Soccsksargen

Soccsksargen, officially Region XII, is an administrative region in the Philippines located in the southern central part of Mindanao. The region's name is an acronym formed from its principal areas: South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.

It comprises four provinces—South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani—and General Santos City as its urban center. The landscape spans highlands and coastal areas and supports agriculture, fishing, and trade. Major crops include corn, bananas, coconuts, and pineapples. General Santos City is known for its tuna industry, hosting a major fishing port and processing facilities and for the annual Tuna Festival. The Maitum archaeological finds in Sarangani are among the region's notable cultural sites.

Soccsksargen is home to diverse communities, including Christian, Muslim, and indigenous groups; common languages include Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Maguindanaon, and various Indigenous languages. The region is a focus of government development programs aimed at improving agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure, and ecotourism, while preserving cultural heritage and natural resources. Protected areas include coastal bays such as Sarangani Bay and various upland forests.