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South Cotabato | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Jawi | سلاتن كوتوات |
   .jpg)  .jpg)  (from top: left to right)Lake Sebu,Seven Falls in Lake Sebu,Mount Matutum,Tupi Polonuling Pineapple Plantation,Lake Holon in T'boli,Koronadal Downtown andGeneral Santos | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: Land of the Dreamweavers | |
 Location in the Philippines | |
 Interactive map of South Cotabato | |
| Coordinates:6°10′N125°00′E / 6.17°N 125°E /6.17; 125 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Soccsksargen |
| Founded | July 18, 1966 |
| Capital | Koronadal |
| Largest city | General Santos* |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Panlalawigan |
| • Governor | Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. (PFP) |
| • Vice Governor | Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. (PFP) |
| • Legislature | South Cotabato Provincial Board |
| Area | |
• Total | 3,935.95 km2 (1,519.68 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 32nd out of 82 |
| (excluding General Santos) | |
| Highest elevation | 2,286 m (7,500 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[2] | |
• Total | 1,010,009 |
| • Rank | 29th out of 82 |
| • Density | 256.611/km2 (664.620/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 41st out of 82 |
| (excluding General Santos) | |
| Demonym(s) | South Cotabatnon South Cotabateño |
| Divisions | |
| • Independent cities | |
| • Component cities | |
| • Municipalities | |
| • Barangays |
|
| • Districts | |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)83 |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-SCO |
| Spoken languages | |
| Income classification | 1st class |
| Website | www |
*General Santos is a highly-urbanized city, politically independent from South Cotabato. | |
South Cotabato,[a] officially theProvince of South Cotabato, is aprovince in thePhilippines located in theSoccsksargenregion inMindanao. Its capital isKoronadal (also the regional center of Soccsksargen), and it bordersSultan Kudarat to the north and west,Sarangani to the south and northeast, andDavao del Sur to the far northeast. To the southeast liesSarangani Bay.
General Santos, the only coastal city/town located on the shores of Sarangani Bay, is the largest city in both the province and the region (by population), but is governed independently from the province. The province of Sarangani used to be part of South Cotabato until it was made an independent province in 1992.
Centuries ago, the area that would be the South Cotabato was sparsely inhabited byMaguindanaon pioneers andLumads which are underSultanate of Maguindanao's influence. TheSpaniards launched expeditions to subdue the area throughout the colonial era but they never gained control of the region until the middle of the 19th century after the Spaniards established a military post at what is now Barangay Tamontaka, one of the earliest Christian settlements founded south of the Philippines, in present-dayCotabato City. Spaniards already took with themChavacano-speaking Christians and Muslims from Zamboanga and Basilan, as well as theVisayans, especially theHiligaynons andCebuanos.
The area of what is now South Cotabato andSarangani provinces used to be part ofDavao province until 1914, when the reorganization of the districts in Mindanao took place, thus it became part of the then-undividedCotabato province. Settlers, who would lay the foundation of what would become a progressive province, started trooping down 1914.
During the term of PresidentManuel L. Quezon in the late 1930s, GeneralPaulino Santos led the first of wave of settlers to the province.
AfterWorld War II, the final exodus of settlers fromLuzon andVisayas poured into the area's virgin land. In the early 1960s as population, trade and industries grew in southern part of Cotabato, a clamor of local self-governance arose. Thus, on July 18, 1966, South Cotabato was separated fromCotabato as an independent province.[4] At that time, the province consisted of 11 municipalities, namely:Banga, South Cotabato,General Santos (now a city),Glan,Kiamba,Koronadal,Maitum,Norala,Polomolok,Surallah,Tantangan, andTupi. These municipalities were established long before the creation of the province. Other component municipalities were formed after it fully functioned as a province.
With the creation ofregions under Pres.Ferdinand Marcos, South Cotabato was grouped withRegion XI, also known asSouthern Mindanao, in 1975.[5]
In 1992, the province ofSarangani was formed out of South Cotabato. Seven towns in southern and coastal section of the province (Malungon,Alabel,Malapatan, Glan,Maasim, Kiamba and Maitum) became part of the new province, leaving South Cotabato with 11 remaining municipalities.[6]
Regional offices were relocated to South Cotabato in accordance withEO 429 dated October 12, 1990, issued by PresidentCorazon C. Aquino during the expansion of the newly createdAutonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,[7] andEO No. 36 dated September 19, 2001, issued by PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo which says South Cotabato is to be transferred fromSouthern Mindanao region toRegion XII and having the city ofKoronadal as the regional center of Region XII.[8]
On August 16, 2000,Republic Act No. 8803 was approved, that converted the municipality of Koronadal into a component city of South Cotabato.[9]
South Cotabato covers a total land area of 3,935.95 square kilometres (1,519.68 sq mi).[10] When General Santos is included for geographical purposes, the province's land area is 4,428.81 square kilometres (1,709.97 sq mi).[10] The province is situated on the southern section of centralMindanao, bounded by the provinces ofSultan Kudarat to the north and west,Sarangani to the south and northeast,Davao del Sur to the far northeast, and theSarangani Bay to the southeast.
The province is generally flat dotted with some hills and mountains. General Santos City occupies the province's only coastline, making the rest of the province landlocked.
South Cotabato belongs to the fourth type of climate, that is rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. The average number of rainy days for the year 2004 is recorded between 122 and 180 days with the months of May, June, July, August and October having the most occurrence.
Air humidity generally follows closely the rainfall pattern. Humidity is highest during the period of June to October with 88% being recorded at the Tupi seed farm. The months of February and April have the lowest air humidity recorded at about 72%.
Maximum daytime temperature throughout the province is in the range of 36 to 38 °C (97 to 100 °F), falling to 23 to 32 °C (73 to 90 °F) during the night depending on the elevation. The hottest period is January to April while July to December being the coolest.
South Cotabato enjoys a mild, pleasant climate with no pronounced dry or wet season, and is practically typhoon-free.
South Cotabato comprises 10municipalities and 1component city. The highly urbanized city ofGeneral Santos is traditionally grouped with, but administered independently from, the province. It has a total of 199 barangays (225 if the city of General Santos is included).
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 30,774 | — |
| 1918 | 42,787 | +2.22% |
| 1939 | 58,224 | +1.48% |
| 1948 | 102,860 | +6.53% |
| 1960 | 136,609 | +2.39% |
| 1970 | 252,612 | +6.33% |
| 1975 | 329,534 | +5.48% |
| 1980 | 401,705 | +4.04% |
| 1990 | 539,458 | +2.99% |
| 1995 | 621,155 | +2.68% |
| 2000 | 690,728 | +2.30% |
| 2007 | 767,255 | +1.46% |
| 2010 | 827,200 | +2.78% |
| 2015 | 915,289 | +1.95% |
| 2020 | 975,476 | +1.35% |
| 2024 | 1,010,009 | +0.84% |
| (excluding General Santos) Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][12] | ||
The population of South Cotabato (excludingGeneral Santos) was 975,476 in the 2020 census,[11] making it one of the country's most populous province. The population density is 250 inhabitants per square kilometre or 650 inhabitants per square mile.
When General Santos is included for geographical purposes, the province's population is 1,509,735 people,[11] with a density of 341 inhabitants per square kilometre (880/sq mi).
The people of South Cotabato have diverse heritages. The province's indigenous people areBlaan,Tboli andMaguindanaon. Ethnic Hiligaynons, descendants of migrants fromPanay andNegros in the Visayas who settled in the municipalities/towns of Norala, Banga, Surallah, Santo Niño and the province's capital city, Koronadal, are the majority in the province. The province's major media of communication areHiligaynon,Tagalog, On the other hand,Ilocano-speaking peoples ofLuzon settled in Tampakan, Tantangan and Tupi, and the Ilocano language may still be heard in these towns. The Cebuanos are the main ethnic group of the municipality of Polomolok, and are one of the main ethnic groups of Tupi (along with the Hiligaynons,Ilocanos andKapampangans). Both towns are near to General Santos, which speaks both Hiligaynon and Cebuano.Chavacano speakers are even found scattered in some areas of the province, as well asMaguindanaons because of the province's history of being part ofSultanate of Maguindanao. Tbolis mainly reside around the Lake Sebu area, while Blaans reside within General Santos and its outskirts.
| Religion | percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | 64.66% | |||
| Protestant | 22.35% | |||
| Islam | 4.31% | |||
| Iglesia ni Cristo | 2.32% | |||
| Others | 6.36% | |||
Roman Catholics predominate the province with 65% adherence,[14] whileIslam is a minority religion which is 6% of the population.[15] Other minorities are variousChristian Churches such as Protestants which form about 22% and consist of mostly evangelicals[16][13] of the province's population which can be mostly found in some urban parts of the province. Iglesia ni Cristo forms about 3-4% population.[17] The remainder are divided among Buddhist and animism.
TheMaguindanaon make up the majority of the Muslim population in the province. Other indigenous Filipino tribes are theT'boli andB'laan tribes in Lake Sebu and T'boli municipalities, famous for their brassworks, beadwork and t'nalak weave. The people of these tribes wear colorful embroidered native costumes and beadwork accessories. The women of these tribes, particularly, wear heavy brass belts with brass 'tassels' ending in tiny brass bells that herald their approach even when they are a long way off.[clarification needed]
The people of South Cotabato retain many of the practices and traditions of their particular tribal heritages, although infused with a flavor that is distinctly Mindanaoan and the product of cultural interaction between the immigrants and the indigenous peoples of the area. One vivid example of this is the predominant use of the nativemalong, the colorful, tubelike garment used as a skirt by the indigenous tribes, in place of a blanket or sleeping bag.
Hiligaynon is the most widely spoken language in the province. It is the main language in the capital city of Koronadal—earning its nickname "the Ilonggo Capital of Mindanao"—and the municipalities of the Upper Valley region, namely, Surallah, Banga, Norala, Sto. Niño and Tantangan, followed byCebuano, which is the majority language of General Santos and the main language in the Municipalities of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi.Tagalog are widely understood and often used for administrative functions by the local government and in education, with the former serving as dominant language in local media and of everyday communication of speakers of different languages, making it a secondary lingua franca in the province. Other languages spoken in the province areMaguindanaon,Tboli,Blaan,Kapampangan andIlocano.
Poverty incidence of South Cotabato
Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]
Executive Branch:[26]
Legislative Branch:[26]
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board Members)
Ex-Officio Members:
The Local Provincial Government holds its official functions in theCity of Koronadal. The Provincial Capitol, Provincial Hospital, and all related offices are found in the city.
| District | City | Municipality | Population (2024)[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st |
| 297,574 | |
| 2nd | Koronadal | 341,950 | |
| 3rd |
| 370,485 | |
| Lone | General Santos |
| 722,059 |
House Bill No. 4678, filed on December 13, 2016, by1st district Rep. Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., seeks to segregate the highly urbanized city ofGeneral Santos from the said district to form its congressional district, separate from the representation of South Cotabato.[27] This bill was signed by the president last March 11, 2019.
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The native Maguindanaon of South Cotabato have a culture that revolves aroundkulintang music, a specific type of gong music, found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines.
South Cotabato is renowned for its vibrant and culturally rich festivals. These celebrations reflect the diverse heritage, traditions, and communal spirit of the region’s inhabitants. Here are some of the most notable festivals in South Cotabato:
| Festival | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinugyaw Festival | January 10 | Koronadal City | Foundation anniversary of the City of Koronadal[28] |
| Kulitangtang Festival | January 27 | Tantangan | |
| Pasundayag Festival | March 4 | Banga | |
| Kamayadan Festival | March 10 | Norala | |
| Seslong Festival | March 16 | T'Boli | |
| Kalipayan Festival | March 23 | Koronadal City | Foundation anniversary of Barangay Poblacion Zone IV |
| SurbeTube Festival | June 24 | Surallah | |
| Tamfaken Lum Alay Festival | June 25 | Tampakan | |
| T'nalak Festival | July 18 | South Cotabato | Foundation anniversary of the Province of South Cotabato[29] |
| Agten Tufi Festival | September 11 | Tupi | |
| Pinyahan Festival | September 1 | Polomolok | Foundation anniversary of Barangay Cannery Site |
| FlomLok Festival | September 10 | Polomolok | |
| Charter Anniversary | October 8 | Koronadal City | Cityhood Anniversary of Koronadal |
| Kasadyahan Festival | October 20 | Koronadal City | Foundation anniversary of Barangay General Paulino Santos |
| Lumbayag Festival | October 20 | Koronadal City | Foundation anniversary of Barangay Santa Cruz |
| Helobung Festival | November 11 | Lake Sebu | |
| Bayo-Bayo Festival | November 21 | Koronadal City | Foundation anniversary of Barangay Cacub |
| Hinublag Festival | December 23 | Santo Niño |
South Cotabato boasts a diverse array of educational institutions catering to the needs of its growing population. These institutions range from primary and secondary schools to colleges and universities, providing comprehensive education opportunities across various fields of study.
| Institution | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences Koronadal Campus | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Notre Dame of Marbel University | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Notre Dame of Dadiangas University Glamang Campus | Tertiary | Polomolok |
| South Cotabato State University | Tertiary | Surallah |
| St. Alexius College | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| South East Asian Institute of Technology | Tertiary | Tupi |
| Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Green Valley College Foundation | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| STI College | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| King's College of Marbel, Inc. | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Notre Dame – Siena College of Polomolok | Tertiary | Polomolok |
| Regency Polytechnic College | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Goldenstate College Marbel | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Marvelous College of Technology, Inc. | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| ACLC College of Marbel | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Philippine Science High School Soccsksargen Region Campus | Secondary | Koronadal City |
| Notre Dame – Siena School of Marbel | Secondary | Koronadal City |
| Notre Dame of Marbel University – Integrated Basic Education Department | Secondary | Koronadal City |
| Notre Dame of Banga | Secondary | Banga |
| Notre Dame of New Iloilo | Secondary | Tantangan |
| Notre Dame of Norala | Secondary | Norala |
| Notre Dame of San Jose | Secondary | Koronadal City |
| Notre Dame of Santo Niño | Secondary | Santo Niño |
| Notre Dame of Surala | Secondary | Surallah |
| General Santos Academy, Inc. | Tertiary | Polomolok |
South Cotabato is home to a range of medical facilities that provide comprehensive healthcare services to its residents. The province’s hospitals are strategically located across various municipalities and cities, ensuring accessible medical care for the community.
| Hospital | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| South Cotabato Provincial Hospital | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Soccsksargen General Hospital | Infirmary | Surallah |
| Allah Valley Medical Center | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Dr. Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Polomolok General Hospital | Polomolok | |
| Howard Hubbard Memorial Hospital | Polomolok | |
| Norala District Hospital | Norala | |
| Lake Sebu Community Hospital | Lake Sebu | |
| Moorehouse Mission Hospital | T'boli | |
| Polomolok Municipal Hospital | Infirmary | Polomolok |
| Socomedics Medical Center | Tertiary | Koronadal City |
| Heramil Maternity and Children's Hospital | Polomolok | |
| Surallah Community Hospital | Surallah | |
| Bontuyan Medical Hospital, Inc. | Polomolok | |
| Tampakan General Hospital | Infirmary | Tampakan |
| Matutum Pines Medical Hospital | Tertiary | Tupi |
| City of Koronadal – Manuel C. Callejo Memorial Hospital | Infirmary | Koronadal City |
| Tantangan General Hospital | Infirmary | Tantangan |
Media related toSouth Cotabato at Wikimedia Commons
Geographic data related toSouth Cotabato atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to South Cotabato | |
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 Province ofSouth Cotabato | |
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| Municipalities | |
| Component city | |
| Highly urbanized city |
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