Sultan Kudarat
—  Province  —
The new provincial capitol
Official seal of Sultan Kudarat Seal
Map of the Philippines with Sultan Kudarat highlighted
Coordinates: 6°33′N 124°17′E / 6.55°N 124.283°E / 6.55; 124.283Coordinates: 6°33′N 124°17′E / 6.55°N 124.283°E / 6.55; 124.283
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Founded	November 22, 1973
Capital	Isulan
Government
• Type	Province of the Philippines
• Governor	Suharto T. Mangudadatu (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
• Vice Governor	Ernesto Matias (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
Area
• Total	5,251.3 km2 (2,027.5 sq mi)
Area rank	20th out of 80
Population (2007)
• Total	675,644
• Rank	39th out of 80
• Density	130/km2 (330/sq mi)
• Density rank	56th out of 80
Divisions
• Independent cities	0
• Component cities	1
• Municipalities	11
• Barangays	249
• Districts	1st and 2nd districts of Sultan Kudarat
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code
Spoken languages	Hiligaynon, Ilokano, Cebuano, Maguindanao
Website	[1]

Sultan Kudarat is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Isulan and borders Maguindanao and Cotabato to the north, South Cotabato and Sarangani to the south, and Davao del Sur to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the west.

HISTORY[link]

Sultan Kudarat was once a part of the former empire province of Cotabato. It was created as a separate province along with Maguindanao and North Cotabato on November 22, l973 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 341 signed by former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos.

The purpose of dividing Cotabato into three (3) smaller provinces is clearly stated in Presidential Decree No. 341, which pertinently provided, to wit: “Whereas, the province of Cotabato is one of the largest and richest provinces of the Philippines;

Whereas, the potentials of the province have not been fully developed due to the magnitude of the task of provincial development and troubles that have long plagued the area;

Whereas, the many conflicting political, social and economic interests that have limited the progress of the province must be resolved in order to promote the stability and accelerate the development of Cotabato; and

Whereas, there is a need for dividing the present province into smaller units which can be more effectively administered and developed”.

The name Sultan Kudarat given to the province was derived from a Muslim ruler, the late Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat who begun to assert his leadership in the year 1619 and reigned the Sultanate of Maguindanao from January 1625 to 1671 AD.

He was a virtuous leader who embodied the idea of basic unity, oneness and freedom among the diverse people scattered throughout its Sultanate. For this reason, he was considered as one of the National heroes of our country and for his honour this province was named after him.

People[link]

As of the 2000 census, Sultan Kudarat has a total population of 586,505. The province formerly had a Muslim majority, but Christian migrants now outnumber Muslims and highlanders.

Maguindanaons live in the coastal towns of the province. Tribal groups with settlements in the province include the Blaan, Iranons, Tirurays and Manobo.

The Ilonggos constitute the majority of the Christian population, with their native language which is Ilonggo as the province's dominant language. Ilocano and Cebuano are also spoken in some municipalities. Maguindanao is the local language of the Muslim population. Ilocanos and Ilonggos are the only ethno-linguistic dwellers of the province who are not natives of Mindanao since Cebuanos inhabited the island around 18th century.

Economy[link]

The economy of Sultan Kudarat is predominantly agricultural. With vast agricultural potential, the output consists of practically all types of crops grown in the country, including rice, corn, beef, coffee, and vegetables. The province is self-sufficient in poultry, swine, and root crops. The province is one of the few producers of Irish potatoes in the Philippines. The southern Philippines Grain Complex in Tacurong is the largest grains-processing complex in the country. There are more than 200 ricemills in the province.

Fishing is a fast growing industry. Tuna caught along the coasts along the Celebes Sea are of high quality, and are exported to Japan and Europe.

Another significant economic activities include the cottage industry, which includes crafts made of rattan and other types of wood.

Geography[link]

Political[link]

Sultan Kudarat is subdivided into 11 municipalities and 1 city. Three of the municipalities (Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang) are coastal towns, while the rest of the province are located inland.

Tacurong City is the smallest unit in the province in terms of land area, but it is the most urbanized, and is considered to be the province's commercial center. Other growth centers are Lebak and Isulan, the latter being the provincial capital. Bagumbayan is the largest town in terms of land area.

The 11 municipalities and Tacurong City are further subdivided into 249 barangays.

City[link]

• Tacurong City

Municipalities[link]

Physical[link]

Sultan Kudarat is located on the southwestern part of the island of Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato; on the south by South Cotabato; on the east by Davao del Sur; and on the west by the Celebes Sea. The province's total land area is 4783.1898 square kilometres.

The three coastal towns on the province's western side are lined with mountain ranges that wall the central part of the province from the sea. There are also mountains on the eastern side, leaving flat land in between.

The climate is characterized by a short dry season lasting from one to three months. Unlike most other provinces in the country, Sultan Kudarat is generally free from typhoons and rainfall is more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Musical Heritage[link]

The native Maguindanaon have a fascinating culture that revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music, found among both Muslim and non-Muslim groups of the Southern Philippines.

Government officials[link]

The elected provincial officials for 2010-2013 are:

• Governor: Gov. Suharto T. Mangudadatu
• Vice Governor: Ernesto F. Matias, MD

• 1st District w/ Tacurong City: Rep. Raden C. Sakalauran
• 2nd District: Rep. Arnulfo F. Go

Elected Officials 2007-2010

• Governor: Gov. Suharto T. Mangudadatu
• Vice Governor: Donato A. Ligo

• 1st District w/ Tacurong City: Rep. Pax S. Mangudadatu
• 2nd District: Rep. Arnulfo F. Go

Elected Officials 2004-2007

• Rep. Suharto T. Mangudadatu
• Gov. Pax S. Mangudadatu
• Vice Gov. Donato A. Ligo

Elected Officials 1998-2000; 2000–2004

• Rep. Angelo O. Montilla
• Gov. Pax S. Mangudadatu
• Vice Gov. Miguel Domingo T. Jacalan III

Elected Officials 1995-1998

• Rep. Angelo O. Montilla
• Gov. Nesthur R. Gumana
• Vice Gov. Rose P. Jamison

Elected Officials 1992-1995

• Rep. Estanislao Valdez
• Gov. Nesthur R. Gumana
• Vice Gov. Sinsuat A. Andang, Sr.

External links[link]

• Official website of the provincial government of Sultan Kudarat
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information (1)
• 2007 Philippine Census Information (2)
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• Inquirer.net, Sultan Kudarat town aims for nat’l recognition

v t e Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Center Koronadal, South Cotabato Highly Urbanized City General Santos City Independent City Cotabato City Provinces South Cotabato North Cotabato Sultan Kudarat Sarangani Component Cities Koronadal City Tacurong City Kidapawan City Component Municipalities South Cotabato Banga Lake Sebu Norala Polomolok Santo Niño Surallah T'boli Tampakan Tantangan Tupi North Cotabato Alamada Aleosan Antipas Arakan Banisilan Carmen Kabacan Libungan M'lang Magpet Makilala Matalam Midsayap Pigkawayan Pikit President Roxas Tulunan Sultan Kudarat Bagumbayan Columbio Esperanza Isulan Kalamansig Lambayong Lebak Lutayan Palimbang President Quirino Senator Ninoy Aquino Sarangani Alabel Glan Kiamba Maasim Maitum Malapatan Malungon Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines

v t e Political divisions of the Philippines Capital Manila National Capital Region Autonomous region Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Provinces Abra Agusan del Norte Agusan del Sur Aklan Albay Antique Apayao Aurora Basilan Bataan Batanes Batangas Benguet Biliran Bohol Bukidnon Bulacan Cagayan Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Camiguin Capiz Catanduanes Cavite Cebu Compostela Valley Cotabato Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Oriental Dinagat Islands Eastern Samar Guimaras Ifugao Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur Iloilo Isabela Kalinga La Union Laguna Lanao del Norte Lanao del Sur Leyte Maguindanao Marinduque Masbate Misamis Occidental Misamis Oriental Mountain Province Negros Occidental Negros Oriental Northern Samar Nueva Ecija Nueva Vizcaya Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Palawan Pampanga Pangasinan Quezon Quirino Rizal Romblon Samar Sarangani Siquijor Sorsogon South Cotabato Southern Leyte Sultan Kudarat Sulu Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur Tarlac Tawi-Tawi Zambales Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay Former Provinces Agusan Ambos Camarines Camarines Cotabato Davao Kalinga-Apayao Lanao Lepanto-Bontoc Manila Mindanao and Sulu Mindoro Misamis Moro Province Negros Negros del Norte Occidental Leyte Oriental Leyte Samar Shariff Kabunsuan Surigao Tayabas Zamboanga Other subdivisions Island groups (Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao) Regions Cities Municipalities Barangays Legislative districts Territorial disputes North Borneo (Sabah) Scarborough Shoal Spratly Islands

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (August 2007)

Hon. Pakung S. Mandudadatu also known as Pax Mangudadatu was elected Representative of the 1st district of Sultan Kudarat with Tacurong City under the administration's Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) party in 2007.^[2]

He was born in Buluan, Cotabato (now Buluan, Maguindanao). He served as municipal mayor of Lutayan before he ran for governor of the province in 1998. During his campaign for governor, he and Rep. Angelo Montilla created the SK UNA political party. He defeated Sultan Kudarat Vice Gov. Rose Jamison for governor of the province and making history as the first Muslim governor of the Christian-dominated province. He served as provincial governor for nine years from 1998-2007.

During his campaign for his last term as governor last 2004, he was challenged by his ally Rep. Angelo Montilla who he defeated. He was reelected as governor and his son, Mayor Suharto Mangudadatu of Lutayan won the lone district congressional race.

Last May 14, 2007, he was elected as representative of the first district of the province over his rival Angelo Montilla. Again, he made history for being the first representative of the first district of the province; While his son, Rep. Suharto Mangudadatu, succeeded him as provincial governor.

References[link]

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