Barangay Dadiangas South

HISTORY

Origin of the Name “Dadiangas” Shortly before the World War II, General Paulino Santos came in this Southern most tip of Mindanao, together with the First Batch of Settlers, mainly, from Luzon. They came here for the purpose of pursuing one of the programs of the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) which was to distribute lands, primarily, to the rebel peasants of Central Luzon. This program was a part of the government’s appeasement initiative, involving its disgruntled citizens, during the time of President Manuel L. Quezon. When the vessel carrying them landed on the shore (along with what we now call as General Santos Park), Gen. Santos and the pioneering batch of settlers immediately noticed various assemblages or forests of a certain type of a thorny tree which grew abundantly almost everywhere. When asked about the name of the subject tree, the Moro and B’laan inhabitants who welcomed Gen. Paulino Santos and his entourage answered: “Dadiangas”. From then on, General Santos and the pioneer batch of settlers named the place, our place now, as “Dadiangas”.

It’s Creation as a Barangay

Barangay Dadiangas South was, previously, a part of an undivided Barangay Dadiangas, a vast bustling village situated at the heart of General Santos City. In the past, it served as a gateway towards the neighboring provinces especially those that now comprise SOCCSKSARGEN, a mélange of LGUs that is considered as one of the economic corridors in Mindanao. Previous to the functioning of the Makar Port, barges were unloading passengers and cargoes from ships, plying the Manila-Iloilo-General Santos City route. Being a part of a modernizing Metropolis, governance in Barangay Dadiangas was becoming, more, tedious and complicated. Demands for basic services were steadily skyrocketing, keeping at place with the speedy growth of population. Compounding the problem was the fact that the barangays, during that time, were still embroidered in the crippling spirals of a highly centralized governmental system.

Without their own definitive sources of revenues, the barangays, then, were under the state of financial and power paralysis, totally unable to confront the many challenges visiting the barangay within that particular epoch. It was in this context that George R. Catapang, Sr., who served as a Kagawad in the undivided Barangay Dadiangas, engineered the passage of Barangay Resolution No. 41, Series of 1989, to start the process of dividing the so-called Mother Barangay into four (4) separate barangays. Consequently, on May 24, 1990, the City Council, acting on the said Barangay Resolution, paved the way for the passage of Resolution No. 90, dividing Barangay Dadiangas into four (4) barangay’s, namely: Barangay Dadiangas West, Barangay Dadiangas East, Barangay Dadiangas North and Barangay Dadiangas South. Rosalita T. Nuñez, the sitting City Mayor, then signed it into law on June 13, 1990. On February 24, 1991, the people overwhelmingly ratified Resolution No. 90, Series of 1990 in a plebiscite by the COMELEC, under the Chairmanship of Hydee B. Yorac, since then, Barangay Dadiangas South operated as a district local government unit with full corporate powers, although the same were put under the limits of the old Local Government Code (LGC). Fate was kind for the newly created barangay and the people who were responsible for its birthing, as it turned out later. The creation of Barangay Dadiangas South was made just in time for the passage of RA #7160, popularly known as the new LGC that granted the barangay added political, fiscal and administrative powers.

Organizing Barangay Dadiangas South

City Mayor Rosalita T. Nuñez, appointed George R. Catapang, Sr. who was then serving as an incumbent Barangay Kagawad of the undivided Barangay, as the first Barangay Captain of the newly created Barangay Dadiangas South, the distinction he continues to hold dear. George R. Catapang, Sr. consistently bagged the top slot in three (3) consecutive elections for Barangay Councilors in the undivided barangay, prior to his appointment as a pioneer Barangay Captain of Barangay Dadiangas South. To complete the whole set of Barangay Officials in the newly created barangay, City Mayor Rosalita T. Nuñez also appointed, on March 5, 1991, six (6) other known community leaders to the position of Barangay Kagawads, namely: Arturo Vinculado, Ernesto Dignadice, Alvin Bonifacio, Jovencio Salubre, Ahmad Basher Decampong and Erlinda S. Liquit. The first set of officials of Barangay Dadiangas South began to officially discharge their respective duties and functions on March 11, 1991. For the smooth, effective and efficient management of the affairs of the barangay, a Barangay Secretary, Barangay Treasurer, Sports Coordinator and a Process Server assisted the members of the Barangay Council. Other barangay functionaries, for instance, the Lupons and the Tanods, among others, were also organized for the effective discharge of the barangay’s mandated functions. To establish an effective communication line and an efficient system of coordination between the barangay government and its constituencies, the Barangay Council, under the auspices of Barangay Captain George R. Catapang, Sr., divided, in year 1991, the barangay into 14 Puroks, each with a a complete set of officers. The formal organization of the 14 Puroks was complete within a one-month period, specially during the month of June, 1991.

Barangay Dadiangas South: Past and Present

Before the arrival of Gen. Paulino Santos, only a few Moro and B’laan families inhabited a certain portion of the undivided Barangay Dadiangas, which we now call as Barangay Dadiangas South. Shrubs generally covered the place, though trees of different species and various assemblies of a Dadiangas Tree were dotting the area, like a green-colored paint gently sprinkled into the canvass. The majestic sight of tranquil, crystal seawaters, tirelessly washing the shores of Sarangani Bay, enthralled so many souls. The native inhabitants of Barangay Dadiangas South sustained themselves, in abundance, through farming, fishing and hunting. Though agriculture was basically crude at that time, the supply of staple food was never a problem. Organic rice, corn, vegetables and root crops can be grown almost everywhere without the aid, of course, of chemical inputs. Nearby areas were vast expanses of agricultural lands where food crops can be easily grown. Hunting was a major means of livelihood during this period. Within a landscape, which, then, appeared to be without a frontier , deer, monkeys, reptiles and birds, specially (pogo), were in great numbers. For the non-Moro inhabitants, the almost inexhaustible wild pig population was there for the taking by the brave and the skillful. Wild pigs are known to be suicide attackers when hurt. Nearby rivers, swamps and brooks were filled with different varieties of fresh water fish, like the haluan, pantat (our own original species). Gurami, paitan, puyo, and casili as known in their Visayan names, among others. Fresh water shells like kuhol (before the Golden Kuhol contaminated them, thanks to the Department of Agriculture), egi, iwis, tuway, etc. were also aplenty, practically exciting the native Filipino tongues, then. Verities of fresh water crab, shrimps (pasayan, urang, etc.), talangka and the like were permanently decorating the people’s dining tables. Marine life was very rich in Sarangani Bay. People were always guaranteed of a bountiful supply of exotic foods, such as the sea urchins, different varieties of sea shells, sea cucumbers and sea snakes (ugdok and ubod, etc.), to name a few. It was practically impregnated with an abundant supply of fish, which presents in almost countless varieties. In fact, people, then need not use a banca in order to catch fish in very large quantity. They can do it by just simply spreading their fishnets under the shallow portion of seawater in Sarangani Bay. Records of the Social Action Center in Dadiangas, during the time of Mrs. Azela Chiew as Chairperson, showed that substance fisher folks were catching Yellow Fin Tuna just beyond 200 meters from the shorelines of Sarangani Bay.

This situation prevailed until commercial fishing ventures, with their super-light vessels and catchall fishing techniques heavily depleted the Sarangani Bay’s rich natural resources. In sum, inhabitants of Barangay Dadiangas South, had, once, lived in peace and abundance, under the care of nature and the principle of social equity and fully free from the structures of greed. Today, what we have in the Barangay are distorted traces of its past glory. Nature cannot anymore afford the people and it; in fact, appeals for mercy in its own bid to prevent itself from unleashing its fury on all of us. The nearby Sinawal and Buayan Rivers that used to be rich sources of foods for the inhabitants are dying or are harping for breath. The swamps and the brooks have long disappeared and, as they want, all the living creatures that once gave us life went with them.

They are now gone forever. The rich marine are in the Sarangani Bay is slowly dying too. Its coral reefs are heavily silted; it remains under siege by pollution and commercial and illegal fishing. Mushrooming in the shorelines are houses/makeshift structures of city dwellers who are still awaiting the implementation of the government’s comprehensive housing and land distribution programs. Its adjoining agricultural lands have been converted into subdivision and commercial sites. A chemical farming technique has come into play. The remaining lands that are still used for agricultural ventures are put under the stranglehold of affluent individuals and commercial establishments producing hi-breed seeds, animal/fowl feeds and BT Corn.

Simultaneous with nature’s degradation, however, was the barangay’s transformation into a city’s economic hub, which resulted to the mushrooming of both big and medium business and commercial establishments within its area of jurisdiction. In fact, it is even madehost to the city’s central public market. Of course, not everything under this development resulted in positive consequences. It resultsto a situation where the barangay needs to grapple with so many environmental issues, ranging from garbage, air and water pollution. This is the reason why the barangay, at present, is intervening in a social advocacy designed to temper the onslaughts of a sort of commercialism that leads to environmental abuses.

Barangay Dadiangas South is also considered now as the city’s educational center. It is home to various colleges, like the RMMC, GoldenState College, General Santos Cioty Foundation, Inc. College, SOCSARGEN School of Paramedics, Joji Il;agan Institute, Pyratech and other Technical Schools. The Notre Dame of General Santos City (NDGSC) and the Ireneo Santiago High School of Metro Dadiangas (ISHS-MD) cater to the education needs of Secondary Schoolers. The Dadiangas South Central Elementary School and the Ireneo Santiago Elementary School are two huge elementary schools located within Dadiangas South. The RMMC and Notre Dame of General Santos City have also kindergarten, elementary and high school programs.

People

Dadiangas South has more or less 15,000 residents, more than 8,000 of them are registered voters. Its residents are predominantly Visayans, with a 3% native population (Maranaos, Maguindanaoan’s, Blaan”s). The rest are Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pampangeños, and Filipino-Chinese Citizens. The vast majority of its residents speak Pilipino or Tagalog, although Cebuano is its dominant dialect. Its literacy rate is skyrocketing and reaching almost 100%. The reason for this is the fact that various tertiary, secondary, elementary and kindergarten schools are located just right of the people’s doorstep.

Topography

Barangay Dadiangas South has a land area of Sixty One (61) Hectares, South Osmeña Street bounds it on North; Santiago Boulevard on the East; Pioneer Avenue on the West; and the Sarangani Bay on the South. Its Seashore is beautiful. In fact, prior to the operations of the City’s International Fish Port, Barangay South was an original Fish Landing site in the city. Today, it remains to be a a docking point for passenger boats from other municipalities such as the Balut Island, Glan, Malapatan, among others.

VISION:

Barangay Dadiangas South is an economically peaceful community inhabited by well-educated, civic-minded, responsible and prayerful people working together with transparent, responsive and effective local government with an environmentally-friendly, and gender equality, respect and harmony among various cultures.

MISSION:

Barangay Dadiangas South has the following missions:

Provide opportunities to all sectors to be productive and responsible stakeholders thru beneficial projects;
Ensure/develop a transparent, accountable, competent and participatory barangay governance;
Transform Dadiangas South into a sustainable. autonomous, self-reliant and empowered barangay;
Intensify intervention in a campaign for genuine local autonomy;
Massive engagement in various human resource development offensiveness and initiatives with an end, in view of enhancing the governance and Legislative Skills of all Barangay Officials and functionaries, together with Community Leaders;
Development and enhancement of the barangay’s remaining natural resources (seas and seashores);
Restoration and promotion of the wellness of the barangay’s environment condition;
Continuing engagement and advocacy for the construction & improvement of the barangay’s basic infrastructure facilities;
Continuing advocacy for the adoption of policies that ensure a well-balanced economic growth among the barangay residents and in invarious workplaces within its area of jurisdiction;
Effective delivery of Health and Social Services.

GOAL:

To improve the quality of life of the Generals of Barangay Dadiangas South.

BARANGAY’S PRIORITY PROGRAMS FOR 2011:

Governance

Barangay Autonomy – The barangay shall engage in struggle for genuine barangay autonomy. It shall continue to exercise, in its optimum, its powers in accordance with the autonomy principle enshrined in the LGC, using both legal and meta-legal processes.
Taxation – The barangay shall, aside from making revenue collection more efficient, assert its taxing powers by formulating and passing various Barangay Tax Ordinances.
Human Resources – The barangay shall undertake massive development of infrastructure for the purpose of making its governance more efficient and responsive.

Social Services

Day Care Service – The barangay shall expand existing education Program for toddlers by building a better place/center for them that is conducive and comfortable.
Strengthen the BCPC Program (Balik-Tulunghaan, CICL, CJC & CAR)
Philhealth, Frame and Women’s Group
Intensify ALS Program

Health Services

Health Services – The health services shall be intensified by extending quality basic services to the constituents. Conduct information dissemination for all nursing mothers.
Barangay Health Workers – The barangay shall intervene in the continuing skills development program for BHW and more trainings to be conducted.
Combat Malnutrition

Environment

Public Market – The barangay shall continue with advocacy for the protection of its constituents from the hazards of prevailing environment within certain areas surrounding the Central Public market.
Fish Landing – The barangay shall help ensure that the filthy waters flowing into the former fish landing area from the Central Public Market are not hazardous to the barangay’s marine life and the people living therein.
Mini Wharf – develop into a tourist attraction at Baggage, Purok Tinago 9-B, Brgy. South, Gen. Santos City.

Peace and Order Program

Strengthen Intelligence Networking
Initiating self-help measures to prevent crime.
Promptly report to nearest police & military agency any vital information
Conduct foot and mobile patrol

Solid Waste Management Program

Strictly implement the zero waste management program.
Segregation of Garbage
Conduct information dissemination

Infrastructure

Barangay’sPhysicalCenter– The barangay shall intensify its efforts geared towards the expansion and improvement of its government offices and facilities.
Construction of two (2) storey building of Brgy. Dad. South, GSC
Concreting of Veterans St. from Mansanitas St. to Saging Street
Concreting ofNiyog StreetfromVeterans Street&Magsaysay Ave.
Road Concreting of Cagampang Street from Mansanitas to Saging St.

Networking and Alliances

City Government – The barangay shall intensify its engagement with the city government in terms of policy and program formulation and implementation using the various venues of participation provided for in the LGC.
National Government Agencies – The barangay shall focus on building strong networks and alliances with various national government agencies for purposes of fund sourcing and partnership development program implementation.
NGO’s/PO’s – The barangay shall also build strong alliances with development and governance civil society organizations (NGO/Pos) and other advocacy groups in the pursuit of its own governance, development and policy advocacy works.

BARANGAY OFFICIALS

Punong Barangay: Rock Eliseo D. Garay

Barangay Kagawad:

Taha D. Abubakar
Thaddeus N. Catapang
Virgie S. Chua
Rommel S. Catolico
Rodolfo P. Aponesto
Halim M. Lumna
Clemencia P. Bantoto

SK Chairperson: Chelsy Kate Y. Bañas

OTHER INFORMATION

Contact Number	(083) 552-9202
Classification	Urban
Enabling Law	RA# 5412
Date of Anniversary	March 11, 1991
No. of Puroks	14
Land Area	61 hectares (0.8060 sq. km.)
Population	14,576 approximate residents
No. of Households	1,822
Total Registered Voters	8,196
Dialect/s	Visayan
Ethnic/ Tribal Groups	Maranao, Maguindanao, B’laan
Teritorial Boundary	North: South Osmeña Avenue South: Sarangani Bay East: Ireneo Santiago Boulevard West: Pioneer Avenue

[icon type=”fa fa-line-chart” color=”#343434″] ECONOMIC ASPECT

Major Industry:

Fishing
Furniture & Furnishing
Gift Shops
House Wares
Fibers/Garments
Food Processing
Soap/Detergent Manufacturing

No. of Barangay Hall	1
No. of Banks	20
No. of Pawnshops	18
No. of Public Market	1 (Phase A & Phase B)
No. of Gasoline Station	2
No. of Pharmacy/Drugstore	14
No. Radio Stations	3
No. of Public Elementary Schools	2
No. of Public High School	1
No. of Colleges	3
No. of Vocational/Computer Schools	6
No. of Private Secondary School	1
No. of Day Care Centers	2
No. of Private Clinics	11
No. of Lying-in Clinic	1
No. of Lodging House	4

BARANGAY ACTIVITIES

Address	Activity	Date
South Osmeña St.	San Lorenzo Ruiz GKK	September 28
Biateles St.	Sas Rafael GKK	September 29
Mansanitas St.	Sas Antonio De Padua GKK	June 13
Purok Tinago 9-A	Sas Roque GKK	August 16
Brgy. Dadiangas South	UN DADSAN FESTIVAL	May 4-7
Purok Tinago 9-B	Month of Perpetual Help GKK	June 27
Brgy. Dadiangas South	Barangay Anniversary	March 11