Cotabato City

By 1515, after a successful Islamic colonization in Sulu, Muslim traders went to Maguindanao and converted many of the natives to Islam. Those that did not accept the arrival of the Muslims went into higher ground or the interior of the island. During the same year, the Sultanate of Maguindanao was formally established, with Kota Wato as its capital, and ruled a vast territory in Mindanao from until its total collapse in 1888.

Following the Spanish evacuation in Jan. 1899, Datu Piang led the Moro's in a massacre of the remaining Christian community, enslaving those they did not kill.[9]^:529–530 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 as its first governor.[6]

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 regular municipalities in 1936. 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.[6] On 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 by Executive Order No. 82 signed by President Manuel Roxas, namely: Kidapawan, Pagalungan, Buayan, Marbel, Parang, Nuling, Dinaig, Salaman, 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 on 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.[6]

The city was chartered by the virtue of Republic Act No. 2364 on June 20, 1959.[10]

The city used to be part of the original Province of Cotabato and was its capital from 1920 until 1967, a year after the separation of South Cotabato; since then the city was the administrative center of the ARMM when Maguindanao was carved out in 1973. 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 Cotabato province, although geographically it is still considered part of Maguindanao.[6]

The city has traditionally resisted efforts for its inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite serving as the government center of the region. Despite of this, the city's residents voted for their locality's inclusion in the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region by voting to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in the January 21, 2019 plebiscite.[11] The city became de jure part of Bangsamoro following the plebiscite, as well as the government center of the new region. It became official part of the region after its formal turnover to the Bangsamoro regional government on December 15, 2020.[12]

Pedro Colina Hill

Cotabato City has 27 urban barangays that are grouped into two major urban areas, the Down Town Area and the Upper Town Area.

Down Town Area covers the barangays of Poblacion and Bagua which has a population of more than 150,000, Down Town area is below the sea water level, so it is always prone to flooding, down town is the center of banking, trading and commerce of Cotabato City, more than 20 banks including Central Bank of the Philippines are here, the two major wet markets are also located here the Mega Market and the City Arcade, malls and supermarkets are also here such as South Seas Mall, Puregold Main Branch, Sugni Super Store, Superama (3 branches) and also the upcoming KCC Mall of Cotabato. Some of major schools are also located at the down town area such as Notre Dame University, Cotabato City Central Pilot School the largest elementary school, STI Cotabato and Notre Dame of Cotabato, many restaurants and fast food chains are located here such as McDonalds, two branches of Jollibee, Greenwhich, Chowking, Goldilocks, Redribbon, Mang inasal, Mister Donut and Choobi Choobi.

Upper Town Area is the elevated area of Cotabato City, it covers all barangays of Rosary Heights and where the Peoples Palace (City Hall) are situated, the upper town area is the services center of Cotabato City because the Regional Government Agencies from the Bangsamoro Region and Region 12 are located on this area, it also covers Cotabato Regional and Medical Center and other medical hospitals, other educational institutions are also located here Cotabato City State Polytechnic College, Notre Dame-RVM, AMA Computer College and also the defunct University of Mindanao is located here. There are three major shopping malls here the CityMall, Mall of Alnor and Fiesta Mall(Puregold 2nd branch), many restaurants are also spread out on this area such as Jollibee (2 branches), Chowking (2 branches), Greenwich, Chicken Deli, Reyes Barbecue, Hukad Restaurant, Bo's Coffee (2 branches), Blackscoop Cafe, Highlands Coffee and Penongs.

The other two developing areas are Barangays of Kalanganan which is the Seaport and the Grand Mosque is located, the major industry here are aquaculture, the proposed Public Market and Public Terminal is located here, coastal road is also under construction on this area. Another developing area is the Barangays of Tamontaka, which the proposed International Airport will be established on this area, Tamontaka is also the east diversion road of Cotabato City.

The city is situated in the lowest portion of Maguindanao province. The City of Cotabato with its 37 barangays spans an area with marked landscapes of flat, level to nearly level, very gently sloping to gently undulations to moderately sloping or rolling. It is basically a delta formed by two big rivers, the Tamontaka River and the Rio Grande de Mindanao. Basically 70% of its total land area is below sea level. There are only 2 existing elevated areas in the city, the PC Hill and the Timako Hill with an altitude of 90 and 150 feet, respectively. At the foot of PC Hill is Tantawan Park and also hosts the Kutang Bato Caves.

Concentration of settlements and other urban uses are in the central portion while the southwestern and southeastern portion have mixed uses of agricultural land settlements. The city is criss-crossed by meandering and braided creeks and rivers like the Matampay, Parang, Timako, Esteros and Miwaruy.

These water bodies serve as sources of both agricultural, industrial and domestic water requirements of some rural barangays. These rivers also serve as the natural drainage flow of the city's wastes.

Cotabato City is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.[14][15] Cotabato City has 27 urban barangays as classified by Philippine Statistics Authority.

Under the Köppen climate classification system, Cotabato City features a tropical rainforest climate (Af), falling just short of a tropical monsoon climate (Am).

The main language is Maguindanao. Tagalog, Chavacano, and Cebuano are spoken by both Christians and Muslims, while Iranun, Maranao, English, and Arabic, can also be heard in the city. The dialect of Chavacano native to Cotabato City is referred to as Cotabateño.[22]

As reported by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on 2015, 76.15% of the people of Cotabato City are adherent of Islam and mainly belong to Sunnites.[23] The followers of Islam are mainly Maguindanaoan, Iranun, Maranao, and Tausug people. The remaining proportion belong to non - Islamic belief such as Christianity, Buddhism and other sects.

Cotabato City also hosts the largest mosque in the Philippines, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid which can accommodate approximately 15,000 worshippers.[24] It is also the seat of the Archdiocese of Cotabato which serves its Roman Catholic population.[25] The city also hosts the historic Church of the Immaculate Concepcion Tamontaka.

Festivals religious of origin are also held in the city annually such the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival which is dedicated to Sharif Kabungsuwan, a Muslim missionary which introduced Islam in the area.[26] The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, since the Mary, mother of Jesus as the Immaculate Conception, is regarded by the patron saint of the city by its Catholic population.

• Justino Maquez - First Municipal President (1912-1914)
• Jose Heras - 2nd Municipal President (1913-1932)
• Jose S. Lim Sr. - The 3rd Municipal President (1932-1937)

1935 Philippine Constitution

• Aurelio Casanova (1937-1938) appointed
• Alejandro Doroteo - The first elected mayor in the Municipality of Cotabato under the 1935 Philippine Constitution, 1938 to 1941
• Jose S. Lim Sr 2nd elected Municipal Mayor (1941-1944)
• Pacifico Gutierrez - Military Mayor (1944-1945)
• Datu Mando U. Sinsuat - 1947 to 1951 (Municipality); 1952 to November 16, 1967 (City)
• Andres Alonzo (1946-1950)
• Teodoro V. Juliano - November 17, 1967 to February 2, 1975; March 1, 1980 to March 5, 1984
• Juan J. Ty - February 3, 1975 to February 28, 1980;(won electoral protest against Teodoro V Juliano)March 05,1984- March 30,1986
• Ludovico D. Badoy - March 30, 1986 to December 2, 1987; May, 1988 to 1992; 1992 to 1995; 1995 to 1998
• Officer-in-Charge
  • Arthur P. Bueno - December 1987 to February 1988
  • Dra. Lydia Mercado - February 1988 to May 1988
• Muslimin Sema - January 1998 to 2001; 2001 to 2004; 2004 to 2007; 2007 to 2010
• Rodel M. Mañara (Won thru electoral protest against Muslimin Sema) - January 2001 to March 2001
• Japal Guiani Jr. - May 10, 2010 to June 30, 2013; June 30, 2013 to May 30, 2016; May 30, 2016 to September 22, 2016 (deceased)
• Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi - September 22, 2016 to May 13, 2019 (Law of succession); May 13, 2019 to present.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - Cotabato City Branch

Mall of Alnor

Cotabato City has one of the Highest Bank Deposits in Mindanao with total of Php20,706,395,000.00 deposits as of December 31, 2019,[35] due to high bank deposits and good economic dynamism. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas built its Central Mindanao branch in the city.

The city has local and national-based shopping centers. Local-based shopping centers like Superama, Sugni, Mall of Alnor, and Southseas Mall have been in competition with the national-based shopping centers like CityMall, Puregold, Robinsons Supermarket and Department Store, Centro Department Store, and SM Savemore. Cotabato City is one of the fastest growing economy in the Soccsksargen region.[36]

KCC Malls had started its full blown construction last July 1, 2020, it is located at a prime lot along Quezon Avenue corner Sinsuat Avenue, the project is estimated to cost 11 billion pesos, the mall is 4 storey with a total lot area of 11 hectares, on the second phase of construction is the completion of 11 storey hotel with convention center, probably upon completion this could be the tallest building in the region 12.[37] NCCC Malls, a Davao-based mall corporation have also confirmed their interest to build their mall within the city.[38]

City "Double A" Standard Halal Slaughterhouse

Cotabato City has a more or less 1,700 hectares of fishponds which has an annual production of 500,000 kg of mangrove crabs, prawn and milkfish.[39][40][41]

Aiming to be the halal hub of the Philippines, the City Government and Malaysian Businessman built a Class AA halal slaughter house in Baranggay Kalangan II in the city primary serving the entire Central Mindanao, the Halal slaughter house generates a gross income of 4,642,135.00 pesos in 2018.[42]

The city has different factories for cooking oil, coffee, corn starch, processed food and furniture operating within the city.

Is an Agri-industrial and Eco Tourism Corridor projected by the NEDA region 12, the primary growth node in this corridor is Cotabato City with Kidapawan City and Midsayap as intermediate urban centers.

Cotabato City as the primary urban center in this corridor, serves as the institutional, financial and service center, also the center of public health with the existence of the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center, and the de facto capital of BARMM. The city is a special economic zone is expected to diversify its economic base and will facilitate the creation of more investment and job opportunities.

Cotabato Province ranks first in the region in rice and rubber production, second in corn and produces organic coco sugar and delicious tropical fruits. It hosts processing plants for palm oil, sugar cane and rubber. The Mount Apo Geothermal Power plant in Kidapawan City generates 52 megawatts.

2018 Kuyog street dancing competition

• Feast of the Immaculate Conception - a celebration of Patron Saint of the city from Dec 1 to Dec 8 activities are mostly participated by different catholic schools
• Shariff Kabunsuan Festival – this festival is celebrated every December 15–19, which is celebrated in honor of Shariff Mohammad Kabunsuan, an Arab missionary from Johore who planted the seed of Islam in Central Mindanao. On this event, certain presentations are performed such as dances. There are also many recreational activities and sports. Highlights in this festival are Dance Parade, Banca Race and the re-enactment of Shariff's arrival.
• Araw ng Kutabato (Cotabato Day) – celebrated every June 12–25, this is the biggest celebration in all of the city's festivals. This festival is held to commemorate the city's charter day.
• Festival of Lights - A Christmas celebration organized by the Notre Dame schools in Cotabato City, celebrated every December of the year.
• Pakaradjaan Festival - A regional wide festival and held in the ORG compound in Cotabato City, Pakaradjaan is a generic term for celebration among ethno-linguistic tribes in the island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the Mainland Provinces of Lanao Del Sur and Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.The festival shall be capped off with the setting up of intricate mock tribal villages inside the 32-hectare ARMM capitol southwest of Cotabato City to educate tourists on the ethnicity of Muslim, Christian and Lumad people in the autonomous region.
• Ramadhan - Being a Muslim majority, the city is one in celebrating the holy month of Ramadhan, both the city local government unit and the Bangsamoro Region are establishing their own Ramadhan Fair and different activities.
• Layagan Festival - is a Crabs Festival held and organized in the Barangay of Mother Kalanganan, the event is conducted every December, Barangay Kalanganan produces hundred of tons of crabs annually making it as the crabs capital of Soccsksargen.

• Notre Dame University
• Cotabato City State Polytechnic College
• STI Cotabato
• St. Benedict College of Cotabato
• Notre Dame – RVM College of Cotabato
• AMA Computer College
• Coland Systems Technology College Inc.
• Antonio R. Pacheco College
• Doctor P. Ocampo College
• Dela Vida College
• Jamiat Cotabato - Cotabato City University
• Mindanao Capitols Colleges
• Shariff Kabunsuan College, Inc.
• Kutawato Darusallam College
• Headstart College of Cotabato
• Notre Dame Hospital and School of Midwifery
• Computer Aided Design and Information Technology Institute, Inc.
• Aviation Technical School of Cotabato
• Academia De Technologia in Mindanao
• JCourse Design Technology Institute Inc.

• University of Mindanao - Located at Bishop Mongeau Ave., Cotabato City, Cotabato
• Philippine Harvardian Colleges - Located at Quezon Avenue, Cotabato City now El Manuel Hotel and Citi Hardware
• Mindanao Institute of Technology(Cotabato Campus)
• Cotabato City Central Colleges - Located at Sinsuat avenue, now transferred in Koronadal City and renamed as Regency Polytechnic College

• Davao City
• Malita [51]
• Midsayap, Kidapawan, General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong [52]
• Panabo, Davao del Norte
• Quezon City, since June 1987[53]
• Tagum, Davao del Norte
• Naga, Camarines Sur
• Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao[54]
• Parang, Maguindanao

• Johor Bahru, Malaysia[55]
• Bandung, Indonesia[56]