International & Domestic Relations Division

International & Domestic Relations Section

A special section of CEMCDO taking charge of the city's promotions through International Understanding, Domestic Cooperations, Diplomatic Relations and the conduct of the city's programs and events during Protocol visits.

SISTERHOOD AGREEMENT

In an economically dynamic and global city with a notable number of exports, world class infrastructure and environment friendly initiatives, the need to network and link with other areas by way of sisterhood ties/ was deemed a necessity. Thus, Gensan continued to expand promotions by way of Sisterhood Twinning Agreements, both foreign and domestic.

SISTERHOOD TIES

Sisterhood Twinning Agreements refers to Gensan’s economic and socio- cultural ties through sister city relationships bounded by memorandum of agreement whether foreign or domestic, to wit:

A. International Understanding

refers to foreign countries in which Gensan have diplomatic ties, socio-cultural and economic cooperation through a signed International Understanding, by way of a MOA namely:

1.Shantou City, Guandong Province, China 1988

2. Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. 1990

3. Katherine Town, Northern Territory, Australia 1996

4. Manado City, Indonesia 2004

5. .Jersey City, New Jersey, United States of America August 14, 2018

B. Domestic Cooperation

refers to domestic cities and municipalities in the Philippines that have signed MOA with General Santos city as Sister city/ municipality

1.Iloilo City , January. 8, 1980

2. Quezon City, October 12, 1994

3. Bacolod City, 1995

4. Naga City, 1996

5. Makati City, 2014

6. Mabalacat City, September 5, 2019

7. San Fernando City, September 5, 2019

8. Angeles City, December 12, 2019

9. Camiling, Tarlac, August 2, 2021

10. Dingalan, Aurora, September 2, 2021

SPECIAL PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

IDRS Special Programs and Projects pertains to sustainability initiatives and commemorative efforts after inauguration of Sisterhood Twinning Agreements. These projects may also refer to economic and cultural exchanges, be it goods, people or developmental, environmental or educational platforms.

Special Programs & Projects

1.) Street Naming.

Initiated by IDRS, the need to fulfill some provisions of the Sisterhood Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between our sister cities needs to be acted. So far, among our sister cities, we were only able to name a Park – that is the Hadano Park and the Gensan-Hadano Friendship Garden along Makar Road, National Highway fronting the Mindanao Polytechnic College in Barangay Labangal.

To date, four (4) four more Street Name suggestions were already proposed to SP , to name a few of our streets in honor of our Sister Cities namely:

a.) City Hall Road West in Barangay Dadiangas East – as Jersey, USA Street. This street starts from City Hall Drive- side of Central Bank- passing to former Peuriculture Center- passing side of the New Gensan Museum- infront Red Cross Building - - side of the Gensan Investment Action Center Building – down to Matalam Road.

b.) Bayabas Street, Dadiangas North – Katherine, Australia Street

c.) Macopa Street, Dadiangas North – Manado, Indonesia Street

d.) Lanzones Street, Dadiangas North – Shantou, China Street

After our foreign sister cities, then IDRS will again search for more streets to be renamed for our 10 domestic Sister Cities in the near future.

2.) Sisterhood Lane

Another sustainability initiative and commemorative efforts of the IDRS is the construction of a Sisterhood Lane. The Pioneer Avenue Center Island, was already approved by SP to be the area for this project.

The Sisterhood Lane Project will showcase all our foreign and domestic Sister Cities by way of displaying their Flags. We will add our own Philippine National Flag together with the ASEAN Flag, the BIMP EAGA Banner and our own Gensan City Banner, to complete the Collection. For foreign Sister Cities- their Country Flags will be hoisted and displayed, while for the Domestic Sister Cities- their Official Banners will be hoisted and displayed along Pioneer Avenue center isles.

Status of this project at the moment : the project is still accepting contractors to join the bidding so this project can commence.

Hoping our Sisterhood Lane will proudly display our connection with other countries and places in the Philippines right in our main thoroughfare – Pioneer AVenue!

3.) The Gensan 50^th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps

During Gensan’s 50^th City Charter Anniversary in 2018, this office initiated the production of 50^th City Charter Anniversary Stamps. Five (5) different designs were submitted to the Main Postal Office in Manila, however, only four designs were approved by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). The reason: our fifth design is the Gensan City Seal, which is not duly approved by Malacañang.

It was then we knew, that we have to create and conceptualize a new. The city Seal which we have been using for the last 53 years, is no longer reflective of the city’s dynamism and attributes.

The four (4) approved designs were Plaza Heneral Santos, Gen. Paulino Santos Monument, Our delectable Tuna, and the Tuna Festival Icon

To date, four (4) Gensan’s commemorative stamps and first day cover, remained a mainstay at the Philippines Post Office Museum in Manila.

This is Gensan’s Official First Day Cover

4.) The Making of the New Gensan City Seal

The first General Santos City Seal was established years ago and has been in used for the last 53 years by the Local Government Unit of General Santos City.

The IDRS (former Protocol Office), under the City Mayor’s Office, initiated the making of the New City Seal in 2018.

The then Protocol Division announced the event in logo/ city seal contest citywide. There were more than 60 entries from our local and nearby artists and we trim down the winners to three. A selected number of judges were identified and the winners were proclaimed.

The winning entry did not necessarily bear the design for the city’s logo. In fact the winning design is totally different from the outcome of the seal. This was explained earlier, since the winning entry will be subjected to scrutiny, critique and batteries of comments and suggestions thereafter. The city’s logo was posted on line and it gained millions of critiques. Our office took time to answer and defend the same, for it is just normal that we are bombarded with criticisms and sometimes harsh and rude remarks from netizens. Further, most city officials took their time to make worthwhile suggestions in city our seal . It took us three months and a half, before everything was finalized. Just the same, we endured constant redesigning, through adding, subtracting other notable corrections thereat.

Finally, with the help of City Councilor Shandee Theresa Llido-Pestaño who defended us in the Sangguniang Panlungsod , together with the full support of then Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas- Nograles, we were able to successfully change the city seal.

The Old Seal

The New Seal

The official city seal carries significant designs that reflect our seas, forests, agriculture and wildlife.

The city has the following meanings:

a.) The two (2 ) Gold Rings – (gold and brown surrounding the seal) symbolizes strength and unity amidst the diversity of the residents, and indicated we surpassed our golden year as a city with flying colors and is now traversing to our next 50 more years with more hopes aspirations and development.

b.) The Monument of General Paulino Santos which is the main Gensan’s landmark - symbolizes our tenacity and resilience as a people of various cultures and uniting the constituents as the City’s Founder.

c.) Iconic image of Mt. Matutum, -the panoramic mountain that continuously contribute to the watershed, source of agri- products and the same time protect the region from typhoons and calamities including General Santos City

d.) Sun - symbolizing vision and bright future of the City as the southern gateway and aspiring as one of the most competitive highly urbanized cities in the country

e.) Rays of the Sun- symbolizes the energetic, supportive and committed 26 urban, sub-urban and rural Barangays of the city,

f.) The Modern Buildings- symbolize Economic dynamism, competitiveness and as MICE (Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destinations, Industrial and service hub of the region. This affirms Gensan’s role in the region

g.) The Green Farmland - symbolizes the sustainability and environmental friendliness of the city, and showcases the city’s green initiatives amidst modernization.

h.) T'nalak & the Inaul - symbolizes the tribal groups living harmoniously together in the city and depicts how we are interwoven in our culture, as shown in these handwoven cloth produced by them

i) Agong ( at the center of the monument )- symbolizes not only the Muslims of the city but all other tribal groups using the same Musical Instrument, that binds us together as a people of great cultural and historical value

j.) The four (4) Tuna fish represent the city’s main industry- that is fishing . It reaffirms our claim as the “TUNA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES”. Also tuna represents all other industries related to fishing, such as Tin Can factory, ship building, cobox factory, tuna valued products and Gensans seven (7) Tuna Canning Factories. This is not to undermine Gensan’s other Seafood and Marine Products the likes of Shrimps -as we are now climbing as top producer of shrimps in the country already. We also have Salmon Factory and as well as the increasing inland fishery products.

k.) 1968 - the year the city was founded, surrounds the seal.

l.) The Sea – represents the vast Sarangani Bay, that continuously give livelihood and means of survival to the local and municipal fisherfolks and residents surrounding the coastal area.

By 2018, upon completion of the requirements and equipped with an SP Ordinance, a group of Gensan Delegation headed by Mr. Dave Arreglado- CMO Executive Assistant, Dr. Leonard V. Flores, EnP, CESE- CEMCDO Department Head II, Maria Cora Tito- IDRS/ Protocol City Seal Incharge, and Sarah Kristina Nejemiah S. Chua- Tourism I, submitted our application to the NHCP (National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in Metro Manila, for the approval of our city seal.

Upon submission, Dr. Rene Escalante – the Chairman of the NHCP (National Historical Commission of the Philippines, commented that our seal is one of the best designed seals…

True enough, we felt so proud for doing such a momentous historical undertaking for the lover of Gensan and we merely smiled to ourselves whispering “ we did it!”

The Approval Sheet of Gensan’s City Seal duly signed by NCHP Chairman Dr. Rene Escalante and Atty. McJill Bryant T. Fernandez- the Deputy Executive Secretary for General Administration, as authorized by the Executive Secretary, Office of the President, Malacañang, Manila, Philippines

It took us three (3) long years to wait for the Seal’s approval. Then finally, last October 11, 2021, we were notified that the Gensan City Seal was already approved.

Much as we wanted to celebrate that time, we could not due to the world wide pandemic. Now, since we are already free to enjoy the historic moments of our city, we scheduled the launching of the Gensan City Seal by June 15, 2022, in time for Gensan’s City Charter Anniversary.

5.) Unveiling of New Gensan City Seal in Government Buildings, other Identified Conference Rooms, Offices including the City Hall Lobby and at Plaza Heneral Santos

One of the major things IDRS is preparing this quarter, is the Unveiling Ceremony of the Various identified Government Building where our New City Seal will be installed. The budget of the Seal is P50,000 including installation, and is taken from the CEMCDO budget and shall be installed by the first week of June 2022, to wit:

The City Hall Building
The SP Session Hall
The Investment Action Center Building
The MSU Museum
George P. Royeca Hospital

IDRS also identified eight (8) offices/ Conference Rooms/ places of interest to be included in our planned installation of New City Seal. The budget of the Seal is P25,000 including installation, and is taken from the CEMCDO budget and shall be installed by the first week of June 2022, to wit:

A fanfare is conceptualized during the unveiling ceremony and we are suggesting all Department Heads, Assistant Department Heads, Executive Assistants & Division Chiefs in the aforementioned buildings, should be enjoined to participate in the unveiling ceremonies.

All other offices and conference rooms needing City Seal shall provide their own by allocating amount from their respective budgets.

6.) Launching of the New Gensan City Seal: An Evening Commemorating Gensans 54^th City Charter Anniversary Celebration

On June 15, 2022, IDRS targeted the “Launching of the New Gensan City Seal” The date coincides with Gensan’ 54^th City Charter Anniversary at the same time, can be the Official’s Parting Program. It could be the time for giving the old Officials a time to say goodbye to all the constituents. We will be inviting all Gensan’s collaborators in the government namely the NGAs, NGOs, Government & Private Colleges, Universities & Schools, and the Regional Directors in the region.

IDRS prepared a “very formal” party for this purpose. The unveiling of the City Seal in various government buildings and offices, conference rooms and places of interests will be shown during this event.

PROTOCOL SERVICES

refers to the services provided by IDRS as a gesture of hospitality / warm welcome afforded to dignitaries and high level officials visiting Gensan. This may include Ambassadors, Consuls, Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Secretary Level or equivalent ranks and lastly LCEs.

Protocol - it is “a system of rules that explain the correct conduct and procedures to be followed in formal situations, It is the official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.

We have to emphasize that the IDRS extends Protocol Services ONLY to those guests that the word “protocol” is deemed appropriate. All other visiting guests, not in this category/ rank is being catered by other offices, not IDRS.

These Protocol Services identified by IDRS are as follows:

Arrangement of Courtesy Calls
Facilitation of City Dinners/ Special Luncheon
Conduct of Airport Reception
Conduct of City Tours
Provision of Tokens

The Section had managed already and engaged in most of the dignitaries and VIPs that visited Gensan. So far, the section is doing good in its’ mandate in these types of services.

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

is Gensan’s active participation / membership in International or domestic organization or associations or Bilateral Relations. So far, IDRS have been active in Special Bilateral Relations since then. To name a few of Gensan’s affiliations , are the following:

1.) BIMP-EAGA – the city is active in its membership of the BIMP-EAGA sub regional group.

In terms of Sports Pillar- it was noted that Gensan hosted the 1^st BIMP EAGA Friendship Games here in Gensan. The we again hosted when it came back during 7^th Friendship Games, still here in Gensan.

In terms of the Cultural/Education Pillar- Gensan again proudly hosted the 1^st BUDAYAW Festival in 2017. Then on 2019, Gensan sent representation to the 2^nd BUDAYAW Festival in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia in 2019.

2.) APEC/ ASEAN Integration

APEC / ASEAN were also another venue for Gensan to explore. We were able to participate in International ASEAN fora and integration initiatives in terms of International Exhibits and Trade Relations.

Our Participation to the CAEXPO 2016 and CAEXPO 2018 in Nanning, China earned Gensan the most coveted award “Best City of Charm” during the two CAEXPOs. This best city of Charm refers to the best booth, most visited booth and the most popular booth. This international event was participated by all SEAN Nations and converged in Nanning China for a world class trade, investment and culture Exposition.

In 2016, Gensan was also hailed as the best Investment Presenter - done by then Engr. Riza Marie G, Paches, MNSA- the then Department Head of CEMCDO that year.

3.) Trade/Tourism/Enterprise Relations & Missions

Trade / Tourism /Enterprise Relations and Missions came to a halt due to the world wide pandemic for the last two years. Starting next year, more missions will be conceptualized including educational missions to include our education & environmental counterparts and make it wholesome and complete relations and missions next time.

so as to jumpstart our new promotional efforts

4.) Bilateral Agreements

These agreements also came to a halt due to pandemic. The need to revive and relive all the agreements we have including our foreign Sister Cities Twinning Agreements needs to be renewed.

So far, the section is still exploring more contacts and other possibilities to reconnect again.

5.) SOCSKSARGEN in USA, Inc

Socsksargen in USA , Inc is a non-profit, non-governmental organization of Generals now living in the USA. They started organizing in 2018, when Gensan processed Sisterhood Twinning Agreement through IDRS. These Generals are now gainfully employed in the USA and they live in the nearby states of New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Washington DC, etc as American nationalities already.

So far, they have been our counterpart and performing arm in all our Sisterhood Initiatives in the USA. They have been active in most activities pertaining to our twinning agreements and conceptualize events as Filipinos living in the Americas and celebrate Filipino Independence Day, Simbang Gabi, aactive in Phil Consulate Affairs and represent Gensan in International Associations of Filipino Regional Groups there.

The President of SOCSKSARGEN in USA is Mrs. Rowena Mejia Randman- originally from Dadiangas North, now lives in Long Island, New York. The ever active and the dynamic Darlene Dilangalen Borromeo from Lagao, now lives in New Jersey is the Consultant and remained as our connection to the Government of Jersey City Hall.

Most of our anniversaries, now we will be celebrating our 5^th Sisterhood Anniversary with Jersey City, New Jersey, USA and Gensan this coming August 2022, were all facilitated by SOCSKSARGEN in USA, Inc.

Gensan is so blessed to have residents now living in the USA , who are still thinking of their native land, amidst living in milk and honey in the USA.

CEREMONIAL EVENTS

Ceremonial Events refers to the sustainability initiatives of the IDRS in the implementation of the Plans and Programs inherent in the IDRS functions that needs special attention . Samples of these Ceremonial Projects are: