Matalam, Cotabato

Matalam
—  Municipality  —
Municipality of Matalam, Cotabato
Map of Cotabato showing the location of Matalam
Matalam Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°05′N 124°54′E / 7.083°N 124.9°E / 7.083; 124.9Coordinates: 7°05′N 124°54′E / 7.083°N 124.9°E / 7.083; 124.9
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Cotabato
Districts	2nd District of Cotabato
Barangays	34
Incorporated (Town)	December 29, 1961
Government
- Type	Mayor-Council
- District Representative	Nancy A. Catamco
- Mayor	VALDEVIESO, Oscar M. (2010-present)
- Vice Mayor	CATAMCO, Cheryl V. (2010-present)
- Municipal Council	Councilors AMATAC, Saturnino Jr. B. MACAPAS, Fredrick S. POBLADOR, Efren S. SALEM, Anwar E. PARREÑAS, Ronaldo M. CRISTOBAL, Rogelio M. BARRACA, Christopher M. VILLAMOR, Joselito F. SALEM, Anwar E. SK Federation President GARCIA, Joan Mae P.
Area
- Total	476.00 km2 (183.8 sq mi)
Elevation	80 m (262 ft)
Population (2009)
- Total	69,364
- Density	145.7/km2 (377.4/sq mi)
Demonym	Cotabateños
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
- Summer (DST)	+8 (UTC+8)
ZIP Code	9406
Language(s)	Manobo (official)
Income class	1st Class[1]

Matalam is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to LGMPS^[2] (as of 2009), it has a population of 69,364 people in 14,953 households.

Geography

Matalam is a palm shape municipality. It is centrally located right at the heart of the province of Cotabato. It is bounded on the east by the municipality of Kidapawan; on the west by Kabacan; on the south by M’lang and on the North bu Municipalities of President Roxas and Carmen. It lies along the Cotabato-Davao National Highway occupying the large portion of the famous Arakan Valley.

Barangays

Matalam is politically subdivided into 34 barangays.

New Alimodian Arakan Bangbang Bato Central Malamote Dalapitan Estado Ilian Kabulacan Kibia Kibudoc Kidama

Kilada Lampayan Latagan Linao Lower Malamote Manubuan Manupal Marbel Minamaing Natutungan New Bugasong

New Pandan Patadon West Poblacion Salvacion Santa Maria Sarayan Taculen Taguranao Tamped (Tampad) New Abra Pinamaton

Climate

Matalam belongs to the 4th type of climate, which is characterized by a more or less even distribution of rainfall throughout the year. The municipality has an average rainfall of 13.63 inches (346 mm). The heaviest rainfall months of the year are May, June and July. The prevailing wind direction is from west to east. Matalam is geographically located outside typhoon belt. Normal condition temperature ranges from 28-38 degrees Celsius, the month of April being the hottest month, while the coldest month of the year is December.

Natural resources

Mineral resources is found on the mountainous portion with properties such as shale sandstone, conglomerate, limestone, igneous rock and other volcanic materials.

Investment opportunities

The development of Matalam as municipality is greatly associated with the history of Kabacan, its mother town. Matalam was a tiny community then.

Matalam was finally recognized as developing community when it was formally separated from Kabacan and was created into a municipality in 1958. From then on, economic activity progressed.

Matalam's market and other commercial establishments are the hub of activity in the said area. Commercial establishments in the town include the following: bakeries, gasoline dealers, copra dealers, sari-sari stores, beta houses, carenderias, hardwares, grains retailers, fish dealers, and many more.

Rice, corn and copra are commodities which are very much in demand in the local trade. Due to lack of supply, rice and corn grits are sometimes brought in from the mainland. These are retailed in the market for local consumption.

History

The municipality of Matalam^[3] before its creation into a regular municipality the (Poblacion) which is now the set of government is just a mere Sitio of Kilada called "Crossing M'lang" within the jurisdiction of the municipality of Kabacan. Because of its strategic location coupled with the strong desire of the people through the able leadership of both civic and religious leader, petitioned the provincial and national government for its creation into a regular municipality.

References

1. ^ http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/municipality.asp?muncode=124708000&regcode=12&provcode=47
2. ^ http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=6&fLguType=CM&frmIdRegion=15&frmIdProvince=79&frmIdLgu=1512
3. ^ http://www.cotabatoprov.gov.ph/lgus/matalam

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information