Santo Niño, South Cotabato

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Santo Niño
Municipality
Municipality of Santo Niño
Other transcription(s)
• Jawi	سنتو نيڽو
Flag Seal
Map of South Cotabato with Santo Niño highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Santo Niño Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 6°26′N 124°41′E / 6.43°N 124.68°E / 6.43; 124.68
Country	Philippines
Region	Soccsksargen
Province	South Cotabato
District	2nd district
Founded	December 23, 1980
Barangays	10 (see Vice Mayor	Wilfredo B. Dimzon
• Representative	Peter B. Miguel
• Municipal Council	Members Paul Philipp V. Matinong Diogenes P. Hare Nelson Q. Segura Rene O. Apostol Joel L. Baradas Helen F. Fale Danilo F. Manua Edilberto F. Aspila Jr.
•  ZIP code	9509
PSGC	126318000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)83
Native languages	Hiligaynon Cebuano Maguindanao Blaan Tagalog
Website	stoninoscot.gov.ph

Santo Niño, officially the Municipality of Santo Niño (

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.^[5] 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

Barangays

Santo Niño is politically subdivided into 10

• 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

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

The population is highly literate.^{[citation needed]}

While the most spoken language is Hiligaynon, everyone can speak Tagalog,^{[citation needed]} 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.

The municipality is generally peaceful with relatively low crime incident.^{[citation needed]}

Economy

Poverty incidence of Santo Niño

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

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