GenSan City Officials sworn into office
The newly elected officials of General Santos City were sworn into office in a touching ceremony which had some of the guests in a jampacked PBA Sports Center teary-eyed.
The program started late since the earlier rains made the organizers transfer the original venue from the Plaza Heneral Santos to the oval covered court. It was almost 7pm when everything began.
After a soulful rendition of the Lord’s Prayer by three former “GenSan Pop Idol” winners and the National Anthem by the GSC Government Employees Choir to start everything, the elected cityofficials were called singly by the two hosts, Atty. Elvie Albano and RMMC Dean Joana Banting-Lapore to ascend the stage.
The officials then had to walk from the main entrance of the covered court up to the stage and pass through the center aisle flanked by numerous seated guests, a good mix of generals from the private and public sector, most in their finery.
When it was time for the new mayor, Darlene Antonino-Custodio, resplendent in her sister Eliza’s ecru Oskar Peralta gown, to ascend the stage, the audience rose from their seats and cheered her on while walking across the aisle. A mini-pandemonium ensued with people reaching out to her.
Upon reaching the front row where they were seated, Mayor Darlene then kissed her parents, the former mayor Adelbert Antonino and the former representative Lualhati Antonino.
Representative Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. was the last to traverse what was supposedly a short distance but it took him a while to do it. Almost everyone who were seated at the courtyard rushed to the middle aisle also to shake the former mayor’s hand hand to congratulate him. There were so many that he could only execute “high fives” with the rest. He finally reached center stage after more than five minutes with a few people near him noticing that he was teary-eyed.
With everyone accounted for, Judge Oscar Noel then administered the oath of office of the 12 city councilors and Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas.
"COUNCILORS BAGONOC, ATENDIDO, LEYSON, LLIDO, OCO, DE CLARO TAKE THEIR OATHS OF OFFICE"
"VICE MAYOR SHIRLYN BANAS IN BLUE EMI ENGLIS TAKES HER OATH OF OFFICE BEFORE JUDGE OSCAR NOEL."
"COUNCILORS SANTOS, LAGARE, VICENTE, NATIVIDAD, DINOPOL & RIVERA TAKE THEIR OATH OF OFFICE"
Then it was Mayor Custodio’s turn to be sworn into office with her parents and husband businessman Benjie Custodio.
Finally, the new Congressman Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. was joined on stage by wife Dr. Rose, brother Yolando and children PJ, Honey and Pedro III.
Mayor Custodio then delivered her inaugural address, which focused on her administration’s agenda, based on the SHEEP Program. She also revealed that together with Congressman Acharon, she will push for the establishment of the GenSan Economic Zone.
The inaugural rites ended on a high note with small kids representing the youth of the city handing out tokens which are representations of the different committees that they will be heading.
Note: Thanks for Gandaeversomuch for some of the pictures. Check out his blog’s first birthday contests.
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- 2010 SOCCSKSARGEN Local Candidates List
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Bariles is a Filipino 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.
Ian Mark Says:
Establishment of Gensan Economic Zone is truly worth the wait.. its bcoz, this will provide a very stable and very competitive economy of Gensan. Kudos to our leaders.
Posted on June 29th, 2010 at 11:14 PM
bariles Says:
@Ian Mark, let’s give them all the support we can. The GEZ could bring in a lot of investments and job opportunities to the city.
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 7:39 AM
fahdingding Says:
Congratulations to our new city officials especially to our new Mayor Darlene Antonino – Custodio and new Congressman Pedro Acharon Jr.
May God bless our officials and God bless GENSAN…
A GEZ is a welcome development for our city… let’s hope and pray matupad ito in the near future….
Meron na ring naging panukalang GEZ before filed by LOREN LEGARDA and others pero na – reject yung BILL because of some issues….
GENERALS… May bagong GENSAN na uusbong!
Thnx Kuya for the Blog! = )
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 8:33 AM
bariles Says:
@Fahdz, I agree with you. The next three short years should not be wasted on political issues but on working for the fulfillment of the new mayor’s pronouncements during her inaugural address. With majority of the City Council on her side and the congressman behind her, there is no doubt that she can do it. The city will be watching her every move like a hawk.
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 8:40 AM
fahdingding Says:
Our city is very blessed because we have our leaders who are determined, hardworking and dedicated for the progress of GENSAN and the upliftment of the people of this city…
Maganda rin talaga ang “Political Climate” natin ngayon kasi Magka – alliado ang National Government at ang Local Government ng GENSAN at Controlado ng AIM ang Exective at Legislative branch ng LGU…
So we can expect many GOOD things for GENSAN in the next 3 years….
And kahit tayong mga ordinaryong mga mamamayan ay marami ring magagawa in our own little way…
Ika nga ng isang kasabihan: “Kung wala kang maitulong sa paglilinis, wag ka na ring tumulong sa pagkakalat.”
ENLIGHTENED LEADERSHIP + PEOPLE’S EMPOWERMENT AND COOPERATION = PROGRESS FOR GENSAN!
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 9:31 AM
NARLY Says:
Thanks for your blog kuya. This is a big help in keeping our kababayans informed. Thumbs up for you! Goodluck to the new officials and God bless the Generals!
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 3:18 PM
elmerceq Says:
Her concern for the youth sector of the city is really ringing good in our ears. Finally, we have a progressive lady Mayor, who first made waves in Congress, that would finally set put her mettle in the LGU. Her goal of implementing a Comprehensive Youth Development Program (CYDP) in the city is a welcome development. And surely, we will be with her.
Here’s a dose of what that CYDP would likely be if I were to give flesh to it:
1. Craft a 5-year GSC Medium Term Youth Development Program that would become the basis of these various approaches for the development and welfare of the youth. This MTYDP shall be culled from insights, wisdom and experiences from the youth sector themselves ( in-school youth, out-of-school youth, young professionals and workers, the disadvantaged youth and cultural communities youth), different government agencies that have youth programs, youth-serving institutions and organizations, sports associations, and other vital stakeholders. This is to harmonize all government and non-government initiatives for the development of the youth.
2. Come up with a timely survey on the issues and concerns of the youth here in our city in order to have a more realistic prioritization of programs and services.
3. Activate the GSC Local Youth Development Council that would serve as advisory body that would formulate policies and component programs in coordination with the various government agencies and non-government agencies handling youth-related programs, projects and activities.
Other intervening programs and services may just come up later, like providing mechanism for increased participation and intervention of the youth in local governance, provision of services for the skills development, livelihood and economic activities of the youth, scholarship facility for poor but deserving youth, intervention for the disadvantaged youth and youth in conflict with the law, etc.
Woohhh, what a dynamic work ahead!
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 4:34 PM
lito Says:
congrats to our new mayor Darlene Antonino -Custodio.
she looks elegant in her hairdo and modern filipiniana white gown.
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 9:44 PM
bariles Says:
@lito, very elegant! Let’s hope she goes for a local designer in her next formal affair.
Posted on June 30th, 2010 at 10:03 PM
door Says:
i dont need that attire. ang gusto ko ay mapatupad nila ang kanilang sinasabi. wala sa attire ang kagandahan sa ikakaunlad ng ating syudad
Posted on July 8th, 2010 at 11:11 PM
girl Says:
tama!!!
Posted on September 7th, 2011 at 9:47 PM
door Says:
Oh. Well. sa sinabi ko na previous comment . na “i dont need that attire. ang gusto ko ay mapatupad nila ang kanilang sinasabi. wala sa attire ang kagandahan sa ikakaunlad ng ating syudad” . ang masasabi ko as partial, mabuti ang pamamalakad ngayon sa ating syudad, sana magtuluy- tuloy to. Go GENSAN!
Posted on September 10th, 2011 at 12:55 AM
render111 Says:
Kamusta na po ba yung GenSan Economic Zone. na niplano nina mayor at congressman?
Posted on October 4th, 2011 at 3:59 AM