One of our assigned reports in Economics class.

1. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
IN
GENERAL SANTOS
SARANGANI
SOUTH COTABATO

2. PHOTOS BY VICTOR
BUSINESS
ENVIRONMENT

3. 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:

4. •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.

5. 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.

10. Magandang
GenSan

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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

15. Tourist attractions
There 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.

16. 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.

17. Sarang-ini
In Sarangani

18. 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,

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. Sarangani Agricultural Company, Inc
Date 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.

22. Alsons Aquaculture Corporation
Date Established: 1997
Alsons 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 Corporation
Date 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. South
Cotabato

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. Companies that have already established business in South:
Cotabato:
Purefoods
Monterey
General 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.

33. Tourist attractions:
Natural:
Mt. Matutum

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.