Soccsksargen (officially stylized in all caps; [sokˈsardʒɛn]), designated as Region XII, is an administrative region of the Philippines. Formerly known as Central Mindanao, it is located in south-central Mindanao and comprises four provinces: Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat, and aside from these provinces it also is located in one highly urbanized city, General Santos. The regional center is Koronadal in South Cotabato, while the center of commerce and industry is General Santos, the most populous city in the region.
The region has extensive coastlines, valleys and mountain ranges. Known for its river system, the region is the drainage basin of Mindanao, particularly at the Cotabato Basin, a large depression surrounded by mountain ranges on three sides. Within the basin runs the Rio Grande de Mindanao, the longest river in Mindanao and the second longest in the Philippines. The river empties into Illana Bay of the larger Moro Gulf to the west of Cotabato City.
At the south of the basin lie the Tiruray Highlands, a moderately high mountain range blocking the basin from the southern coastline. Southeast of the mountains lies Sarangani Bay.
Figures exclude the 63 barangays under the Special Geographic Area, which are geographically situated in Cotabato but under the administration of Bangsamoro.
The oldest civilization in the region is located in Maitum, Sarangani, where the Maitum Anthropomorphic Pottery were found. The jars have been declared as National Cultural Treasures, and are subject to the high protections ensured by Philippine and international laws.
From around the 14th century until the early 20th century, the Muslim sultanates of Maguindanao and Buayan dominated the large parts of Soccsksargen region, influencing the local datus in the area as well as having General Santos City under their direct control as a port.
Central Mindanao
The region used to be named Central Mindanao. Prior to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), it comprised the following provinces:
With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao (excluding Cotabato City), and Sultan Kudarat were removed from the region, leaving Lanao del Norte and Cotabato, and Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato City as constituent provinces and cities. Lanao del Norte and Iligan were later transferred to Northern Mindanao in September 2001 as they are farther from Cotabato City and closer to Cagayan de Oro (regional capital of Northern Mindanao), while Marawi became part of the ARMM.
On December 18, 1998, Sultan Kudarat was transferred back to Central Mindanao through Republic Act No. 8744.
By virtue of Executive Order No. 304 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Koronadal was named as the regional political and socio-economic center of Soccsksargen on March 30, 2004. Regional departments, bureaus and offices were ordered to move from Cotabato City, the former regional center of the region.
Special Cotabato barangays and Cotabato City exit
Traditionally resisting efforts for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao despite serving as the government center of the ARMM, the January 21, 2019 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region creation plebiscite resulted in the surprise ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in Cotabato City. This means the city may now formally serve as the capital of the region and the offices of the former ARMM will be retained for use by the Bangsamoro Regional Government and now formally no longer constitutes part of the Soccsksargen Region.
Data includes Cotabato City, which is now part of Bangsamoro. Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Soccsksargen is home to diverse ethnolingustic and cultural backgrounds, both native and non-native residents, making it a melting pot of cultures. The first inhabitants of the region were the indigenous B'laans, T'bolis, Manobos, Tedurays and the Muslim Iranuns, Maguindanaons, and Sangil – large parts of the region itself historically were part of the Maguindanao and Buayan sultanates. Christian migrants from Luzon and Visayas (and their native-born descendants) also settled in the area by the early 20th century seeking better opportunities, mainly from agriculture. Most of these non-native settlers mainly came from Ilocandia, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor who call Soccsksargen and Mindanao as a whole their new home and are responsible for spreading Christianity throughout the region over the years. Today, Hiligaynons make up the majority of the region's non-native Christian population; while the Cebuanos dominantly inhabit the entirety of Sarangani, General Santos and its neighboring municipalities of South Cotabato and the areas in the region that border Bukidnon and Davao Region; and Ilocanos who form the majority in Kabacan (Cotabato), Tampakan, Tantangan (both in South Cotabato), Lambayong, Senator Ninoy Aquino, President Quirino, Columbio (all in Sultan Kudarat) and Kiamba (Sarangani, though most of the municipality's inhabitants now speak Cebuano instead of Ilocano). Moreover, intermarriage between ethnolinguistic groups is relatively not uncommon in Soccsksargen.[citation needed]
Two storey bridge connecting KCC mall of Gensan and Veranza Mall
The region contributes to the national GDP with 2.6% with 5% growth compared to 2016. It accounts for 18.3% of Mindanao gross regional domestic product (GRDP).
The 2024 Philippine Coffee Quality Competition showcased Region 12's development as a dominant force in coffee quality, standing out in national and international markets. This newfound reputation may raise the region's prominence in the coffee industry, attracting more buyers from around the world.
The artistic cultural heritage of the native Maguindanao people, among other regional groups—both Muslims and Catholics—revolves around kulintang music, a specific type of gong music. Unique to the Soccsksargen, elements of kulintang may be loosely compared to Indonesia’s gamelan music, and other related traditional performance arts.
12"Executive Order No. 36; Providing for the Reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao and for Other Purposes". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Malacañang, Manila, Philippines. September 19, 2001. Retrieved March 29, 2016. SECTION 4. Region XII is hereby reorganized to be known as SOCCSKSARGEN and shall be composed of the following provinces and cities: a. Provinces i. North Cotabato ii. Sarangani iii. South Cotabato iv. Sultan Kudarat b. Cities i. Cotabato City ii. General Santos City iii. Kidapawan City iv. Koronadal City v. Tacurong City
↑"Executive Order No. 36; Providing for the Reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao and for Other Purposes". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Malacañang, Manila, Philippines. September 19, 2001. Retrieved March 29, 2016. SECTION 2. Region X, known as Northern Mindanao, is hereby reorganized and shall be composed of the following provinces and cities: a. Provinces i. Bukidnon ii. Camiguin iii. Lanao del Norte iv. Misamis Occidental v. Misamis Oriental b. Cities i. Cagayan de Oro City ii. Gingoog City iii. Iligan City iv. Malaybalay City v. Oroquieta City vi. Ozamis City vii. Tangub City viii. Valencia City, Bukidnon
↑"Southern Mindanao Is Now All Davao Region". RDC XI Bulletin. No.Oct-Dec 2001, Volume 7. National Statistical Coordination Board. January 29, 2002. Archived from the original on January 2, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2016. Southern Mindanao or Region XI is now known as Davao Region and comprises four provinces (Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental) and five cities (Davao, Digos, Panabo, Tagum and the Island Garden City of Samal. Said provinces and cities are situated along the Davao Gulf area. South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City (SOCSARGEN) and Koronadal City, which were part of the old Region XI) have been transferred to Region XII.
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