Tuesday 25 September 2012


Sultan Kudarat is a province of the Philippines which is located in the southern part of Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by North Cotabato and Maguindanao, on the east by Davao Del Sur, on the south by South Cotabato and Sarangani, and on the west by Mindanao Sea. Mountains dominate the western landscape while the eastern part is mostly flat, being a part of the vast central plain of Mindanao. The climate of the southern part is characterized by rainfall which is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year while the rest of the province experience seasons that are not very pronounced, relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Sultan Kudarat Provincial Capitol
Economic Profile, Products and industries
Agricultural production of Sultan Kudarat in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)
Product
Metric Ton
Rank
Palay
400
12
Corn
177
10
Banana
28
34
Mango
2.5
40
Coconut
148
33
Fish
35
33
Animal inventory of Sultan Kudarat in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand, rank among 79 provinces)
Chicken
921
42
Hog
132
34
Cattle
38
22
Source: NSCB
In 2007, 27 banks were operating in the province with rotal deposits of 2.6 billion pesos. Proverty incidence stood at 47.4% way above the national average of 32.9%.
The natural resources of Sultan Kudarat is yet to be fully exploited for the benefit of its people. Its fertile agricultural lands coupled with good typhoon-free climate is ideal for high value commercial crops such as rubber, cacao, coffee, sweet corn, other fruits and vegetables. Goat and cattle raising and processing of halal foods have great potential not only for domestic consumption but also for export. Its forested mountains can provide rawmaterials for furniture and pulp and paper industries. The province has rivers that can be developed to generate electricity and provide waters for irrigation. It has great tourism sites that are yet to be explored. Its central location in the south-central Mindanao makes it an ideal location for agro-industrial plants such as feedmills, meat packing plants, andfruit and vegetable processing factories.
Geography
The province is located on the southwestern part of the island of Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato, on the south by South Cotabato, on the east by Davao del Sur, and on the west by the Celebes Sea.

Political Subdivision
Sultan Kudarat consists of twelve municipalities: the coastal towns of Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang, and the inland municipalities of Bagumbayanm Columbio, Esperanza, Isulan, Lutayan, Lambayong, President Quirino, Tacurong, and the newly created municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino. In terms of land area, Bagumbayan is the largest municipality while Tacurong is the smallest. Growth centers are Lebak, Isulan, and Tacurong which is highly urbanized and is considered to be the commercial center of the province.

Population
The province has a total population of 586,505 as of 2000 census.

Language/Dialects
The 2000 census of population showed a total of 84 dialects spoken in the province. The major dialects are Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Maguindanao, Ilocano, Cebuano, and Manobo.

Climate
Sultan Kudarat falls under the type B climate characterized by a short dry season of one to three months and with an average of 92.78 millimeters of rainfall every month. The province has an advantage over other provinces since it is free from typhoons and the rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.

Industries
Sultan Kudarat is predominantly and extensively agricultural. Endowed with a rich and vast agriculture potential, the province raises practically all kinds of crops grown in the country. It has a marketable surplus of rice, corn, beef, coffee, and vegetables. It is self-sufficient in poultry, swine, and root crops. It has the widest compact area and is included in the yellow corn export zone.

Fishing, whether marine, brackish water, or fresh water, is a fast growing industry. High-quality tuna catch in the so-called Sultan Kudarat tuna sanctuary along the shores of Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang are exported to Japan and Europe. There are 482 hectares of existing brackish water and fresh water fishponds which supply more than sufficiently the local needs of the populace.

Other important economic activities are cottage industries such as rattan and woodcrafts. Industrial establishments include logging, grains complex, african oil palm extraction plant, feedmill, rice bran oil extraction plant and refinery.

Sultan Kudarat is named after the great ruler of Mindanao and Sulu in the 17th century. It is but a path of strong typhoons and destructive floods, but rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.
Sultan Kudarat was formerly a part of the old but sprawling province of Cotabato. During the Spanish period, it was heavily forested and undeveloped. Not until the American colonization period did the Visayan settlers come in droves to live in the province, especially in the town of Isulan and the barrios of Tacurong and Lebak.
Sultan Kudarat is considered a "green thumb" due to its numerous vegetables and fruits. It has also made a name for itself as a big food producer and a leader in rural development.
Sultan Kudarat is bounded on the north by North Cotabato and Maguindanao, on the west by Moro Gulf, South Cotabato on east, and Mindanao Sea on the south.
Sultan Kudarat was created from Cotabato on November 12, 1973 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 341.
Climate. The climate in Sultan Kudarat is characterized by a more or less even distribution of rainfall throughout the year. The annual average rainfall in this province is 34.45 inches.
The temperature is comfortable, the heat being tempered by cooling breezes and rain. The average temperature ranges from 16.9 Centigrade to 27 Centigrade. The hottest months are from March to June and the coldest are the months of December and January.
People. The area now occupied by Sultan Kudarat was well established settlement before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines. It is home to the Muslim Maguindanaos or "People of the Foot Plains"; so called because of the rich fertile river valley where it settled. Other major tribes which have settled in the area are the Muslim Iranons, the animistic Tirurays, and the Manobos.
Islam came to the Maguindanaons and the Iranuns through the Muslim missionary and military efforts of the Sharif Mohammed Kabungsuan, who founded the Sultanate of Maguindanao at the end of the 15th century.
The most famous and perhaps the greatest ruler to rise among the Maguindanaons was Sultan Mohammed Dipatuan Kudarat. Sultan Kudarat, after whom the highest decoration bestowed by the Republic of the Philippines has been named, assumed power over the Maguindanao in 1619. By 1627, Sultan Kudarat had accumulated enough strength and power to command a combined force of Maguindanao and Sulu warriors to control most of Mindanao and some areas in the Visayan islands.
Sultan Kudarat had many bloody clashes with the Spaniards who were then extending their rule to the Visayas and Mindanao from Luzon. He registered many victories over the Spaniards and although he also suffered defeats his Sultanate was never conquered. It was Sultan Kudarat who forced the Spaniards to abandon the newly established Christian settlements in Sibugay, Basilan and Simuay in 1644. in 1645 the Spaniards sued for peace and Sultan Kudarat forged a peace treaty with the Spaniards.
At the height of his power in the mid-seventeenth century, Sultan Kudarat not only ruled over most of Mindanao but also extended his power and influence up to the northern coast of Borneo.
Today, the Maguindanaons numbering more than 55,000 constitute one of the largest groups among the Muslims. Most of them live in the area now occupied by the three provinces of the old Cotabato. Although still in great number, the Maguindanaons and other minorities like the Iranons, Tirurays, and Manobos are now outnumbered by Christian migrants from the Visayas and from Luzon.
Language / dialect. Maguindanaon, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Cebuano, and Tiruray are the five major languages / dialects prevailing in Sultan Kudarat in their respective ranking order.
Political subdivisions. The province of Sultan Kudarat comprises the old municipalities of Tacurong, Isulan, Lutayan, Bagumbaran, Kalamansig, Lebak, Columbia, Palimbang, and the new towns of President Quirino, Mariano Marcos, and Esperanza.
Major industries. The soil in Sultan Kudarat is one of the richest and most fertile in the Philippines. The rich river basins of the area have made it a top producer of rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables and fruits. It is also one of the few producers of Irish potato in the country. The major commercial crops grown are coconut, sugarcane, abaca, coffe, cotton, tobacco (native and Virginia), and the ramie of which the region is the top producer in the Philippines. There are also a number of rubber plantations operating in the area. Different kinds of orchids, specially the rare Waling-Waling, are found in the forests.
Rubber manufacturing, poultry, hog raising and commercial fishing are also major industries of the province.
No commerical extraction of metallic minerals is done in the area. Surveys have shown that the only metallic mineral found int the province of Sultan Kudaratis copper. The non-metallic reserves of Sultan Kudarat consist of sand, gravel, stones, cobbles, boulders, crushed coral rocks and clay.
Most of the manufacturing firms operating in the province are engaged in the manufacture and processing of agricultural products. Aside from veneer and plywood factories, there are corn starch mills, rice and corn mills, and the rubber plantations which operate a processing plant turning raw rubber into latex.
A former empire province of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat was named after a Muslim ruler Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat who reigned from 1625 to 1671 A.D. it became a separate province only after the declaration of P.D. No. 341 in November 22, 1973.

 Situated between the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato City to the north, South Cotabato and Sarangani to the South, Davao del Sur on the east, and the Celebes Sea to the west, the province of Sultan Kudarat is composed of eleven (11) municipalities, eight (8) inland subdivisions three(3) coastal areas and one component city.

 Sultan Kudarat is one of the provinces in Mindanao of diverse cultural groups as with its neighbouring cities and provinces. Among these ethnic groups are the Ilonggos, which comprise almost half of the total settlers, the Ilocanos, the Cebuanos, the Ata Manobos, and the Maguindanaons.

 The Cradle of Natural Resources

      With a land area of 5,135.30 square kilometer, the province’s geographical formations ranges from flat and undulating to rolling and mountainous, more than fifty(50) percent of these are forest lands.  

     The province is also found to have several mineral deposits among its tapped and untapped natural resources: copper, iron, core, silver, chromium, zinc and gold. It cradles sixteen (16) known big rivers, two of which have been identified as possible sources of power (Tran and Lebak rivers). It also has 23 large creeks; springs and waterfalls; lakes and several marsh lands.

 With the type of climate and its land area, the province’s major economic activities are mainly agricultural. Poultry and livestock raising, trading and furniture making are just some of its settlers’ means of livelihood. With these, the province is known to produce rice, corn, coconut, African palm and coffee as its major crops.

 Fishing Industry in the grow
     
      This province has its potential in fishing still in the offing. Three of its coastal municipalities have been found to be tuna sanctuaries along the shores and it has also 820.365 hectares of brackish water and fresh water ponds.

      This province is typhoon-free. It is blessed with a rich and vast tract of agricultural land suitable for rice, corn, coffee, African palm and fruit trees production. It has a rich fishing ground, a large potential for fishing industry and potential area for increased trading and commercial activities.

 Quick Facts of Sultan Kudarat
      Capital:    Isulan
      Area:    5,135.30 sq km
      Population:    586,505 (Year 2000 Census)
      Average Population
      Growth Rate:   2.52%
      Average Annual
      Family Income (1994):  PhP 61,134.00
      Labor Force (1997):   194,000
      Employment (1997) :  185,000
     No. Of Cities:    1
     No. Of Municipalities:   11     Travel and Tourism

  Certain natural sights and scenery of the province are enhanced to serve as tourist destinations. The following municipalities have these spots to behold:
• Bagumbayan – Pitot Cave, Bamban Falls
• Columbio – Hot and Cold Spring, Datalblao Cave
• Esperanza – Mambucal Hot and Cold Spring at Marguez
• Isulan – Lagandang Hot/Sulphur Spring
• Kalamansig – Sulphuric Hot Spring at Simsiman, Burial Urns, White Sand Beaches, Home of Tuna Fish and Bangus Fries.
• Lambayong – LAMRIS Dam
• Lebak – Sodoy Beach, Nuling Hot Spring
• Lutayan – Lake Buluan
• Palimbang – Alidama Island, Seven Lakes
• Sen. Ninoy Aquino – Burial Ums, Nati Spring, Kipulao Falls, Paradise Cave, Tinalon Cave and Resort, Labasan Cave, Maetas Cave. 
• Tacurong City – Baras Bird Sanctuary, SPGC Grains Complex, New Carmen Boy Scout Camp.

Bagumbayan is a 3rd class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. It is known for its gold and copper deposits. Recently, Super Green Agricultural Developers Corporation (Sugadco) has presented plans in developing a 256-hectare banana plantation in Brangay Kinayao, Bagumbayan.

Bagumbayan is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.


·         Bai Sarifinang
·         Biwang
·         Busok
·         Chua
·         Daguma
·         Daluga
·         Kabulanan
·         Kanulay
·         Kapaya
·         Kinayao
·         Masiag
·         Monteverde
·         Poblacion
·         Santo Niño
·         Sison
·         South Sepaka
·         Sumilil
·         Titulok
·         Tuka
 Columbio is a 2nd class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. As of the 2000 census, Columbio has a population of 21,698 people living in 4,290 households.

Ethnic groups like the Ilocanos, Ilonggos, B'laan, and Maguindanaon are known to inhabit the municipality.

Columbio is subdivided into 16 barangays.


·         Bantangan (Lasak)
·         Datablao
·         Eday
·         Elbebe
·         Lasak
·         Libertad
·         Lomoyon
·         Makat (Sumali Pas)
·         Maligaya
·         Mayo
·         Natividad
·         Poblacion
·         Polomolok
·         Sinapulan
·         Sucob
·         Telafas
 Esperanza is a 3rd class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. As of the 2000 census, Esperanza has a population of 47,578 people living in 9,598 hosueholds.

Esperanza is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.


·         Ala
·         Daladap
·         Dukay
·         Guiamalia
·         Ilian
·         Kangkong
·         Laguinding
·         Magsaysay
·         Margues
·         New Panay
·         Numo
·         Paitan
·         Pamantingan
·         Poblacion
·         Sagasa
·         Salabaca
·         Saliao
·         Salumping
·         Villamor
·         Kauran
Isulan is a 1st class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. It is Sultan Kudarat's provincial capital. Spoken languages in Isulan include Tagalog, Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Ilocano and Maguindanaon.

The first mobile hospital was officially used in Isulan. The municipality also holds the biggest capitol building in terms of metric squares. The capitol building's rooftop is enough to hold a tennis court and a helipad. The building is 4-floors high.

Isulan is politically subdivided into 17 barangays.


·         Bambad
·         Bual
·         D'Lotilla
·         Dansuli
·         Impao
·         Kalawag I (Pob.)
·         Kalawag II (Pob.) ·         Kalawag III (Pob.)
·         Kenram
·         Kolambog
·         Kudanding
·         Lagandang
·         Laguilayan
·         Mapantig
·         New Pangasinan
·         Sampao
·         Tayugo
 Kalamansig is a 2nd class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. The municipality is agricultural in nature where people have a livelihood through farming and fishing. Reaching Kalamansig by land is difficult because most of the national roads in the area have not yet been developed. Travelling by sea to Kalamansig is more convenient as it is located near the sea.

Kalamansig is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.


·         Santa Clara
·         Cadiz
·         Datu Ito Andong
·         Datu Wasay
·         Dumangas Nuevo
·         Hinalaan
·         Limulan
·         Nalilidan
·         Obial
·         Pag-asa
·         Paril
·         Poblacion
·         Sabanal
·         Sangay
·         Santa Maria
Lambayong is a 3rd class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. According to the 2000 census, Lambayong has a population of 51,192 people living in 10,431 households.

Lambayong is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.


·         Caridad (Cuyapon)
·         Didtaras
·         Gansing (Bilumen)
·         Kabulakan
·         Kapingkong
·         Katitisan
·         Lagao
·         Lilit
·         Madanding
·         Maligaya
·         Mamali
·         Matiompong
·         Midtapok
·         New Cebu
·         Palumbi
·         Pidtiguian
·         Pimbalayan
·         Pinguiaman
·         Poblacion (Lambayong)
·         Sadsalan
·         Seneben
·         Sigayan
·         Tambak
·         Tinumigues
·         Tumiao (Tinaga)
·         Udtong
Lebak is a 1st class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. As of the 2000 census, Lebak has reached a population of 70,899 people estimated to live in 13,856 households.

Lebak is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.


·         Aurelio F. Freires (Poblacion II)
·         Barurao
·         Barurao II
·         Basak
·         Bolebok
·         Bululawan
·         Capilan
·         Christiannuevo
·         Datu Karon
·         Kalamongog
·         Keytodac
·         Kinodalan
·         New Calinog
·         Nuling
·         Pansud
·         Pasandalan
·         Poblacion I
·         Poblacion III
·         Poloy-poloy
·         Purikay
·         Ragandang
·         Salaman
·         Salangsang
·         Taguisa
·         Tibpuan
·         Tran
·         Villamonte
Lutayan is a 3rd class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 40,881 people living in 7,110 households.

The municipality is located on a lakeside. It was once part of a neighboring municipality called Buluan. In 1966, it grew as a separate municipality under the governance of Mayor Bai Linilang Mangelen. She was the first mayor of the municipality and was its mayor for 20 years.

Lutayan is politically subdivided into 11 barangays.


·         Antong
·         Bayasong
·         Blingkong
·         Lutayan Proper
·         Maindang
·         Mamali
·         Manili
·         Palavilla
·         Sampao
·         Sisiman
·         Tamnag (Pob.)

Palimbang is a 3rd class municipalityin Sultan Kudarat. According to the 2000 census, Palimbang has an estimated population of 43,742 people living in around 8,191 households.

Palimbang is the widest municipality in Sultan Kudarat in terms of territorial scope. It is politically subdivided into 40 barangays.

Akol
Badiangon
Baliango
Balwan (Bulan)
Bambanen
Baranayan
Barongis
Batang-baglas
Butril
Colobe (Tagadtal)
Datu Maguiales
Domolol
Kabuling
Kalibuhan
Kanipaan
Kidayan
Kiponget
Kisek
Kraan
Kulong-kulong
Langali
Libua
Ligao
Lopoken (Lepolon)
Lumitan
Maganao
Maguid
Malatuneng (Malatunol)
Malisbong
Medol
Milbuk
Mina
Molon
Namat Masla
Napnapon
Poblacion
San Roque
Tibuhol (East Badiangon)
Wal
Wasag
President Quirino is a 4th class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. As of the 2000 census, President Quirino has a population of 32,721 people living in 6,522 households.

The municipality was named after Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines. President Quirino is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.


·         Bagumbayan
·         Bannawag
·         Bayawa
·         C. Mangilala
·         Estrella
·         Kalanawe I
·         Kalanawe II
·         katico
·         Malingon
·         Mangalen
·         Pedtubo
·         Poblacion (Sambulawan)
·         Romualdez
·         San Jose
·         San Pedro (Tuato)
·         Sinakulay
·         Suben
·         Tinaungan
·         Tual (Liguasan)

Senator Ninoy Aquino is a 4th class municipality in Sultan Kudarat. According to the 2000 census, the municipality has a population of 30,222 people living in 6,172 households.

The municipality is named after Benigno Aquino Junior, a major political figure in Philippine history. Aquino led the opposition against Marcos regime, He was assassinated at the Manila International Airport, now called Ninoy Aquino International Airport in his honor.Senator Ninoy Aquino is politically subdivided into 20 barangays.


·         Banali
·         Basag
·         Buenaflores
·         Bugso
·         Buklod
·         Gapok
·         Kadi
·         Kapatagan
·         Kiadsam
·         Kuden
·         Kulaman
·         Lagubang
·         Langgal
·         Limuhay
·         Malegdeg
·         Midtungok
·         Nati
·         Sewod
·         Tacupis
·         Tinalon
Tacurong City used to be a barangay of the Municipality of Buluan which belonged to the Province of Cotabato. The city was originally called as "Pamansang". During 1940's, the place became a bridgeway or a staying point of the tourists, travelers and Catholic Missionaries traveling to the different parts of the Cotabato Province.

Barangay Pamansang was changed to Barangay Talakudong. Talakudong stands for Maguindanaon term for head covering (popularly called as Salakot and Sadok as of today) which had been worn by the settlers and people in the place. Years past, the name Talakudong was later changed to Tacurong. However, Talakudong still remain as a significant word in the city since Tacurong's foundation anniversary is called Talakudong Festival.

The city was separated from the Municipality of Buluan and was created a municipality by virtue of Executive Order 462 by President Elpidio Quirino on the 3rd day of August in the year 1951. The city is dominated of mostly Ilonggo settlers from the province of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz.

The city had an estimated area of 40,000 hectares comprising 14 barangays when the beginning years of being a neophyte municipality. When Barangay Tantangan created as a municipality, some areas of Tacurong became territories of Municipality of Tantangan in the year 1961. The area of Tacurong was further reduced when Municipality of Pres. Quirino was created from the city on November 22, 1973. Tacurong has now a total of 15,340 hectares land area, the smallest place among the 12 municipalities of the Province of Sultan Kudarat yet it is the most progressive.

When the Province of Cotabato was divided into four provinces, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in 1973, Tacurong fought for its image and capability to become the capital of the newly creates Province of Sultan Kudarat by the virtue of Presidential Decree No. 341 in Nov. 22, 1973. Although Municipality of Isulan became the capital town, Tacurong remained a first class municipality and became the trade & commerce center of the province.

Politically, Tacurong has been served by eleven elected and appointed mayors from its creation in 1951 to the present who represented various sectors. Ricardo Soriano and Serafin Limbungan were farmers; Quirino Mercado, a lawyer; Jose Escribano, a military man; Jose P. Barroquillo, a medical practitioner; Benjamin Eliseo, a contractor and a businessman; Fernando O. Bayquin, a government employee (DILG); Teodoro Subido, a dental practitioner; Angelo O. Montilla, a farm manager; Geronimo P. Arzagon, an educator; and the present mayor, Lino O. Montilla, an electrical engineer.

Tacurong became the first city in the Province of Sultan Kudarat through the effort of Sultan Kudarat lone district Rep. Angelo O. Montilla who passed the House Bill No. 6497 or "An Act Converting the Municipality of Tacurong Province of Sultan Kudarat into a component city of the Province of Sultan Kudarat to be known as City of Tacurong" which became a Republic Act 8805 when it was signed by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on August 16, 2000 and confirmed by the people in the city on a plebiscite held on September 18, 2000.

After it became a City, September 18 became also the Foundation Anniversary of the City. On the other hand, August 3 declared by the first city council as Barangay Day.

When the First City Council of Tacurong passed a resolution which increases the taxes and the amount of the basic services in the city, many residents and businessmen reacted on it negatively. When it was signed by Mayor Lino O. Montilla and became an ordinance, businessmen were disappointed. Now, it is considered as the Most Expensive Business Area in the province.

Climate
Tacurong falls under the fourth type of climate characterized by an even distribution of rainfall. The average annual rainfall is 127.64 millimeters. The average temperature ranges from 27.36 to 27.56 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity averages 80 percent.

Economy
Commerce and industry

Years ago, the city depended for its source of Livelihood from agricultural and only part of the town income from a Commercial establishments. However, the influx of migrant part of the archipelago and evacuees from the neighboring place due to Sporadic disturbance caused by lawless elements, changed the Course of the city in its struggle for economic development From agriculture to commerce and industry. The increase of small Investors engaged in small scale industries such as furniture making, Candy factory, balut making, candy factory and vInegar making is a visible proof of a commercial and industrial trends of the city.

Presently; Tacurong has thirteen (13) banking institutions serving the financial/monetary needs of the residents of the locality and neighboring areas. These banks are 1. ALIIED BANK, 2. BPI-FAMILY BANK, 3. DBP, 4. FEBTC, 5. LAND BANK, 6. METROBANK, 7. PCI-Equitable Bank, 8. RURAL BANK OF TACURONG, 9. PENBANK, 10. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), 11. RURAL BANK OF PRES. QUIRINO, 12. RURAL BANK OF PIGCAWAYAN., and 13. NETWORK

The main industry found in the city is rice and corn milling and trading. There are nineteen (19) medium to large scale rice mills operating thirty units and two corn mills operating three units in the locality including the giant National Food 
Senator Ninoy Aquino is politically subdivided into 20 barangays.


·         Banali
·         Basag
·         Buenaflores
·         Bugso
·         Buklod
·         Gapok
·         Kadi
·         Kapatagan
·         Kiadsam
·         Kuden
·         Kulaman
·         Lagubang
·         Langgal
·         Limuhay
·         Malegdeg
·         Midtungok
·         Nati
·         Sewod
·         Tacupis
·         Tinalon
Tacurong City used to be a barangay of the Municipality of Buluan which belonged to the Province of Cotabato. The city was originally called as "Pamansang". During 1940's, the place became a bridgeway or a staying point of the tourists, travelers and Catholic Missionaries traveling to the different parts of the Cotabato Province.

Barangay Pamansang was changed to Barangay Talakudong. Talakudong stands for Maguindanaon term for head covering (popularly called as Salakot and Sadok as of today) which had been worn by the settlers and people in the place. Years past, the name Talakudong was later changed to Tacurong. However, Talakudong still remain as a significant word in the city since Tacurong's foundation anniversary is called Talakudong Festival.

The city was separated from the Municipality of Buluan and was created a municipality by virtue of Executive Order 462 by President Elpidio Quirino on the 3rd day of August in the year 1951. The city is dominated of mostly Ilonggo settlers from the province of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz.

The city had an estimated area of 40,000 hectares comprising 14 barangays when the beginning years of being a neophyte municipality. When Barangay Tantangan created as a municipality, some areas of Tacurong became territories of Municipality of Tantangan in the year 1961. The area of Tacurong was further reduced when Municipality of Pres. Quirino was created from the city on November 22, 1973. Tacurong has now a total of 15,340 hectares land area, the smallest place among the 12 municipalities of the Province of Sultan Kudarat yet it is the most progressive.

When the Province of Cotabato was divided into four provinces, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat in 1973, Tacurong fought for its image and capability to become the capital of the newly creates Province of Sultan Kudarat by the virtue of Presidential Decree No. 341 in Nov. 22, 1973. Although Municipality of Isulan became the capital town, Tacurong remained a first class municipality and became the trade & commerce center of the province.

Politically, Tacurong has been served by eleven elected and appointed mayors from its creation in 1951 to the present who represented various sectors. Ricardo Soriano and Serafin Limbungan were farmers; Quirino Mercado, a lawyer; Jose Escribano, a military man; Jose P. Barroquillo, a medical practitioner; Benjamin Eliseo, a contractor and a businessman; Fernando O. Bayquin, a government employee (DILG); Teodoro Subido, a dental practitioner; Angelo O. Montilla, a farm manager; Geronimo P. Arzagon, an educator; and the present mayor, Lino O. Montilla, an electrical engineer.

Tacurong became the first city in the Province of Sultan Kudarat through the effort of Sultan Kudarat lone district Rep. Angelo O. Montilla who passed the House Bill No. 6497 or "An Act Converting the Municipality of Tacurong Province of Sultan Kudarat into a component city of the Province of Sultan Kudarat to be known as City of Tacurong" which became a Republic Act 8805 when it was signed by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on August 16, 2000 and confirmed by the people in the city on a plebiscite held on September 18, 2000.

After it became a City, September 18 became also the Foundation Anniversary of the City. On the other hand, August 3 declared by the first city council as Barangay Day.

When the First City Council of Tacurong passed a resolution which increases the taxes and the amount of the basic services in the city, many residents and businessmen reacted on it negatively. When it was signed by Mayor Lino O. Montilla and became an ordinance, businessmen were disappointed. Now, it is considered as the Most Expensive Business Area in the province.

Climate
Tacurong falls under the fourth type of climate characterized by an even distribution of rainfall. The average annual rainfall is 127.64 millimeters. The average temperature ranges from 27.36 to 27.56 degrees Celsius. Relative humidity averages 80 percent.

Economy
Commerce and industry

Years ago, the city depended for its source of Livelihood from agricultural and only part of the town income from a Commercial establishments. However, the influx of migrant part of the archipelago and evacuees from the neighboring place due to Sporadic disturbance caused by lawless elements, changed the Course of the city in its struggle for economic development From agriculture to commerce and industry. The increase of small Investors engaged in small scale industries such as furniture making, Candy factory, balut making, candy factory and vInegar making is a visible proof of a commercial and industrial trends of the city.

Presently; Tacurong has thirteen (13) banking institutions serving the financial/monetary needs of the residents of the locality and neighboring areas. These banks are 1. ALIIED BANK, 2. BPI-FAMILY BANK, 3. DBP, 4. FEBTC, 5. LAND BANK, 6. METROBANK, 7. PCI-Equitable Bank, 8. RURAL BANK OF TACURONG, 9. PENBANK, 10. Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), 11. RURAL BANK OF PRES. QUIRINO, 12. RURAL BANK OF PIGCAWAYAN., and 13. NETWORK

The main industry found in the city is rice and corn milling and trading. There are nineteen (19) medium to large scale rice mills operating thirty units and two corn mills operating three units in the locality including the giant National Food 

Authority-Southern Philippines Grains Complex (NFA-SPGC) silo (Mechanical Drier) and rice mill, the second largest in Asia.

The NFA-SPGC includes a number of large warehouses and has a milling capacity of twenty tons per hour. It also has a daily palay dispersal volume of 52,345 or 50-kg bags per day. The city has an agricultural crop production of 47,237.97 metric tons for all crops with 6,167.25 hectares planted. The annual rice production is 21,240 metric tons on 3,728 hectares planted, some 48% of which are irrigated. The annual corn production is 3,556.7 metric tons on 855.75 hectares planted.

The city also produces African palm oil, which is shipped to Manila to be used in the plastics and soap making industry and other chemical industries. The annual yield is 22,980 metric tons on 1,034 hectares planted.

There are also various small-scale industries like metal craft, food processing, furniture, ceramics, handicrafts, garments, pottery, vinegar making and balut making.

There are at present 1,041 registered business establishments in the community. Among these are the big shopping malls including the Tacurong Fit Mart, MS City Corporation, Kimsan Plaza Corporation, Kennedy Shopping Center and Swana Mercantile. There are also a number of large to medium scale hardware/convenience stores, specialty/novelty shops, restaurants/refreshments, parlors, fast food and other types of business establishments. These establishments cater to the needs of both the residents of the locality and the neighboring areas. There are also eleven (11) large appliance centers including the branches of some big-name ones such as EMCOR Appliance, Imperial Appliance Plaza, Quality Home Appliances and Better Homes Appliances Corporation.

The city has also five gasoline stations to cater to the needs of the motorists and the riding public.

There is also the nearly completed construction of the Integrated Bus Terminal which sits on a 2.5- hectare lot in Barangay New Isabela and also a plan for the construction of a modern and integrated slaughter house and auction market.

The new public market, which was completed last December 5, 1996, replaced the old public market, which was razed by fire last December 1989 resulting to the destruction of 75% of the market. The construction was made possible through a P 29 Million Loan from the World Bank through the Program for Essential Municipal Infrastructure Utilities, Maintenance and Engineering Development (PREMIUMED) and a grant of P 14 Million from the National Government. The new 10-Million Peso wet market (agora type) which was completed earlier was financed by the local government with assistance from the national government.

Transportation
Due to its strategic location, there are present five big bus companies serving the riding public, there are also a large number of other transport systems present including the air-conditioned vans and jeepneys which ply the routes to and from the city. The main transport system inside the locality is the pedicab (tricycle) which now numbers about 2,000 units. The people of the city also own a large number of private vehicles of all sizes and makes. The local government is about to open the Integrated Public Terminal later this year, the first of its kind to put up in Central Mindanao. Existing Utility Vehicles, Year 2000 T Y P E Number Percent (%) 1. Bus 48 3 0.7% 2. Public Utility Vans (L300, FX, Urvan) 153 2.4% 3. Public Utility Multicabs 105 1.6% 4. Public Utility Jeepneys 285 4.4% 5. Tricycles 2,493 38.4% 6. Motorcycles 2,803 43.2% 7. Trucks 60 9.3% TOTAL 6,490 100%.

* Long Distance Travel
* Yellow Bus Line, Inc.
* Rural Transit
* Husky Bus
* Grand Transport Corporation
* M&S Transit
* Airconditioned Van
* Within the borders
* Jeepney
* Multi-cab
* Van
* Within the city
* Tricycle

Agriculture
Tacurong stands among other municipalities of Sultan Kudarat as an agriculture area. Out of its total area, 81.25 or 12,987 hectares are devoted for agricultural crops. Major crop produced in the city is rice, which covers about 4,836 hectares. Total irrigated land area planted to rice is 2,206. The rest are rainfed with 2,630 hectares. Corn is the second staple crop to rice. It occupies an area of 1,976 hectares. Another viable crop in the field of Agriculture is the African Palm oil tree. Sugar is another sources of the city’s income. It is produce locally over 113 hectares of land found in Barangays San Emmanuel, Tina, Kalandagan and New Passi. Coconut occupies 53.0 Hectares of land, but is not developed as compares to rice and corn, root crops, vegetable and other crops are among the tangible proofs of the people’s support to the program on green revolution. Aside from the Agricultural crops already maintained, citrus, mango, rubber, tee, cacao and soybeans are also planted in the city to help boost agricultural production.

Tourism and point of interest in Sultan Kudarat
KKALIMUDAN FESTIVAL (TRIBAL FIESTA)

Isulan, Sultan Kudarat | November 21
It is another tribal fiesta down in Mindanao, with just about every major ethnic group joining in the fun. Cultural sharing is the theme here, its message clearly displayed in the timeless songs and dances of these native folks. One need not be a Manobo, Tiruray or T’boli to take part in the fun—all you need are the right clothes, the right moves, and a genuine desire to go totally tribal!




Bansadayaw Festival is akin to tribal unity in Bagumbayan. Celebrated on the first week of November, the event circles around religious prayers and cultures of various tribes such as T’boli, B’laan, Manobo, Ilonggo, Cebuano, Ilocano, Pampanggeñio, and Tagalog. Bansadayaw derived its named from the Ilonggo word “bansa” (in full view) and “dayaw” (merrymaking).




Lagbasan Cave
ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat (November 13, 2008)-Cavers marvel at the different rare formations inside Lagbasan Cave in Brgy. Kuden, Sen. Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat. The cave, which was called world-class by cave specialist Glen Malliet of the United States Speleological Society, is one of the major tourist attractions of the province which is celebrating its 35th Foundation Anniversary and the 10th Kalimudan Festival on Nov. 17-22 with the theme “Sama-sama sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.




 Lake Buluan is a lake located in the island of Mindanao, Philippines.[1][2] With an estimatedsurface area of 61.34 square kilometers, it is the third largest lake in Mindanao,[3][4][5] afterLake Lanao and Lake Mainit. It has an average elevation of 4.5 meters.[1]
The lake is sandwiched between the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. The lake falls under the political jurisdiction of the municipalities of Buluan of Maguindanao andPresident Quirino and Lutayan in Sultan Kudarat.
The lake actually consists of adjoining marshy basins of the Pulangi, Maanoy, Buluan, Alahrivers, which are all tributaries of the Mindanao River.



Marguez Cold and Hot Sping in Esperanza




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