Soccsksargen

Soccsksargen (officially stylized in all caps;^[3] [sokˈsardʒɛn]), formerly known as Central Mindanao, is an administrative region of the Philippines, designated as Region XII. Located in south-central Mindanao, its name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one highly urbanized city (South Cotabato or Cotabato del Sur, Cotabato del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos). The regional center is in Koronadal, located in the province of Cotabato del Sur, and the center of commerce and industry is General Santos, which is the most populous city in the region.

Soccsksargen Region XII (Central Mindanao)
Region
Left to right, top to bottom: Sarangani Bay; shoreline of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; Asik-Asik Falls in Alamada, North Cotabato; Lake Sebu; and General Santos, the Commerce and Industrial Center of Region 12
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Coordinates: 6°30′N 124°51′E
Country	Philippines
Island group	Mindanao
Regional center	Cotabato City (until 2004) Koronadal (since 2004)
Largest city	General Santos
Area
• Total	22,513.30 km2 (8,692.43 sq mi)
Highest elevation (Mount Apo)	2,450 m (8,040 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[1]
• Total	4,360,974
• Density	190/km2 (500/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ISO 3166 code	PH-12
Provinces	4 Cotabato del Norte Cotabato del Sur Sarangani Sultan Kudarat
Independent cities	1 General Santos
Component cities	3 Kidapawan Koronadal Tacurong
Municipalities	45
Barangays	1,132
Cong. districts	8
Languages	Hiligaynon Maguindanaon Cebuano Iranun Sarangani Tboli Blaan Dulangan Manobo Obo Tagabawa Teduray Ilianen Karay-a Ilocano Tagalog/Filipino English
GDP (2023)	₱620.38 billion $11.15 billion[2]
Growth rate	(3.5%)[2]
HDI	0.685 (Medium)
HDI rank	14th in the Philippines (2019)

Geography

The region is bounded on the north by the province of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao, on the east by the Davao Region, on the northwest and west by the Bangsamoro region, and on the southwest by the Celebes Sea. The region also shares a maritime border with Gorontalo and North Sulawesi provinces of Indonesia.

The region has extensive coastlines, valleys and mountain ranges. Known for its river system, the region is the drainage basin of Mindanao, particularly at the Cotabato Basin, a large depression surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides.^[4][5] Within the basin runs the Rio Grande de Mindanao, the longest river in Mindanao and the second longest in the Philippines. The river empties into Illana Bay of the larger Moro Gulf to the west of Cotabato City.

At the south of the basin lie the Tiruray Highlands, a moderately high mountain range blocking the basin from the southern coastline.^[4] Southeast of the mountains lies Sarangani Bay.

Administrative divisions

Map of Region XII

Provinces

Soccsksargen comprises 4 provinces, 1 highly urbanized city, 3 component cities, 45 municipalities and 1,195 barangays.

Province or City		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	1,132 [10][11]
†  General Santos is a highly urbanized city; figures are excluded from South Cotabato. Figures exclude the 63 barangays under the Special Geographic Area, which are geographically situated in Cotabato but under the administration of Bangsamoro.

Governors and vice governors

Province	Image	Governor	Political Party		Vice Governor
Cotabato		Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza		Nacionalista	Efren Piñol
Sarangani		Rogelio Pacquiao		PCM	Elmer de Peralta
South Cotabato		Reynaldo Tamayo Jr.		PFP	Arthur Yusay Pingoy
Sultan Kudarat		Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu		Lakas	Raden Camlian Sakaluran

Cities

Component cities

• Kidapawan — the only city of Cotabato province
• † Koronadal — the political regional center of Soccsksargen
• Tacurong — only city of Sultan Kudarat

Highly urbanized city

• General Santos — a highly urbanized city, it serves as the center of the Metropolitan and Regional Center for trade and industry of Soccsksargen.

•  †  Regional center

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

History

The oldest civilization in the region is located in Maitum, Sarangani, where the Maitum 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 the middle of the 14th century to 1905, the Sultanate of Buayan dominated the Soccsksargen region, influencing the local datus in the area as well as having General Santos City under its direct control as a port.

Central Mindanao

The region used to be named Central Mindanao. Prior to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), it comprised the following provinces:

• Maguindanao
• North Cotabato
• Sultan Kudarat
• Lanao del Norte
• Lanao del Sur

With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao (excluding Cotabato City), and Sultan Kudarat were removed from the region, leaving Lanao del Norte and Cotabato, and Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato City as constituent provinces and cities.^[13] Lanao del Norte and Iligan were later transferred to Northern Mindanao, 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]

Soccsksargen

In September 2001, Executive Order No. 36 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo transferring South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos (also known as the SocSarGen District), from Southern Mindanao to Region XII, and renaming the region, from Central Mindanao, to Soccsksargen.^[3][15]

Koronadal as new regional center

By virtue of Executive Order No. 304 signed by then President Gloria 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 from Cotabato City, the former regional center of the region.

Special Cotabato barangays and Cotabato City exit

Traditionally resisting efforts for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite serving as the government center of the ARMM, the January 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 the Bangsamoro 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.

Demographics

Population census of Soccsksargen

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 34,729 —     1918 67,561 +4.54% 1939 124,035 +2.94% 1948 147,037 +1.91% 1960 567,032 +11.90%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1970 1,125,779 +7.09% 1975 1,297,981 +2.90% 1980 1,638,856 +4.77% 1990 2,272,888 +3.33% 1995 2,700,187 +3.28%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2000 3,058,320 +2.71% 2007 3,571,347 +2.16% 2010 3,837,785 +2.65% 2015 4,245,838 +1.94% 2020 4,360,974 +0.53%
Data includes Cotabato City, which is now part of Bangsamoro. Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[1]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Soccsksargen

10 20 30 40 50 2006 37.90 2009 38.31 2012 44.74 2015 38.15 2018 28.23 2021 21.40 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

2 storey bridge connecting KCC mall of Gensan and Veranza mall

The region contributes to the national GDP with 2.6% with 5% growth compared to 2016. 18.3% of Mindanao 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]

Musical heritage

Maguindanaon Kulintang exhibited in Old Cotabato City Hall Museum

Further information: Kulintang

The artistic cultural heritage of the native Maguindanao people, among other regional groups—both Muslims and Catholics—revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music. Unique to the Soccsksargen, elements of kulintang may be loosely compared to Indonesia’s gamelan music, and other related traditional performance arts.

Government

• Cotabato – Gov. Nancy A. Catamco (PDP-Laban)
• South Cotabato – Gov. Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)
• Sultan Kudarat – Gov. Datu Suharto "Teng" T. Mangudadatu (NUP)
• Sarangani – Gov. Ruel D. Pacquiao (PCM)
• General Santos (HUC) – Mayor Lorelie "Lor" Pacquiao

Notable people

Main pages: Cotabato § Notable people, Sarangani § Notable people, South Cotabato § Notable people, General Santos § Notable personalities, and Category:People from General Santos

References

1. Census of Population (2015). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
2. "2021 to 2023 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)". openstat.psa.gov.ph. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
3. "Executive Order No. 36; Providing for the Reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao and for Other Purposes". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Malacañang, Manila, Philippines. September 19, 2001. Retrieved March 29, 2016. SECTION 4. Region XII is hereby reorganized to be known as SOCCSKSARGEN and shall be composed of the following provinces and cities: a. Provinces i. North Cotabato ii. Sarangani iii. South Cotabato iv. Sultan Kudarat b. Cities i. Cotabato City ii. General Santos City iii. Kidapawan City iv. Koronadal City v. Tacurong City
4. Wernstedt, Frederick L.; Spencer, Joseph Earl (1978). The Philippine Island World: A Physical, Cultural, and Regional Geography. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 32-37. ISBN 9780520035133. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
5. Hinz, Erhard (1985). Human Helminthiases in the Philippines the Epidemiological and Geomedical Situation. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. pp. 129–131. ISBN 9783642708411. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
6. Census of Population (2020). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
7. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
8. "List of Cities". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
9. Punzalan, Noel (November 20, 2019). "NoCot 'officially' turns over 63 villages to BARMM". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
10. Ropero, Gillan (December 15, 2020). "Cotabato City formally joins Bangsamoro gov't". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
11. Cabrera, Ferdinand H. (December 15, 2020). "Cotabato City now officially part of Bangsamoro region". GMA News. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
12. Zonio, Aquiles Z. (November 27, 2012). "Central Mindanao PH's top tax revenue generator next to Metro Manila". business.inquirer.net. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
13. "2000 Census of Population and Housing; Central Mindanao: Literacy Rate at 87 Percent". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 9, 2002. Retrieved March 29, 2016. 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.
14. "Republic Act No. 8744". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2023-11-16.
15. "Southern Mindanao Is Now All Davao Region". RDC XI Bulletin. No. Oct-Dec 2001, Volume 7. National Statistical Coordination Board. January 29, 2002. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016. 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.
16. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
17. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
18. "2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 8 February 2011.
19. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
20. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
21. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
22. "Updated Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population with Measures of Precision, by Region and Province: 2015 and 2018". Philippine Statistics Authority. 4 June 2020.
23. "2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
24. NEDA launches regional dev't plan in SOCCSKSARGEN. July 14, 2017.
25. "Soccsksargen coffee farmers top 2024 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition". Philippine Information Agency. June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.

External links

• Media related to Soccsksargen at Wikimedia Commons
• Soccsksargen travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Geographic data related to Soccsksargen at OpenStreetMap