BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN

GENERAL SANTOSSARANGANISOUTH COTABATO

PHOTOS BY VICTOR

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

I. What is Business Environment?

There is a close and continuous interaction between the business and its environment. This interaction helps in strengthening the business firm and using its resources more effectively.

As stated above, the business environment is multifaceted, complex, and dynamic in nature and has a far-reaching impact on the survival and growth of the business. To be more specific, proper understanding of the social, political, legal and economic environment helps the business in the following ways:

•Determining Opportunities and Threats: The interaction between the business and its environment would identify opportunities for and threats to the business. It helps the business enterprises for meeting the challenges successfully. •Giving Direction for Growth: The interaction with the environment leads to opening up new frontiers of growth for the business firms. It enables the business to identify the areas for growth and expansion of their activities. •Continuous Learning: Environmental analysis makes the task of managers easier in dealing with business challenges. The managers are motivated to continuously update their knowledge, understanding and skills to meet the predicted changes in realm of business. 

Image Building: Environmental understanding helps the business organizations in improving their image by showing their sensitivity to the environment within which they are working. For example, in view of the shortage of power, many companies have set up Captive Power Plants (CPP) in their factories to meet their own requirement of power.

Meeting Competition: It helps the firms to the analysis of the competitors’ strategies and formulate their own strategies accordingly. Identifying Firm’s Strength and Weakness: Business environment helps to identify the individual strengths and weaknesses in view of the technological and global developments.  

MagandangGenSan

The city's major economic activity is primarily anchored in two sectors namely the agro-industry and fishing industry.

Agro-industry-Endowed with rich volcanic soil, ample and well distributed rainfall all throughout the year and a typhoon-free climate, General Santos City produces export quality high valued crops such as, coconut, pineapple, asparagus and banana, then rice. It also yields quality exotic fruits, vegetables and cut flowers. The city is also a top producer and exporter of quality livestock such as poultry, hogs and cattle. But with the continuing growth in population and economy in the passing of time, a number of the city's agricultural lands have gradually been converted into built up areas in order to address the relatively growing need of dwelling and viable spaces.

The Economy of GENSAN-Business Environment

industry- General Santos City is the largest producer Fishing of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. Thus in as early as 1970, the title "Tuna Capital of the Philippines" has become a tag to it. GenSan also accounts for the second largest daily total catch of fish in the country after Navotas City in the National Capital Region. Locals in the city boast that fishes and sea foods do not come fresher than what is found in their locality. The fishing industry in GenSan yields a total daily capacity of 750 metric tons of fish catch alone and employs about 7,800 workers. Which is why General Santos City is home to seven (7) tuna processing plants in the country. The Fish port Complex in Barangay Tambler has a 750 meters (2,460 ft) quay and a 300 meters (980 ft) wharf for 2,000 GT reefer carriers. The fish port is equipped with modern facilities that comply with international standards on fish catch handling.

General Santos City has registered 1,365 new medium to large enterprises in 2011. An aggregate investment involved is estimated PHP 1.202 billion. Top industry for new investment in 2011 are as follows: Hotel and Restaurant-31%; Wholesale & Retail Trade-20%; Repair of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles and Personal & Household Goods, Real Estate & Renting Business Activities-17%; Other Community, Social & Personal Services-8%; Financial Intermediation-5%; Manufacturing-5%; Fishing-3%; ICT-3 %

As of 2000, there are 59 banks serving the city. This composed of 46 commercial banks, 5 savings banks, 7 rural banks and 1 cooperative bank. Aside from this, there are 48 lending institutions as well as 49 pawnshops providing emergency loan assistance

Shopping

General Santos City is the shopping capital of the SOCCSKSARGEN region. Residents from nearby towns and provinces visit the city to do shopping and enjoy life and leisure activities. There are several huge shopping malls in the city, notable ones are KCC Mall of Gensan, SM City General Santos, Robinsons Place GenSan, Gaisano Mall of GenSan, RD Plaza (Fitmart), Veranza Mall, and the newest addition to the city which is RD City Mall located at Brgy. Calumpang. SM Savemore has a branch in the city and there are plans that they are building more in the city. There are also news about building an Ayala Mall and Puregold.

These malls are home to both national and international brands of retail merchandises as well as restaurants and cafes. There are many merchandise and large groceries owned by local and foreign Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean businessmen in the ci

Tourist attractionsThere are a number of cultural-heritage sites in the city like Gen. Paulino Santos Museum in Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and the memorable statue of General Paulino Santos giving the way of the growing city.

Klaja Ecopark and Tourist Spots: Is an ecological preservation park located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) off the central business district on the north-east side of city in Barangay Conel. Klaja Karsts Land derived its name from “Kalaha” or frying pot as it looked like one due to the surrounding towers of karsts formation naturally formed millions of years ago. It produced natural waterfalls and caves. Opposite to this area is the Ranch and camping ground of Nopol Hills which borders Barangays Conel and Mabuhay. Nopol hills offer visitors a wide scenic overview of the entire city, as well as the Sarangani Bay and parts of South Cotabato and Sarangani. The view of the city is even more breath-taking at night time where colourful bright lights of the bustling metropolis are visible from the top.

Health Services

The average life expectancy of Gensanon is 70 for females and 65 for males.

There are 19 hospitals, with a total of 1,963 beds, in the city including GenSan Doctors Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, SOCCSARGEN Country Hospital, Mindanao Medical Center, R.O Diagan Cooperative Hospital and the General Santos City District Hospital servicing a care for the people.

Sarang-iniIn Sarangani

The Economy of SARANGANI-Business Environment Coconut, corn, rice, banana, mango, durian, rubber, and sugarcane are just some of the major crops now being planted by the Sarangans.

Other possibilities lie in a wide range of commercial choices: industrial plantations (mango, abaca, coffee, rubber, and rattan), agro-forestry (high-value crops), light manufacturing and processing facilities, real estate and housing, tourism, beach resorts, hotels and restaurants, recreational facilities, port zone development, milling plants, fruit production, processing of canned fruits and vegetables, production of ornamental plants, furniture, aquaculture. trading, mining, & telecommunications,  

Sarangani’s favourable investment climate is manifested by the large plantations (mango, banana, pineapple, asparagus), cattle ranches, and commercial fishponds that have been operating in the area, some of which having existed as far back as 40 years.

Invest in Sarangani  Sarangani is the gateway of the Philippines to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao, a typhoon-free area, Sarangani is the ultimate investor destination in SOCSKSARGEN (South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos) region besides having several of the best beaches in the Philippines.

The 4,400 sq.kms. of land will cater to a wide array of investment opportunities ranging from light manufacturing and processing facilities, real estate and housing, tourism, beach resorts, hotels and restaurants, recreational facilities, port zone development, industrial zones, milling plants, fruit production, processing of canned fruits and vegetables, production of ornamental plants, furniture, trading, telecommunications, mining, and aquaculture.

Sarangani Agricultural Company, IncDate Established: 1962

SACI tapped the rich resources of Sarangani to become a leading name in cattle-breeding, high-value fruit crop production and commercial fish farming.. Combined with several affiliates, SACI manages approximately 10,000 hectares devoted to cattle ranching. SACI devotes over 300 hectares to the raising of sweet pomelos for the local market and Cavendish bananas for export—thus helping reinforce Mindanao’s well-earned reputation as one of the “fruit baskets” of Asia. SACI also has the unique distinction of producing the highest quality bangus (milkfish) and tilapia in the country. Looking forward, SACI aims to expand its agribusiness ventures into other areas in Luzon.

Alsons Aquaculture CorporationDate Established: 1997Alsons Aquaculture Corporation is the largest breeder, processor and exporter of premium branded bangus (milkfish) products under the Sarangani Bay trademark.Nearly 7,000 metric tons of fish are farmed in the pristine waters of Southern Mindanao – across 50,000 cubic meters of sea cages and 350 hectares of brackish water ponds.

Beginning with its entry into the US market in 1997, Sarangani Bay now exports more than half of its processed harvest to Filipino communities in the US, US Armed Forces Commissaries (Worldwide), Canada, Middle East, Europe, Australia, Guam, Malaysia and Japan. Today these same high quality products have gained strong and loyal patronage in major retail and food service accounts in key cities of the Philippines. Aquasur Resources CorporationDate Established:Aquasur Resources Corp. (ARC) is in-charge of marketing AAC and FHI aquaculture products in Manila and Iloilo. It is engaged in research work for the Alcantara’s interests in aquaculture. Aqua Sur is 95% owned by Aldevinco and 5% by the Alcantara family.

Sarangani's proximity to the Tambler airport and Makar wharf of General Santos City makes it easy for investors to move products as well as expand the business to nearby provinces. Human resource can be easily acquired plus the investment climate has always been enticing.

The best beaches in the Philippines are often off-the-beaten-path and Sarangani has several of these. Long a best-kept secret of tourists who explore new destinations, Sarangani is now gradually carving a name as the ultimate destination in southern Philippines.

The vast mountain ranges and rolling hills, the dense rainforests, the clean rivers, the varied wildlife, the pristine white sand shorelines and crystal clear waters offering an excellent glimpse of the marine life and the diverse indigenous culture are actually what Sarangani can easily provide to guests. Tourists will definitely have a plethora of activities to undertake which could not be easily found in other destinations.

Gumasa still continues to attract tourists from all over the world because the destination offers what others cannot: a relaxing beach devoid of noise and commercialism.

For those who would want to experience scuba diving, Sarangani offers Lemlunay Resort in Maasim. Local, national, as well as international divers have long known the underwater world Lemlunay has to offer.

The protected Tuka Marine Park in Kiamba is ideal for snorkeling. Boasting of white sand beaches and awesome coral formation accessible only by boat, the remoteness is perfect for shedding all the stress and tension that urban living provides.Going the Indigenous Way Travelers can observe and experience the culture of the Blaan, Tagakaolo, Tboli, Manobo, Ubo, Kalagan and the Maguindanaos by visiting communities and villages whose residents still practice the Indigenous People's way of life.

A trip to Lamlifew in Malungon, Upper Lasang in Malapatan, Falel in Kiamba is like taking a journey to the past. Visitors can sit back and relax in these places while being regaled with indigenous songs and music, observe mat weaving and beadworks, traditional farming even while feasting on the scrumptious local delicacies.

SouthCotabato

It is splendidly gifted with pineapple products and processing, livestock resources (cattle, swine production, meat packaging) furniture, asparagus and cut flowers, cotton ginnery, corn, vegetable and fruits.

Dole Philippines Incorporated is the largest industrial firm involved in growing, processing and exporting of fresh and canned pineapple. As of 2004, the area planted to pineapple is 15,507.872 hectares with an average production volume of 31.94 metric tons per hectare. This industry, which is situated at Barangay Cannery Site, generates about 6,000 jobs at present. It is considered as one of the biggest taxpayers in So.Cot.

The major crops are rice, corn, coconut, pineapple, and bananas, though 50% of the total farm area is devoted to rice.In terms of the number of hills/trees/vines, pineapple was the dominant permanent crop in the region.South Cotabato contributed 81.8% of the total pineapple planted in the region.Banana was among the top five crops in all provinces where Cotabato recorded the biggest share of 41.1% for banana.In Fishing industry, about 19% of Lake Sebu’s water area is used for aquaculture because of its rich fishing grounds.

South Cotabato is an agribusiness destination. Among the provinces in SOCCSKSARGEN, Cotabato shared the highest number of farms with 126.7 thousand covering 275.5 thousand hectares of agricultural land.

South Cotabato rank second with 85,000 farms, covering 197.9 thousand hectares.

The province has 5,400 kilometers of roads, and although only 5% is paved, the rest are all weather roads that can accommodate current level of transport services .

South Cotabato is also accessible by plane and sea through the international airport and seaport in General Santos City.

Exportations:

Matutum Tropical Fruits’ Association (Matrofa) has succeeded in exporting its product to the international market. The department of Agriculture 12 (DA-12) announced that Matrofa based in nearby Tupi, South Cotabato has recently delivered 9 MT of fresh Sunrise variety papaya via an exporter in Davao City.

45 MT of aromatic rice produced by farmers belonging in South Cotabato are also exported in Singapore.

Companies that have already established business in South: Cotabato:

PurefoodsMontereyGeneral Milling Corporation

Among the potential investment areas are meat processing , feed milling, food and vegetable processing, coconut based products manufacturing, dairy production, salt making, textile milling and garments manufacturing, mariculture and resort development. Ship docking and repair facilities are also potential areas for investments.

Tourist attractions:

Natural:

Mt. Matutum

 

Located at the bounderies of the municipality of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok in South.

It stands as the landmark of the SOOCCSKSARGEN area and probobly the only conical shaped volcano in the Vis-Min area.

Lake Sebu

Surrounded by rolling hills and Mountains. The lake is home to the T’bolis a highland tribe who has its root in South Cotabato.

Cultural:

T’Boli Cultural Community.Located at West of Lake Sebu. A number of minorities live in the mountain of lake sebu. Among them are Tasaday’s cave dwelling people who have lived in the isolation in high caves.