About
Tupi used to be a barangay of the municipality of Koronadal (now City of Koronadal), occupied with immigrants from Luzon and the Visayas. Its human civilization in the past even during pre-Hispanic era has already existed with Muslim and Blaan inhabitants practicing nomadic way of life.
The name Tupi is believed to have originated from the betel leaf 'tufi' chewed by the natives. Tufi abounds in the cool spring areas. Once a visitor passed by and asked the natives the name of the place the native answered 'tufi' thinking they were asked what they were chewing. Later 'tufi' for unknown reason became Tupi.
After long years of tilling the fertile soil and developing resources through industry and ingenuity, Tupi blossomed into a community on September 11, 1953 when President Elpidio Quirino issued Executive Order 612 creating Tupi as a municipality. Today, it has 15 barangays with Poblacion as the urban center and seat of local government.
Fruit, flower and vegetable basket
Blessed with cool climate and fertile soil, Tupi is known as 'Fruit, Flower and Vegetable basket' of South Cotabato. You can find here ocean of flowers and abundant supply of fruits and vegetables the whole year round.
Tupi emerges as profound land of investment. Its friendly and hardworking people and rich natural resources offer countless opportunities. The town's agricultural growth and potentials are waiting to be rediscovered and re-explored.
Two maps are shown:
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Functional roles of city/municipalities in provincial development (2014-2019) showing Tupi as fruit and vegetable basket, papaya production center (provincial competitive advantage in the region), and secondary tourism hub.
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Functional roles map of Tupi showing by area: eco-tourism, high-value commercial crop (HVCC) production (cutflower, fruits, vegetables), livestock and poultry production, plantation crops, agro-industries, agriculture, higher education, government centre, trade and commerce, tourism, service facilities, resettlement area/housing, model peace and development community, and socialized housing. Full small text on both maps is illegible in the image and needs verification from source files.
Transcribed from low-resolution infographic image:
- Total income (2021) - Php 302,754,453.00
- Population (Projected 2021) - 74,282
- Density - 238 persons/sq. km.
- Distance from Koronadal City: 24 km
- Distance from General Santos City: 37 km
- Major dialects spoken: Hiligaynon, Cebuano, B'laan; other dialects spoken are Tagalog, Maguindanaon, Aklanon, Capampangan and Ilokano
- Barangays: (15) Acmonan, Bololmala, Bunao, Cebuano, Crossing Rubber, Kalkam, Kablon, Linan, Lunen, Miasong, Palian, Poblacion, Polonuling, Simbo and Tubeng
- Major crops: Coconut, Corn, Rice, Pineapple, Fruits and Vegetables. Fruits grown in the area are Lanzones, Durian, Rambutan, Banana, Papaya and Mango
- Geographical location: Tupi is located at the north-eastern part of South Cotabato. It is about 180 km from Davao City.
Tupi municipal profile
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of creation | September 11, 1953 |
| Legal basis | EO No. 612 |
| Income class | First class |
| Economic activity | Agricultural and Industrial |
| Total land area | 31,150 Hectares |
| Political subdivisions | 16 Barangays: Acmonan, Bololmala, Bunao, Cebuano, Crossing Rubber, Juan-Loreto Tamayo, Kablon, Kalkam, Linan, Lunen, Miasong, Palian, Poblacion, Polonuling, Simbo, Tubeng |
| Population | 77,663 (CY 2025 Projections) |
| Religion | Roman Catholics (59% of the total population) |
| Major dialect | Ilonggo |
| Literacy rate | 85.60% (Male: 84.28%, Female: 87.04%). Around 14.40% were considered uneducated (both sexes). |
Financial profile (2022)
| Item | Amount (Php) |
|---|---|
| IRA share | 259,018,244.00 |
| Local revenue and other income | 97,146,627.54 |
| Special Education Fund | 6,319,468.04 |
| Total LGU income | 362,484,339.58 |
Contact
Municipal Government of Tupi Barangay Poblacion, Marbel - Makar Rd, Tupi, 9505 South Cotabato
- info@tupi.gov.ph
- Phone
- (083) 226 2800