[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n an important piece of info we gathered from the official Facebook Page of incumbent Gensan City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera, we found out that finally, his request to transform the 69-hectare agricultural lot of the University of Santo Tomas straddling Barangays Ligaya and Katangawan into an agri-institutional area  (not agri-industrial as erroneously indicated in the poster below) to the Department of Agrarian Reform was  granted by the agency.

Here’s a peek into pages 13 and 14 of the letter of the DAR signed by Secretary Virgilio R. delos Reyes.  Click on each page for an enlarged view. (Thanks Councilor Atty. Cloma for sharing these.)

Due to this letter dated May 2, 2016, the University of Santo Tomas could now commence construction of its school, its first outside of Luzon.

Here is the campaign poster from Mayor Rivera’s camp brandishing the good news.

UST GENSAN MAP

If this much-delayed project of UST comes into fruition, just think of how much this will contribute into the economy of General Santos.  Not only that, it could also mean a lot of savings for families in Soccsksargen, or elsewhere in Mindanao who want their children to be schooled the Thomasian way without the need of flying to faraway Manila and spending too much.

The administration of Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera has been adamant in ensuring that this UST project pushes through since Day One that they took over.  Despite the odds, they persevered and look at where this will get us now.

If still undecided, if only for this, come May 9, 2016, you would know whom to vote for now.

Salamat Mayor Rivera.  Salamat sa Sangguniang Panglungsod!  Mabuhay kayo!  Mabuhay ang UST!  MABUHAY ANG GENERAL SANTOS!