Soccsksargen
Region XII
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Left to right, top to bottom: Sarangani Bay; shoreline of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat; Asik-Asik Falls in Alamada, North Cotabato; Lake Sebu; and General Santos, the Commerce and Industrial Center of Region 12 | |
Location in the Philippines
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OpenStreetMap  | |
| Coordinates: 6°30′N 124°51′E / 6.5°N 124.85°E / 6.5; 124.85 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Island group | Mindanao |
| Regional center | Cotabato City (until 2004) Koronadal (since 2004) |
| Largest city | General Santos |
| Area | |
| • Total | 22,513.30 km2 (8,692.43 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,450 m (8,040 ft) |
| Population
(2020 census)[1]
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| • Total | 4,360,974 |
| • Density | 190/km2 (500/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-12 |
| Provinces | 4 |
| Independent cities | 1 |
| Component cities | 3 |
| Municipalities | 45 |
| Barangays | 1,195 (1,095) |
| Congressional Districts in Soccsksargen Region | 8 |
| Languages |
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| GDP (2023) | ₱620.38 billion $11.15 billion[2] |
| Growth rate |  (3.5%)[2] |
| HDI | 0.685 (Medium) |
| HDI rank | 14th in the Philippines (2019) |
Soccsksargen (officially stylized in all caps;[3] [sokˈsardʒɛn]), formerly known as Central Mindanao, is an administrative region of the Philippines, designated as Region XII. Located in south-central Mindanao, its name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one highly urbanized city (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos). The regional center is in Koronadal, located in the province of South Cotabato, and the center of commerce and industry is General Santos, which is the most populous city in the region.
The region is bounded on the north by Northern Mindanao, on the east by the Davao Region, and on the southwest by the Celebes Sea. The region also shares a maritime border with Gorontalo and North Sulawesi provinces of Indonesia. The province of Maguindanao is situated between Cotabato City, North Cotabato province, and Sultan Kudarat.
The region has extensive coastlines, valleys and mountain ranges. Known for its river system, the region is the drainage basinofMindanao, particularly at the Cotabato Basin, a large depression surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides.[4][5] Within the basin runs the Rio Grande de Mindanao, the longest river in Mindanao and the second longest in the Philippines. The river empties into Illana Bay of the larger Moro Gulf at the west of Cotabato City.
At the south of the basin lie the Tiruray Highlands, a moderately high mountain range blocking the basin from the southern coastline.[4] Southeast of the mountains lie the Sarangani Bay.
Soccsksargen comprises 4 provinces, 1 highly urbanized city, 3 component cities, 45 municipalities and 1,195 barangays.
| Province or City | Capital | Population (2015)[1] | Area[6][7] | Density | Cities | Muni. | Barangay | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km2 | sq mi | /km2 | /sq mi | ||||||||
 Cotabato
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Kidapawan City | 30.4% | 1,379,747 | 9,008.90 | 3,478.36 | 150 | 390 | 1 | 17 | 543 [8] | |
| Sarangani | Alabel | 12.0% | 544,261 | 3,601.25 | 1,390.45 | 150 | 390 | 0 | 7 | 141 | |
 South Cotabato
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Koronadal City | 20.1% | 915,289 | 3,935.95 | 1,519.68 | 230 | 600 | 1 | 10 | 199 | |
 Sultan Kudarat
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Isulan | 17.9% | 812,095 | 5,298.34 | 2,045.70 | 150 | 390 | 1 | 11 | 249 | |
 General Santos
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† | — | 13.1% | 594,446 | 492.86 | 190.29 | 1,200 | 3,100 | — | — | 26 |
| Total | 4,545,276 | 22,786.08 | 8,797.75 | 200 | 520 | 5 | 45 | 1,195 [9][10] | |||
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| Province | Image | Governor | Political Party | Vice Governor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza | Nacionalista | Efren Piñol | ||
 |
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Rogelio Pacquiao | PCM | Elmer de Peralta | |
 |
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Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. | PFP | Arthur Yusay Pingoy | |
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Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu | Lakas | Raden Camlian Sakaluran | ||
| Rank | City | Area (km2) |
Population as of 2020 |
Tax collection as of 2012[11] |
IRA as of 2015 |
Income class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | General Santos | 492.86 | 697,315 | P1.175 billion | Php 1,086.25 million | 1st |
| 2. | † Koronadal | 277.00 | 195,398 | P917 million (including South Cotabato) |
Php 504.77 million | 3rd |
| 3. | Kidapawan | 358.47 | 160,791 | P554 million (including Cotabato Province) |
Php 509.68 million | 3rd |
| 4. | Tacurong | 153.40 | 109,319 | P555 million (including Sultan Kudarat Province) |
Php 350.57 million | 4th |
The oldest civilization in the region is located in Maitum, Sarangani, where the Maitum Anthropomorphic Pottery were found. The jars have been declared as National Cultural Treasures, and are subject to the high protections ensured by Philippine and international laws.
From the middle of the 14th century to 1905, the Sultanate of Buayan dominated the Soccsksargen region, influencing the local datus in the area as well as having General Santos City under its direct control as a port.
The region used to be named Central Mindanao. Prior to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), it comprised the following provinces:
With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao (excluding Cotabato City), and Sultan Kudarat were removed from the region, leaving Lanao del Norte and Cotabato, and Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato City as constituent provinces and cities.[12] Lanao del Norte and Iligan were later transferred to Northern Mindanao, while Marawi became part of the ARMM.
On December 18, 1998, Sultan Kudarat was transferred back to Central Mindanao through Republic Act No. 8744.[13]
In September 2001, Executive Order No. 36 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo transferring South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos (also known as the SocSarGen District), from Southern Mindanao to Region XII, and renaming the region, from Central Mindanao, to Soccsksargen.[3][14]
By virtue of Executive Order No. 304 signed by then 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.
Traditionally resisting efforts for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite serving as the government center of the ARMM, the January 21, 2019 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation plebiscite resulted in the surprise ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Cotabato City. This means the city may now formally serve as the capital of the region and the offices of the former ARMM will be retained for use by the Bangsamoro Regional Government and now formally no longer constitutes part of the Soccsksargen Region.
In addition to Cotabato City, 63 barangays in Cotabato province opted to join Bangsamoro, thus exiting the region as well.
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| Data includes Cotabato City, which is now part of Bangsamoro. Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Poverty incidence of Soccsksargen
10
20
30
40
50
2006
2009
2012
2015
2018
2021
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] |
The region contributes to the national GDP with 2.6% with 5% growth compared to 2016. 18.3% of Mindanao Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP).[23]
In the most recent contest during the 2024 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition, it showcased Region 12's development as a dominant force in coffee quality. Renowned for its superb beans, the region wowed both enthusiasts and experts with its distinct flavors, superior farming techniques, and commitment to quality. The event demonstrated Region 12's ability to produce coffee that stands out in both national and international markets, establishing its position as a premier producer of high-quality coffee. This newfound reputation promises to raise the region's prominence in the coffee industry, attracting more buyers and lovers from around the world.[24]
The artistic cultural heritage of the native Maguindanao people, among other regional groups—both Muslims and Catholics—revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music. Unique to the Soccsksargen, elements of kulintang may be loosely compared to Indonesia’s gamelan music, and other related traditional performance arts.
SECTION 4. Region XII is hereby reorganized to be known as SOCCSKSARGEN and shall be composed of the following provinces and cities: a. Provinces i. North Cotabato ii. Sarangani iii. South Cotabato iv. Sultan Kudarat b. Cities i. Cotabato City ii. General Santos City iii. Kidapawan City iv. Koronadal City v. Tacurong City
As of May 1, 2000, the total population of Central Mindanao which covers the provinces of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat; and the cities of Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato, was 2,598,210 persons.
Southern Mindanao or Region XI is now known as Davao Region and comprises four provinces (Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental) and five cities (Davao, Digos, Panabo, Tagum and the Island Garden City of Samal. Said provinces and cities are situated along the Davao Gulf area. South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City (SOCSARGEN) and Koronadal City, which were part of the old Region XI) have been transferred to Region XII.
Media related to Soccsksargen at Wikimedia Commons
Soccsksargen travel guide from Wikivoyage
Geographic data related to SoccsksargenatOpenStreetMap 
Regions adjacent to Soccsksargen
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| Authority control databases: Geographic |
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