Parang, Maguindanao
Parang, officially the (Maguindanaon: "Inged nu Parang"; Iranun: "Inged a Parang"; ), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people. The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008. History. The history of Parang traces back to the era when it used to be an integral part of the Maguindanao Sultanate. In June 1851, the Spanish military government based in Zamboanga sent forces to Polloc, presently a barangay of Parang, and seized it . Having a natural deep water harbor, the Spanish then set up a fortress and a naval base at Polloc, from which they would launch military operations against the Moros of the Pulangui Valley. Polloc eventually grew into a small town that by 1860 it was home to 600 Christians and 50-60 Chinese traders along with people from other walks of life. In 1884, a road was built between Polloc and the other town of Cotabato, which was founded ten years later than Polloc in 1861 and now served as the capital of the 5th Military District of Cotabato in  which Polloc was part of. The Americans took over local affairs when the Spanish evacuated at the aftermath of the Philippine-American War in 1901 and the American authorities replaced them. When political reorganization of the Philippine islands took place in 1917, Polloc was made part of the newly created municipal district of Parang. Parang as a municipality was created on August 18, 1947, through Executive Order No. 82 signed by President Manuel Roxas. The modern Polloc Port, which form the main part of the present-day Polloc Freeport and Economic Zone currently based in Barangay Polloc of Parang town , was constructed in 1977 and currently serves as the primary transshipment port in the Bangsamoro region. Geography. It is bordered to the north by Barira and Matanog, on the east by Buldon, and on the south is Sultan Kudarat. Barangays. Parang is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Tourism. A cultural festival is held every August 18 in commemoration of the founding anniversary of Parang. Events are organized by the municipal government with the participation of various stakeholders Tourist attractions in Parang include: Infrastructure. Transportation. Major sea cargo vessels connect Polloc Port to Manila and other Philippine cities. Tricycles are the  main modes of public transport in the municipality. Several shuttle vans and PUJs provide regular trips to Cotabato City and other municipalities. Utilities. Magelco (Maguindanao Electric Cooperative, Inc.) provides electric power to the locality. Inland barangays use solar power as installed by our donor agencies.