Gacad: Hello Koronadal

THE settlement of Koronadal and its creation as a municipality by virtue of Executive Order no. 82 dated August 18, 1947 was marked by a rapid initial development, so that when the province of South Cotabato was created under Republic Act no. 4849 on July 18, 1966, it easily became the capital town.

In the past, the place was populated by Blaan people and Maguindanaos. The word Koronadal is believed to have been derived from two Blaan words; kalon meaning cogon grass, and nadal or datal meaning plain, which aptly described the place to the natives. On the other hand, Marbel, which is another name for the poblacion, is a Blaan term marb el which means “murky waters” referring to a river, now called the Marbel River.

Koronadal City used to comprise the area extending from the banks of Buluan Lake to the north to Barangay Polonoling in the municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato to the south from Quezon mountain range to the northeast to the municipality of T’boli, South Cotabato to the southeast.

It was on August 18, 1947 when President Manuel Roxas signed the Executive Order creating the municipalities in the entire province of Cotabato, one of which was Marbel (now Koronadal). The same executive order likewise mandated the official function of the municipal government which began after the qualification and election of the first set of municipal officials.

The municipal government of Koronadal began its official function on January 1, 1948 with an approved Annual Estimated Budget of P30,000. The land area of the municipality by then was comparable with the Province of Bata-an embracing the present municipalities of Tampakan, Tupi, Banga, Lake Sebu, Surallah, T’boli, South Cotabato, Sto. Niño, Norala, and Isulan. Municipal Council Resolution No. 32, Series of 1948 mandated and proclaimed January 10 of each year as the Municipal Town Fiesta commemorating the foundation of Marbel Settlement District of the National Land Settlement.

Koronadal was converted into a component city of South Cotabato, now officially known as the City of Koronadal by virtue of Republic Act 8803 on October 8, 2000.

At present, Koronadal City is a fast-developing growth center composed of twenty-seven (27) barangays including the four (4) zones in the poblacion. Being the capital city of South Cotabato, it is the center of the province in terms of political, cultural and socio-economic activities. By virtue of Executive Order No. 304 signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Koronadal City was named as the Regional political and socio-economic center of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos (Soccsksargen) on March 30, 2004. Regional departments, bureaus and offices were ordered to move from Cotabato City, the former Regional Center of the Region.

South Cotabato’s Center for finance, business, education, services and government institution, Koronadal City has advanced itself to become the capital city of the province while being named as the new seat of Region XII or Soccsksargen. The city is less than an hour drive from General Santos City and is the main crossroad to other key points in Southern and Central Mindanao. Converted into a component city in year 2000, Koronadal is a fast developing growth center composed of twenty seven 27 Barangays and is the center in terms of political, cultural and socio-economic activities.

Koronadal boast of its favorable geographical location, rich human and natural resources, and potentials conductive for trade business and Industry. It is endowed with scenic spots with high potential for tourist attractions. Among them are waterfalls in Barangay Saravia and Barangay San Jose, Caves in Barangay San Jose, a golf course in Barangay Mambucal and wildlife sanctuary in Sitio EL Gawel, Barangay Saravia. It was adjudged as the most competitive small-sized city in the Philippines last 2003 and was adjudged as the 2005 Most Business-Friendly City in Mindanao.

Koronadal is now an important hub of commercial, industry and other socio-economic activities. It enjoys the distinction of having been identified as the Agri-industrial Center of the Province of South Cotabato, which made it a lead center for industrialization, acting as catalyst for development particularly in the second district of South Cotabato.

Thank you for the very warm welcome Koronadal! Wish me luck.

“Leave home, leave the country, leave the familiar. Only then can routine experience - buying bread, eating vegetables, even saying hello - become new all over again.” ~ Anthony Doerr

“Discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

“Wherever you go, go with all your heart! “ ~ Confucius

“There’s a whole world out there, right outside your window. You’d be a fool to miss it.” ~ Charlotte Eriksson

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