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53-515: Kutawato Caves or Kutang Bato Cave is a cave in Cotabato City , Philippines . The only cave system in the country, situated within the proper of a Philippine city, the Kutawato Caves is located in the foot of Pedro Colina Hill. It has a lot of hidden underground passageways. One of these is the tunnel connecting the cave to Tamontaka Church , the oldest church in the city. This cave was also

106-418: A Mindanao-based Tagalog dialect, is also spoken in the city. English, as the country's other official language, is also spoken and heard often around the city, sometimes mixed with Tagalog (known as Taglish ) or with any of the other languages spoken in the city. Chavacano , Ilonggo , Ilocano and Cebuano are spoken as well by the various Christian minorities of the city. Chavacano has its own dialect in

159-453: A convention center, probably upon completion this could be the tallest building in Region XII . NCCC Malls, a Davao-based mall company have also confirmed their interest to build a mall within the city. Cotabato City has a more or less 1,700 hectares of fishponds which has an annual production of 500,000 kg of mangrove crabs , prawn and milkfish . Aiming to be the halal hub of

212-526: A highly urbanized city. However, the city broke off administratively from Maguindanao as it rejoined Soccsksargen in the 1990s. Now many sources consider the city as part of the present Cotabato province , although geographically it is still considered part of Maguindanao. The city has traditionally resisted efforts for its inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite serving as

265-523: A municipality was created on August 18, 1947, through Executive Order No. 82 signed by President Manuel Roxas . The modern Polloc Port, which form the main part of the present-day Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone currently based in Barangay Polloc of Parang town, was constructed in 1977 and currently serves as the primary transshipment port in the Bangsamoro region. Former Huk members mainly composed

318-468: A population exceeding 150,000. Situated below sea level, it faces constant flooding risks. Serving as Cotabato City's central hub for banking, trading, and commerce, it hosts over 20 banks and major wet markets like Mega Market and City Arcade. Additionally, prominent malls and supermarkets such as South Seas Mall, Puregold Main Branch, Sugni Super Store, and Superama (with 3 branches) are situated here, along with

371-505: A separate municipality of Matanog . Parang was among those municipalities where series of battles occurred, leading to the fall of Camp Abubakar in 2000. On June 19, 2023, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament approved a bill transferring the regional center of Bangsamoro from Cotabato City to Parang. It is bordered to the north by Barira and Matanog , on the east by Buldon , and on

424-404: A total of eleven (11) towns added to the previous four towns; the newly founded towns of Kabuntalan , Pikit (conversion as regular municipality), and Glan added up on September 30, 1949. More and more newly created towns added up in the province's number of towns as the province entered the second half of the 20th century. The city was chartered when President Carlos P. Garcia signed into law

477-639: Is dedicated to Sharif Kabungsuwan , a Muslim missionary which introduced Islam in the area. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception , since the Mary, mother of Jesus as the Immaculate Conception , is regarded by the patron saint of the city by its Catholic population. Elected officials 2022–present: 1935 Philippine Constitution Poverty Incidence of Cotabato City Source: Philippine Statistics Authority Cotabato City serves as

530-561: Is situated in the lowest portion of Maguindanao del Norte. The City of Cotabato with its 37 barangays spans an area with marked landscapes of flat, level to nearly level, very gently sloping to gently undulations to moderately sloping or rolling. It is basically a delta formed by two big rivers, the Tamontaka River and the Rio Grande de Mindanao. Basically 70% of its total land area is below sea level. There are only 2 existing elevated areas in

583-636: Is the seat of government of the Bangsamoro autonomous region. However the relevant infrastructure are yet to be put in place. The history of Parang traces back to the era when it used to be an integral part of the Maguindanao Sultanate . In June 1851, the Spanish military government based in Zamboanga sent forces to Polloc, presently a barangay of Parang, and seized it. Having a natural deep water harbor,

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636-567: The City of Cotabato ( Maguindanaon : Kuta nu Kutawatu , Jawi : كوت نو كوتوات ‎; Cebuano : Dakbayan sa Cotabato ; Filipino : Lungsod ng Cotabato ), is a first class independent component city in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao , Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 325,079 people, making it as the most populated city under the independent component city status. Cotabato City

689-447: The Köppen climate classification system, Cotabato City features a tropical rainforest climate ( Af ) with consistently hot, humid and wet weather year-round. There is a drier season from January to February, but unlike western Luzon rainfall is still over 80 millimetres or 3 inches in every month. The majority of the inhabitants of Cotabato City are Maguindanaons , comprising about 50% of

742-631: The Moro Gulf , to the west. Cotabato City has a total land area of 176.0 square kilometres (68.0 sq mi), located at the mouth of the Rio Grande de Mindanao and Pulangi River . Cotabato City has 27 urban barangays that are grouped into two major urban areas, the Down Town Area and the Upper Town Area. Down Town Area The Downtown Area encompasses the barangays of Poblacion and Bagua, with

795-503: The Republic Act No. 2364 on June 20, 1959. Authored then by Senator Salipada K. Pendatun . Under the said charter, the city was politically sibdivided into five (5) Barangays namely Poblacion, Rosary Heights, Bagua, Kalanganan, and Tamontaka. In 1989, the existing Barangays were split up which resulted into 32 more Barangays, presently the City has 37 Barangays. The city used to be part of

848-574: The Spanish–American War ended in 1898. Cotabato town was part of Moro Province and of Department of Mindanao and Sulu from 1903 to 1920, when the Empire Province of Cotabato , referred to as "Moroland" by the Americans, was founded with the town as the capital, with Datu Piang as its first governor. Several towns were carved off from Cotabato town since the year 1913, with Pikit being

901-448: The original Province of Cotabato and was its capital from 1920 until 1967, a year after the separation of South Cotabato ; since then the city was the administrative center of the ARMM when Maguindanao was carved out in 1973. On December 22, 1979, along with Manila , Quezon City , Caloocan , Pasay , Batangas City , Lipa , Iloilo City , and other cities in the country, Cotabato became

954-453: The Bangsamoro regional government on December 15, 2020. Cotabato is approximately 698.9 nautical miles (1,294.4 kilometres) from Manila , the country's capital, and is bounded by the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat to the north—with Rio Grande de Mindanao / Pulangi River separating the two— Kabuntalan to the east, and Datu Odin Sinsuat to the south. The city faces Illana Bay , part of

1007-655: The Castillan faith and has served the purpose when Filipino guerillas fought the invading force of Japanese Imperial army during the World War II. When the Japanese firepower proved superior to that of the natives, the cave was then used as an armory and even a garrison. There are four entrances, namely : the provincial Capitol Cave, Bagua Cave, Caverna Espanol and the Kuweba ni Satur. Cotabato City Cotabato City , officially

1060-652: The Japanese Imperial forces in the Battle of Maguindanao during the Second World War. On August 18, 1947, just two years after the Second World War and a year after the official inauguration of Philippine independence, the number of towns in the gigantic Cotabato province were multiplied by Executive Order No. 82 signed by President Manuel Roxas , namely: Kidapawan , Pagalungan , Buayan , Marbel , Parang , Nuling , Dinaig , Salaman , Buluan , Kiamba , and Cabacan ,

1113-555: The Matampay, Parang, Timako, Esteros and Miwaruy. These water bodies serve as sources of both agricultural, industrial and domestic water requirements of some rural barangays. These rivers also serve as the natural drainage flow of the city's wastes. Cotabato City is politically subdivided into 37 barangays . Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios . Currently, there are 27 urban barangays as classified by Philippine Statistics Authority (highlighted in bold ). Under

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1166-630: The Philippines, the City Government and Malaysian Businessman built a Class AA halal slaughter house in Baranggay Kalangan II in the city primary serving the entire Central Mindanao, the Halal slaughter house generates a gross income of 4,642,135.00 pesos in 2018. The city has different factories for cooking oil, coffee, corn starch, processed food and furniture operating within the city. Recently

1219-532: The Seaport and Grand Mosque are situated. The primary industry here revolves around aquaculture, with proposed developments for a Public Market and Public Terminal. Additionally, construction of a coastal road is underway in this area. Another burgeoning area is the Barangays of Tamontaka, slated for the establishment of an International Airport. Tamontaka also serves as the eastern diversion road of Cotabato City. The city

1272-614: The Spanish then set up a fortress and a naval base at Polloc, from which they would launch military operations against the Moros of the Pulangui Valley. Polloc eventually grew into a small town that by 1860 it was home to 600 Christians and 50-60 Chinese traders along with people from other walks of life. In 1884, a road was built between Polloc and the other town of Cotabato , which was founded ten years later than Polloc in 1861 and now served as

1325-549: The annual ranking of the Cities Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI). The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Cotabato City in 2022 reached 72,091,571,637.36 pesos or 221,766.35 per Capita GDP comparable to Tunisia . Reports also indicate that Cotabato City ranks as the third city in Mindanao in terms of highest bank deposits, trailing behind Davao City and Cagayan De Oro City. Cotabato City ranks as

1378-578: The capital of the 5th Military District of Cotabato in which Polloc was part of. The Americans took over local affairs when the Spanish evacuated at the aftermath of the Philippine-American War in 1901 and the American authorities replaced them. When political reorganization of the Philippine islands took place in 1917, Polloc was made part of the newly created municipal district of Parang. Parang as

1431-607: The city called Cotabateño, but it was replaced by Tagalog as the lingua franca, which reduced the number of native Chavacano speakers. Classical Arabic is often heard at mosques and madrasas as the sacred language of Islam . As reported by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on 2015, 76% of the people of Cotabato City are adherents of Sunni Islam . The followers of Islam are mainly Maguindanaon , Iranun , Maranao , and Tausug . The remaining proportion belong to non - Islamic belief such as Roman Catholicism , Christianity, Buddhism and other sects. Cotabato City also hosts

1484-447: The city could also speak and understand it. The related Danao languages of Iranun and Maranao are spoken by residents of the corresponding ethnicities. Other Moro languages such as Tausug , Sama and Yakan are also spoken in the city. The main lingua franca is Tagalog , making Cotabato City the "Tagalog-speaking city of Mindanao". It is the only place outside Luzon that is predominantly Tagalog-speaking. Soccsksargen Tagalog,

1537-553: The city's population. There are sizable ethnic populations of Cebuanos (14%), Tagalogs (9.7%), Iranuns (7%), Hiligaynons (5.6%), Bisaya (2.7%) and Chinese (2%). The remainder of the population belongs to other ethnicities (e.g. Tausug , Teduray , Ilocano , Maranao and Indian ). Maguindanaon is widely understood and spoken in Cotabato City, being the native language of the Maguindanaon and some other ethnicities in

1590-590: The city, the PC Hill and the Timako Hill with an altitude of 90 and 150 feet, respectively. At the foot of PC Hill is Tantawan Park and also hosts the Kutang Bato Caves . Concentration of settlements and other urban uses are in the central portion while the southwestern and southeastern portion have mixed uses of agricultural land settlements. The city is criss-crossed by meandering and braided creeks and rivers like

1643-518: The commercial, industrial, financial, educational, healthcare, and regional center of the Bangsamoro Region and Central Mindanao. Situated strategically at the heart of Mindanao, the city boasts road links and public transport connectivity to all major cities on the island, including Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, Dipolog, and General Santos. In 2019, the city government reported approximately 1.2 billion pesos in new investments, resulting in

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1696-508: The establishment of 1,368 new businesses. This robust economic growth contributed to the city's total annual income of 1.044 billion pesos for the same year. Over the past five years, Cotabato City has experienced an average annual income growth rate of 10.51 percent. Additionally, in 2019, Cotabato City was recognized as the second most competitive component city in Mindanao and the most competitive city in Region 12 for three consecutive years based on

1749-458: The fastest-growing economies in the Soccsksargen region. KCC Mall of Cotabato had started its full blown construction on July 1, 2020. It is located along Quezon Avenue corner Sinsuat Avenue, & the project is estimated to cost 11 billion pesos, the mall is four storey tall with a total lot area of 11 hectares; on the second phase of construction is the completion of eleven storey hotel with

1802-488: The first one founded by Cebuano Christian colonists. Dulawan (now Datu Piang, Maguindanao ) and Midsayap were incorporated as regular municipalities in 1936. In 1942, at the beginning of the Pacific Front of World War II , the Japanese Imperial forces entered what is now Maguindanao province. In 1945, Maguindanao was liberated by allied Philippine Commonwealth troops and Muslim Maguindanaoan guerrilla units after defeating

1855-544: The government center of the region. Despite this, the city's residents voted for their locality's inclusion in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region by voting to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the January 21, 2019 plebiscite . The city became de jure part of Bangsamoro following the plebiscite, as well as the government center of the new region. It became official part of the region after its formal turnover to

1908-563: The island and became the Teduray , as well as other lumad groups. During the same year, the Sultanate of Maguindanao was formally established, with Tubok as its initial capital. However, the sultan's seat would eventually be transferred in 1711 at around Tamontaka, a barangay within modern-day Cotabato. In 1861, Spain would eventually establish a garrison in Maguindanao and establish Kuta Watu, which

1961-699: The largest mosque in the Philippines, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid which can accommodate approximately 15,000 worshippers. It is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Cotabato which serves its Roman Catholic population. The city also hosts the historic Church of the Immaculate Concepcion Tamontaka . Festivals religious of origin are also held in the city annually such the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival which

2014-647: The migrants who later inhabited in Parang, as well as in Buldon and other Muslim -dominated towns in Mindanao . The boundary line with Nuling (now Sultan Kudarat) was fixed twice through executive orders by President Elpidio Quirino , in 1949 and in 1953. In 1961, through Republic Act No. 3419 , twelve barrios and twenty sitios were constituted into a separate municipality of Buldon . In 1975, through Presidential Decree No. 780 , six barangays were constituted into

2067-623: The municipal government with the participation of various stakeholders Tourist attractions in Parang include: Major sea cargo vessels connect Polloc Port to Manila and other Philippine cities. Parang is connected by road with its neighboring towns through the Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway. Tricycles are the main modes of public transport in the municipality. Several shuttle vans and PUJs provide regular trips to Cotabato City and other municipalities. Magelco (Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc.) provides electric power to

2120-530: The newly established town. In 1871, the capital of the Spanish military district of Mindanao was moved from Zamboanga to Cotabato, only to be moved back previously the next year when a destructive earthquake ravaged the town. Following the Spanish evacuation in Jan. 1899, Datu Piang led the Moro's in a massacre of the remaining Christian community, enslaving those they did not kill. Americans arrived in Mindanao in 1900 after

2173-503: The number of hotels, inn and pension houses increases, in 2015 the city post an all-time high tourist arrivals growth of 241.01% highest on region 12, and Cotabato City has a 63.97% hotel occupancy rate, rank 1 in region 12. Parang, Maguindanao The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008. Parang

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2226-511: The people of the area embraced the practice of Hinduism . The set of moral standards and culture of present-day people of Maguindanao are seen due to this Hindu influence. By 1515, after a successful Muslim establishment in Sulu, Muslim merchants went to Maguindanao and converted many Maguindanaoans to Islam . Those that did not accept the arrival of the Muslims went into higher ground or the interior of

2279-416: The place was deemed unsuitable in account of its less than optimal ecology. And so the Spanish district governor of Mindanao based in Zamboanga requested Datu Amirul, the father of present Sultan of Maguindanao Muhammad Makakua, for them to establish a military base at the stone fortress at Kota Wato in what is now Barangay Tamontaka, and Datu Amirul gave the consent. The Spanish then established themselves at

2332-568: The said fort, raising the Spanish flag there and renamed it Cotabato, the Hispanized form of its name, on April 30, 1861. The Spanish and the Moro chiefs and locals then had a conference later the same day which stipulated the Maguindanaoan locals of Cotabato are now subjects of the Spanish Crown but their Islamic beliefs would be respected. Thus, on April 30, 1861, in the flood plains of Tamontaka,

2385-533: The service center of Cotabato City, it houses Regional Government Agencies from both the Bangsamoro Region and Region 12. Additionally, it is home to Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, along with other medical facilities. Educational institutions in this area include Cotabato State University, Notre Dame-RVM, and AMA Computer College, as well as the now-closed University of Mindanao. Major shopping destinations include CityMall, Mall of Alnor, and Fiesta Mal. Two other emerging areas include Barangays of Kalanganan, where

2438-451: The source of the city's present name kuta means fort and wato means stone. Hence, the name 'fort of stone' which later on became Cotabato. Its wall of white, beige and brownish shade glitters in the dark and echoes a colorful past dating back to the days when no foreign foot yet trampled upon this land. The cave had given sanctuary to the natives when the Spaniards tried to convert them into

2491-498: The south is Sultan Kudarat . Parang is politically subdivided into 25 barangays . Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios . Poverty Incidence of Parang Source: Philippine Statistics Authority The Gross Domestic Product of the Municipality (2022) is 24,067,200,000(PHP). A cultural festival is held every August 18 in commemoration of the founding anniversary of Parang. Events are organized by

2544-760: The third highest in bank deposits in Mindanao, totaling Php 88.66 billion as of June 30, 2021, attributable to robust economic activity. Recognizing the city's significance, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas established its Central Mindanao branch within Cotabato City. The city boasts a mix of local and national shopping centers. Local establishments such as Superama, Sugni, Mall of Alnor, and Southseas Mall compete with national retailers like CityMall , Puregold , Robinsons Supermarket and Department Store, SM Savemore, as well as Centro Department Store, Mi Department Store, and Fiesta Shopping Center, which are present in selected locations nationwide. Cotabato City stands out as one of

2597-515: The town of Cotabato was officially born. Under the reign of Sultan Muhammad Makakua, who while being the nominal sultan of Maguindanao was at this point under complete Spanish vassalage , roads and wharves were built in Cotabato, specifically where the Tamontaka River was situated. Forests were felled and cleared by the new Catholic Tiruray converts of Tamontaka to make way for the expansion of

2650-459: The upcoming KCC Mall of Cotabato. Notable educational institutions include Notre Dame University, Cotabato City Central Pilot School (the largest elementary school), STI Cotabato, and Notre Dame of Cotabato. Upper Town Area The Upper Town Area, situated in the elevated regions of Cotabato City, encompasses all barangays of Rosary Heights and is home to the Peoples Palace (City Hall). Serving as

2703-661: Was eventually renamed as Cotabato, as its new capital. The Spanish Empire had defeated the Sulu Sultanate in war and forced it to sign an unfavorable peace treaty in 1851. With the Moro Gulf and Illana Bay now open to Spanish traffic as a result of their victory over the Sulu Moros, this paved the way for the first steps for the conquest of the Maguindanao Sultanate several years later. To that end, Spanish Jesuit missionaries have already made their way as early as 1859 at Polloc where they earned several hundred converts, but

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2756-511: Was formerly a part and the regional center of Region XII , but due to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law , it is now part of Bangsamoro and serves as the regional center. Being an independent component city, it is not a subject to regulation from the Provincial Government of Maguindanao del Norte where it is geographically located. The Philippine Statistics Authority also lists Cotabato City as statistically independent. It

2809-469: Was the capital of the Sultanate of Maguindanao . Cotabato City is distinct from and should not be confused with the province of Cotabato . Prior to the arrival of Hindus and Muslims, the city was a vast swamp and rainforest landscape where numerous ethno-linguistic groups lived. Maguindanao vernacular architecture developed during this era, which included the architectural techniques of at least 10 ethno-linguistic groups. Later on, Hindu traders arrived and

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