Tampakan

Tampakan, officially the Municipality of Tampakan (Template:Langx; Template:Langx; Template:Langx; Template:Langx; Template:Langx, Jawi: ايڠد نو تمڤاكن), is a municipality in the province of South Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 41,018 people.Template:PH census

History

Tampakan was once a barangay of the Municipality of Tupi, South Cotabato. It was a forested area inhabited by natives called B'laans. At that time, the place was still diverse in terms of flora and fauna. Tampakan was derived from the term "tamfaken", a native word of the B'laan language which means "spring," as the place had plenty of it. Abundant springs were spread at the center of the barrio and flowed out into streams that traversed almost the entire area, serving as the main source of potable water for the inhabitants.

It was in the mid-1940s when the first batch of landless pioneer settlers was brought in from Luzon, Leyte, and Panay in search of greener pastures. These settlers, armed with determination and courage, crossed the ocean to reach this place, which was then unknown to them. The settlers lived in a bunkhouse built from round logs during that time. The building was large enough to accommodate a hundred families and once stood on the same site where the present Petron gas station is now located. They lived in this communal dwelling until home lots were distributed to each settler family, facilitated by the National Land Settlement Administration.

Not long after the families had settled, World War II broke out in December 1940 and lasted for about four years. An Allied landing strip was constructed in Tampakan in 1941. Accounts from settlers revealed that a total of 13 bombs were dropped by U.S. planes on Tampakan. Months later, the Japanese Imperial Forces reached the settlement and confiscated the settlers' animals and carts, which were then used to transport ammunition and other weapons from Koronadal to Tacurong in Sultan Kudarat.

Despite the disturbance of war, development efforts continued. While some settlers returned to their places of origin due to the harsh physical and economic conditions, many others remained determined and chose to stay and establish a life in Tampakan. After the war, more Christian settlers arrived in the area. The native B'laans, feeling outnumbered and inferior, gradually moved to the upland areas of the locality. With the influx of more people, the once-abundant springs eventually dried up. As a result, the tamfaken is no longer visible today.

Years passed, and Tampakan gradually developed into an agricultural frontier. The once-forested area became an ideal place to live for the settlers, their families, and even their grandchildren. Through years of dedication and hard work, the settlers were able to build a community that eventually evolved into the municipality now known as Tampakan.

Government Officials

Municipal Officials

Executive Branch:

Mayor: Leonard T. Escobillo (ATM-PFP) June 30, 2019 - June 30, 2025

Legislative Branch:

Vice-Mayor: Anadel T. Magbanua (ATM-PFP) June 30, 2022 - June 30, 2025

District/ League/ Sector	Councilor		Party	Start of term	End of term
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Jabib "Jun Jun" V. Bides	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2016	June 30, 2025
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	John Mark "Bobsi" C. Baldon	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Roy M. Cagas	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2019	June 30, 2025
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Celso F. Doc	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2019	June 30, 2025
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Ric "Toton" A. Magbanua	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2016	June 30, 2025
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Erve T. Tutor	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2019	June 30, 2025
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Alexey "Totoy" C. Cariaga	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2022	June 30, 2025
Lone	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Raymond A. Seloterio	ATM-PFP	June 30, 2019	June 30, 2025
ABC	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Micheal T. Escobillo	Nonpartisan	June 30, 2018	December 31, 2025
IPMR	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Amay Collado	Nonpartisan		June 30, 2025
SK	bgcolor="Template:Party color" |	Christian Dave Ho	Nonpartisan	January 1, 2024	December 31, 2025

Barangay Officials

Tampakan is politically subdivided into 14 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios. Brgy. Captain Neil Ryan Escobillo currently serves as the ABC President of Tampakan and concurrently holds the position of ABC President for the Province of South Cotabato. In view of his provincial responsibilities, the ABC Vice President of Tampakan, Brgy. Captain Michael Escobillo, assumes the role of ex officio member representing Tampakan.

There are 3 barangays which classified as urban (highlighted in bold)

Barangay	Barangay Captain	SK Chairman
Albagan	Jito V. Suhot	Trixie Megan Carillo
Buto	Ferdinand S. Encia	Eddie Luie Amora
Danlag	Judith J. Magbanua	Christian Dave Ho (SK President)
Kipalbig	Rolando D. Malabuyoc	Jester Cloyd Oñez
Lambayong	Glenn F. Tabano	Vincent Paul Bunga
Liberty	NolinS. Jalagat	Jorimar Cabañas
Lampitak	Marinillo M. Ngalon	Vanessa Garcia
Maltana	Michael T. Escobillo (ABC Vice President)	Kaiser Malibago
Poblacion	Jose Nilo G. Vargas	Ian Clark Cornelio
Palo	Sotero N. Castillanes	Angel Grace Panes
Pula Bato	Neil Ryan T. Escobillo (ABC President - Tampakan & South Cotabato)	Jhemer John Gulay
San Isidro	Armando C. Serida	Sharia Uy
Santa Cruz	Wilfredo M. Epe
Tablu	Gloria P. Magbanua	Gretz Paul Obaña

Climate

Tampakan, South Cotabato experiences a relatively mild and consistent climate throughout the year. The average daily maximum temperature ranges from 22°C to 24°C (72°F to 75°F), while the minimum stays between 15°C and 17°C (59°F to 63°F). Rainfall is spread across the year, with a total annual precipitation of approximately 1,623 mm (63.9 inches). The wettest months are June to October, each receiving over 180 mm of rain and experiencing 25 to 27 rainy days. In contrast, the driest months are January to March, with rainfall below 60 mm and fewer than 12 rainy days per month. Overall, the climate is cool and wet, especially during the mid-year monsoon season.

Demographics

Tampakan, a municipality in South Cotabato, Philippines, has experienced consistent population growth over the decades. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the population rose from 10,731 in 1970 to 41,018 in 2020. The most significant growth occurred between 1970 and 1975, with an annual increase of 8.16%. Growth continued at a steadier pace in the following decades, with the population reaching 18,057 in 1980, 25,526 in 1990, and 33,011 in 2000. While growth persisted into the 21st century, it began to slow, recording 34,245 in 2007, 36,254 in 2010, and 39,525 in 2015. By 2020, the growth rate had declined to 0.73% annually. This gradual deceleration suggests a shift toward population stabilization in recent years.

Religion

Churches in Tampakan:

• Lifehouse Community of Faith, Inc. (SBC), Brgy. Poblacion
• Greenland Community Church (SBC), Brgy. Buto
• Greenview Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Buto
• Amazing Grace Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Maltana
• Snip Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Tablu
• Liberty Baptist Church (SBC), Brgy. Liberty
• Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Brgy. Sta. Cruz
• Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Brgy. Poblacion
• Born Again Sanctuary of Praise, Brgy. Poblacion
• Iglesia Ni Cristo, Brgy. Poblacion
• Assembly of God Church, Brgy. Poblacion

Economy

There is a proposed copper and gold mine in Tampakan. Once approved for operations, the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project will be the largest in the Philippines and among the largest copper mines in the world.

The local government of Tampakan has for now cancelled its agreement with Sagittarius Mines to develop the reserves into a mine in 2020 alleging that the terms of the deal is lopsided against residents and the community

External links

• Tampakan Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Tampakan Profile at the DTI Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
• [[[:Template:NSCB detail]] Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
• Philippine Census Information