Palimbang

Palimbang
Biwang (Coastal West)
Municipality of Palimbang
Other transcription(s)
 • Jawiڤليمبڠ
Flag of Palimbang
Official seal of Palimbang
Motto: 
Pat a Inged sa Biwang (Four communities in the Coastal West)
Anthem: Palimbang hymm official
Map of Sultan Kudarat with Palimbang highlighted
Map of Sultan Kudarat with Palimbang highlighted
Interactive map of Palimbang
Palimbang is located in Philippines
Palimbang
Palimbang
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 6°13′N 124°12′E / 6.22°N 124.2°E / 6.22; 124.2
CountryPhilippines
RegionSoccsksargen
ProvinceSultan Kudarat
District 2nd district
FoundedAugust 14, 1959
Named forPalembang, Indonesia
Barangays40 (see Barangays)
Government
 
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorJoenime Badrudin Kapina
 • Vice MayorMosaban Pangansayan Aliding
 • RepresentativeHoracio P. Suansing, Jr.
 • Municipal Council
Members
  • Baisa D. Sinsuat-Sapal
  • Mhark M. Siokon
  • Zakiya A. Sabiwang
  • Janifa G. Pangansayan
  • Sucuny A. Pendatun
  • Abubakar M. Abdullah
  • Zakiya A. Sabiwang
  • Akmad D. Tausing
 • Electorate43,340 voters (2025)
Area
 • Total
484.85 km2 (187.20 sq mi)
Elevation
27 m (89 ft)
Highest elevation
497 m (1,631 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
83,633
 • Density172.49/km2 (446.75/sq mi)
 • Households
19,591
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
43.99
% (2023)
 • Revenue₱ 391.9 million (2024)
 • Assets₱ 613.1 million (2024)
 • Expenditure₱ 367.9 million (2024)
 • Liabilities₱ 123.2 million (2024)
Service provider
 • ElectricitySultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
9809
PSGC
IDD : area code +63 (0)64
Native languagesHiligaynon
Maguindanao
Cotabato Manobo
Tagalog

Palimbang, officially the Municipality of Palimbang (Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Palimbang; Tagalog: Bayan ng Palimbang; Maguindanaon: Inged nu Palimbang, Jawi: ايڠايد نو ڤليمبڠ), is a municipality in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 83,633 people.

It was incorporated on August 14, 1959, through Executive Order No. 350 by President Carlos P. Garcia.

Their annual feast named Kalilang sa Biwang is celebrated every 11 November.

History

In the early period following the arrival of Sharif Kabunsuan in Mindanao, Palimbang had not yet emerged as a recognized settlement on the island’s maps. At the time, the area was inhabited by indigenous communities living in relatively isolated conditions.

According to Tarsila, there was a tremendous change in the society due to the spread out of Islam in the coastal areas widely known as Biwang, which later paved a way toward Islamic Civilization of the inhabitants. Palimbang at that time was locally known as Pula a tree widely grown in the place. A group of fishermen from Palembang, Indonesia was lifted by strong winds and accidentally docked at the mouth of Pula River. They were warmly welcomed by the native datus headed by Sondalo Tambuto. The hospitality shown to them reigned in their hearts and drawn the visitors to settle and intermarry with the native Muslims. A new community was developed and later named Palimbang, in honor of the fishermen's hometown, which now remained the name of the municipality.

Attempts to create Palimbang into municipality was thrice first, by the energetic leadership of Dr. Julio Sarayba in the 1940s; second, on July 24, 1953, by the seventeen influential leaders of PAT-A-INGED (four communities) (1) Kraan, (2) Kanipaan, (3) Pula and (4) Maganao, namely:

Others are Datu Padasan Macut, Datu Obpon Dipatuan, Datu Pelangking Bayang and Mr. Dominador Garcia.

It was a blast to the petitioners as they were regarded mentally unable to run their own government and the income of the barrios in the coastal portion was insufficient to meet the requisite of creating a new municipality. Third, by the same petitioner who collectively agreed to support candidates that will ascertain a seat of government in Palimbang in case they get elected. Fortunately, the well-supported Datu Udtog Matalam faction won. Subsequently, headed by the Provincial Governor of Cotabato Datu Udtog Matalam, the Provincial Governor of Cotabato recommended by the Members of the Board, sponsored by Congressman Salipada K. Pendatun, and supported by Datu Guiwan Mastura and Kiamba Mayor Cornelio Falgui, Palimbang was proclaimed municipality on August 14, 1959, by virtue of Executive Order No. 350, pursuant to Section 68 Revised Administrative Code, issued by President Carlos P. Garcia.

From its creation up to the present, Palimbang was served by twelve generations of municipal officials.

In spite of the exceptional development potentials of Palimbang, the municipality is somehow left in terms of physical development. The municipal government is exploring strategies and pouring its meager resources to meet and welcome new challenges. With the private sector at the helm of its economy, coupled with its supportive citizenry and strong political leadership committed to the full development of its human and natural resources, the municipality will certainly make its vision for development.

Palimbang was organized into a municipality through Executive Order No. 350, issued by President Carlos P. Garcia on August 14, 1959. It consists of forty-six barrios of Lebak and Kiamba, both then part of the old Cotabato province. Upon the division of the province in 1973 through Marcos' Presidential Decree No. 341, the municipality became part of newly-created province of Sultan Kudarat.

Malisbong massacre

The Malisbong Masjid massacre, also called the Palimbang massacre, was the mass murder of Moros on September 24, 1974, in the coastal village of Malisbong in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao where units of Gov. Siongco and the Philippine Army killed more than 1,000. Accounts compiled by the Moro Women's Center in General Santos City state that 1,500 male Moros aged 11–70 were killed inside a mosque, 3,000 women and children aged 9–60 were detained - with the women being raped and that 300 houses were razed by the government forces. The massacre occurred two years after Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in September 1972.

The massacre started after the first four days on the feast of Ramadan when members of the Philippine Constabulary arrived and captured barangay officials along with 1,000 other Muslims and never came back. For more than a month, the military would capture murder residents in the area by batch. Testimonies show that victims were made to strip of their clothes, dig their own graves and shot.

Geography

Barangays

Palimbang is politically subdivided into 40 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Akol
  • Badiangon
  • Baliango
  • Baluan (Bulan)
  • Bambanen
  • Baranayan
  • Barongis
  • Batang-baglas
  • Butril
  • Colube (Tagadtal)
  • Datu Maguiales (Likuban)
  • Dumolol
  • Kabuling
  • Kalibuhan
  • Kanipaan (converged with Sinangkangan)
  • Kidayan
  • Kiponget
  • Kisek
  • Kraan
  • Kolong-kolong
  • Langali
  • Libua
  • Ligao
  • Lopoken (Lepolon)
  • Lumitan
  • Maganao
  • Maguid
  • Malatunol
  • Malisbong
  • Medol
  • Milbuk
  • Mina
  • Molon
  • Namat (Namat Masla & Namat Padido converged)
  • Napnapon
  • Poblacion
  • San Roque (Former Tibulos)
  • Tibuhol (East Badiangon)
  • Wal
  • Wasag

Climate

Climate data for Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30
(86)
30
(86)
31
(88)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
30
(86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24
(75)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 285
(11.2)
265
(10.4)
303
(11.9)
300
(11.8)
380
(15.0)
386
(15.2)
332
(13.1)
305
(12.0)
252
(9.9)
305
(12.0)
355
(14.0)
325
(12.8)
3,793
(149.3)
Average rainy days 27.0 24.9 28.1 28.3 29.5 28.5 27.7 26.5 25.1 28.0 28.7 28.5 330.8
Source: Meteoblue

Demographics

Population census of Palimbang
YearPop.±% p.a.
1948 4,717—    
1960 19,128+12.37%
1970 31,696+5.17%
1975 21,113−7.83%
1980 24,252+2.81%
1990 33,821+3.38%
1995 40,646+3.50%
2000 43,742+1.59%
2007 78,523+8.40%
2010 83,265+2.16%
2015 90,424+1.58%
2020 92,828+0.55%
2024 83,633−2.47%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Economy

Poverty incidence of Palimbang (%)

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
69.51
2003
61.13
2006
50.00
2009
63.68
2012
57.58
2015
64.30
2018
60.50
2021
54.05
2023
43.99

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

List of mayors of Palimbang
Name Year in office Notes
Datu Guiwan Mastura1959–1967Deputy governor at-large; appointed 1959, elected in 1963
Datu Druz Ali1967–1986
Mocsin Manondong1986–1987Appointed officer-in-charge, later ran for Sultan Kudarat Provincial Board
Dimalub Namil1987–1988Officer-in-charge
Labualas B. Mamansual1988–1998
Karim Daud1998–2001
Abubacar P. Maulana2010–2018
Labualas B. Mamansual2001-2010
Haron B. SabiwangJanuary 2018 – 2019Acting
Joenime B. Kapina2019–present

References

  1. ↑  Municipality of Palimbang | (DILG)
  2. ↑ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  4. ↑ "881 Cities and Municipalities Recorded Poverty Incidence of 20 Percent or Lower in 2023". Philippine Statistics Authority. 6 February 2026. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "Executive Order No. 350, s. 1959". Official Gazette (Philippines). Government of the Philippines. August 14, 1959. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Presidential Decree No. 341, s. 1973". Official Gazette (Philippines). Government of the Philippines. 22 November 1973. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  8. ↑ "Palimbang: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  10. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  11. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  12. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  13. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  15. ↑ "2003 Small Area Estimates of Poverty (Full Report)" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 11 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "2006 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  17. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  18. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  19. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  20. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  21. ↑ "881 Cities and Municipalities Recorded Poverty Incidence of 20 Percent or Lower in 2023". Philippine Statistics Authority. 6 February 2026. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.