Magpet, Cotabato

Magpet
—  Municipality  —
Municipality of Magpet, Cotabato
Map of Cotabato showing the location of Magpet
Magpet Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°07′N 125°07′E / 7.117°N 125.117°E / 7.117; 125.117Coordinates: 7°07′N 125°07′E / 7.117°N 125.117°E / 7.117; 125.117
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Cotabato
Districts	2nd District of Cotabato
Barangays	32
Incorporated (Town)	June 22, 1963
Government
- Type	Mayor-Council
- District Representative	Nancy A. Catamco
- Mayor	PIÑOL, Efren F. (2010–present)
- Vice Mayor	VILLASOR, Florentino R. (2010–present)
- Municipal Council	Councilors MARAÑON, Rogelio L. GONZAGA, Florentino T. LOBATON, Jun L. MAMON, Marilyn B. APOSTOL, Ramiel R. HERNANDEZ, Lorenzo Jr. G. TALOTALO, Primitivo S. BANLASAN, Mamerto J. PORRAS, Roggie C. SK Federation President SASI, Ryan James M.
Area
- Total	755.36 km2 (291.6 sq mi)
Elevation	300 m (984 ft)
Population (2009)
- Total	44,372
- Density	58.7/km2 (152.1/sq mi)
Demonym	Cotabateños Magpeteños
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
- Summer (DST)	+8 (UTC+8)
ZIP Code	9404
Language(s)	Manobo (official)
Income class	1st[1]

Magpet is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According LGMPS^[2] (as of 2009), it has a population of 44,372 people in 9,200 households.

Geography

Magpet is located in the eastern part of Cotabato province and in the foothills of Mt Apo with generally slopping and mountainous terrain. It is bordered in the south by Kidapawan City and on the north by the Municipality of Arakan.

Barangays

Magpet is politically subdivided into 32 barangays.

Alibayon Bagumbayan Bangkal Bantac Basak Binay Bongolanon Datu Celo Del Pilar Doles Gubatan

Ilian Inac Kamada Kauswagan Kisandal Magcaalam Mahongcog Manobo Noa Owas Pangao-an

Poblacion Sallab Tagbac Temporan Amabel Balete Don Panaca Imamaling Kinarum Manobisa

Natural resources

Water

Several rivers located in Magpet are being tapped for irrigation development and potential for hydro power plants. Others are the major tributaries to Kabacan River, which flows to many barangays of Magpet, to the Municipalities of Pres. Roxas, Matalam, Kabacan, Carmen and connects with Pulangi River. As a major source of water supply, it served for irrigation purposes, servicing thousands of hectares of rice fields not only in the Municipality of Magpet, but also in the various areas of the Province as well. Magpet is serviced with public water system (Level III) by the Metro Kidapawan Water District. Under this system, 1,242 households were connected with individual faucet. The Barangay Water Sanitation, or BAWASA, has a communal faucet (Level II) connected to 2,381 households. 2,978 households draw their water from developed springs (Level I).

Minerals

Mineral products found in the municipality of Magpet include non-metallic like limestone, sand and gravel which are the basic good materials for constructions while the red and white clay, considered as among the best in the country, are good materials for ceramic production. These can be found particularly in the barangays of Doles, Inca and Noa. Metallic minerals include gold, nickel and silver.

Tourist attractions

• Towsuvan Falls located at the foothills of Mt. Apo in the town of Magpet. Crystal-clear water that offer a cool respite to a trek through lush forests, with more or less 20–30 meters drop of water with a natural pool. Its temperature reached up to 6 °C at night.

• Kirongdong Falls and Rainforests located at Kinarum, Magpet. More or less 70–80 meters drop of water surrounded by mountain ranges and cliffs.

• Mabu Falls and Rainforest located at Manobo, Magpet. More or less 400 ft high waterfalls and blessed with bed of flowers and century Cinnamon and Almaciga trees in the surroundings.

• Grace Tropical Resort located at Pangao-an, Magpet. A 3-hectare orchard.

• Manobo Tribal Village locatec at Manobo, Magpet. It is one of the entry point to Mt. Apo via Lake Venado.

• Dallag Tribal Village located at Manobo, Magpet. It has an area of 400 has. and nestled at about 400 above sea level and it is inhabited with indigenous Manobo tribes.

History

Magpet derived its name from the word “Malotpot”^[3] which means “a place where people gather in fellowship to partake of their packed lunch wrapped in banana leaves”.

An anonymous lexicographer inadvertently shortened the word “Linoppot” to “Maupot”. Much later and further spelled into “MAGPET” by a certain forester in his survey report. Consequently, the word “Magpet” stuck not only to mean the place but also the stream of the cool, fresh and clean water. By the present connotation, Magpet means “the verdant lands of countless waters”.

The life of the early year’s settlers and inhabitants of Magpet was a tale of survival and fortitude. Their lives were always in danger. Bloodthirsty malarial mosquito’s attacked them. Grandparents often told their grandchildren the stories “about eating their meals inside the mosquito nets” because “mosquitoes were as big as bees”.

Yet, all the hardships and suffering, and even death of the early settlers only served to strengthen their decision to stay and utilize the vast natural resources of Magpet. The land was very fertile and varieties of fishes were found in the rivers and streams, and on the woodlands, wild pigs, deer and birds are plentiful. Food was not a problem during that period, but rather, marketing of production surplus and purchase of basic commodities. They traveled for days and weeks in order to sell their crops to the nearest trading centers and they needed salt, sugar, matches and soap for daily needs.

References

1. ^ ActiveStats – PSGC Interactive – Municipality: MAGPET. NSCB. Retrieved on 2011-10-09.
2. ^ L G P M S. Blgs.gov.ph. Retrieved on 2011-10-09.
3. ^ MAGPET. Cotabatoprov.gov.ph (1963-06-22). Retrieved on 2011-10-09.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System