General Santos * 226 (including independent cities ) Legislative districts of South Cotabato Legislative district of General Santos South Cotabato , [ a ] officially the Province of South Cotabato , is a province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao . Its capital is Koronadal (also the regional center of Soccsksargen), and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and northeast, and Davao del Sur to the far northeast. To the southeast lies Sarangani Bay . General Santos , the only coastal city/town located on the shores of Sarangani Bay, is the largest city in both the province and the region (by population), but is governed independently from the province. The province of Sarangani used to be part of South Cotabato until it was made an independent province in 1992. Centuries ago, the area that would be the South Cotabato was sparsely inhabited by Maguindanaon pioneers and Lumads which are under Sultanate of Maguindanao 's influence. The Spaniards launched expeditions to subdue the area throughout the colonial era but they never gained control of the region until the middle of the 19th century after the Spaniards established a military post at what is now Barangay Tamontaka, one of the earliest Christian settlements founded south of the Philippines, in present-day Cotabato City . Spaniards already took with them Chavacano -speaking Christians and Muslims from Zamboanga and Basilan, as well as the Visayans , especially the Hiligaynons and Cebuanos . American colonial era The area of what is now South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces used to be part of Davao province until 1914, when the reorganization of the districts in Mindanao took place, thus it became part of the then-undivided Cotabato province . Settlers, who would lay the foundation of what would become a progressive province, started trooping down 1914. During the term of President Manuel L. Quezon in the late 1930s, General Paulino Santos led the first of wave of settlers to the province. Philippine independence After World War II , the final exodus of settlers from Luzon and Visayas poured into the area's virgin land. In the early 1960s as population, trade and industries grew in southern part of Cotabato, a clamor of local self-governance arose. Thus, on July 18, 1966, South Cotabato was separated from Cotabato as an independent province. [ 5 ] At that time, the province consisted of 11 municipalities, namely: Banga, South Cotabato , General Santos (now a city), Glan , Kiamba , Koronadal , Maitum , Norala , Polomolok , Surallah , Tantangan , and Tupi . These municipalities were established long before the creation of the province. Other component municipalities were formed after it fully functioned as a province. With the creation of regions under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos , South Cotabato was grouped with Region XI , also known as Southern Mindanao , in 1975. [ 6 ] In 1992, the province of Sarangani was formed out of South Cotabato. Seven towns in southern and coastal section of the province ( Malungon , Alabel , Malapatan , Glan, Maasim , Kiamba and Maitum) became part of the new province, leaving South Cotabato with 11 remaining municipalities. [ 7 ] Regional offices were relocated to South Cotabato in accordance with EO 429 dated October 12, 1990, issued by President Corazon C. Aquino during the expansion of the newly created Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao , [ 8 ] and EO No. 36 dated September 19, 2001, issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which says South Cotabato is to be transferred from Southern Mindanao region to Region XII and having the city of Koronadal as the regional center of Region XII. [ 9 ] On August 16, 2000, Republic Act No. 8803 was approved, that converted the municipality of Koronadal into a component city of South Cotabato. [ 10 ] South Cotabato covers a total land area of 3,935.95 square kilometres (1,519.68 sq mi) . [ 11 ] When General Santos is included for geographical purposes, the province's land area is 4,428.81 square kilometres (1,709.97 sq mi) . [ 11 ] The province is situated on the southern section of central Mindanao , bounded by the provinces of Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and northeast, Davao del Sur to the far northeast, and the Sarangani Bay to the southeast. The province is generally flat dotted with some hills and mountains. General Santos City occupies the province's only coastline, making the rest of the province landlocked. South Cotabato belongs to the fourth type of climate, that is rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. The average number of rainy days for the year 2004 is recorded between 122 and 180 days with the months of May, June, July, August and October having the most occurrence. Air humidity generally follows closely the rainfall pattern. Humidity is highest during the period of June to October with 88% being recorded at the Tupi seed farm. The months of February and April have the lowest air humidity recorded at about 72%. Maximum daytime temperature throughout the province is in the range of 36 to 38 °C (97 to 100 °F) , falling to 23 to 32 °C (73 to 90 °F) during the night depending on the elevation. The hottest period is January to April while July to December being the coolest. South Cotabato enjoys a mild, pleasant climate with no pronounced dry or wet season, and is practically typhoon-free. Administrative divisions South Cotabato comprises 10 municipalities and 1 component city . The highly urbanized city of General Santos is traditionally grouped with, but administered independently from, the province. It has a total of 199 barangays (225 if the city of General Santos is included). † Provincial capital and component city ‡ Highly urbanized city ( geographically within but independent from the province ) ∞ Largest settlement ^ Former names are italicized . ^ Coordinates mark the town center , and are sortable by latitude . ^ Total figures exclude the highly urbanized city of General Santos. The population of South Cotabato (excluding General Santos ) was 975,476 in the 2020 census, [ 13 ] making it one of the country's most populous province. The population density is 250 inhabitants per square kilometre or 650 inhabitants per square mile . When General Santos is included for geographical purposes, the province's population is 1,509,735 people, [ 13 ] with a density of 341 inhabitants per square kilometre (880/sq mi) . The people of South Cotabato have diverse heritages. The province's indigenous people are Blaan , Tboli and Maguindanaon . Ethnic Hiligaynons, descendants of migrants from Panay and Negros in the Visayas who settled in the municipalities/towns of Norala, Banga, Surallah, Santo Niño and the province's capital city, Koronadal, are the majority in the province. The province's major media of communication are Hiligaynon , Tagalog , On the other hand, Ilocano-speaking peoples of Luzon settled in Tampakan, Tantangan and Tupi, and the Ilocano language may still be heard in these towns. The Cebuanos are the main ethnic group of the municipality of Polomolok, and are one of the main ethnic groups of Tupi (along with the Hiligaynons, Ilocanos and Kapampangans ). Both towns are near to General Santos, which speaks both Hiligaynon and Cebuano. Chavacano speakers are even found scattered in some areas of the province, as well as Maguindanaons because of the province's history of being part of Sultanate of Maguindanao . Tbolis mainly reside around the Lake Sebu area, while Blaans reside within General Santos and its outskirts. Roman Catholics predominate the province with 65% adherence, [ 16 ] while Islam is a minority religion which is 6% of the population. [ 17 ] Other minorities are various Christian Churches such as Protestants which form about 22% and consist of mostly evangelicals [ 18 ] [ 15 ] of the province's population which can be mostly found in some urban parts of the province. Iglesia ni Cristo forms about 3-4% population. [ 19 ] The remainder are divided among Buddhist and animism. The Maguindanaon make up the majority of the Muslim population in the province. Other indigenous Filipino tribes are the T'boli and B'laan tribes in Lake Sebu and T'boli municipalities, famous for their brassworks, beadwork and t'nalak weave. The people of these tribes wear colorful embroidered native costumes and beadwork accessories. The women of these tribes, particularly, wear heavy brass belts with brass 'tassels' ending in tiny brass bells that herald their approach even when they are a long way off. [ clarification needed ] The people of South Cotabato retain many of the practices and traditions of their particular tribal heritages, although infused with a flavor that is distinctly Mindanaoan and the product of cultural interaction between the immigrants and the indigenous peoples of the area. One vivid example of this is the predominant use of the native malong , the colorful, tubelike garment used as a skirt by the indigenous tribes, in place of a blanket or sleeping bag. Hiligaynon is the most widely spoken language in the province. It is the main language in the capital city of Koronadal—earning its nickname "the Ilonggo Capital of Mindanao"—and the municipalities of the Upper Valley region, namely, Surallah, Banga, Norala, Sto. Niño and Tantangan, followed by Cebuano , which is the majority language of General Santos and the main language in the Municipalities of Polomolok, Tampakan and Tupi. Tagalog are widely understood and often used for administrative functions by the local government and in education, with the former serving as dominant language in local media and of everyday communication of speakers of different languages, making it a secondary lingua franca in the province. Other languages spoken in the province are Maguindanaon , Tboli , Blaan , Kapampangan and Ilocano . Poverty incidence of South Cotabato (%) Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [ 20 ] [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ] [ 26 ] [ 27 ] [ 28 ] Executive Branch: [ 29 ] Governor : Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. (PFP) Vice Governor : Arthur Y. Pingoy (PFP) Legislative Branch: [ 29 ] Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board Members) First District: SP Nilda Almencion (PFP) SP Noel J. Escobillo (PFP) SP Alan Ines (PDP-Laban) Second District: SP Marie Antonina "Junette" Ines Hurtado (PFP) SP Dardanilo N. Dar (PDP-Laban) SP Ervin Luntao (PFP) SP Mike Matinong (PFP) SP Alicia Causing (PFP) SP Henry L. Ladot (PFP) SP Cecile Diel (PFP) Third District: Ex-Officio Members: SP Vincent Figueroa, SK President SP Sharmaigne Arianne Sala, PCL President SP Edgar G. Sambog, IPMR SP Neil Ryan T. Escobillo, LnB President Provincial capital The Local Provincial Government holds its official functions in the City of Koronadal . The Provincial Capitol, Provincial Hospital, and all related offices are found in the city. Legislative districts 1st District Representative : Isidro D. Lumayag 2nd District Representative : Ferdinand L. Hernandez 3rd District Representative : Dibo S. Tuan Lone District of General Santos : Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles House Bill No. 4678, filed on December 13, 2016, by 1st district Rep. Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., seeks to segregate the highly urbanized city of General Santos from the said district to form its congressional district, separate from the representation of South Cotabato. [ 30 ] This bill was signed by the president last March 11, 2019. List of governors of South Cotabato since 1966 1966–1986: Sergio B. Morales – The first governor of South Cotabato after its creation as a province in 1966. Gov. Morales laid down key infrastructure and governance systems, such as the provincial capitol, hospitals, roads, and water systems, helping shape the future of the province. 1986–1992: Ismael Sueno – Elected after the EDSA Revolution; focused on development projects and governance. Gov. Sueno helped stabilize the province during the political transition from the Marcos Sr. regime to democracy. 1992–2001: Hilario E. De Pedro III – Gov. De Pedro oversaw the separation of Sarangani province from South Cotabato and continued modernizing South Cotabato’s infrastructure such as the South Cotabato Gym and Sports Complex. Gov. De Pedro was also instrumental in the conversion of Koronadal into a city, a milestone in South Cotabato's urban development and modernization. 2001–2010: Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes – Gov. Avance-Fuentes was known for her focus on poverty alleviation, social welfare improvements, and agricultural development. Under her leadership, South Cotabato gained recognition for transparency and good governance. 2010–2013: Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr. – Gov. Pingoy focused on enhancing healthcare services and medical assistance programs, including free hospitalization for indigent residents within the province. 2013–2019: Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes - Gov. Avance-Fuentes during this term intensified social welfare programs and transparency on governance. She is also credited for modernizing the province's T'nalak Festival during this term as Governor. 2019–Present: Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. – Gov. Tamayo's administration is marked by progressive programs such as free education, hospitalization, and the mechanization of rice production. His policies have focused on improving the livelihoods of marginalized sectors.Known for Free Hospitalization, Free Education, and agricultural initiatives. Gov. Tamayo is also known to be the National President of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas which is Bongbong Marcos's Political Party and the largest party in the Philippines as of 2024. Under his leadership, South Cotabato has consistently won the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), and it was named the most competitive province in Region XII in 2022. Musical heritage The native Maguindanaon of South Cotabato 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. Festivals of South Cotabato South Cotabato is renowned for its vibrant and culturally rich festivals. These celebrations reflect the diverse heritage, traditions, and communal spirit of the region’s inhabitants. Here are some of the most notable festivals in South Cotabato: South Cotabato boasts a diverse array of educational institutions catering to the needs of its growing population. These institutions range from primary and secondary schools to colleges and universities, providing comprehensive education opportunities across various fields of study. South Cotabato is home to a range of medical facilities that provide comprehensive healthcare services to its residents. The province’s hospitals are strategically located across various municipalities and cities, ensuring accessible medical care for the community. Within the province jurisdiction Lovely Abella , actress, host and dancer ( Koronadal ) Cesar "Saro" Bañares, Jr. , member of folk rock band Asin Eduardo Buenavista , Filipino long-distance runner and two-time Olympian ( Santo Niño ) Kenneth Duremdes , professional basketball player ( Koronadal ) Shuvee Etrata , actress, host, model and content creator ( Polomolok ) Orlando Quevedo , cardinal and archbishop-emeritus of Cotabato ( Marbel ) Ismael Sueno , former secretary of DILG during incumbent President Duterte 's administration from 2016 to 2017 ( Koronadal ) Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. , president of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas from 2022 to present Outside the provincial jurisdiction (i.e. city of General Santos) Sister province ↑ Hiligaynon : Bagatnan Cotabato ; Cebuano : Habagatang Cotabato ; Ilocano : Abagatan a Cotabato ; Maguindanaon : Salatan Kutawatu , Jawi : سلاتن كوتوات; Filipino : Timog Cotabato [ 4 ] ↑ "List of Provinces" . PSGC Interactive . Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board . Retrieved May 14, 2014 . ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025 . Retrieved 18 July 2025 . ↑ "11 out of 18 Regions Recorded Significant Decreases in Poverty Incidence in 2023" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 August 2024. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025 . Retrieved 7 February 2026 . ↑ "Mapa ng mga Wika (Rehiyon) - Rehiyon XII" (in Filipino). Commission on the Filipino Language . Retrieved September 23, 2021 . ↑ "Republic Act No. 4849 - An Act Creating the Province of South Cotabato" . Chan Robles Virtual Law Library . Retrieved January 8, 2016 . ↑ "Presidential Decree No. 742; Restructuring the Regional Organization of Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi" . The LawPhil Project . July 7, 1975 . Retrieved January 8, 2016 . ↑ "An Act Creating the Province of Sarangani" (PDF) . House of Representatives of the Philippines . March 16, 1992. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2016 . Retrieved January 8, 2016 . ↑ "Executive Order No. 429; Providing for the Reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao, And for Other Purposes" . The LawPhil Project . October 12, 1990 . Retrieved January 8, 2016 . ↑ "Executive Order No. 36; Providing for the Reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao and for Other Purposes" . The LawPhil Project . September 19, 2001 . Retrieved January 8, 2016 . ↑ "Republic Act No. 8803; An Act Converting the Municipality of Koronadal, South Cotabato Province, Into a Component City to Be Known As the City of Koronadal" (PDF) . House of Representatives of the Philippines . Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016 . Retrieved January 8, 2016 . 1 2 3 4 "Province: South Cotabato" . PSGC Interactive . Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 January 2016 . 1 2 Census of Population (2020). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)" . Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay . Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 July 2021 . 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2015). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)" . Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay . Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016 . 1 2 Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)" (PDF) . Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay . National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016 . 1 2 "Population and People" . ↑ Bueza, Michael (January 18, 2015). "MAP: Catholicism in the Philippines" . Rappler . ↑ Bueza, Michael (July 17, 2015). "MAP: Islam in the Philippines" . Rappler . ↑ "Philippine Church National Summary" . philchal.org . ↑ Bueza, Michael (July 26, 2014). "MAP: Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines" . Rappler . ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):" . Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved December 28, 2020 .

↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF) . Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2021 . Retrieved 4 August 2012 . ↑ "2003 Small Area Estimates of Poverty (Full Report)" (PDF) . Philippine Statistics Authority. 11 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2025 . Retrieved 4 August 2012 . ↑ "2006 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025 . Retrieved 4 August 2012 . ↑ "PSA Releases the 2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019 . Retrieved 1 June 2016 . ↑ "Updated 2015 and 2018 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 4 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025 . Retrieved 16 December 2021 . ↑ "Updated 2015 and 2018 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 4 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025 . Retrieved 16 December 2021 . ↑ "Proportion of Poor Filipinos was Recorded at 18.1 Percent in 2021" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 August 2022. Archived from the original on 10 August 2023 . Retrieved 3 April 2024 . ↑ "11 out of 18 Regions Recorded Significant Decreases in Poverty Incidence in 2023" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 August 2024. Archived from the original on 20 May 2025 . Retrieved 7 February 2026 . 1 2 "South Cotabato Provincial Officials" . OFFICIAL WEBSITE Province Of South Cotabato Angat ka sa Lahat . Retrieved June 1, 2021 . ↑ Acharon, Pedro B. Jr. (December 13, 2016). "House Bill No. 4678 - An Act Creating the Lone/3rd Legislative District of the City of General Santos" (PDF) . House of Representatives of the Philippines . Retrieved February 23, 2017 . ↑ "Hinugyaw Festival 2021" . ↑ "T'nalak Festival ⋆ Expert World Travel" . January 6, 2020. Download coordinates as: GPX (all coordinates) GPX (primary coordinates) GPX (secondary coordinates) Media related to South Cotabato at Wikimedia Commons Geographic data related to South Cotabato at OpenStreetMap General Santos ( Administratively independent from the province but grouped under South Cotabato by the Philippine Statistics Authority . ) President Quirino President Roxas Senator Ninoy Aquino Agusan del Norte Camarines Norte Davao del Norte Davao Occidental Dinagat Islands Lanao del Norte Maguindanao del Norte Maguindanao del Sur Misamis Occidental Misamis Oriental Mountain Province Negros Occidental Negros Oriental Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay Pre-colonial era Colonial era Spanish period American period American period Japanese occupation Postcolonial era Third Republic Marcos presidency Fifth Republic Marcos presidency Biosphere reserves Climate Climate change Typhoons Island groups islands Protected areas National parks World Heritage Sites Administrative divisions Foreign relations Human rights LGBTQ Political families Political parties Executive Cabinet lists Executive departments Executive office Law enforcement President Executive departments Executive office Law enforcement Legislative Senate House of Representatives House of Representatives Judicial Supreme Court Court of Appeals Regional Trial Court Court of Appeals Regional Trial Court Armed Forces Air Force Army Navy Marine Corps Business process outsourcing Science and technology Telecommunications Telephone numbers Telephone numbers Tourism Tourist attractions Tourist attractions Water and sanitation Education Higher education Higher education Environmental issues Climate change Deforestation Ethnic groups Indigenous peoples Indigenous peoples Genetic and anthropology studies Human trafficking Sex trafficking Sex trafficking Income inequality Overseas workers Cultural properties Fashion and clothing Historical markers Public holidays Festivals Traditional games Sport and martial art Philippines portal MusicBrainz area Provinces of the Philippines Provinces of Soccsksargen States and territories established in 1966 1966 establishments in the Philippines Use Philippine English from April 2023 All Wikipedia articles written in Philippine English Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images Coordinates on Wikidata Pages using infobox settlement with possible demonym list CS1 foreign language sources (ISO 639-2) Articles containing Hiligaynon-language text Articles containing Cebuano-language text Articles containing Ilocano-language text Articles containing Filipino-language text Wikipedia articles needing clarification from April 2016 Lists of coordinates Geographic coordinate lists Articles with Geo Commons category link from Wikidata Pages using the Kartographer extension