Koronadal City - History

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 B'laans and Maguindanaos. The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two B'laan words- koron or kolon meaning Cogon Grass, and nadal or datal meaning Plain, which aptly described the place to the natives. 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 used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T'Boli 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 South Cotabato, one of which was 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, 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 known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000. At present, Koronadal 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 Former 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.