Tampakan

History

Tampakan was once a barangay of the Municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato. It was a forested area inhabited by natives called B'laans. At that time, the place was still diverse in terms of flora and fauna. Tampakan was derived from the term "tamfaken", a native word of the B'laan language which means "spring," as the place had plenty of it. Abundant springs were spread at the center of the barrio and flowed out into streams that traversed almost the entire area, serving as the main source of potable water for the inhabitants.

It was in the mid-1940s when the first batch of landless pioneer settlers was brought in from Luzon, Leyte, and Panay in search of greener pastures. These settlers, armed with determination and courage, crossed the ocean to reach this place, which was then unknown to them. The settlers lived in a bunkhouse built from round logs during that time. The building was large enough to accommodate a hundred families and once stood on the same site where the present Petron gas station is now located. They lived in this communal dwelling until home lots were distributed to each settler family, facilitated by the National Land Settlement Administration.

Not long after the families had settled, World War II broke out in December 1940 and lasted for about four years. An Allied landing strip was constructed in Tampakan in 1941. Accounts from settlers revealed that a total of 13 bombs were dropped by U.S. planes on Tampakan. Months later, the Japanese Imperial Forces reached the settlement and confiscated the settlers' animals and carts, which were then used to transport ammunition and other weapons from Koronadal to Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat.

Despite the disturbance of war, development efforts continued. While some settlers returned to their places of origin due to the harsh physical and economic conditions, many others remained determined and chose to stay and establish a life in Tampakan. After the war, more Christian settlers arrived in the area. The native B'laans, feeling outnumbered and inferior, gradually moved to the upland areas of the locality. With the influx of more people, the once-abundant springs eventually dried up. As a result, the tamfaken is no longer visible today.

In 1963, Emilo B. Escobillo, Sr. won by landslide victory as the Municipal MayorTupi, South Cotabato. As the Municipality Mayor of Tupi, Escobillo initiated the separation of then Barangay Tampakan from its mother municipality of Tupi. Alfredo C. Cagas was elected Vice Mayor of Tupi. The joint effort of Escobillo Cagas, and Councilors Fernando Villanueva and Ireneo T. Barroso resulted to the creation of Tampakan into a municipality through the Presidential Proclamation of Diosdado Macapagal. The first appointed mayor was Anastacio V. Navato, Sr. who served in office for twelve days and then succumbed to death. The Ireneo T. Barroso, then councilor of Tupi, South Cotabato succeeded the mayoral post. In 1965 pursuant to the Revised Administrative Code, Tampakan reverted to Barangay and Tampakan's creation as a municipality was forwarded for legislation of Congress.

When Escobillo was elected Vice Governor of South Cotabato, he pursued creating Tampakan into a municipality. On June 21, 1969, Republic Act. No. 5661 was passed and approved in the Senate and the House of Representative creating the Municipality of Tampakan. As embodied in Republic Act. No.5661, the municipality was composed of the barrios of Tampakan, Maltana, Liberty, Kipalbig, and the Sitios Buto, Lambayong, Korondatal, Tablu, Liberty II and Miasong, all from the municipality of Tupi.

Years passed, and Tampakan gradually developed into an agricultural frontier. The once-forested area became an ideal place to live for the settlers, their families, and even their grandchildren. Through years of dedication and hard work, the settlers were able to build a community that eventually evolved into the municipality now known as Tampakan.

Government Officials

Municipal Officials

Executive Branch

Mayor

Legislative Branch

Vice-Mayor

Councilors

Barangay Officials

Tampakan is politically subdivided into 14 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios. Brgy. Captain Neil Ryan Escobillo currently serves as the ABC President of Tampakan and concurrently holds the position of ABC President for the Province of South Cotabato. In view of his provincial responsibilities, the ABC Vice President of Tampakan, Brgy. Captain Sotero N. Castillanes, assumes the role of ex officio member representing Tampakan.

There are 3 barangays which classified as urban (highlighted in bold)

Former Mayors and Vice Mayors

Climate

Tampakan, South Cotabato experiences a relatively mild and consistent climate throughout the year. The average daily maximum temperature ranges from 22 °C to 24 °C (72 °F to 75 °F), while the minimum stays between 15 °C and 17 °C (59 °F to 63 °F). Rainfall is spread across the year, with a total annual precipitation of approximately 1,623 mm (63.9 inches). The wettest months are June to October, each receiving over 180 mm of rain and experiencing 25 to 27 rainy days. In contrast, the driest months are January to March, with rainfall below 60 mm and fewer than 12 rainy days per month. Overall, the climate is cool and wet, especially during the mid-year monsoon season.{{Weather box

Demographics

Tampakan, a municipality in South Cotabato, Philippines, has experienced consistent population growth over the decades. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the population rose from 10,731 in 1970 to 41,018 in 2020. The most significant growth occurred between 1970 and 1975, with an annual increase of 8.16%. Growth continued at a steadier pace in the following decades, with the population reaching 18,057 in 1980, 25,526 in 1990, and 33,011 in 2000. While growth persisted into the 21st century, it began to slow, recording 34,245 in 2007, 36,254 in 2010, and 39,525 in 2015. By 2020, the growth rate had declined to 0.73% annually. This gradual deceleration suggests a shift toward population stabilization in recent years.{{Philippine Census

Religion

Churches in Tampakan:

• Lifehouse Community of Faith, Inc. (SBC), Brgy. Poblacion
• Greenland Community Church (SBC), Brgy. Buto
• Greenview Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Buto
• Amazing Grace Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Maltana
• Snip Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Tablu
• Liberty Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Liberty
• Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Brgy. Sta. Cruz
• Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Brgy. Poblacion
• Born Again Sanctuary of Praise, Brgy. Poblacion
• Iglesia Ni Cristo, Brgy. Poblacion
• Assembly of God Church, Brgy. Poblacion

Economy

There is a proposed copper and gold mine in Tampakan. Once approved for operations, the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project will be the largest in the Philippines and among the largest copper mines in the world.

The local government of Tampakan has for now cancelled its agreement with Sagittarius Mines to develop the reserves into a mine in 2020 alleging that the terms of the deal is lopsided against residents and the community

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. (20 March 2021). "The Tampakan Copper-Gold Project ( TCGP )".
3. Sarmiento, Bong. (30 August 2020). "Officials quash plan, for now, to develop Philippines' biggest copper mine". Mongabay.