Carmen, Philippines
Carmen is a town of 8,759 people in Soccsksargen, Philippines, founded in November 15, 1956.
Why visit Carmen
Townapedia lists 4 parks and trails, 13 places to eat, 6 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.
Weather in Carmen
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Carmen
Carmen, officially the Municipality of Carmen (Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Carmen; Maguindanaon: Inged nu Karmin, Jawi: ايڠد نو كرمين; Cebuano: Lungsod sa Carmen; Tagalog: Bayan ng Carmen), is a municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 79,741 people.
From the Wikipedia article Carmen, Cotabato (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do3
Parks, trails and playgrounds4
Restaurants and cafes13
Waterland fastfood
Fast food · Burger, Coffee Shop, Chicken, Barbecue, Juice · 12.4 km
1 more on the map.
Where to stay6
MBM Budget Hotel
Motel and hotel · 11.4 km
Rizal Avenue, Kabacan
History
Carmen derived its name from surveyor del Carmen, chief of the Cadastral Survey Party, who in 1924 conducted a survey in the area. During the American period, Carmen and Kabacan belonged to one municipal district under Pikit. It was by virtue of Presidential Proclamation NO. 46 and, was reinforced by Executive Order No. 214 issued by the then President Ramon Magsaysay last November 15, 1956 when Carmen was created as a separate and distinct town of Kabacan.
When created a municipality, it was composed of Thirty Eight (38) barangays. Ten barangays were either claimed or ceded to the two adjacent municipalities, Banisilan and President Roxas. Six by the municipality of Banisilan and four to the municipality of President Roxas. Now, only twenty eight (28) barangays remain in which are presently inhabited by the so-called Tri-people composed of the Christians, the Muslims and Indigenous Peoples belonging to the Manobo-Aromanon ethnic group.
Before it was named Carmen, early inhabitants called this large tract of land "Kalalaw" a Maguindanaon term meaning "jar of water", because legend tells that there was once a big Balite tree with a continuous reservoir of water under its dense foliage, that even in long dry seasons, it had never dried up.
From the History section of Carmen, Cotabato on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship3
Lokal ng Kabacan, Iglesia ni Cristo
Church · Iglesia Ni Cristo · 11.2 km
Abellera Street
Shopping8
Gas and EV charging11
Schools, colleges and libraries90
Kibudtungan Central Elementary School
School · 11.7 km
Sayre National Highway, Carmen
Malabuaya Elementary School
School · 9.9 km
Davao-Cotabato National Highway, Kabacan
Osias Elementary School
School · 12.3 km
Davao-Cotabato National Highway, Kabacan
Healthcare8
Mindanao Doctors Hospital and Cancer Center
Hospital · 12.3 km
Davao-Cotabato National Highway
Princes DS Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 11.6 km
University of Southern Mindanao Avenue
Map of Carmen
146 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
Cotabato Airport (CBO) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 64 km away.
- Kabacan 12 km south, about 12 min by car
- Matalam 18 km southeast, about 18 min by car
- Pikit 21 km southwest, about 21 min by car
- Midsayap 29 km west, about 29 min by car
- President Roxas 30 km east, about 30 min by car
- Magpet 38 km east, about 38 min by car
- Kidapawan 39 km southeast, about 39 min by car
- Makilala 44 km southeast, about 44 min by car
- Kibawe 46 km northeast, about 46 min by car
- Buluan 54 km south, about 54 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- University of Southern Mindanao Grounds, Bonvallite, CC BY-SA 3.0
Page built November 7, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.