McDonalds and Microtel Inns and Suites to take over DAMOSA GenSan lot?
First, the bad news.
If you happen to pass by the old Davao Motors Sales (DAMOSA) building along the National Highway fronting St. Elizabeth Hospital, here in General Santos, you will immediately notice that its occupants, the Take All Convenience Store, Tinapay Republic and a Drugstore are not there anymore. In fact, the whole building is now totally deserted.
Now, for the good news!
According to Bariles’ reliable sources, in its place will be the American fastfood chain McDonalds. And that’s not all. Behind it where the old DAMOSA automobile service center used to be, will rise the international budget hotel chain Microtel Inn and Suites. (Click on the map below for a larger view.)
If this materializes, Microtel Inns and Suites-GenSan will be the second city in Mindanao to host it after Davao.
The franchise of the 51-room Microtel Davao and that of GenSan are owned by Damosa Land Inc. of the Floreindo Family.
Its other branches are located in Baguio, Boracay, Batangas, Cabanatuan, Cavite, Mactan, Tarlac and the soon-to-open branches in Palawan and SM Mall of Asia.
According to its website ( http://www.microtelphilippines.com ):
The Microtel Philosophy
Microtel Inns & Suites provide guests with affordable quality hotel services in the true economy and standard categories.
Our mission is to develop a chain of world-class economy hotels in commercial and industrial regions as well as in choice resort locations in the Philippines.
We cater to both local and international business travelers and value-minded tourists. We will fill the growing, and as yet, unmet, demand for cost-efficient business travel.
Microtel stands out from other properties because of the system-wide design of its buildings and furnishings that stress function, comfort and convenience, while at the same time meeting international quality standards.
This entry of Microtel in the city’s landscape is one welcome news for General Santos City’s bid to become the CONVENTION CAPITAL of South Central Mindanao because for one thing, the Tuna Capital lacks hotel and lodging rooms. We have difficulty accepting conventions or summits with participants of more than 2,500, even with the formation of our HOMESTAY Program.
In another development, the old Anchor Hotel along Cagampang Extension is now being rented out by the RD Group to the Amigo Hotel of Davao City.
What do all these mean for our existing hotels then?
According to hotelier Rombar Bartolome, who is also building a larger extension to his East Asia Royale Hotel, “All hotels and hotel chains are welcome here because it would mean more and more chances for Gen. Santos to host large-scale gatherings.”
He continued, “All of us, stakeholders in the tourism sector will actually benefit from the entry of more players in the hospitality industry of GenSan. We are looking forward to it.”
Bariles says, it will definitely redound to the whole economy of the city in general.
As for McDonald’s Restaurant which will be competing head-on with Jollibee across the road, as long as it will also be a 24-hour outlet, it will definitely be a MUST-PATRONIZE establishment for Bariles Republic.
So what about the impending traffic chaos at the area?
Bariles says, let the City Engineer’s Office take care of that. For sure, they have that all figured out with the new traffic lights they are putting up in that are. 
Related posts:
- Microtel GenSan Hotel starts construction this year
- Amigotel Hotel and Suites offers “affordable luxury” in GenSan
- GenSan International Airport gets P121 million for its modernization
- Cafee Firenzo to anchor new GenSan restaurant complex
- P70million Culinary School in GenSan coming up!
This blog post must be worth at least a cup of cappuccino or a bottle of beer. Buy Bariles one now!
Bariles is Tagalog word for “Tuna”, the primary source of income of the people of General Santos City which hosts 6 of the Philippines’ 8 tuna canneries and more than 80% of its tuna processing plants.
gensanite Says:
this is good news!!!
the challenge would be for the city’s tourism council to “reel in” more tourists to the city…
tama rin si ROMBAR… the entry of new living establishments would welcome tourists as well…
good luck sa mcdo & microtel…
Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 6:20 PM
purple24 Says:
A very good news kuya. This will not only boost our city’s economy but will also mean that we can host more and biggers events here.
Exciting talaga!
purple24s last blog post..MBS2 in GENSAN
Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 8:24 PM
anonymouse :) Says:
Hmmm… the local tourism group should come up with a decent map of Gensan first. Tayo na lang yata ang city dito sa Mindanao na walang mapa! Para dili mailad ug macharge exorbitantly ang mga bisita natin ng mga taksi/tricycle/trisikad/habalhabal. Hingal! Ajejeje
Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 8:30 PM
Emperor Green Says:
hindi bad news ito..
Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 8:57 PM
busyjay Says:
wow!!! a very good news for all of us generals and to the people of socsksargen!
Posted on November 10th, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Nate Marx Says:
yeah, I agree with Rombar Bartolome, Gensan can already put on large scale events with a lot of hotels here… Somehow, I wish that before they put up these establishments together with Mcdo maayos muna ang daanan jan sa harap ng St. Eliz kasi grabeh talaga ang traffic jan and ilang accidents na din nakita ko jan, the last time I saw an accident there is a person was hit by a motor and after that he was drag under the wheel of a ten wheeler truck… Kanina lang grabeh talaga ang traffic sa area na yan…
Speaking about roads, kelan kaya magkaka overpass ang Gensan..hehehe… sana my overpass na tayo jan sa may pioneer… kasi minsan may mga pasaway na drivers.. and you gotta have a good dodging skills when they hit the road of pioneer avenue… hehehe..
Nate Marxs last blog post..My 50th Post!!!
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Jinky Says:
I affirm what natemarx had commented – it’s about time na ata for gensan to have an overpass sa streets na busy na talaga. This is for our own safety also.
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 9:28 AM
jasper0127 Says:
and you correct Jink para in narin tayo
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Gay Says:
Wow, looks like an exciting to be in GenSan these days. Can’t wait to transfer there already (in few weeks).
Gays last blog post..Old-school Pork Chops with Apples and Tarragon
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 2:32 PM
jasper0127 Says:
a lot of improvements in Gensan sana tuloy-tuloy na ito.
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 3:54 PM
mnlc Says:
hi vel,
tho late, but better late than never…happy ist blogoversary…very proud of you my dear….in my own little way, i infom friends from all corners of the globe about bariles….got some feedbacks how it help them to learn more of our city…all they know is gensan is for always where pacman hails…..even some foreign friends, they started asking about beaches,hotels, malls and other tourist spots……..i also tried the local site of gensan govt but it doesnt give an impact eh…bariles is more profound.i might have some foreign friends who’ll go with me for my next holiday in Phils…would love to take them to gensan but i’m worried where to house the whole family…..left gensan last april 2006, twas also the year a friend of mine from USA visited gensan and the whole family stayed in a hotel but later they complained about the roaches,rats,linens etc…
when you featured virgin beaches with the natural white sand, tho twas outside gensan ..dah, tulo laway ang mga foreigners kasi nga talagang green ang nakapalibot..and when they saw our pinoy sytle of making ihaw the fish, they were all asking why we make ihaw daw sa lupa…..joke them its the way how we make ihaw in beaches…hehehe…oh, i was refering ur trip in sarangani beach…
as an ofw, your blog, let me feel and think that gensan is just a stone throw away from greece and cyprus….walang araw na di ako mag open ng email ko just have a glimpse of bariles….si bariles ang naging kakampi ko when i feel so homesick…kaya bariles, keep it up…wag kang lalaho ha…iiyak ako…..mwaaahhhh…mis you vhel……take care and Gob bless Bariles!
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 5:21 PM
mR. FisHbOi Says:
Wow, good news for GenSan!
pero, ang tanong is,
“kailan magsisimula?”
hehe..
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 8:54 PM
aubrey Says:
Kuyaw na gyod ang Gensan…di na basta-basta. Cheers!
Posted on November 11th, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Good signals in Tuna Town | Mindanao Says:
[...] really positive news for GenSan. According to my Kumpare, Avel (known as Bariles on the site), Microtel is coming to GenSan, as well as a second McDonald’s. Both of these businesses will be located in the Damosa [...]
Posted on November 12th, 2008 at 7:17 AM
Rhey Says:
good for us
Posted on November 12th, 2008 at 8:32 AM
Exclusive Cute Says:
HAHAHHAHAHAHA…ITZ NICE PAPA!! Mag check INN gyud ko diha!! way magbabag.. EVERY NIGHT….EVERY DAY…..
Posted on November 12th, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Paul Says:
sana may route na ng jeep galing corner pendatun-national highway-corner j.catolico hmp!
Pauls last blog post..UP medical school eyed in South Cotabato
Posted on November 12th, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Patricio Says:
I think it’s FLOIRENDO family po.
not FLOREINDO.
Wala lang..
Good luck to GenSan.
Patricios last blog post..Barack Obama vs John McCain US Election 2008 Results
Posted on November 12th, 2008 at 5:45 PM
amie Says:
This is good news for all would-be balikbayan like
me who plans to bring friends to gensan for a
vacation…I have stayed in Microtel Davao sometime
in February this year and i would say the place is
really nice, price is reasonable and the services
are good…
It’s really nice to see expanded services & choices
especially in the tourism aspect of our city.
Go Gensan go! spread your wings and soar!
Posted on November 12th, 2008 at 7:52 PM
spellcaster012 Says:
helo, can sum1 give me a copy of the tuna logo og general santos?? may nkita kasi ako dati na tuna na nkasuot ng tinalak… and then im looking it now for the upcoming hosting of msu-gensan of the annual phil polsci assoc convention….
if u have please send it at mj_status012@yahoo.com
p.s. sory kung mejo wrong place ako post i dunno kasi wer to post eh…lol
thanks and God bless
Posted on November 12th, 2008 at 8:08 PM
epm Says:
^^This would really be a great news.
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 2:43 AM
rammyboi Says:
aus ah!
unta lng daghan mangaon sa McDo kay murag dli ma catch sa McDo ang panlasa sa Generals. Just look @ McDo sa KCC… im not sure if its the location or people or the food sa McDo. Pero ako, happy kay i’ve been a McDo Fan even when i was studying in college pa. Good news! ^_^
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 9:55 AM
nida Says:
@rammyboi – OO naman! Labs yata ng Generals ang McDonald’s noh. I Yab McDonlad’s!…Love Ko ‘To!!!;-)
Posted on November 13th, 2008 at 12:04 PM
orman Says:
have you heard that the teng family is also constructing a chow king outlet along national highway (across their jollibee)? masaya na ang highway!!! i remember nung bata pa kami ni kuya avel, puro talahib yang tapat ng mcgregor. ngayon ibang-iba na… even tiboli hotel made major renovations to keep up with the changing times. there are at least two new pension houses in the city – samantha’s apartelle in purok malakas and julia’s pension along kadulasan. simple lang pero oks na considered the price!
ormans last blog post..Think of Me
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 3:20 AM
GorG Says:
this is great news kuya! this was mentioned to me by one of our local businessmen in the city months ago. di ko akalain na this year na agad start
anyway,we need more hotels to accommodate bigger events. although maganda rin ang ginawa ng city on home-stay program. i hope the city can even construct accommodation facilities just like any other local governments. everybody will benefit for sure.
uy ha. ive always been a fan of mc do.
i remember pa mga talahib sa nat’l hway and santiago
naabutan ko pa. hehe
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 12:27 PM
archmykel Says:
How nice! all of them are within walking distance from my house hehehhe
Posted on November 14th, 2008 at 11:09 PM
busyjay Says:
kuya orman, totoo po ba ‘yung ckowking along national highway? kelan po start ng construction nila? kelan po kaya start ng construction ng mcdo and microtel…? excited na ako ah, hehe. iba na talaga ang GenSan ngayon… tama nga talaga si mayor sa sinabi niya that “2008 is a year of excellence for the city of gensan” =) Go gensan!
Posted on November 15th, 2008 at 7:07 AM
guiper Says:
traffic is a main problem in that area. as the joke says, no problem hospitals are around the corner. with the increasing developments along gsc national highway there is already an immediated need to complete the construction of katangawan-apopong diversion road.
Posted on November 15th, 2008 at 12:45 PM
angel Says:
Overpass? I dont really think its a good idea for gensan. Building overpasses are good but considering the presence of badjaos around the city… they will most probably make it their home (an eyesore, tsk!).
Posted on November 16th, 2008 at 12:34 PM
bariles Says:
I agree. Calling the City Tourism Office!!!!
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 11:35 AM
bariles Says:
@mnlc – Thanks manay. Looking forward to your homecoming soon. This blog is dedicated to you and to all the gensan expats out there. Mwah!
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 11:37 AM
bariles Says:
I think it’s the location. And besides, ang sikip sikip sa loob. Namit man tani ang ila nga fries kag chicken…baw gid! Thanks rammyboi.
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 11:40 AM
bariles Says:
I agree. Unahin na muna ang sidewalks and streetlamps before the overpass. Baka gawing SUICIDE AREAS pa yan ng mga desperados.
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 11:41 AM
bariles Says:
Amen to that guiper! I have passed through that road and it looks very promising if it’s completed.
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 11:42 AM
bariles Says:
@spellcaster012 – Try emailing cmo@gensantos.gov.ph
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 11:43 AM
rj Says:
sana nga matuloy na unm hindi speculations lang..heheh
ala lang….
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 6:13 PM
dimple Says:
kung si BARILES ang nagbalita siguradong totoo.. hindi speculation lang.. am i right? or i am right?hihi
at last.. matuloy najud ang dinagko nga convention dihi-a sa atuang lugar!..
dili nah tah magkabuang kung asa patulugun ang atuang mga guests..
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 7:49 PM
bariles Says:
Haha! Korek ka dyan dimple! Salamat.
Posted on November 20th, 2008 at 7:54 PM
epm Says:
^So it’s official that we will be having a 2nd McDonald’s in Gensan? Coz last time I visited the place, McDonald’s was not a big hit in Gensan.. Maybe it’s the location, i don’t know?
Posted on November 24th, 2008 at 11:46 PM
bariles Says:
@epm -
hi! That’s correct. Now, I hope this one opens 24 hours a day.
Posted on November 25th, 2008 at 3:24 PM
rj Says:
ah,..yah my reputation naman ang bariles, di basta2 mglalabas ng mga info, but i just wanna ask about ung sa loc ng sm city, dba nglbas na kau ng info sa loc, but di ata matutuloy dun, just asking lng po..:)
Posted on November 27th, 2008 at 2:15 PM
bariles Says:
@rj -
Everything is still under negotiations. A lot of people approach me divulging things na kapani-paniwala pero hindi naman pala. Let’s just wait in a few weeks for the truth about SM’s real location in GenSan. Thanks rJ.
Posted on November 27th, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Jasper Says:
Yes dalawa na McDonald’s outlets sa Gensan. Malamang magiging apat pa yan sa padbubukas ng Robinson’s at SM City puhon.;-)
Posted on November 27th, 2008 at 10:44 PM
bariles Says:
@Jasper -
hi! Puhon. I like that word.
Posted on November 28th, 2008 at 8:52 AM
delo Says:
gensan really needs more hotels…salamat sa addition ng Microtel…
Posted on December 1st, 2008 at 8:20 PM
bariles Says:
Hi delo! At the rate that conventions and summits are being held in GenSan, we need more hotel rooms NOW AND FAST!
Posted on December 1st, 2008 at 9:12 PM
epm Says:
I agree. Gensan should have more hotels and after the hotels perhaps more resorts.
Posted on December 1st, 2008 at 10:09 PM
bariles Says:
Hi epm! Since most of the coastline have gone to the canneries, we could have more of INLAND Resorts like Olaer, Dacera, Cambridge and the like. Or a Waterworld resort with big slides and kiddie stuff.
Posted on December 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 AM
tanchi Says:
okey! ayos yan…dian na lang ako magdadrive-thru
Posted on December 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 AM
emeroor Says:
i hope maging busy st. ang nat.highway para masaya.. i hope next 5 years marami na tlagang improvements and projects
Posted on December 10th, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Jordan Ray Quinco Says:
GO GO GO GENSAN…
Posted on February 7th, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Traffic Lights Signal Systems now up at 2 highway junctions in GenSan | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] or so, of General Santos City’s movers and shakers gathered at the sidewalk fronting the old Floirendo property (future site of Microtel and McDo), at the junction of the National Highway and Santiago [...]
Posted on August 10th, 2009 at 8:23 PM
fahdingding Says:
I’m Hungry for NEWS…LOL! we’ll just wait and see…
Posted on August 11th, 2009 at 7:54 AM
Microtel GenSan Hotel starts construction this year | GenSan News Online Mag Says:
[...] This came, more than 18 months after Bariles first blogged about it in a post which elicited much excitement and delight among GenSan News Online Mag’s readers. Read about it by clicking here. [...]
Posted on March 3rd, 2010 at 3:17 PM