General Information

SOCCSKSARGEN is a region of the Philippines, located in central Mindanao, and is officially designated as Region XII. The name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one of its cities: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City. The regional center is Koronadal City located in the province of South Cotabato.

Economy/Resources

The major earners in the region are fishing, agriculture and forest- related products. Hydroelectric power is provided by the Maria Cristina Falls. Steel, cement and coconut oil are some of the important products of the region. Coconut, pineapple, rubber, sugarcane, rice, corn, banana and other fruits are the main agricultural produce.

TWENTY-THREE companies in Region 12 — also known as the South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani-General Santos City (Soccsksargen) growth area — have reported being affected by the global financial crisis, based on a report of the regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment as of last Feb. 27.
A summary posted on the Web site of the National Statistical Coordinating Council said two companies had permanently closed, one temporarily closed, two slowed down operations and eight reported reduction of manpower.
Ten other companies have implemented compressed work-week schemes to cope with a slowdown in business.
A total of 2,060 employees from these companies were affected in various ways, with 1,711 now covered by shorter work week schemes and 349 actually retrenched.

Climate

Heavy rain during the months of June to October. There are dry spells from February to June. The two provinces are seldom visited by typhoons.