Matanog originally means "BUGASAN" which means source of rice. Matanog is a Maguidanaon and Iranun word which means loud. The name Matanog was derived from the forefathers residing in the area who fought against the Spaniards. Matanog was created as a distinct and separate town from Parang by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 780 dated August 25, 1975, consisting of six (6) barangays from the moth
er municipality. Matanog is located in the southern part of the province of Maguindanao. It is more or less 43 kilometers away from Cotabato City, the present seat of ARMM Regional Government. From the municipality, it takes three hours to travel to reach Pagadian City, three hours and forty five minutes approximate travel time to Iligan City, through Marawi City. It is bounded by Illana Bay on the west, the municipalities of Buldon and Barira on the east, municipality of Balabagan, Lanao del Sur on the north and the municipality of Parang on the south.
