Soccsksargen, or SOX, is an administrative region in the Philippines, consisting of four provinces and two chartered cities, with Koronadal as its regional center. The region has a rich cultural history and economy focused on agriculture, particularly in major crops such as rice, corn, and high-quality tuna. It was officially renamed Soccsksargen in 2001 and is known as the '12th paradise of the Philippines'.

1. SOCCKSARGEN
CENTRAL MINDANAO

2. SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX)
REGION 12
• SOCCSKSARGEN is an administrative region
the Philippines designated as Region 12.
• It comprises of 4 provinces;
1. South Cotabato
2. Cotabato Province
3. Saranggani
4. Sultan Kudarat
• and 2 chartered cities;
1. General Santos City (Highly Urbanized)
2. Cotabato City

3. SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX)
REGION 12
• Regional Center: Koronadal
• Population (2015): 4,545,276
• Land Area: 22, 513.30 sq.km
• Municipalities: 45
• Barangays: 1,195
• Dialect: Maguindanao, Cebuano, Iranun,
Blaan, Tururay, Ilianen
• The region is the 2nd most populated with
Muslims among the six regions in Mindanao.

4. SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX)
REGION 12
• The region was formerly known as Cotabato
or “Kuta-Wato” (meaning stone fort), became
Central Mindanao and presently named as
SOCCSKSARGEN which is acronym for its
provinces.
• The region was also branded as the “12th
Paradise of the Philippines”.

5. SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX)
REGION 12
• SOCCSKSARGEN encompasses Cotabato City
situated within the borders of Maguindanao,
province of the Autonomous Region in
Mindanao (ARMM).
• Also, Cotabato City is the seat of government
of the Autonomous Region of Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM).

6. HISTORY OF SOX
• The region was created by the virtue of Presidential Decree No. 742 on
July 7th 1975 and named as Central Mindanao. It comprised the
following provinces:
• Maguindanao
• North Cotabato
• Sultan Kudarat
• Lanao Del Norte
• Lanao Del Sur
• And also cities of Iligan, Cotabato and Marawi.

7. HISTORY OF SOX
• With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur,and Maguindanao
(excluding Cotabato City) were removed from the region, leaving Lanao
del Norte, Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat,
and Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato City as constituent provinces and
cities.
• Lanao del Norte and Iligan were later transferred to Northern
Mindanao, while Marawi became part of the ARMM.

8. HISTORY OF SOX
• September 19th 2001 – Executive Order No. 36 was signed by President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo creating the present Region 12 and renamed
Central Mindanao to SOCCSKSARGEN which stands for South Cotabato,
Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani plus General Santos City.
• and cities of Cotabato City, Kidapawan City, Koronadal City and
Tacurong City.

9. HISTORY OF SOX
COTABATO CITY – LEAVING THE SOX
• The January 21, 2019 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation
plebiscite resulted in the surprise ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic
Law. This means Cotabato City may now formally serve as the capital of
the region and the offices of the current ARMM will be retained for use
by the Bangsamoro Regional Government and now formally exited to
the SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

10. ECONOMY OF SOX
• The region is endowed with rich natural resources and it serves as the
main source of hydroelectric power for Mindanao.
• Palay and Corn are the leading crops of the region. Other major crops
are Banana and Pineapple.
• The region is also home of the high quality Tuna in the Philippines.
(specifically in GenSan).

11. ECONOMY OF SOX
• The following are the lists of the major industries in the region;
• Coconut Industry Tourism Industry
• Coffee Industry Banana Industry
• Cassava Industry Aquamarine Industry
• Fruit/Vegetable Industry Processing Industries

14. SOUTH COTABATO
(Land of Dreamweavers)
• Capital: Koronadal
• Population(2015): 915, 289
• Land Area: 3,935.95 sq.km
• Cities: Koronadal
• Municipalities: 10
• Barangays: 199

15. SOUTH COTABATO
(Land of Dreamweavers)
• Land of dreamweavers
• The patterns they use to weave are
those that came from their dreams.
• South Cotabato is home of the T’Bolis.
• Roman Catholics predominate the
province with 65% adherence,
while Islam is a minority religion which
is 6% of the population

16. SOUTH COTABATO
(Land of Dreamweavers)
• On July 2017, South Cotabato
Police Chief Franklin Alvero sent a
proposal to the Provincial
Government changing the name
the province to "Allah Valley
Province" which Governor Daisy P.
Avance Fuentes is open with.

17. HISTORY OF SOUTH COTABATO
• The area of what now South Cotabato used to be part of the Davao
Province until 1914.
• February 27, 1939 - Pioneers mostly coming from Luzon led by the late
General Paulino Santos arrived and laid the foundation for what was to
become the progressive province it is today.
• July 18, 1966 - South Cotabato was separated from Cotabato as an
independent province
• 1975 - With the creation of regions under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, South
Cotabato was grouped with Region XI, also known as Southern
Mindanao.

18. HISTORY OF SOUTH COTABATO
• 1992 - the province of Sarangani was formed out of South Cotabato.
Seven towns in southern and coastal section of the province became
of the new province.
• September 19, 2001 – E.O no. 36 issued by President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo says South Cotabato is to be transferred from Southern
Mindanao.

19. ECONOMY OF SOUTH COTABATO
• Agriculture is the province’ pre-dominantly economic activity.
• Major agricultural crops are; pineapple, papaya, asparagus, fruits,
vegetables, corn, coffee, bananas, cut-flowers.
• Commercial products include wood products and processed food.
• The abaca – weaving imposes a big part for T’Boli people.
• The province has 1st class income classification.

20. FESTIVALS OF
SOUTH

21. FESTIVALS OF SOUTH COTABATO
FLOMLOK FESTIVAL HELOBUNG FESTIVAL

22. FESTIVALS OF SOUTH COTABATO
KAMAYADAN
FESTIVAL
KULINTANG FESTIVAL

23. FESTIVALS OF SOUTH COTABATO
LEMLUNAY
FESTIVAL
SESLONG FESTIVAL

24. FESTIVALS OF SOUTH COTABATO
T’NALAK FESTIVAL

26. ATTRACTIONS OF SOUTH COTABATO
LAKE SEBU

27. ATTRACTIONS OF SOUTH COTABATO
MT. MATUTUM AND DOLE PLANTATION

28. ATTRACTIONS OF SOUTH COTABATO
TARSIER SANCTUARY

29. ATTRACTIONS OF SOUTH COTABATO
SURALLAH
ROTONDA
SOUTH COTABATO
COMMUNITY MUSEUM

31. COTABATO
(NORTH COTABATO)
• Capital: Kidapawan
• Population(2015): 1,379,747
• Land Area: 9,008.90 sq.km
• Cities: Kidapawan
• Municipalities: 17
• Barangays: 543

32. COTABATO
(NORTH COTABATO)
• Cotabato derives its name from
the Maguindanao word kuta
wato (from Malay - "Kota Batu"),
meaning "stone fort", referring to the
stone fort which served as the seat of
Sultan Muhammad Kudarat.
• Some of the barangay of the
province have voted “Yes” from
the plebiscite for the creation of
B.A.R.M.M.

33. HISTORY OF COTABATO
• 1596 – Christianity was introduced by the Spaniards in the Province,
however they were unable to penetrate the area until the 2nd half of 19th
century.
• July 15, 1903 - through Act No. 787 of the Philippine
Commission, Cotabato, covering what are now the provinces of
Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato
and Sarangani, became a district of the huge Moro province.
• December 1941 - Japanese planes bombed and invaded in Cotabato.

34. HISTORY OF COTABATO
• 1942 - Cotabato was occupied by the Japanese Imperial forces.
• 1945 - Cotabato was recaptured from the Japanese Imperial forces by
the combined Filipino and American troops together with the
Moro guerrilla units.
• November 22, 1973 - through Presidential Decree No. 341, what
remained of the old Cotabato was further divided into the provinces
of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat.
• March 7, 1984 - North Cotabato was later
named Cotabato through Batas Pambansa Blg. 660.

35. ECONOMY OF COTABATO
• Cotabato is considered a major food basket in Mindanao. It is a top
producer of cereals, tropical fruits, vegetables, sugarcane, coconut,
coffee, freshwater fish and livestock.
• Country’s leading producer of raw and semi – processed rubber and
industrial trees.
• The vast Liguasan Marsh which not only supplies a bounty of freshwater
fish and organic fertilizer but considered as a possible source as well
of natural gas.
• They have a 1st class income classification.

36. ECONOMY OF COTABATO
LIGUASAN MARSH

37. FESTIVALS OF
COTABATO

38. FESTIVALS OF COTABATO
KALIVUNGAN
FESTIVAL
FRUIT FESTIVAL

39. FESTIVALS OF COTABATO
SHARIFF KABUNGSUAN FESTIVAL

41. ATTRACTIONS OF COTABATO
ASIK ASIK FALLS

42. ATTRACTIONS OF COTABATO
GRAND MOSQUE

43. ATTRACTIONS OF COTABATO
TAMONTAKA CHURCH

44. ATTRACTIONS OF COTABATO
RIO GRANDE DE MINDANAO

45. ATTRACTIONS OF COTABATO
PANIKI CAVE

46. ATTRACTIONS OF COTABATO
BASAG FALLS

48. SULTAN KUDARAT
• Capital: Isulan
• Population(2015): 812, 095
• Land Area: 5,298.34 sq.km
• Cities: Tacurong
• Municipalities: 11
• Barangays: 249
• 59% of the population are Roman
Catholics.

49. SULTAN KUDARAT
• The name of the province was derived
from a Muslim ruler, the late Sultan
Mohammad Dipatuan Kudarat of the
Sultanate of Maguindanao, who reigned
from 1625 to 1671.
• He was considered as one of the
heroes of the Republic of the Philippines
not only because of his virtues of
leadership but also because of his
patriotic exploit in repelling Spanish
domination. For his honor, Sultan
Kudarat province was named after him.

50. HISTORY OF SULTAN KUDARAT
• Sultan Kudarat was part of the former province of Cotabato, until its
creation as an independent province on November 22, 1973,
through Presidential Decree No. 341 signed by President Ferdinand E.
Marcos.
• Sultan Kudarat was part of the former Empire Province of Cotabato
presently covered by three provinces namely: Sultan Kudarat,
Maguindanao and Cotabato. Being one of the largest and the richest
provinces in the country.
• Sultan Kudarat is now under the administrative supervision of Region
per E.O. No. 36.

51. ECONOMY OF SULTAN KUDARAT
• The economy of Sultan Kudarat is predominantly agricultural.
• Leading crops produced are: rice, corn, coconuts, coffee, bananas,
mangoes, durians and African palm.
• The southern Philippines Grain Complex in Tacurong is the largest
grains-processing complex in the country having more than 200 rice
in the province.
• Tuna caught along the coasts along the Celebes Sea are exported to
Japan and Europe.

52. ECONOMY OF SULTAN KUDARAT
• Cottage industries include crafts made of rattan and other types of
• Metallic minerals, which include copper, gold and silver, are found within
the mountainous areas.
• Non-metallic minerals which include sand, gravel and marbleized
limestone are also found in the province.

53. FESTIVALS OF
SULTAN

54. FESTIVALS OF SULTAN KUDARAT
BANSADAYAW
FESTIVAL
HINABYOG FESTIVAL

55. FESTIVALS OF SULTAN KUDARAT
HINUGYAW
FESTIVAL
KALIMUDAN FESTIVAL

56. FESTIVALS OF SULTAN KUDARAT
KANDULAN
FESTIVAL
SALAGAAN FESTIVAL

57. FESTIVALS OF SULTAN KUDARAT
TALAKUDONG
FESTIVAL
TIMPUYOG FESTIVAL

59. ATTRACTIONS OF SULTAN KUDARAT
BARAS BIRD
SANCTUARY
LABAC WHITE SAND
BEACH

60. ATTRACTIONS OF SULTAN KUDARAT
PITOT KALABAW PITOT CAVE

61. ATTRACTIONS OF SULTAN KUDARAT
SECRET ISLAND

63. SARANGGANI
• Capital: Alabel
• Population(2015): 544, 261
• Land Area: 3,601.25 sq.km
• Cities: 0
• Municipalities: 7
• Barangays: 141
• 48% of the population are Roman
Catholics.

64. SARANGGANI
• Sarangani came from the legend of
Saranganing, an adventurous son of a
Sangil famlily from the coast of Celebes
off Indonesia whose voyages often
brought him to the Sultanate of
(present day General Santos City).

65. SARANGGANI
• The earliest civilization in the
province can be found
in Maitum, Sarangani, where
the Maitum Anthropomorphic
Pottery or Maitum Jars were
found. The jars have been dated
to approximately 5 BC to 370
one of the oldest in the entire
Southeast Asian region and the
Philippines.
MAITUM JARS

66. HISTORY OF SARANGGANI
• 1543 - Sarangani was named by Ruy López de Villalobos as Antonia in
honor of Antonio de Mendoza y Pacheco who commissioned Villalobos
expedition to the Philippines.
• The first inhabitants were called “MunaTo”, a native term for “first
people”
• 1942 – Japanese troops occupied modern day Saranggani.

67. HISTORY OF SARANGGANI
• 1945 - Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Regiment
of the Philippine Constabulary entered Saranggani to liberate it from
Japanese invaders during the Battle of Cotabato.
• The province is divided into two sections, separated by the Sarangani
Bay and General Santos City, and it used to be part of South Cotabato
until it was made an independent province in 1992 by the virtue of
Republic Act No. 7228 on March 26th.

68. ECONOMY OF SARANGGANI
• Coconut, corn, rice, banana, mango, durian, rubber, and sugarcane are
major crops now being planted by the inhabitants.
• The province has plantations (mango, banana, pineapple, asparagus),
cattle ranches, and commercial fishponds that have been operating in
area,
• It has a 2nd class income classification.

69. FESTIVALS OF
SARANGGANI

70. FESTIVALS OF SARANGGANI
BANGSI FESTIVAL BINUYUGAN FESTIVAL

71. FESTIVALS OF SARANGGANI
KESTEBENG
FESTIVAL
LUBI – LUBI FESTIVAL

72. FESTIVALS OF SARANGGANI
MUNATO FESTIVAL PAKARADYAN
FESTIVAL

73. FESTIVALS OF SARANGGANI
SARANGGANI BAY
FESTIVAL
S’LANG FESTIVAL

75. ATTRACTIONS OF SARANGGANI
SARANGGANI
PARAGLIDING
GUMASA BEACH

76. ATTRACTIONS OF SARANGGANI
NALUS FALLS WHITE WATER
TUBING

77. ATTRACTIONS OF SARANGGANI
CAPITOL PARK

78. ATTRACTIONS OF SARANGGANI
CENTURY OLD HOUSES

79. EXCUSE
ME
PO!!!!!

80. SARANGGANI PROVINCE IS THE HOME OF OUR
“PAMBANSANG KAMAO” SEN. MANNY PACQUIAO

81. AND ALSO THE “FILIPINO FLASH” NONITO DONAIRE

83. GENERAL SANTOS CITY
(Tuna Capital of the Philippines)
• Founded: August 18, 1947
• Population(2015): 594, 446
• Land Area: 492.86 sq.km
• Barangays: 26
• 90% of the population are Roman
Catholics.

84. GENERAL SANTOS CITY
(Tuna Capital of the Philippines)
• Formerly called “Dadiangas” which is
derived from thorny Ziziphus Spina-
Christi tree tas was once abundant in
the place and now a protected species
under R.A 8371 or the Indigenous
Peoples Right Act of 2007.

85. HISTORY OF GENSAN
• February 27, 1939 - 62 Christian settlers from Luzon were
relocated to the shores of Sarangani Bay aboard the steam
“Basilan” of Compania Maritima led by General Paulino Santos.
• The 62 Christian settlers who are mostly agricultural and trade
graduates were the first big batch of settlers to land in GenSan
with the mission to industriously cultivate the fertile expanse of
land

86. HISTORY OF GENSAN
• Thousands more from Luzon and Visayas migrated into
GenSan which started the displacement of some native
tribe to the mountains and lost their livelihood.
• B’laan people were the original settlers of GenSan. B’laan
people were called Dadiangas during those times.

87. HISTORY OF GENSAN
• March 1939 - the first formal settlement in the city was established in
Alagao, which is now known as Barangay Lagao. Lagao district was
then as the "Municipal District of Buayan“
• Datu Sharif Zainal Abedin, an Arab
mestizo who married a daughter of a very
influential datu of lower Buayan,
was appointed as the first district
municipal mayor.

88. HISTORY OF GENSAN
• During the WWII, the Municipal District of Buayan became the last
frontiers of the Japanese Empire, retreating Imperial Japanese forces
made Klaja Karsts Land their last ground for defense, constructing
cement bunkers and tunnels.

89. HISTORY OF GENSAN
• July 4, 1946 - the Municipality of Buayan became a 4th class
regular municipality by virtue of the Executive Order Number
dated August 18, 1947 by President Manuel Roxas.
• June 1954 - the Municipality of Buayan was renamed General
Santos as a tribute to the leading pioneer via Republic Act No.
1107

90. HISTORY OF GENSAN
• July 8, 1968 - the Municipality of General Santos was
converted into a city upon the approval of Republic Act No.
5412
• 5th of September in the year 1988 - a decade after its
inauguration as a chartered city, GenSan was declared a highly
urbanized city.

91. ECONOMY OF GENSAN
• The city's major economic activity is primarily anchored in two sectors
namely the agro-industry and fishing industry.
• AGRO – INDUSTRY - General Santos City produces export quality high
valued crops such as corn, coconut, pineapple, asparagus,
banana and rice. The city is also a top producer and exporter of quality
livestock such as poultry, hogs, and cattle.

92. ECONOMY OF GENSAN
• FISHING – INDUSTRY - General Santos City is the largest producer
of sashimi-grade tuna in the Philippines. Thus in as early as 1970, the
title "Tuna Capital of the Philippines" has become a tag to it. GenSan
also accounts for the second largest daily total catch of fish in the
country after Navotas City in the National Capital Region.
• The GenSan Fishport Complex is equipped with modern facilities that
comply with international standards on fish catch handling.

93. FESTIVALS OF
GEN SANTOS

94. FESTIVALS OF GENSAN
TUNA FESTIVAL

95. FESTIVALS OF GENSAN
KALILANGAN FESTIVAL

96. FESTIVALS OF GENSAN
STO.NINO FLUVIAL PARADE

98. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN

99. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN

100. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN

101. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN

102. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN
KALAJA ECO PARK

103. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN
KALAJA CAVE

104. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN
KALAJA FACE

105. ATTRACTIONS OF GENSAN
CHRIST THE KING CATHEDRAL