Arakan, Cotabato

Arakan
Municipality
Seal
Location in Cotabato
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Cotabato
Congr. district	2nd District of Cotabato
Incorporated	August 30, 1991
Barangays	28
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• District Representative	Nancy A. Catamco
• Mayor	Rene V. Rubino Sr.
• Vice Mayor	Jenefier Anarna-Pangilinan
Area
• Total	693.22 km2 (267.65 sq mi)
Elevation	200 m (700 ft)
Population  (2010)
• Total	43,554
• Density	63/km2 (160/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	9417
Dialing code	64
Language(s)	Manobo(official), Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, and
Income class	2nd class

Arakan is a second class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 43,554 people.

History

The word Arakan is derived from the Manobo term “ara” which means abundance of natural resources in the valley and “kan” which means heroism, bravery and valor of the early Manobo leaders and settlers of the area. The word “arakan” then was named referring to one of the rivers of the valley. Arakan is basically a territory of a number of ethno-linguistic groups, predominantly of the Manobo-Kulamanon and Manobo-Tinananon tribes. The names of the two (2) big rivers in Arakan were also from these ethnic groups of the Kulaman and Tinanan Rivers. The original settlers of the place are the Manobos, which were believed to have originally come from the string of islands in the Malayan Peninsula and Borneo. This assumption is based on their language structure which has Malayan roots.

Throughout the years, they maintained contacts and inter-marriages with other tribes such as Matigsalogs and other lesser Bagobo tribes. The early migrant settlers from Visayas came in as early as the 1930s. Massive clearing of the forest areas became the order of these years for agricultural and settlement purposes. Due to these activities, the Manobos were forced to settle in the inner portions away from those areas occupied by the Bisayans. They were pushed further still and they permanently inhabited the highlands of the valley to avoid social and cultural interactions with the migrant Bisayans.

Early attempts to fully develop Arakan dated back in the 70’s when the late Mayor Froilan Matas of the Municipality of Magpet (mother municipality of Arakan) unified his efforts with the Sangguniang Bayan, which was ably supported by the barangay leaders, and its populace led by Greenfield (now Poblacion) Barangay Chairman Aproniano A. Ebon, Sr. through a resolution strongly manifesting its support to the creation of a separate municipality of Arakan. In 1972, a more unified attempts to create the municipality by the provincial leadership has led the passing of House Bill No. 4805 sponsored by the then Assemblyman Salipada K. Pendatun. The declaration of martial law in the same year deterred its creation. This did not however, dampen the hope of the great leaders of Magpet.

The EDSA Revolution that took place in 1986 paved way to another attempt of the creation of a separate and new municipality through the collaborative efforts of the municipal government of Magpet spearheaded by then Vice Mayor Aproniano A. Ebon, Sr., the provincial leadership headed by then Governor Rosario P. Diaz, M.D. and the most especially by the passage of a house bill sponsored by Congressman Gregorio A. Andolana of the Second District of Cotabato Province.

After five years, the Municipality of Arakan was finally created by virtue of Republic Act No. 7152, approved by President Corazon C. Aquino on August 30, 1991. However, under the provision of the Act, it has to elect its new officials in the local election on May 11, 1992. The then, Vice Mayor Ebon, overwhelming got the mandate as the first Municipal Mayor while David B. Figura, Sr. was the first Vice Mayor and the Sangguniang Bayan Members were: Councilor Emelita A. Espinosa Councilor Rogelio A. Magluyan Councilor Romulo M. Tapgos Councilor Regina C. Delgado Councilor Gerardo B. Tuble, Sr. Councilor Amelita B. Bajar Councilor Winnie P. Canario Councilor Arnulfo S. Nabua ABC President Lazaro G. Lozada, and SKMF President Rosel S. Magbanua,

Honorable Ebon spent three terms as Municipal Mayor, as did David B. Figura, Sr. (who died before his last term ended).

After 10 years of existence, a new municipal leadership exists after the 2001 election with Romulo M. Tapgos elected as the second Municipal Mayor of Arakan with its new Sanggunian members, as follows:

Vice-Mayor Wennie P. Canario, Councilor Amelita B. Bajar, Councilor Leonardo S. Reovoca, Councilor Josie V. Nasiluan, Councilor Regina C. Delgado, Councilor Jimson D. Monteser, Councilor Embac E. Suhat, Councilor Gory C. Paron, Councilor Zaidee P. Wong, ABC President Warlito D. Beñalon, SKMF President Rosel S. Magbanua.

As of 2014 Gerardo Tuble Sr. is Municipal Mayor.

Vice-Mayor Rene V. Rubino, Councilor Aproniano A.Ebon Sr., Councilor Jenefier A. Pangilinan, Councilor Luis Bunsuran, Councilor Richard A. Gayatin, Councilor Leonardo S. Reovoca, Councilor Sumerado Ambato, Councilor Josie V. Nasiluan, Councilor Winnie P. Canario.

Barangays

Arakan is politically subdivided into 28 barangays.

• Allab
• Anapolon
• Badiangon
• Binoongan
• Dallag
• Datu Ladayon
• Datu Matangkil
• Doroluman
• Gambodes
• Ganatan
• Greenfield
• Kabalantian
• Katipunan
• Kinawayan
• Kulaman Valley
• Lanao Kuran
• Libertad
• Makalangot
• Malibatuan
• Maria Caridad
• Meocan
• Naje
• Napalico
• Salasang
• San Miguel
• Santo Niño
• Sumalili
• Tumanding

Demographics

Population census of
Arakan

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	26,576	—
1995	27,554	+0.68%
2000	34,588	+4.99%
2007	38,717	+1.57%
2010	43,554	+4.38%
Source: National Statistics Office

Tourist attractions

• The 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long Epol River, in Brgy. Gambodes, has 6 series of waterfalls and river pools.
• The 100 metres (330 ft) high Matigol Falls, at Inamong, Brgy. Datu Ladayon, has a cave beside it.
• The 4 hectares (9.9 acres) Lake Luningning, in Brgy. Ganatan,has a depth of 30 metres (98 ft) and an underground spring.
• The Tinanan River, at Valencia, Sto. Niño, has 6 springs and two unexplored caves.
• The church-like Gaem Cave, in Bagong Silang, Brgy. Gambodes, has an area of 900 square metres (9,700 sq ft) and a height of 10 metres (33 ft).
• Cave and Park View, at Bukatol, Brgy. Kinawayan, is located between the boundaries of Cotabato and Bukidnon and Davao City. From the top of Mt. Sinaka the Arakan Valley Complex can be viewed.
• The 500 hectares (1,200 acres) Forest Wildlife Park, at Sinai, Brgy. Salasang, is nestled with old trees and wild animals such as the Philippine Eagle, Kalaw, etc.
• The 15 metres (49 ft) high, 5-tier Bokwan Falls (Upper Lombo, Brgy. Kabalantian)
• The tunnel-like Evil Cave and Cold Spring (Formon/Natubalan, Brgy. Salasang)
• The tunnel-like Nabuns Cave (Bagong Silang, Brgy. Gambodes)
• The 50 metres (160 ft) high Nanilungan Falls (Brgy. Gambodes)

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code