Koronadal

Koronadal City Marbel
Component City
City of Koronadal
New City Hall of Koronadal
Seal
Nickname(s): "The Ilonggo City of Mindanao" "The Crown City of the South" "The Sports Mecca of the South"
Motto: Kanami Koronadal, Kanami Guid
Map of South Cotabato with Koronadal City highlighted
Koronadal City Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 6°30′N 124°51′E / 6.5°N 124.85°E / 6.5; 124.85Coordinates: 6°30′N 124°51′E / 6.5°N 124.85°E / 6.5; 124.85
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	South Cotabato
District	2nd District of South Cotabato
Settlement	January 10, 1939 (as Marbel Settlement District)
Founded	August 18, 1947
Cityhood	October 8, 2000
Barangays	27[1]
Government[2]
• Mayor	Peter B. Miguel
Area[3]
• Total	277 km2 (107 sq mi)
Elevation	100 m (300 ft)
Population (2015 census)[4]
• Total	174,942
• Density	630/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Koronadaleños, Marbeleños
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9506
IDD : area code	+63 (0)83
Income class	3rd city income class
PSGC	126306000
Electorate	93,589 voters as of 2016
Languages	Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Filipino, English
Website	koronadal.gov.ph

Koronadal City (Hiligaynon: Dakbanwa/Syudad sang Koronadal; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Koronadal; Filipino: Lungsod ng Koronadal) and popularly known as Marbel, is 3rd-class component city in the Philippines. It is the capital of the province of South Cotabato and regional administrative center of SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII).^[5] According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 174,942.^[4]

Koronadal became a component city of South Cotabato by virtue of Republic Act 8803 dated October 8, 2000.^[6] In 2003 and 2005 the city was recognized as "Most Competitive City" in the small-city category, and in 2005 and 2006 as the most business friendly city in Mindanao.^[6]

Koronadal City is one of the cities in Mindanao whose citizens are Hiligaynon speakers. 95% of the city's population is from the Hiligaynon ethnic group from the Visayas, the other city is Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat.^[6]

History

The settlement of Koronadal and its creation as a municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. #82 dated August 18, 1947 was marked by a rapid initial development, so that when the province of South Cotabato was created under Republic Act No. 4849 on July 18, 1966, it easily became the capital town. In the past, the place was populated by Blaan people and Maguindanaos. The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two Blaan words- kalon meaning cogon grass, and nadal or datal meaning plain, which aptly described the place to the natives.^[7] On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a B'laan term marb-el which means "murky waters" referring to a river, now called the Marbel River.

Koronadal City used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'boli, South Cotabato to the southeast.

It was on August 18, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of Cotabato, one of which was Marbel (now Koronadal). The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials.

The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000.00. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T'boli, South Cotabato, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan.

Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement.

Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato, now officially known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000. At present, Koronadal City is a fast developing growth center composed of twenty seven (27) barangays including the four (4) zones in the poblacion. Being the capital city of South Cotabato, it is the center of the province in terms of political, cultural and socio-economic activities.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 304 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Koronadal City 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.^[5]

Barangays

Koronadal City is politically subdivided into twenty-seven Barangays with four zones in the Poblacion area. Eight of which are on the Urban area while the remaining nineteen are located on the Rural area.^[1]

Demographics

Culture

B'laan culture

The B'laan people are one of the indigenous peoples of the Southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Another tribe called the Maguindanao also inhabits the same area. The two tribes consider themselves to be brothers and sisters. Long ago, an Arab male (ancestral brother) married a B'laan female (ancestral sister) and through this marriage union, Islam infiltrated Southern Mindanao so that when the Spaniards arrived, their attempts to establish Catholicism were unsuccessful in the south. Eventually the B'laan and the Maguindanao became trade partners with the B'laan settling in the mountains and the Maguindanao settling along the coastal areas. From that time until now, the B'laans have been producing rice, vegetables, livestock, and rainforest products. The original religion of the B'laan is Animist. Presently, only 5% of the 8,000 B'laan tribal people are considered to be evangelical.

Catholic culture

The Catholic Filipinos make up the great majority (over 70%) of the Southern Philippine population. They are relatively newcomers to the area; the first wave of Christian migrants came in the seventeenth century when the Spaniards sought to populate Zamboanga, Jolo, Dapitan and other areas by encouraging people from Luzon and the Visayas to settle there. In the nineteenth century Spanish policy found considerable success in encouraging migrations to Iligan and Cotabato.

The Americans continued this pattern during their colonial administration. In 1913 the American colonial government provided resources for the establishment of agricultural colonies in Mindanao. By the time the Philippine Commonwealth was established, Mindanao had become a veritable frontier. Wave upon wave of migrants poured into the region, chief among them the Hiligaynons, Cebuanos, Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Warays, Kapampangans, Pangasinenses, Aklanons and Bicolanos. These people did much to clear the virgin areas of Mindanao and open them to extensive agriculture and industry.

Muslim culture

The cultural diversity of the region is the result of a large influx of migrants from the north over a long period of the region's history. Found here are three main cultural groups: the early Filipinos who belong to various indigenous tribes living in the highlands and remote areas of Mindanao, the Muslim Filipinos who were early converts to Islam and who regard the region as their traditional homeland, and the Catholic Filipinos who founded settlements and communities in the course of their migrations from other parts of the country.

Events

Koronadal also hosted an international activity called Pyesta Kalon Datal: Koronadal International Folkloric Festival in coordination with Conseil international des organisations de festivals de folklore et d'arts traditionnels or International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF) on August 10 to 18, 2015^[11] and several national activities such as the Palarong Pambansa in 1996 with General Santos and solo in 2007, Mindanao Business Forum, and National Schools Press Conference. On June 12, 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo together with Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro celebrated the 111th Independence Day in the city, which marks a significant and historic event in the history of Koronadal.

Attractions

Festivals

T'nalak Festival

• Hinugyaw Koronadal (January 8-10) - is the festival that marks the foundation anniversary of Koronadal as a municipality. It shows the festive spirit of the people of Koronadal with street dancing and night beer parties in the streets of Koronadal among other worthwhile activities.
• T'nalak Festival (July 16–18) - a festival that celebrates South Cotabato's Tboli tribe with colorful abaca cloth created and woven by the women from their tribe. It symbolizes the blending of culture, strength and unity of the various ethnic groups living in the province. They have Dayana Civic Parade which highlighted by a float and cheer dance competition. They perform on the streets of the city showcasing native costumes of Blaan, Tboli and other tribal groups in Mindanao.
• City-hood Charter Anniversary (October 8) - celebrates the city-hood of Koronadal highlighted by "Negosyo Festival" showcasing the vibrancy of business and other economic enterprises in the City of Koronadal; consumers enjoy month-long citywide grand sale as participating business establishments give discounts of up to 70% off their regular prices on goods or services.

Shopping malls

KCC Mall of Marbel on its former Appearance, the mall has undergone Renovation

Koronadal City is the shopping capital of the South Cotabato, nearby towns of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat visit the city to do shopping and commercial activities. There are several huge shopping malls in the city, notable ones are KCC Mall of Marbel, Ace Centerpoint, Gaisano Grand Mall Koronadal, Unitop Koronadal, and the newest addition to the city which is CityMall Koronadal located at Brgy. Zone 4 beside Dr. Arturo Pingoy Memorial Hospital. There are also news about building a Robinsons Mall in Brgy. Sto Nino infront of Bombo Radyo Koronadal, yet we still need an official release from the company. These malls are home to national brands of retail merchandises as well as restaurants and cafes. There are many merchandise and large groceries owned by local and foreign Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean businessmen in the city.

Medical facilities

Health Facilities in Koronadal are also widely distributed to all Marbeleños. Below is the list of the hospitals located in the City of Koronadal.

• South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (Aguinaldo Street, South Cotabato Government Compound, City of Koronadal)
• Dr. Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center formerly known as the Doctors Clinic and Hospital Inc. (Gensan Drive, City of Koronadal)
• Allah Valley Medical Specialists Center (National Highway, Zone III, City of Koronadal)
• SOCOMEDICS Medical Hospital (Judge Alba Circumferential Road, Arellano, City of Koronadal)
• Koronadal City Hospital (TBA)

Churches

• San Guillermo Parish Church
• Christ the King Cathedral (San Antonio de Padua Parish Church)

Education

Education in Koronadal is widely distributed to all Koronadaleños. As of for the school year 2009-2010, there are 95 primary and elementary schools in the city, both in public and private schools; while there are 17 secondary schools, both in public and private schools.

There are two universities in the city:

• Notre Dame of Marbel University
• University of the Philippines Manila - Koronadal School of Health Sciences

While other colleges are also vibrant in the education business. The list below shows the tertiary level schools present in the city:

The list below shows some prominent secondary and elementary schools present in the city:

• Philippine Science High School SOCCSKSARGEN Region Campus
• St Alexius College - Integrated School Department
• Notre Dame of Marbel University - Integrated Basic Education Department
• Koronadal National Comprehensive High School
• Notre Dame - Siena School of Marbel
• Koronadal Southern Elementary School (Chinese School)
• Notre Dame of San Jose
• Koronadal International School
• Maryland School
• King's College of Marbel, Inc.
• Marymount School

Koronadal is also home to one seminary, the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seminary or locally known as OLPHS.

Notable people from Koronadal

• Christian Perez - darts player
• Jason Sabio - footballer who plays for Kaya
• Kenneth Duremdes - PBA basketball player
• Mary Jean Lastimosa - Binibining Pilipinas Universe 2014
• Ernestine Tiamzon - DLSU Lady Spiker

Sister cities

• Valenzuela City, Philippines
• Iloilo City, Philippines
• Ozamiz City, Philippines
• Pagadian City, Philippines
• Mandaluyong City, Philippines

References

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Koronadal.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Koronadal City.

• KoronadalSite "Taga Koronadal Ako Ya"
• Official Website
• City Travel Guide
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• RMN DXKR Koronadal 639 khz