Parang, Maguindanao del Norte

Parang, officially the Municipality of Parang (Maguindanaon: Inged nu Parang, Jawi: ايڠايد نو ڤارڠ; Iranun: Inged a Parang, ايڠايد ا ڤارڠ; Bayan ng Parang), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 102,914 people.

The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008.

Parang is the seat of government of the Bangsamoro autonomous region. However the relevant infrastructure are yet to be put in place.

History
The history of Parang traces back to the era when it used to be an integral part of the Maguindanao Sultanate. In June 1851, the Spanish military government based in Zamboanga sent forces to Polloc, presently a barangay of Parang, and seized it. Having a natural deep water harbor, the Spanish then set up a fortress and a naval base at Polloc, from which they would launch military operations against the Moros of the Pulangui Valley.

Polloc eventually grew into a small town that by 1860 it was home to 600 Christians and 50-60 Chinese traders along with people from other walks of life. In 1884, a road was built between Polloc and the other town of Cotabato, which was founded ten years later than Polloc in 1861 and now served as the capital of the 5th Military District of Cotabato in which Polloc was part of.

The Americans took over local affairs when the Spanish evacuated at the aftermath of the Philippine-American War in 1901 and the American authorities replaced them. When political reorganization of the Philippine islands took place in 1917, Polloc was made part of the newly created municipal district of Parang. Parang as a municipality was created on August 18, 1947, through Executive Order No. 82 signed by President Manuel Roxas. The modern Polloc Port, which form the main part of the present-day Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone currently based in Barangay Polloc of Parang town, was constructed in 1977 and currently serves as the primary transshipment port in the Bangsamoro region.

Former Huk members mainly composed the migrants who later inhabited in Parang, as well as in Buldon and other Muslim-dominated towns in Mindanao.

In 1961, through Republic Act No. 3419, twelve barrios and twenty sitios were constituted into a separate municipality of Buldon. In 1975, through Presidential Decree No. 780, six barangays were constituted into a separate municipality of Matanog.

Parang was among those municipalities where series of battles occurred, leading to the fall of Camp Abubakar in 2000.

On June 19, 2023, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority Parliament approved a bill transferring the regional center of Bangsamoro from Cotabato City to Parang.

Geography
It is bordered to the north by Barira and Matanog, on the east by Buldon, and on the south is Sultan Kudarat.

Barangays
Parang is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.


 * Bongo Island (Litayen)
 * Campo Islam
 * Cotongan
 * Datu Macarimbang Biruar
 * Gadungan
 * Gadungan Pedpandaran
 * Guiday T. Biruar
 * Gumagadong Calawag
 * Kabuan
 * Landasan (Sarmiento)
 * Limbayan
 * Macasandag
 * Magsaysay
 * Making
 * Manion
 * Moro Point
 * Nituan
 * Orandang
 * Pinantao
 * Poblacion
 * Poblacion II
 * Polloc
 * Samberen
 * Tagudtongan
 * Tuca-Maror

Economy
Poverty Incidence of 

The Gross Domestic Product of the Municipality (2022) is 24,067,200,000(PHP).
 * Gross Domestic Product

Tourism
A cultural festival is held every August 18 in commemoration of the founding anniversary of Parang. Events are organized by the municipal government with the participation of various stakeholders

Tourist attractions in Parang include:
 * Golf course in Camp S.K Pendatun
 * Zone Beach
 * Punta Beach
 * White Sand Beach in Limbayan, Bonggo Island
 * Molina-Munoz Farm Resort
 * Fruit Bats Sanctuary
 * Bacolod street
 * Simento white camp

Transportation
Major sea cargo vessels connect Polloc Port to Manila and other Philippine cities.

Parang is connected by road with its neighboring towns through the Secretary Narciso Ramos Highway.

Tricycles are the main modes of public transport in the municipality. Several shuttle vans and PUJs provide regular trips to Cotabato City and other municipalities.

Health

 * 1 District Hospital
 * 1 Rural Health Unit
 * 1 Private Hospital
 * 1 Medical/Dental Hospital(PNP)
 * 1 Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Utilities
Magelco (Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc.) provides electric power to the locality. Inland barangays use solar power as installed by our donor agencies.

Education

 * Tertiary: 3 private schools
 * Secondary: 5 public schools;3 private schools
 * Elementary: 14 public schools;4 private schools
 * Primary: 14 public schools
 * Pre-School: 2 public schools;5 private schools

Sister Cities

 * 🇵🇭 Cotabato City, Philippines