Malungon

Malungon, officially the Municipality of Malungon, is a local government municipality in Sarangani province, Philippines. It occupies the northeastern part of Sarangani and is the province's only landlocked municipality. The municipality borders Tupi in South Cotabato to the west, Davao del Sur to the north, Malita in Davao Occidental to the east, and Alabel, General Santos, and Polomolok toward the south and southwest. The municipality was established through Republic Act No. 5522, approved on June 21, 1969. Before its creation, the area formed part of the municipality of General Santos, which at that time was within South Cotabato. Malungon later became part of Sarangani when that province was created. Its local government is divided into 31 barangays, with barangays further organized into puroks and, in some areas, sitios. Malungon's economy is primarily agricultural. Dried coconut meat, commonly known as copra, is a major source of production and income. Livestock raising, especially cattle farming, is another important economic activity. The wider agricultural base includes coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, and fish. Improvements in communications technology and the completion of modern highway infrastructure have supported trade, transport, and economic activity in the municipality. Malungon has a population of 108,429 according to the 2024 census. Its geographic setting, agricultural economy, and cultural diversity are reflected in the use of Cebuano, Maguindanaon, and Tagalog, alongside the municipality's official governmental identity. The locality has also received public attention through its foundation-anniversary events, tourism promotion, and coverage of scenic places, including landscapes compared in media reports with cherry-blossom settings. The municipality participates in national and regional development and governance programs. It has been assessed through the Department of Trade and Industry's Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, was included as a destination in the Philippine Experience tourism initiative, and was recognized among municipalities at the 2025 Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities awards and forum organized by The Manila Times. These activities position Malungon not as a commercial consumer brand but as a public-sector place identity associated with local administration, agricultural production, cultural heritage, and tourism.

Malungon's modern municipal history begins with its separation from General Santos. The locality was formerly administered as part of General Santos, then located in South Cotabato. Republic Act No. 5522, approved on June 21, 1969, created Malungon as a municipality. This legal establishment gave the area its own municipal government and administrative identity. The municipality subsequently became part of Sarangani province when Sarangani was established. Its position in the northeastern portion of the province has shaped its relationships with neighboring areas in South Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Alabel, General Santos, and Polomolok. Unlike the coastal municipalities of Sarangani, Malungon is landlocked, making road connections particularly important for the movement of agricultural goods and people. Malungon is politically subdivided into 31 barangays. These local units form the basic administrative structure through which municipal services and community governance are delivered. The municipality's population reached 108,429 in the 2024 census, reflecting its role as a substantial inland community in the province. Agriculture has remained central to Malungon's economic history. Copra production is a major activity, while cattle raising and other forms of animal husbandry provide an important secondary source of income. Farmers also produce corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and other crops, alongside pork, eggs, beef, and fish. In more recent years, expanded communications infrastructure and the completion of modern highway links have improved access to markets and strengthened trade and transport. The municipality's public profile has broadened beyond agriculture. Malungon holds foundation-anniversary activities and has been featured in national media for scenic locations and landscapes associated with local tourism promotion. It was included among destinations in the Philippine Experience Program, a national initiative intended to highlight cultural and heritage attractions. The municipality has also appeared in national competitiveness assessments through the Department of Trade and Industry's Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index. In 2025, Malungon was among the municipalities recognized at the Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities awards and forum organized by The Manila Times. Together, these developments illustrate a municipality seeking to combine agricultural production and improved connectivity with public-sector performance, cultural presentation, and tourism development.

• 2025

  Recognition in the Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities forum

  [1]Malungonen.wikipedia.org

  Malungon was listed among municipalities recognized at the 2025 Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities awards and forum organized by The Manila Times.

• 2024

  Population recorded at 108,429

  [1]Malungonen.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 census recorded a population of 108,429 for Malungon.

• 1969

  Creation as a municipality

  [1]Malungonen.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 5522 was approved on June 21, 1969, creating Malungon as a municipality after its former administration as part of General Santos in South Cotabato.

A landlocked Sarangani municipality positioned around local governance, agriculture, livestock, cultural identity, and emerging tourism and transport connectivity.

• Agriculture

  Copra and coconut products

  Dried coconut meat, or copra, is identified as one of Malungon's principal agricultural outputs and a major source of local production and income. Coconut cultivation also supports the municipality's broader agricultural economy.

• Animal husbandry

  Cattle and livestock

  Animal husbandry is a significant part of Malungon's economy, with cattle farming particularly noted as an important income-generating activity. Other livestock-related production includes pork, eggs, and beef.

• Agriculture

  Field and plantation crops

  Malungon's agricultural base includes corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, and mangoes in addition to coconuts. These crops contribute to household livelihoods, local trade, and the movement of goods through improved road connections.

• Philippine Experience Program

  Philippines

  Malungon was included as one of the stops in the Philippine Experience Program, a tourism initiative highlighting cultural and heritage destinations across the country.

  Outcome. The program increased Malungon's inclusion in national tourism promotion.

  Source
• Local scenic and heritage tourism promotion

  Philippines

  Malungon's foundation activities and scenic locations have received national media attention, including coverage of landscapes described as resembling cherry-blossom settings.

  Outcome. The coverage broadened public awareness of Malungon as a cultural and scenic destination.

  Source

1. 1Malungonen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website of the Municipality of Malungonmalungon.gov.ph