ARMM- AUTONOMOUS REGION OF MUSLIM MINDANAO

I. INTRODUCTION

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao region was first created on August 1,
1989 through Republic Act No. 6734 (otherwise known as the Organic Act) in pursuance
with a constitutional mandate to provide for an autonomous area in Muslim Mindanao. A
plebiscite was held in the provinces of Basilan, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte,
Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Palawan, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi,
Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur; and in the cities of Cotabato, Dapitan,
Dipolog, General Santos, Koronadal, Iligan, Marie, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, and
Zamboanga to determine if their residents wished to be part of the ARMM. Of these areas,
only four provinces — Lanao Del Sur (except Marawi City), Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-
Tawi — voted in favor of inclusion in the new autonomous region. The ARMM was officially
inaugurated on November 6, 1990[18] in Cotabato City, which was designated as its
provisional capital. Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 42, enacted on September 22,
1995, sought to permanently fix the seat of regional government at Parang in Maguindanao,
pending the completion of required buildings and infrastructure. However, the move to
Parang was never made. Until the passage of Republic Act No. 9054 in 2001, which directed
the ARMM Regional Government to once again fix a new permanent seat of government in
an area within its jurisdiction, Cotabato City remained the de facto seat of ARMM's
government, and remains so at present.

Administrative Divisions

There are 5 provinces 3 cities 104 municipalities and 2,490 barangays in this region.

Province City Municipality

Basilan Isabela, Lantawan, Maluso, Sumisip TabuanLasa,Tipo-Tipo

Lantawan Tuburan, Ungkaya Pukan

Sulu Hadji, Panglima, Tahil, Indanan

Jolo, Kalingalan, Caluang, Lugus, Luuk, Maimbung,

 Omar
Panamao, estino, pangutarang,

Parang, pata, patikul, siasi , talipao.

Tawi-Tawi Bongao, Languyan, Mapun (Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi,

PanglimaSugala(Balimbing),Sapa-Sapa,
Sibutu,Simunul,South Ubian,Tandubas,Turtle Islands

Lanao Marawi City Bacolod,Kalawi(BacolodGrande,Balabagan),

Balindong (Watu), Bayang, Binidayan,Buadiposo
Del Sur
Buntong,Bubong,Bumbaran,Butig,Calanogas,Ditsaan-
ramain,Ganassi,Kapai,Kapatagan,Lumba-a- bayabao,
Madalum, Madamba, Maguing, Malabang,
Marantao,Morogong, Masiu, Malundo, Pagayawan,
Piagapo, Picong(sultan Gumander), Poon-a-Payabao,
paulas, Saguiaran, Suntan Dumalondong, Tagoloan,
Tamparan, Taraka,Lumbaca Unayan, Lumbatan,
Lumbayanague,Tubaran, Tuyaga, Wao

Maguinda – Ampatuan, Barira, Buldon, Buluan, Datu Abdullah

nao Sangki, Datu Odin Sinsuat (Dinaig), Datu Paglas, Datu
Piang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. S. K.
Pendatun, Kabuntalan, Mamasapano, Matanog,
Pagagawan, Pagagawan, Parang, Rajah Buayan,
Shariff Aguak (Maganoy), South Upi, Sultan Kudarat,
Sultan Mastura, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, Talitay,
Upi.
II. HISTORY

ARMM is composed of five provinces namely, Basilan, Lanao Del Sur, Maguindanao,
Sulu and Tawi-tawi. Its capital is Cotabato City even if it’s outside the ARMM jurisdiction.
The region was established on August 1, 1989 through RA 6734 aka Organic Act in
pursuance with a constitutional mandate to provide an autonomous area in Mindanao. For
the most part of Philippines' history, the region and most of Mindanao have been a
separate territory, which enabled it to develop its own culture and identity. The region has
been the traditional homeland of Muslim Filipinos since the 15th century, even before the
arrival of the Spanish, who began to colonize most of the Philippines in 1565. Muslim
missionaries arrived in Tawi-Tawi in 1380 and started the colonization of the area and the
conversion of the native population to Islam. In 1457, the Sultanate of Sulu was founded,
and not long after that, the sultanates of Maguindanao and Buayan were also established.
At the time when most of the Philippines was under Spanish rule, these sultanates
maintained their independence and regularly challenged Spanish domination of the
Philippines by conducting raids on Spanish coastal towns in the north and repulsing
repeated Spanish incursions in their territory. It was not until the last quarter of the 19th
century that the Sultanate of Sulu formally recognized Spanish suzerainty, but these areas
remained loosely controlled by the Spanish as their sovereignty was limited to military
stations and garrisons and pockets of civilian settlements in Zamboanga and Cotabato, until
they had to abandon the region as a consequence of their defeat in the Spanish–American
War.

The Moros had a history of resistance against Spanish, American, and Japanese rule
for over 400 years. The violent armed struggle against the Japanese, Filipinos, Spanish, and
Americans is considered by current Moro Muslim leaders as part of the four centuries long
"national liberation movement" of the Bangsamoro (Moro Nation). The 400-year-long
resistance against the Japanese, Americans, and Spanish by the Moro Muslims persisted
and morphed into their current war for independence against the Philippine state.
II. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

A. Size of the Region

AREA SIZE
Basilan 1,103.50 km2

Sulu 1,600.40 km2

Tawi-tawi 1,087.40 km2
Lanao Del sur 3,872.89 km2
Maguindanao 4,871.60 km2
The Land Area of ARMM 12,535.79km2

Table 2. Size of ARMM Region

B. Territory

Located at the south westernmost tip of the archipelago, it is bounded by Lanao Del Norte
and Sulu Sea on the north and northwest, Bukidnon and Cotabato on the east and Sultan
Kudarat and Celebes Sea on the South.

C. Map
 Figure 1. Philippine Map

D. Topography

MAGUINDANAO
Figure 2. Map of Armm
The province of Maguindanao can be divided into two physiographic units. There
are the southwest cluster and Maguindanao lowland. The southwest mountain clusters
include the two big groups of mountain elevation: Binace and Bilit. They are separated by
the valley of MTUGAR RIVER which flow northwest into Moro Gulf and Liwasid River which
flow into the Mindanao Sea. The Maguindanao lowland includes the north extremity of
Cotabato basin northeast of the provincial highlands.

The area is generally sloping from the foot of hills to relatively flat as it approaches
the sea and materials derived from the weathering and erosion of adjacent emergent land
mass. The biggest and longest river in Mindanao is the Rio Grande de Mindanao. The
northeast boundary of the province and as much the west banks are within the province,
jurisdiction. The soil of the province is classified into various types according to land forms
and landscapes. There are various broad landform types based on topography, location,
elevation and morphology like plains, hills and mountains.

Maguindanao Rio Grande de Mindanao

Figure 3. Map of rio Grande de Mindanao
LANAO DEL SUR

Generally, the topography of the provinces is 60% rolling and 40% plain. It is gifted
with enormous water bodies with Lake Lanao as the biggest . Among its big rivers are those
of Massif, Taraka, Rugnan, Ramain, and Lalabuan. There are also other smaller rivers which
could be tapped for irrigation purpose. The soil type prevailing in the province are silt,
loam and Las Catellanas Complex.

Figure 4. Map of Lake Lanao

SULU

The Sulu archipelago is marked by a number of mountain ranges that traverse the
mid-section of the island of Jolo from east to west. The mountain chain includes Mt.
Tumantangis, about 812 ft., Mt. Pula, about 281 ft., Mt. Kangangan about 663 ft. The other
islands, such as Pangutaran are coral formation resulting to low, swampy, flat and forested
areas. However, numerous places around the reef-sorrounded island afford anchorages.
The province of Sulu, being known for its shining land and moody sea lies on the
southernmost part of the Philippines, with islands of varying terrains, which source is of
volcanic origin while others are from coral formation with low, forested and swampy areas.

Location of Mt. Pula.

Figure 5. Location of Mt. Pula

TAWI-TAWI

The Tawi-Tawi archipelago is comprised of islands settled on top of a huge sea

mountain. Among the islands, Tawi-Tawi has the least rugged relief. Its major peaks which
include Mt. Datu Sali, St. Sitangkai and Mt. Baulks Sampan do not go beyond 600 ft. These
peaks but across the main island Tawi-Tawi from north to south. Underground water in the
islands of South Ubian, Tandubas, Sapa-Sapa, Bongao, Simunul, Sitangkai and Turtle islands
is impossible since these islands are rocky. The municipalities of Languyan, balimbing,
Anglia Sugala, and Cagayan de Tawi-Tawi have their own underground water table because
these areas have a great volume of soil and watershed that can hold water for many years.
 Location of Mt. Sitangkai

Figure 6. Location of Mt. sitangkai

BASILAN

The province of Basilan occupies a total land area of 2,217.8 square kilometers. The
terrain ranges from undulating to rolling and becomes moderately steep towards the
interior of the province. About 70% of the land is devoted to agriculture and planted
extensively with coconuts, rubber and coffee. Other crops includes palay, corn, cacao,
cassava, African oil palm and black pepper. The provincial waters are laden with grouper,
tuna, squid, octopus, and marlin. While inland fish ponds are stocked with milkfish, prawns
and shrimps. Basilan has the only lobster fattening and culture operations in the region.

IV. DEMOGRAPHICS

A. Population

ARMM is the fastest growing region in the country in terms of population in 2015.
The total population of ARMM as of August 1, 2015 was 3,781,387 persons based on the
2015 Census of Population (2015 POPCEN). Thirty-five years ago, the total population of
ARMM was only 1,564,401 persons, which is equivalent to only 59 percent of the current
total population of ARMM.
 Two of the five provinces in ARMM have population densities less than the regional
estimate, namely Basilan and Lanao Del Sur. The most densely populated province of the
region was Sulu, with a population density of 181 persons per square kilometer in 2015.

Females outnumbered males in academic degree and school attendance rate in

ARMM. Of the total population five years old and over across ARMM, 44.0 percent or
1,426,430 had completed elementary education, 24.4 percent or 792,732 had reached or
finished high school, 8.2 percent or 266,738 was college undergraduate, and 4.2 percent or
135,792 was baccalaureate or college graduate. Among those with baccalaureate degree,
there were more females (2.36 percent) than males (1.82 percent). Similarly, among those
with post baccalaureate courses, females (797 graduates) outnumbered males (747
graduates).

B. FAMOUS PEOPLE

One of the country’s beautiful voices and known for her indigenous music style. She was
born on June 12, 1968, while the National Anthem was being played in a nearby school. She
got her name through a Manobo tradition wherein the first sound or first thing seen will be
the name of the child. Bayang is a full-blooded Manobo from Bunawan, Agusan Del Sur. She
is the one who sang the closing theme of GMA-7 fantaserye “Encantadia”.

Figure 7. Bayang Malaya

THE ETHNIC GROUPS

The Maranao people is a mainly Muslim region in the Philippines in the island of Mindanao.
The word Maranao, also spelled Maranaw, Maranao means to be lake. “People of the Lake”
referring to the indigenous people who occupied the lands around Lake Lanao whose
principal town is Marawi City. The Maranaos are part of largest Moro ethnic group.

They are famous for their artwork weaving:

Figure 8. Art Work Weaving Figure 9. Sari Manok

THE IRANUN (ILLANUN)

The “Lanun” means pirate. For centuries, the Illanun were known as the fiercest pirates in
the Malay world. They marauded the coastal villages. Illana Bay is named after them. They
are related to the Maranao.

Iranun boat Modern Vinta

Figure 11. Modern Vinta

THE BAGOBO

“Bagobo” comes from “bago” meaning “new, recent” and “obo/obbo/uvu” meaning
“growth, grow,” so that the term refers to a recent formation of people along the coast of
the Davao Gulf. When the Hinduized peoples from the south brought in Hindu culture
during the Sri Vijayan and Majapahit penetration of Mindanao, these migrants mixed with
the native population, forming a new society reflected in the name “Bagobo.”

BAGOBO PEOPLE

Figure 12. Bagobo people Figure 13. Bagobo people

THE TEDURAY

The word Teduray comes from the word Tew meaning man and Duray referring to a
small bamboo with a hook and a line fishing instrument. This indigenous group is
composed of two distinct ethnic groups – the Teduray and the Lambangian. The Tedurays
are known for their distinct and unique culture, beliefs, customs and traditions. The
Tedurays observe the seven days of prayers and offerings before and until the internment.
THE T’BOLI

The T’boli culture center falls more or less in the central part of a triangle whose points are
the towns of Surallah, Polomolok and Iamb. Within this triangle are three major lakes: Lake
Sebu, Lake Lahit and Lake Selutan.

T’BOLI LIFESTYLE

Figure 14. T’boli people Figure 15. T’boli Life Style

THE TALAANDIG PEOPLE

The Talaandig belief on the existence of the human soul called Gimukud or Makatu
is manifested in the pregnancy ritual called Panlang. During the ritual, the goddess of
pregnancy is invoked to protect the soul of the unborn child and the mother against evil.
When the child is born, Kagmakatu ritual is performed to formally welcome the child as
member of the family.

THE MANOBO

“Manobo” is the hispanicized form of “Manuvu,” which means “people.” the manobo are the
largest ethnic group in the Philippines. Their subgroups include the higaonon and the
atta .the orientation of the subgroups is upland.
 E. RELIGION

As diverse as the Mindanao Island Group can be, the same is true for the religions
embraced by its populace. The island registered a total population of 24,135,775 as of the
2015 Census of Population. Roman Catholic and Islam are the two religions most widely
spread across Mindanao. These two denominations together cover the religious affiliation
of more than half of the islands’ population.

V. ECONOMY

In 2016, the region's economic performance improved by 0.3 percent. It contributed

0.6 percent to the country's Gross Domestic Product. Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and
Fishing sector which shared 56.3 percent in the region's output indicated a 3.0 percent
contraction. Agricultural output in ARMM declined by 3.10 percent in 2016. This was
contributed by the production decreases in all subsectors except livestock. The crops
subsector which shared 71.17 percent in agricultural production posted 1.19 percent
reduction. The livestock subsector shared 4.25 percent and had 0.35 percent production
growth. Cassava, palay, coconut, corn and seaweed were the top five commodities
produced in the region. These commodities contributed 66.17 percent to the region's
agricultural output. ARMM ranked 1st in the production of cassava and seaweed.
Employed persons in the agriculture sector comprised 65.0 percent of the region's total
employment. Majority of the agricultural workers at 79 percent were males.

Top Agricultural Commodities, ARMM, 2016

Share to Total Rank of the

Production Agricultural Region in the
Commodity
Growth Rate Output of the National
Region Production
---------- (in percent) ----------
Cassava (1.60) 20.35 1st
Palay 11.53 14.20 11th
Coconut (1.19) 13.98 5th
Corn (12.25) 11.57 4th
Seaweed (2.27) 6.07 1st

Table 3. Top agricultural commodities, ARMM

VII. LANGUAGE

A. Dialects

• Maranao • T’Boli

• Manobo

B. Sample Phraseologies For Greetings

Province English Local Dialects

Maranao Good Morning! Mapiya kapipita

Good Evening! Mapiya gagawi-i

Welcome Greeting Bolos ka

How are you? Mapipiya kano?

Greeting Spoken To A Friend Nari

T’Boli Good Moning Hyu Hlafus

Hello Kemǒ em sedu

Afternoon Greeting Hyu tungo karaw

Evening Greeting Hyu kifu

How are you? Kumusta wo'?

Manobo Where are you going? Ingkon ka pomon?

Where are you coming from? Ingkon kod undiyon?

Welcome greeting, "it's you!" Sikiyu vos

General Greeting Maayad ha masalam

Daytime Greeting Maayad ha adlaw

 Table 4. Sample phraseologies of greetings.

VII- TRANSPORTATION

a. Land Transport and Terminals

A. Accessible by busses and air-conditioned vans (daily services);

Iligan City to Marawi City is 45 minutes drive, Pagadian City to Cotabato City is 3 hours
drive, Davao City to Cotabato City is 6 hours drive, General Santos City to Cotabato City is 3
hours drive, and Cotabato City to Marawi City is 3 hours drive .

b. Water Transport and Seaports

Port of Zambaoanga city, port of Isabella (province of Basila),Port Kalamasig in cotabato

Port of Manlangas and ipil pier in Zambaoanga city, Cotabato city wharf and Poloc Port in
cotabato, Port of Jolo in Sulu and port of Bongao in tawi-tawi and daily services of inter-
island motorized boats (Banca) Ferry (Roro).

C. Air Transport and Airpo

Manila international airport to Zambaoanga international airport, Manila to Awang Airport

in cotabato city Jolo airport in sulu and Awang-awang airport in Tawi-tawi.
Location of airlines

Figure 17. Location of airports in Mindanao

VIII. FESTIVALS

Meguyaya Festival (December 19) The

beginning of Upi as a district geographical
and political entity largely began on the
early part of 1901 to 1910 when the
American forces set foot in the then
Empire of Cotabato. Today the province is
subdivided into five (5) major provinces: Figure 28 Meguyaya Festival
Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Maguindanao where Upi
municipality is located. Other activities includes the Cultural Nights, Local Government Unit
Night, Ginoong Meguyaya male pageant, trade fair and Maisan Na. This is an activity in
which a long stretch of grillers are placed by the roadside where everyone enjoys roasting
corns, a symbol of togetherness and feasting.

Agal-Agal Festival coincides with the

Kamahardikaan Sin Tawi-Tawi or the Founding
Anniversary of the Province which happens every

Figure 29 Agal- agal Festival

25th of September. This year, the celebration was held in the town of Languyan, one of the
11 towns of Tawi-Tawi.

Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Festival Day the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) commemorated on Monday, November 7,
the arrival of Sheikh Karimul Makhdum in Tawi-
Tawi, that marked the beginning of Islam in the
Philippines that he introduced in 1380. The Sheikh
Karimul Makhdum Mosque, the oldest in the
Philippines, can be found in Tubig (Bohe) Indangan
in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi.

Figure 30 Sheikh Karimul Makhdum Festival

Kariyala Festival (feb 25) MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, (PIA) - A cultural fest dubbed
Kariyala Festival highlighted the 55th
founding anniversary of the municipality of
Wao, the corn granary of the province.
Kariyala Festival is structured as a
thanksgiving for bountiful harvest It is also a
celebration of the distinctive cultures and
heritage of the various ethnic tribes residing Figure 31 Karilaya Festival

in the area such as Maranao, Ilonggo, Higaonon, Igorot, Cebuano, Kapampangan, Tausug,
and Matigsalog.

Lami-lamihan Festival is annually

held in Lamitan. It is a festival
coinciding the foundation of Lamitan
Municipality. This festival is a simpel
showcases to the traditional of Yakan a
rich customs and traditions were
Figure 32 Lami-Lamihan Festival
music and dances, and crafts are preserve. This festival are celebrated on the 29th of June
where it is a feast for St. Peter.

X. PRODUCTS

A. Delicacies and Sampling

The Tiyula itum is a beef or goat soup-stew of

Tausug origin from Sulu (Jolo) in the Southern
Philippines which is always served at weddings,
often also at any other celebration, and not
uncommonly after Ramadan.
Figure 33 Tiyula Itum

Tiyula itum is culturally important among the Tausug people and is sometimes
characterized as "Food for the Royalty". It is commonly prepared in special occasions like
weddings and during Hari Raya festivities.

The Syanglag

A simple roasted grated cassava as alternative for

rice as chief source of carbohydrates. Since the
islands are not blessed with much land to till for
rice cultivation, the mountains are planted with
cassava and sweet potatoes and other root crops as
main source of energy among the locals. Figure 34 Syanglag

The Guso

This particular seaweed or agar agar as others call it, is

very much common in the coastal waters of Visayas
and Mindanao. The only difference is that, instead of
serving it fresh garnished with onion, tomatoes and
Figure 35 Guso
vinegar, the Tawi Tawinians blanch the seaweeds then added with little soy sauce and
some spices like ginger, onions , giving it a yellowish color.

The Syagul

A very spicy and tasty meat of stingray cooked

with coconut milk then added with burned
coconut grated meat that gave the sauce its olive
like color. Since I am a seafood fanatic, I almost
finished the whole thing! This is a must try on your
Figure 36 Syagul
visit.

B.CRAFTS AND PASALUBONG

Basket

Baskets are mainly used by the Cordilleras for

their occupation. They use them as a storage for
their food when they need to go to mountain
terraces to cultivate their lands.
Figure 37 Basket

Malong

Handwoven malongs are made by Maranao,

Maguindanao, and T'boli weavers on a
backstrap loom. The pattern or style of the
malong may indicate the weaver's tribal
origin, such as the Maranao malong landap.

Figure 38 Malong
Seputangan

A head cloth worn by the Yakan tribe of

Mindanao. The warp and primary weft are of
cotton and the supplementary weft is silk.
The supplementary weft work is
discontinuous, a type of work in which the
various colors are inserted in the proper Figure 39 Seputangan

place by hand