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GenSan prospers with tuna
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Lynda B. Valencia
Date: 2002-09-17
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – General Santos (Gen San), formerly known as Dadiangas, is an important deep-water port and an agro-industrial and fishing center. Fishing is the fastest growing industry in the city.







GenSan’s tuna rich Saranggani Bay has given way to multi-million peso investments in tuna export and canneries. In fact, it is largely responsible for the economic boost enjoyed in the city today.





The city’s fish port ranks first in terms of high-value fish. The city proudly ships sashimi-grade tuna in Japan, Canada, United States, Hong Kong and leading hotels in Metro Manila.





It is also home to seven of the biggest tuna processing firms in the Philippines with a combined canning capacity of 570 metric tons a day. GenSan has now over 50 commercial fishing companies landing a collective volume of 8,500 metric tons of sashimi grade tuna per month.





Philippine Airlines (PAL), the country’s flag carrier, ship about 60,000 tons of fresh tuna a day to Manila and onwards to Japan and the United States.





Currently, the industry as a whole generates revenues of about $200 million annually and provides livelihood to 300,000 people.





Sohura Dimaampao, Region XII Tourism director said all these statistics and more add to the fore of the concept - that of building a trademark for GenSan – a “Tuna Festival”.





DoT assistant secretary Salvador Sarabia, Jr. who was the guest during the affair, said “What better way of remembering this booming city than with its tuna which I know is the number one product of the place”.





Sept. 5 marked the inauguration of GenSan, from a municipality into a city without changing its name. From then until 1986, GenSan moved up from third-class to a first-class city. During those times until today, the agriculture and most especially the fishing industry, flourished dramatically.





The Tuna Festival was graced by Dimaampao; Richard Torrato, president of the GenSan Tourism Association, Inc.; Socsksargen Federation of Fishing Industries; and local government officials.





The City recently celebrated its 4th Tuna Festival last Sept. 1-8 with several activities lined up for the occasion.





On the first day alone, hundreds of people tread to London Beach Resort in Bawing and Oval Plaza to watch Lumba Langoy open water swimming and Tunang Gasutoy cycling competitions.





There was also a tuna night wherein several ways of cooking tuna was offered the guests, like afritadang tuna, kalderetang tuna, tuna cooked with coconut and the favorite of all – sashimi.





The highlight of the affair was a parade of floats, wherein the cars are decorated with different kinds of fish, with screaming sound systems and live bands, which traversed the highways and the city thoroughfares, heralding the festivities.





The “Fishcarades” (fish car parade) brightened up the way and literally awakened the city.

 

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