Kiamba, Sarangani

Kiamba, officially the Municipality of Kiamba, is a municipality in the province of Sarangani, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 65,774 people.
It is bordered on the west by Maitum, on the east by Maasim, on the north by South Cotabato, and on the south by the Celebes Sea.
Notable residents include Manny Pacquiao. It is the hometown of his wife Jinkee Pacquiao.

WWW kiamba.url.ph

History

The area of what is now known as MAKIMA was first inhabited by T'boli tribes people who mostly occupied the highlands. The lowlands and plains were mostly occupied by Maguindanaons especially Sultanate of Maguindanao then Sultanate of Buayan and the Sangil people who mostly are from Balut and Sangili islands, occupied the areas near the sea. The Ilocanos who are originally from Luzon only came to the area around 1920's onwards as they heed the government's homesteading and resettlement plan. Visayans later followed.
The municipality was formed on August 18, 1947, when Executive Order No. 82 was signed by the government by merging the municipal districts of Kraan and Kling.
Maitum on the west became an independent municipality in 1959. In 1971, Maasim, on the east, also became an independent municipality.

Geography

Barangays

Kiamba is politically subdivided into 19 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Badtasan
Datu Dani
Gasi
Kapate
Katubao
Kayupo
Kling
Lagundi
Lebe
Lomuyon
Luma
Maligang
Nalus
Poblacion
Salakit
Suli
Tablao
Tamadang
Tambilil

Demographics

The majority of the population speak Cebuano, although early settlers were of Ilocano origin, as a result of assimilation into the majority Cebuano-speaking society due to the huge influx of migrants from Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and other Cebuano-speaking parts of Mindanao residing in the area over the years. There are a lot of Moro people who settles in the area long before the Christians from Luzon came. One of the indigenous peoples living in mountainous areas of Kiamba is known as T'boli.

Economy

The economy of Kiamba is largely based on agriculture with vast ricefields surrounding the municipality. Aqua-culture is the second biggest income earner, notably the culture of milkfish and shrimps for export. Also, coastal communities depend on deep-sea fishing as a primary livelihood.

Tourism

Various attractions include:

The Timpuyog festival celebrates the town's foundation anniversary. Timpuyog is an Ilocano word for unity, and the festival includes tribal shows and a carnival. Kiamba celebrates the Timpuyog Festival and Foundation Anniversary every February 14.
Tuka Marine Park, a protected area where fishing is banned. It has four protected coves and only one is open to the public. The site has coral formations.
Short, narrow roads lined with Japanese era houses
Waterfalls in lush rainforests
Beaches of Kiamba
Cockfights

Education

Kiamba National High School
Notre Dame of Kiamba
Southern Cotabato Academy
J.B.T. Caing Sr. Memorial Integrated School
James L. Chiongbian National Trade School
Cabales-Enarbia Integrated School
Salakit National High School
Goldenstate College of Kiamba
Euro Asia College of Technology Incorporated