Kidapawan

Kidapawan City
Component City
City of Kidapawan Lungsod ng Kidapawan Dakbayan sa Kidapawan Dakbanwa/Syudad sang Kidapawan
City Hall
Seal
Nickname(s): City of Fruits and Highland Springs; Spring in the Highlands; Second Fruit Basket of the Philippines; City at the Foot of Mt. Apo
Map of Cotabato with Kidapawan highlighted
Kidapawan Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 07°01′N 125°05′E / 7.017°N 125.083°E / 7.017; 125.083Coordinates: 07°01′N 125°05′E / 7.017°N 125.083°E / 7.017; 125.083
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Cotabato
District	2nd District of Cotabato
Founded	August 18, 1947
Cityhood	February 12, 1998
Barangays	40
Government[1]
• Mayor	Joseph A. Evangelista
Area[2]
• Total	358.47 km2 (138.41 sq mi)
Elevation	279 m (915 ft)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	125,447
• Density	350/km2 (910/sq mi)
• Languages	Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Filipino, English
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9400
Dialing code	64
Income class	3rd class
Website	kidapawancity.gov.ph

Kidapawan, officially the City of Kidapawan (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Kidapawan; Hiligaynon: Dakbanwa/Syudad sang Kidapawan; Filipino: Lungsod ng Kidapawan) or often referred to as simply Kidapawan City, is the capital city of Cotabato Province. Located at the foot of Mount Apo, it is a popular destination from late October to December and in the summer, when thousands of tourists climb the country's highest mountain.

Etymology

The word Kidapawan comes from the words tida, which means "spring", and pawan, which means "highland".

History

The first settlers around Kidapawan were predominantly Manobos. The influx of Christian settlers from Luzon and the Visayas resulted in the evolution of the word from 'Tidapawan' to 'Kidapawan'. Aside from the Manobos and Christians, Kidapawan was also home to the most prominent Muslims, including a Sultan (Sultan Omar Kiram II) who was a descendant of Rajah Baguinda.

Kidapawan City was created by the Republic Act. No. 8500, signed by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 12, 1998, making it the first component city of Cotabato Province. The Act was ratified by a large majority by a plebiscite on March 21, 1998. It was originally named a district of Pikit.

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces entered Kidapawan. Three years later, local Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary units and Moro guerrilla fighters taken to liberate Kidapawan fought the battles against the Japanese Imperial forces. Kidapawan was later declared a separate municipality by Executive Order No. 82 issued by President Manuel Roxas on August 18, 1947. It thus become the fourth town of the then Empire Province of Cotabato, composed previously of the municipalities of Cotabato (now Cotabato City), Dulawan (later named Datu Piang) and Midsayap.

Created along with the city were the twelve original barangays, namely: Birada, Ginatilan, Indangan, Linangcob, Luvimin, Manongol, Marbel, Mateo, Meohao, Mua-an, Perez, and Sibawan. From the original land area of 273, 262 hectares, Kidapawan retained only 34,007.20 hectares when four municipalities were created from it namely: Magpet (June 22, 1963, R.A. 3721), Matalam (Dec. 29, 1961, E.O. 461), M’lang (Aug. 3, 1951, E.O. 462) and President Roxas (May 8, 1967, R.A. 4869).

Prior to its conversion to a municipality, five appointed District Mayors had served Kidapawan. The first was Datu Siawan Ingkal, tribal chieftain of the Manobos, who headed the Civilian Emergency Administration when World War II broke out. He was followed by Felimon Blanco, Ceferino Villanueva, Jacinto Paclibar, and Alfonso Angeles Sr., who became the first elected mayor of the municipality.

Kidapawan became the provincial capital of Cotabato Province pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 341 dated 22 November 1973, with the provincial seat of government located in Amas. Later, Batas Pambansa No. 660 dated 19 December 1983 renamed the Province of North Cotabato to simply Cotabato. By the time it became the province capital, Kidapawan had already 40 barangays under its geopolitical jurisdiction.

Geography

Kidapawan is located at the foot of Mount Apo in the south-eastern section of Cotabato province, placed in the middle of other major cities of General Santos, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro.

Climate

Kidapawan lies outside the typhoon belt and has a mild climate characterized by wet and dry seasons. The coldest months are December and January. The hottest are April and May.

Barangays

Kidapawan City is politically subdivided into 40 barangays.^[2]

Demographics

Based on the 2010 census, the city has a total population of 125,447 people,^[3] up from 117,610 in 2007. The religion is predominantly Christian, although there are many Muslims residing in the city as well. The main languages are Cebuano and Hiligaynon, while Tagalog and English are the secondary languages.

Cebuanos and Hiligaynons are the major ethnic groups in the city. Other ethnic groups residing in the area are the Ilocanos, Maguindanaons and Manobos. Cebuano is the most widely spoken language, especially in the city proper. English is considered as the medium of instruction in schools and other learning institutions; it is also predominantly used in major government agencies in their transactions and reports. Laws and ordinances in the city are all written in English. Most of the inhabitants can also speak Filipino.

Economy

Kidapawan City is classified as a 2nd-class component city in accordance to Department of Finance order No.23-08.^[4][5] In 2006, it yielded an income of Php268.94 million, of which 73.8 percent constituted the Internal Revenue Allotment. Of its Php314.22 million total expenditures for the year, 25.9 percent were expended on economic services.

The City is considered as the province’s industrial hub. It plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the province and its adjacent areas. It is the commercial and trading hub of six neighboring municipalities. It lies at the heart of two large domestic markets: General Santos City, Davao City and Cotabato City.

Agriculture

The flower-cutting industry is a primary source of livelihood among Cotabateños, especially those residing in Kidapawan City. In addition to ornamental and forest tree seedlings, flowers such as roses, anthuriums and orchids are abundantly grown locally providing a very promising and highly profitable source of livelihood and business in the area.

Kidapawan is the second largest producer of fruit in the Philippines, after Davao City. Exotic fruits like durian, Mangosteen, lanzones, marang, singkamas, rambutan, banana, and the like are grown and harvested in abundance in the highlands of Mt. Apo, in rural communities of Kidapawan City, and also in small home plots.

Crops abundantly grown in the area include abaca, rubber, corn, rice, coconut, and vegetables.

Tourism

Mt. Apo

Lake Venado

Kidapawan City is the most well-known starting point for trekking on Mount Apo^[6][7][8][9] which towers at 10,311 feet above sea level with a total area of 14.6 square meters. The country’s tallest peak is an abode to the almost extinct Philippine eagle.^[10][11][12] The mountain is surrounded by moss-covered century-old-trees, a wide variety of flora and fauna, sulfur craters, and massive boulders. Within the Mt. Apo Natural Park is the Mandarangan Geological Site which is being promoted as a major educational tourism site. Lake Venado, hidden among the mountain ranges, stands at an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level. Lake Agko is a steaming blue lake where hot and cold springs converge. It stands at an elevation of 4,200 feet above sea level.

Marbel Falls is a hidden twin waterfall of about 60 to 70 feet surrounded by hot springs. Mawig Falls is located in Barangay Balabag and is the source of the Matingao River.

To celebrate the abundance of the exotic fruits grown in Kidapawan City, the city government hold an annual festival in the month of August called Timpupu, the fruit festival. This festival, first held in 2002^[13] celebrates the fruit harvest. The city purchases large quantities of local fruit which is laid out on tables along the streets for visitors and residents.^[14] Dubbed “Timpupu” from the Manobo word “harvest”, the celebration signifies the people's thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and richness of the exotic fruits that thrive in the area. Activities featured during the annual event include the Fruit Galore, Fruit Float Parade, Fruit Arrangement and Street Dancing Competition.

The Foundation Anniversary of the City of Kidapawan (February 12) is celebrated with parades, beauty contests, and traditional, non-lethal horse fights.

Education

Transportation

Local public transportation is primarily served by almost 3,000 motor tricycles known as just "motor". Multicabs, and jeepney provide transportation to barangays and adjacent municipalities. Public Utility Vans also served routes to and from the cities of Davao, Cotabato, and Tacurong. Mindanao Star and Davao Metro Shuttle are the bus companies operating in the city. Nearest airport is the Davao International Airport.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kidapawan City.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Kidapawan.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code

	Matalam	Pres. Roxas / Magpet
			Mount Apo
		Kidapawan
	M'lang	Makilala

Province of Cotabato
Kidapawan (capital)
Municipalities	Alamada Aleosan Antipas Arakan Banisilan Carmen Kabacan Libungan M'lang Magpet Makilala Matalam Midsayap Pigcawayan Pikit President Roxas Tulunan
Component city	Kidapawan
Related	Symbols

Cities of the Philippines
Highly Urbanized Cities	Angeles Bacolod Baguio Butuan Cagayan de Oro Caloocan Cebu City Davao City General Santos Iligan Iloilo City Lapu-Lapu Las Piñas Lucena Makati Malabon Mandaluyong Mandaue Manila Marikina Muntinlupa Navotas Olongapo Parañaque Pasay Pasig Puerto Princesa Quezon City San Juan Tacloban Taguig Valenzuela Zamboanga City
Independent Component Cities	Cotabato City Dagupan Naga Ormoc Santiago
Component Cities	Alaminos Antipolo Bacoor Bago Bais Balanga Batac Batangas City Bayawan Baybay Bayugan Biñan Bislig Bogo Borongan Cabadbaran Cabanatuan Cabuyao Cadiz Calamba Calapan Calbayog Candon Canlaon Carcar Catbalogan Cauayan Cavite City Danao Dapitan Dasmariñas Digos Dipolog Dumaguete El Salvador Escalante Gapan General Trias Gingoog Guihulngan Himamaylan Ilagan Imus Iriga Isabela Kabankalan Kidapawan Koronadal La Carlota Lamitan Laoag Legazpi Ligao Lipa Maasin Mabalacat Malaybalay Malolos Marawi Masbate City Mati Meycauayan Muñoz Naga, Cebu Oroquieta Ozamiz Pagadian Palayan Panabo Passi Roxas Sagay Samal San Carlos, Negros Occidental San Carlos, Pangasinan San Fernando, La Union San Fernando, Pampanga San Jose San Jose del Monte San Pablo San Pedro Santa Rosa Silay Sipalay Sorsogon City Surigao City Tabaco Tabuk Tacurong Tagaytay Tagbilaran Tagum Talisay, Cebu Talisay, Negros Occidental Tanauan Tandag Tangub Tanjay Tarlac City Tayabas Toledo Trece Martires Tuguegarao Urdaneta Valencia Victorias Vigan

Provincial capital cities and municipalities of the Philippines
Luzon Abra: Bangued Albay: Legazpi Apayao: Kabugao / Luna1 Aurora: Baler Bataan: Balanga Batanes: Basco Batangas: Batangas City Benguet: La Trinidad Bulacan: Malolos Cagayan: Tuguegarao Camarines Norte: Daet Camarines Sur: Pili Catanduanes: Virac Cavite: Imus / Trece Martires1 Ifugao: Lagawe Ilocos Norte: Laoag Ilocos Sur: Vigan Isabela: Ilagan Kalinga: Tabuk La Union: San Fernando Laguna: Santa Cruz Marinduque: Boac Masbate: Masbate City Mountain Province: Bontoc Nueva Ecija: Palayan Nueva Vizcaya: Bayombong Occidental Mindoro: Mamburao Oriental Mindoro: Calapan Palawan: Puerto Princesa Pampanga: San Fernando Pangasinan: Lingayen Quezon: Lucena Quirino: Cabarroguis Rizal: Antipolo Romblon: Romblon Sorsogon: Sorsogon City Tarlac: Tarlac City Zambales: Iba
Visayas Aklan: Kalibo Antique: San Jose de Buenavista Biliran: Naval Bohol: Tagbilaran Capiz: Roxas Cebu: Cebu City Eastern Samar: Borongan Guimaras: Jordan Iloilo: Iloilo City Leyte: Tacloban Negros Occidental: Bacolod Negros Oriental: Dumaguete Northern Samar: Catarman Samar: Catbalogan Siquijor: Siquijor Southern Leyte: Maasin
Mindanao Agusan del Norte: Cabadbaran / Butuan1 Agusan del Sur: Prosperidad Basilan: Isabela Bukidnon: Malaybalay Camiguin: Mambajao Compostela Valley: Nabunturan Cotabato: Kidapawan Davao del Norte: Tagum Davao del Sur: Digos Davao Occidental: Malita Davao Oriental: Mati Dinagat Islands: San Jose Lanao del Norte: Tubod Lanao del Sur: Marawi Maguindanao: Buluan / Sultan Kudarat2 Misamis Occidental: Oroquieta Misamis Oriental: Cagayan de Oro Sarangani: Alabel South Cotabato: Koronadal Sultan Kudarat: Isulan Sulu: Jolo Surigao del Norte: Surigao City Surigao del Sur: Tandag Tawi-Tawi: Bongao Zamboanga del Norte: Dipolog Zamboanga del Sur: Pagadian Zamboanga Sibugay: Ipil
1 de facto seat of provincial government · 2 seat of legislative branch of provincial government