Cheap thrills in General Santos City

Last March, Cebu Pacific had another round of Seat Sale for its domestic destination without hesitations I booked a flight to Cebu and Dumaguete. Instead of Davao, I chose General Santos (Gensan) as the start of my trip because I really want to see their airport and the fish port to see Tuna’s live in flesh. Around 12midnight, I went to Ecoland terminal to catch a bus to Gensan and hopefully arrive in Gensan at mid-dawn. I like night travel because there is no traffic and its not hot since I’m riding a non-airconditioned bus which is a little cheaper compared to aircon buses. I got to the terminal and the bus was almost full mostly are passengers bound for Digos taking the last trip.

Arriving in GenSan around 2:30am, I stayed at Citifront Lodge located at Pioneer St probably GenSan’s Central business district because of the strip of banks and commercial establishments. The room has a fan and basic amenities like bed and toilet, perfect for a quick nap. 

GENERAL SANTOS FISHPPORT

The highlight of my trip was General Santos’ Fishport. I’ve always wanted to see tuna’s live in flesh or dead as long as its not yet sliced like in our supermarket but right from the source. Gen San is the tuna capital of the Philippines and this is also their primary export. Thanks to my friend, he gladly toured me around Gensan and the fishport. It is quite far from the city though. They have dress code at the port, no wearing of slippers, sandos and shorts. Best of all, its entrance is free. If you are lucky, I got also a free habal habal (motorcycle) from a worker to the Sanitary unit.

Before you can enter the port, you will be asked to register. Its not allowed to take pictures inside unless you have permission from the sanitary unit. No problem getting this, they love tourists. They will give you boots to wear. You will be asked to step on the chlorinated water before you can enter the marketplace. 

I have never seen a marketplace with lots of tuna but here in General Santos. Tuna’s that comes with different sizes and weight. Be careful because workers work fast and tuna blood might drip on your shirt if it touches you. 

I was wondering if all these tuna’s are found in Philippine seas but the guard told me that sometimes fishermen went to Indonesian sea to catch fish with fishing permit. I heard before that fishermen were detained in Indonesia because of illegal fishing at their territory. 

GENERAL SANTOS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Upon stepping at the departure area outside the airport, I heard announcement that the flight to Cebu is already boarding. I was very worried I might not catch the plane and my whole planned trip will be a disaster. I never thought that General Santos Airport is very far from the city center.

Searching on Google, you cant find anything that says “cheapest way to General Santos Airport” instead you will see news reports about the airport. I’ve heard that taxi’s can charge upto P350 to the airport and trikes charges P150-200. So I discovered the cheapest, the most uncomfortable but fun way to go to Gen San Airport. 

1.      From Pioneer St, take a jeepney that takes you to tHE “High Way” for P9.00

2.      Ask the driver to drop you at the High Way preferably near a shade and wait for a Habal-Habal (single motorcycle) for P100.

Travel time is 30-40 minutes. 

So, I immediately rushed to the airport hoping that they will still allow me to catch the flight. Fortunately, I was able to go to the whole check in procedure upto the plane for less than 3 minutes. I was running inside the airport, it feels like I joined the Amazing Race. Good thing that Gen San Airport is small, it is comparable to Laoag Aiport in Ilocos. No frills airport, just basic amenities. The seats were old fashioned and the terminal fee is P40. I hope and pray that the face lifting of the airport will bring Gen San Airport in the mainstream airports in the country.