South Cotabato - History

History

Centuries ago, the area that would be the South Cotabato was sparsely inhabited by Malay Pioneers which later evolved into various ethnic groupings that still exist in the Province today. Settlers, who would lay the foundation of what would become a progressive province, started trooping down 1914.

The significant thrust occurred during the term of President Quezon in late 1930s. Gen. Paulino Santos, a man whose undaunted pioneering spirit inspired thousand, led the first of wave of settlers that time. After World War II, the final exodus of settler from Luzon and Visayas poured into the virgin land of promise.

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 finally formed as an independent province raring to push its own development.

In 1992, South Cotabato gave birth to a new province. Seven towns in southern and coastal section of the province now form part of the Province of Sarangani . This was a new challenge. In addition, South Cotabateños, with their indomitable pioneering spirit have proven once more their ability to face and hurdle diverse challenges ably went through with the demands of time.

South Cotabato sparks new interest having emerged as a favorite venue for conventions and big events of national significance like the National Secondary School Press Conference, Palarong Pambansa and 9 th Mindanao Business Conference to name few.

The new millennium ushers in a new beginning for the province with the coming in of regional offices in the area in consonance with EO 429 dated October 12, 1990 issued by President Corazon C. Aquino and EO No. 36 dated September 19, 2001 issued by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, provide for the reorganization of the new Administrative Region in Mindanao and having the city of Koronadal as the regional center of Region XII.

In four decades since its provincehood, South Cotabato has already surpassed dozens of provinces establish half a century ahead in almost every aspect of development. In a short span, it becomes one of the leading provinces in Mindanao . What it got to show today are vivid result of human synergy and the richness of its resources.