Region XII at a Glance
Source:FHSIS 2016
Vision of Development
By 2030, Region XII is socially and environmentally livable with sustained natural resources; producing globally competitive human resources and agro-industrial and fishery products, particularly tuna, crabs, prawns, high value crops (asparagus, banana and cut-flowers), and halal products; transshipment hub of Southern Philippines; center of eco-tourism; and with united, God-centered and self-reliant people with access to economic opportunities and quality services.
Brief Political History
The most significant development in the political history of Mindanao was the organization of six politico-military districts in the island in 1860. The central district embracing Cotabato included Polloc, Illana Bay as far as the western coast of Zamboanga at point Murcielagos and the southern extremity of Mindanao down to point Glan. The capital of the government was Cotabato City until 1872 when the city was destroyed by a strong earthquake, after which the capital was moved to Zamboanga City.
Central Mindanao Region (Region XII) was created on July 7, 1975 through Presidential Decree No. 742. The region was composed of the provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao and the cities of Iligan, Cotabato and Marawi. The extent of regionalization was further seen in the establishment of Autonomous Regions in Central and Western Mindanao (Regions XII and IX) by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1618.
On August 1, 1989, Republic Act No. 6734 was signed into law, which provided for the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the composition of which included Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao provinces. The former Regional Autonomous Government of Central Mindanao was therefore reverted to an administrative region. Executive Order 429 was issued on October 12, 1990 defining the new composition of Central Mindanao with Koronadal City as its Regional Administrative Center. However, a restraining order was issued by the Supreme Court and the said EO was not implemented. Thus, the composition of Region XII prior to the issuance of EO 429 (i.e., Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte, Cotabato City, Iligan City and Marawi City) was maintained and Cotabato City remained as Regional Administrative Center of Region XII. The latter had likewise been designated as the temporary regional center of the ARMM per RA 6734.
On February 23, 1995, Republic Act 7901 “An Act Creating Region XIII also known as the Caraga Administrative Region” was enacted. Section 3 of the said law provided for the transfer of Sultan Kudarat to Region XI following Surigao del Sur’s transfer from Region XI to the Caraga Region. However, in 1998, RA 8744 was passed transferring back to Region XII the province of Sultan Kudarat.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Final Peace Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on September 2, 1996, Executive Order No. 371 was issued by His Excellency Fidel V. Ramos on October 2, 1996. EO 371 established a Special Zone of Peace and Development (SZOPAD) in Southern Philippines, which encompassed five regions, including Region XII.
On August 14, 2001, a plebiscite was conducted in the SZOPAD to determine the areas that shall comprise the expanded ARMM, pursuant to RA 9054. Marawi City in Region XII and Basilan Province in Region IX joined the ARMM. As a resultant administrative measure following the reconfiguration of ARMM, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 36 on September 19, 2001, which realigned the administrative regions in Mindanao. The province of Lanao del Norte and Iligan City of the old Region XII were transferred to Region X. The provinces of South Cotabato, Saranggani, and the cities of Koronadal and Gen. Santos of Region XI became part of the new Region XII. Thus, the new composition of Region XII per EO 36 now includes the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato, and the cities of Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal, Cotabato and General Santos.
4 PROVINCES OF SOCCSKSARGEN REGION
South Cotabato Province: http://www.southcotabato.gov.ph/
Cotabato Province: http://cotabatoprov.gov.ph/
Sarangani Province: http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/
Sultan Kudarat Province: http://sultankudaratprovince.gov.ph/
5 CITIES OF SOCCSKSARGEN REGION
General Santos City: http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/
Koronadal City: http://www.southcotabato.gov.ph/city-municipalities/koronadal-city/
Tacurong City: http://www.tacurong.gov.ph/
Cotabato City: http://www.cotabatocity.net.ph/
Kidapawan City: http://www.kidapawancity.gov.ph/
On 30 March 2004, Executive Order No. 304 was issued by President Arroyo designating the City of Koronadal as the Regional Center and Seat of the SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region XII). EO 304 likewise directed all departments, bureaus and offices of the National Government in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region to transfer their regional seat of operations to Koronadal City.
Location
Region XII is situated in the central and southwestern parts of Mindanao, bounded on the north by the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon; on the northwest, by Maguindanao; on the southwest, by Mindanao Sea; and on the east, by Davao del Sur and Davao City. It lies 6o 32’ to 7 o 33’ of the north latitude and 124 o 01’ to 125 o 17’ of the east longitude.
