General Santos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General Santos
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Highly urbanized city
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| City of General Santos | |||
| Other transcription(s) | |||
| • Jawi | جنرل سنتوس | ||
    Aerial view of urban GenSan; Robinsons Place GenSan; Barbecue grill stalls at Tiongson Arcade; General Santos highway
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| Nickname(s):
Tuna Capital of the Philippines
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| Anthem: Himno ng Heneral Santos (English: General Santos Hymn) |
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Map of South Cotabato with General Santos highlighted
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OpenStreetMap
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.svg)
 General Santos
Location in Philippines
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| Country | Philippines | ||
| Region | Soccsksargen | ||
| Province | South Cotabato (geographically only) | ||
| District | Lone district of General Santos | ||
| Founded | August 18, 1947 | ||
| Cityhood | July 8, 1968 | ||
| Highly urbanized city | September 5, 1988 | ||
| Named for | General Paulino Santos | ||
| Barangays | 26 (see Barangays) | ||
| Government
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| • Type | Sangguniang Panlungsod | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 492.86 km2 (190.29 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 197 m (646 ft) | ||
| Highest elevation | 869 m (2,851 ft) | ||
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | ||
| Population
(2020 census)
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| • Total | 697,315 | ||
| • Density | 1,414.834/km2 (3,664.40/sq mi) | ||
| • Households | 175,345 | ||
| Demonym(s) | Gensanon | ||
| Economy | |||
| • Gross domestic product (GDP) | ₱129.015 billion (2022) $2.279 billion (2022) |
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| • Income class | 1st city income class | ||
| • Poverty incidence |
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| • Revenue | ₱ 2,931 million (2020) | ||
| • Assets | ₱ 8,093 million (2020) | ||
| • Expenditure | ₱ 3,557 million (2020) | ||
| • Liabilities | ₱ 1,983 million (2020) | ||
| Service provider | |||
| • Electricity | South Cotabato 2 Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO 2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) | ||
| ZIP code |
9500
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| PSGC |
[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000®code={{&provcode=
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| IDD : area code | +63 (0)83 | ||
| Native languages | Hiligaynon Cebuano Tboli Blaan Tagalog Maguindanaon |
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| Website | www |
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General Santos, often called GenSan, is a big city in the Philippines. It's known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines because of its huge fishing industry. GenSan is located on the island of Mindanao in the Soccsksargen region. It's the most populated city in this region, with about 697,315 people living there in 2020.
GenSan is a very important place for business and trade in its region. Even though it's near South Cotabato province, it's run independently.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The city is named after General Paulino Santos. He was a former leader of the Philippine Army and a key person in starting the settlement here.
A Look Back in Time
The first people to live in the area of General Santos were the nomadic B'laan people. Many of the city's old place names come from their language. For example, their name for the city, Dadiangas, comes from a tree that used to grow a lot there.
Later, Muslim groups settled in the area. The B'laan people moved to the hills. The area then became a port under the rule of the Sultanate of Buayan.
Early Settlers Arrive
In 1939, General Paulino Santos led a group of 62 Christian settlers from Luzon to Sarangani Bay. They traveled on a ship called “Basilan.” These pioneers, many of whom were farmers, came to develop the land. After them, more people from other parts of the Philippines, like Visayas and Luzon, moved to the area.
The first official settlement was in Alagao, now called Barangay Lagao. It became the "Municipal District of Buayan" in 1940.
General Santos During World War II
During World War II, the area was a battleground. Japanese forces used Klaja Karsts Land as their last defense spot. They built bunkers and tunnels there. Some of these bunkers can still be seen today.
Becoming a City
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After the Philippines became fully independent in 1946, Buayan became a regular municipality in 1947. Irineo Santiago was elected its first mayor.
In 1954, the municipality of Buayan was renamed General Santos. This was to honor General Paulino Santos, the pioneer.
From 1963 to 1967, the city's economy grew a lot. Big farming and international companies like Dole Philippines started operations there. On July 8, 1968, General Santos officially became a city. Antonio C. Acharon became its first city mayor. In 1988, GenSan was declared a "highly urbanized city," meaning it manages its own affairs independently from the province.
General Santos now has its own representative in the Philippine Congress. This happened in 2019, giving the city a stronger voice in national laws.
Where is General Santos?
General Santos is located in the southern part of the Philippines, on the island of Mindanao. It is southeast of Manila and southwest of Davao.
The city is surrounded by other towns. To the east is Alabel, and to the south is Maasim, both in Sarangani Province. To the north are Polomolok and Malungon. To the west is T'boli. General Santos also has the entire coastline of South Cotabato.
Weather in GenSan
| Climate data for General Santos (1991–2020, extremes 1949–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.5 (99.5) |
38.0 (100.4) |
38.9 (102.0) |
39.0 (102.2) |
39.4 (102.9) |
38.5 (101.3) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.0 (98.6) |
36.5 (97.7) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.5 (99.5) |
39.0 (102.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.3 (90.1) |
32.9 (91.2) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.3 (93.7) |
33.5 (92.3) |
32.2 (90.0) |
31.7 (89.1) |
31.7 (89.1) |
32.2 (90.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.8 (91.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
32.7 (90.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.5 (81.5) |
27.9 (82.2) |
28.5 (83.3) |
28.9 (84.0) |
28.5 (83.3) |
27.7 (81.9) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.3 (81.1) |
27.5 (81.5) |
27.7 (81.9) |
27.9 (82.2) |
27.8 (82.0) |
27.9 (82.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22.6 (72.7) |
22.8 (73.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
23.0 (73.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 17.1 (62.8) |
17.2 (63.0) |
16.9 (62.4) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.7 (65.7) |
17.9 (64.2) |
17.2 (63.0) |
17.5 (63.5) |
18.0 (64.4) |
18.2 (64.8) |
18.3 (64.9) |
18.0 (64.4) |
16.9 (62.4) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 96.9 (3.81) |
53.0 (2.09) |
55.3 (2.18) |
54.1 (2.13) |
72.2 (2.84) |
101.9 (4.01) |
98.1 (3.86) |
91.3 (3.59) |
83.3 (3.28) |
99.6 (3.92) |
77.5 (3.05) |
74.9 (2.95) |
958.1 (37.72) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 106 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 79 | 76 | 75 | 75 | 78 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 81 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 79 |
| Source: PAGASA | |||||||||||||
General Santos has a tropical wet and dry climate. This means it has both wet and dry seasons. It's one of the driest places in the Philippines, with less than 1000 mm of rain each year.
City Districts: Barangays
General Santos is divided into 26 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay has even smaller parts called puroks or sitios.
- Apopong
- Baluan
- Batomelong
- Buayan
- Bula
- Calumpang
- City Heights
- Conel
- Dadiangas East
- Dadiangas North
- Dadiangas South
- Dadiangas West
- Fatima
- Katangawan
- Labangal
- Lagao (1st & 3rd)
- Ligaya
- Mabuhay
- Olympog
- San Isidro (Lagao 2nd)
- San Jose
- Siguel
- Sinawal
- Tambler
- Tinagacan
- Upper Labay
People and Languages
The two main languages spoken in General Santos are Cebuano and Hiligaynon. Cebuano is used widely, especially by local TV, radio, and newspapers. Hiligaynon is spoken by people who moved from nearby provinces. Other languages you might hear include B'laan, T'boli, Maguindanaon, Ilocano, and Kapampangan.
Religions in GenSan
| Religion in General Santos (2020) | ||||
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| Religion | percentage | |||
| Roman Catholic | 65% | |||
| Other Christian, including Protestants | 20.5% | |||
| Islam | 9.8% | |||
| Iglesia ni Cristo | 3.3% | |||
| Others | 1.4% | |||
Most people in General Santos are Christian. The largest group is Catholic, making up almost 90% of the population. About 9% of the people follow Islam.
GenSan's Economy
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority |
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The economy of General Santos mostly relies on two main areas: farming and fishing.
- Farming and Agriculture: GenSan has rich soil and good rainfall, making it perfect for growing crops. It produces high-quality crops for export like corn, coconut, pineapple, asparagus, banana, and rice. The city also grows exotic fruits, vegetables, and flowers. It's a top producer of livestock like poultry, pigs, and cattle. However, as the city grows, some farmlands are being used for buildings and homes.
- Fishing Industry: General Santos is famous for being the biggest producer of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. This is why it's called the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines." The city's fishing industry catches about 750 metric tons of fish every day and employs about 7,800 people. There are seven tuna processing plants in GenSan. The Fishport Complex has modern facilities for handling fish, meeting international standards. Locals say the fish and seafood here are super fresh!
In 2011, General Santos saw 1,365 new medium to large businesses open. These new businesses brought in about PHP 1.202 billion in investments. Many new businesses were in hotels, restaurants, and retail.
The city has many banks, lending institutions, and pawnshops to help with financial needs.
Shopping in GenSan
General Santos is a major shopping hub in the Soccksargen region. People from nearby towns and provinces come here to shop and enjoy leisure activities. The city has several large shopping malls, including KCC Mall of Gensan, SM City General Santos, Robinsons Place GenSan, and Gaisano Mall of GenSan. These malls offer many local and international brands, restaurants, and cafes.
City Infrastructure
Communication
General Santos has modern communication systems. These include services for phone calls, internet, and mobile networks, provided by major companies in the Philippines.
Getting Around GenSan
You can reach General Santos and the Soccsksargen region by air, land, or sea.
- Air Travel
The General Santos International Airport is the largest airport in Mindanao. It has a long concrete runway that can handle big airplanes. Flights to and from Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu are available. It's the second busiest airport in Mindanao.
- Sea Travel
The Makar Wharf is the city's main international seaport. It's one of the best seaports in the country. It can hold many ships at once and has modern facilities for cargo. Several shipping companies offer regular trips to other major ports in the Philippines. There are also international ferry services to and from Indonesia.
- Land Travel
Getting around General Santos by land is easy. Over 400 passenger buses, vans, and jeepneys travel within the city and to nearby provinces. Three-wheeled motorized cabs called tricycles are the main public transport. Air-conditioned taxis are also available.
The city's main roads are well-maintained. The Pan-Philippine Highway connects General Santos to other major cities in Mindanao and the rest of the country. The General Santos Terminal, also known as Bulaong Terminal, is the main hub for buses and other public transport going to and from various parts of Mindanao.
City Services
- Electricity
- Most of the city's electricity is supplied by the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO-II).
- Water
- The General Santos City Water District (GSCWD) provides clean and safe drinking water to most homes and businesses.
- Waste Management
- The city is working on building new facilities to manage its waste. This includes a wastewater treatment plant and a modern solid waste disposal system.
Safety and Security
The Philippine National Police and a special military task force called Task Force GenSan work together to keep the city safe. They protect the city from crime and other threats. There are 8 police stations in different barangays to help keep peace and order.
Learning in GenSan
General Santos has many schools. There are over 50 private schools and more than 100 public schools. The city is also home to three universities: Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Mindanao State University – General Santos City, and New Era University – General Santos Branch. The General Santos campus of the country's oldest university also opened recently.
Notre Dame of St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Notre Dame of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (NDST) is a private school. It offers classes for primary, junior high, and senior high school students, following the K-12 education system in the Philippines. The school is run by the Disciples of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (DST), a Catholic religious group. The school opened in 2001.
Media and News
General Santos has several local newspapers like SusStar General Santos and Periodiko Banat. Brigada Newspaper General Santos is a very popular newspaper in the city.
There are also many television and radio stations. Major TV networks like ABS-CBN, GMA, and TV5 have stations here. These stations reach viewers across the Soccsksargen Region. Many FM and AM radio stations operate 24 hours a day, playing music and providing news.
Local news programs like TV Patrol Socsksargen and GMA Soccsksargen Flash Bulletin keep residents updated on local events.
Famous People from GenSan
General Santos is the hometown of many famous people, especially in sports and entertainment.
- Sebastian Benedict (Baeby Baste) – a child actor from Eat Bulaga!
- Gerald Anderson – an actor
- Melai Cantiveros-Francisco – an actress and host
- Nonito Donaire – a professional boxer
- Manny Pacquiao – a world-famous professional boxer and politician
- Shamcey Supsup – Miss Universe 2011 3rd Runner-up
Sister Cities
General Santos has special relationships with other cities, both in the Philippines and around the world. These are called "sister cities" and help promote friendship and cooperation.
Local Sister Cities
- Quezon City
- Iloilo City
- Naga, Camarines Sur
- Cotabato City
International Sister Cities
Canberra, Australia
Jersey City, USA
Monterrey, Mexico
Hadano, Kanagawa, Japan
Images for kids
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General Santos City Hall
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Amarandi Cove Lake
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KCC Mall General Santos
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Pioneer Avenue
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SM City General Santos
See also
In Spanish: General Santos para niños
