SOCCSKSARGEN / Cotabato
Kidapawan
Kidapawan was reclassified to 1st income class city on January 1, 2025 and is the most populous city in Cotabato province, with 160,864 residents per the 2024 census. Mount Apo closes to all trekkers each year from June 1 to August 31 for ecosystem rehabilitation. The DENR permit office for the North Cotabato route is separate from the Davao or Digos permit offices. The Mount Apo Geothermal Power Plant at Ilomavis produces 97 megawatts for the province via COTELCO. EDC received approval for a third geothermal plant at Mount Apo.
Kidapawan at a Glance
- Location:
- Northwest slope approaches to Mount Apo Natural Park, central Mindanao
- Province:
- Capital of Cotabato province, SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII)
- Mayor:
- Jose Paolo M. Evangelista
- Highlights:
- Main staging city for Mount Apo trekking routes and a fruit and vegetable trade center for Apo foothill farms
- Festival:
- Timpupo Festival, which connects the city’s fruit economy with its annual public calendar
- Kidapawan city center
- Mount Apo approach routes
- Cotabato provincial capitol
Local context
Kidapawan's current mayor reference on this page is Jose Paolo M. Evangelista. PNA and Kidapawan City government coverage identify Jose Paolo Evangelista as mayor beginning his second term in July 2025.
Kidapawan is linked to local place pages including Mount Apo approach routes, Kidapawan city center. Those pages help separate the city guide from a generic location summary by giving readers concrete markets, parks, transport corridors, civic districts, and visitor routes to compare.
The city profile emphasizes Kidapawan city center, Mount Apo approach routes, Cotabato provincial capitol. These points give the page a practical local frame instead of treating the city as only a name on a regional map.
Landmarks and orientation points
- Kidapawan city center
- Mount Apo approach routes
- Cotabato provincial capitol
Frequently Asked Questions About Kidapawan
What is Kidapawan known for?
Kidapawan is the capital of Cotabato province and the main staging area for Mount Apo trekking routes. The city sits on the foothills of Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the Philippines, so climbers often start or organize their trips here. Kidapawan is also a trade center for fruit and vegetables grown on the Apo foothill farms.
Can you climb Mount Apo from Kidapawan?
Yes. Kidapawan is one of the primary access cities for Mount Apo climbs, and several trekking routes start from the Kidapawan side. Treks are often suspended after major earthquakes, so climbers should check with the City Tourism Office for official trail closures before planning a climb.
What province is Kidapawan the capital of?
Kidapawan is the capital of Cotabato province, which is part of the SOCCSKSARGEN region (Region XII). The city hosts the Cotabato provincial government and highland services, alongside schools, markets, and government facilities.
What is the Timpupo Festival?
The Timpupo Festival is Kidapawan’s annual celebration tied to the city’s fruit economy. It connects the local harvest and farm trade to a public calendar of events, reflecting the importance of fruit and vegetable farming on the volcanic soil foothill areas around Mount Apo.
Is Kidapawan affected by earthquakes and disasters?
Kidapawan carries disaster and conservation responsibility because of its highland geography near Mount Apo, including watershed and landslide awareness. During the June 2026 Mindanao earthquake, the city recorded Intensity V shaking, the city hall was evacuated, classes and work were suspended, and residents moved to open ground. Mayor Jose Paolo Evangelista ordered extended class suspensions due to continuous aftershocks.
Source note
PNA and Kidapawan City government coverage identify Jose Paolo Evangelista as mayor beginning his second term in July 2025.