Region XII, also known as SOCCSKSARGEN, is located in central Mindanao in the Philippines. The region gets its name from an acronym of the four provinces and one city it contains - South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City. The region has a population of over 4 million people comprised of Christians, Muslims, and other groups. The main industries are agriculture, fishing, and cottage industries. Major crops include pineapple, corn, coconut, and banana.

1. Region 12:
SOCCSKSARGEN

2. SOC C SK SAR GEN
South
Cotabato Cotabato
Sultan
Kudarat
Sarangani
General
Santos

3. GEOGRAPHY

4. SOCCSKSARGEN
(pronounced
[sokˈsardʒɛn]) is a
region of the
Philippines, located in
central Mindanao, and
is officially designated
as Region XII.
The name is an
acronym that stands
for the region's four
provinces and one of
its cities:
SouthCotabato,
Cotabato, Sultan
Kudarat, Sarangani and
General Santos City.

5. The region is more
formally known by
its older name
Central Mindanao.
The regional center is
Koronadal City
located in the
province of South
Cotabato.
Cotabato City,
though geographically
within the boundaries
of the province of
Maguindanao, itself is
part of
SOCCSKSARGEN,
and is independent of
that province.

6. Region XII has
extensive coastlines,
valleys and mountain
ranges. Known for its
river system, the
region is the catch
basin of Mindanao.
The system is a rich
source of food,
potable water and
energy production.
Cotabato contains
the Rio Grande de
Mindanao, which is
the longest river in
Mindanao and the
second longest in the
Philippines.

7. With the addition of
South Cotabato and
Saranggani or the
(SocSarGen
Province), transferred
from Southern
Mindanao, the region
was renamed as
SOCCSKSARGEN.
The "Central
Mindanao" name
lives on as a
description to the
provinces populated
by 65% Christians
and 30% Muslim
and 5% other
Filipinos.

8. THE PEOPLE
AND
THEIR CULTURE

10. B’LAAN TRIBE
Among the many tribes in the
Philippines, the B’laans in
Sarangani and South Cotabato
are the most distinct in Region
XII as they significantly played
major historical roles in the
evolution of several towns and
barangays within the locality
that have been named with
B’laan origin.
The B’laans have
preserved their sacred
lands, keeping them
connected to the mother
earth, to their sacred sites
in Lamifew, Malandag,
Malungon Sarangani:
Melai Bolul, Moleng,
Bantay, and Macao.

11. T’BOLI TRIBE
T’boli have their own story
of creation; they believed
that the world they lived, the
trees, the rivers, lakes and
mountains has its own
powerful being the
Dwata/Mulu (God).
Based on the history, T’boli
are Proto-Malayan reserve
and are found in the in the
mountain ranges of South
Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat
Province. The Proto- Malay
and the Malay were closely
related to each other; their
movement and cultural
heritage are the topmost
bases for the distinctions
known between them.

12. T’bolis of that time were
among the lowlanders as
“tagabili” and the same
derive from the word “Tao
bili” which means man living
in the hills in their own
native tongue.
T’boli tribe originated with
two siblings named Mamalu
and Tabunaway.
T’BOLI TRIBE
Tabunaway was the princess
of the tribe. She decided to
marry a sultan, she asked
her brother Mamalu to go
for hunting to provide her a
white deer “Uhu” for her
wedding. It was then said
that Mamalu and
Tabunaway were the
ancestors of T’boli tribe.

13. TEDURAY TRIBE
One can easily tell a Teduray
household in any community
because of the presence of
their traditional baskets.
Traditional basket is the
symbol of Teduray. It is a
lasting display of their artistry.
The term for weaving is
“monom”, which includes all
kinds of woven handicrafts.
Teduray people believe in
katya (short prayer, orasyon),
murka (gaba), endagiton
(spirits/soul) and supernatural
powers. Teduray believed in
the existence of kuwek, busaw,
fagad (kapre), and alagasi
(higante). Their farming,
planting and harvest season is
also affected by the formation
of the stars.

14. The appearance of
these stars signals
the dawning of
easterly winds
dropping along the
way thorns. This is
one of the identity
of Teduray tribe.

15. MANOBO TRIBE
The Obo Manobo is just one
ethnic group among Manobos
in North and West forest of
Cotabato Province and
Kidapawan City specifically in
Mt. Apo and the boundaries of
Davao del Sur, Bukidnon
Province, Davao City and
Cotabato Province in
Mindanao, Philippines.
Manobo are gifted and
nature loving people
endowed with talents and
strength to make life not
just a living. They are
remnants of the people
living during the age of
“survival of the fittest”
when Mindanao was once a
vast track of virgin forest.

16. The Obo-Manobo has a
unique history and culture.
They have their own way of
living, justice system,
festivities, wedding
ceremonies that clarify the
Datu families and children
from the slaves and ordinary
Manobo; burial system,
sacred ground, agriculture
practices, territorial defense
system, songs and dances and
rituals in all activities and
occasions practiced even
today, settling conflicts
among tribe members, and
many other practices that are
still evident in the
predominantly Manobo
communities.

17. MAGUINDANAO TRIBE
Long before the arrival of
Shariff Kabunsuan (1475) and
the discovery of the
Philippines by Magellan
(1521), there were people
already living near the mouth
of Pulangi or maguindanaon
River and in the plains along
its upper the tributaries in
what is now Datu Piang.
In those days until now,
the Mindanao river
overflows its bank from
time to time, flooding
the areas along its bank
up to its mouth. These
floodings are termed
“midsanao” by the
Maguindanaons.

18. Before the coming of the
spaniards, these people of
the flooded plains were
characterized by strongly
kinship association headed
by a datu or sultan. The
Maguindanaon were modest
in dress and soft spoken
(Stewart, 1977).

19. INDUSTRIES

20. South Cotabato
Tupi's climate and soil type
makes it suitable to all types
of crop and livestock
production. Tupi aside from
pineapple, tropical fruits and
vegetables is identified as
suited for high-value
commercial crops (HVCC)
like asparagus and papaya.
Tupi is likewise identified as
one of the areas in the
province well suited for
poultry production. Tupi,
which is basically an
agricultural municipality,
devotes 19% of its total land
area to agricultural
production. Major agricultural
crops are pineapple, papaya,

21. asparagus,
fruits,vegetables, corn,
coffee, bananas, cut-
flowers. . Other high value
commercial products
include
wood products and
processed food.
South Cotabato
The exports products are
pineapple, asparagus,
bottled fruit preserves,
and Bongolan Banana.
Koronadal boast of its
favorable geographical
location, rich human
and natural resources,
and potentials

22. conductive for trade business
and Industry.
Koronadal is now an
important hub of
commercial, industry and
other socio-economic
activities. It enjoys the
distinction of having been
identified as the Agri-
industrial Center of the
Province of South Cotabato,
which made it a lead center
for industrialization, acting
as catalyst for development
particularly in the second
district of South Cotabato.
Koronadal, primarily an
agri-production area, prides
itself of its agri-based
resources.
South Cotabato

23. The stable peace and order
condition provides a favorable
climate for more investment.
South Cotabato

24. Cotabato City, historically,
during its heyday as the capital
of the Maguindanao Sultanate,
has been the most economically
prosperous city in the island of
Mindanao. Its prosperity has
been taken away by civil internal
strife beginning in the 1970s.
However, once it became part of
SOCCSKSARGEN region in the
1990s, its economy began a
radical economic recovery.
As of now, 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. It is now struggling
to gain its lost glory.
Cotabato

25. Sultan Kudarat
The industry of Sultan
Kudarat is predominantly
agricultural. With a large
agricultural potential, the
output consists of
practically all types of crops
grown in the country,
including rice, corn, beef,
coffee, and vegetables.
The province is self-sufficient
in poultry, swine, and root
crops, and is one of the few
producers of Irish potatoes in
the Philippines. The southern
Philippines Grain Complex in
Tacurong is the largest grains-
processing complex in the
country. There are more than
200 rice mills in the province.

26. Fishing is an expanding
industry. Tuna caught along
the coasts along the Celebes
Sea are exported to Japan and
Europe.
Other economic activities
include cottage industries,
which include crafts made of
rattan and other types of wood.
Sultan Kudarat

27. Sarangani
Coconut, corn, rice, banana,
mango, durian, rubber, and
sugarcane are just some of
the major crops now being
planted by the Sarangans.
Other possibilities lie in a
wide range of commercial
choices: industrial
plantations (mango, abaca,
coffee, rubber, and rattan),
agro-forestry (high-value
crops), light manufacturing
and processing facilities, real
estate and housing, tourism,
beach resorts, hotels and
restaurants, recreational
facilities, port zone
development, milling plants,
fruit production, processing
of canned fruits and

28. Sarangani
vegetables, production of
ornamental plants, furniture,
trading, telecommunications,
mining, and aquaculture.
Sarangani’s favorable
investment climate is
manifested by the large
plantations (mango, banana,
pineapple, asparagus), cattle
ranches, and commercial
fishponds that have been
operating in the area, some of
which having existed as far
back as 40 years.

29. General Santos
Agro-industry: Endowed with
rich volcanic soil, ample and
well distributed rainfall all
throughout the year and a
typhoon-free climate, General
Santos City produces export
quality high valued crops such
as corn, coconut, pineapple,
asparagus, banana and rice. It
also yields quality exotic fruits,
vegetables and cut flowers.
The city is also a top
producer and exporter of
quality livestock such as
poultry, hogs, and cattle. But
with the continuing growth
in population and economy
in the passing of time, a
number of the city's
agricultural lands have
gradually been converted

30. into built up areas in order
to address the relatively
growing need of dwelling
and viable spaces.
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.
Locals in the city boast that
fishes and sea foods do not
come fresher than what is
found in their locality.

31. HISTORICAL SITES/
CULTURAL SITES/
NATURAL SITES

32. South Cotabato
• Lake Sebu
• Lake Sebu as seen from Punta Isla
A natural lake and
one of the country’s most
important watersheds

33. Cotabato
• Mt. Apo
The biggest
mountain
in the
Philippines.

34. Cotabato
• Asik Asik Falls
This spring falls is very
amazing because there is
no stream above the hill
where the water comes.
The water is springing
from the rocks.

35. Cotabato
• Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
and Tamontaka Church
Our Lady of Lourdes is a
venerated title of the Blessed
Virgin Mary invoked by the
Roman Catholic in honor of
the Marian Apparition.
The first church that
was built along the
banks of Tamontaka
river.

36. Cotabato
• Grand Mosque in
Cotabato City The rising star of
Cotabato City is
undoubtedly the
gorgeous Grand Mosque
Muslim also known as
Sultan Hadji Hassanal
Bolkiah Masjid.

37. Sultan Kudarat
• Statue of Sultan Kudarat
A brave
Filipino hero
who hails from
Mindanao.

38. Sultan Kudarat
• Baras Bird Sanctuary
The most visited site
in Tacurong, the
Baras Bird Sanctuary
is truly a humbling
experience.

39. Sarangani
• Ayub Cave
Anthropomorphic
secondary burial
jars were found.

40. Sarangani
• Maitum water Tubing
(Whitewater Tubing)
Water rafting in
Maitum Sarangani
Province

41. Sarangani
• La Isla Parilla
A resort strictly for
the family and
friends.

42. Sarangani
• Tuka Marine Park
A protected area
where fishing is
banned.

43. Sarangani
• Lemlunay Diving Resort
The best-kept
secret of diving
enthusiasts.

44. Sarangani
• Gumasa Beach
Touted as the
“Boracay of Mindanao.”

45. General Santos
• Nopol Hills
Nopol Hill is a peak.

46. General Santos
• Kalaja Cave
The cave was
resurgence in nature
which means a volume
of water is coming out
from the cave mouth.

47. Presented by:
Loyola Bernardine U. Collado
(BEED III-B)
of
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN
PHILIPPINES
(Tamag, Vigan City)