Sarangani Province - Philippines

Administered as part of the Cotabato Empire during the American period, the area (now Sarangani) was incorporated in 1966 into the province of South Cotabato. Sarangani was established as an independent province in 1992 through Republic Act 7228 authored by former Rep. James L. Chiongbian. This landmark legislation spurred development in the former third district of South Cotabato. Since pre-Spanish times, Sarangani has been occupied by indigenous tribes and Muslim groups whose rich cultural heritage has meaningfully survived to this day.