VIS-MIN'S Biggest Cold Storage Complex Opens in Gensan

P300M GENSAN COLD STORAGE COMPLEX. Gen. Santos City's Igloo Cold Storage Corporation, the biggest refrigeration warehousing service facility outside of Luzon opened last month with a simple inauguration ceremony graced by (L-R) owner and RD Group of Companies Chairman Rodrigo Rivera, EVP Dolores Rivera, Security Bank First VP Loretta Mangilit, Philbest FVP-COO Roland Salangsang, City Councilor Richard Atendido, RD AVP Richie Rivera and wife Cecille. This P300-million world-class project with its ten state-of-the-art cold storage rooms which can store 10,000 metric tons of frozen resources is located at Barangay Tambler, along the coast of Sarangani Bay. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

Just before the year 2007 came to a close, the P300-million Igloo Storage Complex Corporation, another testament to Gen. Santos City's economic boom, opened its doors through a simple inauguration ceremony on December 18, 2007 at its sprawling compound in Barangay Tambler, Gen. Santos City .

One of the forty existing business units under the RD Group of Companies, a wholly-owned Filipino conglomerate based in the country's Tuna Capital, this state-of-the-art refrigerated warehousing complex is the biggest of its kind outside of Luzon, capable of storing 10,000 metric tons of frozen resources.

This facility was designed to handle fresh and processed fish, meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables and other finished frozen products in any of its 10 cold storage rooms, six of which could store up to 1,200 metric tons of materials.

Local government and business leaders including City Councilor Richard Atendido, representing Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr., suppliers and contractors of the company, and the top honchos and employees of the RD Group were among those who graced the inauguration rites.

In his message before a guided tour inside the complex, RD Chairman Rodrigo Rivera said that aside from being equipped with an internationally accepted method of Cold Storage processes, Igloo upholds the commitment to comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements of food retailers and regulatory bodies including those from the European Union and the USFDA, among others.

It has also started to seek accreditation with other international relevant sectors such as Kosher Certifying Organizations, Earth Island Institute, ISO standard bodies and others applicable to its operations, he added.

For his part, Councilor Atendido thanked the RD Group of companies for continuing to support the local government in its goal to provide employment opportunities for the people while vowing in his capacity as a member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to be more responsive to the needs of the city's investors. (GenSan CMO/avel manansala)

Pasko sa Gensan 2007 A Colorful Success

CHRISTMAS TRICYCLE WINNER. The grand prize winning entry of driver Juan Calidina at the "Ilawan-ang-Daan" contest of the recently concluded Pasko sa Gensan 2007. (foto by paul bernaldez/aom)

BEST TRICYCLE ENTRY. Juan Calidina receives a cash prize of P15,000 and a trophy from Gensan City Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. and Pasko-sa-Gensan chair Dr. Rose Acharon after his tricycle entry was judged as the winner in the "Ilawan-ang-Daan" Competition, one of the major events of the recently concluded Pasko Sa Gensan 2007 Festival. (foto by paul bernaldez/aom)

General Santos City – Pasko sa Gensan ended with a high note for the generals and for those who have participated and won in the different competitions held during the celebration.

The month-long showcase of events prepared by the City Government under Mayor Pedro B. Acharon Jr. and his wife, Dra. Rose Acharon, chairperson of Pasko sa Gensan met its aim of giving everyone a more meaningful and colorful way of celebrating the yuletide season.

A triumphant display of talents, creativity, camaraderie, cheer, and sharing ignited the hearts of everyone who shared their time in staging the underwater-themed Christmas Pavilions at the Grand Reef aka oval plaza.

Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges's star shone the brightest and grabbed the championship in the Best Pavilion with a Php15,000 cash prize and best centerpiece with Php10,000 cash prize while Notre Dame Of Dadiangas University, Holy Trinity College, Mindanao State University, and Golden State College received Php7,000 consolation prize each.

Pedro B. Acharon Sr. Central Elementary School bested nine other schools in the "Tunog Tambol, Tunog Lira, Tunog Pasko" Drum & Lyre contest held during the December 3rd opening. RMMC High School Department and GSCSPED High School placed second and third place respectively.

In the various Expo Competitions, Emily Duarte won in the Christmas Card contest, Jezhel Rabino for Christmas ornament, Randy S. Ventic in the bottle décor and Kenjie John Dabon for Christmas character design contest.

They received a cash prize of Php2,500 each for their victories. In addition, James Ryan Sarmogenes of RMMC was also victorious in the Ostrich décor contest while Mon Paolo Lanega of NDDU and Julius Seneigo the next two slots.

Gensan Pop Idol 2007 grand finalist Martin Van Honor of NDDU IBED Lagao through his piece "Noche Buena" emerged as the champion in the Pasko Pop Music Fest, a song writing competition b esting Kathleen Kei Eula's "Paskong Gensan" who came in second and Jereme dela Pena's "Ilaw ng Pasko who was third.

2006 winner Juan Calidina still became the undefeated in the "Ilawan ang Daan" Light-Up-Your-Tricycle contest after winning first prize in the same contest again this year. He won the cash prize of P15,000 and trophy. In second place was Norlito Lopez who got P12,000 and Normilito Utlang who was in third place, getting P10,000 in the process.

A lone participating team in the Coastline Course Surveying contest from NDDU became the winner in the said competition and they brought home Php15,000 cash prize.

Hyper Boys outshined eight other teams in the Dance Fusion contest after being named as the grand winner in the said contest. S.P.A. Kalingaw Dancers ranked second place and Extreme Boys was the third placer.

After the successful holding of the annual Christmas extravaganza of the city government, the organizers are thankful for the support of the different groups who have contributed much to the smooth conduct of the celebration.

Mayor Acharon is hopeful that same partnership will be shown in the coming years of Pasko and is encouraging all others to join as one in making Gensan come alive during Christmas time.

Dr. Acharon on the other hand wants to thank all the event managers, the partipating schools and private corporations, the sponsors, the volunteers, the police, military and other peace-keeping forces, the local government and other government agencies, and the Task Force Pasko for ensuring the success of the festival. (CPIO-aljvillanueva)

Firecrackers Ban in Gensan

FIRECRACKERS INSPECTION. Personnel from the Licenses and Permits Division of the City Mayor's Office of Gen. Santos inspect one of the stalls selling fireworks at the Oval Plaza. Mayor Pedro Acharon, Jr. has decreed a ban against the use and sale of the more dangerous firecrackers.