Cotabato City

Cotabato
—  City  —
Mindanao River at Cotabato City
Seal
Map of Maguindanao showing the location of Cotabato City.
Cotabato Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°13′N 124°15′E / 7.217°N 124.25°E / 7.217; 124.25Coordinates: 7°13′N 124°15′E / 7.217°N 124.25°E / 7.217; 124.25
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Maguindanao
District	Lone District of Maguindanao
Founded	1862
Cityhood	June 20, 1959
Barangays	37
Government
– Mayor	Japal "JoJo" Guiani
– Vice-Mayor	Datu Muslimin G. Sema
Area
– Total	176.00 km2 (68 sq mi)
Population (2007)
– Total	259,153
– Density	1,472.5/km2 (3,813.7/sq mi)
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code	9600
Income class	1st class city
Website	Official website

The City of Cotabato (Malay: Kotabatu) is one of the cities of the Philippines located in Mindanao. Cotabato City is an exclave of the SOCCSKSARGEN region found within the boundaries of Maguindanao province, but is independent of that province. Cotabato City is distinct from and should not be confused with the province of Cotabato.

Cotabato City is the regional center of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but the city is actually part of the SOCCSKSARGEN region, sometimes grouped with Cotabato province for some statistical purposes, and does not belong to the ARMM.

Cotabato's population was about 259,153 in 2007 census.

Cotabato is approximately 698.9 nautical miles (1294 km) from Manila, the country's capital, and is bounded by the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat to the north—with Rio Grande de Mindanao separating the two—Kabuntalan to the east, and Datu Odin Sinsuat to the south. The city faces Illana Bay, part of the Moro Gulf, to the west. Cotabato City has a total land area of 176.0 square kilometers.

History

Cotabato City had witnessed more history than any other place in Mindanao. Its history dates back to the 15th century when Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab missionary, landed along the banks of the Rio Grande de Mindanao and introduced Islam to the natives. Islam was the faith that moved the early settlers to communal life, and to establish the Sultanate of Maguindanao with its golden age ushered in by Sultan Dipatuan Qudarat during the 17th century the time when Cotabato City developed as the capital town of Maguindanao.

In the nineteenth century, when Sultan Makakua ruled, roads and wharfs were constructed which gave rise to the birth of modern day Cotabato. However, the then Municipality of Cotabato was first organized at the later part of the 19th century when the Spaniards established a military post at Barangay Tamontaka, one of the earliest Christian settlements.

The town was founded by the Spaniards in 1862 and named it in a Spanish equivalent of the word "fort." Christianity was introduced in 1870 in the area. Almost a century later it became a city on July 10, 1959. During that time it was the capital of the undivided province of Cotabato.

On July 1, 1950, the then Municipality of Cotabato was made first class municipality under Executive Order No. 466. Nine Years later, on June 20, 1959, it was created into a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 2364.

Today, Cotabato City is the seat of two administrative regions: Region XII and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The City currently serves as the center for economic support activities (trade and finance), education and other support services such as social, physical, cultural and other basic services of Central Mindanao are offered in the city

Climate

Climate data for Cotabato City
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	32 (90)	32 (90)	33 (91)	33 (91)	33 (91)	32 (90)	32 (90)	31 (88)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32 (90)	32
Average low °C (°F)	21 (70)	21 (70)	21 (70)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	21 (70)	22
Precipitation mm (inches)	60 (2.36)	80 (3.15)	90 (3.54)	120 (4.72)	230 (9.06)	220 (8.66)	220 (8.66)	320 (12.6)	240 (9.45)	250 (9.84)	170 (6.69)	90 (3.54)	2,160 (85.04)
Source: Weatherbase.com[1]

Income Classification

Cotabato City is average income in a year is approximately PHP 400m or more. Cotabato City is a 1st class city.

Barangays

Cotabato City is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.

Bagua Bagua II Kalanganan Poblacion Rosary Heights Bagua I Bagua II Bagua III Kalanganan I Kalanganan II Poblacion I Poblacion II Poblacion III

Poblacion IV Poblacion V Poblacion VI Poblacion VII Poblacion VIII Poblacion IX Rosary Heights I Rosary Heights II Rosary Heights III Rosary Heights IV Rosary Heights V Rosary Heights VI Rosary Heights VII

Rosary Heights VIII Rosary Heights IX Rosary Heights X Rosary Heights XI Rosary Heights XII Rosary Heights XIII Tamontaka I Tamontaka II Tamontaka III Tamontaka IV Tamontaka V Tamontaka VI

Tourist attractions

• Rio Grande de Mindanao. The second largest river in the Philippines and the longest in Mindanao crisscrossing, with its tributary, the city's vast area. Estimated to be 182 kilometers long and 96 meters wide. Water sports and boat racing are the popular attractions of the river, usually held to coincide with the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival and the Feast of Hariraya Puasa.
• Tamontaka Church – Built in 1872 of Spanish architecture and design. It is the oldest church in the city , a relic of the living past.
• Lourdes Grotto – A replica of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in France. The compound is equipped with a retreat house for recollection and seminars, a mini zoo and a children's park.
• Kutang Bato Caves – The only cave in the country that is right in the heart of the city. Its various entrances, all within traffic a rarity that can only be had in the "Heart of Mindanao". These caves were also the source of the city's present name for "Kuta" means "Fort" and "Bato" means "Stone" hence the name "Fort of Stone" which later on became Cotabato.
• Old Cotabato City Hall – A century old structure which houses almost all of the city government offices. It showcases the architectural design of the Maguindanaon Art.
• Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine – A monument in honor of Takumi Butai and the Japanese soldiers who died here during the Second World War. Takumi was the Provincial Commander of the Japanese forces assigned in Cotabato City. Before he died, he requested that some of his ashes be buried in Cotabato City. This shrine was put up by the Lion's Club of Kyoto, Japan in cooperation with the City Government of Cotabato.

Malls around the City

• South Seas Mall Cotabato - the first shopping mall in the city.
• KCC mall of Cotabato - soon to start construction.

Cotabato City Officials

Congresswoman

• Hon. Bai Sandra A. Sema

City Mayor

• Hon. Japal J. Guiani Jr.

City Vice Mayor

• Hon. Muslimin G. Sema

City Councilors

• Hon. Graham Nazer G. Dumama
• Hon. Eduardo C. Rabago
• Hon. Marino R. Ridao
• Hon. Wilfrido H. Bueno
• Hon. Abdullah A. Andang
• Hon. Madatu B. Datumanong
• Hon. Froilan R. Melendrez
• Hon. Florante L. Formento
• Hon. Sukarno G. Sema
• Hon. Kusin S. Taha
• Hon. Abdillah J. Lim
• Hon. Aeyresc Japal G. Sayadi

See also

• Mindanao
• Cagayan de Oro

References

1. ^ "Historical Weather for Cotabato, Soccsargen, Philippines". http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=64789&refer=&units=metric&cityname=Cotabato-Soccsksargen-Philippines. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 

External links

• Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cotabato City Website
• All About Cotabato City
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Cotabato City
• The Mindanao Examiner Newspaper
• NSCB details for cotabato city geographic code