Maguindanao del Sur, officially the Province of Maguindanao del Sur (Maguindanaon: Dairat nu Salatan Magindanaw, Jawi: دايرت نو سلاتان مڬیندانو, Filipino: Timog Maguindanao), is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao. Its capital is the municipality of Buluan near the city of Tacurong in the neighboring province of Sultan Kudarat. It borders Cotabato province to the east, Maguindanao del Norte to the west, and Sultan Kudarat to the south.
Maguindanao del Sur Salatan Magindanaw سلاتان مڬیندانو | |
|---|---|
Province | |
(from top: left to right) Dimaukom Mosque, Provincial Capitol, Municipal Complex of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Freedom Park in Datu Montawal, Pagalungan Integrated Terminal, Archway Sign in Datu Unsay. | |
| Flag Seal | |
Location in the Philippines | |
Interactive map of Maguindanao del Sur | |
| Coordinates: 06°55′N 124°34′E / 6.917°N 124.567°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Bangsamoro |
| Plebiscite | September 17, 2022 |
| Transition period | September 18, 2022 – January 9, 2023 |
| Capital and largest municipality | Buluan |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Ali Midtimbang |
| • Vice Governor | Hisham Nando |
| • Representative | Esmael Mangudadatu |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,471.74 km2 (2,112.65 sq mi) |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total | 832,993 |
| • Density | 152.235/km2 (394.288/sq mi) |
| Demonym | South Magindanawon |
| Divisions | |
| • Independent cities | 0 |
| • Component cities | 0 |
| • Municipalities | 24
|
| • Districts | Legislative districts of Maguindanao del Sur |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PHT) |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-MGS |
| Spoken languages |
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| Income classification | 2nd class |
History
Spain 1521–1898
United States of America 1898–1942
Japan 1942–1945
United States of America 1945–1946
Philippines 1946–present
Foundation
Maguindanao del Sur was formed when Maguindanao province was split into two provinces; the other province being Maguindanao del Norte. The division occurred following a plebiscite on September 17, 2022 which ratified Republic Act 11550 which proposed the partitioning of the province. As per law former Maguindanao Governor Mariam Mangudadatu was expected to become the governor of the newly formed Maguindanao del Sur province. However an issue arose since the determination of the first set of officials of the province presumes that the plebiscite was held prior to the 2022 national and local elections. However the plebiscite was postponed to a date after the elections. This led to the Commission on Elections to come up with a legal opinion. The position was issued on September 28, 2022, where the election body conclude that only the Department of the Interior and Local Government could appoint the first officials of the province.
Mangudadatu would assume the position and take oath as governor of the new province in October 13, 2022. Nathaniel Midtimbang, a member of the Maguindanao Provincial Board, became her vice governor. A transition period would take place until January 9, 2023.
Geography
Maguindanao del Sur is composed of 24 municipalities and 2 legislative districts. It has a total area of 4,973.48 square meters (53,534.1 sq ft). Being landlocked, it is bounded by Maguindanao del Norte to the west, Cotabato to the north and east, and Sultan Kudarat to the south
- † Capital municipality
- Municipality
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Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 87 | — |
| 1918 | 49,868 | +52.72% |
| 1939 | 83,968 | +2.51% |
| 1948 | 139,403 | +5.79% |
| 1960 | 214,514 | +3.66% |
| 1970 | 190,151 | −1.20% |
| 1975 | 162,626 | −3.09% |
| 1980 | 198,079 | +4.02% |
| 1990 | 280,161 | +3.53% |
| 1995 | 337,730 | +3.56% |
| 2000 | 365,081 | +1.68% |
| 2010 | 520,882 | +3.62% |
| 2015 | 651,896 | +4.37% |
| 2020 | 741,221 | +2.74% |
| 2024 | 832,993 | +2.84% |
| a No census was held in 1985 due to a political and economic crisis b Census was delayed from the original 2005 due to the reenacted budget that lasted until 2006 Source: National Census and Statistics Office (1975, 1980, and 1990 census), National Statistics Office (1995, 2000, 2007, and 2010: 49 census) and Philippine Statistics Authority (2015 and 2020 census) | ||
According to the 2020 census conducted before the province's creation, Maguindanao del Sur has a population of 741,221 people, with a population density of 160 inhabitants per square kilometer or 410 inhabitants per square mile.[18] The predominant ethnic group is the Maguindanaon.
| Population percentage (2020 Census) |
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| Total population: 741,221 |
Economy
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, registered economic growth of the province had decelerated from 10.2 percent (before its establishment) to 6.7 percent in 2022.
Agricultural growth from forestry and fishery had a growth declined to 5.2 percent. However, economic growth from services grew by 8.9 percent. Among services, accommodation and food services accounted for 31.7 percent.
Notable people
- Lav Diaz – filmmaker
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