Development in General Santos City is on track but the government is building more infrastructures in the locality and beyond to ensure progress in the entire region of Soccsksargen, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The President made the remarks when asked during a media interview in General Santos City about the national government’s significant contribution to the development of the region composed of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.
The Chief Executive travelled to General Santos City to personally deliver the presidential assistance and other government aid to farmers and fishermen hit by the continuing onslaught of the El Niño phenomenon. He vowed to continue providing aid to El Niño victims in the region.
The national leadership, the President said, has a lot of plans for the city and the region but has been encountering challenges because of the intensified and prolonged dry spell in the country.
“Maganda na ang takbo ng development sa GenSan. Ang gagawin ng national government ay patuloy ang pagdebelop ng imprastruktura dun sa ‘Build, Better, More’ na aming ginagawa. Dahil pagkanabuksan natin lahat ng mga iba’t-ibang lugar, maliwanag na gaganda ang economic situation sa mga lugar na ‘yan,” President Marcos told reporters.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang naman. Kasama sa plano ang buong bansa sa social development plan. ‘Yung infrastructure dito lalo na dahil marami na kayong magandang imprastruktura ay pagagandahin pa natin para talaga mararamdaman na dadami at mas magkaroon ng trabaho at mas malaki ang kinikita,” he added.
Such government thrust will include the farmers and fishermen in the region, President Marcos said, stressing the government’s long-term plan is to provide corn and palay seeds, fertilizer, farm equipment and machineries for processing.
In addition to the existing cold storages for the region’s fishery industry, the President promised to provide more. “Marami naman kayong cold storage dito dahil masigla ang fishing industry dito. Ang tawag diyan is we invest in success. Napaka-successful na ng ginagawa ng GenSan kaya’t doon kami maglalagay ng investment ng galing sa national government,” he said.
Fishery is among General Santos City’s major industries particularly tuna fishing and canned tuna processing.
In terms of agricultural production, General Santos is engaged in livestock and poultry as well as production of coconut, pineapple, asparagus, bananas, and rice.
The city has major projects led by the construction of General Santos City underpass/ interchanges. It is the first mega infrastructure project of the DPWH-Soccsksargen. The project is 740-linear meters in length with a 560-linear meter underpass tunnel alongside a bike lane. PND
