Wednesday, December 10, 2008
South Cotabato An Overview
History and Development Overview
South Cotabato is a very young province. In almost three decades, it has attained phenomenal progress. Its progress can be attributed to the ingenuity of the development schemes planned for this province that are translated into tangible realities. But South Cotabato has a long history of pioneering immigrants who faced undauntedly the challenges of nature and the vagaries of politics. They were the men who laid the foundation of what was to become a progressive province.
Before the turn of the 20th century, the area to which South Cotabato would be carved was sparsely inhabited. The inhabitants were B'laans, Manobos, Tagabilis and other ethnic groups who migrated to this part of Mindanao perhaps even before the birth of Christ. They were believed to have come from the same Malayan stock owing to the similarity of their physical structure and language.
These Malayan pioneers led a peaceful existence and were isolated from other developing civilizations of the world after their migration. They remained isolated until the 15th century when Sariph Kabungsuan of Arabia arrived in Cotabato with his religious teachers to introduce the Mohammedan religion. He converted most of the Malayan settlers who occupied the lower and upper Cotabato valley along both side of the Maguindanao River . Aside from introducing the Mohammedan religion, Sariph Kabungsuan established himself as Sultan of Mindanao until the coming of the Americans in the early part of the 20th century. One important result of Sariph Kabungsuan's and his descendants rule later on was the emergence of the system of government popularly known as "Datuism". This system of government developed the Muslim culture and kept the Muslims united in their wars with foreigners.
Even during the emergence of Mohammedanism, the southern part of Cotabato was relatively unaffected. This was because inland communication was not yet developed and the only convenient way to the South was by sea. Even with the sea access, the Malayan settlers in the South were not converted. When the Muslim converts migrated to the south through the sea, the Malayan inhabitants in different groups just went further inland and developed into different ethnic groups that now exist throughout Mindanao .
Neither was the south affected by the coming of the Spaniards. The Spaniards came to subdue the Muslims at the turn of the 17th century. They established the fort in what is now Cotabato City but the Muslims stubbornly resisted them that their expeditionary forces from Cotabato could not go further inland than Libungan and Pikit. Thus, the Spaniards finally left Cotabato in 1889 without accomplishing anything except perhaps the establishment of Cotabato as a small town.
The coming of the Americans in the early part of the 20th century and their subsequent rule neither affected the south significantly. But one thing the American did that left a great impact later on in South Cotabato was their policy of attraction. This policy was aimed at attracting both the Muslims to the American rule and the Christians from over-populated provinces of Luzon and the Visayas to resettle here in the vast plains of Cotabato. Its other aims were to restore peace and order, instill political advancement and spark social awakening.
So that the time between 1914 and 1937 was a period of preparation, assimilation transition and initial progress under the American rule. It was during this period that immigrants from Luzon and the Visayas began to open the vast and fertile lands of South Cotabato , then comprising the municipalities of Koronadal, Buayan, Glan, Kiamba and Libak. Immigration of noticeable proportion started in 1914 and from then on a steadily increasing flow of immigrants was being felt all over the southern part of Cotabato province, reaching its peak in the later part of the 1930's when it suddenly stopped at the outbreak of World War II and only to rise again in tremendous proportion in the 1950's.
The first batch of Christian settlers came to the province in 1914 and started clearing the area of what is now Glan right along the Sarangani Bay . They were hardy settlers comprising mostly of Cebuanos and were led by the late Tranquilino Ruiz, Sr. The municipality of Glan where they first settled and which begun as Colony No. 9 of the colonization project of the government in October, 1914 is a living monument to the labor and hardship suffered by these settlers.
In March 9, 1920 , the first batch of Ilocano settlers landed at Kalaong, Kiamba. They were brought here by the steamer " Tablas " with the late Crisanto Hidalgo of San Fernando , La Union as their leader. The settlers were courageous pioneers who brought along their wives and children to find new homes in the wilderness in the coastal plains of South Cotabato . Another batch came on the return trip of the sluggish " Tablas ".
Also along Sarangani Bay, on February 27, 1939, pioneers mostly coming from Luzon led by the late General Paulino Santos after whom the bustling city of General Santos was named, arrived and laid the foundation of what was to become a progressive province. These pioneers cultivated the vast fertile valley and when news of their success in farming reached the ears of the landless in Central Luzon and the Visayas, an exodus of settlers soon poured into the virgin land. These were the people, who were longing for a place in the sun and seeking a piece of land they can call their own, uprooted themselves from their home of origin to brave the unknown jungle of South Cotabato in the hope of achieving progress in life. The pioneers struck deeper into the hinterland aided by the now defunct Land Settlement and Development Corporation (LASEDECO) formerly the National Land Settlement Administration, created by Commonwealth Act No. 441 in June 3, 1939, blazing the trail as far as Koronadal Valley in the north and Allah Valley in the northwest. And year-in and year-out, they toiled as they have never toiled before, clearing the forest, breaking the soil and planting - doing all these in the face of tremendous odds like malaria, poor communication and the lack of transportation.
Nature, however, was kind. In return for the settler's fortitude and industry, rain fell abundantly in the farm, giving rise to a production of palay of at least two crops a year. The soil in the newly opened settlement was too rich that one was said to have uttered the remark, " You throw a seed into the field and nature will take care of the rest.", that is to say, weather and soil condition were so ideal for agriculture that almost anything could be planted with little need of assistance. Nature itself took care of the crops.
Thousands upon thousands more of settlers streamed into the province and opened new vistas of agricultural lands including the mountains. And, like other people anywhere they formed communities patterned after those in the old homes. Thus, one will find towns today predominantly occupied either by the Ilongos or Ilocanos, etc, and nostalgia creeping into their senses, they called their new communities after those names long prevailing in their old homes.
When World War II broke out, the flow of immigrants halted. Even then, the pioneering settlers were far luckier than their brothers who stayed put in Luzon and the Visayas because the pioneers did not encounter as much hardships as their "paisanos" at home. After the Japanese occupation, when things returned to normal, a steadier flow of settlers into the province begun and new lands and communities were opened serving as the nuclei of the 18 municipalities in the province.
In the early 1950's, however, disaster almost broke the spirit of the settlers with the appearance of a rat infestation, which almost destroyed their crops totally. Destitute settlers, who saw the crops overrun by rodents and the fruits of their labor go to waste, gave up and returned to their old homes. Most of the settlers, however, persevered and through the timely assistance of government agencies, recovered from their misfortune as the danger posed by the infestation was minimized.
On the political side, as the population swelled in the southern part of the province, a louder voice arose in the management of local government. As a result, more municipalities were created and people began to have more say in the running of the provincial government, which until then, had always been under the control of those living in the northern part of the mother province.
Because they felt they were not adequately represented in the local government, the people of South Cotabato , then part of Cotabato province, made countless appeals and petitions to the government to separate from the mother province and to enable themselves to run their own affairs in their own territory. Republic Act No. 4849, passed and approved on July 18, 1966 , separated South Cotabato from its mother province. But it was not until the regular election on November, 1967 did South Cotabato elect its first set of officials and not until the beginning of the year 1968 did it function as a regular province. It had only 11 municipalities then with Koronadal as the capital town.
Since then, the province progressed tremendously. Under the able leadership of Governor Sergio B. Morales, the first elected governor who had served the province for nearly 20 years, South Cotabato was transformed into a new bustling province. It started as a first class province but with practically nothing in terms of basic facilities, such as buildings to house the national and provincial offices and equipments and vehicles to facilitate governmental functions. Within a span of four years however, the province was able to provide facilities to provincial and national offices, build a capitol building, a provincial hospital, and equipped its motor pool with heavy equipments and vehicles. The province was also able to undertake massive infrastructure programs particularly on roads, buildings, water systems, and electrification.
Years following South Cotabato 's separation from its mother province ushered in big investment coming from elsewhere in the country and from foreign sources. Highly mechanized farming came of age. Investors tapped other potentials in the area. Ranches and piggeries have been developed. Fishery projects gained grounds in both domestic and foreign markets. Other large, medium and small-scale industries were well rooted. All of these paved the way for a sophisticated system of trade and industry in the province.
With the consequence brought about by the EDSA revolution the political situation nationwide had called for a change of leadership to which South Cotabato was not exempt. In March 1986, a new set of provincial officials headed by Ismael D. Sueno were appointed into office by Her Excellency, Corazon C. Aquino, the new President of the Philippines .
Under his administration, Gov. Sueno continued the on-going programs and projects formulated by the previous administration but he also came up with a blueprint and innovative strategies to further develop the province. He immediately launched programs directly addressed to the critical concerns of the province - the threatening ecological imbalance and lack of livelihood opportunities in the upland and remote barangays. The imposition of total logging ban produced hue and cry fueled by disgruntled loggers. The uproar, however, died out while "save-the-forest" movement and reforestation campaign gained momentum.
The convincing victory of Governor Sueno in the 1988 local elections assured the realization of his vision for South Cotabato . He vigorously pursued reforestation and environmental programs integrated with livelihood projects. Associations and cooperatives were organized or strengthened. People-based enterprises were given top priorities. His programs to accelerate economic growth were clearly anchored on building a strong social infrastructure.
The May 1992 local and national elections added another luster to the political history of the province and brought in novel dimension to its development perspective. With two young political leaders, in succession, at the helm of local governance, the province saw new surge towards stability and economic prosperity.
Another set of provincial officials led by former OIC Mayor of Koronadal and 2nd Congressional District Representative Hilario L. de Pedro III took over the reins of the provincial government. Fresh from his stint in Congress capped by the authorship of the Local Government Code of 1991 in the House of Representatives, Gov. de Pedro brought along not only a bright hope but also a new tack in ensuring that basic government services reach the people in the barangay on time. His ascent to the top of the political leadership of the province opened an opportunity for putting into action the true principle of local government decentralization, that is, for the barangays to cease to be passive recipients of "development" but for them to play a central role in the decision-making process for their socio-economic advancement.
In 1992, South Cotabato gave birth to a new province. Seven towns in the southern and coastal section of the province now form part of the Province of Sarangani . That was a new challenge. And South Cotabateños , with their indomitable pioneering spirit have proven once more their ability to face and hurdle diverse challenges and ably went through with the demands of times.
Then on June 30, 2001 , another young and dynamic political leader assumed the provincial leadership. The first woman in South Cotabato to be elected to the top rein of provincial leadership, Gov. Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes hopes to transform the government bureaucracy into an efficient, effective and mainstream vehicle for development. She also puts emphasis on its social services program (education, health, social welfare and nutrition) as well as productivity enhancement approach for the agricultural sector with improved delivery of both social and economic services through a better infrastructure network. Likewise, an ultimate increase in revenue through income generation strategies is given primordial concern by her administration to realize her aspirations for the province. These she hopes to achieve utilizing her vast experience as a legislator which began when she was elected as senior board member of the province in the year 1988 and then followed by her nine year stint in the House of Representatives representing the 2 nd Congressional District of South Cotabato from the period 1992-2001.
South Cotabato sparks new interest having emerged as the favorite venue for conventions and big events of national significance like the National Secondary School Press Conference in 1994, the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 and the 9 th Mindanao Business Conference to name a few.
Several important events that follows contribute greatly to the progress and development in the province wherein under Executive Order No. 429 dated October 12, 1990 under the presidency of Her Excellency Corazon C. Aquino, the Reorganization of the New Administrative Regions in Mindanao provides that the regional center in Region XII will be the Municipality of Koronadal . The evolution continues but has been stalled due to some legal impediments until the reconfiguration of the new administrative regions in Mindanao occurs in Executive Order No. 36 dated September 19, 2001 under the new administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Furthermore, the conversion of its capital town of Koronadal to a component city to be known as the City of Koronadal under Republic Act. No. 8803 on August 16, 2000 and after a referendum it functions as such on October 8, 2000 further pushes the province to greater heights.
The new millennium ushers in a new beginning for the province with the coming in of regional offices in the area in consonance with the executive order having the city as the regional center in Region XII and several launching activities marking its role as the region's center.
In only four decades since its provincehood. South Cotabato has already surpassed dozens of provinces established half a century ahead in almost every aspect of development. In a short span, it became one of the leading provinces in Mindanao . What it got to show today are vivid results of human synergy and the richness of its resources.
South Cotabato is a very young province. In almost three decades, it has attained phenomenal progress. Its progress can be attributed to the ingenuity of the development schemes planned for this province that are translated into tangible realities. But South Cotabato has a long history of pioneering immigrants who faced undauntedly the challenges of nature and the vagaries of politics. They were the men who laid the foundation of what was to become a progressive province.
Before the turn of the 20th century, the area to which South Cotabato would be carved was sparsely inhabited. The inhabitants were B'laans, Manobos, Tagabilis and other ethnic groups who migrated to this part of Mindanao perhaps even before the birth of Christ. They were believed to have come from the same Malayan stock owing to the similarity of their physical structure and language.
These Malayan pioneers led a peaceful existence and were isolated from other developing civilizations of the world after their migration. They remained isolated until the 15th century when Sariph Kabungsuan of Arabia arrived in Cotabato with his religious teachers to introduce the Mohammedan religion. He converted most of the Malayan settlers who occupied the lower and upper Cotabato valley along both side of the Maguindanao River . Aside from introducing the Mohammedan religion, Sariph Kabungsuan established himself as Sultan of Mindanao until the coming of the Americans in the early part of the 20th century. One important result of Sariph Kabungsuan's and his descendants rule later on was the emergence of the system of government popularly known as "Datuism". This system of government developed the Muslim culture and kept the Muslims united in their wars with foreigners.
Even during the emergence of Mohammedanism, the southern part of Cotabato was relatively unaffected. This was because inland communication was not yet developed and the only convenient way to the South was by sea. Even with the sea access, the Malayan settlers in the South were not converted. When the Muslim converts migrated to the south through the sea, the Malayan inhabitants in different groups just went further inland and developed into different ethnic groups that now exist throughout Mindanao .
Neither was the south affected by the coming of the Spaniards. The Spaniards came to subdue the Muslims at the turn of the 17th century. They established the fort in what is now Cotabato City but the Muslims stubbornly resisted them that their expeditionary forces from Cotabato could not go further inland than Libungan and Pikit. Thus, the Spaniards finally left Cotabato in 1889 without accomplishing anything except perhaps the establishment of Cotabato as a small town.
The coming of the Americans in the early part of the 20th century and their subsequent rule neither affected the south significantly. But one thing the American did that left a great impact later on in South Cotabato was their policy of attraction. This policy was aimed at attracting both the Muslims to the American rule and the Christians from over-populated provinces of Luzon and the Visayas to resettle here in the vast plains of Cotabato. Its other aims were to restore peace and order, instill political advancement and spark social awakening.
So that the time between 1914 and 1937 was a period of preparation, assimilation transition and initial progress under the American rule. It was during this period that immigrants from Luzon and the Visayas began to open the vast and fertile lands of South Cotabato , then comprising the municipalities of Koronadal, Buayan, Glan, Kiamba and Libak. Immigration of noticeable proportion started in 1914 and from then on a steadily increasing flow of immigrants was being felt all over the southern part of Cotabato province, reaching its peak in the later part of the 1930's when it suddenly stopped at the outbreak of World War II and only to rise again in tremendous proportion in the 1950's.
The first batch of Christian settlers came to the province in 1914 and started clearing the area of what is now Glan right along the Sarangani Bay . They were hardy settlers comprising mostly of Cebuanos and were led by the late Tranquilino Ruiz, Sr. The municipality of Glan where they first settled and which begun as Colony No. 9 of the colonization project of the government in October, 1914 is a living monument to the labor and hardship suffered by these settlers.
In March 9, 1920 , the first batch of Ilocano settlers landed at Kalaong, Kiamba. They were brought here by the steamer " Tablas " with the late Crisanto Hidalgo of San Fernando , La Union as their leader. The settlers were courageous pioneers who brought along their wives and children to find new homes in the wilderness in the coastal plains of South Cotabato . Another batch came on the return trip of the sluggish " Tablas ".
Also along Sarangani Bay, on February 27, 1939, pioneers mostly coming from Luzon led by the late General Paulino Santos after whom the bustling city of General Santos was named, arrived and laid the foundation of what was to become a progressive province. These pioneers cultivated the vast fertile valley and when news of their success in farming reached the ears of the landless in Central Luzon and the Visayas, an exodus of settlers soon poured into the virgin land. These were the people, who were longing for a place in the sun and seeking a piece of land they can call their own, uprooted themselves from their home of origin to brave the unknown jungle of South Cotabato in the hope of achieving progress in life. The pioneers struck deeper into the hinterland aided by the now defunct Land Settlement and Development Corporation (LASEDECO) formerly the National Land Settlement Administration, created by Commonwealth Act No. 441 in June 3, 1939, blazing the trail as far as Koronadal Valley in the north and Allah Valley in the northwest. And year-in and year-out, they toiled as they have never toiled before, clearing the forest, breaking the soil and planting - doing all these in the face of tremendous odds like malaria, poor communication and the lack of transportation.
Nature, however, was kind. In return for the settler's fortitude and industry, rain fell abundantly in the farm, giving rise to a production of palay of at least two crops a year. The soil in the newly opened settlement was too rich that one was said to have uttered the remark, " You throw a seed into the field and nature will take care of the rest.", that is to say, weather and soil condition were so ideal for agriculture that almost anything could be planted with little need of assistance. Nature itself took care of the crops.
Thousands upon thousands more of settlers streamed into the province and opened new vistas of agricultural lands including the mountains. And, like other people anywhere they formed communities patterned after those in the old homes. Thus, one will find towns today predominantly occupied either by the Ilongos or Ilocanos, etc, and nostalgia creeping into their senses, they called their new communities after those names long prevailing in their old homes.
When World War II broke out, the flow of immigrants halted. Even then, the pioneering settlers were far luckier than their brothers who stayed put in Luzon and the Visayas because the pioneers did not encounter as much hardships as their "paisanos" at home. After the Japanese occupation, when things returned to normal, a steadier flow of settlers into the province begun and new lands and communities were opened serving as the nuclei of the 18 municipalities in the province.
In the early 1950's, however, disaster almost broke the spirit of the settlers with the appearance of a rat infestation, which almost destroyed their crops totally. Destitute settlers, who saw the crops overrun by rodents and the fruits of their labor go to waste, gave up and returned to their old homes. Most of the settlers, however, persevered and through the timely assistance of government agencies, recovered from their misfortune as the danger posed by the infestation was minimized.
On the political side, as the population swelled in the southern part of the province, a louder voice arose in the management of local government. As a result, more municipalities were created and people began to have more say in the running of the provincial government, which until then, had always been under the control of those living in the northern part of the mother province.
Because they felt they were not adequately represented in the local government, the people of South Cotabato , then part of Cotabato province, made countless appeals and petitions to the government to separate from the mother province and to enable themselves to run their own affairs in their own territory. Republic Act No. 4849, passed and approved on July 18, 1966 , separated South Cotabato from its mother province. But it was not until the regular election on November, 1967 did South Cotabato elect its first set of officials and not until the beginning of the year 1968 did it function as a regular province. It had only 11 municipalities then with Koronadal as the capital town.
Since then, the province progressed tremendously. Under the able leadership of Governor Sergio B. Morales, the first elected governor who had served the province for nearly 20 years, South Cotabato was transformed into a new bustling province. It started as a first class province but with practically nothing in terms of basic facilities, such as buildings to house the national and provincial offices and equipments and vehicles to facilitate governmental functions. Within a span of four years however, the province was able to provide facilities to provincial and national offices, build a capitol building, a provincial hospital, and equipped its motor pool with heavy equipments and vehicles. The province was also able to undertake massive infrastructure programs particularly on roads, buildings, water systems, and electrification.
Years following South Cotabato 's separation from its mother province ushered in big investment coming from elsewhere in the country and from foreign sources. Highly mechanized farming came of age. Investors tapped other potentials in the area. Ranches and piggeries have been developed. Fishery projects gained grounds in both domestic and foreign markets. Other large, medium and small-scale industries were well rooted. All of these paved the way for a sophisticated system of trade and industry in the province.
With the consequence brought about by the EDSA revolution the political situation nationwide had called for a change of leadership to which South Cotabato was not exempt. In March 1986, a new set of provincial officials headed by Ismael D. Sueno were appointed into office by Her Excellency, Corazon C. Aquino, the new President of the Philippines .
Under his administration, Gov. Sueno continued the on-going programs and projects formulated by the previous administration but he also came up with a blueprint and innovative strategies to further develop the province. He immediately launched programs directly addressed to the critical concerns of the province - the threatening ecological imbalance and lack of livelihood opportunities in the upland and remote barangays. The imposition of total logging ban produced hue and cry fueled by disgruntled loggers. The uproar, however, died out while "save-the-forest" movement and reforestation campaign gained momentum.
The convincing victory of Governor Sueno in the 1988 local elections assured the realization of his vision for South Cotabato . He vigorously pursued reforestation and environmental programs integrated with livelihood projects. Associations and cooperatives were organized or strengthened. People-based enterprises were given top priorities. His programs to accelerate economic growth were clearly anchored on building a strong social infrastructure.
The May 1992 local and national elections added another luster to the political history of the province and brought in novel dimension to its development perspective. With two young political leaders, in succession, at the helm of local governance, the province saw new surge towards stability and economic prosperity.
Another set of provincial officials led by former OIC Mayor of Koronadal and 2nd Congressional District Representative Hilario L. de Pedro III took over the reins of the provincial government. Fresh from his stint in Congress capped by the authorship of the Local Government Code of 1991 in the House of Representatives, Gov. de Pedro brought along not only a bright hope but also a new tack in ensuring that basic government services reach the people in the barangay on time. His ascent to the top of the political leadership of the province opened an opportunity for putting into action the true principle of local government decentralization, that is, for the barangays to cease to be passive recipients of "development" but for them to play a central role in the decision-making process for their socio-economic advancement.
In 1992, South Cotabato gave birth to a new province. Seven towns in the southern and coastal section of the province now form part of the Province of Sarangani . That was a new challenge. And South Cotabateños , with their indomitable pioneering spirit have proven once more their ability to face and hurdle diverse challenges and ably went through with the demands of times.
Then on June 30, 2001 , another young and dynamic political leader assumed the provincial leadership. The first woman in South Cotabato to be elected to the top rein of provincial leadership, Gov. Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes hopes to transform the government bureaucracy into an efficient, effective and mainstream vehicle for development. She also puts emphasis on its social services program (education, health, social welfare and nutrition) as well as productivity enhancement approach for the agricultural sector with improved delivery of both social and economic services through a better infrastructure network. Likewise, an ultimate increase in revenue through income generation strategies is given primordial concern by her administration to realize her aspirations for the province. These she hopes to achieve utilizing her vast experience as a legislator which began when she was elected as senior board member of the province in the year 1988 and then followed by her nine year stint in the House of Representatives representing the 2 nd Congressional District of South Cotabato from the period 1992-2001.
South Cotabato sparks new interest having emerged as the favorite venue for conventions and big events of national significance like the National Secondary School Press Conference in 1994, the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 and the 9 th Mindanao Business Conference to name a few.
Several important events that follows contribute greatly to the progress and development in the province wherein under Executive Order No. 429 dated October 12, 1990 under the presidency of Her Excellency Corazon C. Aquino, the Reorganization of the New Administrative Regions in Mindanao provides that the regional center in Region XII will be the Municipality of Koronadal . The evolution continues but has been stalled due to some legal impediments until the reconfiguration of the new administrative regions in Mindanao occurs in Executive Order No. 36 dated September 19, 2001 under the new administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Furthermore, the conversion of its capital town of Koronadal to a component city to be known as the City of Koronadal under Republic Act. No. 8803 on August 16, 2000 and after a referendum it functions as such on October 8, 2000 further pushes the province to greater heights.
The new millennium ushers in a new beginning for the province with the coming in of regional offices in the area in consonance with the executive order having the city as the regional center in Region XII and several launching activities marking its role as the region's center.
In only four decades since its provincehood. South Cotabato has already surpassed dozens of provinces established half a century ahead in almost every aspect of development. In a short span, it became one of the leading provinces in Mindanao . What it got to show today are vivid results of human synergy and the richness of its resources.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Koronadal An Overview
Koronadal became a component city in 2000. By virtue of Executive Order No. 304, dated March 30, 2004, Koronadal City became the regional center of the SOCCSKSARGEN region. In 2007, it was recognized "Most Competitive City" in the small-city category.
The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B'laan words- koron or kolon meaning cogon grass and nadal or datal meaning plain which aptly described the place to the natives. On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a B'laan term "Marb-El" which means "murky waters" referring to a river, now called Marbel River.
Koronadal used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'Boli to the southeast.
On August 18, 1947, President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of South Cotabato, one of which was Koronadal. The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials.
The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000.00. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T'Boli, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan.
Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement.
Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato now known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000.
Brief History
The settlement of Koronadal and its creation as a municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 82 dated August 18, 1947 was marked by a rapid initial development, so that when the province of South Cotabato was created under Republic Act No. 4849 on July 18, 1966, it easily became the capital town. In the past, the place was populated by B'laans and Maguindanaos. The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B'laan words- koron or kolon meaning cogon grass and nadal or datal meaning plain which optly described the place to the natives. On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a B'laan term "Marb-El" which means "murky waters" (it is possible that name was first used to) referring to a river, now called Marbel River.
Koronadal used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'Boli to the southeast. It was in August 18, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of South Cotabato, one of which was Koronadal. The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials. Elected were Datu Kudanding Kamsa, Municipal Mayor, Perfecto Sueno Sr., Vice Mayor; Councilors: Porferio Cuenca, Felix Suscano, Alejandro Poticar, Gregorio Hechanova, Zacarias Cadule, and Dencio Sarate. The first Municipal Judge was Braulio Hurtado and the first Health Officer was Dr. Felimon de Jesus, Cornelio Mariveles became the Chief of Police and Godofredo Gazo, the Municipal Secretary.
The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000.00. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T'Boli, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan. Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement. Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato now known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000.
At present, Koronadal is a fast developing growth center composed of twenty seven (27) barangays including the four (4) zones in the poblacion. Being the capital town of South Cotabato, it is the center of the province in terms of political, cultural and socio-economic activities. Business firms and other establishments sprout in Koronadal. Identified also as the Provincial Agri-industrial Center of South Cotabato. Koronadal boasts of its favorable geographical location, rich human and natural resources, and potentials conducive for trade business and industry.
The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B'laan words- koron or kolon meaning cogon grass and nadal or datal meaning plain which aptly described the place to the natives. On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a B'laan term "Marb-El" which means "murky waters" referring to a river, now called Marbel River.
Koronadal used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'Boli to the southeast.
On August 18, 1947, President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of South Cotabato, one of which was Koronadal. The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials.
The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000.00. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T'Boli, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan.
Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement.
Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato now known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000.
Brief History
The settlement of Koronadal and its creation as a municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 82 dated August 18, 1947 was marked by a rapid initial development, so that when the province of South Cotabato was created under Republic Act No. 4849 on July 18, 1966, it easily became the capital town. In the past, the place was populated by B'laans and Maguindanaos. The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B'laan words- koron or kolon meaning cogon grass and nadal or datal meaning plain which optly described the place to the natives. On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a B'laan term "Marb-El" which means "murky waters" (it is possible that name was first used to) referring to a river, now called Marbel River.
Koronadal used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'Boli to the southeast. It was in August 18, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of South Cotabato, one of which was Koronadal. The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials. Elected were Datu Kudanding Kamsa, Municipal Mayor, Perfecto Sueno Sr., Vice Mayor; Councilors: Porferio Cuenca, Felix Suscano, Alejandro Poticar, Gregorio Hechanova, Zacarias Cadule, and Dencio Sarate. The first Municipal Judge was Braulio Hurtado and the first Health Officer was Dr. Felimon de Jesus, Cornelio Mariveles became the Chief of Police and Godofredo Gazo, the Municipal Secretary.
The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000.00. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T'Boli, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan. Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement. Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato now known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000.
At present, Koronadal is a fast developing growth center composed of twenty seven (27) barangays including the four (4) zones in the poblacion. Being the capital town of South Cotabato, it is the center of the province in terms of political, cultural and socio-economic activities. Business firms and other establishments sprout in Koronadal. Identified also as the Provincial Agri-industrial Center of South Cotabato. Koronadal boasts of its favorable geographical location, rich human and natural resources, and potentials conducive for trade business and industry.