GenSan welcomes native son Pacquiao

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — People from all walks of life here are all excited to see and welcome People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao who is scheduled to arrive today aboard a chartered flight from Manila.

During a Peace and Order Council meeting held Friday, City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. ordered city police director Sr. Supt. Alfredo Toroctocon to draw up plans to ensure orderly traffic.

"We need to implement more effective moves this time compared to what we have done in the previous preparations because a big crowd will surely welcome the new hero," Acharon said.

Acharon said a motorcade from the airport will pass through the city’s major thoroughfares on their way to the city’s Oval Plaza covered court, where a short program for the champ was prepared.

City Councilor Lulu Casabuena, chair of the education committee, said she was hoping that Pacquiao could arrive early so students and pupils from various schools could see and greet the boxing champ.

"We are hoping our hero could come home early so that our students and pupils would really see him before the dark hours," said Casabuena.

Upon their arrival, Pacquiao and his entourage will be motored to the fishing industries in Barangay Calumpang.

From there, the motorcade passes the boxing champ’s territory in Barangay Labangal, where his residential house and a 24-hour convenience store were built.

The motorcade then proceeds to Silway passing the business hub of the city on Acharon Boulevard and the city’s public market.

The parade moves on to the national highway to the city’s downtown area, passing through the Our Lady of Peace and Parish Church and the City Hall.

From City Hall, the convoy will move out going to Pendatun Avenue and will end up at the Oval Plaza Covered Court for the day’s welcome program.

After the short program, the boxing champ will face the media to answer queries that include his much-talked about plan to join the political arena.

According to sources, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was trying to convince Pacquiao to run against Antoninos, the critics of President Arroyo and who even asked for her resignation.

Prior to his rematch fight with Erik Morales, Pacquiao was rumored to run for mayor in Sarangani province.