Sarangani

History

Early history

The earliest civilization in the province can be found in Maitum, Sarangani, where the Maitum Anthropomorphic Pottery or Maitum Jars were found. The jars have been dated to approximately 5 BC to 370 AD, one of the oldest in the entire Southeast Asian region and the Philippines. The discovery testified to the long history of cultural exchanges in Sarangani and its people.

The Sarangani was once part of Sultanate of Maguindanao. The establishment of the Sultanate in the area caused more Maguindanaon settlers arrival. After the fall of the Sultanate of Maguindanao as a great power in Mindanao, Datu Uto of Buayan expanded his domain towards Sarangani Bay. Sarangani would eventually be under the Sultanate of Buayan until the American era.

Spanish colonial era

Sarangani Island (now part of Davao Occidental) was named Antonia by the Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos in 1543, in honor of Antonio de Mendoza y Pacheco, the viceroy of New Spain who had appointed López de Villalobos to lead an expedition to the Western Islands (now the Philippines) because of their relation by marriage. The early inhabitants who first inhabited Sarangani were the indigenous natives, called MunaTo, a native term for "first people."

Japanese occupation

In 1942, the Japanese troops occupied Southern Cotabato. In 1945, Filipino troops of the 6th, 10th, 101st and 102nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 10th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary entered in and liberated Southern Cotabato and fought against the Japanese Imperial Army forces during the Battle of Cotabato at the end of World War II under the Japanese Occupation.

Philippine independence

Before its inception in 1992, Sarangani was part of South Cotabato under its third district. The province was created by Republic Act No. 7228 on March 16, 1992, penned by Congressman James Chiongbian, who would later become the province's first representative to the House of Representatives, ratified in a plebiscite on May 19, 1992 and installed its first set of officials on November 28, 1992. His wife, Priscilla Chiongbian, became the first Governor of Sarangani.

The Sangil people are active in the struggle for self-determination as part of their strategy to preserve and develop their culture and social institutions. The creation of Sarangani province itself was an effort to ease tensions between the Sangil people and the Philippine government.

Geography

Sarangani covers a total area of 3,601.25 km2 occupying the southern tip of the Soccsksargen in central Mindanao. The province is bordered on the central-north by South Cotabato, northeast by Davao del Sur, east by Davao Occidental, south by the Sarangani Bay and Celebes Sea, and northwest by Sultan Kudarat.

Sarangani is divided into two (eastern and western) sections, separated by the Sarangani Bay and General Santos in the middle. The western portion comprises the towns of Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim, and is bounded on the north by South Cotabato and on the northwest by Sultan Kudarat. The eastern section consists of Alabel, Glan, Malapatan, and Malungon.

Administrative divisions

Sarangani comprises seven municipalities. A single legislative district encompasses all towns.

Demographics

The population of Sarangani in the 2020 census was 558,946 people, with a density of {{sigfig|558,946/3,601.25|2}} PD/km2.

Religion

Christianity is the majority religion in the province with a total of 79% (48% Roman Catholicism and 31% evangelicals). Other religious minorities are Islam (9%) and Iglesia ni Cristo (2%). The remainder is usually divided among other Christian churches. The majority of Muslims are from the Sangil, Maguindanao, and Kalagan ethnic groups. Furthermore, there are quite a few individuals who have converted to Islam, also known as Balik Islam (reverting to Islam).

Ethnic groups

Sarangani has a huge ethnic diversity, such as Lumads, consisting of Blaan, T'boli, Tagakaulo, Kalagan, Manobo, Ubo, Moro Muslims, and Christian settlers. Muslims comprise 7 ethnic groups, Lumads 17 ethnic groups, and Christian migrant settlers, at least 20 ethnic groups. Sarangani and Sangil peoples, although no longer dominant, still have a presence here. Being one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse regions in Mindanao.

The Blaan people are the largest minority and are spread across the municipalities of Malapatan, Glan, Alabel, Maasim, and Malungon. Most of Blaan people lives in Malapatan, constituting 37% of the municipality's population. Other ethnic groups, such as the Maguindanao people reside in the municipalities of Malapatan, Maitum, and Maasim, the T'boli people mostly reside in Maitum, Kiamba, and Maasim, while the Tagakaulo people is almost entirely in Malungon. Cebuano settlers are found in Glan and Alabel, Ilonggo (Hiligaynon) are located in Malungon, while Ilocano mostly live in Kiamba and Maitum.

Thus, the mixed population of Sarangani is quite diverse, with the language of the Christian settlers being used commonly by both Moro Muslims and natives, consisting of the Blaan and Cebuano-speaking Muslims on the east coast, the Tboli, Manobo, and Ilocano-speaking Muslims on the west coast, and the Ilonggo-speaking Blaan and Tagakaulo peoples of the northern highlands.

Economy

Coconut, corn, rice, banana, mango, durian, rubber, and sugarcane are major crops now being planted by the inhabitants. The province has plantations (mango, banana, pineapple, asparagus), cattle ranches, and commercial fishponds that have been operating in the area, some of which having existed as far back as 40 years.

Electricity comes from the National Power Corporation, and augmented by a 50 MW power plant in Alabel, the province's capital. Water is provided for by sustainable spring development projects.

Government

Elected Officials (2025-2028)

• Rep. Steve Chiongbian Solon
• Gov. Rogelio D. Pacquiao
• Vice Gov. Danny A. Martinez

Elected Officials (2022-2025)

• Rep. Steve Chiongbian Solon
• Gov. Rogelio D. Pacquiao
• Vice Gov. Elmer T. de Peralta

Elected Officials (2019-2022)

• Rep. Rogelio D. Pacquiao
• Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon
• Vice Gov. Elmer T. de Peralta

Elected Officials (2016-2022)

• Rep. Rogelio D. Pacquiao
• Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon
• Vice Gov. Elmer T. de Peralta

Elected Officials (2013-2016)

• Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao
• Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon
• Vice Gov. Jinkee J. Pacquiao

Elected Officials (2010-2013)

• Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao
• Gov. Miguel Rene Angelo Dominguez
• Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon

Elected Officials (2007-2010)

• Rep. Erwin Chiongbian
• Gov. Miguel Angelo Dominguez
• Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon

Elected Officials (2004-2007)

• Rep. Erwin Chiongbian
• Gov. Miguel Angelo Dominguez
• Vice Gov. Bridget Chiongbian-Huang

Elected Officials (2001-2004)

• Rep. Erwin Chiongbian
• Gov. Miguel Escobar
• Vice Gov. Felipe Constantino

Elected Officials (1998-2001)

• Rep. Juan Domino*
• Gov. Priscilla Chiongbian
• Vice Gov. Miguel Escobar

Elected Officials (1995-1998)

• Rep. James Chiongbian(as Lone District of Sarangani)
• Gov. Priscilla Chiongbian
• Vice Gov. Miguel Escobar

Elected Officials (1992-1995)

• Rep. James Chiongbian (as Third District of South Cotabato)
• Gov. Priscilla Chiongbian
• Vice Gov. Miguel Escobar

Note

• *-Rep.Juan Domino was Disqualified due to a lack of Residency

Tourism

Sarangani celebrates its foundation anniversary every November, named as MunaTo Festival.

Sarangani has ancient burial jars, discovered by archaeologists from the National Museum in Ayub Cave in Maitum, in 1991 and in 2008, and at Sagel Cave in Maitum (now declared by National Historical Institute as a national historical site). Amid Mindanao's armed conflicts, artifacts found thereat prove settlements of pre-historic civilization in Maitum.

Notable people

• Manny Pacquiao - boxer and former senator having his family from Sarangani.
• Jinkee Pacquiao - wife of Manny Pacquiao and former Sarangani vice governor (2013). Her family is from Sarangani.

References

References

1. "List of Provinces". National Statistical Coordination Board.
2. [http://balita.ph/2008/11/11/man-made-island-resort-now-a-sarangani-landmark/ balita.ph/2008, Man-made island resort now a Sarangani landmark]{{Dead link. (September 2025)
3. (March 16, 1992). "An Act Creating the Province of Sarangani".
4. (January 18, 2015). "MAP: Catholicism in the Philippines".
5. "Philippine Church National Summary".
6. (July 17, 2015). "MAP: Islam in the Philippines".
7. (July 26, 2014). "MAP: Iglesia ni Cristo in the Philippines".
8. Bara, Hannbal. "The History of the Muslim in the Philippines". National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
9. "Sarangan People". [[Sarangani.
10. (November 29, 2013). "'MunaTo' festival". [[Manila Bulletin]].
11. (November 10, 2008). "Island resort now Sarangani landmark". [[Philippine Information Agency]].