Soccsksargen

History

The oldest civilization in the region is located in Maitum, Sarangani, where the Maitum Anthropomorphic Pottery were found. The jars have been declared as National Cultural Treasures, and are subject to the high protections ensured by Philippine and international laws.

From around the 14th century until the early 20th century, the Muslim sultanates of Maguindanao and Buayan dominated the large parts of Soccsksargen region, influencing the local datus in the area as well as having General Santos City under their direct control as a port.

Central Mindanao

The region used to be named Central Mindanao. Prior to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), it comprised the following provinces:

• Maguindanao
• North Cotabato
• Sultan Kudarat
• Lanao del Norte
• Lanao del Sur

With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao (excluding Cotabato City), and Sultan Kudarat were removed from the region, leaving Lanao del Norte and Cotabato, and Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato City as constituent provinces and cities. Lanao del Norte and Iligan were later transferred to Northern Mindanao in September 2001 as they are farther from Cotabato City and closer to Cagayan de Oro (regional capital of Northern Mindanao), while Marawi became part of the ARMM.

On December 18, 1998, Sultan Kudarat was transferred back to Central Mindanao through Republic Act No. 8744.

Soccsksargen

In September 2001, Executive Order No. 36 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo transferring South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos (also known as the SocSarGen District), from Southern Mindanao to Region XII, and renaming the region, from Central Mindanao, to Soccsksargen.

Koronadal as new regional center

By virtue of Executive Order No. 304 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Koronadal 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.

Special Cotabato barangays and Cotabato City exit

Traditionally resisting efforts for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite serving as the government center of the ARMM, the January 21, 2019 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation plebiscite resulted in the surprise ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Cotabato City. This means the city may now formally serve as the capital of the region and the offices of the former ARMM will be retained for use by the Bangsamoro Regional Government and now formally no longer constitutes part of the Soccsksargen Region.

In addition to Cotabato City, 63 barangays in Cotabato province opted to join Bangsamoro, thus exiting the region as well.

Demographics

Soccsksargen is home to diverse ethnolingustic and cultural backgrounds, both native and non-native residents, making it a melting pot of cultures. The first inhabitants of the region were the indigenous B'laans, T'bolis, Manobos, Tedurays and the Muslim Iranuns, Maguindanaons, and Sangil – large parts of the region itself historically were part of the Maguindanao and Buayan sultanates. Christian migrants from Luzon and Visayas (and their native-born descendants) also settled in the area by the early 20th century seeking better opportunities, mainly from agriculture. Most of these non-native settlers mainly came from Ilocandia, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor who call Soccsksargen and Mindanao as a whole their new home and are responsible for spreading Christianity throughout the region over the years. Today, Hiligaynons make up the majority of the region's non-native Christian population; while the Cebuanos dominantly inhabit the entirety of Sarangani, General Santos and its neighboring municipalities of South Cotabato and the areas in the region that border Bukidnon and Davao Region; and Ilocanos who form the majority in Kabacan (Cotabato), Tampakan, Tantangan (both in South Cotabato), Lambayong, Senator Ninoy Aquino, President Quirino, Columbio (all in Sultan Kudarat) and Kiamba (Sarangani, though most of the municipality's inhabitants now speak Cebuano instead of Ilocano). Moreover, intermarriage between ethnolinguistic groups is relatively not uncommon in Soccsksargen.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Soccsksargen (%)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The region contributes to the national GDP with 2.6% with 5% growth compared to 2016. It accounts for 18.3% of Mindanao gross regional domestic product (GRDP).

The 2024 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition showcased Region 12's development as a dominant force in coffee quality. The event demonstrated Region 12's ability to produce coffee that stands out in both national and international markets. This newfound reputation may raise the region's prominence in the coffee industry, attracting more buyers from around the world.

Musical heritage

The artistic cultural heritage of the native Maguindanao people, among other regional groups—both Muslims and Catholics—revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music. Unique to the Soccsksargen, elements of kulintang may be loosely compared to Indonesia’s gamelan music, and other related traditional performance arts.

Government

• Cotabato – Gov. Nancy A. Catamco (PDP-Laban)
• South Cotabato – Gov. Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)
• Sultan Kudarat – Gov. Datu Suharto "Teng" T. Mangudadatu (NUP)
• Sarangani – Gov. Ruel D. Pacquiao (PCM)
• General Santos (HUC) – Mayor Lorelie "Lor" Pacquiao

Notable people