Welcome to North Cotabato: "The Fastest Growing Economy in Central Mindanao"

The Present North Cotabato

While the original Cotabato had an area of some 2,296,791 hectares, the present Cotabato territory covers only 656,590 hectares or a bit more than one-fourth the size of the original Cotabato.

The original Cotabato experienced its first reduction in size in 1966 when South Cotabato was separated from the empire province. South Cotabato now belongs to Region XI. Despite the separation of South Cotabato, Cotabato retained its moniker "Empire Province of Cotabato" and still had 34 municipalities left, one of which (Carmen) was bigger than the Province of Tarlac.

Cotabato Province was again divided into three districts, namely, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat, pursuant to the Presidential Decree No. 341, dated November 22, 1973. The Batasang Pambansa Bilang 660 thereafter renamed North Cotabato just Cotabato on December 19, 1983 by striking out the word "North".

The province is bounded in the north by the Province of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, the east by Davao del Sur, the southwest by Sultan Kudarat and the west by Maguindanao Province.

Its terrain varies from flat, fertile plains to irregular landscape of wide valleys, scattered hills and extensive mountain ranges.

The rich and vast land resources of Cotabato stretches over an area 6,565.90 square kilometers. It is composed of seventeen (17) municipalities and one (1) city (Kidapawan) and having 544 barangays.

According to the National Statistics Office, 1n 1998, the province had an estimated population of 927,184.

Anent, the development growth of Cotabato Province, Governor Emmanuel F. Piñol, the 20th "Governor with the full and uncompromising support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has drawn a landmark blueprint for the development of the province and its people.

His development thrusts are anchored on Food security, Provision of Infrastructure Support Facilities and Services (Roads for Barangay, Electricity, Water Program, etc.); Human Ecological Security and Development (Livelihood, Education/Health); Cooperative Development; Investment Promotion (Trade and Industry); Upliftment of lives of the Cultural Communities/IPs and Peace and Order.

The economic growth of the province under the present leadership has been spured thru sound and efficient socio-economic policies, which are supportive for agro-industrial development.

Efforts are likewise made to develop and promote our tourism industry. The approval of the Cotabato Eco-Tourism Park at Amas, Kidapawan City and the identification of some tourist spots are expected to contribute in the development of the industry in the province.

Various sport activities are also conducted aimed at putting the Province of Cotabato in the limelight, a strategy used to attract new investments in the province.

He has also initiated the organization of various Task Forces to led in the implementation of programs and projects in the Province. They are the Task Force Kalsada, Task Force Tubig, Task Force Kuryente. The Provincial Housing Task Force is likewise implementing housing program in the province.

Major road projects were also implemented like: the concreting of the Paco-Pres. Roxas-Arakan Road, the Kidapawan-Magpet roads and other major roads in the Province of Cotabato.

The leadership has likewise supported or implemented some other major programs/projects such as:

The Mindanao Rural Development Project (MRDP) aimed at developing Mindanao for the next twelve years;

The Organization of the Project Management Office (PMO) of the Arakan Valley Complex tasked at operationalizing and and implementing projects of the AVC;

Countryside Programme for Children Phase V (CPC-V) which focused on assisting and protecting the rights of children;

Mt. Apo Geothermal Project generating power of 150 mega watts;

Pulangi-V Hydro Power Plant, located at Lama-Lama, Pres. Roxas is expected to generate power of 300 MW once completed;

The organization of the PALMA Complex comprising the Municipalities of Pigcawayan, Alamada, Libungan, Midsayap and Aleosan, is hoped to spur development in this area.