Kidapawan

Kidapawan
Component City
City of Kidapawan Lungsod ng Kidapawan
City Hall
Seal
Nickname(s): City of Fruits and Highland Springs; Spring in the Highlands; Second Fruit Basket of the Philippines; City at the Foot of Mt. Apo
Map of Cotabato with Kidapawan highlighted
Kidapawan Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 07°01′N 125°05′E / 7.017°N 125.083°E / 7.017; 125.083Coordinates: 07°01′N 125°05′E / 7.017°N 125.083°E / 7.017; 125.083
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Cotabato
District	2nd District of Cotabato
Founded	August 18, 1947
Cityhood	February 12, 1998
Barangays	40
Government[1]
• Mayor	Joseph A. Evangelista
Area[2]
• Total	358.47 km2 (138.41 sq mi)
Elevation	279 m (915 ft)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	125,447
• Density	350/km2 (910/sq mi)
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9400
Dialing code	64
Income class	3rd Class
Website	kidapawancity.gov.ph

Kidapawan, officially the City of Kidapawan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Kidapawan) or Kidapawan City, is the capital city of Cotabato Province. Located at the foot of Mount Apo, it is a popular destination from late October to December and in the summer, when thousands of tourists climb the country's highest mountain.

Etymology

The word Kidapawan comes from the words tida, which means 'spring', and pawan, which means 'highland'.

History

The first settlers around Kidapawan were predominantly Manobos. The influx of Christian settlers from Luzon and the Visayas resulted in the evolution of the word from 'Tidapawan' to 'Kidapawan'. Aside from the Manobos and Christians, Kidapawan was also home to the most prominent Muslims, including a Sultan (Sultan Omar Kiram II) who was a descendant of Rajah Baguinda.

Kidapawan City was created by the Republic Act. No. 8500, signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 12, 1998, making it the first component city of Cotabato Province. The Act was ratified by a large majority by a plebiscite on March 21, 1998. It was originally named a district of Pikit.

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces entered Kidapawan. Three years later, local Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary units and Moro guerrilla fighters taken to liberate Kidapawan fought the battles against the Japanese Imperial forces. Kidapawan was later declared a separate municipality by Executive Order No. 82 issued by President Manuel Roxas on August 18, 1947. It thus become the fourth town of the then Empire Province of Cotabato, composed previously of the municipalities of Cotabato (now Cotabato City), Dulawan (later named Datu Piang) and Midsayap.

Created along with the city were the twelve original barangays, namely: Birada, Ginatilan, Indangan, Linangcob, Luvimin, Manongol, Marbel, Mateo, Meohao, Mua-an, Perez, and Sibawan. From the original land area of 273, 262 hectares, Kidapawan retained only 34,007.20 hectares when four municipalities were created from it namely: Magpet (June 22, 1963, R.A. 3721), Matalam (Dec. 29, 1961, E.O. 461), M’lang (Aug. 3, 1951, E.O. 462) and President Roxas (May 8, 1967, R.A. 4869).

Prior to its conversion to a municipality, five appointed District Mayors had served Kidapawan. The first was Datu Siawan Ingkal, tribal chieftain of the Manobos, who headed the Civilian Emergency Administration when World War II broke out. He was followed by Felimon Blanco, Ceferino Villanueva, Jacinto Paclibar, and Alfonso Angeles Sr., who became the first elected mayor of the municipality.

Kidapawan became the provincial capital of Cotabato Province pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 341 dated 22 November 1973, with the provincial seat of government located in Amas. Later, Batas Pambansa No. 660 dated 19 December 1983 renamed the Province of North Cotabato just plain Cotabato. By the time it became the province capital, Kidapawan had already 40 barangays under its geopolitical jurisdiction.

Geography

Kidapawan is located at the foot of Mount Apo in the south-eastern section of Cotabato province, placed in the middle of other major cities of General Santos, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro.

Climate

Kidapawan lies outside the typhoon belt and has a mild climate characterized by wet and dry seasons. The coldest months are December and January. The hottest are April and May.

Barangays

Kidapawan City is politically subdivided into 40 barangays.^[2]

Demographics

Based on the 2010 census, the city has a total population of 125,447 people,^[3] up from 117,610 in 2007. The religion is predominantly Christian, although there are many Muslims residing in the city. The main language is Cebuano. Hiligaynon, Tagalog and English are the secondary languages.

Cebuanos and Hiligaynons are the major ethnic groups in the city. Other ethnic groups residing in the area are the Ilocanos, Maguindanaons and Manobos. Cebuano language is the most widely spoken language, especially in the city proper. English is considered as the medium of instruction in schools and other learning institutions; it is also predominantly used in major government agencies in their transactions and reports. Laws and ordinances in the city are all written in English. Most of the inhabitants can also speak Filipino.

Economy

Kidapawan City is classified as a 2nd class city in accordance to Department of Finance order No.23-08.^[4][5] In 2006, it yielded an income of Php268.94 million, of which 73.8 percent constituted the Internal Revenue Allotment. Of its Php314.22 million total expenditures for the year, 25.9 percent were expended on economic services.

The City is considered as the province’s industrial hub. It plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the province and its adjacent areas. It is the commercial and trading hub of six neighboring municipalities. It lies at the heart of two large domestic markets: General Santos City, Davao City and Cotabato City.

Agriculture

The flower-cutting industry is a primary source of livelihood among Cotabateños, especially those residing in Kidapawan City. In addition to ornamental and forest tree seedlings, flowers such as roses, anthuriums and orchids are abundantly grown locally providing a very promising and highly profitable source of livelihood and business in the area.

Kidapawan is the second largest producer of fruit in the Philippines, after Davao City. Exotic fruits like durian, Mangosteen, lanzones, marang, singkamas, rambutan, banana, and the like are grown and harvested in abundance in the highlands of Mt. Apo, in rural communities of Kidapawan City, and also in small home plots.

Crops abundantly grown in the area include abaca, rubber, corn, rice, coconut, and vegetables.

Tourism

Mt. Apo

Lake Venado

Kidapawan City is the most well-known starting point for trekking on Mount Apo^[6][7][8][9] which towers at 10,311 feet above sea level with a total area of 14.6 square meters. The country’s tallest peak is an abode to the almost extinct Philippine eagle.^[10][11][12] The mountain is surrounded by moss-covered century-old-trees, a wide variety of flora and fauna, sulfur craters, and massive boulders. Within the Mt. Apo Natural Park is the Mandarangan Geological Site which is being promoted as a major educational tourism site. Lake Venado, hidden among the mountain ranges, stands at an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level. Lake Agko is a steaming blue lake where hot and cold springs converge. It stands at an elevation of 4,200 feet above sea level.

Marbel Falls is a hidden twin waterfall of about 60 to 70 feet surrounded by hot springs. Mawig Falls is located in Barangay Balabag and is the source of the Matingao River.

To celebrate the abundance of the exotic fruits grown in Kidapawan City, the city government hold an annual festival in the month of August called Timpupu, the fruit festival. This festival, first held in 2002^[13] celebrates the fruit harvest. The city purchases large quantities of local fruit which is laid out on tables along the streets for visitors and residents.^[14] Dubbed “Timpupu” from the Manobo word “harvest”, the celebration signifies the people's thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and richness of the exotic fruits that thrive in the area. Activities featured during the annual event include the Fruit Galore, Fruit Float Parade, Fruit Arrangement and Street Dancing Competition.

The Foundation Anniversary of the City of Kidapawan (February 12) is celebrated with parades, beauty contests, and traditional, non-lethal horse fights.

Transportation

Local public transportation is primarily served by almost 3,000 motor tricycles known as just "motor". Multicabs, and jeepney provide transportation to barangays and adjacent municipalities. Public Utility Vans also served routes to and from the cities of Davao, Cotabato, and Tacurong. Only Mindanao Star is the bus company operating in the city. Nearest airport is the General Santos International Airport.

Educational institutions

Media

Radio Stations

• 1. 90.3 mHz DXCA Charm Radio (Andolana Broadcasting Network/Polytechnic Foundation of Cotabato & Asia)
• 2. 101.5 Edge Radio (United Christian Broadcasting)
• 3. 107.1 mHz Love Radio (formerly Radyo Natin) (Manila Broadcasting Company)
• 4. 88.7 mHz Happy FM DXDM (Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation)
• 5. 102.3 Gold FM (Kalayaan Broadcasting System)
• 6. 98.5 Energy Fm Kidapawan Doctors Broadcasting and Multi-media Corp. (Ultrasonic Broadcasting Network)
• 7. 97.5 BRIGADA NEWS FM KIDAPAWAN
• 8. 747 mHz DXND Radyo Bida (Notre Dame Broadcasting Corporation)
• 9. 1089 mHz DXCM Radyo Ukay (University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network)
• 10. 91.9 mHz NICE FM (PBC)
• 11. 107.9 mHz ONE RADIO And Radyo ni Juan (RMC Broadcasting Corp.)
• 12. 93.5 mHz iFM (Radio Mindanao Network)
• 13. 100.1 mHz MOR DXBS (ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation)

TV Network Stations

• PTV DXKN-TV 8(with transmitters located in Cotabato Provincial Compound, Amas, Kidapawan)
• ABS-CBN TV 4 (relay station with transmitter located at Ilomavis, Kidapawan City)
• GMA TV 12
• ETC TV 24 (relay television station of Southern Broadcasting Network)
• CTS-TV 6 (community television station of PCB-Countryside Television System)
• TV5 DXLZ-TV 22 (relay station with transmitter located at Kidapawan City)
• ABS-CBN Sports+Action TV 26 (relay station with transmitter located at Kidapawan City)
• GMA News TV 27 (relay station with transmitter located at Kidapawan City)

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kidapawan City.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Kidapawan.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code

	Matalam	Pres. Roxas / Magpet
			Mount Apo
		Kidapawan
	M'lang	Makilala

Province of Cotabato Municipalities Alamada Aleosan Antipas Arakan Banisilan Carmen Kabacan Libungan M'lang Magpet Makilala Matalam Midsayap Pigcawayan Pikit President Roxas Tulunan Component city Kidapawan Independent component city Cotabato City (Administratively independent from the province, but grouped under Cotabato by the National Statistics Office)

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