Alamada

Alamada, formally the Municipality of Alamada, is a local government unit in the province of Cotabato on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is an inland, predominantly agricultural municipality bounded by Lanao del Sur to the north, Libungan to the south, Banisilan to the east, and Pigcawayan and Buldon in Maguindanao del Norte to the west. The municipality covers approximately 78,750 hectares and is divided into 17 barangays. Its landscape is generally elevated, rolling, hilly, and undulating, giving Alamada a rural upland character distinct from the more densely settled lowland areas of Cotabato. The municipality takes its name from Datu Amaybulok Alamada, a local chieftain remembered in regional tradition as a powerful Iranun and Dalaman leader who resisted foreign oppression and tyranny. Before becoming an independent municipality, the area was used as a resettlement site for Hukbalahap surrenders and other settlers. President Elpidio Quirino declared the territory public land on March 10, 1953, through Proclamation No. 376, and assigned the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help implement the Land for the Landless Program. On January 1, 1954, the settlement was designated Genio Edcor under an Armed Forces general order, commemorating Master Sergeant Regino Genio, who had been killed in an ambush at the Edcor Farm in Isabela. From 1954 until August 1961, Genio Edcor remained a political subdivision administered by the Municipality of Midsayap, with settler representative Samson B. Buenafe serving on the Midsayap municipal council. Alamada’s economy is centered on farming. Corn is a principal crop, while other agricultural products include upland rice, coconut, banana, palm oil, rubber, mango, carrots, and potatoes, including Yukon Gold varieties. Livestock and poultry production provide additional sources of rural income. The municipality also possesses mineral resources, including reported manganese deposits, although the available reference material does not establish the scale or commercial status of mining activity. Its climate is identified as a fourth-type climate, with rainfall distributed through most of the year and comparatively notable variation around May and September. Tourism is an important part of Alamada’s public identity. The best-known attraction is Asik-Asik Falls in Sitio Dulao, Upper Dado, where water appears to emerge directly from a broad rock face rather than from a conventional visible stream. Other natural and cultural destinations include Daday Falls, described as the municipality’s highest and largest waterfall; the Guo Hill View Deck between Rangayen and Guiling; Kitub-Bao Cave, which has one entrance and three exits as well as underground water and cave wildlife; Mount Opao near the Alamada–Banisilan boundary; and the Shrine of the Holy Cross of Siya-siya in Bao. These sites support the municipality’s positioning as a nature, adventure, and rural tourism destination. Alamada also occupies a place in discussions about regional political geography. During debates over the proposed Bangsamoro region, questions arose over the possible inclusion of neighboring areas and the risk that Alamada, Banisilan, and Libungan could become geographically separated from the rest of Cotabato if surrounding territories were reorganized. The referenced material describes these as proposals and political scenarios rather than completed changes. In the 2024 census, Alamada recorded 71,523 residents. Its municipal identity therefore combines indigenous and settler history, agricultural production, natural attractions, and continuing participation in the administrative life of Cotabato.

Alamada’s modern history is closely associated with postwar resettlement and the transformation of a former public-land area into a local government unit. The territory was associated with Hukbalahap surrender and resettlement programs before its formal municipal development. On March 10, 1953, President Elpidio Quirino declared the area public land through Proclamation No. 376. The government designated it as a resettlement site and tasked the Armed Forces of the Philippines with supporting the Land for the Landless Program. On January 1, 1954, the settlement received the name Genio Edcor under General Order No. 409 of the Armed Forces general headquarters. The name honored Master Sergeant Regino Genio, who had been ambushed at the Perido Edcor Farm in Angadanan, Isabela, in 1953. Genio Edcor was administered as a political subdivision of Midsayap until August 6, 1961. Samson B. Buenafe, identified as an original settler, represented the settlement on the Midsayap municipal council during this period. The municipality’s later identity was tied to the name of Datu Amaybulok Alamada, a remembered local ruler associated with resistance to foreign domination. Regional traditions describe his influence among Iranun and Dalaman communities spread across parts of what are now northern Cotabato and nearby areas. The adoption of the Alamada name preserved this historical association in the municipality’s official identity. A further political transition occurred during the nationwide reorganization that followed the 1986 EDSA Revolution. Wenceslao Tabar Dela Cerna, who had been mayor, was replaced during the transition period, and Jesus N. Sacdalan served as officer-in-charge from March 1986 to November 1987. Dela Cerna returned through the 1988 election and remained mayor until 1992. Alamada’s subsequent development has been shaped by its physical geography and agricultural base. Its extensive, elevated territory contains 17 barangays and supports corn, rice, banana, coconut, palm oil, rubber, fruit, vegetable, livestock, and poultry production. The municipality has also developed a public image around waterfalls, caves, mountain landscapes, view decks, and religious sites. Asik-Asik Falls in Upper Dado is particularly significant because its water emerges across a rock face, making it a distinctive destination in Philippine nature tourism. The municipality has also appeared in debates concerning the possible political reorganization of central Mindanao. Proposals associated with the creation of Bangsamoro raised concerns that changes involving surrounding municipalities could leave Alamada, Banisilan, and Libungan geographically separated from the Cotabato provincial center. The supplied reference describes these as proposed or prospective arrangements, not as completed changes. Alamada remains a municipality of Cotabato and continues to function as a local government unit within the Philippines.

• 2024

  Population recorded at 71,523

  [1]Alamadaen.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 census recorded 71,523 residents in Alamada.

• 1988

  Return of elected municipal leadership

  [1]Alamadaen.wikipedia.org

  Wenceslao Tabar Dela Cerna returned as mayor after the 1988 election and served through 1992.

• 1986

  Post-EDSA administrative reorganization

  [1]Alamadaen.wikipedia.org

  Following the EDSA Revolution, municipal leadership was reorganized and an officer-in-charge arrangement was introduced.

• 1961

  End of Midsayap subdivision status

  [1]Alamadaen.wikipedia.org

  Genio Edcor ceased to be administered as a political subdivision of Midsayap on August 6, 1961.

• 1954

  Settlement named Genio Edcor

  [1]Alamadaen.wikipedia.org

  The settlement was named Genio Edcor under an Armed Forces general order in memory of Master Sergeant Regino Genio.

• 1953

  Public-land and resettlement designation

  [1]Alamadaen.wikipedia.org

  President Elpidio Quirino declared the area public land through Proclamation No. 376 and designated it as a resettlement site under the Land for the Landless Program.

A rural Cotabato municipality positioned around agriculture, upland settlement, local heritage, and nature-based tourism.

• Agricultural commodity

  Corn

  Corn is identified as one of Alamada’s principal agricultural outputs and a central part of the municipality’s rural economy. Farming activity, processing, and associated livestock production contribute to household livelihoods and local commerce.

• Tourism offering

  Nature and cultural tourism

  Alamada’s tourism offering is based on waterfalls, caves, mountain scenery, viewpoints, and religious heritage. Asik-Asik Falls is the best-known attraction, complemented by Daday Falls, Kitub-Bao Cave, Mount Opao, Guo Hill View Deck, and the Shrine of the Holy Cross of Siya-siya.

1. 1Alamadaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website of the Municipality of Alamadaalamada-cotabatoprov.gov.ph