Carmen, Cotabato

Carmen
Municipality
Seal
Map of Cotabato with Carmen highlighted
Carmen Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 07°12′N 124°47′E / 7.200°N 124.783°E / 7.200; 124.783Coordinates: 07°12′N 124°47′E / 7.200°N 124.783°E / 7.200; 124.783
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Cotabato
Congr. district	1st District of Cotabato
Incorporated	November 15, 1856
Barangays	28
Government[1]
• Type	Mayor-Council
• District Representative	Jesus N. Sacdalan
• Mayor	Rogelio T. Taliño
• Vice Mayor	Moises C. Arendain
Area[2]
• Total	1,110.43 km2 (428.74 sq mi)
Elevation	40 m (130 ft)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	82,469
• Density	74/km2 (190/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	carmense, carmelita
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9408
Dialing code	64
Language(s)	Manobo, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Maguindanaoan
Income class	1st Class[2]

Carmen is a first class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 82,469 people.^[3]

History

Carmen derived its name from a certain Surveyor del Carmen, chief of the Cadastral Survey Party, who in 1924 conducted a survey in the area. During the American period, Carmen and Kabacan belonged to one municipal district under Pikit. It was by virtue of Presidential Proclamation NO. 46 and, was reinforced by Executive Order No. 214 issued by the then President Ramon Magsaysay last November 15, 1956 when Carmen was created as a separate and distinct town of Kabacan.

When created a municipality, it was composed of Thirty Eight (38) barangays. Ten barangays were either claimed or ceded to the two adjacent municipalities, Banisilan and President Roxas. Six by the municipality of Banisilan and four to the municipality of President Roxas. Now, only twenty eight (28) barangays remain in which are presently inhabited by the so-called Tri-people composed of the Christians, the Muslims and Indigenous Peoples belonging to the Manobo-Aromanon ethnic group.

Before it was named Carmen, early inhabitants called this large tract of land "Kalalaw" a Maguindanaon term meaning "jar of water", because legend tells that there was once a big Balite tree with a continuous reservoir of water under its dense foliage, that even in long dry seasons, it had never dried up.

Later on, when early settlers came and cultivated large portions of land in what is now the Poblacion, the whole place was unofficially called "Landing" because of the Landing Field reservation of approximately two hundred (200) hectares. The name "Landing" later on changed to Carmen in honor of del Carmen.

The present Christian in this place are an immigrants from Luzon and Visayas. They are brought here by sheer pioneering spirit inspired by widespread rumors of this "Land of Opportunity and Promise". Their settlement started during the American regime. When the Americans launched their policy of attraction to the Muslims providing advanced technology, economic and educational advancement and the art of government. The first Christian settlers came from Cebu and established settlements at Pikit. Then adventurers followed them from Luzon and Visayas most notably the Ilongos and the Ilocanos who came in great numbers.

Possible Inclusion in Bangsamoro

During the 2001 Referendum for inclusion to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, two (2) out of twenty-eight (28) barangays of Carmen located in its southern territory chose to be part of ARMM, but were excluded because they are not connected to the main region of ARMM. During 2010-2016 Administration, the Bangsamoro ideal sprouted and a newly-proposed region was in the making. According to the agreements signed by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Administration of Noynoy Aquino, Carmen will be included in Bangsamoro because of the two out of twenty-eight barangays that voted in favor of joining the Muslim region back in 2001. Unfortunately, Bangsamoro was not implemented before the term of Aquino ended. Despite this, the current administration aims to establish a Federal Government, where Bangamoro will be realized into a State of the Philippines wherein Carmen will be included in Bangsamoro.

Plans to establish a new municipality in the south of Carmen so that the indigenous and Christian central and northern part of Carmen will be retained in North Cotabato has yet to be confirmed. The idea arose because once the entire municipality of Carmen is included in Bangsamoro, the province of North Cotabato will be cut into half, leaving three towns (Banisilan, Alamada, and Libungan) at its west without connection to the center of North Cotabato, isolating these towns in the process.

Geography

The Municipality of Carmen is geographically located at about the points 124.8 degrees east and 7.2 degrees north. It is bound on the north by the Province of Bukidnon, on the east by the municipalities of Pres. Roxas and Kabacan, on the south by the Province of Maguindanao, and on the west by the Municipality of Aleosan. It is embraced from the north-east, then east, then south by the Mulita and the Rio Grande rivers; from the north-west, then west, then south-west, by the Malitubog and Maridagao rivers. It is approximately 28 kilometers away from the capital town of Kidapawan.

Barangays

Carmen is politically subdivided into 28 barangays.^[2]

Climate

The municipality has an average temperature of 28 °C (82 °F) with a mean maximum of 32 °C (90 °F) and mean minimum of 23 °C (73 °F). The coldest part of the year are the months of December, January and February while the hottest are the months of April, May, June, August, and September. It has two (2) distinct seasons, the wet and the dry seasons. The farming season starts in early June and ends in late November when the dry season begins. Typhoon is seldom felt in the area as it is located outside the typhoon belt. This condition is very suitable to nearly all kinds of productive agricultural activity.

Demographics

Economy

Since the municipality is an agricultural area, most of the industries are agri-based. Seven barangays have cono rice mills a barangay have kiskisan, 4 barangays have rubber roller mills. Total is 13 cono rice mill, 12 kiskisan and 5 rubber rollers. There is a bright prospect on cottage industries, which utilized raw materials like rattan and bamboo. Rattan craft in barangays Dado could possibly generate employment to its residents. The 40 hectares bamboo plantation at Barangay Guiling can provide fro raw materials to the bamboo craft at Kitacubong. This cottage industry is gaining support and acceptance from local residents considering the affordability and its unique qualities. Technology transfer and skills training have been conducted in the area. Its clients are the prospective entrepreneurs in rattan, bamboo and coconut crafts. Recipientss of the training and development seminars are: RIC Camansi, Lower Dado, Pacao, Raradangan the DTI-CARP has establish a Multi-Purpose Hot dryer at Barangay Pacao, the said project generate employment and income from drying service. Barangay Parauran and Pacao could possibly support a fruit juice making industry, the 500 mango trees could adequately supplies for this industry.

Natural resources

The commonly known minerals present in the municipality are sand and gravel which volume and potential are good sources for quarrying but which up to the present are mostly untapped. Other metallic substance of high commercial value are known to be present but these are still unexplored.

Other resources present in the municipality are the large volume of limestone that can be processed into cement. Guano also abounds in numerous caves in the municipality such as in barangays Liliongan and Tonganon. Guano can be manufactured into fertilizers.

Tourist attractions

• Liliongan cave, a natural cave with beautiful stalactite and stalagmites formations inside underground creek and thick layer of guano could also be found inside the cave. It is located at Barangay Liliongan, Carmen.
• Kavurunan Festival celebrates the culture and tradition of the distinct Indigenous people (IP) of the different tribes located in the town of Carmen, Cotabato. The Festivals name is derived from the indigenous Manobo tribe word meaning "gathering". This festival also celebrates the coming together of the three ethnic groups located in the area which are the Indigenous people, Christians, and Muslims.

References

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Local Governance Performance Management System

	Banisilan	Kadingilan, Bukidnon	Damulog, Bukidnon President Roxas
	Libungan		Antipas Matalam
		Carmen
	Aleosan	Pikit / Datu Montawal, Maguindanao	Kabacan

Province of Cotabato
Kidapawan (capital)
Municipalities	Alamada Aleosan Antipas Arakan Banisilan Carmen Kabacan Libungan M'lang Magpet Makilala Matalam Midsayap Pigcawayan Pikit President Roxas Tulunan
Component city	Kidapawan
Related	Symbols