Four years in the making, the new Legislative Building of the local government of General Santos was finally unveiled to the public on Monday, February 8, 2010.

In attendance were Mayor Jun Acharon and Vice Mayor Flor Congson who led the simple ribbon-cutting ceremony, Fr. Nonito Adorable, CP who blessed the entire building, members of the City Council, staff and workers of the SP, department heads and assistant department heads, members of the media and some select private individuals.

"(L-R) FORMER COUNCILOR DOMING LAGARE SHAKES THE HAND OF MAYOR JUN ACHARON. BESIDE THEM ARE COUNCILORS MEG SANTOS, JONG GONZALES, NEP NATIVIDAD, JUN AVILA, CITY ADMIN MARCELINO DOSPUEBLOS (WHO'S RUNNING FOR THE CITY COUNCIL), ASSISTANT CITY ADMIN GLENN GONZALES & COUNCILOR BING DINOPOL"

Two days later, the mayor delivered his last State of the City Address (SOCA) to a packed new SP Hall, composed of visitors from the public, private, religious and business sectors.  It was history in the making and as the mayor stressed, “This legislative building is testament to the city’s stability.”

The P47 million peso two-storey building is located at the corner of South Osmena and Roxas Avenue and looks striking with its blue-tinted glass windows.  In a few weeks time, all the employees and staff of the Sangguniang Panlungsod will eventually transfer there.

"THE GENSAN LEGISLATIVE BUILDING LOBBY. THE DOOR AT THE BACKGROUND LOOKS OUT INTO ROXAS AVENUE."

The ground floor will house the workplaces of the SP support staff and the vice-mayor …….

"COUNCILOR MEG SANTOS EMCEES THE SHORT PROGRAM DURING THE INAUGURATION OF THE NEW LEGISLATIVE BLDG INSIDE WHAT WILL BE THE OFFICE OF THE SP STAFF."

…..while the 14 members of the city council will have their own individual offices.

"THE GLASS WALLED OFFICES OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE UPPER FLOOR."

An elevator has been optioned for the building and might see fruition in a few years time as soon as budget is appropriated to this effect.  The stairs are quite steep and might prove a problem for specially-abled persons.

"THE TWIN STAIRS LEADING TO THE 2ND FLOOR FOYER TO BOTH THE SP HALL ON THE LEFT AND THE COUNCILORS' OFFICES ON THE RIGHT."

This time, the SP Hall which faces Roxas Avenue is done theater-style and is more spacious.  There is more room for spectators and the glass walls gives you a view of the street below.

"THE SP HALL OF THE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING AND ITS THEATER SETTING."
"THE ELEVATED STAGE OF THE VICE-MAYOR AT THE SP HALL. BEHIND IT IS ROXAS AVENUE."

All told, the new GenSan Legislative Building lives up to its promise.  Its post-modern design blends well with its surroundings and the reflections on its glass curtain walls at the front facade adds to its charm.  Inside, the spacious and high-ceilinged lobby evokes the grandeur befitting the august halls of our local lawmakers.

Try visiting the new GenSan Legislative Building and see what I mean!