Poblacion

The name Kidapawan is a fusion of two Ubo- Manobo words “tida” (spring) and “pawan” (highland) to mean, “Spring in the Highlands”. Originally known as Tidapawan, with the passage of time and the influx of

settlers from Luzon, Visayas and other areas of Mindanao, influenced the change of the letter T to K making official the name “Kidapawan”. Originally named a district of Pikit in 1942, Kidapawan was later declared a separate Municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 82 issued by then President Manuel A. Roxas on August 18, 1947 – thereby becoming the fourth town of the empire Province of Cotabato, which was then composed of the municipalities of Cotabato (now Cotabato City), Dulawan (later named Datu Piang) and Midsayap. In February 12, 1998 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8500 signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos, making it a component city of the Province of Cotabato.