Matalam Explained

Translit Lang1:Other
Translit Lang1 Type1:Jawi
Translit Lang1 Info1:متالم
Flag Size:120x80px
Seal Size:100x80px
Image Map1:
Frame-Width:250
Pushpin Map:Philippines
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Philippines
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Type3:District
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:December 29, 1961
Parts Type:Barangays
Parts Style:para
P1: (see Barangays)
Leader Name:Oscar M. Valdevieso
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Leader Name1:Cheryl V. Catamco
Leader Name2:Jose I. Tejada
Leader Title3:Councilor
Leader Name4: voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|)
Elevation Max M:101
Elevation Min M:15
Population Total:81,355
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Blank1 Title:Households
Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:+8
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Demographics Type1:Economy
Demographics1 Title2:Poverty incidence
Demographics1 Info2:%
Demographics1 Title3:Revenue
Demographics1 Title4:Revenue rank
Demographics1 Title5:Assets
Demographics1 Title6:Assets rank
Demographics1 Title7:IRA
Demographics1 Title8:IRA rank
Demographics1 Title9:Expenditure
Demographics1 Title10:Liabilities
Demographics Type2:Service provider
Demographics2 Title1:Electricity
Demographics2 Title2:Water
Demographics2 Title3:Telecommunications
Demographics2 Title4:Cable TV
Blank1 Name Sec1:Native languages
Blank2 Name Sec1:Crime index
Blank1 Name Sec2:Major religions
Blank2 Name Sec2:Feast date
Blank3 Name Sec2:Catholic diocese
Blank4 Name Sec2:Patron saint

Matalam, officially the Municipality of Matalam (Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Matalam; Cebuano: Lungsod sa Matalam; Inged nu Matalam, Jawi: ايڠد نو متالم; Tagalog: Bayan ng Matalam), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 81,355 people.

Etymology

The municipality takes its name from a former provincial governor Datu Udtog Matalam, which in turn, the word "Matalam" means 'weaponry or arms' in Maguindanaon.

History

The municipality of Matalam before its creation into a regular municipality was just a mere sitio of Kilada called "Crossing M'lang" within the jurisdiction of the municipality of Kabacan. Because of its strategic location coupled with the desire of the people, petitioned the provincial and national government for its creation into a regular municipality. This municipality, at that time the 32rd in Cotabato, was named after the father of the Province, Governor Datu Udtog Matalam, in acknowledgement of his untiring efforts for the development and creation of the place.[1]

Matalam is one of the five daughter municipalities of Kidapawan. It was formed through Executive Order No. 461, issued by President Carlos P. Garcia on December 29, 1961; with the western territory of Kidapawan being taken and merged with that from M'lang, another daughter town, and Kabacan. The creation caused splitting of the village of Patadon into two. With this creation, Kidapawan and Kabacan, neighbored since precolonial era, were cut off.[2]

The municipal council of Kidapawan, among those who opposed the partition of the mother town, called such creation a "midnight" act by President Garcia who had lost in the election, and filed a petition urging the following President, Diosdado Macapagal, to cancel the establishment of Matalam, but later failed.

A portion of the municipality would separate into two President Roxas, another daughter town of Kidapawan which was partitioned in 1967; the area separated to create Antipas, through Batas Pambansa Blg. 88 of 1980.

Geography

Matalam is a palm shape municipality. It is centrally located right at the heart of the province of Cotabato. It is bounded on the east by the municipality of Kidapawan; on the west by Kabacan; on the south by M’lang and on the north by the Municipalities of President Roxas and Carmen. It lies along the Cotabato-Davao National Highway occupying the large portion of the Arakan Valley.

Barangays

Matalam is politically subdivided into 34 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Matalam belongs to the 4th type of climate, which is characterized by a more or less even distribution of rainfall throughout the year. The municipality has an average rainfall of 13.63inches. The heaviest rainfall months of the year are May, June and July. The prevailing wind direction is from west to east. Matalam is geographically located outside typhoon belt. Normal condition temperature ranges from 28to, the month of April being the hottest month, while the coldest month of the year is December.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Matalam, Cotabato, was 81,355 people, with a density of NaNPD/km2NaNPD/km2.

Ilianen Manobo and Maguindanaon are the native inhabitants of the municipality.

Transportation

Highway accidents

A number of significant road accidents have occurred on the main highway in Matalam since 2018, which include motorcycle and other vehicular accidents.[3] In 2018, two women died in a motorcycle accident after running over the passing dump truck along the national highway.[4] Cotabato-based journalist Moh Saaduddin mourned the demise of a colleague after they were killed in a motorcycle accident that rammed a cargo truck.[5] On December 19, 2018, 16 people were injured in a Matalam road crash.[6]

Three people were killed and two other injured after Toyota Hilux pickup truck slammed a passing tricycle and a vehicle along Matalam to Kabacan highway road in January 2019.[7] On June 1, 2019, three died in a freak accident involving community FM radio Benny Queman, who was detained by police after hitting motorcycle along Matalam to M'lang highway road in the Philippines.[8] On July 13, 2019, four people died and other three were injured in highway road accident in Matalam,.[9]

Economy

Matalam's market and other commercial establishments are the hub of activity in the area. Commercial establishments in the town include the following: bakeries, gasoline dealers, copra dealers, sari-sari stores, beta houses, carenderias, hardware, grains retailers, fish dealers, and many more.

Rice, corn and copra are commodities which are very much in demand in the local trade. Due to lack of supply, rice and corn grits are sometimes brought in from the mainland. These are retailed in the market for local consumption.

Mineral resources is found on the mountainous portion with properties such as shale sandstone, conglomerate, limestone, igneous rock and other volcanic materials.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matalam . April 18, 2011 . May 7, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110507100239/http://www.cotabatoprov.gov.ph/lgus/matalam . dead .
  2. News: David . Karlo Antonio . January 3, 2024 . Moppiyon Kahi Diid Patoy: The Greater Kidapawan Area . . April 14, 2024.
  3. News: Death toll from Cotabato road crash rises to 9. October 3, 2015. GMA News.
  4. News: 2 women die in Matalam highway crash. Fernandez. Edwin. November 29, 2018. NDBC News.
  5. News: Cotabato, ARMM journalist mourn demise of colleague. Fernandez. Edwin. October 9, 2018. Philippine News Agency.
  6. News: 16 ka tao sugatan, sa road crash sa Matalam, North Cotabato. December 19, 2018. DXND Radyo Bida 747 (Facebook Page).
  7. News: 3 dead, 2 hurt in 3-vehicle crash along Cotabato highway. Manar. Malu Cadelina. January 15, 2019. Manila Bulletin.
  8. News: 3 dead in North Cotabato freak road mishap. Fernandez. . Edwin. June 1, 2019. Philippine News Agency.
  9. News: 4 tricycle passengers killed in Matalam highway mishap. Unson. John. July 13, 2019. NDBC News.