Soccsksargen Region XII (Central Mindanao) | |
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    .jpg) Left to right, top to bottom:Sarangani Bay; Agricultural Colony No. 9 Monument; shoreline ofGlan, Sarangani;Sultan Kudarat Provincial Hospital; andGeneral Santos, the Commerce and Industrial Center of Region 12 | |
 Location in the Philippines | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
| Coordinates:6°30′N124°51′E / 6.5°N 124.85°E /6.5; 124.85 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Island group | Mindanao |
| Regional center | Koronadal |
| Largest city | General Santos |
| Area | |
• Total | 22,513.30 km2 (8,692.43 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,450 m (8,040 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[1] | |
• Total | 4,462,776 |
| • Density | 198.2284/km2 (513.4093/sq mi) |
| GDP(Nominal, 2024) | |
| • Total | US$11.8 billion[2] |
| • Per capita | US$2,598[2] |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-12 |
| Provinces | |
| Independent cities | |
| Component cities | |
| Municipalities | 45 |
| Barangays | 1,095 |
| Cong. districts | 10 |
| Languages | |
| HDI |  0.685 (Medium) |
| HDI rank | 14th in the Philippines (2019) |
Soccsksargen[a] (officially stylized inall caps;[3][sokˈsardʒɛn]), designated asRegion XII, is anadministrative region of the Philippines. Formerly known asCentral Mindanao, it is located in south-centralMindanao and comprises fourprovinces:Cotabato,Sarangani,South Cotabato, andSultan Kudarat, and one highly urbanized city,General Santos. The regional center isKoronadal in South Cotabato, while the center of commerce and industry is General Santos, the most populous city in the region.
The region is bounded on the north by the province ofBukidnon inNorthern Mindanao, on the east by theDavao Region, on the northwest and west by theBangsamoro region, and on the southwest by theCelebes Sea. The region also shares a maritime border withGorontalo andNorth Sulawesi provinces ofIndonesia.
The region has extensive coastlines, valleys and mountain ranges. Known for its river system, the region is thedrainage basin ofMindanao, particularly at theCotabato Basin, a largedepression surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides.[4][5] Within the basin runs theRio Grande de Mindanao, the longest river in Mindanao and the second longest in the Philippines. The river empties intoIllana Bay of the largerMoro Gulf to the west of Cotabato City.
At the south of the basin lie theTiruray Highlands, a moderately high mountain range blocking the basin from the southern coastline.[4] Southeast of the mountains liesSarangani Bay.
Soccsksargen comprises 4provinces, 1highly urbanizedcity, 3component cities, 45municipalities and 1,195barangays.
| ProvinceorCity | Capital | Population(2020)[6] | Area[7][8] | Density | Cities | Muni. | Barangay | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km2 | sq mi | /km2 | /sq mi | ||||||||
 Cotabato | Kidapawan City | 29.2% | 1,275,185 | 9,008.90 | 3,478.36 | 150 | 390 | 1 | 17 | 480[9] | |
| Sarangani | Alabel | 12.8% | 558,946 | 3,601.25 | 1,390.45 | 150 | 390 | 0 | 7 | 141 | |
 South Cotabato | Koronadal City | 22.4% | 975,476 | 3,935.95 | 1,519.68 | 230 | 600 | 1 | 10 | 199 | |
 Sultan Kudarat | Isulan | 19.6% | 854,052 | 5,298.34 | 2,045.70 | 150 | 390 | 1 | 11 | 249 | |
 General Santos | † | — | 16.0% | 697,315 | 492.86 | 190.29 | 1,200 | 3,100 | — | — | 26 |
| Total | 4,360,964 | 22,786.08 | 8,797.75 | 200 | 520 | 5 | 45 | 1,095[10][11] | |||
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| Province | Image | Governor | Political Party | Vice Governor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza | Nacionalista | Rochella Marie T. Taray | ||
 |  | Rogelio Pacquiao | PFP | Danny A. Martinez | |
 |  | Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. | PFP | Arthur Yusay Pingoy | |
 | Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu | Lakas | Raden Camlian Sakaluran | ||
| Rank | City | Area (km2) | Population as of 2020 | Tax collection as of 2012[12] | IRA as of 2015 | Income class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Santos | 492.86 | 697,315 | P1.175 billion | Php 1,086.25 million | 1st |
| 2. | †Koronadal | 277.00 | 195,398 | P917 million (including South Cotabato) | Php 504.77 million | 3rd |
| 3. | Kidapawan | 358.47 | 160,791 | P554 million (including Cotabato Province) | Php 509.68 million | 3rd |
| 4. | Tacurong | 153.40 | 109,319 | P555 million (including Sultan Kudarat Province) | Php 350.57 million | 4th |
The oldest civilization in the region is located inMaitum, Sarangani, where theMaitum Anthropomorphic Pottery were found. The jars have been declared as National Cultural Treasures, and are subject to the high protections ensured by Philippine and international laws.
From around 14th century until the early 20th century, the Muslim sultanates ofMaguindanao andBuayan dominated the large parts of Soccsksargen region, influencing the local datus in the area as well as having General Santos City under their direct control as a port.
The region used to be namedCentral Mindanao. Prior to the creation of theAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), it comprised the following provinces:
With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao (excludingCotabato City), and Sultan Kudarat were removed from the region, leaving Lanao del Norte and Cotabato, andIligan,Marawi andCotabato City as constituent provinces and cities.[13] Lanao del Norte and Iligan were later transferred toNorthern Mindanao in September 2001 as they are farther from Cotabato City and closer to Cagayan de Oro (regional capital of Northern Mindanao),[3] while Marawi became part of the ARMM.
On December 18, 1998, Sultan Kudarat was transferred back to Central Mindanao through Republic Act No. 8744.[14]
In September 2001,Executive Order No. 36 was signed by PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo transferringSouth Cotabato,Sarangani,General Santos (also known as theSocSarGen District), fromSouthern Mindanao to Region XII, and renaming the region, fromCentral Mindanao, toSoccsksargen.[3][15]
By virtue of Executive Order No. 304 signed by then PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo,Koronadal was named as the regional political and socio-economic center of Soccsksargen on March 30, 2004. Regional departments, bureaus and offices were ordered to move fromCotabato City, the former regional center of the region.
Traditionally resisting efforts for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite serving as the government center of the ARMM, theJanuary 21, 2019 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation plebiscite resulted in the surprise ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Cotabato City. This means the city may now formally serve as the capital of the region and the offices of the former ARMM will be retained for use by theBangsamoro Regional Government and now formally no longer constitutes part of the Soccsksargen Region.
In addition to Cotabato City,63 barangays in Cotabato province opted to join Bangsamoro, thus exiting the region as well.
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| Data includes Cotabato City, which is now part of Bangsamoro. Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Soccsksargen is home to diverse ethnolingustic and cultural backgrounds, both native and non-native residents, making it a melting pot of cultures. The first inhabitants of the region were the indigenousB'laans,T'bolis,Manobos,Tedurays and the MuslimIranuns,Maguindanaons, andSangil – large parts of the region itself historically were part of theMaguindanao andBuayan sultanates. Christian migrants fromLuzon andVisayas (and their native-born descendants) also settled in the area by the early 20th century seeking better opportunities, mainly from agriculture. Most of these non-native settlers mainly came fromIlocandia,Panay,Negros,Cebu,Bohol andSiquijor who call Soccsksargen and Mindanao as a whole their new home and are responsible for spreading Christianity throughout the region over the years. Today,Hiligaynons make up the majority of the region's non-native Christian population; while theCebuanos dominantly inhabit the entirety ofSarangani,General Santos and its neighboring municipalities of South Cotabato and the areas in the region that borderBukidnon andDavao Region; andIlocanos who form the majority inKabacan (Cotabato),Tampakan,Tantangan (both in South Cotabato),Lambayong,Senator Ninoy Aquino,President Quirino,Columbio (all in Sultan Kudarat) andKiamba (Sarangani, though most of the municipality's inhabitants now spoke Cebuano instead of Ilocano). Moreover, intermarriage between ethnolinguistic groups is relatively not uncommon in Soccsksargen.[citation needed]
The region contributes to the national GDP with 2.6% with 5% growth compared to 2016. 18.3% ofMindanao Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).[24]
In the most recent contest during the 2024 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition, it showcased Region 12's development as a dominant force in coffee quality. Renowned for its superb beans, the region wowed both enthusiasts and experts with its distinct flavors, superior farming techniques, and commitment to quality. The event demonstrated Region 12's ability to produce coffee that stands out in both national and international markets, establishing its position as a premier producer of high-quality coffee. This newfound reputation promises to raise the region's prominence in the coffee industry, attracting more buyers and lovers from around the world.[25]
The artistic cultural heritage of the nativeMaguindanao people, among other regional groups—bothMuslims andCatholics—revolves aroundkulintang music, a specific type ofgong music. Unique to the Soccsksargen, elements of kulintang may be loosely compared toIndonesia’sgamelan music, and other related traditional performance arts.
SECTION 2. Region X, known as Northern Mindanao, is hereby reorganized and shall be composed of the following provinces and cities: a. Provinces i. Bukidnon ii. Camiguin iii. Lanao del Norte iv. Misamis Occidental v. Misamis Oriental b. Cities i. Cagayan de Oro City ii. Gingoog City iii. Iligan City iv. Malaybalay City v. Oroquieta City vi. Ozamis City vii. Tangub City viii. Valencia City, BukidnonCite error: The named reference "GovPH-EO36" was defined multiple times with different content (see thehelp page).
As of May 1, 2000, the total population of Central Mindanao which covers the provinces of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat; and the cities of Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato, was 2,598,210 persons.
Southern Mindanao or Region XI is now known as Davao Region and comprises four provinces (Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental) and five cities (Davao, Digos, Panabo, Tagum and the Island Garden City of Samal. Said provinces and cities are situated along the Davao Gulf area. South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City (SOCSARGEN) and Koronadal City, which were part of the old Region XI) have been transferred to Region XII.
Media related toSoccsksargen at Wikimedia Commons
Soccsksargen travel guide from Wikivoyage
Geographic data related toSoccsksargen atOpenStreetMap 
Regions adjacent to Soccsksargen | |
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