HISTORY

Kabacan got its name from the word “Ka-abacan” which means the source of abundance. People from far flung barangays used to come the place and upon returning home they brought with them many commodities of their livelihood.

The municipality of Kabacan was a barrio of pikit before its creation as a district political body. It was created as a regular municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 82 dated August 18, 1947, issued by President Manuel Roxas of the Republic of the Philippines.

Gradual was the growth of the area under the domain of Datu Mantawil and that influx of settlers from Luzon and Visayas arrived in 1930's. This was made so when the Mclareen family sold its hacienda to Messer. Jose Yulo Alano, Rafael Alunan and party who organize a company under the cooperate name of Rio Grande Estate. The company be came the people's place of business and social center. Recognizing his immense power and leadership over the area, the Provincial Governor of Cotabato organizes the Kabacan into a Municipal District with Datu Mantawil as its first mayor in 1935.

When the Second World War broke out and the Japanese Imperial Army occupies the country, the Rio Grande Rubber Estate was sold by the Filipino Incorporators to the Japanese Imperial Government. It became the site for the provisional municipal government with Cenon Doctolero as the appointed Mayor.

Through Executive Order No. 82, dated August 17, 1947, Kabacan became a regular municipality.

Kabacan is a wedge-like community that denotes stability and prosperity for its 73,991 (2007 Census) people living in 24 barangays namely: Aringay, Bangilan, Bannawag, Buluan, Cuyapon, Dagupan, Katidtuan, Kayaga, Kilagasan, Magatos, Malamote, Malanduage, Nangaan, Osias, Pedtad, Pisan, Poblacion, Salapungan, Sanggadong, Simone, Simbuhay, Tamped, Lower and Upper Paatan. Barangay Simbuhay and Tamped are still accessible by water via Rio Grande de Mindanao. All Other Barangays are accessible to land transportation.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

Kabacan is centrally located in Cotabato Province. Geographically located at 7?10’   North Latitude and 124 ? 50’ Longitude. It is bounded on the North by the Municipality of Pres. Roxas, on the east by the Mun. of Matalam,  M’lang on the south and on the west by the Municipalities of Carmen and  Datu Montawal, Maguindanao. Approximately  94 kilometers away to Cotabato airport and 194 kilometers to Davao airport.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT KABACAN

CLIMATE

As to climate, type B prevails in the municipality. It is characterized by dry season for one to three months with less than 76 millimeters or more rainfall per month throughout the year and wettest month has been more than three times the rainfall of the driest month. This type of climate is conducive to intensive rice cultivation and plantings of bananas and other fruit trees.

TOPOGRAPHY

Characterized by almost regular landscape of flat terrain. The high mountains and rolling hills leaping close to the river plus the narrow plains have varied topographical features. Other features are moderately sloping and strongly sloping.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Primarily agricultural crops like corn, rice, soybeans, peanut, mongo, cassava and other field crops This town is popularly known as the "Rice Production Center", the "Rice Granary of the Province of Cotabato". Its populace could vouch in favor of what it has been known for since it has devoted mostly its fertile domain to rice production. Corn is the secondary crop of this town.

INDUSTRIES

Commercial activities are within the Public Market and along the National Highway and USM Avenue. Kabacan serve as a business and trading center for the adjacent municipalities of Carmen, Pagagawan, Pikit and Matalam majority of the commercial establishment are engage in general merchandizing, sari-sari and dry goods. One big shopping center and drug store owned by a big company are located along the National Highway. There are four (4) banks and three gasoline stations.

Other small scale industries are electronics & repair shop, car /motor vehicle body builder/ repair shop, vulcanizing and machine shop, shoe and appliance repair shops hollow blocks/culvert making basket /mat weaving, dressmaking/tailoring, Balut making, bakery and Mascovado factory in Barangay Malanduage.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

• Pisan Cave located at Pisan, Kabacan. Full of snakes and bats. Recommended for snakes hunters or wild life hunting.
• Waterfalls and Spring located at Tamped, Kabacan. Camping, swimming and natural attraction
• Nangaan Cliff located at Nangaan, Kabacan. Wildlife hunting and trekking.
• Nangaan Caves and Waterfalls located at Nangaan, Kabacan. Fishing, swimming and picnic.
• Kabuling Waterfalls located at Simbuhay, Kabacan. Fishing, boating camping and caving.
• Simbuhay Waterfalls located at Simbuhay, Kabacan. Fishing and natural attraction.
• Matibuhaw Cave located at Simbuhay, Kabcan. Caving and natural attraction.
• Kalasan Waterfalls located at Pedtad, Kabacan. Natural attraction, boating /fishing.
• Crocodile Farm located at Cuyapon, Kabacan. It has a natural attraction, fishing.
• Garngan Spring Resort located at Katidtuan, Kabacan. Architectural, swimming and picnics.
• University of Southern Mindanao located at Kabacan town proper. A State University with research and training centers, open amphitheaters, sports facilities and pilot agricultural projects.

MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS