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{{Short description|Highly urbanized city in South Cotabato, Philippines}}
{{Infobox Philippine city |
{{for|the person whom the city is named after|Paulino Santos}}
infoboxtitle = City of General Santos |
{{other uses}}
sealfile = ph seal gensan.gif |
{{pp|small=yes}}
locatormapfile = Ph locator south cotabato general santos.png |
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
caption = Map of ] showing the location of General Santos City. |
{{Use Philippine English|date=January 2023}}
region = ] (Region XII) |
{{Infobox settlement
province = — |
| name = {{PH wikidata|name}}
districts = ] |
| translit_lang1 = Other
barangays = 26 |
| translit_lang1_type1 = ]
class = 1st class city; highly urbanized |
| translit_lang1_info1 = جنرل سنتوس
mayor = Pedro B. Acharon Jr. (]) |
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
founded = 1939 |
| photo1a = Gensan.jpg{{!}}Aerial view of urban GenSan
cityhood = ] |
| photo2a = Robinsons Place General Santos - panoramio.jpg{{!}}Robinsons Place GenSan
areakm2 = 492.86 |
| photo2b = Grill - BBQ in General Santos City.jpg{{!}}Barbecue grill stalls at Tiongson Arcade
pop2000 = 411,822 |
| photo3a =
popden2000 = 637 |
Gensan Dadiangas, Pioneer Avenue-Roxas (General Santos City; 08-11-2023).jpg
coordinates = 6°7'N 125°10'E |
| size = 250
website =
| position = center
| spacing = 2
| color = transparent
| border = 0
| foot_montage = Aerial view of urban GenSan; Robinsons Place GenSan; Barbecue grill stalls at Tiongson Arcade; Dadiangas
}}
| image_caption =
| image_flag = Flag_of_General_Santos,_South_Cotabato_(2022-present).png
| flag_size = 120x80px
| image_seal = General Santos City seal.jpg
| seal_size = 100x80px
| image_map = {{PH wikidata|image_map}}
| map_caption = Map of South Cotabato with {{PH wikidata|name}} highlighted
| image_map1 = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250}}{{hidden end}}
| pushpin_map = Philippines
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the {{PH wikidata|country}}
| coordinates = {{PH wikidata|coordinates}}
| settlement_type = {{PH wikidata|settlement_type}}
| subdivision_type = ]
| subdivision_name = ]
| subdivision_type1 = ]
| subdivision_name1 = {{PH wikidata|region}}
| subdivision_type2 = ]
| subdivision_name2 = ] {{small|(geographically only)}}
| official_name = {{PH wikidata|official_name}}
| etymology =
| named_for = General ]
| native_name =
| other_name =
| nickname = ''Tuna Capital of the Philippines''<ref name="PIAGovPH-DTI">{{cite news |title=DTI features 'best of the seas' at the IFEX PH 2018 |url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1008284 |access-date=April 17, 2019 |work=Philippine Information Agency|agency=DTI/PIA-NCR |date=May 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526040813/https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1008284 |archive-date=May 26, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
| motto =
| anthem = ''Himno ng Heneral Santos''<br />{{small|(]: General Santos Hymn)}}
| subdivision_type3 = ]
| subdivision_name3 = ]
| established_title = ]
| established_date = August 18, 1947
| established_title1 = Cityhood
| established_date1 = July 8, 1968
| established_title2 = Highly urbanized city
| established_date2 = September 5, 1988
| parts_type = ]s
| parts_style = para
| p1 = {{PH barangay count | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }} (see ])
| leader_title = ]
| leader_name = Lorelie G. Pacquiao
| leader_title1 = ]
| leader_name1 = Rosalita T. Nuñez
| leader_title2 = ]
| leader_name2 = Loreto B. Acharon
| leader_title3 = ]
| leader_name3 = {{PH Town Council
| 1 = <div style="border-style:solid none;border-width:thin;border-color:Gainsboro;background-color:#e6e6e6;text-align:center;width:95%;font-variant:small-caps;"></div>
| 2 = Jose Orlando R. Acharon
| 3 = Jose Edmar J. Yumang
| 4 = Dominador S. Lagare Jr.
| 5 = Maria Lourdes F. Casabuena
| 6 = Vandyke B. Congson
| 7 = Elizabeth B. Bagonoc
| 8 = Richard L. Atendido
| 9 = Jonathan T. Blando
| 10 = Froebel Kan M. Balleque
| 11 = Virginia T. Llido
| 12 = Jane G. Rivera
| 13 = Edgar C. Acharon
}}
| leader_title4 = ]
| leader_name4 = {{PH wikidata|electorate}} voters (])
| government_type = {{PH wikidata|government_type}}
| government_footnotes = {{thinsp}}<ref>{{DILG detail}}</ref>
| elevation_m = {{PH wikidata|elevation_m}}
| elevation_max_m = 869
| elevation_min_m = 0
| elevation_max_rank =
| elevation_min_rank =
| elevation_footnotes = {{PH wikidata|elevation_footnotes}}
| elevation_max_footnotes =
| elevation_min_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_footnotes = {{PH area}}
| area_total_km2 = {{PH wikidata|area}}
| population_footnotes = {{PH census|current}}
| population_total = {{PH wikidata|population_total}}
| population_as_of = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_blank1_title = ]s
| population_blank1 = {{PH wikidata|household}}
| population_blank2_title =
| population_blank2 =
| population_demonym = Gensanon
| population_rank =
| population_note =
| timezone = ]
| utc_offset = +8
| postal_code_type = ]
| postal_code = {{PH wikidata|postal_code}}
| postal2_code_type = {{PSGCstyle}}
| postal2_code = {{PSGC detail}}
| area_code_type = {{areacodestyle}}
| area_code = {{PH wikidata|area_code}}
| website = {{PH wikidata|website}}
| demographics_type1 = ]
| demographics1_title1 = ] (GDP)
| demographics1_info1 = ₱129.015 billion (2022)<ref name="gdpsoccsksargen2022">{{Cite web|title=City of General Santos Posts the Fastest Growth Among Economies in SOCCSKSARGEN in 2022|url=https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/ppa/node/1684061644}}</ref><br>
$2.279 billion (2022)<ref name="imfdec2022phptousd">{{Cite web|title=PH₱56.598 per dollar (per International Monetary Fund on Representative Exchange Rates for Selected Currencies for December 2022)|url=https://www.imf.org/external/np/fin/data/rms_mth.aspx?SelectDate=2022-12-31&reportType=REP|access-date=2023-12-09|website=]}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = {{PH wikidata|income_class_title}}
| demographics1_info2 = {{PH wikidata|income_class}}
| demographics1_title3 = ]
| demographics1_info3 = {{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence}}% ({{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_point_in_time}}){{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_footnotes}}
| demographics1_title4 = ]
| demographics1_info4 = {{PH wikidata|revenue}} {{PH wikidata|revenue_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title5 = Revenue rank
| demographics1_info5 =
| demographics1_title6 = ]
| demographics1_info6 = {{PH wikidata|assets}} {{PH wikidata|assets_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title7 = ]
| demographics1_info7 =
| demographics1_title8 = ]
| demographics1_info8 = {{PH wikidata|expenditure}} {{PH wikidata|expenditure_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title9 =
| demographics1_info9 =
| demographics1_title10 = ]
| demographics1_info10 = {{PH wikidata|liabilities}} {{PH wikidata|liabilities_point_in_time}}
| demographics_type2 = Service provider
| demographics2_title1 = ]
| demographics2_info1 = {{PH electricity distribution | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }}
| demographics2_title2 = Water
| demographics2_info2 =
| demographics2_title3 = Telecommunications
| demographics2_info3 =
| demographics2_title4 = Cable TV
| demographics2_info4 =
| demographics2_title5 =
| demographics2_info5 =
| demographics2_title6 =
| demographics2_info6 =
| demographics2_title7 =
| demographics2_info7 =
| demographics2_title8 =
| demographics2_info8 =
| demographics2_title9 =
| demographics2_info9 =
| demographics2_title10 =
| demographics2_info10 =
| blank_name_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|climate_title}}
| blank_info_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|climate_type}}
| blank1_name_sec1 = ]
| blank1_info_sec1 = {{PH wikidata|language}} <br/> Maguindanaon
| blank2_name_sec1 = ]
| blank2_info_sec1 =
| blank3_name_sec1 =
| blank3_info_sec1 =
| blank4_name_sec1 =
| blank4_info_sec1 =
| blank5_name_sec1 =
| blank5_info_sec1 =
| blank6_name_sec1 =
| blank6_info_sec1 =
| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
| blank1_name_sec2 = Major religions
| blank1_info_sec2 =
| blank2_name_sec2 = Feast date
| blank2_info_sec2 =
| blank3_name_sec2 = Catholic diocese
| blank3_info_sec2 =
| blank4_name_sec2 = Patron saint
| blank4_info_sec2 =
| blank5_name_sec2 =
| blank5_info_sec2 =
| blank6_name_sec2 =
| blank6_info_sec2 =
| blank7_name_sec2 =
| blank7_info_sec2 =
| short_description =
| footnotes =
}} }}
The '''City of General Santos''' (abbreviated G.S.C. or Gensan. ; ]: ''Lungsod ng Heneral Santos'') is a ] in the ]. Situated in the southern part of the country, in the ] of ]. The city has a population of 411,822 as of the 2000 census, making it one of the most populous cities in the Philippines. It is nicknamed as the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines".


'''General Santos''', officially the '''City of General Santos'''{{NoteTag|{{langx|ceb|Dakbayan sa Heneral Santos}}; {{langx|hil|Dakbanwa sang Heneral Santos}}; ]: ''Ingud nu Heneral Santos''; ]: ''Banwe Dadiangas''; ]: ''Benwu Dadiangas''; ]: ''Lungsod ng Heneral Santos''}} and abbreviated as '''GenSan''', is a ] in the ] of ], ]. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 697,315 people making it the most populous city in Soccsksargen Region.{{PH census|current}}
General Santos City is bounded by three municipalities of ] and two municipalities of South Cotabato, namely ], ], ], ] and ]. The city's economy is primarily agro-industrial. As a component of the ] growth area, it has contributed much to the area's emergence as the country's leading producer of major commodities. Due to its rich soil, good rainfall and typhoon-free climate, the area is the largest producer of ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The area also produces other high value crops such as exotic fruits, ], vegetables, cut flowers and ]. It accounts for the largest total daily ] landings in the country and is the leading producer of sashimi grade ]. Residents boast that fish and seafood do not come fresher than in their city.


It is located on the island of ], it is the ] and 15th-most populous city in the Philippines. It is the regional center for commerce and industry of the ] region, and it is also the only coastal as well as the largest city in the province of ] wherein it is geographically situated and grouped under the province by the ] but administered independently of it.
==Geography and Climate==
General Santos City lies at the southern part of the Philippines. It is located at 6°7'N 125°10'E. The city is southeast of Manila, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Davao. The municipalities of Alabel, Malungon and Maasim of Sarangani Province and the municipalities of Polomolok and T'boli of South Cotabato surround the city. Fertile agricultural lands at 17,489 hectares are 32.63% of the city's total land area.


== Etymology ==
Climate is favorable. It is outside of the typhoon belt. Dominated by low plain areas and with evenly distributed rainfall, it is suitable for agricultural-based industries.
The city was named after Gen. ], a former ] and the settlement's leading pioneer.


==History==
General Santos City is politically subdivided into 26 ]s.
The nomadic ] are the original inhabitants of present-day General Santos, and traces of their early settlements 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 '']'' 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 now lives alongside the city's new generation of settlers and other immigrants.


Beforehand, the B'laan would were forced upland into the surrounding hills after the Muslims settle in the area under the rule of the ].
<table border=0><tr>

<td valign=top>
After the fall of Maguindanao, ] of ] expanded his domain south towards ]. Dadiangas remained as a port under the ] until the American era.

===Waves of migration===
] for whom the city is named after]]
Organized under the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) of the ] headed by ] ], General ] led the relocation of 62 Christian settlers from Luzon to the shores of Sarangani Bay aboard the ] “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, more Christians from ] and ] subsequently migrated into the area, gradually driving some of the B'laan residents to the hills and mountains, where they have lost their livelihood and somewhat displaced ] living in the area.

In March 1939, the first formal settlement in the city was established in Alagao, which is now known as Barangay Lagao. Lagao 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 '']'' married to a daughter of a very influential '']'' of lower Buayan, as the first district municipal mayor.

===Second World War===
During ], the Municipal District of Buayan become one of the last frontiers between the combined American and Filipino forces and troops from the ]. 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===
{{main|Cities of the Philippines}}
]
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 ], 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.generalsantosboard.com/history.php |title=History of General Santos City |access-date=December 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711082830/http://www.generalsantosboard.com/history.php |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1107-renaming-buayan,-cotabato-to-general-santos.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714205021/http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1107-renaming-buayan,-cotabato-to-general-santos.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |title=An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Buayan, in the Province of Cotabato, to General Santos |publisher=LawPH.com |access-date=April 11, 2011}}</ref> 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 ], 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. By this time, General Santos City had already established itself as a major economic and educational hub in the region. Three of the oldest educational institutions in the city — ] (1948), ] (1957), and ] (1961) — were established prior to the city’s official founding. 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 ] independent from South Cotabato in 1988, General Santos remained part of the province's congressional representation. The city only gained a separate representative with the passage of Republic Act No. 11243 on March 11, 2019,<ref name=ra11243>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2019/03mar/20190311-RA-11243-RRD.pdf|title=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|date=March 11, 2019|accessdate=May 6, 2019|author=Congress of the Philippines}}</ref> which segregated General Santos from the ] of ] to be its ]. On September 15, 2021, House Bill No. 10021 authored by Representative Ferdinand Hernandez, that officially mandate General Santos as a lone district,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/third_18/HBT10021.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-date=September 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915182737/https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/third_18/HBT10021.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> separate from South Cotabato was passed on third and final reading.

In April 2001, Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino, an ally of deposed president ], coordinated with various mayors and governors to bring their respective constituents to ] in ] to ] the arrest of Estrada.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gloria|first=Glenda M.|title=Remembering the Iglesia-led EDSA 3|url=https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/104045-edsa-3-iglesia-ni-cristo/|access-date=March 7, 2024|work=]|publisher=Rappler Inc.|date=August 29, 2015|author-link=Newsbreak (magazine)|quote=This story on 'EDSA 3' was first published by ] in May 2001.}}</ref>

==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 ], namely ] in the east, and ] in the south. General Santos is likewise bounded by the ] municipality of ] and ] municipality of ] in the north, and the municipality of ] in the west.

General Santos occupies the whole of South Cotabato's coastline.
{{clear left}}

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| location = General Santos (1991–2020, extremes 1949–2020)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| width = auto
| Jan record high C = 37.5
| Feb record high C = 38.0
| Mar record high C = 38.9
| Apr record high C = 39.0
| May record high C = 39.4
| Jun record high C = 38.5
| Jul record high C = 37.0
| Aug record high C = 37.0
| Sep record high C = 36.5
| Oct record high C = 37.0
| Nov record high C = 37.0
| Dec record high C = 37.5
| year record high C = 39.0
| Jan high C = 32.3
| Feb high C = 32.9
| Mar high C = 34.0
| Apr high C = 34.3
| May high C = 33.5
| Jun high C = 32.2
| Jul high C = 31.7
| Aug high C = 31.7
| Sep high C = 32.2
| Oct high C = 32.6
| Nov high C = 32.8
| Dec high C = 32.6
| year high C = 32.7
| Jan mean C = 27.5
| Feb mean C = 27.9
| Mar mean C = 28.5
| Apr mean C = 28.9
| May mean C = 28.5
| Jun mean C = 27.7
| Jul mean C = 27.2
| Aug mean C = 27.3
| Sep mean C = 27.5
| Oct mean C = 27.7
| Nov mean C = 27.9
| Dec mean C = 27.8
| year mean C = 27.9
| Jan low C = 22.6
| Feb low C = 22.8
| Mar low C = 23.0
| Apr low C = 23.5
| May low C = 23.6
| Jun low C = 23.1
| Jul low C = 22.8
| Aug low C = 22.8
| Sep low C = 22.8
| Oct low C = 22.8
| Nov low C = 23.0
| Dec low C = 23.0
| year low C = 23.0
| Jan record low C = 17.1
| Feb record low C = 17.2
| Mar record low C = 16.9
| Apr record low C = 18.3
| May record low C = 18.7
| Jun record low C = 17.9
| Jul record low C = 17.2
| Aug record low C = 17.5
| Sep record low C = 18.0
| Oct record low C = 18.2
| Nov record low C = 18.3
| Dec record low C = 18.0
| year record low C = 16.9
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 96.9
| Feb rain mm = 53.0
| Mar rain mm = 55.3
| Apr rain mm = 54.1
| May rain mm = 72.2
| Jun rain mm = 101.9
| Jul rain mm = 98.1
| Aug rain mm = 91.3
| Sep rain mm = 83.3
| Oct rain mm = 99.6
| Nov rain mm = 77.5
| Dec rain mm = 74.9
|year rain mm = 958.1
| unit rain days = 0.1 mm
| Jan rain days = 9
| Feb rain days = 7
| Mar rain days = 6
| Apr rain days = 6
| May rain days = 8
| Jun rain days = 12
| Jul rain days = 11
| Aug rain days = 11
| Sep rain days = 10
| Oct rain days = 10
| Nov rain days = 8
| Dec rain days = 8
|year rain days = 106
| Jan humidity = 79
| Feb humidity = 76
| Mar humidity = 75
| Apr humidity = 75
| May humidity = 78
| Jun humidity = 82
| Jul humidity = 83
| Aug humidity = 82
| Sep humidity = 81
| Oct humidity = 81
| Nov humidity = 80
| Dec humidity = 79
| year humidity = 79
| source 1 = ]<ref name=PAGASAnormals>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013093404/https://data.gov.ph/?q=dataset/climatological-normal-values/resource/67484451-925e-4462-a3c2-44ab19c610db |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |url=https://data.gov.ph/?q=dataset/climatological-normal-values/resource/67484451-925e-4462-a3c2-44ab19c610db |title=General Santos City, South Cotabato Climatological Normal Values |publisher=Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration |access-date=October 13, 2018 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name=PAGASAextremes>{{cite web
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013044610/https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20EXTREMES%20(as%20of%202020)/General%20Santos.pdf |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |url=https://data.gov.ph/?q=dataset/climatological-extremes/resource/987ac3c3-12a3-40f5-8cbe-2d8df5b36059 |title=General Santos City, South Cotabato Climatological Extremes |publisher=Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration |access-date=October 13, 2018}}</ref>}}

General Santos has a ] (]). With an average annual rainfall of less than {{Convert|1000|mm}}, it is one of the driest places in the Philippines.

===Barangays===
]
General Santos is politically subdivided into 26 ]s.{{PSGC detail|area}} Each barangay consists of ]s while some have ].
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
* Apopong
* Baluan * Baluan
* Batomelong
* Buayan
* ]
* Bula * Bula
* Calumpang
* City Heights
* Conel * Conel
* Dadiangas East (Pob.) * Dadiangas East
* Dadiangas North
* Dadiangas South
* Dadiangas West
* ]
* Katangawan * Katangawan
* ]
* Lagao (1st & 3rd) * Lagao (1st & 3rd)
* Labangal
* Ligaya * Ligaya
* Mabuhay * Mabuhay
* Olympog
* San Isidro (Lagao 2nd) * San Isidro (Lagao 2nd)
* San Jose * San Jose
* Siguel
* Sinawal * Sinawal
</td><td valign=top>
* Tambler * Tambler
* Tinagacan * Tinagacan
* Apopong
* Siguel
* Upper Labay * Upper Labay
{{div col end}}
* Batomelong
* Calumpang
* City Heights
* Dadiangas North
* Dadiangas South
* Dadiangas West
* Fatima
* Olympog
</td></tr></table>


==Demographics==
Distribution of Land Area Total Land Area (in hectares) 53,606 has. Built-up Areas 5,843.81
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| total_width = 200
| image1 = The colorful and lively Kadsagayan Parade during Kalilangan.jpg
| caption1 = Kadsagayan Parade during Kalilangan Festival
| image2 = Tuna festival GenSan.jpg
| caption2 = Tuna Festival contingent
}}
{{Philippine Census
| align= left
| title = Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}
| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}
| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}
| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}
| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}
| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}
| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}
| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}
| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}
| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}
| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}
| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}
| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}
| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}
| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}
| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}
| 2025 =
| 2030 =
| footnote = Source: ]{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}}
}}


There are two major languages spoken in the city, with ] being widely spoken and being used by the local media outlets in the city (television, radio, and newspapers), followed by ], which is used mainly by settlers who came from the provinces of ], ], ] and ], as well as immigrants from the provinces of ], ] and ]. Other languages spoken within the city include ], ], ], ], and ].
Residential 3,894.01
{{clear left}}
Commercial 369.07
Institutional 612.8
Industrial 313.84
Livestock 654.09
Special Uses 23,320.95
*Agro-industrial 405.12
*Parks & Recreation 271.20
*Special Use 56.16
*OGL / Pastureland 16,903.82
*Vacant Land 6,009.95
Agriculture 15,437.76
*Crops 14,688.98
*Livestock 370.72
*Aquaculture 194.77
*Farm Trees 183.29
Forest 7,962.66
*Urban Forest 52.59
*Agro-forest 7,910.07
Rivers / Creeks, etc. 1,040.82


==History== ===Religion===
{{bar box
On ], ], General Paulino Santos led the first and largest batch of settlers organized under the National Land Settlement Administration to the shores of Sarangani Bay. The 62 pioneers, who mostly came from Luzon, industriously tilled Cotabato's fertile expanse of land. After this first influx of pioneers, thousands more from ] and ] migrated into the area.
| title = Religion in General Santos (2020)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Religious Affiliation in the Philippines (2020 Census of Population and Housing) {{!}} Philippine Statistics Authority {{!}} Republic of the Philippines |url=https://psa.gov.ph/content/religious-affiliation-philippines-2020-census-population-and-housing |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=psa.gov.ph}}</ref>
| titlebar = #ddd
| left1 = Religion
| right1 = percentage
| float = right
| bars =
{{bar percent|]|Gold|65}}
{{bar percent|Other Christian, including Protestants|Red|20.5}}
{{bar percent|]|Green|9.8}}
{{bar percent|]|Purple|3.3}}
{{bar percent|Others|Grey|1.4}}
}}
The predominant religion in the city is ], with the largest denomination being the ], comprising almost 90% of the population.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} About 9% of the population belongs to ], mostly ].<ref name="PSA">{{cite web |title=Muslim Population in Mindanao (based on POPCEN 2015 |url=http://rssoarmm.psa.gov.ph/release/54739/factsheet/muslim-population-in-mindanao-%28based-on-popcen-2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174924/http://rssoarmm.psa.gov.ph/release/54739/factsheet/muslim-population-in-mindanao-%28based-on-popcen-2015 |url-status=live |archive-date=August 31, 2018 |author=Philippine Statistics Authority |access-date=August 31, 2018 |date=July 26, 2017}}</ref>


==Economy==
In January 1948, by virtue of Republic Act No. 82, Buayan District became a full fledged municipality whose territorial boundaries included the present municipalities of Sarangani and South Cotabato Provinces, namely Alabel, Glan, ], ] and ]. NLSA Hospital Administrator Irineo I. Santiago became its first mayor.
{{PH poverty incidence}}
The city's major economic activity is primarily anchored in two sectors namely the agro-industry and ].
*'''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 ], ], ], ], ] and ]. It also yields quality exotic fruits, vegetables and cut flowers. The city is also a top producer and exporter of quality livestock such as ], ], and ]. 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.


]
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.
*'''Fishing industry''': General Santos is the largest producer of ]-grade ] in the Philippines. Thus, as early as 1970, it was nicknamed "Tuna Capital of the Philippines". The city also accounts for the second-largest daily total catch of ] in the country after ] in the ]. The ] in 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 {{convert|750|m}} quay and a {{convert|300|m}} 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 %
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 corporations such as ], General Milling Corporation and UDAGRI expanded into the area. Although it was then qualified to become a fourth class city, the residents rejected a move by Congressman Salipada Pendatun to convert General Santos into a city and to rename it Rajah Buayan.


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.
Finally, on ], ], upon approval of Republic Act No. 5412, the Municipality of General Santos was converted into a city while keeping its name. It was inaugurated on ] 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.


==Accessibility== ===Shopping===
General Santos is the shopping capital of the ] 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 ], ], 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 Barangay Mabuhay, Unitop Shopping Mall in Barangay Dadingas West and AllHome (soon in Barangay Katangawan, Circumferential Road). 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==
Presence of transportation facilities -- international standard Airport, expanded Makar Wharf, good road network and adequate communication facilities within the city and neighboring places. It is very accessible as the gateway to the Philippines, it has regular air flight, sea travel, and land linkages to major points in the country.
;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===
General Santos City serves as the inbound destination for the sights, sounds and culture of SOCCSKSARGEN. Air, sea and land transport provides easy access to the key cities in the Philippines and the rest of the world. The City is base to the Philippines' second largest airport-in-area and has one of the most modern seaports in the country today.
GenSan and the whole of Soccsksargen can be reached by air, land, or sea.


;Air transportation
*'''Air'''
]
The ] is the largest airport in ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Demos in South get ugly; Ramos unfazed: Mindanao Council is good formula, FVR insists |author=Fel V. Maragay |work=Manila Standard|location=Philippines |date=July 4, 1996 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4mUVAAAAIBAJ&pg=2659,557616&dq=the+largest+airport+in+mindanao&hl=en |access-date=October 9, 2011}}</ref> It has a 3,227-metre concrete runway<ref>{{cite web |title=General Santos International Airport |url=http://www.caap.gov.ph/web/airportsTambler.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919142820/http://www.caap.gov.ph/web/airportsTambler.htm |archive-date=September 19, 2010 }}</ref> capable of handling wide-bodied jets like ] and ]. 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 ], ], and ] are currently being operated in the airport by ] and ]. General Santos International Airport is the second busiest airport in Mindanao and 9th busiest airport in the Philippines.


;Sea transportation
With a runway that can comfortably accommodate landings of the most modern wide-bodied aircraft.
], the main international sea port of General Santos]]
The GSC International Standard Airport can be reached direct from Manila, Cebu, Ilo-ilo or via Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Davao through any Mindanao based flights.
The ] is the main international sea port of the city and is one of the finest sea ports in the country. It is located in Barangay Labangal, away from the central business district. With a {{convert|740|m}} docking length and a {{convert|19|m}} width, the wharf can accommodate up to nine ship berthing positions all at the same time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ictsi.com/operations.aspx?p_id=3&catg_id=&operation_id=132&id=152 |title=International Container Terminal Services, Inc |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003182515/http://www.ictsi.com/operations.aspx?p_id=3&catg_id=&operation_id=132&id=152 |archive-date=October 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The port is replete with modern facilities such as container yards, storage and weighing bridges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scipsi.com/equip.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716015112/http://www.scipsi.com/equip.html |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Several shipping companies operate regular inter-island ferry service to and from other major ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. ], ] and ] provide these inter-island shipping routes while numerous ]n shipping lines operate international ferry service between General Santos and neighboring ports in ] carrying both passenger and cargo loads.
Though there are still no direct international flights in the area, Philippine Airlines Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific operate in GenSan, setting links to a wide range of destinations.


;Land transportation
*'''Sea'''
Commuting in and around General Santos is a fast and convenient ride. More than 400 passenger ], public utility vans and ] wield routes within the city and neighboring provinces like in ], ], ], ], ], ] and others. Three-wheeled motorized cabs known as ]s are the city's main mode of public transport and have been on the road since the pioneering times. Air-conditioned ]s 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 ] links the city by land to other major cities in Mindanao and to the rest of the country.
GenSan's Makar Wharf is considered one of the best in the country. With a 740-meter docking length and a 19-meter width, the wharf connects the City to destinations within and outside the Philippines. Negros Navigation, WG&A and Sulpicio Lines provide the route while Indonesian shipping lines contribute their GenSan-Indonesian route for passenger and cargo traffic.


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. ]es and other forms of public mass transportation—to and from various parts of Mindanao such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].
*'''Land'''
Inbound and around SOCSKSARGEN land travel is a fast and convenient ride. With more than 400 passenger buses and jeepneys wielding routes within, to and from the growth region, getting to your place of destination is a comfort. Tricycles - three wheeled motorcycles with side-cars, are the City's main mode of land transportation and has been in the road since the pioneering times. Air-conditioned taxis and rent-a-cars are also readily available. The Pan-Philippine Highway links GenSan to other Major cities in Mindanao and to the rest of the country.


===Utilities===
==Infrastructure and Economy==
;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 ] (TransCo) while other sources are drawn from various Independent Power Producers ''(IPP)'' from nearby power plants and barges.
]
The presence of major economic infrastructure support facilities provide the city an edge in terms of comparative advantage due to its standards that are comparable to international benchmarks.


;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.
The International Standard Airport, It has a 3,200-meter runway capable of handling wide-bodied jets like ] 330 series and ] 747. This puts almost all key cities in the Philippines. It currently handles direct flights to Manila and Cebu through ], ] and ]. And it also has connecting flights to ] and ] via ].


;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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/2010/05/construction-of-waste-treatment-facility-p-acharon-blvd-corner-santiago-blvd-general-santos-city/ |title=Construction of Waste Treatment Facility, P. Acharon BLVD. Corner Santiago BLVD., General Santos City &#124; General Santos City |access-date=March 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726142040/http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/2010/05/construction-of-waste-treatment-facility-p-acharon-blvd-corner-santiago-blvd-general-santos-city/ |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.
The world class Fishport Complex has a 750-meter quay, 300-meter wharf for 2,000 GT reefer carriers, refrigeration facilities with 1,500 cold storage capacity, 60 tons/day ice plant, brine, air blast and contact freezers.


: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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/2011/02/11cs-gsc-001-contract-to-design-build-and-operate-a-sanitary-solid-waste-management-and-disposal-project-at-barangay-sinawal-city-of-general-santos-philippines/ |title=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. &#124; General Santos City |access-date=March 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308044036/http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/2011/02/11cs-gsc-001-contract-to-design-build-and-operate-a-sanitary-solid-waste-management-and-disposal-project-at-barangay-sinawal-city-of-general-santos-philippines/ |archive-date=March 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The 561-meter Makar Wharf is one of the most important ports in ]. It has been expanded by 151 meters to accommodate more berthing capacity.


===Security and civil defense===
The abundant power supply, retailer of the National Power Corporation provides the power requirement of the city.
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 communication services offered by major telephone companies. The area is also serviced by Mobile telecommunication system and the availability of internet service providers serve as key to be top of the domestic and international businesses.
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, ], Mindanao Medical Center, R.O Diagan Cooperative Hospital, GenSan Medical Center, Sarangani Bay Specialists Medical Center, General Santos City District Hospital and the newly inaugurated Dadiangas Medical Center servicing a care for the people. In addition, there is an ongoing construction of ACE Medical Center to add more hospital bed capacity and medical services in the city.

'''Economy'''

There are 59 banks operating in the city composed of 46 commercial banks, 5 savings banks, 1 cooperative and 7 rural banks in 2000. Aside from this, there are 49 pawnshops providing emergency loan assistance and 48 lending institutions.

General Santos City registered 1,505 new medium to large enterprises in 2000. Aggregate investment involved is estimated to be around P 1.899 billion, generating 4,361 new employees. Of the total investments, 76.03% were for social and personal services, 9.77% in wholesale/retail trade business, 4.38% were in manufacturing while the least at 0.02% were invested in mining & quarrying.

'''Infrastructures/Business Districts'''

*Proposed new Business Districts in Gensan City.
*Proposed new Infrastructures
*Renovation of the International Airport.
*Proposed Musical Fountains in Downtown Plaza.
*Beautification of Freedom Park.
*Installation of modern Traffic Signal System.


==Education== ==Education==
] ] institution run by the ] or FMS (Fratres Maristae a Scholis)]]
Aside from more than 50 Private Schools and Colleges, such as The Quantum Academy, and the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, and more than 100 public schools, General Santos hosts three universities. These are the ], ], ].
General Santos City is the center of education in three neighboring provinces ], ] and ]. The city houses two universities and numerous educational institutions.


The ] of the country's oldest academic institution, ], located in Barangay Ligaya, officially opened its first operations in school year 2024-2025.
List of the different educational institutions in General Santos City
*]
*]
*Brokenshire College of Nursing- GenSan Campus
*Bula Christian School
*Bula National High School of Fisheries
*Dadiangas East Central Elementary School
*Dadiangas North Elementary School
*Dadiangas South Central Elementary School
*]
*Fatima National High School
*Francisco Oringo Sr. Elementary School
*General Santos City High School
*General Santos Foundation Inc. (GFI)
*General Santos Institute of Technology
*General Santos City SPED Learning Center
*General Santos National School of Arts and Trades- TESDA
*General Santos Doctors Medical School Foundation, Inc.
*]
*Holy Trinity College of General Santos
*Hope Christian School
*Ireneo L. Santiago National High School
*Lagao Central Elementary School
*Lagao National High School
*Labangal National High School
*Mindanao Baptist College
*]
*]- CETD High School Department
*]- Main Campus (Tambler)
*MSIT (Mindanao School of Information Technology)
*]
*Notre Dame of Dadiangas University- IBED High School Department
*Notre Dame of Dadiangas University- Marist Avenue
*Notre Dame of General Santos
*Pyra Tech Computer School
*]
*]
*]
*]
*]
*Tinagacan National High School


=== Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges ===
The ] will expand their campus in General Santos by 2011 with 800,000 sq. meters. It will be the ].
In 1957, Atty. Eugenio Millado and Doña Aurora Millado established Mindanao Vocational School (MVS) on Pioneer Avenue. Over the years, ] (RMMC; formerly Magsaysay Memorial Colleges) acquired Southern Island Colleges (SIC) and became widely recognized for its contributions to education in the region. The institution has since become a cornerstone of higher education, offering affordable and comprehensive educational opportunities to students from various backgrounds.


The Millado family’s legacy remains central to the institution’s identity and mission. Their commitment to improving educational opportunities for the people of Mindanao, as well as their ongoing dedication to public service and community development, has helped ensure that RMMC remains not just an academic institution, but also a force for good in the region.
==Shopping Centers==
]
'''Malls'''


===Notre Dame of St. Therese of the Child Jesus===
*Gaisano Mall Dadiangas
Notre Dame of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (NDST; formerly Canonico Antonio Institute, Inc.) is a private educational institution. It offers ], ] and ], in adherence to the ] system as ]. The school is administered by the ] (DST), a Catholic religious congregation. The school's campus is located along Purok Nopol Road, Sitio Nupol, Barangay Conel in General Santos.
*KCC Mall of Gensan


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.
'''Department Store'''


==Media==
*Happy Shop Department Store
Notable media publications in the city are the SusStar General Santos, Periodiko Banat, Sapol, and other local newspapers. ] is the most popular newspaper company in the city.
*FitMart Gensan and RD Plaza (FitMart and RD Plaza are one)
*JY Family and Friends Department Store
*Unicorn Warehouse Plaza
*Unite Department Store


There are several television stations in the city that are owned and operated by broadcasting networks—] (now defunct), ], ], GMA News TV 26, ] (now defunct), ]. Most of these television networks reaches as far as Davao Region and Northern Mindanao; and caters the whole ]. 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 ] (now defunct), ], ], ], ], ], ] and others.
'''Proposed Mall'''


There are three local newscasts programs in General Santos: ''] (]) (now defunct), ] (GMA 8 Soccsksargen) now part as ] Flagship Newscast, Balita38 (EGTV Channel 46) and Ronda Brigada (]).''
*Island City Mall GenSan
*Robinsons Big R Supercenter
*SM City GenSan


==Notable personalities==
==Tourism==
{{see also|Category:People from General Santos}}
Down the southern tip of Mindanao, expanding from the basin of ], lies the City of General Santos - a fortress of modern amenities that is endowed with the beauty of nature and diverse cultures abound. Is a gateway in discovering the boundless beauty of ] Growth Region.
<!-- Only include people with WP articles as per ] -->
* ] (Baeby Baste) of '']'', child actor
* ], actor
* ], TV personality
* ], actress, host, big winner of '']''
* ], professional boxer
* ], professional boxer
* ], politician
* ], professional boxer
* ], head coach ] basketball of ] Blue Eagles
* ], ] Pageant 3rd Runner-up and National Director of Miss Universe Philippines
* ], singer, ]
* ], international artist
* ], dance group, Grand Champion, Showtime Season 1
* Kolette Madelo, 3rd big placer of '']''


==Sister cities==
'''Hotels and Accommodations'''
===Local===
*], since October 12, 1994<ref name="QuezonCityGovPH-SisterCities">{{cite web |title=Sister Cities |url=http://quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php/quezon-city-business-district/350-sister-cities |website=The Local Government of Quezon City |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001010801/http://quezoncity.gov.ph/index.php/quezon-city-business-district/350-sister-cities |archive-date=October 1, 2017}}</ref>
*], since 1980<ref name="PanayNews-SisterCities">{{cite news |last1=Tayona |first1=Glenda |last2=Silubrico |first2=Ruby |title=Iloilo to showcase culture to 'sister cities' tonight |url=https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-to-showcase-culture-to-sister-cities-tonight/ |access-date=April 9, 2019 |work=Panay News |date=August 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409192355/https://www.panaynews.net/iloilo-to-showcase-culture-to-sister-cities-tonight/ |archive-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref>
*], Camarines Sur<ref name="SPGenSantosPH-Renewing">{{cite news|title=RESOLUTION RENEWING AND REVITALIZING THE EXISTING SISTER CITY TIES OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL SANTOS WITH THE CITY OF NAGA, CAMARINES SUR|url=http://www.spgensantos.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PR181801827.pdf|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417083615/http://www.spgensantos.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/PR181801827.pdf|archive-date=April 17, 2019}}</ref>
*]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/1490359257650276/posts/2528916660461192|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/1490359257650276/2528916660461192|archive-date=February 26, 2022|url-access=limited|title=Resolution Sisterhood Cities in Region12|website=]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


===International===
*Dolores Hotels and Resorts - Dolores Anchor Hotel, Dolores Hotel, Dolores Tropicana Resort and Dolores Farm Resort
* {{flagicon|Australia}} ''']''', Australia<ref name="SisterCitiesAustralia">{{cite web |title=DIRECTORY OF AUSTRALIAN SISTER CITY AFFILIATIONS 2018 |url=http://www.sistercitiesaustralia.com/images/images_media/Documents/Aust_SCA_Affiliations.pdf |website=Sister Cities Australia |access-date=April 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713192607/http://www.sistercitiesaustralia.com/images/images_media/Documents/Aust_SCA_Affiliations.pdf |archive-date=July 13, 2018}}</ref>
*East Asia Royale Hotel
* {{flagicon|USA}} ''']''', USA<ref name="GenSanMagazine-Jersey">{{cite news |title=GENSAN and JERSEY CITY to Sign SISTER CITY Agreement AUGUST 14 |url=https://gensan-magazine.com/2018/08/02/gensan-and-jersey-city-to-sign-sister-city-agreement-august-14/ |access-date=April 17, 2019 |work=Gensan Magazine |date=August 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112082705/https://gensan-magazine.com/2018/08/02/gensan-and-jersey-city-to-sign-sister-city-agreement-august-14/ |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |language=en |quote=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).}}</ref><ref name="Inquirer-JerseyCity">{{cite news |title=Jersey City and GenSan now "sister cities" |url=https://usa.inquirer.net/15141/jersey-city-gensan-now-sister-cities |access-date=April 17, 2019 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|agency=INQUIRER.net US Bureau |date=August 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829213837/https://usa.inquirer.net/15141/jersey-city-gensan-now-sister-cities |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
*Family Country Hotel
* {{flagicon|Mexico}} ''']''', Mexico<ref name="GenSanMagazine-Jersey" />
*Hotel Filipino and Restaurant
* {{flagicon|Japan}} ''']''', Japan<ref name="GenSanMagazine-Jersey" />
*Hotel Sansu
*La Tiera Del Sur Hotel
*Matutum Hotel
*Phela Grande Hotel
*Pietro's Hotel
*Sydney Hotel
*T'boli Hotel and Resort
*Tierra Verde Hotel II


==Gallery==
'''Restaurants'''
<gallery widths="180" heights="150">
File:City Hall, General Santos City, Philippines.JPG|General Santos City Hall
File:Amandari Cove lake - panoramio.jpg|Amarandi Cove Lake
File:KCC Mall of Gensan - panoramio.jpg|KCC Mall General Santos
File:Gen Santos city 4.jpg|Pioneer Avenue
File:Lagao, General Santos City, South Cotabato, Philippines - panoramio.jpg|SM City General Santos
</gallery>


==See also==
The ] 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 seafoods 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.
{{portal|Philippines}}
* ]


==Notes==
Topping the list of must-eats are TUNA and OPAH("Dayana"), two of the best sellers among our 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).
{{NoteFoot}}


==References==
'''Festivals'''
{{reflist|colwidth=35em}}


==External links==
]
{{Commons category|General Santos}}
{{Wikivoyage|General Santos}}
* {{official website|http://GenSantos.gov.ph}}
*
*
*


{{Geographic location <!-- This geo box is for DIRECTLY ADJACENT municipalities as standardized for all other LGU's -->
General Santos City celebrates Kalilangan Festival every February 'Kalilangan' means festival, festivity or jubilee. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, allies and subordinates in varying tones. In a broader perspective, Kalilang 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.
| North = ]

| West = ]<br />]
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.
| Center = General Santos

| East = ]
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.
| Southeast = '']''

| Southwest = ]
Every September a part of the charter celebration. General Santos City is known as the ] Capital of the ]. Thanksgiving and festivities are being celebrated annually through its Tuna Festival. Focusing on its main industries. Tuna Float is an awesome event to taste also sumptuous tuna treats during the Tuna Culinary Contest.
}}

==Noteworthy==
*Boxing champ ] hails from Brgy. Labangal.
*Tuna export in Gensan is one of the biggest and largest industry in the country and in whole ].
*GenSan is one of the fast growing cities in the ].

==External links==
*
*
*
*
*
*


{{Navboxes
| title = Articles Related to General Santos
| list =
{{South Cotabato}}
{{Soccsksargen}}
{{Philippine cities}} {{Philippine cities}}
{{Largest cities and municipalities in Mindanao}}
{{Most populous cities in the Philippines}}
}}


{{Authority control}}
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] ]
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Latest revision as of 17:14, 27 December 2024

Highly urbanized city in South Cotabato, Philippines For the person whom the city is named after, see Paulino Santos. For other uses, see General Santos (disambiguation).

Highly urbanized city in Soccsksargen, Philippines
General Santos
Highly urbanized city
City of General Santos
Other transcription(s)
 • Jawiجنرل سنتوس
Aerial view of urban GenSanRobinsons Place GenSanBarbecue grill stalls at Tiongson Arcade Aerial view of urban GenSan; Robinsons Place GenSan; Barbecue grill stalls at Tiongson Arcade; Dadiangas
Flag of General SantosFlagOfficial seal of General SantosSeal
Nickname: Tuna Capital of the Philippines
Anthem: Himno ng Heneral Santos
(English: General Santos Hymn)
Map of South Cotabato with General Santos highlightedMap of South Cotabato with General Santos highlighted
OpenStreetMap
General Santos is located in PhilippinesGeneral SantosGeneral SantosLocation within the Philippines
Coordinates: 6°07′N 125°10′E / 6.12°N 125.17°E / 6.12; 125.17
CountryPhilippines
RegionSoccsksargen
ProvinceSouth Cotabato (geographically only)
DistrictLone district of General Santos
FoundedAugust 18, 1947
CityhoodJuly 8, 1968
Highly urbanized citySeptember 5, 1988
Named forGeneral Paulino Santos
Barangays26 (see Barangays)
Government
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorLorelie G. Pacquiao
 • Vice MayorRosalita T. Nuñez
 • RepresentativeLoreto B. Acharon
 • City Council Members
  • Jose Orlando R. Acharon
  • Jose Edmar J. Yumang
  • Dominador S. Lagare Jr.
  • Maria Lourdes F. Casabuena
  • Vandyke B. Congson
  • Elizabeth B. Bagonoc
  • Richard L. Atendido
  • Jonathan T. Blando
  • Froebel Kan M. Balleque
  • Virginia T. Llido
  • Jane G. Rivera
  • Edgar C. Acharon
 • Electorate360,232 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total492.86 km (190.29 sq mi)
Elevation197 m (646 ft)
Highest elevation869 m (2,851 ft)
Lowest elevation0 m (0 ft)
Population
 • Total697,315
 • Density1,400/km (3,700/sq mi)
 • Households175,345
DemonymGensanon
Economy
 • Gross domestic product (GDP)₱129.015 billion (2022)
$2.279 billion (2022)
 • Income class1st city income class
 • Poverty incidence9.90% (2021)
 • Revenue₱ 2,931 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 8,093 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 3,557 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 1,983 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricitySouth Cotabato 2 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 2)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code9500
PSGC126303000
IDD : area code+63 (0)83
Native languagesHiligaynon
Cebuano
Tboli
Blaan
Tagalog
Maguindanaon
Websitewww.gensantos.gov.ph

General Santos, officially the City of General Santos and abbreviated as GenSan, is a highly urbanized city in the region of Soccsksargen, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 697,315 people making it the most populous city in Soccsksargen Region.

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 it is also the only coastal as well as the largest city in the province of South Cotabato wherein it is geographically situated and grouped under the province by the Philippine Statistics Authority but administered independently of it.

Etymology

The city was named after Gen. Paulino Santos, a former Commanding General of the Philippine Army and the settlement's leading pioneer.

History

The nomadic B'laan people are the original inhabitants of present-day General Santos, and traces of their early settlements 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 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 now lives alongside the city's new generation of settlers and other immigrants.

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

Statue of General Paulino Santos for whom the city is named after

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, more Christians from Visayas and Luzon subsequently migrated into the area, gradually driving some of the B'laan residents to the hills and mountains, where they have lost their livelihood and somewhat displaced Maguindanaon living in the area.

In March 1939, the first formal settlement in the city was established in Alagao, which is now known as Barangay Lagao. Lagao 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 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

Main article: Cities of the Philippines
National Highway corner Santiago Boulevard

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.

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 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. By this time, General Santos City had already established itself as a major economic and educational hub in the region. Three of the oldest educational institutions in the city — Notre Dame Dadiangas University (1948), Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (1957), and Mindanao State University (1961) — were established prior to the city’s official founding. 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 highly urbanized city independent from South Cotabato in 1988, General Santos remained part of the province's congressional representation. The city only gained a separate representative with the passage of Republic Act No. 11243 on March 11, 2019, which segregated General Santos from the first congressional district of South Cotabato to be its 3rd congressional district. On September 15, 2021, House Bill No. 10021 authored by Representative Ferdinand Hernandez, that officially mandate General Santos as a lone district, separate from South Cotabato was passed on third and final reading.

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.

Geography

Former flag of General Santos (2019-2022)

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 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.

General Santos occupies the whole of South Cotabato's coastline.

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: PAGASA

General Santos has a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification). With an average annual rainfall of less than 1,000 millimetres (39 in), it is one of the driest places in the Philippines.

Barangays

Political map of General Santos

General Santos is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.  Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • 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

Kadsagayan Parade during Kalilangan FestivalTuna Festival contingent
Population census of General Santos
YearPop.±% 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

There are two major languages spoken in the city, with Cebuano being widely spoken and being used by the local media outlets in the city (television, radio, and newspapers), followed by Hiligaynon, which is used mainly by settlers who came from the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Maguindanao, as well as immigrants from the provinces of Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Guimaras. Other languages spoken within the city include B'laan, T'boli, Maguindanaon, Ilocano, and Kapampangan.

Religion

Religion in General Santos (2020)
Religion percentage
Roman Catholic 65%
Other Christian, including Protestants 20.5%
Islam 9.8%
Iglesia ni Cristo 3.3%
Others 1.4%

The predominant religion in the city is Christianity, with the largest denomination being the Catholic Church, comprising almost 90% of the population. About 9% of the population belongs to Islam, mostly Sunnites.

Economy

Poverty incidence of General Santos

5 10 15 20 25 30 2006
16.70 2009
22.50 2012
19.30 2015
23.48 2018
14.74 2021
9.90

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

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.
Fishport Complex in Barangay Tambler
  • Fishing industry: General Santos is the largest producer of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. Thus, as early as 1970, it was nicknamed "Tuna Capital of the Philippines". The city also accounts for the second-largest daily total catch of fish in the country after Navotas in the National Capital Region. The fishing industry in 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 Soccksargen 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 Barangay Mabuhay, Unitop Shopping Mall in Barangay Dadingas West and AllHome (soon in Barangay Katangawan, Circumferential Road). 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 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
Airliners disembarking at General Santos International Airport

The General Santos International Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao. It has a 3,227-metre concrete runway 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
Aerial view of Makar Wharf, the main international sea port of General Santos

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 located 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 ship berthing positions all at the same time. The port is replete with modern facilities such as container yards, storage and weighing bridges. 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 and neighboring ports in Indonesia carrying both passenger and cargo loads.

Land transportation

Commuting in and around General Santos 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 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. 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.

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, SOCSARGEN County Hospital, Mindanao Medical Center, R.O Diagan Cooperative Hospital, GenSan Medical Center, Sarangani Bay Specialists Medical Center, General Santos City District Hospital and the newly inaugurated Dadiangas Medical Center servicing a care for the people. In addition, there is an ongoing construction of ACE Medical Center to add more hospital bed capacity and medical services in the city.

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 Colleges, such as The Quantum Academy, and the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges, and more than 100 public schools, General Santos hosts three universities. These are the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Mindanao State University – General Santos City, New Era University – General Santos Branch.

The General Santos campus of the country's oldest academic institution, University of Santo Tomas, located in Barangay Ligaya, officially opened its first operations in school year 2024-2025.

Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges

In 1957, Atty. Eugenio Millado and Doña Aurora Millado established Mindanao Vocational School (MVS) on Pioneer Avenue. Over the years, Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC; formerly Magsaysay Memorial Colleges) acquired Southern Island Colleges (SIC) and became widely recognized for its contributions to education in the region. The institution has since become a cornerstone of higher education, offering affordable and comprehensive educational opportunities to students from various backgrounds.

The Millado family’s legacy remains central to the institution’s identity and mission. Their commitment to improving educational opportunities for the people of Mindanao, as well as their ongoing dedication to public service and community development, has helped ensure that RMMC remains not just an academic institution, but also a force for good in the region.

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—ABS-CBN 3 Soccsksargen (now defunct), GMA 8 Soccsksargen, TV5 Channel 12 Gensan, GMA News TV 26, ABS-CBN Sports+Action Channel 36 (now defunct), Brigada News TV 39. 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 (now defunct), 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) (now defunct), GMA Soccsksargen Flash Bulletin (GMA 8 Soccsksargen) now part as One Mindanao Flagship Newscast, Balita38 (EGTV Channel 46) and Ronda Brigada (Brigada News TV channel 39).

Notable personalities

See also: Category:People from General Santos

Sister cities

Local

International

Gallery

  • General Santos City Hall General Santos City Hall
  • Amarandi Cove Lake Amarandi Cove Lake
  • KCC Mall General Santos KCC Mall General Santos
  • Pioneer Avenue Pioneer Avenue
  • SM City General Santos SM City General Santos

See also

Notes

  1. 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

  1. "DTI features 'best of the seas' at the IFEX PH 2018". Philippine Information Agency. DTI/PIA-NCR. May 26, 2018. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  2. City of General Santos | (DILG)
  3. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
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  5. "City of General Santos Posts the Fastest Growth Among Economies in SOCCSKSARGEN in 2022".
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  11. "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)
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  17. 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.
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  28. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  29. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  30. 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.
  31. "General Santos International Airport". Archived from the original on September 19, 2010.
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  33. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  37. 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.
  38. "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.
  39. "Resolution Sisterhood Cities in Region12". Facebook. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022.
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  41. ^ "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).
  42. "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.

External links

Places adjacent to General Santos
Malungon, Sarangani
Polomolok
T'Boli
General Santos Alabel, Sarangani
Maasim, Sarangani
Sarangani Bay
Articles Related to General Santos
Province of South Cotabato
Koronadal (capital)
General Santos (largest city)
Municipalities
Component City
Highly Urbanized City
Soccsksargen (Region XII)
SOuth Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, SARangani, GENeral Santos
Regional center
Provinces
Highly urbanized city
Component cities
Provincial capitals
Component Municipalities
Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines
List of cities in the Philippines
Highly urbanized
cities
Independent
component cities
Component cities
Largest cities and municipalities in Mindanao
PSA Census May 2020
Rank Name Region Pop. Rank Name Region Pop.
Davao City
Davao City
Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
1 Davao City Davao Region 1,776,949 11 Panabo Davao Region 209,230 Cagayan de Oro
Cagayan de Oro
General Santos
General Santos
2 Zamboanga City Zamboanga Peninsula 977,234 12 Marawi Bangsamoro 207,010
3 Cagayan de Oro Northern Mindanao 728,402 13 Koronadal Soccsksargen 195,398
4 General Santos Soccsksargen 697,315 14 Malaybalay Northern Mindanao 190,712
5 Butuan Caraga Region 372,910 15 Digos Davao Region 188,376
6 Iligan Northern Mindanao 363,115 16 Polomolok Soccsksargen 172,605
7 Cotabato City Bangsamoro 325,079 17 Surigao City Caraga Region 171,107
8 Tagum Davao Region 296,202 18 Kidapawan Soccsksargen 160,791
9 Valencia Northern Mindanao 216,546 19 Mati Davao Region 147,547
10 Pagadian Zamboanga Peninsula 210,452 20 Ozamiz Northern Mindanao 140,334
Philippines Philippine cities with a 100,000+ population
2,000,000 and more
1,000,000–1,999,999
500,000–999,999
200,000–499,999
100,000–199,999
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