Pikit | ||
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Municipality | ||
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Map of Cotabato with Pikit highlighted |
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Location within the Philippines | ||
Coordinates: 7°03′N 124°40′E / 7.05°N 124.67°ECoordinates: 7°03′N 124°40′E / 7.05°N 124.67°E | ||
Country | Philippines | |
Region | SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) | |
Province | Cotabato | |
District | 1st District of Cotabato | |
Founded | June 17, 1913 | |
Incorporated | September 29, 1949 | |
Barangays | 42 | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Muhyryn D. Sultan | |
• Vice Mayor | Don T. Mangansakan | |
Area | ||
• Total | 604.61 km2 (233.44 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 20 m (70 ft) | |
Population (2015 census) | ||
• Total | 154,441 | |
• Density | 260/km2 (660/sq mi) | |
Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | |
ZIP code | 9409 | |
IDD : area code | +63 (0)64 | |
Income class | 1st municipal income class | |
124712000 | ||
Electorate | 47,391 voters (2016) | |
Language(s) | Maguindanaon, Cebuano, Tagalog, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Manobo | |
Website | www |
Pikit is a first class municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 154,441 people, making it the most populous municipality and local government unit in the province.
The so-called Pikit War between Muslim separatists and the Philippines army took place there in early 2003.
The municipality is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Aleosan, on the south by Pagalungan, Maguindanao, on the west by the Municipality of Midsayap and the Liguasan marsh and on the east by the Municipality of Datu Montawal.
Pikit is politically subdivided into 42 barangays.
Pikit was the oldest settlement ever founded in Cotabato province. The landmark which eventually became the town's namesake, Fort Pikit, was established in 1893 by the Spaniards who have by then just recently conquered what is now the province of Cotabato from the Sultanate of Maguindanao. The name "Pikit" was given to the place by the Spaniards. It was formerly called by the natives "Malasiquit" because it was situated within the shadows of hills situated to each other. The fort was built to consolidate their hold in the region.
The Spaniards abandoned Fort Pikit at the end of the 19th century, which paved the way for the eventual American occupation in 1902.
Under the Osmeña Colony Act of 1912, Pikit was founded on June 17, 1913 by the first Christian Filipino colonists from the Province of Cebu. About one hundred twenty Cebuanos came under the Colony Agent, Vicente Lozada. The first batch of colonists from Cebu arrived at Fort Pikit after two days of sailing on board a river boat called "Hall", followed the Rio Grande de Mindanao.
The Rio Grande where the colonists landed is now a corn field. It became dry land due to the cut-off river found in Kulanguan, Tunggol, Pagalungan, Maguindanao.