Sultan Kudarat
| Sultan Kudarat | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Province | |||
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The new provincial capitol | |||
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| Nickname(s): Taj Mahal of the Philippines, African Palm Oil Capital of the Philippines, Land of the Flowing Waters | |||
 Map of the Philippines with Sultan Kudarat highlighted | |||
| Coordinates: 06°33′N 124°17′E / 6.550°N 124.283°ECoordinates: 06°33′N 124°17′E / 6.550°N 124.283°E | |||
| Country | Philippines | ||
| Region | SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) | ||
| Founded | November 22, 1973 | ||
| Capital | Isulan | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Province of the Philippines | ||
| • Governor | Suharto Mangudadatu (Independent) | ||
| • Vice Governor | Ernesto Matias (UNA) | ||
| Area[1] | |||
| • Total | 5,298.34 km2 (2,045.70 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 19th out of 81 | ||
| Population (2010)[2] | |||
| • Total | 747,087 | ||
| • Rank | 33rd out of 81 | ||
| • Density | 140/km2 (370/sq mi) | ||
| • Density rank | 56th out of 81 | ||
| Divisions | |||
| • Independent cities | 0 | ||
| • Component cities | 1 | ||
| • Municipalities | 11 | ||
| • Barangays | 249 | ||
| • Districts | 1st and 2nd districts of Sultan Kudarat | ||
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP code | 9800 to 9811 | ||
| Dialing code | 64 | ||
| ISO 3166 code | PH-SUK | ||
| Spoken languages | Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Ilocano, Cebuano, Maguindanao | ||
| Website |
sultankudaratprovince | ||
Sultan Kudarat is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Isulan.
Geography
Sultan Kudarat 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 and Sarangani; on the east by Davao del Sur; and on the west by the Celebes Sea. The province's total land area is 529,834 hectares (1,309,250 acres).[1]
The three coastal towns on the province's western side are lined with mountain ranges that separate the central part of the province from the sea. There are also mountains on the eastern side, leaving flat land in between.
The climate is characterized by a short dry season lasting from one to three months. Unlike most other provinces in the country, Sultan Kudarat is generally free from typhoons and rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout the year.
Subdivisions
Sultan Kudarat is subdivided into 11 municipalities and 1 city. Three of the municipalities (Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang) are coastal towns, while the rest of the province is located inland. The 11 municipalities and Tacurong City are further subdivided into 249 barangays.
Tacurong City is the smallest unit in the province in terms of land area, but it is the most urbanized, and is considered the province's commercial center. Other growth centers are Lebak and Isulan, the latter being the provincial capital. Bagumbayan is the largest town in terms of land area.
City:
Municipalities:
- Bagumbayan
- Columbio
- Esperanza
- Isulan
- Kalamansig
- Lambayong (Mariano Marcos)
- Lebak
- Lutayan
- Palimbang
- President Quirino
- Sen. Ninoy Aquino
History
Sultan Kudarat was once a part of the former empire province of Cotabato. It was created as a separate province along with Maguindanao and North Cotabato on November 22, 1973, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 341 signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.[3]
The purpose of dividing Cotabato into three (3) smaller provinces is stated in Presidential Decree No. 341:[3]
- “Whereas, the province of Cotabato is one of the largest and richest provinces of the Philippines;
- Whereas, the potentials of the province have not been fully developed due to the magnitude of the task of provincial development and troubles that have long plagued the area;
- Whereas, the many conflicting political, social and economic interests that have limited the progress of the province must be resolved in order to promote the stability and accelerate the development of Cotabato; and
- Whereas, there is a need for dividing the present province into smaller units which can be more effectively administered and developed”.
The name Sultan Kudarat given to the province was derived from a Muslim ruler, Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat who begun to assert his leadership in the year 1619 and reigned the Sultanate of Maguindanao from 1625 to 1671. He is considered a national hero, and in his honour the province was named after him.
Demographics
| Population census of Sultan Kudarat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1990 | 435,905 | — |
| 1995 | 522,187 | +3.44% |
| 2000 | 586,505 | +2.52% |
| 2007 | 675,644 | +1.97% |
| 2010 | 747,087 | +3.73% |
| Source: National Statistics Office[2] | ||
At the 2000 census, Sultan Kudarat had a total population of 586,505, which grew to 747,087 people in the 2010 census. The province formerly had a Muslim majority, but Christian migrants now outnumber Muslims and highlanders, the reason why Sultan Kudarat was separated from ARMM.
The Ilonggos constitute the majority of the Christian population; their native languages are Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a, which are the province's dominant language. Ilocano and Cebuano are also spoken in some municipalities. Maguindanao is the local language of the Muslim population. Ilocanos and Ilonggos are relative newcomers to the province; Cebuanos inhabited the island around 17th to 18th century. Other language spoken is Chabacano, spoken by both Christians and Muslims.
Economy
The economy 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.
Musical Heritage
The native Maguindanaon have a culture that revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music, found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines.
Government
The elected provincial officials for 2010-2013 are:
Elected Officials 2007-2010
Elected Officials 2004-2007
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Elected Officials 1998-2000; 2000–2004
Elected Officials 1995-1998
Elected Officials 1992-1995
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities" (PDF). 2010 Census and Housing Population. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Presidential Decree No. 341: Creating the Provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat". Philippine Laws, Statutes & Codes. Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 22 November 1973. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sultan Kudarat. |
- Official website of the provincial government of Sultan Kudarat
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
- Philippine Census Information
- Local Governance Performance Management System
- Inquirer.net, Sultan Kudarat town aims for nat’l recognition
- Manila Statues: Sultan Kudarat Monument Information
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Maguindanao | Cotabato | | |
| Celebes Sea |  |
Davao del Sur | ||
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| Sarangani / South Cotabato |
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