THIS WEEK’S MILESTONES: July 14-20, 2019

The towns of Norala, Surallah, Banga, Tantangan, Koronadal, Tupi, Polomolok, Kiamba, Maitum, Maasim, Tampakan and Glan, and General Santos City were separated from Cotabato province to form a new province called South Cotabato through Republic Act No. 4849.

Koronadal (now a city) was declared the capital of South Cotabato, while the municipality of Pagalungan (now under Maguindanao province) became the capital of Cotabato.

In 1992, the municipalities of Glan, Maitum, Maasim and Kiamba became part of Sarangani province through Republic Act No. 7228.

July 15, 1999

Sixteen World Bank-funded development projects under the Special Zone of Peace and Development (Szopad) were turned over to beneficiaries in Palawan province.

Szopad, which consists of 14 provinces in southern Philippines affected by armed conflict, was created in October 1996 in support of the peace agreement signed between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front.

Under the program, basic services and infrastructure facilities were provided to uplift the living conditions of residents in the affected provinces.

Among the projects that were turned over were 23 classroom buildings, two barangay health centers, one home economics building and the rehabilitation of the communal irrigation system in Puerto Princesa City and Sofronio Española town.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research