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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Santo Niño, South Cotabato
Santo Niño, officially the Municipality of Santo Niño (Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Santo Niño; Cebuano: Lungsod sa Santo Niño; Tagalog: Bayan ng Santo Niño; Maguindanaon: Inged nu Santu Ninyu, Jawi: ايڠد نو سنتو نيڽو), is a municipality in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 39,796 people, making it the least populated municipality in the province.

History

The municipality's name was derived from its patron saint, the “Santo Niño”, or the Holy Child. It was formerly called Barrio Trece (13) (although many still called the town proper this name) of the Norala Settlement District of then National Land Settlement Administration.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) of South Cotabato passed a resolution in 1980 requesting then Assemblyman Jose T. Sison to file a bill at the Philippine Parliament to create Santo Niño a municipality. Parliament Bill No. 1220 was finally passed and approved on December 23, 1980, when Ferdinand Marcos signed it into law as Batas Pambansa Bilang 90. In a plebiscite held on April 7, 1981, the law was ratified.

Municipal mayors:

  • Dr. Norberto Oliveros (1981-1986)
  • Dr. Geronimo Dabalus, appointed by the Aquino Government after the 1986 EDSA Revolution (1986-1988)
  • Antonio F. Damandaman, Sr. (1988-1998)
  • Dr. Ervin B. Luntao (1998-2007)
  • Antonio F. Damandaman, Sr. (2007–2016)
  • Pablo M. Matinong, Jr. (2016–2020)
  • Sulpicio F. Villalobos (2020–present)

Geography

Situated in the fertile Allah Valley, it is the smallest municipality by land area in the province.

It is bounded by the Municipality of Norala (its mother-town) in the north, the Municipality of Surallah in the east, Allah River and the Municipality of Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat in the south, and the Municipality of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat in the west.

Barangays

Santo Niño is politically subdivided into 10 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Ambalgan
  • Guinsang-an (Bo.4)
  • Katipunan (Bo.11)
  • Manuel Roxas (Bo.10)
  • New Panay (Bo.9)
  • Poblacion (Bo. 13)
  • San Isidro (Bo. 12)
  • San Vicente (Bo. 5)
  • Teresita
  • Sajaneba

Climate

Climate data for Santo Niño, South Cotabato
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30
(86) 		30
(86) 		31
(88) 		31
(88) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		28
(82) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
(73) 		23
(73) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		24
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 146
(5.7) 		121
(4.8) 		164
(6.5) 		212
(8.3) 		347
(13.7) 		397
(15.6) 		364
(14.3) 		366
(14.4) 		302
(11.9) 		308
(12.1) 		280
(11.0) 		192
(7.6) 		3,199
(125.9)
Average rainy days 16.7 15.5 19.4 22.7 29.0 28.9 27.9 27.5 26.5 28.1 27.2 22.6 292
Source: Meteoblue

Average temperature in the municipality ranges from a low of 23 °C (73 °F) to a high of 32 °C (90 °F) throughout the year.

Precipitation can be low during the dry season (March to April) at about 40 millimetres (1.6 in) while it can be high especially during the wetter months (May to July) at 100 millimetres (3.9 in).

Demographics

Population census of Santo Niño
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 30,076—    
1995 32,103+1.23%
2000 36,228+2.63%
2007 38,400+0.81%
2010 39,738+1.25%
2015 40,947+0.57%
2020 39,796−0.56%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The population is highly literate.

While the most spoken language is Hiligaynon, everyone can speak Tagalog, some Cebuano, and basic conversational English.

Barangay Ambalgan is predominantly Maguindanaon who speak the Maguindanaon language and are considered the ethnic inhabitants of the municipality. The rest of the barangays are predominantly Christian settlers who first arrived in the area in the 1940s but majority arrived in 1970s during the reign of Marcos Sr..

The municipality is generally peaceful with relatively low crime incident.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Santo Niño

10
20
30
40
2006
28.10
2009
32.12
2012
27.95
2015
25.33
2018
17.30
2021
17.73

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Rice production is the primary industry. The well-irrigated rice-lands of the municipality are possible due to the presence of a river irrigation system which is provided by a dam at Allah River at Barangay M. Roxas.

Corn (maize) is the secondary product. Copra is also produced.

Small businesses which provide basic necessities thrive.

Tourism

  • Bugtong Bukid, a hill along the national highway west to Isulan at Barangay M. Roxas. The municipal government had invested in a swimming pool project in this area sometime in the 1990s but was closed due to mismanagement and lack of maintenance. Nonetheless, this hill is a geological wonder in itself being the only hill of its kind in the area. Folklore also has it that the huge acacia tree near the hill is home to a kapre.
  • The steel bridge that traversed Allah River and connects the municipality to nearby barangays of Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat. The bridge is an excellent location for an afternoon stroll. Carabaos take their baths in late afternoon at the river; time your visit during these hours.

Transportation

The Santo Nino Public Terminal is a hub for public utility buses and vans that travel to Koronadal City via Surallah and Banga. Travel time from Santo Nino to Koronadal City is around 30 minutes.

General Santos, where the General Santos International Airport is located, is accessible by public buses and vans from Koronadal City. Travel time from Koronadal City to General Santos is about one hour.

Travel within the municipality is through public utility tricycles and motorcycles.

Healthcare

The Municipal Health Office at the Municipal Hall Compound provides services for consultations.

Private clinics include:

  • Dr. Ervin B. Luntao Family Clinic and Hospital
  • Dr. Zenaida Maglaya Clinic
  • St. Jude Clinic and Hospital

There are a number of small pharmacies at the municipality.

Education

The municipality has a number of public and private schools. These are:

High Schools

  • Santo Nino National School of Arts and Trades (public), at Barangay San Isidro
  • Santo Nino National High School (public), at Poblacion
  • Notre Dame of Santo Nino (private, a diocesan school), at Poblacion
  • Public high schools in (New) Panay, Katipunan, and Guinsang-an

Elementary Schools

  • Santo Nino Central Elementary School (public elementary school), at Poblacion
  • Public elementary schools at other nine barangays (Katipunan,Guinsang-an, Ambalgan. San Isidro, Sajaneba, M. Roxas)
  • Notre Dame of Santo Nino (private, a diocesan school), at Poblacion
  • Montessori Casa Precious Jewels (private elementary school), at Poblacion
  • Libertad Kiddie Care Center Incorporated, LKKCI (Private elementary school), at Poblacion

References

  1. ^  Municipality of Santo Niño | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ Census of Population (2020). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Batas Pambansa Bilang 90 : BATAS PAMBANSA - PHILIPPINE LAWS STATUTES and CODES".
  6. ^ "Santo Niño: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  7. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region XII (Soccsksargen)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  10. ^ "Province of South Cotabato". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  13. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  14. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  15. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  17. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
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