South Cotabato, officially the Province of South Cotabato, is a province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal (also the regional center of Soccsksargen), and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and northeast, and Davao del Sur to the far northeast. To the southeast lies Sarangani 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.
Contents
History
Early history
Centuries ago, the area that would be the South Cotabato was sparsely inhabited by Maguindanaon pioneers and Lumads which are under Sultanate of Maguindanao's influence. The Spaniards 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-day Cotabato City. Spaniards already took with them Chavacano-speaking Christians and Muslims from Zamboanga and Basilan, as well as the Visayans, especially the Hiligaynons and Cebuanos.
American colonial era
The area of what is now South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces used to be part of Davao province until 1914, when the reorganization of the districts in Mindanao took place, thus it became part of the then-undivided Cotabato province. Settlers, who would lay the foundation of what would become a progressive province, started trooping down 1914.
During the term of President Manuel L. Quezon in the late 1930s, General Paulino Santos led the first of wave of settlers to the province.
Philippine independence
After World War II, the final exodus of settlers from Luzon and Visayas 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 from Cotabato as an independent province. 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, and Tupi. 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 of regions under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, South Cotabato was grouped with Region XI, also known as Southern Mindanao, in 1975.
In 1992, the province of Sarangani 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.
Regional offices were relocated to South Cotabato in accordance with EO 429 dated October 12, 1990, issued by President Corazon C. Aquino during the expansion of the newly created Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and EO No. 36 dated September 19, 2001, issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which says South Cotabato is to be transferred from Southern Mindanao region to Region XII and having the city of Koronadal as the regional center of Region XII.
Contemporary
On August 16, 2000, Republic Act No. 8803 was approved, that converted the municipality of Koronadal into a component city of South Cotabato.
Geography
South Cotabato covers a total land area of 3,935.95 square kilometres (1,519.68 sq mi). When General Santos is included for geographical purposes, the province's land area is 4,428.81 square kilometres (1,709.97 sq mi). The province is situated on the southern section of central Mindanao, bounded by the provinces of Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and northeast, Davao del Sur to the far northeast, and the Sarangani 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.
Climate
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.
Administrative divisions
South Cotabato comprises 10 municipalities and 1 component city. The highly urbanized city of General 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).
Demographics
The population of South Cotabato (excluding General Santos) was 975,476 in the 2020 census, 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, with a density of 341 inhabitants per square kilometre (880/sq mi).
Inhabitants
The people of South Cotabato have diverse heritages. The province's indigenous people are Blaan, Tboli and Maguindanaon. Ethnic Hiligaynons, descendants of migrants from Panay and Negros 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 are Hiligaynon, Tagalog, On the other hand, Ilocano-speaking peoples of Luzon 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 and Kapampangans). 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 as Maguindanaons because of the province's history of being part of Sultanate of Maguindanao. Tbolis mainly reside around the Lake Sebu area, while Blaans reside within General Santos and its outskirts.
Religion
Roman Catholics predominate the province with 65% adherence, while Islam is a minority religion which is 6% of the population. Other minorities are various Christian Churches such as Protestants which form about 22% and consist of mostly evangelicals 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. The remainder are divided among Buddhist and animism.
The Maguindanaon make up the majority of the Muslim population in the province. Other indigenous Filipino tribes are the T'boli and B'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.
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 native malong, the colorful, tubelike garment used as a skirt by the indigenous tribes, in place of a blanket or sleeping bag.
Language
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 by Cebuano, 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 are Maguindanaon, Tboli, Blaan, Kapampangan and Ilocano.
Economy
Poverty incidence of South Cotabato (%)
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Government
Executive Branch:
Governor: Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. (PFP)
Vice Governor: Arthur Y. Pingoy (PFP)
Legislative Branch:
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board Members)
First District:
SP Nilda Almencion (PFP)
SP Noel J. Escobillo (PFP)
SP Alan Ines (PDP-Laban)
Second District:
SP Marie Antonina "Junette" Ines Hurtado (PFP)
SP Dardanilo N. Dar (PDP-Laban)
SP Ervin Luntao (PFP)
SP Mike Matinong (PFP)
SP Alicia Causing (PFP)
SP Henry L. Ladot (PFP)
SP Cecile Diel (PFP)
Third District:
Ex-Officio Members:
SP Vincent Figueroa, SK President
SP Sharmaigne Arianne Sala, PCL President
SP Edgar G. Sambog, IPMR
SP Neil Ryan T. Escobillo, LnB President
Provincial capital
The Local Provincial Government holds its official functions in the City of Koronadal. The Provincial Capitol, Provincial Hospital, and all related offices are found in the city.
Legislative districts
1st District Representative: Isidro D. Lumayag
2nd District Representative: Ferdinand L. Hernandez
3rd District Representative: Dibo S. Tuan
Lone District of General Santos: Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles
House Bill No. 4678, filed on December 13, 2016, by 1st district Rep. Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., seeks to segregate the highly urbanized city of General Santos from the said district to form its congressional district, separate from the representation of South Cotabato. This bill was signed by the president last March 11, 2019.
List of governors of South Cotabato since 1966
1966–1986: Sergio B. Morales – The first governor of South Cotabato after its creation as a province in 1966. Gov. Morales laid down key infrastructure and governance systems, such as the provincial capitol, hospitals, roads, and water systems, helping shape the future of the province.
1986–1992: Ismael Sueno – Elected after the EDSA Revolution; focused on development projects and governance. Gov. Sueno helped stabilize the province during the political transition from the Marcos Sr. regime to democracy.
1992–2001: Hilario E. De Pedro III – Gov. De Pedro oversaw the separation of Sarangani province from South Cotabato and continued modernizing South Cotabato’s infrastructure such as the South Cotabato Gym and Sports Complex. Gov. De Pedro was also instrumental in the conversion of Koronadal into a city, a milestone in South Cotabato's urban development and modernization.
2001–2010: Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes – Gov. Avance-Fuentes was known for her focus on poverty alleviation, social welfare improvements, and agricultural development. Under her leadership, South Cotabato gained recognition for transparency and good governance.
2010–2013: Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr. – Gov. Pingoy focused on enhancing healthcare services and medical assistance programs, including free hospitalization for indigent residents within the province.
2013–2019: Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes - Gov. Avance-Fuentes during this term intensified social welfare programs and transparency on governance. She is also credited for modernizing the province's T'nalak Festival during this term as Governor.
2019–Present: Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. – Gov. Tamayo's administration is marked by progressive programs such as free education, hospitalization, and the mechanization of rice production. His policies have focused on improving the livelihoods of marginalized sectors.Known for Free Hospitalization, Free Education, and agricultural initiatives. Gov. Tamayo is also known to be the National President of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas which is Bongbong Marcos's Political Party and the largest party in the Philippines as of 2024. Under his leadership, South Cotabato has consistently won the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), and it was named the most competitive province in Region XII in 2022.
Musical heritage
The native Maguindanaon of South Cotabato have a culture that revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music, found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines.
Festivals of South Cotabato
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:
Education
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.
Health
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.
Notable people
Within the province jurisdiction
Lovely Abella, actress, host and dancer (Koronadal)
Cesar "Saro" Bañares, Jr., member of folk rock band Asin
Eduardo Buenavista, Filipino long-distance runner and two-time Olympian (Santo Niño)
Kenneth Duremdes, professional basketball player (Koronadal)
Shuvee Etrata, actress, host, model and content creator (Polomolok)
Orlando Quevedo, cardinal and archbishop-emeritus of Cotabato (Marbel)
Ismael Sueno, former secretary of DILG during incumbent President Duterte's administration from 2016 to 2017 (Koronadal)
Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., president of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas from 2022 to present
Sister province
Cebu Province