Sultan Kudarat
Sultan Kudarat is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region XII). The province covers roughly 5,363.86 square kilometers and is composed of 11 municipalities and 1 city, with a total of 249 barangays. The capital of the province is Isulan, which also serves as the provincial center. Sultan Kudarat is known for the Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City, a protected area that serves as home to thousands of migratory birds and a major eco-tourism destination.
HISTORY
Sultan Kudarat, located in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region of Mindanao, has a history deeply rooted in the influence of the Maguindanao Sultanate. The province is named after Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, one of the most powerful Muslim rulers in the 17th century who successfully resisted Spanish colonization in Mindanao. During the Spanish period, the area remained largely unconquered, maintaining its Islamic faith and culture. In the American era, the territory that is now Sultan Kudarat was placed under the Department of Mindanao and Sulu and later became part of the undivided Cotabato province. After World War II, the influx of settlers from Luzon and the Visayas transformed the area's demographic and economic landscape, leading to the growth of agriculture and trade. The province of Sultan Kudarat was officially created on November 22, 1973, by Presidential Decree No. 341 under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, which divided the old Cotabato province into several smaller provinces. Isulan was designated as the capital. Over the years, Sultan Kudarat has developed into an agricultural hub, producing rice, corn, coconut, and other crops, while also preserving its Muslim and indigenous cultural heritage. Today, the province is not only an economic contributor to Mindanao but also a place of historical pride, bearing the name of a revered leader who symbolized resistance and unity among Mindanao's early inhabitants.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population Census (2024) | 863,651 |
| Land Area (2015) | 5,363.86 km² |
| No. of households | 202,813 |
| Average Household Size | 4.20 |
| Registered Voters (2022) | 497,690 |
| Major Landmarks | Baras Bird Sanctuary |
| Coastal Access | no |
| estimated elevation above sea level | 258 meters |
Map
Sultan Kudarat Province is located in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region (Region XII) of the Philippines. It is situated in the southwestern part of Mindanao, bordered on the north by Maguindanao del Norte and Cotabato, on the south by South Cotabato and Sarangani, on the east by Davao del Sur, and on the west by the Moro Gulf.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Sultan Kudarat has 11 municipalities, 1 city, and 249 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagumbayan | Municipality | 19 | 68947 | 69830 |
| Columbia | Municipality | 16 | 33527 | 33337 |
| Esperanza | Municipality | 19 | 74696 | 73822 |
| Isulan | Municipality, Capital | 17 | 97490 | 101455 |
| Kalamansig | Municipality | 15 | 50900 | 52257 |
| Lebak | Municipality | 26 | 79739 | 93312 |
| Lutayan | Municipality | 27 | 91344 | 65425 |
| Lambayong | Municipality | 11 | 65644 | 81288 |
| Palimbang | Municipality | 40 | 92828 | 83633 |
| President Quirino | Municipality | 19 | 42244 | 44344 |
| Sen. Ninoy Aquino | Municipality | 20 | 47374 | 48003 |
| City of Tacurong | City | 20 | 109319 | 116945 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 5-9 years, with 98,362 individuals, followed closely by those aged 10-14 years (95,793) and below 5 years (94,984). In contrast, the smallest population is found in 75-79 years, with only 5,541 individuals.
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| Below 5 | 94984 |
| 5-9 | 98362 |
| 10-14 | 95793 |
| 15-19 | 91138 |
| 20-24 | 81629 |
| 25-29 | 71434 |
| 30-34 | 62649 |
| 35-39 | 52829 |
| 40-44 | 47173 |
| 45-49 | 40656 |
| 50-54 | 34306 |
| 55-59 | 26382 |
| 60-64 | 21005 |
| 65-69 | 14825 |
| 70-74 | 9598 |
| 75-79 | 5541 |
| 80+ | 5748 |
Population by Gender
In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 51.21% males and 48.79% females, indicating a higher number of males than females.
ECONOMY
Production Value of Agriculture and Fisheries in Sultan Kudarat
From 2018 to 2023, crop production in Sultan Kudarat showed consistent growth, starting at 18,416 and rising to 22,072, making it the province's strongest agricultural sector. Livestock production fluctuated, peaking at 3,023 in 2021 but declining to 2,079 by 2023. Poultry production remained relatively low and stable but increased slightly to 779 in 2023. Fisheries production was volatile, with a drop in 2020 but recovering strongly, reaching 1,791 in 2023. Overall, crops remain the dominant contributor, while fisheries showed significant recovery in recent years.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 19019 | 22072 |
| Livestock | 2741 | 2079 |
| Poultry | 618 | 779 |
| Fisheries | 1192 | 1791 |