Tacurong, officially the City of Tacurong (Maguindanaon: Kuta nu Takurung, Jawi: كوت نو تكروڠ; ), is a 4th class component city in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 109,319 people. Tacurong has a total land area of 15,340 hectares, the smallest in land area among the province's 12 municipalities but the most populous. Tacurong became a component city of Sultan Kudarat in 2000 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8805 in September 2000.

History

Tacurong was originally a barangay of the Municipality of Buluan. On August 3, 1951, it was created into a municipality by Executive Order Number 462 signed by the President Elpidio Quirino. At that time Tacurong had an estimated area of 40,000 hectares and 14 barangays. In 1961, the southern portion of Tacurong was separated to form the municipality of Tantangan, and in 1973, Tacurong lost some of its eastern portions when the municipality of President Quirino was created.

Cityhood

Following the efforts of Angelo O. Montilla, the Congressman of the Legislative District of Sultan Kudarat, Tacurong was made the first component city in the Province of Sultan Kudarat in 2000 by virtue of House Bill No. 6497 and Republic Act 8805. This was confirmed by the “Takurs” in a plebiscite held on September 18, 2000.

Security incidents

Tacurong City has the most number of bombing incidents in Southern Philippines since 2000, as the city reportedly has the presence of different extortion and terrorist groups like Abu Sayyaf, BIFF and NPA.

Geography

Tacurong is in South Central Mindanao and the only city in the province of Sultan Kudarat. It is 92 km from General Santos, 96 km from Cotabato City and 178 km from Davao City. It is situated at the crossroads of Davao-GenSan-Cotabato highways.

Barangays

Tacurong is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Maguindanaons are the native inhabitants of Tacurong city while Hiligaynons are originally from Iloilo in Visayas.

Economy

Tacurong City is the commercial hub of the province of Sultan Kudarat, catering the needs of nearby municipalities and the province of Maguindanao.

Culture

Tacurong held the 8th "Sultan Kudarat Bird Festival" at the 2.5-hectare Baras Bird Sanctuary, the largest nesting site of 20,000 bird species, especially egrets and herons, on May 10-11, 2024.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The city has an integrated terminal which vans and buses currently assigned on designated place. Tacurong to the far side places in their curriculums and places. Bus companies operating in Tacurong City:

Health care facilities

Tacurong serves as the premier Health Care Center in the province of Sultan Kudarat and nearby provinces. St. Louis Hospital is a modern tertiary hospital in the city, equipped with modern facilities such as 16-Slices CT Scan and the first and only Gamma Camera in Region 12. Other notable facilities include:

Education

Tacurong City is also a center of education in Sultan Kudarat. Learners and Student from neighboring towns and municipalities, even from outside the Sultan Kudarat like Tantangan in South Cotabato and the municipalities in Maguindanao will go in the city to attend school.

Private schools

Table below is the list of private schools in the Tacurong City offering different curriculum levels.

Public schools

Table below is the list of public schools and university in the Tacurong City

Sister cities