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Saturday, March 04, 2006
Kalilangan 2006: Bringing back the glory of yesterday
By Aquiles Zonio
FOR years, General Santos City has experienced relative peace. It was considered one of the most promising and fastest-growing cities in the country.
Rapid economic growth was particularly observed from 1991 up to year 2000. Through the assistance from foreign donors and national government, vital infrastructures were put in place.
Of course, these aids did not simply came by accident. Multi-million dollar projects were poured in because the national government and the foreign donors believed in or were impressed by the competence, exemplary leadership, and management skills shown by the local officials.
No wonder, foreign visitors -- tourists and investors alike -- were seen coming in and out of the city. From being a virtually dusty and rusty city, General Santos leapfrogged and hogged the limelight both in national and international arena.
Boom city
There came a certain point when this place became the subject of envy of various local government units not just in Mindanao but in the entire country. Even Davao City then felt threatened of being dislodged as premier city of Mindanao.
The city is equipped with three most basic and vital infrastructures needed to propel economic development -- airport, seaport, as well as efficient and modern telecommunications facilities.
Complementing these vital infra facilities were an all weather road network linking the city to other parts of Socsksargen growth corridor and a fish port complex, the country's second biggest and most modern fish port.
Fish port complex is not just a boon to fishing industry, it has also strengthened the city's claim as tuna capital of the country.
Construction boom took place sometime in 1992. Almost everywhere, commercial, and residential buildings were sprouting one after the other.
The city's vibrant economy lured even Manila-based investors to come over and poured in new capital in various business endeavors.
Owners of SM city, Fil-invest, Robinsons, and Uniwide were just some of the big Manila-based investors who were then planning to venture in the city.
Residents from nearby provinces came in droves in search for the proverbial greener pasture, triggering phenomenal increase in population growth rate. The city's 5.3 percent annual population growth rate was the highest throughout the country.
Despite posting the highest population growth rate, it was quite astonishing to note that there was no parallel increase in crime rate.
A surge in taxi business was also noted. From less than a hundred taxi units cruising the city's streets, the number of taxi ballooned to more than 6,000 particularly in 1996.
Malls, fastfoods, hotels, restaurants, and nightspots were teeming with people even until the wee hours of the night. Night life then was very much alive. The city simply refused to sleep.
Data from the Central Bank showed that during those years, in terms of daily money circulation, General Santos was next to Makati.
Then came the tragic year 2000. The national government declared an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Such monumental blunder plunged the country, particularly Mindanao, into bedlam. From Maguindanao, terror spilled-over and spread to other areas. The city was not spared.
At the height of the raging war, a rash of bombing incidents took place in the city. Fear and confusion gripped the city residents. Local economy slowed down. In the early part of 2001, former mayor Adelbert Antonino, due to personal and health reasons, relinquished the mayoral post to his vice mayor Pedro Acharon Jr.
He knew the Herculean tasks lying ahead, but he was unfazed. His convincing victory during the 2001 election was an attestation that Acharon was up to the tasks and that the people believed in his capability to lead.
Baptism of fire
The biggest challenge in his leadership came in April 21, 2002 when a powerful bomb exploded near Fitmart Department store.
The unfortunate incident, exacerbated by the twin fire incidents that razed to the ground Kimball Plaza and KCC mall, shattered whatever gains the Acharon administration had achieved.
But instead of cowing in fear or playing and talking tough, the mayor chose to employ diplomacy to restore peace and order in the city.
He held peace dialogues with multi-sectoral groups and reached out particularly to influential Muslim leaders in the area in an effort to bring back harmony in the city. He succeeded.
From then on, relative peace reigns in the city. Only the December 2004 public market blast and the February 2005 Valentine's day bombing at Gaisano punctuated the serenity experienced by the city.
Regaining lost glory
Acharon has outlined a five-point priority programs this year to further make the delivery of basic social services prompt and efficient.
These include, continued implementation and completion of the city's ongoing major infra projects, maintenance of stable peace and order, poverty alleviation, continuing support to cooperatives and small and medium enterprises, as well as the strengthening and institutionalization of transparent, responsible, accessible, and efficient local governance.
The chief executive believes that once these programs are implemented and achieved, the city would no doubt regain its glory.
Try roaming around and you will see that the city is very much vibrant again. Obviously, this is because of the prevailing peace and the renewed investors' confidence in the city.
Peace and development are concomitant to each other. And who says the city has neither recovered yet from economic doldrums nor risen from the rubbles of war and terrorism?
Not just a celebration
On the occasion of the city's 67th foundation anniversary, Acharon urged local residents to take due cognizance of the pioneering settlers and leaders' toils and sacrifices in making the city what it is now today.
Indeed, the pioneers planted the seed and the succeeding political leaders nurtured it. Now, the present generations are the ones reaping the bounty.
This is the very reason why there's more to Kalilangan than mere celebration and merry-making.
By holding such an annual affair, the present generations are not just reminiscing but above all giving real meaning to the cherished tradition and achievements of those who laid the groundwork for the development of this city.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(February 27, 2006 issue)
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