2. Republic of the Philippines
NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
REGIONAL OFFICE XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)
Koronadal City
Foreword
The Regional Development Report (RDR) of
SOCCSKSARGEN is an annual assessment of the socio-
economic performance of Region XII for the year 2018.
Specifically, it provides a comprehensive information on
the region’s achievements based on the 2018 targets and
commitments as contained in the Regional Development
Plan (RDP) 2017-2022.
The report highlights SOCCSKSARGEN’s pursuit for
inclusive growth and poverty reduction. An analysis of key
indicators shows how the region has progressed as
targeted or planned whether the macro, governance,
economic, social and infrastructure sectors have improved as compared to their 2017
accomplishments. Through the 2018 RDR, the lagging sectors and sub-sectors or those areas
encountering development gaps could be prioritized and public resources can be targeted
toward addressing the implementation challenges and lead these sector/s toward achieving
the objectives of delivering public or government service more effectively and efficiently.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII, as the Secretariat of the
Regional Development Council (RDC) XII, would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to the
development partners from the local government units (LGUs), regional line agencies (RLAs),
state universities and colleges (SUCs), the private sector, and other entities for their valuable
contribution to the completion of the 2018 RDR. This report shall be shared to various
stakeholders for their information and reference for research and policy formulation.
Each and everyone’s continued support is vital as we work together to achieve our outlined
goals and objectives in the RDP. In the end, our development efforts in Region XII are geared
toward our contribution to President Rodrigo Duterte’s 0 to 10-Point Socioeconomic Agenda,
our country’s commitment to the Agenda 2030 or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and the achievement of the long-term vision, the AmBisyon Natin 2040 which is a “Matatag,
Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay Para sa Lahat.”
Thank you and Mabuhay.
TERESITA SOCORRO C. RAMOS
Vice-Chairperson, RDC XII, and
Regional Director, NEDA XII
June 2019

5. Contents
Chapter
No.
Title Page
No.
1 The Long View 1
2 Global and Regional Trends and Prospects 6
3 Overlay of Economic Growth, Demographic Trends and
Physical Characteristics
15
4 SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Framework 20
5 Ensuring People-centered, Clean, and Efficient
Governance
23
6 Pursuing Swift and Fair Administration of Justice 28
7 Promoting Philippine Culture and Values 32
8 Expanding Economic Opportunities in Agriculture,
Forestry, and Fishery
42
9 Expanding Economic Opportunities in Industry and
Service Through Trabaho at Negosyo
54
10 Accelerating Human Capital Development 59
11 Reducing Vulnerabilities of Individuals and Families 75
12 Building Safe and Secure Communities 85
13 Reaching for the Demographic Dividend 92
14 Science, Technology, and Innovation 98
15 Ensuring Sound Macroeconomic Policy 103
16 Levelling the Playing Field through a Regional
Competition Policy
17 Attaining Just and Lasting Peace 111
18 Ensuring Security, Public Order, and Safety 117
19 Accelerated Infrastructure Development 125
20 Ensuring Ecological Integrity, Clean, and Healthy
Environment
149
21 Plan Implementation and Monitoring 167

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List of Tables
Table No. Title Page No.
1.1 Activities Relative to the Assessment of PDPFPs and CDPs,
Region XII, CY 2018
2
1.2 Communication and Advocacy Activities on AmBisyon Natin
2040, SDGs, PDP, and RDP in Region XII
4
2.1 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) Growth Rate, Region
XII, CY 2017-2018
7
2.2 Percentage Share of GRDP Major Sector, Region XII CY 2017-
2018
8
2.3 Labor and Employment, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018 11
2.4a Per Capita Poverty Threshold and Poverty Incidence among
Families, Region XII, First Semester of CY 2015 and 2018
11
2.4b Per Capita Poverty Threshold and Poverty Incidence among
Population, Region XII, First Semester of CY 2015 and 2018
12
6.1 Jail Facilities under the Administration and Management of
BJMP, Region XII, CY 2018
29
6.2 Jail Facilities Constructed by BJMP, Region XII, CY 2018 30
6.3 Jail Management Priority Programs, Projects, and Activities,
Region XII, CY 2018
30
7.1 Activities Undertaken to Develop, Produce, Disseminate and
Liberalize Access to Information on Filipino Culture, Region XII,
CY 2017-2018
33
7.2 List of Outstanding Volunteers, Region XII, CY 2018 35
7.3 SGLG Awardees in Region XII, 2018 37
7.4 Functional LCAC in Region XII, 2018 38
7.5 Mandatory Representatives of IPs/ICCs in Local Legislative
Councils, Region XII 2018
39
8.1 Palay Total Production in Metric Tons, Growth Rate, Region XII,
CY 2017 and 2018
42
8.2 Area Harvested (Hectares) and Average Yield per Hectare (MT),
Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018
43
8.3 Rice Intervention/Program, Region XII, CY 2018 44
8.4 Corn Volume of Production in Metric Tons, Growth Rate, Region
XII, CY 2017 and 2018
44
8.5 High Value Commercial Crops (HVCC) Production, Region XII,
CY 2017 and 2018
45
8.6 Interventions in Coconut Industry, Region XII, CY 2018 46
8.7 Livestock and Poultry Inventory and Growth Rate, Region XII,
CY 2017 and 2018
47
8.8 Fish Production in MT and Growth Rate, Region XII, CY 2017
and 2018
47
8.9 Oil Palm Production, Region XII, CY 2018 49
8.10 KEDProject Accomplishment, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 50
8.11 Land Tenure Security Program, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 52

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8.12 Agrarian Justice Delivery Program, Region XII, CY 2018 52
9.1 Tourist Arrivals and Ocucpancy Rate, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 54
9.2 Tourist Arrivals per City and Province, Region XII, CY 2017-
2018
55
9.3 DOT XII Accredited Establishments, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 55
9.4 Number of Foreign Retirees in Region XII, CY 2017-2018 56
9.5 Accomplishments of Cooperatives by Major Indicator, Region
XII, CY 2017-2018
57
10.1.1 Certification Rate of TVET Graduates and Number of TVET
Scholar Graduates, Region XII, CY 2018
62
10.2.1 Distribution of Higher Education Institutions by Province/City,
Region XII, AY 2018-2019
62
10.2.2 Number of Enrollees Across Disciplines, Region XII, AY 2017-
2018 and AY 2018-2019
63
10.2.3 Number of Enrollment by Sex, by Province/City, Region XII, AY
2018-2019
63
10.2.4 Number of Faculty Staff, Region XII AY 2017-2018 and AY 2018-
2019
64
10.2.5 Number of Graduates by Sex, by Province/City, Region XII AY
2017-2018
64
10.2.6 Number of Scholarship Grants, Region XII 65
10.3.1 Selected Indicators on Basic Education, Region XII, SY 2017-
2018
66
10.3.2 Selected K to 12 Program Indicators, Region XII, SY 2017-2018 67
10.4.1 HIVAIDS Data, by Province/City, Region XII, 70
10.4.2 Health Indicators, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 71
10.4.3 Nutrition Indicators, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 73
10.4.4 National Health Insurance Coverage, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 73
11.1 Number of Poor Household Covered by CCT, Region XII, CY
2017 and 2018
76
11.2 KALAHI Projects Implemented, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018 77
11.3 Core Social Protection Indicators, Region XII, CY 2018 78
11.4 Poor Senior Citizens Covered by Social Pensions, Region XII, CY
2018
79
11.5 Number of Day Care Children Served (Feeding Program),
Region XII, CY 2018
80
11.6 Number of Students Placed under the SPES Program, Region XII,
CY 2017-2018
81
11.7 Number of Beneficiaries under the DILP, Region XII, 2017-2018 82
11.8 Number of Beneficiaries Provided with Livelihood Assistance
and Repatriation Programs, Region XII, 2017-2018
83
12.1 Accomplishments for housing Projects, Region XII, CY 2017 and
CY 2018
85
12.2 Major housing Programs/Projects/Activities Implemented, CY
(?)
86
12.3 Local Shelter Plan (LSP) Status of Cities and municipalities per
province in Region XII, CY 2018
88

8. iv | P a g e
12.4 Cities and Municipalities with Approved Local Shelter Plan
(LSP), Region XII, CY 2018
88
12.5 Results of 21st Gawad KALASAG Search, Region XII, CY 2018 90
13.1 Population and 2018 Population Projection by Province, Region
XII, CY 2010 and 2015
92
13.2 Population by Age Group and Sex (In Percent) and Dependency
Ratio, Region XII, CY 2010 and 2015
93
13.3 Distribution of Employed Persons by Major Occupation Group,
Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018
93
13.4 Teenage Pregnancy Rate by Area, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 95
13.5 Contraceptive Prevalence, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 95
13.6 Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning (RPFP)
Indicators, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018
96
13.7 Results Matrix for Chapter 13 97
14.1 Testing and Calibration Services, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 99
14.2 Investments in STI-based Start-ups, Enterprises, and Spin-offs,
Region XII, CY 2017-2018
99
14.3 Knowledge and Technology Generation, Acquisition and
Adoption, Region XII, CY 2017-2018
100
15.1 Revenue Collection and Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA)
Dependency of LGUs, Region XII, CY 2017-2018
104
15.2 Statement of Receipts and Expenditures of LGUs, Region XII, CY
2018
105
15.3 Tax Revenue Collection, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 106
15.4 Customs Revenue Collection, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 107
15.5 Banking and Financial Sector Performance, Region XII, CY 2017-
2018
108
15.6 Banking Institutions Presence, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 109
15.7 Number of Municipalities without Banking Institutions by
Province, Region XII, CY 2017-2018
107
17.1 PAMANA Road Projects Implemented, Region XII, FY 2018 113
18.1 Crime Prevention and Coordination Programs Implemented,
Region XII, CY 2017-2018
118
18.2 Crime Statistics, Region XII, CY 2017-2018 119
18.3 Crime Clearance and Solution Efficiency, Region XII, CY 2017-
2018
120
18.4 Milestones of the Campaign Against Illegal Drugs and Narcotics,
Region XII, CY 2017-2018
120
18.5 Accomplishment of Ensuring Public Safety, Region XII, CY 2017-
2018
123
19.1 Road and Bridge Project Accomplishment, Region XII, CY 2017-
2018
126
19.2 National Road Length by Surface Type, Region XII, as of 15
October 2018
126
19.3 National Road Length by Surface Type and Condition, Region
XII, as of 15 October 2018
126
19.4 Bypass Roads, Region XII, CY 2018 127

9. v | P a g e
19.5 Status of Airport Projects, Region XII, CY 2018 129
19.6 Airport Accomplishment by Major Indicator, Region XII, CY
2017-2018
130
19.7 Port Accomplishment by Major Indicator, Region XII, CY 2017-
2018
131
19.8 List of CY 2018 Projects 132
19.9 NIA XII Accomplishments on Selected Output Indicators, CY
2017-2018
135
19.10 Newly Operational Power Plants in Mindanao, Region XII, as of
November 2018
140
19.11 Mindanao Power Generation Capacity Mix, Region XII, CY 2017-
2018
141
19.12 Energization Data, Region XII, CY 2018 143
19.13 Status of NIHE Implementation, Region XII, CY (?) 144
19.14 Key Indicators for Information and Communication Technology,
Region XII, CY 2017-2018
147
20.1 Enhanced National Greening Program, Region XII, CY 2017 and
2018
150
20.2 Forest Protection, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018 151
20.3 Biodiversity Conservation, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018 152
20.4 Sources of Air Pollution by Province, Region XII, CY 2018 155
20.5 Functional WQMA, Region XII, CY 2018 156
20.6 Mining Development Indicators, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018 158
20.7 Ecosystem Resiliency Indicators, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018 159
20.8 Number of Industries with ECC/CNC, Region XII, CY 2018 160
20.9 Number of Industries with Accredited PCO, Region XII, CY 2018 160
21.1 Percentage (%) of ACO-Approved Budget vis-a-vis RDC XII
Endorsed AIP, FY 2017 and 2018
167
21.2 Status of Major Infrastructure Projects, Region XII, as of 30
December 2018
168

10. vi | P a g e
List of Figures
Figure
No.
Title Page
No.
2.1 Sector Share in SOCCSKSARGEN Economy, 2018 7
2.2 Investments, 2017-2018 9
2.3 SOCCSKSARGEN Monthly Inflation, 2017-2018 10
3.1 The Regional Spatial Development Strategy, 2015-2045 19
4.1 SOCCSKSARGEN RDP Framework with Corresponding Plan
Chapters
22
8.1 Nut Production, Region XII, 2014-2018 48
8.2 Area Planted with Coconut 50
10.1.1 Number of TVET Graduates per Province, Region XII, 2018 60
10.1.2 Certification Rate of TVET Graduates Sustained, per Province,
Region XII, 2018
60
10.1.3 Skills Training Scholarships and other Assistance Programs,
Region XII, 2018
61
10.2.1 Enrollment by Province/City, AY 2018-2019 63
10.2.2 Graduates by Cluster of Discipline and By Sex, AY 2017-2018 65
11.1 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Fund Allocation,
Region XII, 2018
76
11.2 KALAHI Projects Implemented, Region XII, 2018 77
11.3 Sustainable Livelihood Program, Region XII, 2018 78
11.4 Senior Citizens Social Pension, Region XII, 2018 79
11.5 Supplementary Feeding Program, Region XII, 2018 80
11.6 Number of Beneficiaries Under the TUPAD Program, Region
XII, 2018
82
13.1 Distribution of Employed Persons, Region XII, 2018 94
19.1 Potential Irrigable and Developed Area, Region XII, as of 2018 134
19.2 Number of Households with Access to Level I Improved or Safe
Water Supply, Region XII, CY 2017 and 2018
136
19.3 Number of Households with Access to Level II Improved or
Safe Water Supply, Region XII
137
19.4 Number of Households with Access to Level III Improved or
Safe Water Supply, Region XII
137
19.5 Mindanao Installed Capacity by Fuel Type, 2018 142
19.6 Energy Delivery (MWh) in Mindanao and Region XII, 2017-
2018
142

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Acronyms
4Ps Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
ACO Agency Central Office
ACPRP Accelerated Coconut Planting/Replanting Program
ADSDPP Ancestral Domain Claims and the Ancestral Domain Sustainable
Development and Protection Plan
AEP Alien Employment Permits
AEW Agri-Extension Workers
AFET Alternative Fuels and Energy Technology
AFP Armed Forces of the Philippines
AGS Agricultural Grade Salt
AHFF Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing
AIP Annual Investment Plan
ALAB Alay sa Bayan
AMCR Average Monthly Crime Rate
AOR Area of Responsibility
ARMM Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
ARTA-RCS Anti-Red Tape Act Report Card Survey
ASCES Association of South Cotabato Earth Savers
ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations
BASIL Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa Program
BBL Bangsamoro Basic Law
BDRRMC Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee
BFAR Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
BFP Bureau of Fire Protection
BI Bureau of Immigration
BIMP-EAGA Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area
BJMP Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
BKD Barkada Kontra Droga
BLGF Bureau of Local Government Finance
BNS Barangay Nutrition Scholar
BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand
BOI Board of Investments
BPBH Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay Program
BPLS Business Permit and Licensing System
BrEDP Branding Equity Development Program
BRC Barangay Reading Center
BSP Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
BSWM Bureau of Soil and Water Management

12. viii | P a g e
BTC Bangsamoro Transition Commission
BUC Bishops-Ulama Conference
CAAMS Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations
CAB Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
CACW Competency Assessment and Certification for Workers
CADT Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title
CALT Certificate of Ancestral Land Title
CAPR Cooperative Annual Progress Report
CARHRIHL Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and
International Humanitarian Law
CBDRRM Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Management
CCB Contact Center ng Bayan
CCC Climate Change Commission
CCE Crime Clearance Efficiency
CCEDP Coconut-Cacao Enterprise Development Program
CCSPC Cotabato City State Polytechnic College
CCT Conditional Cash Transfer
CCTV Closed Circuit Television
CDA Cooperative Development Authority
CDP Comprehensive Development Plan
CGAP Career Guidance Advocacy Program
CHLCP Community Household Level Coconut Processing Enterprise
CIDSS Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services
CIOFF International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and
Folk Arts
CIP Coconut Intercropping Program
CIS Communal Irrigation System
CJS Criminal Justice System
CK Cotabato City-Kidapawan
CLUP Comprehensive Land Use Plan
CMCI Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
CNC Certificate of Non-Conformance
CO Carbon Monoxide
COA Commission on Audit
COCOBED Coconut-Coffee Based Enterprise Development
CoP Culture of Peace
CRFV Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values
CSC Civil Service Commission
CSE Crime Solution Efficiency
CSPP Conflict-Sensitive, Peace-Promoting
CSWDO City Social Welfare and Development Office
CTRP Comprehensive Tax Reform Program
CVOs Civilian Volunteer Organizations
CY Calendar Year
DA Department of Agriculture
DAR Department of Agrarian Reform
DARE Drug Abuse Resistance Education
DBM Department of Budget and Management

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DC Department Circular
DDB Dangerous Drugs Board
DENR Department of Environment and Natural Resources
DepEd Department of Education
DILG Department of the Interior and Local Government
DILP DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program
DND Department of National Defense
DO Dissolved Oxygen
DOE Department of Energy
DOLE Department of Labor and Employment
DOS Datu Odin Sinsuat
DOST Department of Science and Technology
DOT Department of Tourism
DOTr Department of Transportation
DPWH Department of Public Works and Highways
DSWD Department of Social Welfare and Development
DTI Department of Trade and Industry
DTI Department of Trade and Industry
DUTERTE Drug Use and Trafficking Elimination through Rehabilitation
Training and Enforcement
EbA Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
ECC Environmental Compliance Certificate
ECPs Environmental Critical Projects
EIA Environment Impact Assessment
EICC Energy Investment Coordinating Council
ENGP Enhanced National Greening Program
EnP Environmental Planner
EO Executive Order
eSRE electronic Statement of Receipts and Expenditures
EWS Early Warning System
FC Fecal Coliform
FLEMMS Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey
FLUP Forest Land Use Plan
FSSP Food Staple Self-Sufficiency Program
FTAA Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement
FWP Family Welfare Program
GAA General Appropriations Act
GAD Gender and Development
GAMPC Greenland Asparagus Multipurpose Cooperative
GAMABA Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan
GIA Grant-in-Aid
GIMC GRCO-Isulan mining Corporations
GIP Government Internship Program
GOCC Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation
GPH Government of the Philippines
GRDP Gross Regional Domestic Product
GSC General Santos City
HEDP Household Electrification Development Program

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HEIs Higher Education Institutions
HH Household
HIO high impact operations
HIV/AIDS human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome
HUC Highly Urbanized City
HVC High-Value Crops
HVCCs High-Value Commercial Crops
HVT High Value Target
IB Infantry Battalion
ICCs Indigenous Cultural Communities
ICS Incident Command System
ID Infantry Division
IEC Information, Education and Communication
IGS Isulan-General Santos
ILO International Labor Organization
InfraCom Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee
IP Indigenous Peoples
IPAAD Integrated Public Advisory and Analysis Display Solution
IPMR Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative
IRR Implementing Rules and Regulation
IRRI International Rice Research Institute
ISFs Informal Settler Families
ISO International Standard Organization
IWMP Integrated Watershed Management Plan
JMC Joint Monitoring Committee
JMSP J. Marquez School of Peace
JTFC Joint Task Force Central
KALAHI-CIDSS Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated
Delivery of Social Services
KALASAG KaIamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing ang Kaligtasan
KEDP Kaanib Enterprise Development Program
LAWIN Landscape and Wildlife Indicator System
LCAC Local Culture and Arts Council
LCCAP Local Climate Change Action Plan
LDRMMC Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council/Committee
LDRRM Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management
LDRRMO Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office/Officer
LET Licensure Examination for Teachers
LGCDD Local Government Capability Development Division
LGU Local Government Unit
LMAG Lebak-Maasim-Alabel-Glan
LOI Letter of Instruction
LRT Local Revenue Tax
LSWDOs Local Social Welfare and Development Offices
LVT Low Value Target
MDRRMC Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
MGB Mines and Geosciences Bureau

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MILF Moro Islamic Liberation Front
MMK Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan Program
MMIP Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project (MMIP)
MMR Maternal Mortality Rate
MNLF Moro National Liberation Front
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MPP Mineral Processing Permit
MPSA Mineral Production Sharing Agreement
MRF Material Recovery Facility
MRIS Maridagao River Irrigation System (MRIS)
MSMEs Micro, Small, And Medium Enterprises
MT Metric Tons
MW Megawatts
NAPOLCOM National Police Commission
NBC Net Borrowing Capacity
NCAIDC North Cotabato Agro-industrial Development Corporation
NCC National Competitive Council
NCCA National Commission on Cultures and Arts
NCIP National Commission for Indigenous Peoples
NCIP National Crime Information Program
NCPW National Crime Prevention Week
NDFP National Democratic Front of the Philippines
NDRRMC National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
NDSC Net Debt Service Ceiling
NDU Notre Dame University
NEDA National Economic and Development Authority
NGAs National Government Agencies
NGP National Greening Program
NHA National Housing Authority
NIA National Irrigation Administration
NIHE Nationwide Intensification of Household Electrification
NIS National Irrigation System
NPA New People’s Army
NPK Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
NTF-ELCAC National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict
OAP Organic Agriculture Program
OCD Office of Civil Defense
OFWs Overseas Filipino Workers
OPAPP Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
OPV Open Pollinated Variety
OSY Out-of-School Youth
PA Philippine Army
PALS Precision Approach Lighting System
PAMANA Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan
PCA Philippine Coconut Authority
PCCI Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PCECP Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program
PCG Philippine Coast Guard

16. xii | P a g e
PCIA Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment
PCO Pollution Control Officers
PDEA Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
PDNGR Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Regulation
PDP Philippine Development Plan
PDPFP Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan
PDRRMC Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council
PeaceEd Peace Education
PESFA Private Education Student Financial Assistance
PhilGEPS Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System
PIA Philippine Information Agency
PIP Public Investment Program
PM Particular Matter
PMC Philippine Marine Corps
PMO Port Management Office
PNP Philippine National Police
PNVSCA Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency
POs People’s Organization
PPAS Programs, Projects, Activities and Services
PPAs Programs, Projects and Activities
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PRA Philippine Retirement Authority
PRAISE Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence
PRIME-HRM Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in
Human Resources Management
PRO Police Regional Office
PSA Philippine Statistics Authority
PTB Passenger Terminal Building
PWD Person with Disability
QRRPAs Quarterly Report on Real Property Assessments
R&D Research and Development
RADL Regional Animal Diagnostic Laboratory
RATE Run Against Tax Evaders
RBS Radio Broadcasting Services
RC3 Regional Competitiveness Coordinating Committee
RDC Regional Development Council
RDIP Regional Development Investment Program
RDP Regional Development Plan
RDR Regional Development Report
RDRRMC Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
RE Renewable Energy
RLAs Regional Line Agencies
RMIC Regional Mango Industry Council
ROLL-IT Road for Leveraging Linkages for Industries and Trade
RPCRD Regional Police Community Relations Division
RPMC Regional Project Monitoring Committee
RPT Real Property Tax
RSDF Regional Spatial Development Framework

17. xiii | P a g e
RTIL Runway Threshold Indicator Light
RTWPB Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board
SAIDS Sustainable Agri-Industrial Development Strategy
SAR Search and Rescue
SCPCs Student Crime Prevention Committees
SDDCI South Davao Development Co. Incorporated
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
SETUP Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program
SFP Supplementary Feeding Program
SGLG Seal of Good Local Governance
SHES Safety and Health, Environmental and Social Development
Program
SIAD Sustainable Integrated Area Development
SIRV Special Investor’s Resident Visa
SKPC Summer Kids Peace Camp
SLP Sustainable Livelihood Program
SLTs School of Living Traditions
SMI Sagittarius Mines, Inc.
SMVs Schedule Market Values
SNVM Special Non-Voting Member
SOCA State of the Nation Address
SOCCSKSARGEN South Cotabato, Cotabato Province, Cotabato City, Sultan
Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos City
SONA State of the City Address
SOPA State of the Province Address
SOV Search for Outstanding Volunteers
SP Sangguniang Panglungsod
SP Sangguniang Panlalawigan
SPES Special Program for the Employment of Students
SPMS Strategic Performance Management System
SPTs Southern Philippines Terrorists
Sq. m. Square Meter
SRA Sugar Regulation Administration
SSF Shared Service Facility
SSM Small-Scale Mining
STARBOOKS Science and Technology Academic and Research-based
Openly Operated Kiosk Stations
STEP Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
STDPs Strategic Tourism Development Plans
STI Science, Technology, and Innovation
STW Shallow Tube Wells
SUCs State Universities And Colleges
SWDI Social Welfare Development Indicator
SWEET Solid Waste Enforcers and Educators Team
SWIP Small Water Impounding Project
SWM Solid Waste Management
TESD Technical Education and Skills Development
TESDA Technical Education and Skills Development Authority

18. xiv | P a g e
TMC Tribal Mining Corporation
TOP Trial Operation Program
TRAIN Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion
TSD Treatment, Storage and Disposal
TSS Total Suspended Solids
TUPAD Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced
Workers
TVET Technical-Vocational Education and Training
TWSP Training for Work Scholarship Program
UCT Unconditional Cash Transfer
UMARIW Upper Malitubog Service Area Repair and Improvement Works
UMSA Upper Malitubog River Irrigation Service Area
UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organizations
USM University of Southern Mindanao
VRO Values Restoration Officer
VRP Values Restoration Program
WDP Wastewater Discharge Permit
WESM Wholesale Electric Spot Market
WQMA Water Quality Management Area
YLS Youth Leadership Summit
ZOD Zero Open Defecation

19. 1 | P a g e
Chapter 1
The Long View
The people of SOCCSKSARGEN remain steadfast to its commitment and
long-term vision to attain “matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay”
by 2040. With the RDP 2017-2022 on its medium-term, and the goals
and objectives enunciated therein is half-way towards its fruition, it is
paramount that the stakeholders in the region should work with zest
and enthusiasm to reach the desired outcome for the plan period.
Currently, the region needs to address the emerging challenges brought about by the
just concluded plebiscite that ratified the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL). Cotabato
City, the only independent component city (ICC) of the region, and the 63 barangays
of Cotabato Province, opted for inclusion to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Another challenge that the region must face head on is
the impending shift to the federal form of government. Despite these changes, the
region could still maintain its stature and focus on what is in store in the long-term
and not on the perceived losses obtaining from such changes.
Toward the end of CY 2018 and early CY 2019, NEDA XII was tapped by DILG XII to
provide technical assistance in the assessment of the Comprehensive Development
Plans (CDPs) of Gen Santos City, the region’s only highly urbanized city (HUC), and
Cotabato City, including the component cities and municipalities of the region. This
is in compliance to DILG-NEDA-DBM-DOF Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, series
of 2016 (JMC No. 2016-01), issued on 18 November 2016, entitled “Updated
Guidelines on the Harmonization of Local Planning, Investment Programming,
Resource Mobilization, Budgeting, Expenditure Management and Performance
Monitoring and Coordination in Fiscal Oversight.”
The primary objective of the assessment was to ensure that the forthcoming updated
CDPs follow the 2016 CDP Formulation Guidelines as mandated by DILG MC No.
2016-102 issued on 08 August 2016, and are linked and aligned, both horizontally
and vertically, to the provincial and regional plans, and to the short and long-term
goals of the country, as expressed in their respective CDPs, Disaster Risk
Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA)-enhanced Provincial
Development and Physical Framework Plans (PDPFPs), the RDP 2017-2022, the PDP
2017-2022, the Agenda 2030 or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the
AmBisyon Natin 2040.
NEDA XII provided resource person services in the formulation of Results Matrices
(RMs) to be incorporated in the PDPFPs and CDPs of local government units (LGUs)
in the region and the activity was spearheaded by DILG XII. The RMs identify the
goals, sectoral/sub-sectoral outcomes and objectives earmarked for the remaining
three years of the medium-term and the corresponding strategies, interventions and
targets to be implemented therein, while keeping the long-term vision as the final

20. 2 | P a g e
frontier. The RMs can also serve as a gauge in determining the gap versus the year-
on-year accomplishments of LGUs.
Upon legitimization and adoption for implementation, the updated CDPs are
considered aligned, contributory, and complementary to the attainment of the goals
and objectives of each province, each region, and the entire country, including
international agreements, for the remainder of the medium-term and toward the long
term.
Table 1.1: Activities Relative to the Assessment of PDPFPs and CDPs, CY 2018
Activity/Date Outputs Remarks
1. Final Assessment of the
CDPs of Cotabato City
and Gen. Santos City by
the CDP- Regional
Assessment Team (CDP-
RAT) on 30 January
2019 (Continuing
activity from 2018)
The CDP-RAT provided
the two LGUs with the
checklists of criteria
included in the contents
of the plans that needed
to be complied and/or
enhanced.
CDP-RAT assessed the
two plans in terms of
compliance of the plans’
contents to the 2016 CDP
Formulation Guidelines,
including the main-
streaming of sectoral/
thematic plans into the
CDP.
2. Presentation of the
Results of the Sarangani
Municipal Local
Government Units
(MGLUs) CDP Self-
Assessment and CDP-
Technical Assessment
Committee (CDP-TAC)
Validation on 11
January 2019
(Continuing activity
from 2018)
The CDP-TAC of
Sarangani Province
validated the results of
the CDP self-assessment
of seven (7) MLGUs
using the assessment
checklist provided by
DILG. The checklists
were also provided to
the MLGUs for
compliance in the
updating of their CDPs.
The MLGUs self-
assessment covers all the
components of their
CDPs, i.e., Forms,
Processes and Contents.
The MLGUs are in
conformity to comply
with the 2016 CDP
Formulation Guidelines.
3. Preliminary Assessment
of the CDPs of Cotabato
City and General Santos
City on 18 December
2018
The CDP-RAT provided
the two LGUs with the
checklists of Forms and
Documents needed to be
secured to serve as
means of verifiable
indicators to
substantiate that the
prescribed Process in
CDP formulation is
complied.
CDP-RAT assessed the
two plans in terms of the
compliance to prescribed
forms and documents, as
well as to the process in
CDP formulation with
reference to the 2016
Guidelines.

21. 3 | P a g e
4. Provincial Workshop on
City/Municipal
Commitment Setting on
the Provincial Results
Matrices for the
Provinces of South
Cotabato on 12
December 2018.
NEDA XII provided
additional inputs in the
refinement of the PRMs
of South Cotabato, and
the formulation of
Municipal RMs of its
constituent
municipalities. The
municipalities of South
Cotabato signed in the
covenant the
formulation of PRMs,
C/M RMs within the
prescribed schedule.
The PSA XII provided the
list of indicators and
goals contained in the
Philippine Sustainable
Development Goals for
consideration in the PRM
formulation. Said PRMs
will then be cascaded to
the city and
municipalities for
reference in the C/M RM
formulation.
5. Provincial Workshop on
City/Municipal
Commitment Setting on
the Provincial Results
Matrices for the
Provinces of Sarangani
and Cotabato on 6-7
December 2018.
The NEDA XII staff
provided additional
inputs in the refinement
of the PRMs of the two
provinces. The two
provinces also signed in
the covenant re:
formulation of PRMs,
C/M RMs within the
prescribed schedule.
The PSA XII provided the
list of indicators and
goals contained in the
Philippine Sustainable
Development Goals for
consideration in the PRM
formulation. Said PRMs
will then be cascaded to
the city and
municipalities for
reference in the C/M RM
formulation.
6. Assessment of the (CDP)
on Component LGUs,
HUC and ICC
Orientation cum
Assessment Simulation
on 8-9 November 2018
The NEDA XII Staff
presented the Vertical
and Horizontal Linkage
in Development
Planning and
Investment
Programming for
reference of local
planners in the updating
of their CDPs.
During the assessment
simulation, DILG XII and
NEDA XII provided
guidance on how to
assess the CDPs per the
2016 formulation
guidelines.
7. Regional Orientation
and Workshop on the
Formulation of
Provincial Results
Matrices (PRM) on 18-
19 October 2018
The NEDA XII staff
provided resource
person services to the 4
provinces, 1 HUC and 1
ICC on the formulation
of PRMs and city result
matrices, respectively.
The team also provided
the provinces and cites
with copies of the
The RRMs contained in
the updated RDP, 2017-
2022 which was culled
out from the targets of
PDP, 2017-2022, could
serve as vital link to the
short and long-term
goals of the country, once
they are cascaded down,
validated and adopted at

22. 4 | P a g e
Regional Results
Matrices for validation
and reference in the
formulation of their
respective RMs.
the local level. Local
development initiatives
could contribute much to
the attainment of the
thrusts of the regional
and national
government.
Source of Data: NEDA XII
NEDA XII also rendered resource person services and conducted information,
communication and education (IEC) campaigns to advocate the AmBisyon Natin
2040, SDGs, PDP, RDP in several fora, workshops and capability building program
spearheaded by various agencies in the region. The IEC campaigns aim to localize the
AmBisyon Natin 2040, the SDGs, the regional and national plans, and to provide local
planners the bases and references in crafting their respective thematic plans
Table 1.2: Communication and Advocacy Activities on AmBisyon Natin 2040,
SDGs, PDP, and RDP
Date/Venue Activity Sponsoring
Agency /
Convenor
14 December 2018 /
London Beach Resort,
General Santos City
Community Mobilization Training and
Team Building
Department of
Agriculture (DA)
XII-Task Force
Gatas
10 October 2018 /
Provincial Capitol, Amas,
Kidapawan City
Joint Meeting of Provincial Disaster
Risk Reduction Council (PDDRM)/
Provincial Peace and Order Council
(PPOC)/Provincial Development
Council (PDC) of Cotabato Province
Provincial
Government of
Cotabato
30 August 2018 /
Villa Amor Hotel, Koronadal
City
Visioning Workshop for the
SOCCSKSARGEN Peace and
Development Roadmap (SPDR) 2017-
2022
Regional Peace
and Order Council
(RPOC) XII and
Department of the
Interior and Local
Government
(DILG) XII
29-30 August 2018 /
London Beach Resort,
General Santos City
Regional Consultation Workshop on
Enhancing the Philippine Social
Protection Operational Framework
and Development of Social Protection
Plan
Department of
Social Welfare and
Development
(DSWD) XII
24 August 2018 /
Koronadal City
DILG XII Comprehensive Development
Plans (CDP) Focal Person Workshop
DILG XII

23. 5 | P a g e
Source of Data: NEDA XII
23 July 2018 /
Al-Nor Convention Center,
Cotabato City
Leadership Enhancement and
Development (LEAD) for Managers-
Course 1: Foundation on Local
Governance and Development
Development
Academy of the
Philippines (DAP)
and Japan
International
Cooperation
Agency (JICA)
05 & 19 July 2018 / Dolores
Hotel, GSC & Koronadal City
03 & 10 July 2018 /
Koronadal City Midsayap,
Cotabato Province
Agriculture and Fisheries
Modernization Plan (AFMA), 2018-
2023 Consultation Workshop
DA XII
27, 28, 29 June 2018 /
London Beach Resort,
General Santos City
Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Plan (RDRRMP) XII
Review and Workshop
Office of Civil
Defense (OCD) XII
11 June 2018 / Greenleaf
Hotel, General Santos City
National Commission on Culture and
Arts (NCCA) Planning Workshop
NCCA
10 May 2018 /
Cinco Niñas, Koronadal City
Strategic Planning Workshop for
Midsayap Local Economic and
Development Council
Orientation/Education Awareness on
AmBisyon Natin 2040 and P/RDP
2017-2022 as basis in crafting
economic and development plans
LGU-Midsayap
5-6 March 2018 / Sultan
Kudarat Hall, Police
Regional Office (PRO) 12,
Tambler, General Santos
City
Public Safety Officers Executive Course
(PSOEC) for Class 2017-03 and Class
2017-14
Philippine Public
Safety College
(PPSC) / National
Police College,
Regional Training
Center 12
01 March 2018 /
Agua Frio, Koronadal City
1st Quarter Meeting of Unified Social
Protection and Welfare Committee
(USPWC)
DSWD XII

24. 6 | P a g e
Chapter 2
Global and Regional Trends and
Prospects
SOCCSKSARGEN covers the provinces of Cotabato (North), Sarangani, South Cotabato
Sultan Kudarat, and the Cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal
and Tacurong. The region spans a geographical zone covering major portions of the
Mindanao River Basin and Buayan-Malungon River Basin. It extends to the large
coastal areas in the southern tip portion of Mindanao.
Economic Trends
Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP)
The region posted a GRDP of PhP 246Billion (constant 2000 prices) with a growth
rate of 6.9 percent, a bit slower, as compared to 2017 figures of 8.3 percent growth
rate but higher than the minimum target which is 6.7 percent. The Gross Regional
Domestic Product (GRDP) refers to the total value of final goods and services
produced in the region for a given period of time.
The slow growth of the GRDP was mainly due to the sluggish performance of the
Agriculture and Forestry Sector, which experienced a 2.5 percent growth rate only.
The production levels of corn, asparagus, coffee, sugarcane, and palay declined and
the inventory of cattle, carabao, and goat declined. Palay production was affected by
the damage to irrigation systems brought by the onslaught of Typhoon Vinta in
December 2017. The decreasing livestock inventory was due to the vanishing
pasture areas in the region.
Meanwhile, the Industry Sector showed a steady performance at 8.0 percent growth
rate in 2018. It can be seen that the Build Program, which is a banner initiative of the
Duterte Administration, contributed to the increased growth rate in construction
sub-sector. This also provided employment to the people in the region as
infrastructure projects are considered labor-intensive.
The Services Sector continued to show the best performance with an 8.4 percent
growth rate in 2018. The improvement is ascribed to the subsectors of public
administration and defense and transportation, storage and communication.

25. 7 | P a g e
Table 2.1: Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) Growth Rate, Region XII,
CY 2017-2018
INDUSTRY
Growth Rate
2017 2018
I. AGRICULTURE, HUNTING, FORESTRY & FISHING 8.7 2.5
a. Agriculture and Forestry 8.2 3.8
b. Fishing 11.2 (3.9)
II INDUSTRY SECTOR 8.4 8.0
a. Mining and Quarrying 8.0 5.6
b. Manufacturing 10.3 6.6
c. Construction 10.2 13.6
d. Electricity, Gas and Water Supply (7.0) 5.0
III SERVICES SECTOR 7.8 8.4
a. Transportation, Storage & Communication 6.1 9.0
b. Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles,
Motorcycles, Personal and
Household Goods
7.9 8.8
c. Financial Intermediation 7.6 8.3
d. Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities 6.5 4.4
e. Public Administration & Defense;
Compulsory Social Security
7.2 13.6
f. Other Services 10.6 8.3
Source: PSA XII
The economic activities
and performance in the
region will continue to
improve in 2019 with the
proliferation of real
estate, retail groups,
commercial banks, fast-
food chains and other
service-oriented
industries in the various
cities of the region, as well
as in the emerging new
urban areas of Midsayap,
Kabacan, Alabel, Glan,
Surallah, Polomolok,
Lebak and Isulan.
Figure 2.1 presents the
performance of the
Service Sector
40.80%
Industry
Sector 37.20%
AHFF 22.00%
Figure 2.1:
Sector Share in SOCCSKSARGEN Economy, 2018
Source: PSA XII

26. 8 | P a g e
SOCCSKSARGEN economy as measured by the GRDP at Constant 2000 Prices. In
terms of contribution by commodity group, the Services Sector continued to account
the largest share of the region’s GRDP at 40.8%. This was followed by the industry
sector with a share of 37.2%, while AHFF recorded the least share at 22.0%. By sub-
industry group, Manufacturing recorded the biggest share at 24.9 percent and
followed by Agriculture and Forestry with 18.4 percent.
Table 2.2: Percentage Share of GRDP Major Sector, 2017-2018
INDUSTRY/YEAR
Percentage Share
2017 2018
I. AGRICULTURE, HUNTING, FORESTRY &
FISHING
23.0 22.0
a. Agriculture and Forestry 19.0 18.4
b. Fishing 4.0 3.6
II INDUSTRY SECTOR 36.8 37.2
a. Mining and Quarrying 0.3 0.3
b. Manufacturing 25.0 24.9
c. Construction 8.2 8.7
d. Electricity, Gas and Water Supply 3.4 3.4
III SERVICES SECTOR 40.2 40.8
a. Transportation, Storage & Communication 7.0 7.2
b. Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles,
Motorcycles, Personal and
Household Goods
10.0 10.1
c. Financial Intermediation 5.0 5.0
d. Real Estate, Renting & Business Activities 6.0 5.8
e. Public Administration & Defense;
Compulsory Social Security
3.5 3.7
f. Other Services 8.8 8.9
Source: PSA XII
Investments
In 2018, the region received more than four billion pesos (PhP4B) worth of
investments which availed of incentives from the Department of Trade and Industry’s
Board of Investments (BOI). The 2018 figure, however, is lesser compared to the CY
fifteen billion pesos (PhP15B) worth of investments in 2017.

27. 9 | P a g e
Source: BOI
During the same year, a total of twelve (12) investment projects were approved for
the region. Six (6) of these were in General Santos City, five (5) in South Cotabato,
specifically in the municipalities of Surallah, Banga and Tantangan, and one (1) in
M’lang, Cotabato Province. Moreover, these investment projects generated a total of
583 jobs for the people of the region but these were 53.84% lower than the jobs
created in 2017.
Prices and Inflation Rate
In terms of prices and inflation rate, the prices for all commodities in the region
posted an average of PhP 120.6 in 2018 against PhP 113.6 in 2017. This reflected an
inflation rate of about 6.2% for 2018 which is 124% higher than the 5% target.
During the last quarter of the year, alcoholic beverages and tobacco posted the
highest average inflation rate of 21.8%, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages
with an average inflation rate of 6.9%. Education posted a decrease in average prices
with a negative 1.8% inflation rate during the last quarter of 2018. The decrease in
the education average prices can be attributed to the implementation of the Republic
Act (RA) No. 10931 which provides free access and tuition fees to state universities
and colleges (SUCs) and limits the desire of the private higher education institutions
(HEIs) to increase their fees.
₱15,253.15
₱4,143.66
₱0.00
₱2,000.00
₱4,000.00
₱6,000.00
₱8,000.00
₱10,000.00
₱12,000.00
₱14,000.00
₱16,000.00
₱18,000.00
Figure 2.2: Investments, 2017-2018
Investment 2017 Investment 2018

28. 10 | P a g e
Source: PSA XII
Moreover, Figure 2.3 shows the monthly inflation in the region. The month of
September posted the highest inflation at 8.2%, while the months of January and
March posted the lowest rate at 4.8%.
Labor and Employment
The region’s population of 15 years old and above grew by 2.05% in 2018 as
compared to the 2017 population. Labor force participation rate in 2018 was placed
at 61.70 % which is 0.76 % lower than of the previous year.
Employment rate slightly increased from 96 % in 2017 to 96.10 % in 2018.
Unemployment and underemployment rates improved in 2018 as compared with the
previous year at 3.9 percent and 17.0 percent, respectively.
Table 2.3: Labor and Employment, Region XII, 2017 and 2018
Indicator 2017 2018
% Change
(year-on-year)
Population 15 years Old and Over
(in thousands)
3,086 3,150 2.05
Labor Force Participation Rate 62.2 61.70 -0.76
Employment Rate 96.00 96.10 0.04
Unemployment Rate 4.00 3.90 -0.99
Underemployment Rate 17.9 17.0 -5.42
Source: PSA XII
1.9 2.3 2.2
1.5 1.5 1.2 0.9
1.4 1.5
2.5
3.3
3.8
4.8 4.9 4.8 5.2 5.4
5.9
6.5
7.9 8.2 7.9
6.9
5.6
Figure 2.3: SOCCSKSARGEN Monthly
Inflation, 2017-2018
2017 2018

29. 11 | P a g e
Poverty Trends
Decreasing Poverty Incidence
Poverty incidence among families decreased in 2018 from 37.4% to 27.2% compared
with that of 2015. Table 2.4a shows that the province of Cotabato recorded a very
significant decrease which is lower than the 2018 poverty incidence target. The city
of Cotabato recorded a slight increase from 39.9% in 2015 to 42.3% in 2018.
Table 2.4a: Per Capita Poverty Threshold and Poverty Incidence among
Families, Region XII, First Semester 2015 and 2018
Region/Province
Per Capita
Poverty
Threshold
(in PhP)
Poverty
Incidence
Among Families
(%)
Poverty Incidence
Among Families Target
(%)
2015 2018 2015 2018 2018 Interpretation
Region XII
(SOCCSKSARGEN)
10,576 12,067 37.4 27.2 28.05
Cotabato Province 10,452 11,773 42.3 25.6 31.72
Sarangani 10,051 11,043 53.0 40.5 39.75
South Cotabato 10,661 12,504 23.6 21.3 17.70
General Santos City 12,504 15.2
Sultan Kudarat 10,543 11,555 49.0 32.4 36.75
Cotabato City 12,730 14,804 39.9 42.3 29.92
Source: PSA XII
The region also posted a decrease in the poverty incidence among population from
44.4 % in 2015 to 33.7% in 2018. The provinces of Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat
recorded levels lower than the set target for 2018. Unfortunately, the city of Cotabato
posted a slight increase in the poverty incidence among population.

30. 12 | P a g e
Table 2.4b: Per Capita Poverty Threshold and Poverty Incidence among
Population, First Semester 2015 and 2018
Region/Province
Per Capita
Poverty
Threshold
(in PhP)
Poverty
Incidence
Among
Population
(%)
Poverty Incidence
Among Population
Target
(%)
2015 2018 2015 2018 2018 Interpretation
Region XII
(SOCCSKSARGEN)
10,576 12,067 44.4 33.7 33.30
Cotabato Province 10,452 11,773 49.5 32.0 37.12
Sarangani 10,051 11,043 59.5 47.0 44.62
South Cotabato 10,661 12,504 28.6 27.1 21.45
General Santos
City
12,504 20.6
Sultan Kudarat 10,543 11,555 57.7 38.9 43.27
Cotabato City 12,730 14,804 47.3 48.7 35.47
Source: PSA XII
The poverty reduction recorded within the 3-year interval can be attributed to the
various programs and projects implemented by the national and local government
units from 2015 to 2018. The implementation of Republic Act 10963, or Tax Reform
for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law in the first quarter of 2018 has reduced
the personal income tax of individual taxpayers due to higher take-home pay, which
normally led to higher consumption of goods and services. This also possibly resulted
to higher savings that were utilized to invest in more economic activities in the
region. Another program which may have contributed to the improvement in poverty
statistics was the Build-Build-Build program of the Duterte Administration which
accelerated the infrastructure development of the whole country. The increase in
infrastructure spending particularly in construction which is labor-intensive, made
more jobs available to the workers in the region.
In addition to investments in the region on infrastructure, other various investments
provided employment and other opportunities for improved income. These included

31. 13 | P a g e
low-cost housing projects, establishment of new export producer of coconut milk,
cold storage facilities, renewable energy for hydropower/solar/biomass energy
resources and tourist accommodation facility. A number of SMEs were also
established and sustained as recorded by the local government units.
Also during the period of the survey, there was no notable or major disaster that
struck the region, hence, no large segment of the vulnerable population were
evacuated and deprived of basic needs. Improved scenario for economic
opportunities in 2018, such as reduction in the number of crimes and increase in the
crime clearance and solution efficiencies of the region were noted, which encouraged
the rise in investments in the region.
Likewise, the Social development programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4Ps) and KALAHI-CIDDS program which continued to provide conditional
cash grants and employment activities ensured that the disadvantaged and
vulnerable groups are protected and are alleviated from poverty.
Despite the improvement in the poverty situation in most of the provinces of the
region, the province of Sarangani continued to post high poverty incidence.
Historically, this province has constantly been clustered among provinces with high
poverty incidence. Meanwhile, poverty statistics of Cotabato City increased in 2018
against the data in 2015. This surge in poverty incidence among families and
population could have been the effect of the 5-month Marawi siege which
commenced on 23 May 2017 and ended on 23 October 2017. Families from Marawi
City were forcibly displaced and Cotabato City, which is about 160 kilometers away
from the siege area, provided refuge for these Internally Displaced Persons/People
(IDPs) or affected Maranao families. It should be noted that as of end of 2018, not all
IDPs were able to return to Marawi City and affected Maranao families that evacuated
to Cotabato City may have been included in the Family, Income and Expenditure
Survey (FIES) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In addition, Cotabato City
was the provisional seat of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM);
the ARMM Regional Government have Maranao employees and the displaced
relatives of these government workers could have also been respondents during the
survey.
Development Outlook and Economic Prospects
Capitalizing on its resources, continuous improvement of infrastructure support and
the environment conducive to investments to create quality jobs, Region XII is
expected to sustain its positive growth of its over-all socio-economic performance.
Economic activities and performance in SOCCSKSARGEN Region will continue to
improve in 2019 with the proliferation of real estate, retail groups, commercial banks,
fast-food chains and other service-oriented industries in the different cities, as well
as in the emerging new urban areas of the region.

32. 14 | P a g e
The ongoing rehabilitation of General Santos International Airport will improve
connectivity of the region to other economies. This will be complemented by the Build
initiatives of the national government spearheaded by DPWH and considered to be
labor-intensive. It is expected that said infrastructure projects will directly
contribute to increasing investments or enhance economic opportunities in the
region.
The continuing implementation of Presidential Proclamation 216, series of 2017 in
Mindanao remains to be a vital element in ensuring security, safety, and peace and
order in the region.
With the passage of the laws establishing SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital and
South Cotabato State College in the municipality of Surallah, people in the region will
have better access to health care services and opportunities in the long-term that will
ultimately help develop their full potential that would allow them to compete
globally.
Various mitigating measures are being implemented by various government
agencies, particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA) XII, to address the adverse
effects of El Niño phenomenon, especially on the agriculture sector.
Inflation rate in the region is expected to ease down to the level set in the
SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022 due to the
normalization of the prices of goods and commodities.

33. 15 | P a g e
Chapter 3
Overlay of Economic Growth,
Demographic Trends and Physical
Characteristics
The Regional Spatial Strategy
The SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF) 2015-2045
defines the region’s desired spatial structure based on trends on population,
economic activities, and services. It recognizes the increasing roles of cities,
particularly the urban areas, as drivers and venues for growth and poverty reduction,
e.g., General Santos City, the only highly urbanized city (HUC) in Region XII.
On July 2018, General Santos City was identified among major cities in the country to
be a recipient of a project on the formulation of Sustainable Urban Infrastructure
Development (SUID) Master Plan (MP) under the Project Development and Related
Studies (PDRS) being implemented by the NEDA Infrastructure Staff.
On November 2018, the contract on the Consulting Services on the GSC-SUID-MP was
awarded to the Joint Venture (JV) composed of Orient Integrated Development
Consultants, Incorporated (OIDCI), Engineering and Development Corporation of the
Philippines (EDCOP), Prime Exponent (PRIMEX) Corporation, and Council of Filipino
Consultants (CEST), Incorporated. NEDA Infrastructure Staff was identified as the
Executive Agency and NEDA Regional Office XII as the Implementation Agency and
LGU-General Santos as the beneficiary of the GSC-SUID-MP Project.
The RSDF, anchored on the National Spatial Strategy (NSS), promotes spatial
integration through a well-connected network of settlements and service centers.
Region XII continues to adopt the Sustainable Agri-Industrial Development Strategy
(SAIDS) to realize its vision as an Agri-Industrial Hub and Ecotourism Center in
Southern Philippines. The spatial strategy could propel the establishment of ecozones
that will support the region’s industry clusters. Specifically, the spatial strategy
focuses on Tri-Corridor Development that shall develop the main and potential
corridors involving the establishment of small- to medium-scale processing centers,
agriculture and commercial hubs, ecotourism spokes, centers for social
opportunities, housing connected by infrastructure support facilities and made
resilient by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation at
all stages of the planning process. The three (3) main corridors are as follows:

34. 16 | P a g e
The Cotabato City-Kidapawan City (CK) Agri-Industrial and Eco-
Tourism Corridor
The first corridor is the Cotabato City-Kidapawan City (CK) Agri-Industrial and Eco-
Tourism Corridor. The primary growth node of the corridor is Cotabato City with
Kidapawan City and Midsayap as intermediate urban centers. But Cotabato City and
barangays in Cotabato Province are among the areas to be included in the January 21
and February 6 plebiscite under Republic Act 11054 or the Bangsamoro Organic Law
(BOL) that will create the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(BARMM). The major industries that are being promoted in this corridor are agri-
industrial and eco-tourism development. The economic activities in this corridor are
influenced by the development of Regions XI, X and ARMM.
The Isulan-General Santos (IGS) Agri-Industrial and Eco-Tourism
Corridor
The second corridor is the Isulan-General Santos (IGS) Agri-Industrial and Eco-
Tourism Corridor. General Santos City shall be the primary growth node in this
corridor with the cities of Koronadal, Isulan and Tacurong as intermediate urban
centers.
The Lebak-Maasim-Alabel-Glan (LMAG) Coastal Development Zone
The third corridor shall be along the coastal area of the region called the Lebak-
Maasim-Alabel-Glan (LMAG) Coastal Development Zone. The primary growth nodes
in this corridor are Lebak, Kalamansig, Alabel and Glan with Kiamba and Maasim as
the intermediate urban centers. Maitum shall be an ecotourism destination.
Roles of Local Government Units (LGUs) in Regional Development
Provinces
Sarangani is the fishery, aquaculture and integrated upland development center of
the region. It is a source of energy (coal). It is a growing ecotourism destination with
its nature, dive sun and beach tourism.
South Cotabato is the agro-industrial center in the southern part of the region
processing high-value crops like pineapple, banana and the prime agricultural
producer of rice, corn and other food crops. It is also an emerging eco-tourism capital
of the region.
Cotabato Province is the agro-industrial center in the northern part of the region
producing organic rice, exotic fruits, and processing industrial crops like rubber and
sugar. It is a major source of energy (e.g., Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant) which
connects to the Mindanao Grid.

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Sultan Kudarat is the oil palm and coffee production and processing center of the
region and producer of organic muscovado sugar, aquamarine and seaweeds.
Cities
Cotabato City is the cultural and historical center of the region, known as the cradle
of the Cotabato Empire Province, a special economic zone and a Halal Hub. However,
Cotabato City is included in the plebiscite for absorption into the Bangsamoro
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
General Santos City is the metropolitan center of the region being a highly urbanized
city and the tuna capital of the Philippines. With the presence of an international
standard port and airport, it is the transshipment hub of the region to other parts of
the country and the rest of the world. It will be also the prime business, banking,
financial, and services center of the region.
Kidapawan City is the fruit capital of the region, agri-processing center for rubber,
sugar and tropical fruits, and the market and distribution center of Cotabato Province.
Koronadal City is the administrative center of the SOCCSKSARGEN region. It positions
itself as the region’s convention hub.
Tacurong City is the processing center for African oil palm, cereals and grains, meat,
poultry and the provincial market and distribution center of Sultan Kudarat Province.
10 Strategic Municipalities
Midsayap, Mlang, and Carmen (Cotabato Province)
Midsayap serves as the commercial center of the Pikit-Pigcawayan-Alamada-
Libungan-Midsayap-Aleosan (P-PALMA) LGU Alliance.
M’lang is the host municipality of the Central Mindanao Airport. The stretch of the
national road that traverses the municipality serves as a vital link between the
northern and southern areas of the region.
Carmen is Region XII’s gateway to Northern Mindanao/Region X and proximate to the
location of one of the region’s major priority projects which is the Malitubog-
Maridagao Irrigation Project (MMIP).
Alabel, Malungon, and Glan (Sarangani)
Alabel with its long stretch of coastline makes it ideal for aquaculture venture while
its vast plains and rolling hills are suited for housing, eco-tourism and agri-industrial
opportunities.

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Malungon is the only inland municipality of Sarangani and one of the gateways to the
Davao Region, it has the potential for business ventures, particularly HVCC such as
banana, mango, sugarcane and palm oil. The vast mountain ranges and rolling hills is
ideal for eco-tourism activities. The municipality will be traversed by the Davao-
GenSan segment of the Mindanao Railway System (MRS).
Glan is the banner LGU of the southern part of the LMAG-CDZ. It is an integral part of
the Jose Abad Santos (Davao Occidental)-Glan, Sarangani Cooperation Triangle (JAG-
CT) and among the top tourist destinations in the region.
Polomolok and Surallah (South Cotabato)
Polomolok is the major urban and economic center agri-industrial processing center
for high value crops.
Surallah is the alternate urban and trading center of South Cotabato and host to the
newly established SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital and the South Cotabato State
College.
Isulan and Kalamansig (Sultan Kudarat)
Isulan is one of the alternate urban centers in the IGS Agri-Industrial and Eco-tourism
Corridor.
Kalamansig is the banner LGU of the northern part of the LMAG Coastal Development
Zone.

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Figure 3.1: The Regional Spatial Development Strategy, 2015-2045
Source of data: NEDA XII

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