Magpet, Cotabato

Magpet
Municipality
Map of Cotabato with Magpet highlighted
Magpet Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 07°06′N 125°07′E / 7.100°N 125.117°ECoordinates: 07°06′N 125°07′E / 7.100°N 125.117°E
Country	Philippines
Region	SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
Province	Cotabato
Congr. district	2nd District of Cotabato
Incorporated	June 22, 1963
Barangays	32
Government[1]
• Type	Mayor-Council
• District Representative	Nancy A. Catamco
• Mayor	Florentino Gonzaga
• Vice Mayor	Rogelio Marañon
Area[2]
• Total	755.36 km^2 (291.65 sq mi)
Elevation	300 m (1,000 ft)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	45,183
• Density	60/km^2 (150/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Magpeteños
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9404
Dialing code	64
Income class	1st[2]

Magpet is a first class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 45,183 people.^[3]

Geography

Magpet is located in the eastern part of Cotabato province and in the foothills of Mt Apo with generally sloping and mountainous terrain. It is bordered in the south by Kidapawan City and on the north by the Municipality of Arakan.

Barangays

Magpet is politically subdivided into 32 barangays.^[2]

• Alibayon
• Bagumbayan
• Bangkal
• Bantac
• Basak
• Binay
• Bongolanon
• Datu Celo
• Del Pilar
• Doles
• Gubatan
• Ilian
• Inac
• Kamada
• Kauswagan
• Kisandal
• Magcaalam
• Mahongcog
• Manobo
• Noa
• Owas
• Pangao-an
• Poblacion
• Sallab
• Tagbac
• Temporan
• Amabel
• Balete
• Don Panaca
• Imamaling
• Kinarum
• Manobisa

History

Magpet derived its name from the word “malotpot” which means “a place where people gather in fellowship to partake of their packed lunch wrapped in banana leaves”.^[4]

An anonymous lexicographer inadvertently shortened the word “Linoppot” to “Maupot”. Much later and further spelled into “MAGPET” by a certain forester in his survey report. Consequently, the word “Magpet” stuck not only to mean the place but also the stream of the cool, fresh and clean water. By the present connotation, Magpet means “the verdant lands of countless waters”.

The life of the early year’s settlers and inhabitants of Magpet was a tale of survival and fortitude. Their lives were always in danger. Bloodthirsty malarial mosquito’s attacked them. Grandparents often told their grandchildren the stories “about eating their meals inside the mosquito nets” because “mosquitoes were as big as bees”.

Yet, all the hardships and suffering, and even death of the early settlers only served to strengthen their decision to stay and utilize the vast natural resources of Magpet. The land was very fertile and varieties of fishes were found in the rivers and streams, and on the woodlands, wild pigs, deer and birds are plentiful. Food was not a problem during that period, but rather, marketing of production surplus and purchase of basic commodities. They traveled for days and weeks in order to sell their crops to the nearest trading centers and they needed salt, sugar, matches and soap for daily needs.

Demographics

Population census of Magpet
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	55,399	—
1995	35,256	−8.12%
2000	38,973	+2.17%
2007	44,114	+1.72%
2010	45,183	+0.88%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Natural resources

Water

Several rivers located in Magpet are being tapped for irrigation development and potential for hydro power plants. Others are the major tributaries to Kabacan River, which flows to many barangays of Magpet, to the Municipalities of Pres. Roxas, Matalam, Kabacan, Carmen and connects with Pulangi River. As a major source of water supply, it served for irrigation purposes, servicing thousands of hectares of rice fields not only in the Municipality of Magpet, but also in the various areas of the Province as well. Magpet is serviced with public water system (Level III) by the Metro Kidapawan Water District. Under this system, 1,242 households were connected with individual faucet. The Barangay Water Sanitation, or BAWASA, has a communal faucet (Level II) connected to 2,381 households. 2,978 households draw their water from developed springs (Level I).

Minerals

Mineral products found in the municipality of Magpet include non-metallic like limestone, sand and gravel which are the basic good materials for constructions while the red and white clay, considered as among the best in the country, are good materials for ceramic production. These can be found particularly in the barangays of Doles, Inca and Noa. Metallic minerals include gold, nickel and silver.

Tourist attractions

• Towsuvan Falls located at the foothills of Mount Apo in the town of Magpet. Crystal-clear water that offer a cool respite to a trek through lush forests, with a 20–30 metres (66–98 ft) drop of water with a natural pool. Its temperature may drop to 6 °C (43 °F) at night.
• Kirongdong Falls and Rainforests located at Kinarum, Magpet, with a drop of water between 70 to 80 metres (230 to 260 ft) surrounded by mountain ranges and cliffs.
• Mabu Falls and Rainforest located at Manobo, Magpet. About 120 metres (390 ft) high waterfalls and blessed with bed of flowers and century Cinnamon and Almaciga trees in the surroundings.
• Grace Tropical Resort located at Pangao-an, Magpet, with a 3 hectares (7.4 acres) orchard.
• Manobo Tribal Village locatec at Manobo, Magpet. It is one of the entry point to Mt. Apo via Lake Venado.
• Dallag Tribal Village located at Manobo, Magpet. It has an area of 400 hectares (990 acres) and nestled at about 400 metres (1,300 ft) above sea level and it is inhabited with indigenous Manobo tribes.

References

1. "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 12 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
2. "Province: COTABATO (NORTH COTABATO)". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
3. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
4. MAGPET. Cotabatoprov.gov.ph (1963-06-22). Retrieved on 2011-10-09.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System