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General
Santos City's history dates back to the turn of the 15th century when
Sariph Kabungsuan of Arabia arrived in Cotabato Province in Mindanao to
introduce Islam.
In 1914, the first batch of Christian migrants settled in Glan along
Sarangani Bay. In 1920, the first Ilocanos reached Kiamba on the opposite
side of the bay.
Almost two decades after, in 1938, Cotabato's vast lands and rich marine
resources caught the attention of General Paulino Santos, Sr. On February
27, 1939, General Santos led the first and largest batch of settlers
organized under the National Land Settlement Administration to the shores
of Sarangani Bay.
Six years later, in June 1954, the Municipality of Buayan was renamed
General Santos through Republic Act No. 1107, authored by Congressman
Luminog Mangelen of Cotabato Province.
On July 8, 1968, upon approval of Republic Act No. 5412, the Municipality
of General Santos was converted into a city while keeping its name. In
1988, two decades after its inauguration, it was declared as a highly
urbanized city.
Currently, General Santos City has 26 barangays. It belongs to the First
Congressional District of South Cotabato and is one of the three-chartered
cities of Region XI.
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