Magpet

Magpet is a landlocked municipality in the eastern part of Cotabato Province, in the southern Philippines. It lies near the foothills of Mount Apo and borders Arakan to the north, Davao City to the east, President Roxas and Antipas to the west, and Kidapawan City to the south. The municipality covers approximately 75,536 hectares and is politically divided into 32 barangays, although some municipal planning materials describe 35 barangays. Poblacion is the principal urban barangay, while most of the territory is rural and mountainous. The municipality was created from the northern portion of Kidapawan under Republic Act No. 3721. The law was signed by President Diosdado Macapagal on June 22, 1963, and Magpet's first local officials took office on August 13 of that year. Froiland Matas became the first mayor. In 1991, the municipality lost territory when Arakan was established under Republic Act No. 7152. The name Magpet is associated with “malotpot,” a term referring to a place where people gather in fellowship while sharing food wrapped in banana leaves. Magpet's economy is primarily agricultural. Important crops include Lacatan and Cardava bananas, rubber, coconut, coffee, cacao, black pepper, rice, corn, root crops and vegetables. The municipality is described as a leading banana-producing area in Cotabato, with highland conditions that support sweet Lacatan bananas. Produce is sold in local markets and transported to larger Philippine cities, including Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, generally through Davao City. Cavendish banana production is also present in the southwest, including operations associated with DOLE Stanfilco, with output directed toward export markets. The landscape combines agricultural land, forest areas, steep slopes, rivers and waterfalls. Local water resources support irrigation, domestic supply and possible hydropower development. The Kabacan River system and its tributaries connect Magpet with wider river networks in Cotabato. Mineral resources reported in the municipality include limestone, sand, gravel, clay, gold, nickel and silver, although the existence of a resource does not by itself indicate active commercial extraction. Tourism is positioned around waterfalls, rainforest, Mount Apo foothills and Indigenous cultural communities. Towsuvan Falls, Kirongdong Falls, Mabu Falls, the Manobo Tribal Village and Sitio Dallag are among the attractions associated with Magpet. The municipality has promoted eco-tourism and identifies itself in planning language as a potential eco-tourism center for Cotabato. Magpet's local economy also includes small and medium-sized businesses, transportation services, markets, vendors, backyard livestock raising and tourism enterprises. Public services include local water systems and electricity distribution through Cotabato Electric Cooperative, while roads connect the municipality with Kidapawan, neighboring Cotabato communities, Davao City and routes toward Cagayan de Oro. The 2024 census recorded 55,255 residents. Magpet has received several Philippine government performance recognitions, including Seals of Good Housekeeping and Good Local Governance, Red Orchid Awards and a National Anti-Drug Abuse Council performance award.

Magpet was established as one of the municipalities created from the territory of Kidapawan. Republic Act No. 3721 organized the northern part of Kidapawan into a new municipality, and President Diosdado Macapagal signed the measure on June 22, 1963. The first municipal officials were installed on August 13, 1963, with Froiland Matas serving as the first mayor. Magpet was the fourth of Kidapawan's five daughter municipalities. The municipality's later territorial history was shaped by the creation of Arakan in 1991. Republic Act No. 7152 partitioned part of Magpet's northern area to form the new municipality. Earlier conflict-related violence occurred in Kabalantian on January 2–3, 1986; that locality is now within Arakan, and reports associated the incident with six deaths and the burning of houses by members of the Landasan armed group. Magpet occupies a large area at the eastern edge of Cotabato Province, near Mount Apo and the boundary with Davao del Sur. Its terrain ranges from agricultural plains and rolling land to steep and mountainous areas. The municipality's soil and climate support bananas, rubber, coconut, coffee, cacao, pepper, fruit trees and vegetables. Farming has remained central to local livelihoods, while banana cultivation has become particularly important. Lacatan bananas are grown widely and distributed to domestic markets, and Cavendish production in the southwest has been connected with export supply chains. Water is another defining feature of Magpet. Rivers and tributaries serve irrigation systems and contribute to the Kabacan River network, while local waterworks and barangay systems provide domestic services in different communities. The municipality has also identified hydropower potential. Mineral deposits and construction materials, including clay, limestone, sand and gravel, are reported in several barangays. In recent decades, local development policy has increasingly emphasized tourism and natural-resource management. Waterfalls such as Towsuvan, Kirongdong and Mabu are promoted alongside rainforest areas, Mount Apo access routes and Obo Manobo communities. Tourism activity includes locally developed sites and privately operated resorts. Roads, bridges, electricity and water infrastructure support agricultural distribution and access to nearby cities, although remote sitios continue to require additional services. Magpet has received local-government performance awards, including a 2011 Seal of Good Housekeeping, 2015 and 2018 Seals of Good Local Governance, Red Orchid Awards in 2018 and 2019, and a 2018 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award. The municipality's stated development vision combines agricultural industrialization, ecological balance, water-resource stewardship, tourism and accountable local administration. In the 2024 census, Magpet recorded 55,255 residents.

• 2024

  Population recorded at 55,255

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 Philippine census recorded 55,255 residents in Magpet.

• 2019

  Red Orchid Award

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  The municipality received another Red Orchid Award from the Department of Health.

• 2018

  Local-government and health recognitions

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  Magpet received a Seal of Good Local Governance, a Red Orchid Award and a National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award.

• 2015

  Seal of Good Local Governance

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  The municipality received a Seal of Good Local Governance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

• 2011

  Seal of Good Housekeeping

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  Magpet received a Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government.

• 1991

  Territorial partition for Arakan

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 7152 established Arakan using territory formerly associated with Magpet and neighboring areas.

• 1986

  Kabalantian conflict incident

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  A reported atrocity in Kabalantian on January 2–3 killed six people and involved the burning of houses. Kabalantian is now part of Arakan.

• 1963

  Creation of Magpet municipality

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 3721 created Magpet from the northern portion of Kidapawan. The law was signed on June 22, and the first local officials assumed office on August 13.

• 1963

  Froiland Matas becomes first mayor

  [1]Magpeten.wikipedia.org

  Froiland Matas was identified as the first mayor of the newly established municipality.

A rural agricultural municipality presenting itself as a major water-resource area and an eco-tourism destination in Cotabato, with an economy built around farming, natural resources and community-based development.

• Agricultural commodity

  Lacatan banana

  Lacatan is described as Magpet's leading income-generating commodity. It is cultivated across the municipality, where relatively cool, elevated conditions are considered favorable for producing large, sweet fruit. Output serves Philippine markets and is transported to cities including Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, commonly through Davao City.

• Agricultural commodity

  Cavendish banana

  Cavendish bananas are grown in the southwestern part of Magpet, including production associated with DOLE Stanfilco. The crop is connected with export markets in the Middle East and Asia and provides employment for local agricultural workers, including farmers without independent landholdings.

• Eco-tourism destination

  Towsuvan Falls tourism

  Towsuvan Falls is located near the foothills of Mount Apo and is reached through a forested landscape. Its waterfall drops approximately 20 to 30 meters into a natural pool, making it one of the municipality's principal nature-based attractions.

• Eco-tourism destination

  Kirongdong Falls and Rainforest

  Kirongdong Falls is associated with Kinarum and a mountainous rainforest setting. The waterfall is reported to have a drop of roughly 70 to 80 meters and is promoted as a natural attraction within Magpet's eco-tourism program.

• Eco-tourism destination

  Mabu Falls and Rainforest

  Mabu Falls is located in Manobo and is described as a high waterfall surrounded by rainforest, flowers and mature cinnamon and almaciga trees. It forms part of Magpet's wider nature and adventure tourism offer.

1. 1Magpeten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Municipality of Magpet websitemagpet.gov.ph