, students, and government representatives in a shared commitment to preserving and promoting the city’s rich history.

Organized by the MSU History Department, the symposium served as a platform for meaningful discussions on General Santos City’s historical development, cultural identity, and heritage preservation efforts. The activity formed part of the city’s observance of National Heritage Week, anchored on the theme “Roots & Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future.”

Following the symposium, a closing ceremony was held to formally conclude the week-long celebration. Present during the program were Mr. Francisco Santos, President of The Pioneers-Descendants of General Santos City, Inc.; Executive Assistant Joey John Concepcion, representing Mayor Lorelie Geronimo Pacquiao; Councilor Virginia Tiongson-Llido, representing Councilor Michael Pacquiao; and Mr. Eliodoro Y. Alcaya Jr., Supervising Tourism Operations Officer of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) – Tourism Division, representing Atty. Leonard V. Flores.

Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of Atty. Flores, Mr. Alcaya expressed appreciation to the MSU History Department, The Pioneers-Descendants of General Santos City, Inc., SM City General Santos, heritage advocates, and all participating institutions for their collective efforts in making the National Heritage Week celebration meaningful and successful.

Meanwhile, Mr. Francisco Santos acknowledged the collaborative efforts of government agencies, educational institutions, and heritage stakeholders in preserving the stories and legacy of General Santos City for future generations.

The closing ceremony also recognized the contribution of various partners whose support helped ensure the successful conduct of the symposium and other heritage activities throughout the week.

Complementing the celebration is the Handumanan Photo Exhibit at the 3rd Floor of SM City General Santos, which remains open to the public until May 31, 2026. The exhibit features rare historical photographs that provide visitors with a glimpse into the city's transformation from its pioneering years to the present day.

The successful conduct of the Kabilin Historical Symposium and the National Heritage Week celebration reflects the community’s growing appreciation for local history and its commitment to safeguarding the cultural heritage of General Santos City.

Kudos to Gensan Hoteliers Association Incorporated- GHAI for this empowering initiatives. Thank you and Congratulations. Padayon.