Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Maguindanao massacre




By James Mananghaya (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Forty-Seven persons – including a politician about to file her and her brother’s certificates of candidacy (COCs), as well as journalists covering the event – were confirmed killed when heavily armed men waylaid the group on its way to the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Maguindanao.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. Romero Brawner confirmed that as of yesterday afternoon, ground troops had recovered 21 bodies – 13 women and eight men – from the massacre site in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan town.

Supporters of Buluan Vice Mayor Toto Mangudadatu and Mangudadatu Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu and their

companions were on their way to the Comelec office to file COCs at around 10:30 a.m. when they were blocked at a checkpoint manned by some 100 Maguindanao police personnel and armed civilian volunteers allegedly led by Datu Unsay town mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan Jr.

Reports from the Army’s 6th Infantry Division reported that a certain Police Senior Inspector Dicay of Shariff Aguak accompanied Ampatuan. Three vehicles owned by the Mangudadatu’s were found burned.

Toto Mangudadatu, who was not with the convoy, is reportedly eyeing the gubernatorial seat in the May 2010 elections and had asked his wife to file his COC.

Aside from Bai Eden, the other victims were identified as Genalyn Tiamzon-Mangudadatu, the vice mayor’s wife who was raped before being killed; lawyers Connie Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo and her father, Bai Farinah Mangudadatu; Faridah Sabdulah; Manguba Bai Mangudadatu, Toto’s aunt; Farida Mangudadatu, Toto’s youngest sister.

The journalists were identified as Ian Toblan, Leah Dalmacio, Gina dela Cruz, Joy Duhay, Andy Teodoro, Mac-Mac Areola, Bart Maravilla of Bombo Radyo Koronadal, Henry Araneta of dzRH Cotabato, Bong Reblando of Manila Bulletin and Neneng Montano of local radio dxCP.

Also reported killed were Rasul Daud, driver of Mangudadatu, Wahida Ali Kaliman, Farida Sabdula, Zorayda Vernan, Victor Nuñez, Zaida Abdul, Pinky Balayman, Ella Balayman, Rahima Piopo, Abdullah Hajji, Patrick Pamansan, Meriam Calicol, a certain Unto and a certain Chito, and eight others who were not included in the list.

Toto said his wife and her companions left Buluan town at about 9 a.m. on board several vehicles and were flagged down by armed men at Barangay Kauran in Ampatuan, Maguindanao some 30 minutes later.

“Six members of the group that was to bring my certificate of candidacy to Shariff Aguak were beheaded by the gunmen that flagged them down at a portion of a highway near Shariff Aguak. The police and the military have to do something,” Mangudadatu told Catholic station dxND in Kidapawan City.

“I opted not to provide armed security escorts to the group to avoid possible tension during the filing of my COC,” he added.

The Mangudadatu clan is known to have a long-running feud with the family of Maguindanao’s incumbent Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., who police said is known to have his own private army.

Brutal death

Reporters have been trying to get information on the incident from the spokesman of the 6th ID, Col. Jonathan Ponce.

He, however, has not responded even if his staffers have confirmed that he is just inside the Army camp.

Sources from the Army’s 601st Brigade said unidentified armed men indeed flagged down several vehicles at a portion of the Cotabato-Isulan Highway in Kauran area, which is at the boundary adjoining Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

The provincial police director of Maguindanao could not be reached for comment.

The tension worsened when text messages started circulating that the gunmen executed and killed four of the reporters who were with the group.

Local officials in towns at the border of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat said they still have to confirm from barangay leaders the veracity of the text messages that four journalist that accompanied the wife of Mangudadatu had been decapitated.

A source who requested anonymity said the victims were shot at random, and some were decapitated with chainsaws.

The same source added that the killers used a backhoe to dig mass graves where the victims were buried.

Brig. Gen. Medardo Geslani, chief of the army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said they are now validating the reports.

Palace up in arms

Malacañang expressed shock and outrage over the executions and vowed that justice would be served.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Gabriel Claudio said the Palace is still trying to determine the facts behind the incident.

“We are in shock and total outrage,” Claudio said. “Justice will be served and the perpetrators will be punished, whoever they are.”

Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza recommended to President Arroyo to immediately declare a state of emergency in Maguindanao.

“This is a gruesome massacre of civilians unequalled in recent history. Even women and working mediamen were not spared. I grieve for my friends in the media and all those killed while doing their job,” Dureza said in a statement.

“There must be a total stop to this senseless violence and carnage. I strongly recommend that a state of emergency be imposed in the area and everyone disarmed. Anything less will not work,” he said.

Claudio said he had a brief meeting with ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan at the Palace to discuss Sulu politics.

Ampatuan was accompanied by outgoing Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison and other local officials. They sought a meeting to be assured of fair arbitration from the leaders of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, as Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan is also fielding his own local slate against Arbison’s group.

He said there was no discussion about Maguindanao politics.

NUJP condemns abduction of mediamen

Meanwhile, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) condemned the abduction and death of their colleagues.

“We demand that government, from Malacañang to the (ARMM) and Maguindanao, and its security forces, move swiftly to resolve this crisis and ensure that no harm befalls the hostages; and, if true that violence has been inflicted on some of the hostages, to ensure swift justice on the perpetrators, no matter who they are,” the NUJP said in a statement.

“Taking hostage someone about to file a certificate of candidacy is, by itself, a brazen challenge to efforts to strengthen our admittedly fragile democracy. And, if true that a local government official and a police officer are involved, then it says a lot about how far government has gone to eradicate the warlord politics that continues to reign over many of our provinces, very often the poorest and most underdeveloped,” the NUJP added.

“But to take hostage journalists who were merely going about their job of informing the public worsens the already heinous crime and elevates it into an assault on the Constitution itself and the freedom of the press and of expression it enshrines, and the people’s right to know which these freedoms serve,” NUJP said.

Pimentel: Send the Marines

At the Senate, minority leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. recommended sending the Marines to Maguindanao to control the peace and order situation.

Pimentel condemned the killings, which came on the heels of the filing of COCs for local and national posts.

He also said that the military should take control of the area to avoid further bloodbath.

“It’s going to lead to a bloodbath unless the government steps in. Arrest and jail whoever is responsible even if he might be a warlord. Send the Marines if need be,” Pimentel said. –With John Unson, Edith Regalado, John Paul Jubelag, Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez, Paolo Romero

source

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Political violence flares

Some 100 armed men abducted Monday morning the wife of a would-be gubernatorial candidate in Maguindanao, including two of her lawyers and 34 local media practitioners who were accompanying them in a six-car convoy.

Malacañang immediately condemned the reported abduction and directed security forces to restore peace and order in the area.

Those taken at gunpoint were Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of former Buluan Mayor Toto Mangudadatu, a gubernatorial aspirant in Maguindanao, lawyers Connie Brizuela and Cynthia Oquindo, and local newsmen that joined Mangudadatu’s convoy in going to Shariff Aguak town, the capital of Maguindanao, to file election documents in the provincial election office.

Also with the group was Baluan Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu, sister of the former mayor.

The former mayor was set to file his certificate of candidacy in Shariff Aguak but instead of him, he asked his wife to file copies of his CoC, during which the armed men snatched the occupants of the three-vehicle convoy along the national highway.

Genalyn, according to Mangudadatu, was with Brizuela and 34 media practitioners, including Bong Reblando, Henry Araneta, Bart Maravilla, local newspaper publisher Andy Teodoro and print reporter Maritess Cablitas.

Also in the group from General Santos City were Victor Nunez, Joey Duhay, Ronnie Quirante, Marites Tubang, Gina dela Cruz, and Leah Dalmacio.

Six of the Cotabato City-based journalists, on the other hand, were named as Jenny Cabiles, Neneng Montano, Napoleon Salaysay, Ann Acosta, Val Cachuela, and Fernando Rain.

Joseph Jubilag, one of the invited newsmen supposed to go with the group, said his colleagues went ahead with the Mangudadatus aboard six vans because he and two others were using his own vehicle.

Jubilag said he had talked with Reblando at about 9:30 a.m. who told him that the convoy of six vans was cruising the highway along Ampatuan, the next town to Shariff Aguak.

“Ten minutes later, I could no longer contact him or any of our colleagues from Gen. Santos City. We and Toto (the gubernatorial aspirant) later received reports that the six vans were flagged down by more or less 100 armed men,” Jubilag said.

The Bulletin tried but fail to get confirmation from civilian and police authorities.

Even the mobile phone of Muslim Mindanao police director Paisal Umpa kept ringing but went unanswered in three separate dial attempts.

Toto said he was so worried about the plight of the invited journalists as well as that of his wife, sisters and other relatives because he received reports that all the six vans were razed to the ground.

He said he was also informed that six of the people belonging to the convoy were killed, two of them were journalists.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the police and military have been ordered to arrest the gunmen who seized the group.

“We strongly condemn this incident considering the elections are still far away. The campaign period has not even started and yet we have this incident already,” she told reporters in the Palace.

Fajardo said the reported abduction of a political group by another rival political clan in Maguindanao should jolt the government as well as the poll body “to tighten security measures to minimize this kind of incidents.”

She asserted that the government is trying its best to ensure peaceful and orderly elections especially since this will be the first automated democratic exercise.

“The police should immediately identify the people behind this incident to show the public that we don’t tolerate such violence,” she added.

Mangudadatu, the gubernatorial aspirant, in an interview over Catholic-run DXND in Kidapawan City said his last contact with his wife was around 9:30 a.m. Monday, an hour after her convoy left Buluan town around 8:30 a.m.

By 11:30 a.m., Mangudadatu said he received very disturbing reports that six of the members of the convoy were already beheaded by the armed men.

“I don’t know if my wife, Jijie, was one of those beheaded. The beheading was confirmed by our people in the area,” he said during the interview.

Authorities have yet to confirm the beheading reports. Initial attempts to contact the Maguindanao police, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and the intelligence community were futile as none of the officials have given information as regards the abduction and supposed beheadings.

The rift between the Mangudadatus and Ampatuan clan in the province intensified early in 2009 when Toto Mangudadatu declared his intention to run against Datu Andal Ampatuan in the gubernatorial race.

“I just want changes in the political landscape of Maguindanao that’s why I’m running,” he said.

Mangudadatu has called on authorities, including General Ompa, chief of the Maguindanao PNP and Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton of the 6th ID, and other military and police officials to help him rescue his wife Genalyn and 40 others.

“Nakababahala na ang sitwasyon dito sa Maguindanao. Sana makatulong kayo sa amin,” Mangudadatu told police and military officials in Maguindanao.

source

Political violence flares

Some 100 armed men abducted Monday morning the wife of a would-be gubernatorial candidate in Maguindanao, including two of her lawyers and 34 local media practitioners who were accompanying them in a six-car convoy.

Malacañang immediately condemned the reported abduction and directed security forces to restore peace and order in the area.

Those taken at gunpoint were Genalyn Mangudadatu, wife of former Buluan Mayor Toto Mangudadatu, a gubernatorial aspirant in Maguindanao, lawyers Connie Brizuela and Cynthia Oquindo, and local newsmen that joined Mangudadatu’s convoy in going to Shariff Aguak town, the capital of Maguindanao, to file election documents in the provincial election office.

Also with the group was Baluan Vice Mayor Eden Mangudadatu, sister of the former mayor.

The former mayor was set to file his certificate of candidacy in Shariff Aguak but instead of him, he asked his wife to file copies of his CoC, during which the armed men snatched the occupants of the three-vehicle convoy along the national highway.

Genalyn, according to Mangudadatu, was with Brizuela and 34 media practitioners, including Bong Reblando, Henry Araneta, Bart Maravilla, local newspaper publisher Andy Teodoro and print reporter Maritess Cablitas.

Also in the group from General Santos City were Victor Nunez, Joey Duhay, Ronnie Quirante, Marites Tubang, Gina dela Cruz, and Leah Dalmacio.

Six of the Cotabato City-based journalists, on the other hand, were named as Jenny Cabiles, Neneng Montano, Napoleon Salaysay, Ann Acosta, Val Cachuela, and Fernando Rain.

Joseph Jubilag, one of the invited newsmen supposed to go with the group, said his colleagues went ahead with the Mangudadatus aboard six vans because he and two others were using his own vehicle.

Jubilag said he had talked with Reblando at about 9:30 a.m. who told him that the convoy of six vans was cruising the highway along Ampatuan, the next town to Shariff Aguak.

“Ten minutes later, I could no longer contact him or any of our colleagues from Gen. Santos City. We and Toto (the gubernatorial aspirant) later received reports that the six vans were flagged down by more or less 100 armed men,” Jubilag said.

The Bulletin tried but fail to get confirmation from civilian and police authorities.

Even the mobile phone of Muslim Mindanao police director Paisal Umpa kept ringing but went unanswered in three separate dial attempts.

Toto said he was so worried about the plight of the invited journalists as well as that of his wife, sisters and other relatives because he received reports that all the six vans were razed to the ground.

He said he was also informed that six of the people belonging to the convoy were killed, two of them were journalists.

Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo said the police and military have been ordered to arrest the gunmen who seized the group.

“We strongly condemn this incident considering the elections are still far away. The campaign period has not even started and yet we have this incident already,” she told reporters in the Palace.

Fajardo said the reported abduction of a political group by another rival political clan in Maguindanao should jolt the government as well as the poll body “to tighten security measures to minimize this kind of incidents.”

She asserted that the government is trying its best to ensure peaceful and orderly elections especially since this will be the first automated democratic exercise.

“The police should immediately identify the people behind this incident to show the public that we don’t tolerate such violence,” she added.

Mangudadatu, the gubernatorial aspirant, in an interview over Catholic-run DXND in Kidapawan City said his last contact with his wife was around 9:30 a.m. Monday, an hour after her convoy left Buluan town around 8:30 a.m.

By 11:30 a.m., Mangudadatu said he received very disturbing reports that six of the members of the convoy were already beheaded by the armed men.

“I don’t know if my wife, Jijie, was one of those beheaded. The beheading was confirmed by our people in the area,” he said during the interview.

Authorities have yet to confirm the beheading reports. Initial attempts to contact the Maguindanao police, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and the intelligence community were futile as none of the officials have given information as regards the abduction and supposed beheadings.

The rift between the Mangudadatus and Ampatuan clan in the province intensified early in 2009 when Toto Mangudadatu declared his intention to run against Datu Andal Ampatuan in the gubernatorial race.

“I just want changes in the political landscape of Maguindanao that’s why I’m running,” he said.

Mangudadatu has called on authorities, including General Ompa, chief of the Maguindanao PNP and Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton of the 6th ID, and other military and police officials to help him rescue his wife Genalyn and 40 others.

“Nakababahala na ang sitwasyon dito sa Maguindanao. Sana makatulong kayo sa amin,” Mangudadatu told police and military officials in Maguindanao.

source

CITY OF KIDAPAWAN MAP

Map of Cotabato showing the location of Kidapawan City.
Country Philippines
Region SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province Cotabato
District 2nd District of Cotabato
Founded August 18, 1947
Cityhood February 12, 1998 (R.A. 8500)
Barangays 40
Government
- Mayor Rodolfo Y. Gantuangco
Area
- Total 340.07 km2 (131.3 sq mi)
Time zone PHT (UTC+8)
Income class First Class
Kidapawan City is a 1st class city in the province of Cotabato, Philippines per Department of Finance Order No. 20-2005. It is the capital

KIDAPAWAN CITY

Kidapawan City is a 1st class city in the province of Cotabato, Philippines per Department of Finance Order No. 20-2005. It is the capital city of North Cotabato. It is a favorite tourist destination in the late October to December and in the summer, where thousands of tourist climb the majestic Mt. Apo, the country's highest peak. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 101,205 people in 20,393 households. Estimates indicate that as of 2005, the population has reached 120,210.

Kidapawan, the city hailed as “A Spring in the Highland”, comes from the words “tida” which means spring and “pawan” meaning highland. The city is found at the bottom of the majestic Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest mountain making it a great spot and first-rate tourist attraction. Kidapawan is situated at the southeastern section of Cotabato province, placed in the middle of three other major cities of Davao, Cotabato,General Santos and koronadal city.

Its first settlers were predominantly Manobos. The influx of Christian settlers from Luzon and the Visayas has resulted in the evolution of the word Tidapawan to Kidapawan.

Strategically located at the foot of Mount Apo, the Philippines' tallest peak at 10,311 feet above sea level, Kidapawan City bustles with renewed energy as it opens its doors to the world. Mount Apo and its other scenic attractions make the province of Cotabato a potential world-class tourist destination.

Kidapawan City plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the province and its adjacent areas. It is the commercial and trading center of six adjoining municipalities. It also boasts of agricultural productivity that can provide a strong base for much-required industries.

Contents

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History

Kidapawan City was legally created by virtue of Republic Act. No. 8500, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos on February 12, 1998, making it the first component city of North Cotabato Province. The people overwhelming ratified the said Act on March 21, 1998 during a plebiscite conducted for the purpose.

Originally named a district of Pikit in 1942, In 1942 the Japanese Imperial forces entered in Kidapawan, In 1945 defenders of the Filipino soldiers and guerrillas taken in Kidapawan fought the battles attack by the Japanese Imperial forces beginning the World War II, Kidapawan was later declared a separate municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 82 issued by then President Manuel Roxas on August 18, 1947 – thereby becoming the fourth town of the then Empire Province of Cotabato, composed previously of the municipalities of Cotabato (now Cotabato City), Dulawan (later named Datu Piang) and Midsayap.

Created along with the city were the 12 original barangays, namely: Birada, Ginatilan, Indangan, Linangcob, Luvimin, Manongol, Marbel, Mateo, Meohao, Mua-an, Perez, and Sibawan. From the original land area of 273, 262 hectares, Kidapawan retained only 34,007.20 hectares when four municipalities were created from it namely: Magpet (June 22, 1963, R.A. 3721), Matalam (Dec. 29, 1961, E.O. 461), M’lang (Aug. 3, 1951, E.O. 462) and President Roxas (May 8, 1967, R.A. 4869).

Prior to its conversion to a municipality, five appointed District Mayors had served Kidapawan. The first was Datu Siawan Ingkal, tribal chieftain of the Manobos, who headed the Civilian Emergency Administration when World War II broke out. He was followed by Felimon Blanco, Ceferino Villanueva, Jacinto Paclibar, and Alfonso Angeles Sr., who became the first elected mayor of the municipality.

Kidapawan became the provincial capital of North Cotabato pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 341 dated 22 November 1973, with the provincial seat of government located in Amas. Later, Batas Pambansa No. 660 dated 19 December 1983 renamed the Province of North Cotabato just plain Cotabato. By the time it became the province’s capital, Kidapawan had already 40 barangays under its geopolitical jurisdiction.

Population

Based on the 2000 census, the city has a total population of 101,205 with an average household size of 4.93 members belonging to 20,393 households

Economy

Kidapawan City was classified as a 1st class city per Department of Finance Order No. 20-2005 . In 2006, it yielded an income of Php268.94 million, of which 73.8 percent constituted the IRA. Of its Php314.22 million total expenditures for the year, 25.9 percent were expended on economic services.

The City is considered as the province’s industrial hub. It plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the province and its adjacent areas. It is the commercial and trading hub of six neighboring municipalities. It lies at the heart of two large domestic markets: Davao City and Cotabato City.

Ethnic Group and Dialect Widely Spoken

Cebuanos and Ilonggos are the predominant ethnic groups in the city. Other ethnic groups residing in the area are the Maguindanaons and Manobos. Cebuano dialect is widely used especially in the city proper.

English is considered as the medium of instruction in schools and other learning institutions. English predominantly used in major government agencies in their transactions and reports. Laws and ordinances in the city are all written in English.

Climate

Located outside the typhoon belt, the city is blessed with a favorable climate characterized by wet and dry seasons. The coldest time of the year is between December and January, and the hottest months are during the months of April and May.

Industries

The cutflower industry is a good source of livelihood among Cotabateños, especially those residing in Kidapawan City. In addition to ornamentals and forest tree seedlings, flowers such as roses, anthuriums, and orchids are abundantly grown locally providing a very promising and highly profitable source of livelihood and business in the area.

Kidapawan city prides itself as the fruit basket of the Philippines. Exotic fruits like durian, mangosteen, lanzones, marang, rambutan, banana, and the like are grown and harvested in abundance from the rolling highlands of Mt. Apo, passing through the wide plains of the rural communities of Kidapawan City, and down into the backyard of every household.

Crops abundantly grown in the area include abaca, rubber, corn, rice, coconut, and vegetables.

Tourism

Kidapawan City is synonymous to Mt. Apo which towers at 10,311 feet above sea level with a total area of 14.6 square meters. The country’s tallest peak is an abode to the almost extinct Philippine Eagle. The majestic mountain is surrounded by moss-covered century-old-trees, captivating flora and fauna, sulfur craters, and massive boulders. Within the Mt. Apo Natural Park is the Mandarangan Geological Site which is being promoted as a major educational tourism site. Lake Venado which is hidden among the mountain ranges stood at an elevation of 7,200 feet above sea level. Its crystal waters mirror the twin peaks of Mt. Apo. Lake Agko, on the other hand, is a steaming blue lake where hot and cold springs converge. It stood at an elevation of 4,200 feet above sea level. It is five kilometers from the jump-off point for the mountain trekking at Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City.

The Marbel Falls, which is a hidden twin falls of about 60 to 70 feet in height, is surrounded by hot springs. The Mawig Falls on the other hand, which is located in Barangay Balabag, is the source of the crystal-clear waters of Matingao River.

To celebrate the abundance of the exotic fruits grown in Kidapawan City, the city government spearheads the annual celebration of a Festival which falls annually in the month of August called Timpupo or the fruit festival. This festival first held in 2002 (the 2007 festival was the 6th occurrence of the festival[1]) celebrates the fruit harvest, the city purchases large quantities of local fruit which is laid out on tables along the streets for visitors and residents.[2] In 2006, the festival was held in October due to problems with the harvest.[3] The 2007 festival was held in the traditional month of August.[1] Dubbed “Timpupo” from the Manobo word “harvest”, the celebration signifies the people's thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest and richness of the exotic fruits that thrive in the area. The Timpupo Festival is the best venue to savor the sweet, rich, and healthful banquet of tropical fruits which usually falls during the harvest season -August to October - depending on the ripening of fruits. Activities featured during the annual event include the Fruit Galore, Fruit Float Parade, Fruit Arrangement and Street Dancing Competition.

The Foundation Anniversary of the City of Kidapawan (February 12) is celebrated with parades, beauty contests, and traditional non-lethal horse fights.

Hotel, Inn, Lodging House

  • AJ Hi Time Hotel and Restaurant - Downtown City of Kidapawan Contact No.: (064) 288-1811
  • Grand Ficus - Near City Bus Terminal Contact No.: (064) 278-3392 or (064) 278-3408
  • Atevanzz Place - Balindog, Kidapawan City Contact No.: (064) 288-1785 or Cell. 09106546384
  • Boylyn - Magsaysay, Kidapawan City, Contact No: (064) 288-1215
  • Mount Apo View Inn
  • SAM's Guesthouse & Apartelles - Villamarzo Street Contact No.: (064) 288-1281

Housing

There are a lot of villages and housing subdivisions that are located within the city's residential area and its adjacent barangays. Just recently there is a twelve acre subdivision project by E & N Country Homes that is located at the very heart of Kidapawan City. The new neighborhood is located near transportation, highways, schools, churches, hospitals, shopping centers, commercial districts, and other community facilities. For more information, please contact (064) 288-5877 or visit the sales office at 003 Governor Bryant Street (1st Block Bautista Street) Kidapawan City.

Educational Institutions

  • Marciano Mancera Memorial Elementary School
  • School For Life Montessori
  • Kidapawan City SPED center
  • Kidapawan City Pilot Elementary School
  • Kidapawan City National High School
  • Kidapawn S.D.A. Elementary School
  • ABC Educational Development Center
  • Felipe Suerte Memorial Elementary School
  • Central Mindanao Colleges
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Kidapawan College
  • Colegio de Kidapawan
  • Kidapawan Anchor Bay Bible School
  • Kidapawan Jireh Christian School
  • Kidapawan Southern Baptist Elementary School
  • Kidapawan Polytechnic College
  • North Point College of Arts and Technology
  • North Valley College Foundation
  • Notre Dame of Kidapawan College
  • St. Mary's Academy of Kidapawan
  • University of Southern Mindanao Kidapawan City Campus

Medical Facilities

  • Kidapawan Doctors Hospital - Tertiary Hospital.
  • North Cotabato Medical Center - Tertiary Hospital (formerly Cotabato Provincial Hospital).
  • Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center - Tertiary hospital
  • Kidapawan City Hospital
  • Luis P. Malaluan Hospital
  • Madonna General Hospital - Secondary Hospital
  • Manuel Medical Hospital
  • United Doctors Hospital
  • Dizon Clinic & Hospital - Secondary Hospital
  • Rural Health Units are widely available in Kidapawan.
  • Evangelista A.Dwin Medical Hospital

Note: Aside from PhilHealth, Cotabato Province has its own insurance services called CHIP or Cotabato Health Insurance Program.

Radio / TV Stations

  • DXDM-FM 88.7 mHz Tayo Parin Siyempre (NDBC)
  • DXND-AM 747 kHz Radio for Peace (NDBC)
  • DXCA-FM 90.3 mHz Charm Radio (PFCABS)
  • DXYY-FM 107.1 mHz Radyo Natin (MBC)
  • DXGM-FM 103.3 mHz Dream FM (DepEd)
  • DXCM-AM Radyo Ukay (UMBN)
  • NBN DXAA-TV 8 (with transmitters located in Amas Provincial Compound)
  • Sonshine DXNQ-TV 31 Kidapawan (ACQ-Kingdom Broadcasting Network)

Shopping Centres/Department Stores

  • Davao Central Warehouse Club
  • JN Center Mall
  • Kasapid Warehouse Sales
  • Kidapawan Mega Market
  • Kidapawan Mercantile
  • Lots 4 Less Kidapawan
  • KMCC Mall of Kidapawan
  • Boylyn T-shirt Center
  • Sugni Super Store
  • Survive Marketing
  • Ace Bautista Galleria
  • Eva's Mall
  • Anabelle Tandual Plaza

Fast Foods

  • Jollibee Kidapawan
  • Dawns Cafe
  • Aj Hi-time Hotel and Restaurant
  • Noodols atbp.
  • Mandarin Tea Garden
  • Chicken Ati-atihan
  • Sariling Atin Pick and Grill
  • Atevanzz Place Lodge & Restaurant
  • Alche Taps (24 hours)with Goldilocks products
  • Bistro la Camille
  • Lady M Restaurant
  • JC Complex Fastfood
  • Iris Garden Restaurant and Bar
  • Nika's Cafe
  • PEPS County Bar
  • Co's bistro n' coffeeshop
  • Mang Inasal (soon to open; refer to manginasal.com)
  • Banoks (soon to open)

Banking Institutions

  • Asian Hills Bank
  • Cooperative Rural Bank Of Cotabato
  • Enterprise Bank
  • Land Bank of the Philippines
  • Metro Bank
  • Philippine National Bank
  • Banco de Oro
  • Rural Bank of Digos Kidapawan Branch
  • One Network Bank
  • Allied Bank
  • Rural Bank of Midsayap Kidapawan Branch
  • Pen Bank
  • United Coconut Planters Bank
  • Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
  • Development Bank of the Philippines
  • China Bank
  • Bank of the Philippine Islands

Other Establishments

  • Mercury Drug
  • The Generics Pharmacy (KMCC Mall)

Transportation

Local means of transportation is served by almost 2,000 motor tricycles known locally as just "motor". Transportations to its barangays and adjacent municipalities are served by Multicabs, Jeepneys, and L300 Vans. Weena Bus Company serves the Davao City—Cotabato City Route which passes the cities of Digos and Kidapawan. Public Utility Vans also served routes to and from the cities of Davao, COtabato, Tacurong-Isulan, Koronadal and General Santos

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Monday, November 23, 2009

STEPS FORWARDING TO PROGRESS


Many have long conquered the challenge of the highest peak in the country. But for Kidapawan, the city nestled at the foothills of this majestic mountain; the challenge is a never-ending journey and is always with concrete steps forward.


Mt. Apo is the ultimate inspiration. Its upward glory has been the measure of Kidapawan City’s aspirations. And no one would mind if progress for its city-down-the-slope, shaped like a butterfly net, would soar higher than its inspiration.


For Kidapawan, arduous climb towards progress has been in a phase that is constant. Being known as the City of Fruits and Highland Springs, agriculture and tourism have become the main tools in conquering the
height set by a common dream.


The city is named after its two great features as a land with so much natural beauty, tida and pawan, the Ubo-Manobo words for spring and highland. Its 33,936.4 hectares total land area enjoys an even distribution of rainfall all year round, pegged at 7.07 inches average annually. It is not surprising that agriculture constitute 56% in the development. Grain production has been giving the farmers sustainable livelihood. And the greater harvest is from the abundance of exotic fruits: durian, rambutan, mango, mangosteen, lanzones, marang and banana. With these products, Kidapawan has been known as The Fruit Bowl of the Province.


Apo has been true to its name when it comes to grandeur with Lake Venado and Lake Agko as added attractions. The twin peaks have drawn climbers from all over the world. And to the less daring, Kidapawan offers a lot out of its spots with Eco-Tourism potentials. There is Paniqui; a hidden falls surrounded by hot springs that run deep to bring Matingao River its crystal-clear waters. And as National Park, Mt. Apo has many geological features such as the Mandarangan steaming grounds. The fruit farms and orchards enjoying the fertile volcanic soil have also become major tourist attractions.


Downtown Kidapawan is with a character. The line of welcoming pine trees on its highway somehow softens the pavement that reflects so much of the growing city spirit. Investors are starting to discover its potentials. The biggest single investment in the City was still in the late 1980’s. This is the 1.2 billion-peso Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant operated by the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC). The presence of 14 commercial and universal banks is a sign that business arm, are the entrepreneurial endeavours of some local businessmen and one distinctive establishment that has become a favourite stop for its tourist is the Boyd, Symon and Benedict’s Pizza Hauz.


Kidapawan being in the midway and with all its beauty has become a major stopover. It is sandwiched by two business centers, the cities of Davao and Cotabato. Even with just a short experience of its refreshing milieu, it is for certain that one will be tempted to go with what could be the unstoppable force of the future: the highland city in steps forward to progress.


City of Fruits and Highland Springs




Originally named a district of Pikit in 1942 and was later declared separate Municipality by virtue of Executive order No. 82 issued by then President Manuel Roxas on August 18, 1947 – thereby becoming the fourth town of the then Empire Province of Cotabato, which was then composed of the municipalities of Cotabato (now Cotabato City). Dulawan (later named Datu Piang) and Midsayap.
Kidapawan City was legally created by virtue of Republic Act No. 8500, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos on February 12, 1998, making a component City of the Province of Cotabato. Despite opposition from certain quarters, the people overwhelming ratified the said Act on March 21, 1998 during a plebiscite conducted for the purpose.


Kidapawan was derived from the Manobo works “Tida”, meaning “Spring” and “Pawan” meaning “highland”, hence, Tidapawan – “ Highland Spring”. The original inhabitants were Manobos. The influx of Christian settlers from Luzon and the Visayas has resulted in the evolution of the word Tidapawan to Kidapawan.


LAND AREA: 34,007.20 hectares, about 5,301 hectares are part of the Mt. Apo Natural Park.
LOCATION: Southern portion of Cotabato Province; located almost midway of the citied of Davao and Cotabato at a distance of 110km. And 120km, respectively.
BOUNDARIES: North: Pres. Roxas and Magpet; South: Makilala; Southwest: M’lang; Northwest: Matalam
TERRAIN: Flat to hilly and mountainous; southwestern and northwestern portions are generally flat
CLIMATE: Wet and dry, characterized by an even distribution of rainfall year round; average temperature is 27.5 degrees Celsius.
HYDRO-GEOLOGY: Abundant fresh ground and surface water; large water reservoir in watershed areas of Brgys. Balabag and Perez.
NATURAL RESOURCES: Primarily an agricultural area; major crops include rubber, grains, sugarcane, and exotic fruits like durian, rambutan, mangosteen, marang, lanzones, banana and mango.


Major Tourist Destination
The majestic highest peak Mt. Apo, towering 10,311 feet above-sea-level, the home of the almost extinct Philippine Eagle, a majestic mountain surrounded by moss-covered century old trees, captivating fauna, sulfuric craters and massive boulders. It occupies a total area of 72,769 hectares of rainforest. It is one of the most visited summer respite of local and foreign tourist.


LAKE VENADO – a hidden lake mirrors its crystal waters at an elevation of 7,200 feet above seal level, making it as the highest lake in the Philippines.


KAWAYAN FALLS ¬¬– visit the luscious curtain like waterfall found in boundary Magpet and Kidapawan.


MARBEL FALLS - a hidden twin falls about 60 to 70 feet high surrounded by hot spring.


When in Kidapawan, visit and experience the steaming Blue Lake Agco in Barangay Ilomavis and witness the wonders of nature on its hot and cold springs converge at an elevation of 4,200 feet above sea-level
At the heart of the foot of Mt. Apo is a place where you can come and relax...Mingle with mother nature with its endemic flora and fauna surround the Steaming Blue Lake Agco.

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