Region 12:

SOCCSKSARGEN

SOC C SK SAR GEN

South Cotabato Cotabato

Sultan Kudarat

SaranganiGeneral Santos

GEOGRAPHY

SOCCSKSARGEN (pronounced

[sokˈsardʒɛn]) is a region of the

Philippines, located in

central Mindanao, and is

officially designated as

Region XII.

The name is an acronym that stands

for the region's four

provinces and one of its cities:

SouthCotabato, Cotabato,

Sultan Kudarat,

Sarangani and General Santos City.

The region is more formally

known by its older name

Central Mindanao.

The regional center is

Koronadal City located

in the province of

South Cotabato.

Cotabato City, though geographica

lly within the

boundaries of the

province of Maguindana

o, itself is part of

SOCCSKSARGEN, and is independent

of that province.

Region XII has

extensive coastlines, valleys and mountain ranges.

Known for its river

system, the region is the catch basin of

Mindanao. The system

is a rich source of

food,

potable water and

energy production. Cotabato contains the Rio

Grande de Mindanao,

which is the longest river in

Mindanao and the second

longest in the

Philippines.

With the addition of

South Cotabato

and Saranggani

or the (SocSarGen Province), transferred

from Southern

Mindanao, the region

was renamed as SOCCSKSAR

GEN.

The "Central

Mindanao" name lives

on as a description

to the provinces populated

by 65% Christians and 30%

Muslim and 5% other Filipinos.

THE PEOPLE AND

THEIR CULTURE

B’LAAN TRIBE

Among the many tribes in the

Philippines, the B’laans in

Sarangani and South Cotabato

are the most distinct in Region

XII as they significantly played major

historical roles in the evolution of several towns and barangays

within the locality that have been named with

B’laan origin.

The B’laans have

preserved their sacred

lands, keeping them

connected to the mother

earth, to their sacred sites in

Lamifew, Malandag, Malungon Sarangani: Melai Bolul,

Moleng, Bantay, and

Macao.

T’BOLI TRIBE

T’boli have their own story of

creation; they believed that

the world they lived, the trees, the rivers, lakes and mountains

has its own powerful being the Dwata/Mulu

(God). Based on the history, T’boli

are Proto-Malayan reserve and are found in

the in the

mountain ranges of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat Province. The Proto- Malay and the Malay were closely related to each other; their movement and cultural heritage are the topmost bases for the distinctions known between them.

T’bolis of that time were among the

lowlanders as “tagabili” and

the same derive from the word

“Tao bili” which means man

living in the hills in their own

native tongue. T’boli tribe

originated with two siblings

named Mamalu and Tabunaway.

T’BOLI TRIBE

Tabunaway was the princess of the tribe. She

decided to marry a sultan, she asked her

brother Mamalu to go for

hunting to provide her a

white deer “Uhu” for her

wedding. It was then said that Mamalu and Tabunaway were the

ancestors of T’boli tribe.

TEDURAY TRIBE

One can easily tell a Teduray

household in any community

because of the presence of their

traditional baskets.

Traditional basket is the

symbol of Teduray. It is a

lasting display of their artistry. The term for weaving

is “monom”, which includes

all kinds of woven

handicrafts.

Teduray people believe in katya (short prayer,

orasyon), murka (gaba),

endagiton (spirits/soul) and

supernatural powers. Teduray believed in the

existence of kuwek, busaw, fagad (kapre),

and alagasi (higante). Their

farming, planting and harvest

season is also affected by the formation of the

stars.

The appearance of these

stars signals the dawning of

easterly winds

dropping along the

way thorns.

This is one of the

identity of Teduray tribe.

MANOBO TRIBE

The Obo Manobo is just one ethnic

group among Manobos in North and West forest

of Cotabato Province and

Kidapawan City specifically in Mt.

Apo and the boundaries of Davao del Sur,

Bukidnon Province, Davao

City and Cotabato

Province in Mindanao, Philippines.

Manobo are gifted and

nature loving people

endowed with talents and strength to

make life not just a living.

They are remnants of the people

living during the age of

“survival of the fittest” when

Mindanao was once a vast

track of virgin forest.

The Obo-Manobo has a unique history and culture.

They have their own way of

living, justice system,

festivities, wedding

ceremonies that clarify the Datu

families and children from the slaves and

ordinary Manobo; burial

system,

sacred ground, agriculture practices, territorial

defense system, songs and

dances and rituals in all

activities and occasions

practiced even today, settling

conflicts among tribe members, and many other practices that

are still evident in the

predominantly Manobo

communities.

MAGUINDANAO TRIBE

Long before the arrival of Shariff

Kabunsuan (1475) and the discovery of the Philippines by

Magellan (1521), there were

people already living near the

mouth of Pulangi or

maguindanaon River and in the plains along its

upper the tributaries in

what is now Datu Piang.

In those days until now, the

Mindanao river

overflows its bank from

time to time, flooding the areas along

its bank up to its mouth.

These floodings are

termed “midsanao”

by the Maguindanao

ns.

Before the coming of the

spaniards, these people of the flooded plains

were characterized by strongly

kinship association headed by a

datu or sultan. The

Maguindanaon were modest in dress and soft

spoken(Stewart, 1977).

INDUSTRIES

South Cotabato

Tupi's climate and soil type

makes it suitable to all types of crop and livestock

production. Tupi aside from pineapple,

tropical fruits and vegetables is identified as suited for high-

value commercial

crops (HVCC) like asparagus and papaya.

Tupi is likewise identified as one of the areas in

the province well suited for poultry production. Tupi, which is basically

an agricultural municipality,

devotes 19% of its total land

area to agricultural production.

Major agricultural crops are pineapple, papaya,

asparagus, fruits,vegetabl

es, corn, coffee,

bananas, cut-flowers. .

Other high value

commercial products include

wood products and processed

food.

South Cotabato

The exports products are pineapple, asparagus, bottled fruit preserves,

and Bongolan Banana.

Koronadal boast of its favorable

geographical location, rich human and

natural resources,

and potentials

conductive for trade business and Industry.

Koronadal is now an

important hub of commercial, industry and other socio-economic

activities. It enjoys the

distinction of having been

identified as the Agri-industrial Center of the

Province of South Cotabato, which made it a lead center for industrialization

, acting as catalyst for

development particularly in

the second district of South

Cotabato.Koronadal,

primarily an agri-production

area, prides itself of its agri-

based resources.

South Cotabato

The stable peace and order condition provides a favorable climate for more investment.

South Cotabato

Cotabato City, historically, during its heyday as the

capital of the Maguindanao Sultanate, has been the most economically

prosperous city in the island of Mindanao. Its prosperity has

been taken away by civil internal

strife beginning in the 1970s.

However, once it became part of

SOCCSKSARGEN region in the

1990s, its economy began a

radical economic recovery.

As of now, the city currently serves as the

center for economic support activities, trade

and finance, education and other support

services such as social, physical,

cultural and other basic services of

Central Mindanao. It is

now struggling to gain its lost glory.

Cotabato

Sultan Kudarat

The industry of Sultan Kudarat is predominantly agricultural. With a large agricultural potential, the output consists of practically all types of crops grown in the country, including rice, corn, beef, coffee, and vegetables.

The province is self-sufficient in poultry, swine, and root crops, and is one of the few producers of Irish potatoes in the Philippines. The southern Philippines Grain Complex in Tacurong is the largest grains-processing complex in the country. There are more than 200 rice mills in the province.

Fishing is an expanding

industry. Tuna caught along the coasts along the Celebes Sea are

exported to Japan and Europe.

Other economic activities include

cottage industries, which

include crafts made of rattan and other types

of wood.

Sultan Kudarat

Sarangani

Coconut, corn, rice, banana,

mango, durian, rubber, and

sugarcane are just some of the major crops now

being planted by the

Sarangans. Other

possibilities lie in a wide range of commercial

choices: industrial

plantations (mango, abaca, coffee, rubber, and rattan),

agro-forestry (high-value crops), light manufacturing and processing facilities, real estate and housing, tourism, beach resorts, hotels and restaurants, recreational facilities, port zone development, milling plants, fruit production, processing of canned fruits and

Sarangani

vegetables, production of ornamental plants, furniture, trading, telecommunications, mining, and aquaculture.Sarangani’s favorable investment climate is manifested by the large plantations (mango, banana, pineapple, asparagus), cattle ranches, and commercial

fishponds that have been operating in the area, some of which having existed as far back as 40 years.

General Santos

Agro-industry: Endowed with

rich volcanic soil, ample and well

distributed rainfall all

throughout the year and a

typhoon-free climate, General

Santos City produces export

quality high valued crops such as corn,

coconut, pineapple, asparagus,

banana and rice. It also yields quality exotic

fruits, vegetables and cut flowers.

The city is also a top producer and exporter of quality livestock such as poultry, hogs, and cattle. But with the continuing growth in population and economy in the passing of time, a number of the city's agricultural lands have gradually been converted

into built up areas in order to address the relatively growing need of dwelling and viable spaces.Fishing industry: General Santos City is the largest producer of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. Thus in as early as 1970, the title "Tuna Capital of the

Philippines" has become a tag to it. GenSan also accounts for the second largest daily total catch of fish in the country after Navotas City in the National Capital Region. Locals in the city boast that fishes and sea foods do not come fresher than what is found in their locality.

HISTORICAL SITES/

CULTURAL SITES/

NATURAL SITES

South Cotabato

• Lake Sebu

• Lake Sebu as seen from Punta Isla

A natural lake and

one of the country’s

most important

watersheds

Cotabato

• Mt. Apo

The biggest mountai

n in the

Philippines.

Cotabato

• Asik Asik Falls This spring

falls is very amazing

because there is no stream above the hill

where the water comes. The water is

springing from the rocks.

Cotabato

• Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto and Tamontaka Church

Our Lady of Lourdes is a

venerated title of the Blessed

Virgin Mary invoked by the Roman Catholic in honor of the

Marian Apparition.

The first church that was built along the banks of

Tamontaka river.

Cotabato

• Grand Mosque in Cotabato City The rising

star of Cotabato City

is undoubtedly the gorgeous

Grand Mosque

Muslim also known as

Sultan Hadji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid.

Sultan Kudarat

• Statue of Sultan Kudarat

A brave Filipino hero who hails from

Mindanao.

Sultan Kudarat

• Baras Bird Sanctuary

The most visited site

in Tacurong, the Baras

Bird Sanctuary is truly a humbling

experience.

Sarangani

• Ayub Cave

 Anthropomorphic

secondary burial jars

were found. 

Sarangani

• Maitum water Tubing

(Whitewater Tubing)

Water rafting in Maitum

Sarangani Province

Sarangani

• La Isla Parilla

A resort strictly for the family

and friends.

Sarangani

• Tuka Marine Park

A protected

area where

fishing is banned.

Sarangani

• Lemlunay Diving Resort

The best-kept

secret of diving

enthusiasts.

Sarangani

• Gumasa Beach

Touted as the “Boracay of Mindanao.”

General Santos

• Nopol Hills

Nopol Hill is a peak.

General Santos

• Kalaja Cave

The cave was resurgence in nature which

means a volume of water is

coming out from the

cave mouth.

Presented by:

Loyola Bernardine U. Collado

(BEED III-B)of

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN PHILIPPINES

(Tamag, Vigan City)