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Friday, May 3, 2013

KALAJA KARST AREA (Kalaja Cave/Malakong Wall) Brgy. Conel, General Santos City, Philippines






Discover Amazing Nature!

General Santos City Tours- Trip to nature

Are you planning of spending an excursion to General Santos City? Then these are the places that you should know for you to enjoy having a tour at General Santos City or locally known as GenSan. This city The city is one of the islands of Mindanao and is mainly located within the province of South Cotabato.

Today, General Santos doesn't only have man made attractions but as well famed by having people concern about taking care and preserving it's natural beauty among the sectors of fishing and agriculture which makes GenSan one of the hottest tourist spot in the island of Mindanao.

If your're wondering where to take a tour at Gensan, you may take these places as one of your tour list and see nature's bounty, having scenic spots in the midst of this mid- sized city.

1. Kalaja Karsts Island
Have you heard about the frying pot island located in GenSan? Well, it all refers to the Kalaja Karst Island. Believed as hundred years old karts formation, Kalaja Karsts Island has been one of the top list of Gensan's tourist destination. Having it's wonderful nature campgrounds, waterfalls and caves, sightseeing is truly the best things to do. Kalaja karsts Island is one of the prestigious myriad tourist spots located in General Santos City.

The area is about 15 kilometers from General Santos City’s northeast side at Barangay Conel. The name Kalaha Karsts Area is derived from the word Kalaha, which means frying pot due to the formation of the karsts made millions of years ago. Waterfalls and caves are abundant in this area.

Tourists can explore the Kalaja Cave in General Santos City. The cave has a pool inside that is about three meters deep and 22 meters wide.

Bunga Spring is found in the center of the Kalaha Karsts Area in General Santos City. The place has a campsite for tourists and stargazing is a great night activity. 

Ranked high on the most visited General Santos destinations is the Kalaja Karst Area found in Barangay Conel. The General Santos destination is a national reserve that is good for anyone who knows how to appreciate nature. One does not have to be a nature lover to be able to enjoy the Kalaja Karst Area because once here, one will realize that nature is something that’s truly wonderful and should be preserved. Aside from picnics and camping, a tour guide awaits at the Kalaja Karst Area to bring one to the Kalaja Cave and the different waterfalls in the area. This General Santos destination is a one stop for those who want to go on a picnic, swim, go trekking or camping. Because of the many options offered by the Kalaja Karst Area, one will definitely not get bored and the rugged environment is something that is very laid back. Even children can enjoy this tourist destination and it’s a good idea to bring them to Kalaja Karst Area so that they learn to appreciate nature at an early age and feel the need to preserve and protect it as they get older.

Another tourist destination in General Santos City is the Malakong Gorge just about three-and-a-half kilometers away from Kalaja Cave. This is an excellent place for boulder and rock climbing for novices and beginners. Camping for tourists are also allowed.

Just a 30-minute drive from the Kalaha Karsts Area is the Nopol Hills. It is General Santos City’s highest camping ground and gives a good panoramic view of Sarangani Bay and the neighboring towns. Hiking in Nopol Hills in the afternoon will give you a good view of the sunset at the bay.

2. Lake Adventures
The scenery of Lake Sebu is truly impressive thing that remarks beauty for the fact that the place defines a serene atmosphere and a lake that holds several kinds of cultured fishes that can be catched at hand. The mystic clearness of the water conceals a lot of stories that is impart of the place. Having it's tranquill and peaceful place, many believed that Lake Sebu is a miraculous place that serves as a means of nourishment and a body of water that continuous to flow for the local T'boli tribes. The lake is truly a natural preserve that serves as a sanctuary for some exotic animals and plants.

3. Mountain trekking
Nature lovers and campers is undeniably one of the numerous ones that loves to try outdoor activities especially along mountains and hills. In General Santos City, Mount Matutum is one of the hotspot for tourists and travelers. Regarded as one of the highest mountains in Mindanao Mount Matutum attracts a great pool of tourists which give fun, exitement, thrill with complex mountain formations that surely surely gives a challenge to anyone; healthy excursion as well that energize body and mind having 7,600 feet height of the mountain. It also gives a rewarding moment as you get through the mountain's peak, having vast mountain ranges and the spectacular sight of the skies that will surely pay off your tired body.

4. Dive through the Kamanga Reef
Have you been mesmerized seeing breathtaking sights of underwater in Kamanga Reef? Then why let yourself miss it's beauty. Seeing the wonders of the sea are the best place to appreciate natures bounty having awesome coral reefs, bunch of different kinds of fishes that you may snorkel out of the blues. Getting a trip to the Kamanga Reef is truly a wonderful nature experience.

5. Trip to Nopol Hills
Enlisting nature excursions are nice things to do while in General Santos City. To be specific, the Nopol Hills. The place is one of the most outgoing and highest grounds in GenSan. Some of the outstanding activities to spend in Nopol Hills are mountain hiking and watching the sunset that you may do while you're with your friends, family, business partners and associates.





KALAJA KARST AREA (Kalaja Cave/Malakong Wall) 
Location : Conel,General Santos City. Just 15 km ride or P15.00 fare, you'll be at Kalaja Karst Area, just a km hike and you'll be at the cave, add another 2 km and you'll reach Malakong Wall. (JOP : est. 14km from the city proper) 

Description : The area is surrounded with limestone's cliffs. It has Kalaja river which irrigates the low land farm area of the city. During dry season, the river main source of water comes from a subterranean river named Kalaja Cave (a 207m cave that offers 20m of swimming and a smooth walk in knee to waist deep running water). The area has an established rock climbing route at Malakong Wall. The Wall offers beginners and Novice route to would be rock climbers. It also has many of unexplored routes waiting to be climbed. The place has also many tunnels left by the retreating Japanese forces during the WWII.



Queen City of the South, Cebu City, Philippines










Why Cebu gets the title ‘Queen City of the South?


FROM the beginning of the 19th century up until the advent of World War II, no other province in the south was as important historically and politically and as progressive as Iloilo.

With its sugar industry flourishing and many other divergent economic resources, Iloilo’s economy was catapulted to enormous heights. And with the American government pouring in enormous political and economic functions to the city, Iloilo became the second major seat of power during that time with all administrative functions channeling to the province and Manila only.

The “Queen City of the South” title was then made as its official recognition when Iloilo was legally declared a city for the second time by the virtue of the Commonwealth Act No. 158 in 1937.

For historical glimpse, the city was first created by a Royal Decree of Reina Cristina of Spain on October 5, 1889. Its Ayuntamiento city government was inaugurated on February 7, 1890 by General Valeriano Weyler.

By the end of the Japanese Occupation, however, Iloilo’s economy, life and infrastructure were damaged. The declining sugar economy, the deteriorating peace and order situation in the countryside, divisive politics and the exodus of Ilonggos to other cities and islands that offered better opportunities such as Manila, Bacolod and Cebu led to Iloilo’s demise in economic importance in southern Philippines.

From 1960s towards 1990s, Iloilo’s economy progressed in a moderate pace.

The economic momentum thence angled off to its neighbor Cebu City, which, until 1937, had never been more than a town since its original founding in 1565.

Like greased lightning, this oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country swiftly transmogrified into the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines.

No city in the south progressed as much as Cebu in so short a time during this period.
By the time the 80s drew to a close, growth has spread to the countryside.

Indeed, a lot of this development and the economic expansion can be credited to the way the province and its capital city are governed by its local officials.

The public administrators of Cebu have been known to be development-oriented, steering Cebu to greater heights by putting in place infrastructure facilities needed for economic growth.
The Osmenas are prime examples, particularly Serge, Lito, Tomas, and Sonny. It was during their watch that Cebu experienced economic boom.

In many places, powerful politicians dictate their terms and faithful adherence to their plans and programs.

But in Cebu, political leaders upon assumption to their respective offices, work for the benefit of their constituents. It is because from hereon, partisanship has no place in the hallowed halls of the capitol.

They function to serve the needs of their people. As far as they are concerned, in terms of economic development, there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation — at least until the next election cycle.

It was only a matter of time before Cebu came to be recognized as the Philippines’ main domestic shipping port and home to about 80 percent of the country’s domestic shipping companies.

The province also holds the second largest international flights in the Philippines and is a significant center of commerce, trade and industry in the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Most importantly, Cebu ranks number one because of the current unity that has never been seen before in any province — unity among elected officials, unity among business groups, unity among its people, and unity between the private and public sectors.

Seeing it in another way—this regionalistic attitude, whatever negative connotation it brings, paved the way for Cebu’s progress.

Indeed, it is an accepted fact that Cebuanos are intensely regionalistic. They also are a very proud people.

For the Cebuanos, this only means they are very proud of their craft and culture.

They think highly of themselves and show this by “loving their own,” which explains the refusal to speak Tagalog.

You see, Cebuanos insist on speaking in their native tongue to just about anyone, except foreigners, of course. If someone from the National Capital Region speaks to them in Tagalog, they would rather reply in English than speak Tagalog. 

But then again, proponents of regionalism say that strengthening a region’s governing bodies and political powers within a larger country would create efficiencies of scale to the region, promote decentralization, develop a more rational allocation of the region’s resources for benefit of the local populations, increase the efficient implementation of local plans, raise competitiveness levels among the regions and ultimately the whole country and save taxpayers money.

Overall, Cebu continues to excel and investors are drawn to Cebu because of the culture of professionalism and craftsmanship among its people, the vast highly skilled manpower resources resilient amid trying times, its fair weather, relative peace and business-friendly atmosphere.

Thus, Cebu being what it is today, is a triumph in local governance that led to a progressive and vibrant community. It could safely assume the de facto moniker as the “Queen City of the South.”

Without fear of contradiction and without malice, we doubt if Iloilo could retake this lost honor.
The public is already accustomed to the notion that Cebu rightfully deserves the prestigious title better than Iloilo.

Monday, April 8, 2013

About GENERAL SANTOS CITY

Magandang GENSAN...





The City of General Santos (abbreviated G.S.C. or GenSan.; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos, Filipino: Lungsod ng Heneral Santos) is the southern most port city of the Republic of the Philippines. It is one of the most populous urban centers in the country with a population of 529,542 as per data of 2007 census.[1][2] GenSan is bounded by municipalities of Sarangani Province namely Alabel in the East of the city, and Maasim in the South. The city is likewise bounded by South Cotabato municipalities of Polomolok and Malungon in the North, and the municipality of T'boli in the West of the city. General Santos City is a component of South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (SOCCSKSARGEN) growth region.

History

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 Compania Maritima on February 27, 1939. The 62 pioneers (mostly agricultural and trade graduates) were the first big batch of settlers to land in GenSan with the mission to industriously cultivate GenSan's fertile expanse of land. After this first influx of pioneers, thousands more from Luzon and the Visayas have subsequently migrated into the area. This started the displacement of some native B'laan tribe to the mountains and lost their livelihood.

The B'laan people are the original settlers of GenSan which they called Dadiangas during the time. The B’laans live a nomadic way of life in and around GenSan. Evidence of their early occupancy are the names of the places in the city which were derived from their native terms. One significant name is Dadiangas, their native call for a tree which has thorns on it’s trunk and stems that abundantly thrive in GenSan during the time. Under Indigenous Peoples Right Act IPRA law RA 8371, these Dadiangas trees are now protected and it is proven under the Philippine jurisprudence of the Supreme Court. In the present time, the B'laan tribe live side by side in harmony with the new generation of settlers and other immigrants.

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.

One year after the mark of Philippine Independence from the Americans 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 honor. Dadiangas was the seat of government for the Municipality of Buayan electing Ireneo 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.[3]

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 and multi-national corporations such as Dole Philippines, General Milling Corporation and UDAGRI have 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’’.

Finally, on July 8, 1968, upon the approval of Republic Act No. 5412, which was authored by the late Congressman James L. Chiongbian, 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.

Location

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.

Barangays

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

* Apopong
* Baluan
* Batomelong
* Buayan
* Bula
* Calumpang
* City Heights
* Conel
* Dadiangas East (Pob.)
* 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

The city is the gateway to the opportunities, sights, sounds and culture of SOCCSKSARGEN region. Backed with world class infrastructure today,[4] GenSan and the whole of SOCCSKSARGEN region are within hassle-free reach by air, land, sea or even via the most advanced form of technology from virtually any part of the world.

* 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.

* Air

The General Santos International Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao. It has a 3,221-meter concrete runway[5] capable of handling wide-bodied jets like Airbus A340 and Boeing 747-400. Flights to and from Manila and Cebu cities are currently being operated in the airport, by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air, servicing an ever increasing demand in the volume of both passenger and cargo traffic to and from the city and SOCCSKSARGEN region.

* Sea

The Makar Wharf is the main international port of the city and is one of the finest ports in the country. With a 740-meter docking length and a 19-meter width, the wharf can accommodate up to nine (9) ship berthing positions all at the same time.[6] The port is complete with modern facilities like container yards, storage and weighing bridges to name a few.[7] 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.

* Land

Commuting in and around General Santos City is a fast and convenient ride. More than 400 passenger buses and jeepneys wield routes within the city and neighboring provinces. Three-wheeled motorized cabs known as tricycles are the city's main mode of public transport and has been in 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, jeepneys and other forms of public mass transport—to and from various parts of Mindanao and the country—are being stationed at the said terminal. A proposed Laoag-Manila-General Santos City and vice versa bus route may soon be operational by Partas, a mass transport company based in Cubao, Quezon City.

Economy & Industry

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 City 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.
Tuna Export in General Santos City

* Fishing industry

General Santos City is the largest producer of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. Thus in as early as 1970, the title "Tuna Capital of the Philippines" has become a tag to it. GenSan also accounts for the second largest daily total catch of fish in the country after Navotas City in the National Capital Region. Locals in the city boast that fishes and seafoods do not come fresher than what is found in their locality. The fishing industry in GenSan yields a total daily capacity of 750 metric tons of fish catch alone and employs about 7,800 workers. Which is why, General Santos City is home to seven (7) tuna processing plants in the country. A world class Fishport Complex in Barangay Tambler has a 750-meter quay and a 300-meter wharf for 2,000 GT reefer carriers. The fishport is equipped with modern facilities that comply with international standards on fish catch handling.


Being a component city and center of commerce and trade in Region XII known as the SOCCSKSARGEN region and owing to its strategic location and world class infrastructure and support facilities, General Santos City plays a very important role in the emergence of SOCCSKSARGEN region as the country's leading producer of export-quality major commodities.
[edit] Support facility

* 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 my 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 sustainabale management of non-hazardous wastes 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 Bloulevards .[8] 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 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.[9]
Business

General Santos City has registered 1,505 new medium to large enterprises in 2000. An aggregate investment involved is estimated PHP 1.899 billion, generating 4,361 new employees. Of the total investments, 76.03% were in social and personal services, 9.77% in wholesale/retail trade businesses, 4.38% in manufacturing while at 0.02% were investments in mining & quarrying.

* Banking and Finance

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.
Education

General Santos City continues to be the center of education in Region XII. The city is home to two (2) universities namely Mindanao State University - General Santos (MSU-GSC) and The Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU)and also Colleges like Goldenstate College.
Tourism

Down the southern tip of Mindanao, expanding from the basin of Sarangani Bay, lies the City of General Santos. The bustling metropolis is a fortress of modern amenities that is endowed with the gift of nature's beauty and diverse cultures abound. It is a gateway in discovering the boundless beauty of SOCCSKSARGEN Growth Region.
Food

The Tuna City pampers its guest with tons and tons of tuna and other fish delights that gave birth to several eating institutions. Wide range of dining establishments pop-up right into the heart of the city which can fill your cravings with satisfaction beyond capacity with a variety of Mindanaoan, Filipino, Asian and Western delicacies. Fresh-from-the-catch seafood and right-from-the-harvest agricultural products have perfectly matched to make a savory and sumptuous array of dishes in its various food outlets and restaurants.

Topping the list of must-eats are tuna and opah ("Dayana"), two of the best sellers among local celebrities, which come served as the exciting sutukil-sugba (charcoal-boiled in special sauce, dipped in the requisite Toyomansi), tula (soup in ginger, onion, lemon grass, pechay and tomatoes), and kinilaw (fresh cuts in vinegar, shallots, cucumber and pepper).
Festivities
The colorful and lively Kadsagayan Parade during Kalilangan
Big tuna float during Gensan's Tuna Festival

General Santos City celebrates the "Kalilangan" every month of February. "Kalilangan" means festival, festivity or jubilation. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones. In a broader perspective, "Kalilangan" 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.

General Santos City is known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines. Thanksgiving and festivities are being celebrated annually through its "Tuna Festival". Focusing on its main industry. Tuna Float is an event to taste sumptuous tuna treats during the Tuna Culinary Contest.
The Klaja Ecopark

Is an ecological preservation park located 15 km off the central business district on the North East side of city in Barangay Conel. Klaja Karsts Land derived it's name from “Kalaha” or frying pot as it looked like one due to the surrounding towers of karsts formation naturally formed millions of years ago. It produced natural waterfalls and caves. Opposite to this area is the Ranch and camping ground of Nopol Hills which borders Barangays Conel and Mabuhay. Nopol hills offer visitors a wide scenic overview of the entire city, as well as the Sarangani Bay and parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani Province. The view of the city is even more breath-taking at night time where colorful bright lights of the bustling metropolis are visible from the top.

During World War II, Gen. Santos City become one of the last frontiers between the American, Filipino and Japanese forces. Japanese retreating forces made Klaja Karsts Land as their last ground for defense, constructing round cemented bunkers and tunnels. Today, one can still see bunkers at Sitio Guadalupe but unfortunately for the tunnels, most were deformed and even destroyed by treasure hunters and land developers.

Sister cities

Butuan City, Philippines
Cebu City, Philippines
Marikina City, Philippines
Naga City, Philippines
Quezon City, Philippines
Monterrey, Mexico
Hadano, Kanagawa, Japan


Source: Credit to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Santos