DAVAO AND GENSAN: Tale of the two cities-

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A partnership is brewing between two of Mindanao’s premiere cities.

           This development has now grown into possibility as Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City and Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera of Gensan City finally met on January 16 at Phela Grande Convention Center during the induction of the new officials of Junior Chamber International Philippines.

          The event was graced by Duterte as he was the delegated inducting officer chosen by the organization.

          But apparently, the main highlight was the crossing of paths of Duterte and Rivera- both local chief executives of two of the most highly urbanized cities in Mindanao.

           It was an opportunity that was seized by Mayor Rivera of Gensan as he was seeking strategies and advice on how to efficiently serve the people- from a “tested and proven” Duterte of Davao City.

           “Duterte has much experience in running in the local government. He made Davao as one of the progressive cities in the country. And it is very visible that his people is happy about it,” Rivera said.

           During a conversation, Rivera also mentioned the first time he met Duterte.

           “I first met Duterte when I was still in the private sector. The two of us are motorbike enthusiasts, so one time, when he had a leg in Davao, I got the opportunity to meet him,” Rivera narrated.

           “Years after, I am a public official already. Things are different. But I still look up to him because I want to make Gensan as progressive and safe as Davao.

           Mayor Duterte affirmed the statements of Rivera, and cited the promise that Gensan holds.

          “Gensan is a beautiful place. Your roads are wide. You have many resources There’s a lot of things that can be done here.” Duterte said.

           “You can’t see anything like these even in Cagayan, Zamboanga. Even in Davao, our streets are clogged already.”

          The Mayor of Davao also mentioned that the key into running the government efficiently are heart and decisiveness.

           He also noted that there’s nothing instant in growing a city.

             But he gave an exemption to the statement, affirming drugs and corruption should be eradicated fast.

          “If I will become the president, I will end drugs and corruption. Six months should be long enough. And if I can’t do it, then choose another to replace me,” Duterte said.

          Davao and Gensan are two neighboring cities in Mindanao. Both are accessed through the Asian Highway 26 (AH26).

         Davao boasts its strong economy coming from real estates, BPO’s, industrial services, and other diverse commercial activities.

          The city also a hotspot for tourism because of developed suburban destinations.

         On the other hand, Gensan is a becoming the agro-industrial hub of the SOCKSARGEN region. Due to its complete transportation platforms via land, sea, or air.

          Tuna and fishing Industry is still steady in the city, albeit to the global challenges it is facing.

         Business also started to flock to Gensan when Rivera entered in 2010.

          This is proven by the 300% growth of MSMEs roughly from 1,000 to 8,000.

          Trade, business and food and agriculture could blossom in the southern Mindanao if the two cities would work hand-in-hand.

           Duterte became the Mayor of Davao in 1987 and got a short stint of being a congressman.

          Rivera, on the other hand, became the mayor of Gensan in 2013, after ending the 27-year.

 political reign of Achievement Integrity Movement. (AIM)--- Local counterpart of the liberal Party (LP)

          The mothers of these two mayors are both teachers.

          They also show enthusiasm in motor biking (Gensan CPIO/ Ian John Lagare).