Cotabato Lungsod ng Kutabato

Independent-Component City

City of Cotabato

Mindanao River at Cotabato City

Seal

Nickname(s): Stone Fortress of Mindanao

Map of Maguindanao showing the location of Cotabato City.

Cotabato

Location in the Philippines

Coordinates:713N 12415E / 7.217N 124.25ECoordinates: 713N 12415E / 7.217N 124.25E

Country

Philippines

Region

SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)

Province

Maguindanao/Cotabato

District

Lone District of Maguindanao

Capital of Maguindanao Sultanate

1520

Founding of Pueblo de Cotabato 1862 Cityhood Founder

Barangays

June 20, 1959

Shariff Muhammad Kabunsuan

37

Government

Mayor Vice-Mayor
Area

Japal "JoJo" Guiani

Mus Sema

Total

176.00 km2 (67.95 sq mi)

Population (2010)

Total
Density

271,786

1,500/km2 (4,000/sq mi)

Time zone

PHT (UTC+8)

ZIP Code

9600

Income class

3rd class city (as of June 30, 2010)

Website

Official website

The City of Cotabato (Malay: Kotabatu) is one of the cities of the Philippines located in Mindanao. Cotabato City is an exclave of the SOCCSKSARGEN region found within the boundaries of Maguindanaoprovince, but is independent of that province. Cotabato City is distinct from and should not be confused with the province of Cotabato. Cotabato's population was about 271,786 in 2010 census.

Contents
1 History

2 Geography

3 Economy

4 Government

4.1 Political rivalries

4.2 Barangays

5 Climate

6 Income Classification

7 Tourist attractions

8 Malls around the City

9 Cotabato City Officials

9.1 Congresswoman

9.2 City Mayor

9.3 City Vice Mayor

9.4 City Councilors

10 See also

11 References

12 External links

History

Sultan Dipatuan Kudarat, the ruler ofMaguindanao Sultanate, is known to have eventually conquered all of Mindanao during his reign. He made Cotabato the capital of his expanding empire.

Cotabato City had witnessed more history than any other place in Mindanao. Its history dates back to the 15th century when Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab missionary, landed along the banks of the Rio Grande de Mindanao and introduced Islam to the natives. Islam was the faith that moved the early settlers to communal life, and to establish the Sultanate of Maguindanao with its golden age ushered in by Sultan Dipatuan Qudarat during the 17th century the time when Cotabato City developed as the capital town of Maguindanao.

In the nineteenth century, when Sultan Makakua ruled, roads and wharfs were constructed which gave rise to the birth of modern day Cotabato. However, the then Municipality of Cotabato was first organized at the later part of the 19th century when the Spaniards established a military post at what is now Barangay Tamontaka, one of the earliest Christian settlements founded south of the Phiippines. Cotabato was then officially founded in 1862 when the Pueblo de Cotabato was established; Christianity was introduced in the area in around the year 1870.

Americans arrived in Mindanao in 1900 after the Spanish-American War ended in 1898. Cotabato town was part of Moro Province and of Department of Mindanao and Sulu from 1903 to 1920, when the Empire Province of Cotabato, referred to as "Moroland" by the Americans, was founded with the town as the capital, with Datu Piang, known as the Grand Old Man of Cotabato, as its first governor.

Several towns were carved off from Cotabato town beginning in the year 1936, with Dulawan (now Datu Piang, Maguindanao) and Midsayap being the first ones which were incorporated as regular municipalities.

In 1942, at the beginning of the Pacific Front of World War II, the Japanese Imperial forces entered what is now Maguindanao province. In 1945, Maguindanao was liberated by allied Philippine Commonwealth troops and Muslim Maguindanaoan guerrilla units after defeating the Japanese Imperial forces in the Battle of Maguindanao during the Second World War.

Several towns were carved off from Cotabato town since the year 1913, with Pikit being the first one founded by Cebuano Christian colonists. Dulawan (now Datu Piang, Maguindanao) and Midsayap were incorporated as towns in 1936. In August 18, 1947, just two years after the Second World War and a year after the official inauguration of Philippine independence, the number of towns in the gigantic Cotabato province were multiplied, namely: Kidapawan, Pagalungan, Buayan, Marbel, Parang, Nuling, Dinaig, Lebak, Buluan, Kiamba, and Cabacan, a total of eleven (11) towns added to the previous four towns; the newly-founded towns of Kabuntalan, Pikit (conversion as regular municipality), and Glan added up in September 30, 1949. More and more newly-created towns added up in the province's number of towns as the province entered the second half of the 20th century.

On July 1, 1950, the then Municipality of Cotabato was made first class municipality under Executive Order No. 466. Nine years later, it became a city on July 10, 1959, and on June 20, 1959 it was officially created into a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 2364.

During the beginning of the 1950s up to the mid-1970s, Cotabato City was by far the second largest and most progressive city in Mindanao, after Davao City, with its population of more than 200,000 people residing in the city that time. However, mass insurgencies and much disorder between Christians and local Muslims in the region, began in the mid-1960 during the Marcos administration, capitulated into the city's economic decline, so the provincial government moved its permanent capital to Pagalungan in 1967 to avoid internal strife in the city. This made the city mostly isolated to other important economic centers in Mindanao.

When the Empire Province of Cotabato was dissolved 1967, the city used to be part of the newlyfounded North Cotabato province until 1973; since then the city was the administrative center of the ARMM. However, the city broke off administratively from Maguindanao as it rejoined SOCCSKSARGEN in the 1990s. Now many sources consider the city as part of the present North Cotabato Province, although statistically it is still considered part of Maguindanao.

Geography
Cotabato is approximately 698.9 nautical miles (1294 km) from Manila, the country's capital, and is bounded by the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat to the northwith Rio Grande de Mindanao separating the two Kabuntalan to the east, and Datu Odin Sinsuat to the south. The city faces Illana Bay, part of the Moro Gulf, to the west. Cotabato City has a total land area of 176.0 square kilometers.

Economy

The city currently serves as the center for economic support activities (trade and finance), education and other support services such as social, physical, cultural and other basic services of Central Mindanao.

Government
Cotabato City is the regional center of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but the city is actually part of the SOCCSKSARGEN region, sometimes grouped with Cotabato in some sources,1and does not belong to the ARMM.

Political rivalries
This city has been a home for numerous political feuds resulting to assassinations, killings and bombings. The present Mayor JoJo Guiani and six of his family and allies are being investigated after an ambush to his rival, Vice Mayor Mus Sema, who served three terms as a mayor prior to his Vice Mayoralty and is being rumored to run next election and according to police reports, this is the reason of his ambush which he survived .

Barangays
Cotabato City is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.

Bagua

Poblacion IV

Rosary Heights VIII

Bagua II

Poblacion V

Rosary Heights IX

Kalanganan

Poblacion VI

Rosary Heights X

Poblacion

Poblacion VII

Rosary Heights XI

Rosary Heights Poblacion VIII

Rosary Heights XII

Bagua I

Poblacion IX

Rosary Heights XIII

Bagua II

Rosary Heights I

Tamontaka I

Bagua III

Rosary Heights II

Tamontaka II

Kalanganan I

Rosary Heights III Tamontaka III

Kalanganan II Rosary Heights IV Tamontaka IV

Poblacion I

Rosary Heights V

Tamontaka V

Poblacion II

Rosary Heights VI Tamontaka VI

Poblacion III

Rosary Heights VII

Climate

e data for Cotabato City

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

ge high C (F)

32 (90)

32 (90)

33 (91)

33 (91)

33 (91)

32 (90)

32 (90)

31 (88)

32 (90)

32 (90)

32 (90)

32 (90)

32 (90)

ge low C (F)

21 (70)

21 (70)

21 (70)

22 (72)

22 (72)

22 (72)

22 (72)

22 (72)

22 (72)

22 (72)

22 (72)

21 (70)

22 (72)

pitation mm (inches)

60 (2.36)

80 (3.15)

90 (3.54)

120 (4.72)

230 (9.06)

220 (8.66)

220 (8.66)

320 (12.6)

240 (9.45)

250 (9.84)

170 (6.69)

90 (3.54)

2,160 (85.04

Weatherbase.com

Income Classification
Cotabato City is average income in a year is approximately PHP 400m or more. Cotabato City is a 1st class

city.

Tourist attractions
Rio Grande de Mindanao. The second largest river in the Philippines and the longest in Mindanao crisscrossing, with its tributary, the city's vast area. Estimated to be 182 kilometers long and 96 meters wide. Water sports and boat racing are the popular attractions of the river, usually held to coincide with the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival and the Feast of Hariraya Puasa.

Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid The largest mosque in the Philippines

Tamontaka Church Built in 1872 of Spanish architecture and design. It is the oldest church in the city, a relic of the living past.

Lourdes Grotto A replica of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in France. The compound is equipped with a retreat house for recollection and seminars, a mini zoo and a children's park.

Kutang Bato Caves The only cave in the country that is right in the heart of the city. Its various entrances, all within traffic a rarity that can only be had in the "Heart of Mindanao". These caves were also the source of the city's present name for "Kuta" means "Fort" and "Bato" means "Stone" hence the name "Fort of Stone" which later on became Cotabato.

Old Cotabato City Hall A century old structure which houses almost all of the city government offices. It showcases the architectural design of the Maguindanaon Art.

Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine A monument in honor of Takumi Butai and the Japanese soldiers who died here during the Second World War. Takumi was the Provincial Commander of the Japanese forces assigned in Cotabato City. Before he died, he requested that some of his ashes be buried in Cotabato City. This shrine was put up by the Lion's Club of Kyoto, Japan in cooperation with the City Government of Cotabato.

Malls around the City

South Seas Mall Cotabato - the first shopping mall in the city.

Cotabato City Officials

Congresswoman

Hon. Bai Sandra A. Sema

City Mayor
Hon. Japal J. Guiani Jr.

City Vice Mayor

Hon. Muslimin G. Sema

City Councilors
Hon. Graham Nazer G. Dumama

Hon. Eduardo C. Rabago

Hon. Marino R. Ridao

Hon. Wilfrido H. Bueno

Hon. Abdullah A. Andang

Hon. Madatu B. Datumanong

Hon. Froilan R. Melendrez

Hon. Florante L. Formento

Hon. Sukarno G. Sema

Hon. Kusin S. Taha

Hon. Abdillah J. Lim

Hon. Aeyresc Japal G. Sayadi

Hon. Jainal Abidin

See also
Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro

References
^ Local Governance Performance Management System

^ "Historical Weather for Cotabato, Soccsargen, Philippines". http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=64789&refer=&units=metric&cityna me=Cotabato-Soccsksargen-Philippines. Retrieved 2011-08-15.

External links
Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cotabato City Website

All About Cotabato City

Philippine Standard Geographic Code

2007 Philippine Census Information

Cotabato City

The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper

NSCB details for cotabato city geographic code

Articles Related to Cotabato City

v

Province of Maguindanao
Ampatuan

Barira

Buldon

Buluan

Datu Abdullah Sangki

Municipalities Datu Anggal Midtimbang

Datu Blah T. Sinsuat

Datu Hoffer Ampatuan

Datu Montawal

Datu Odin Sinsuat

Datu Paglas

Datu Piang

Datu Salibo

Datu Saudi-Ampatuan

Datu Unsay

General Salipada K. Pendatun

Guindulungan

Kabuntalan

Mamasapano

Mangudadatu

Matanog

Northern Kabuntalan

Pagalungan

Paglat

Pandag

Parang

Rajah Buayan

Shariff Aguak

Shariff Saydona Mustapha

South Upi

Sultan Kudarat

Sultan Mastura

Sultan sa Barongis

Talayan

Talitay

Upi

Cotabato Independent component city (Administratively independent from the province, but grouped under Maguindanao by the National Statistics Office)

SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)

SOuth Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, SARangani, GENeral Santos

Regional Center

Koronadal

Cotabato

Sarangani Provinces South Cotabato

Sultan Kudarat

Highly Urbanized City

General Santos

Independent Component City Cotabato City

Kidapawan

Component Cities

Koronadal

Tacurong

Alabel

Isulan Provincial Capitals Kidapawan

Koronadal

Alabel

Alamada Component Municipalities Aleosan

Antipas

Arakan

Bagumbayan

Banga

Banisilan

Carmen

Columbio

Esperanza

Glan

Isulan

Kabacan

Kalamansig

Kiamba

Lake Sebu

Lambayong

Lebak

Libungan

Lutayan

M'lang

Maasim

Magpet

Maitum

Makilala

Malapatan

Malungon

Matalam

Midsayap

Norala

Palimbang

Pigkawayan

Pikit

Polomolok

President Quirino

President Roxas

Santo Nio

Senator Ninoy Aquino

Surallah

T'boli

Tampakan

Tantangan

Tulunan

Tupi

Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

Regional Center

Cotabato City

Basilan

Provinces

Lanao del Sur

Maguindanao

Sulu

Tawi-Tawi

Lamitan Component Cities Marawi

Bongao (de facto)

Isabela (transferred to Region IX)

Jolo Provincial Capitals Marawi

Panglima Sugala (de jure)

Shariff Aguak

Akbar

Al-Barka

Ampatuan

Municipalities

Bacolod-Kalawi

Balabagan

Balindong

Banguingui

Barira

Bayang

Binidayan

Bongao

Buadiposo-Buntong

Bubong

Buldon

Buluan

Bumbaran

Butig

Calanogas

Datu Abdullah Sangki

Datu Anggal Midtimbang

Datu Blah T. Sinsuat

Datu Hoffer Ampatuan

Datu Montawal

Datu Odin Sinsuat

Datu Paglas

Datu Piang

Datu Salibo

Datu Saudi-Ampatuan

Datu Unsay

Ditsaan-Ramain

Ganassi

General Salipada K. Pendatun

Guindulungan

Hadji Mohammad Ajul

Hadji Muhtamad

Hadji Panglima Tahil

Indanan

Jolo

Kabuntalan

Kalingalan Caluang

Kapai

Kapatagan

Languyan

Lantawan

Lugus

Lumba-Bayabao

Lumbaca-Unayan

Lumbatan

Lumbayanague

Luuk

Madalum

Madamba

Maguing

Maimbung

Malabang

Maluso

Mamasapano

Mangudadatu

Mapun

Marantao

Marogong

Masiu

Matanog

Mulondo

Northern Kabuntalan

Old Panamao

Omar

Pagalungan

Pagayawan

Paglat

Pandag

Pandami

Panglima Estino

Panglima Sugala

Pangutaran

Parang (Maguindanao)

Parang (Sulu)

Pata

Patikul

Piagapo

Picong

Poona Bayabao

Pualas

Rajah Buayan

Saguiaran

Sapa-Sapa

Shariff Aguak

Shariff Saydona Mustapha

Siasi

Sibutu

Simunul

Sitangkai

South Ubian

South Upi

Sultan Dumalondong

Sultan Kudarat

Sultan Mastura

Sultan sa Barongis

Sumisip

Tabuan-Lasa

Tagoloan II

Talayan

Talipao

Talitay

Tamparan

Tandubas

Tapul

Taraka

Tipo-Tipo

Tubaran

Tuburan

Tugaya

Turtle Islands

Ungkaya Pukan

Upi

Wao

Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines

Cities

of the Philippines
Angeles

Antipolo Highly-urbanized Cities Bacolod

Baguio

Butuan

Cagayan de Oro

Caloocan

Cebu

Davao

General Santos

Iligan

Iloilo

Lapu-Lapu

Las Pias

Lucena

Makati

Malabon

Mandaluyong

Mandaue

Manila

Marikina

Muntinlupa

Navotas

Olongapo

Paraaque

Pasay

Pasig

Puerto Princesa

Quezon City

San Juan

Tacloban

Taguig

Valenzuela

Zamboanga

Cotabato

Dagupan Independent Component Cities Naga

Ormoc

Santiago

Alaminos

Bacoor

Bago

Bais

Balanga

Batangas

Batac

Bayawan Component Cities Baybay

Bayugan

Bian

Bislig

Bogo

Borongan

Cabadbaran

Cabanatuan

Cabuyao

Cadiz

Calamba

Calapan

Calbayog

Candon

Canlaon

Carcar

Catbalogan

Cauayan

Cavite

Danao

Dapitan

Dasmarias

Digos

Dipolog

Dumaguete

El Salvador

Escalante

Gapan

Gingoog

Guihulngan

Himamaylan

Ilagan

Imus

Iriga

Isabela

Kabankalan

Kidapawan

Koronadal

La Carlota

Lamitan

Laoag

Legazpi

Ligao

Lipa

Maasin

Mabalacat

Malaybalay

Malolos

Marawi

Masbate

Mati

Meycauayan

Muoz

Naga, Cebu

Oroquieta

Ozamiz

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Panabo

Passi

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Samal

San Carlos, Negros Occidental

San Carlos, Pangasinan

San Fernando, La Union

San Fernando, Pampanga

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Silay

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Sorsogon

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Tabaco

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Talisay, Negros Occidental

Tanauan

Tandag

Tangub

Tanjay

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Toledo

Trece Martires

Tuguegarao

Urdaneta

Valencia

Victorias

Vigan