In 1959, the municipality of Palimbang was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 350. In 2010, the Provincial Planning Development Office released a comprehensive profile of Sultan Kudarat. I wanted to know what happened to the villages of Palimbang along the years, so I compared the lists in the two documents.
According to the executive order issued in 1959, Palimbang was to comprise forty-six barrios taken from the municipality of Lebak and the municipality of Kiamba. It should be forty-seven barrios if Ripulon Langali in the list was actually two barrios and a comma was just inadvertently omitted when the law was written. However, due to lack of contrary evidence, let’s consider Ripulon Langali for now as one barrio. According to the 2010 report, Palimbang comprise forty barangays today.
Of the forty-six barrios listed in 1959, twenty-three or exactly half still exist today. As with the rest of the Philippines, the barrios have been turned to barangays. Seventeen of the twenty-three barrios/barangays have exactly the same names in the two documents: the poblacion Palimbang, Kraan, Milbuk, Kolong-Kolong, Baliango, Kanipaan, Wal, Baranayan, Akol, Wasag, Medol, Ligao, Malatunol, Maganao, Kidayan, Namat Masla, and Malisbong. Six of the twenty-three were either misspelled in the executive order or had names that later evolved: Culobi (Colube in present-day documents), Botril (Butril), Napaapon (Napnapon), Barungis (Barongis), Kisec (Kisek), and Kipongot (Kiponget).
I’m sure that the problem with Kiponget and the five other villages above is just typographical. I can’t say the same for five of the forty-six barrios. The following might have been misspelled in the executive order or had names that later evolved: Bulan (Baluan), Tibulos (Tibuhol), Domodol (Domulol), Minos (Mina), and Ripulon Langali (Langali).
Twenty-three plus five equals twenty-eight. We have twenty-eight barrios accounted for now. There were West Badiangan and East Badiangan in 1959, but only Badiangon in 2010. One of the two barrios might have retained the name, and the other one might have been renamed. We have monitored thirty barrios now.
Five of the forty-six barrios became part of Kalamansig when the municipality was created in 1961. The barrios were Sangay, Danawan, Nara, North Kulaman, and Basiawan (Basiawang in the 1961 executive order). We have monitored thirty-five barrios. As to the remaining eleven of the forty-six, I can no longer determine what happened to them based on the 1959 executive order and the 2010 report alone. The eleven are Sinangcangan, Tipulay, South Kulaman, Balinnang, Sandiolo, Namat Paidu, Tuna, Sugko, Palili, North Tran, and South Tran.
Again, twenty-eight barrios/barangays have the same or similar names, and only one barangay, named Badiangon, survived from the two barrios West Badiangan and East Badiangan. This means that, so far, we’ve accounted for twenty-nine of the forty barangays that Palimbang currently has. There are eleven new barangays. They are Bambanen, Batang¬-Baglas, Kabuling, Kalibuhan, Libua, Lupoken, Lumitan, Maguiales, Maguid, Molon, and San Roque.
Showing posts with label Palimbang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Palimbang. Show all posts
Monday, February 1, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
Villages Named Kulaman
In 1965, a municipality named Kulaman was created, and like most municipalities at the time, it was named after the most prominent barrio in the area. The municipality lasted less than a year due to a legal issue about its creation, and it was not recreated until twenty-four years later, in 1989, and this time, the name of a heroic Manobo chieftain was dropped for the name of a heroic Philippine senator. The municipality was named Senator Ninoy Aquino, and the village of Kulaman was made the seat of government.
Even if the name Kulaman officially applies only to the poblacion or central village, it is used by many people to refer to the whole municipality. People rarely use the terms Ninoy and Ninoy Aquino, much less the lengthy Senator Ninoy Aquino. If you’re in the capital town, for example, and you’re on your way to Senator Ninoy Aquino, you should tell the driver of the tricycle to take you to the “terminal to Kulaman.” If you say “terminal to Senator Ninoy Aquino,” he might not know where to take you. In some cases, Kulaman is still used in official documents. For example, the Sultan Kudarat Division of the Department of Education divides the districts of Senator Ninoy Aquino into Kulaman I and Kulaman II.
I always try to make a distinction between the traditional and the official. When I’m in my own province, I tell people I’m from Kulaman. When I’m in other places, I tell people I’m from the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino. In my write-ups, I use Senator Ninoy Aquino town, Kulaman Plateau, or Kulaman village; I’ve never used Kulaman town, as far as I can remember.
I used to think that Kulaman village—or Barangay Kulaman or Barrio Kulaman—could only be appropriately used for the central village of my town, that settlement near the body of water that is also known today as Kulaman River. To my surprise and delight, I found out from old laws that there had been villages in the past that were officially named Kulaman, that Kulaman officially (not just traditionally) had a much wider area.
In 1959, when Palimbang was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 350, the municipality was to be composed of more than forty barrios, two of which were North Kulaman and South Kulaman. It’s not clear from the law if the two barrios used to be part of the municipality of Kiamba or of the municipality of Lebak. I’m fairly certain that it’s Lebak.
In 1961, when Kalamansig was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 459, the municipality was to be composed of twenty-eight barrios and sitios—twenty from the municipality of Lebak and eight from the municipality of Palimbang. One of the barrios and sitios from Palimbang was North Kulaman. This means that South Kulaman was left in the territory of Palimbang. At present, though, Palimbang doesn’t have any barangay named South Kulaman. I don’t know yet what exactly happened to the village or its name, for I don’t have copies of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) resolutions creating the barrios and barangays of Sultan Kudarat.
North Kulaman must have later been referred to as Kulaman only. In November 1965, when the municipality of Kulaman was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 211-E, its assigned seat of government was the barrio of Kulaman, which was taken from the municipality of Kalamansig. There was no mention of any barrio from Kalamansig named North Kulaman. At present also, Kalamansig does not have any barangay named Kulaman. (But Kalamansig got its name from Kulaman suwayeg, which means “Kulaman in the river.”)
So North Kulaman became the Kulaman that we know today, and South Kulaman disappeared from the map. Or more accurately, the name South Kulaman disappeared from official records of the municipality of Palimbang. But where was the barrio of South Kulaman possibly located? Take a look at the maps of Senator Ninoy Aquino and Palimbang. If the locations of North Kulaman and South Kulaman had been based on the flow of Kulaman River, South Kulaman must have been around the area where the sitio of Datu Sipot is located today. If South Kulaman had been straight south of North Kulaman, it must have been on the west of Barangay Baluan. Take note that the official map of Palimbang is not accurate. Barangay Baluan should be close to the boundary; it’s just a short ride from Barangay Tacupis in Senator Ninoy Aquino.
Confused yet? You’ve got company. In October 1965, when Bagumbayan was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 187, Kulaman was listed as one of the barrios and sitios that were to compose the new municipality. Bagumbayan was being formed from within the municipality of Isulan, so Kulaman could not be included in the list, for Kulaman at the time was part of the municipality of Kalamansig. In any case, the law was declared null (as what happened to the law that created the municipality of Kulaman), and when the municipality of Bagumbayan was recreated in 1969, the barrio of Kulaman was not included.
To recap, the village of Kulaman (two villages, in fact) was officially in existence as early as 1959, and in 1965, it was already large enough to be made the seat of government of a municipality. The laws are strong proof that the name Kulaman has been attached to the land, much earlier and more strongly than the name Senator Ninoy Aquino. What am I trying to say? Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino should be renamed Municipality of Kulaman.
Even if the name Kulaman officially applies only to the poblacion or central village, it is used by many people to refer to the whole municipality. People rarely use the terms Ninoy and Ninoy Aquino, much less the lengthy Senator Ninoy Aquino. If you’re in the capital town, for example, and you’re on your way to Senator Ninoy Aquino, you should tell the driver of the tricycle to take you to the “terminal to Kulaman.” If you say “terminal to Senator Ninoy Aquino,” he might not know where to take you. In some cases, Kulaman is still used in official documents. For example, the Sultan Kudarat Division of the Department of Education divides the districts of Senator Ninoy Aquino into Kulaman I and Kulaman II.
I always try to make a distinction between the traditional and the official. When I’m in my own province, I tell people I’m from Kulaman. When I’m in other places, I tell people I’m from the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino. In my write-ups, I use Senator Ninoy Aquino town, Kulaman Plateau, or Kulaman village; I’ve never used Kulaman town, as far as I can remember.
I used to think that Kulaman village—or Barangay Kulaman or Barrio Kulaman—could only be appropriately used for the central village of my town, that settlement near the body of water that is also known today as Kulaman River. To my surprise and delight, I found out from old laws that there had been villages in the past that were officially named Kulaman, that Kulaman officially (not just traditionally) had a much wider area.
In 1959, when Palimbang was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 350, the municipality was to be composed of more than forty barrios, two of which were North Kulaman and South Kulaman. It’s not clear from the law if the two barrios used to be part of the municipality of Kiamba or of the municipality of Lebak. I’m fairly certain that it’s Lebak.
 |
| Map of Senator Ninoy Aquino. Poblacion and Kulaman refer to the same place. |
 |
| The official yet inaccurate map of Palimbang. Barangay Baluan should be close to the boundary, at the meeting point of the two creeks from Senator Ninoy Aquino. |
In 1961, when Kalamansig was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 459, the municipality was to be composed of twenty-eight barrios and sitios—twenty from the municipality of Lebak and eight from the municipality of Palimbang. One of the barrios and sitios from Palimbang was North Kulaman. This means that South Kulaman was left in the territory of Palimbang. At present, though, Palimbang doesn’t have any barangay named South Kulaman. I don’t know yet what exactly happened to the village or its name, for I don’t have copies of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) resolutions creating the barrios and barangays of Sultan Kudarat.
North Kulaman must have later been referred to as Kulaman only. In November 1965, when the municipality of Kulaman was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 211-E, its assigned seat of government was the barrio of Kulaman, which was taken from the municipality of Kalamansig. There was no mention of any barrio from Kalamansig named North Kulaman. At present also, Kalamansig does not have any barangay named Kulaman. (But Kalamansig got its name from Kulaman suwayeg, which means “Kulaman in the river.”)
So North Kulaman became the Kulaman that we know today, and South Kulaman disappeared from the map. Or more accurately, the name South Kulaman disappeared from official records of the municipality of Palimbang. But where was the barrio of South Kulaman possibly located? Take a look at the maps of Senator Ninoy Aquino and Palimbang. If the locations of North Kulaman and South Kulaman had been based on the flow of Kulaman River, South Kulaman must have been around the area where the sitio of Datu Sipot is located today. If South Kulaman had been straight south of North Kulaman, it must have been on the west of Barangay Baluan. Take note that the official map of Palimbang is not accurate. Barangay Baluan should be close to the boundary; it’s just a short ride from Barangay Tacupis in Senator Ninoy Aquino.
Confused yet? You’ve got company. In October 1965, when Bagumbayan was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 187, Kulaman was listed as one of the barrios and sitios that were to compose the new municipality. Bagumbayan was being formed from within the municipality of Isulan, so Kulaman could not be included in the list, for Kulaman at the time was part of the municipality of Kalamansig. In any case, the law was declared null (as what happened to the law that created the municipality of Kulaman), and when the municipality of Bagumbayan was recreated in 1969, the barrio of Kulaman was not included.
To recap, the village of Kulaman (two villages, in fact) was officially in existence as early as 1959, and in 1965, it was already large enough to be made the seat of government of a municipality. The laws are strong proof that the name Kulaman has been attached to the land, much earlier and more strongly than the name Senator Ninoy Aquino. What am I trying to say? Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino should be renamed Municipality of Kulaman.
Monday, January 18, 2016
The Mother of Kulaman III
(This is the last of a three-part series.)
Are you still hanging on? Unless you badly need the info for a project in your history class, you most likely have not gone over my previous posts. No matter. I’m writing this for local history buffs and for myself. So without much ado (or without as much ado as my first and second posts had), here’s the you-can’t-miss breathtaking spine-tingling hair-raising finale:
1951 April 12
Executive Order No. 432
The seat of government of the Municipality of Lebak, Province of Cotabato, was transferred from its location at the time at Kalamansig to the barrio of Salaman of the same municipality.
The significance of this law to the history of the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino is that ten years later, in 1961, the Municipality of Kalamansig would be created, and in 1965, parts of the Municipality of Kalamansig would form the western part of the Municipality of Kulaman.
1954 June 12
Republic Act No. 1035
The name of the Municipality of Dulawan in the Province of Cotabato was changed to Datu Piang. The southeast half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was still part of the Municipality of Dulawan during this time.
1957 August 30
Executive Order No. 266
The Municipality of Isulan was created. The new territory comprised forty barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Datu Piang and eight barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Norala. One of the barrios from the Municipality of Norala was Kalawag, which was assigned as the seat of government of the new municipality.
At this time apparently, the Philippine government had stopped subdividing territories into municipal districts. The Municipal District of Daguma no longer existed, but Barrio Daguma was listed as one of the barrios from the Municipality of Datu Piang that were included in the new municipality. Likewise, the Municipal District of Isulan no longer existed, but its name was used for the new municipality.
Compare the list of barrios that composed the Municipality of Dulawan (the old name of the Municipality of Datu Piang) in 1936 and the list of barrios and sitios that composed the Municipality of Isulan in 1957. From the two lists, you can infer that the Municipal Districts of Isulan and Daguma in the Municipality of Dulawan had roughly the same territory as the Municipality of Isulan. The barrios that the two territories shared were Dukay, Laguilayan, Daguma, Kapaya, Bual, Natubak, Tuka, and Sipaka. Furthermore, the following barrios might be the same but had been changed due to typographical error or natural evolution: from West Maliñgao to Malingawon, from Maluan to Malugan, and from Tuka Mapayag to Mapayag.
In 1957 also, the southeast half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was still part of the Municipality of Datu Piang. That portion of Kulaman Plateau, however, did not yet have any politically significant settlement. Among the listed barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Datu Piang, the nearest to the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was Masiag, now a barangay of the Municipality of Bagumbayan, Province of Sultan Kudarat.
Prior to the issuance of Executive Order No. 266, series of 1957, the Municipality of Norala had been created by virtue of Executive Order No. 572, series of 1953, from a portion of the Municipality of Koronadal. Earlier still, the Municipality of Koronadal was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 82, series of 1947, along with the Municipality of Kiamba and nine others.
1959 August 14
Executive Order No. 350
The Municipality of Palimbang was created. The new territory comprised forty-six barrios from the Municipality of Lebak and the Municipality of Kiamba (forty-seven barrios if Ripulon Langali was two barrios and a comma was inadvertently omitted when the law was written). The barrio of Palimbang was made the seat of government.
1961 December 29
Executive Order No. 459
The Municipality of Kalamansig was created. The new territory comprised twenty barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Lebak and eight barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Palimbang. The barrio of Kalamansig was made the seat of government.
1965 October 24
Executive Order No. 187
The Municipality of Bagumbayan was created. The new territory comprised thirty-two barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Isulan. The barrio of Bagumbayan was made the seat of government.
This law was later made void by a Supreme Court ruling, and the Municipality of Bagumbayan was recreated on June 21, 1969, by virtue of Republic Act No. 5960.
1965 November 29
Executive Order No. 211-E
The Municipality of Kulaman was created. The new territory comprised twenty-one barrios and sitios—nine from the Municipality of Kalamansig, ten from the Municipality of Isulan, and two from the Municipality of Palimbang. The barrio of Kulaman was made the seat of government.
This law was later made void by a Supreme Court ruling, but the territory was recreated later as the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino, on February 17, 1989, by virtue of Republic Act No. 6712.
1969 June 21
Republic Act No. 5960
The Municipality of Bagumbayan was recreated. The new territory comprised thirty-two barrios and sitios that were separated from the Municipality of Isulan: Bagumbayan, Bai Sirafinang, Biwang, Busok, Chrismor, Damaslot, Dawing, Kambad, Kanakan, Kapaya, Keposo, Kibongkog, Kinayao, Ladasino, Lanao, Languan, Lawa, Malalas, Malingaon, Malay, Mamison, Mapayag, Marbel, Masiag, Muno, Natubak, Payaguntong, Pangolan, Salatan, Sipaka, Siop and Tuka. The barrio of Bagumbayan was made the seat of government.
1973 November 22
Presidential Decree No. 341
The Province of Cotabato was divided into three provinces: North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat. The province of Sultan Kudarat comprised the municipalities of Tacurong, Isulan, Lutayan, Bagumbayan, Kalamansing, Lebak, Columbio, Palimbang and the new municipalities of President Quirino, Mariano Marcos, and Esperanza. The Municipality of Isulan became the capital of the Province of Sultan Kudarat.
1989 February 17
Republic Act No. 6712
The Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was created. The new territory comprised seven barangays from the Municipality of Kalamansig and one barangay from the Municipality of Bagumbayan. The baragays from Kalamansig were Kulaman, Buenaflores, Bugso, Kiadsam, Kadi, Kulaman, Malegdeg, and Sewod, and the barangay from Bagumbayan was Langgal. Kulaman was made the seat of government.
Are you still hanging on? Unless you badly need the info for a project in your history class, you most likely have not gone over my previous posts. No matter. I’m writing this for local history buffs and for myself. So without much ado (or without as much ado as my first and second posts had), here’s the you-can’t-miss breathtaking spine-tingling hair-raising finale:
1951 April 12
Executive Order No. 432
The seat of government of the Municipality of Lebak, Province of Cotabato, was transferred from its location at the time at Kalamansig to the barrio of Salaman of the same municipality.
The significance of this law to the history of the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino is that ten years later, in 1961, the Municipality of Kalamansig would be created, and in 1965, parts of the Municipality of Kalamansig would form the western part of the Municipality of Kulaman.
1954 June 12
Republic Act No. 1035
The name of the Municipality of Dulawan in the Province of Cotabato was changed to Datu Piang. The southeast half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was still part of the Municipality of Dulawan during this time.
1957 August 30
Executive Order No. 266
The Municipality of Isulan was created. The new territory comprised forty barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Datu Piang and eight barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Norala. One of the barrios from the Municipality of Norala was Kalawag, which was assigned as the seat of government of the new municipality.
At this time apparently, the Philippine government had stopped subdividing territories into municipal districts. The Municipal District of Daguma no longer existed, but Barrio Daguma was listed as one of the barrios from the Municipality of Datu Piang that were included in the new municipality. Likewise, the Municipal District of Isulan no longer existed, but its name was used for the new municipality.
Compare the list of barrios that composed the Municipality of Dulawan (the old name of the Municipality of Datu Piang) in 1936 and the list of barrios and sitios that composed the Municipality of Isulan in 1957. From the two lists, you can infer that the Municipal Districts of Isulan and Daguma in the Municipality of Dulawan had roughly the same territory as the Municipality of Isulan. The barrios that the two territories shared were Dukay, Laguilayan, Daguma, Kapaya, Bual, Natubak, Tuka, and Sipaka. Furthermore, the following barrios might be the same but had been changed due to typographical error or natural evolution: from West Maliñgao to Malingawon, from Maluan to Malugan, and from Tuka Mapayag to Mapayag.
In 1957 also, the southeast half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was still part of the Municipality of Datu Piang. That portion of Kulaman Plateau, however, did not yet have any politically significant settlement. Among the listed barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Datu Piang, the nearest to the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was Masiag, now a barangay of the Municipality of Bagumbayan, Province of Sultan Kudarat.
Prior to the issuance of Executive Order No. 266, series of 1957, the Municipality of Norala had been created by virtue of Executive Order No. 572, series of 1953, from a portion of the Municipality of Koronadal. Earlier still, the Municipality of Koronadal was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 82, series of 1947, along with the Municipality of Kiamba and nine others.
1959 August 14
Executive Order No. 350
The Municipality of Palimbang was created. The new territory comprised forty-six barrios from the Municipality of Lebak and the Municipality of Kiamba (forty-seven barrios if Ripulon Langali was two barrios and a comma was inadvertently omitted when the law was written). The barrio of Palimbang was made the seat of government.
1961 December 29
Executive Order No. 459
The Municipality of Kalamansig was created. The new territory comprised twenty barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Lebak and eight barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Palimbang. The barrio of Kalamansig was made the seat of government.
1965 October 24
Executive Order No. 187
The Municipality of Bagumbayan was created. The new territory comprised thirty-two barrios and sitios from the Municipality of Isulan. The barrio of Bagumbayan was made the seat of government.
This law was later made void by a Supreme Court ruling, and the Municipality of Bagumbayan was recreated on June 21, 1969, by virtue of Republic Act No. 5960.
1965 November 29
Executive Order No. 211-E
The Municipality of Kulaman was created. The new territory comprised twenty-one barrios and sitios—nine from the Municipality of Kalamansig, ten from the Municipality of Isulan, and two from the Municipality of Palimbang. The barrio of Kulaman was made the seat of government.
This law was later made void by a Supreme Court ruling, but the territory was recreated later as the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino, on February 17, 1989, by virtue of Republic Act No. 6712.
1969 June 21
Republic Act No. 5960
The Municipality of Bagumbayan was recreated. The new territory comprised thirty-two barrios and sitios that were separated from the Municipality of Isulan: Bagumbayan, Bai Sirafinang, Biwang, Busok, Chrismor, Damaslot, Dawing, Kambad, Kanakan, Kapaya, Keposo, Kibongkog, Kinayao, Ladasino, Lanao, Languan, Lawa, Malalas, Malingaon, Malay, Mamison, Mapayag, Marbel, Masiag, Muno, Natubak, Payaguntong, Pangolan, Salatan, Sipaka, Siop and Tuka. The barrio of Bagumbayan was made the seat of government.
1973 November 22
Presidential Decree No. 341
The Province of Cotabato was divided into three provinces: North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat. The province of Sultan Kudarat comprised the municipalities of Tacurong, Isulan, Lutayan, Bagumbayan, Kalamansing, Lebak, Columbio, Palimbang and the new municipalities of President Quirino, Mariano Marcos, and Esperanza. The Municipality of Isulan became the capital of the Province of Sultan Kudarat.
1989 February 17
Republic Act No. 6712
The Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was created. The new territory comprised seven barangays from the Municipality of Kalamansig and one barangay from the Municipality of Bagumbayan. The baragays from Kalamansig were Kulaman, Buenaflores, Bugso, Kiadsam, Kadi, Kulaman, Malegdeg, and Sewod, and the barangay from Bagumbayan was Langgal. Kulaman was made the seat of government.
Monday, January 11, 2016
The Mother of Kulaman II
(This is the second of a three-part series.)
As promised the previous Monday, I’m posting here today the laws that created Cotabato Province and its subdivisions. The focus, of course, remains to be the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino. Imagine a map of Mindanao with a tiny dot at the south central part, east of Celebes Sea. As the leaves of the calendar flit up, the colors around this dot change. At some point, the dot lies between a narrow green swath on the left and a large yellow patch on the right. Later on, the dot is surrounded by an orange vertical rectangle that is lumpy on the right side. That dot is the village of Kulaman, and the color-shifting shapes around it are its mother municipalities throughout the decades of the 1900s.
In some of the laws below, the villages of some municipalities are enumerated. The villages in Kulaman Plateau, however, are not all listed. That’s because I’m planning to create separate posts about the villages of Senator Ninoy Aquino, Kalamansig, Lebak, Palimbang, and Bagumbayan. I want to compare the past and present compositions of those municipalities. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, peruse the laws and their salient details. I’m not sure if you’ll enjoy going over them. I enjoyed researching about them and chopping the convoluted sentences into simpler and clearer ones. I believe I was able to sharpen my writing skills, and of course, I learned so much from the text. I now feel that the past of my homeland has become more tangible. It’s no longer a monochromatic map framed behind a hazy glass.
1903 June 1
Act No. 787 of the Philippine Commission
This law provided for the organization and government of the Moro Province, comprising five districts, namely, Sulu, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, and Davao. Zamboanga was made capital of the province.
The Cotabato District included “all that part of the Island of Mindanao lying east of the Lanao District, south of the eighth parallel of north latitude, and west of a line running south from the eighth parallel of north latitude along the crest of the Apo range of mountains to the southernmost peak of Mount Apo, thence along the watershed that divides the waters that flow into Davao Bay from those that flow into the Rio Grande and Sarangani Bay to Sarangani Point.”
1914 September 1
Act No. 2408 of the Philippine Commission
This law provided for a temporary form of government for the territory known as the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. The department comprised seven provinces. Five of these provinces had been districts: Cotabato, Davao, Lanao, Sulu, and Zamboanga. The two other provinces were Agusan, which was already a province at the time, and Bukidnon, which used to be a subprovince of Agusan. Zamboanga was made capital of the department. The “town of Cotabato” was made capital of Cotabato District.
1916 December 31
Act No. 2657 of the Philippine Commission
This is the original Administrative Code. Section 45 states “the general location of the provinces of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu and the principal subdivisions contained in them.” According to this law, the Province of Cotabato contained the municipalities of Cotabato and Parang.
1917 March 10
Act No. 2711 of the Philippine Commission
This is the revised Administrative Code. Section 40 states “the general location of the provinces of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu and the principal subdivisions contained in them.” According to this law, the Province of Cotabato contained the municipalities of Cotabato (the capital of the province), Dulawan, and Midsayap. The province also contained 37 municipal districts, namely, Awang, Balatikan, Balut, Banisilan, Barira, Buayan, Bugasan, Buldun, Buluan, Carmen,[Daguma], Dinaig,[Dulawan], Gambar, Glan,[Isulan], Kabakan, Kalanganan, Kiamba, Kidapawan, Kitubud, Kling, Koronadal, Lebak,[Libuangan], Liguasan,[Maganui], Nuling, Parang, Pikit-Pagalungan,[Reina Regente], Salaman, Sebu, Silik, Subpangan,[Talayan], and Tumbau. (Insertions in brackets are in the source, not mine.)
1936 November 25
Executive Order No. 66
The Municipalities of Dulawan and Midsayap were formed. The Municipality of Dulawan comprised (1) the Municipal District of Daguma, (2) the Municipal District of Isulan, (3) the Municipal District of Maganuy, (4) the Municipal District of Reina Regente, (5) the Municipal District of Talayan, and (6) the southern portion of the Municipal District of Dulawan. The Municipality of Midsayap comprised (1) the Municipal District of Libuñgan and (2) the northern portion of the Municipal District of Dulawan.
The law states that by “organizing” the municipal districts “into independent municipalities under the names of Dulawan and Midsayap,” “the one municipality of the Province of Cotabato is hereby increased to three.” There must be a gap in my research or the provincial board and the president failed to review the existing pertinent laws at the time. As early as 1917, as stated in Act No. 2711 of the Philippine Commission, the Province of Cotabato already contained three municipalities, namely, Cotabato, Dulawan, and Midsayap.
Kulaman Plateau at this time was inhabited purely by Dulangan Manobos, and no settlement there was large enough or had regular contact with the provincial government to become a municipal district or even just a barrio. Among the 104 barrios that composed the Municipality of Dulawan, the nearest to the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was Barrio Daguma, probably the seat of government of the Municipal District of Daguma and now a barangay of the Municipality of Bagumbayan, Province of Sultan Kudarat.
Based on this law, it can be surmised that, in 1936, the southeast half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was part of the Municipal District of Daguma in the Municipality of Dulawan. The northeast half is not covered by this law.
1947 August 18
Executive Order No. 82
Ten municipalities were created, increasing the number of municipalities in the Province of Cotabato from three to thirteen. Added to Cotabato, Dulawan, and Midsayap were (1) Pagalungan, (2) Parang, (3) Nuling, (4) Kiamba, (5) Buluan, (6) Kidapawan, (7) Kabakan, (8) Koronadal, (9) Buayan, and (10) Dinaig. The ten municipalities were formed from all, except three, municipal districts in the Province of Cotabato. The three municipal districts that did not become part of the new municipalities were annexed to the Municipality of Cotabato.
The Municipality of Kiamba was created from the Municipal Districts of Kiamba, Kling, and Lebak. Some parts of the Municipal District of Lebak eventually composed the northwest half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino.
1948 December 31
Executive Order No. 195
The Municipality of Lebak was created, with the seat of government at the sitio of Kalamansig. The new municipality comprised the Municipal District of Lebak in the Municipality of Kiamba and the Municipal District of Salaman in the Municipality of Dinaig.
The previous year, both Kiamba and Dinaig had been made municipalities by virtue of Executive Order No. 82. The Municipality of Kiamba at the time comprised the Municipal Districts of Kiamba, Kling, and Lebak, while the Municipality of Dinaig comprised the Municipal Districts of Dinaig, Awang, and Salaman.
(Come back next Monday for the continuation of these laws and the last part of the series.)
As promised the previous Monday, I’m posting here today the laws that created Cotabato Province and its subdivisions. The focus, of course, remains to be the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino. Imagine a map of Mindanao with a tiny dot at the south central part, east of Celebes Sea. As the leaves of the calendar flit up, the colors around this dot change. At some point, the dot lies between a narrow green swath on the left and a large yellow patch on the right. Later on, the dot is surrounded by an orange vertical rectangle that is lumpy on the right side. That dot is the village of Kulaman, and the color-shifting shapes around it are its mother municipalities throughout the decades of the 1900s.
In some of the laws below, the villages of some municipalities are enumerated. The villages in Kulaman Plateau, however, are not all listed. That’s because I’m planning to create separate posts about the villages of Senator Ninoy Aquino, Kalamansig, Lebak, Palimbang, and Bagumbayan. I want to compare the past and present compositions of those municipalities. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For now, peruse the laws and their salient details. I’m not sure if you’ll enjoy going over them. I enjoyed researching about them and chopping the convoluted sentences into simpler and clearer ones. I believe I was able to sharpen my writing skills, and of course, I learned so much from the text. I now feel that the past of my homeland has become more tangible. It’s no longer a monochromatic map framed behind a hazy glass.
1903 June 1
Act No. 787 of the Philippine Commission
This law provided for the organization and government of the Moro Province, comprising five districts, namely, Sulu, Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, and Davao. Zamboanga was made capital of the province.
The Cotabato District included “all that part of the Island of Mindanao lying east of the Lanao District, south of the eighth parallel of north latitude, and west of a line running south from the eighth parallel of north latitude along the crest of the Apo range of mountains to the southernmost peak of Mount Apo, thence along the watershed that divides the waters that flow into Davao Bay from those that flow into the Rio Grande and Sarangani Bay to Sarangani Point.”
1914 September 1
Act No. 2408 of the Philippine Commission
This law provided for a temporary form of government for the territory known as the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. The department comprised seven provinces. Five of these provinces had been districts: Cotabato, Davao, Lanao, Sulu, and Zamboanga. The two other provinces were Agusan, which was already a province at the time, and Bukidnon, which used to be a subprovince of Agusan. Zamboanga was made capital of the department. The “town of Cotabato” was made capital of Cotabato District.
1916 December 31
Act No. 2657 of the Philippine Commission
This is the original Administrative Code. Section 45 states “the general location of the provinces of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu and the principal subdivisions contained in them.” According to this law, the Province of Cotabato contained the municipalities of Cotabato and Parang.
1917 March 10
Act No. 2711 of the Philippine Commission
This is the revised Administrative Code. Section 40 states “the general location of the provinces of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu and the principal subdivisions contained in them.” According to this law, the Province of Cotabato contained the municipalities of Cotabato (the capital of the province), Dulawan, and Midsayap. The province also contained 37 municipal districts, namely, Awang, Balatikan, Balut, Banisilan, Barira, Buayan, Bugasan, Buldun, Buluan, Carmen,[Daguma], Dinaig,[Dulawan], Gambar, Glan,[Isulan], Kabakan, Kalanganan, Kiamba, Kidapawan, Kitubud, Kling, Koronadal, Lebak,[Libuangan], Liguasan,[Maganui], Nuling, Parang, Pikit-Pagalungan,[Reina Regente], Salaman, Sebu, Silik, Subpangan,[Talayan], and Tumbau. (Insertions in brackets are in the source, not mine.)
1936 November 25
Executive Order No. 66
The Municipalities of Dulawan and Midsayap were formed. The Municipality of Dulawan comprised (1) the Municipal District of Daguma, (2) the Municipal District of Isulan, (3) the Municipal District of Maganuy, (4) the Municipal District of Reina Regente, (5) the Municipal District of Talayan, and (6) the southern portion of the Municipal District of Dulawan. The Municipality of Midsayap comprised (1) the Municipal District of Libuñgan and (2) the northern portion of the Municipal District of Dulawan.
The law states that by “organizing” the municipal districts “into independent municipalities under the names of Dulawan and Midsayap,” “the one municipality of the Province of Cotabato is hereby increased to three.” There must be a gap in my research or the provincial board and the president failed to review the existing pertinent laws at the time. As early as 1917, as stated in Act No. 2711 of the Philippine Commission, the Province of Cotabato already contained three municipalities, namely, Cotabato, Dulawan, and Midsayap.
Kulaman Plateau at this time was inhabited purely by Dulangan Manobos, and no settlement there was large enough or had regular contact with the provincial government to become a municipal district or even just a barrio. Among the 104 barrios that composed the Municipality of Dulawan, the nearest to the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was Barrio Daguma, probably the seat of government of the Municipal District of Daguma and now a barangay of the Municipality of Bagumbayan, Province of Sultan Kudarat.
Based on this law, it can be surmised that, in 1936, the southeast half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino was part of the Municipal District of Daguma in the Municipality of Dulawan. The northeast half is not covered by this law.
1947 August 18
Executive Order No. 82
Ten municipalities were created, increasing the number of municipalities in the Province of Cotabato from three to thirteen. Added to Cotabato, Dulawan, and Midsayap were (1) Pagalungan, (2) Parang, (3) Nuling, (4) Kiamba, (5) Buluan, (6) Kidapawan, (7) Kabakan, (8) Koronadal, (9) Buayan, and (10) Dinaig. The ten municipalities were formed from all, except three, municipal districts in the Province of Cotabato. The three municipal districts that did not become part of the new municipalities were annexed to the Municipality of Cotabato.
The Municipality of Kiamba was created from the Municipal Districts of Kiamba, Kling, and Lebak. Some parts of the Municipal District of Lebak eventually composed the northwest half of the present-day Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino.
1948 December 31
Executive Order No. 195
The Municipality of Lebak was created, with the seat of government at the sitio of Kalamansig. The new municipality comprised the Municipal District of Lebak in the Municipality of Kiamba and the Municipal District of Salaman in the Municipality of Dinaig.
The previous year, both Kiamba and Dinaig had been made municipalities by virtue of Executive Order No. 82. The Municipality of Kiamba at the time comprised the Municipal Districts of Kiamba, Kling, and Lebak, while the Municipality of Dinaig comprised the Municipal Districts of Dinaig, Awang, and Salaman.
(Come back next Monday for the continuation of these laws and the last part of the series.)
Monday, December 7, 2015
Festivals of Lebak, Kalamansig, and Palimbang
Municipality of Lebak
(Blogger’s note: The original version of this text is in Filipino. It seems to have been used by a dance group that performed in the street dancing competition on the province’s foundation anniversary celebration. I omitted more than half of the material.)
Lebak is a place where various tribes have gathered, and though they have different cultures, traditions, and religions, they were made one by a common occupation—tilling the soil. As farmers, all of them had a practice of having a thanksgiving feast after every harvest, though these feasts were conducted separately and in different manners. These separate gatherings eventually melded into one and became what is today the Hinugyaw Festival.
The Christian settlers, being mostly migrants from Panay Island, used to stage their own version of Aklan’s ati-atihan, which was originally a celebration of the aboriginal Aetas. Eventually, as the Christians of Lebak became more acquainted with the other tribes in the locality, the festivity began to form its own shape, becoming less like ati-atihan. Hinugyaw is a Hiligaynon term that means “jubilation.”
Municipality of Kalamansig
( The original version of this text is in Filipino. I have doubts about its accuracy. The Dulangan Manobos call God “Nemula,” not “Manama.” Whoever wrote the original text might have referred to the folklore of another Manobo tribe.)
The Dulangan Manobos rely on the abundance of nature. The bountiful mountains serve as their home and source of food, materials for shelter, and medicine for various illnesses. They are farmers who depend on the fertility of the land, and whenever their crops are lush and bear plenty of fruit, they celebrate Salagaan, which means “plenteous harvest.”
During the celebration, the Manobos dance, play musical instruments, and rejoice as a way of thanking “Manama,” whom they recognize as the Supreme Being. In times like this, the tribe unites to express their common dream of peace, love, prosperity, and happiness.
Municipality of Palimbang
(This account seems like pure invention to me. The original version uses the term Manobo Bagobo. I changed it to Dulangan Manobo since there are no Bagobo settlements in Baluan. I’ve been there myself. The indigenous people there are Dulangan Manobos. Also, a communal system of planting crops is not a prevalent practice among the Dulangan Manobos, according to some research papers that I’ve read.)
In a Manobo village in Baluan, the people were hardworking and united. In spite of their simple life, they were happy and contented of what they had. During planting season, people practiced the bayanihan system to prepare the land for planting. Men and women, young and old, helped each other in the farm. They enjoyed these activities because it was a time for gathering and knowing each other better.
The happiness of the people in the community was short-lived. When their plants were about to bear fruits, calamity struck the whole area, and all the people were saddened and depressed. They then gathered and tried to look for ways and means to overcome the situation. With concerted efforts, they eventually won over the plague.
In celebration of their success, they made an offering to the god of harvest to thank him for the victory and the abundant blessings. Because of that calamity, the community valued the spirit of unity and cooperation. They realized that their strength magnified when they joined hands and fight for a common objective.
Based on that story, Palimbang adopted the culture of the Dulangan Manobos and named the annual celebration of the municipality Kalilang/Sanufe Festival.
(This post is a part of “The Other Towns” series. See my October 5 post for the overview.)
(Blogger’s note: The original version of this text is in Filipino. It seems to have been used by a dance group that performed in the street dancing competition on the province’s foundation anniversary celebration. I omitted more than half of the material.)
Lebak is a place where various tribes have gathered, and though they have different cultures, traditions, and religions, they were made one by a common occupation—tilling the soil. As farmers, all of them had a practice of having a thanksgiving feast after every harvest, though these feasts were conducted separately and in different manners. These separate gatherings eventually melded into one and became what is today the Hinugyaw Festival.
The Christian settlers, being mostly migrants from Panay Island, used to stage their own version of Aklan’s ati-atihan, which was originally a celebration of the aboriginal Aetas. Eventually, as the Christians of Lebak became more acquainted with the other tribes in the locality, the festivity began to form its own shape, becoming less like ati-atihan. Hinugyaw is a Hiligaynon term that means “jubilation.”
Municipality of Kalamansig
( The original version of this text is in Filipino. I have doubts about its accuracy. The Dulangan Manobos call God “Nemula,” not “Manama.” Whoever wrote the original text might have referred to the folklore of another Manobo tribe.)
The Dulangan Manobos rely on the abundance of nature. The bountiful mountains serve as their home and source of food, materials for shelter, and medicine for various illnesses. They are farmers who depend on the fertility of the land, and whenever their crops are lush and bear plenty of fruit, they celebrate Salagaan, which means “plenteous harvest.”
During the celebration, the Manobos dance, play musical instruments, and rejoice as a way of thanking “Manama,” whom they recognize as the Supreme Being. In times like this, the tribe unites to express their common dream of peace, love, prosperity, and happiness.
Municipality of Palimbang
(This account seems like pure invention to me. The original version uses the term Manobo Bagobo. I changed it to Dulangan Manobo since there are no Bagobo settlements in Baluan. I’ve been there myself. The indigenous people there are Dulangan Manobos. Also, a communal system of planting crops is not a prevalent practice among the Dulangan Manobos, according to some research papers that I’ve read.)
In a Manobo village in Baluan, the people were hardworking and united. In spite of their simple life, they were happy and contented of what they had. During planting season, people practiced the bayanihan system to prepare the land for planting. Men and women, young and old, helped each other in the farm. They enjoyed these activities because it was a time for gathering and knowing each other better.
The happiness of the people in the community was short-lived. When their plants were about to bear fruits, calamity struck the whole area, and all the people were saddened and depressed. They then gathered and tried to look for ways and means to overcome the situation. With concerted efforts, they eventually won over the plague.
In celebration of their success, they made an offering to the god of harvest to thank him for the victory and the abundant blessings. Because of that calamity, the community valued the spirit of unity and cooperation. They realized that their strength magnified when they joined hands and fight for a common objective.
Based on that story, Palimbang adopted the culture of the Dulangan Manobos and named the annual celebration of the municipality Kalilang/Sanufe Festival.
(This post is a part of “The Other Towns” series. See my October 5 post for the overview.)
Monday, November 30, 2015
Brief Histories of Bagumbayan and Palimbang
Municipality of Bagumbayan
In the early fifties, Datu Kudanding Camsa, a Maguindanaon leader, opened a settlement on the western part of the Allah River. It was named Bagumbayan, which came from bagong bayan, which means “new town.”
Bagumbayan became one of the largest barangays of the municipality of Isulan. In November 1965, then-President Diosdado Macapagal turned Bagumbayan into a municipality by virtue of an executive order. The municipality comprised nine barangays taken from the western part of Isulan.
Datu Kudanding Camsa became the first mayor of Bagumbayan, but the municipality existed until April 1966 only. It was reverted into a barangay as a result of a Supreme Court ruling that the president of the Philippines could not create a municipality by executive order.
On June 21, 1969, Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Republic Act No. 5960, recreating the municipality of Bagumbayan. A special election was conducted in November 1969, and Datu Don Ampatuan was elected mayor. In mid 1970, a conflict between Christians and Muslims broke out, and Vice Mayor Martin Forro became the acting municipal mayor.
Municipality of Palimbang
Palimbang used to be called Pula, after the trees that grew abundantly along the river in the area. The inhabitants of Pula were mostly Maguindanaons, who became Muslims when Sharif Kabungsuan came to Mindanao in the 1500s.
The name of the place was changed to Palimbang when some fishermen from Indonesia had to dock on Philippine shores due to bad weather. The natives, headed by Sendale Tambuto, met the foreigners and learned that they came from Palembang, Indonesia. The interaction with the visitors inspired the natives to adopt the name Palimbang as the official name of their place.
Through Executive Order No. 350, dated August 14, 1959, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia created the municipality of Palimbang. The municipality comprised some portions of Kiamba, Cotabato (now Kiamba, Sarangani), and some portions of Lebak, Cotabato (now Lebak, Sultan Kudarat).
(Blogger’s note: This post is a part of “The Other Towns” series. See my October 5 post for the overview.)
In the early fifties, Datu Kudanding Camsa, a Maguindanaon leader, opened a settlement on the western part of the Allah River. It was named Bagumbayan, which came from bagong bayan, which means “new town.”
Bagumbayan became one of the largest barangays of the municipality of Isulan. In November 1965, then-President Diosdado Macapagal turned Bagumbayan into a municipality by virtue of an executive order. The municipality comprised nine barangays taken from the western part of Isulan.
Datu Kudanding Camsa became the first mayor of Bagumbayan, but the municipality existed until April 1966 only. It was reverted into a barangay as a result of a Supreme Court ruling that the president of the Philippines could not create a municipality by executive order.
On June 21, 1969, Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Republic Act No. 5960, recreating the municipality of Bagumbayan. A special election was conducted in November 1969, and Datu Don Ampatuan was elected mayor. In mid 1970, a conflict between Christians and Muslims broke out, and Vice Mayor Martin Forro became the acting municipal mayor.
Municipality of Palimbang
Palimbang used to be called Pula, after the trees that grew abundantly along the river in the area. The inhabitants of Pula were mostly Maguindanaons, who became Muslims when Sharif Kabungsuan came to Mindanao in the 1500s.
The name of the place was changed to Palimbang when some fishermen from Indonesia had to dock on Philippine shores due to bad weather. The natives, headed by Sendale Tambuto, met the foreigners and learned that they came from Palembang, Indonesia. The interaction with the visitors inspired the natives to adopt the name Palimbang as the official name of their place.
Through Executive Order No. 350, dated August 14, 1959, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia created the municipality of Palimbang. The municipality comprised some portions of Kiamba, Cotabato (now Kiamba, Sarangani), and some portions of Lebak, Cotabato (now Lebak, Sultan Kudarat).
(Blogger’s note: This post is a part of “The Other Towns” series. See my October 5 post for the overview.)
Monday, November 9, 2015
Palimbang: Map and Facts in Brief
Population: 117,529 (projected for 2012, based on 2007 census)
Number of barangays: 40
Literacy rate: 70.08 % (household population 10 years old and above, 2000)
Population density: 244 persons per sq. km. (projected for 2012, based on 2007 census)
No. of households: 23,913 (projected for 2013, based on 2007 census)
Major industry: farming, fishing
Major crops: rice, corn, coconut, fish
Scenic spots: Alidama Island, Seven Lakes
Income: 130.33 million (2010)
Registered voters: 38,027 (2010)
(Blogger’s note: This post is a part of “The Other Towns” series. See my October 5 post for the overview.)
Monday, October 5, 2015
The Other Towns
For the past several weeks, I’ve been posting data about the municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino that were culled from the “2010 Socio-Economic Profile of Sultan Kudarat Province,” compiled by the Provincial Planning Development Office. I’ll be doing the same for several weeks more, until the end of the year. My future posts, though, will be about the neighboring towns of Senator Ninoy Aquino that have Dulangan Manobos in them. Here’s the schedule:
October 12 – Kalamansig: Map and Facts in BriefMany people in the plains of Sultan Kudarat, especially those who are from Isulan and Esperanza, will be surprised to find out that there are Dulangan Manobos living in their areas. Know more starting next week. The posts in this “The Other Towns” series will appear every Monday, as listed above. In case I’m able to write other articles about Kulaman Plateau, I’ll post them on other days of the week.
October 19 – Lebak: Map and Facts in Brief
October 26 – Isulan and Esperanza: Maps and Facts in Brief
November 2 – Bagumbayan: Map and Facts in Brief
November 9 – Palimbang: Map and Facts in Brief
November 16 – Brief Histories of Lebak and Kalamansig
November 23 – Brief Histories of Isulan and Esperanza
November 30 – Brief Histories of Bagumbayan and Palimbang
December 7 – Festivals of Lebak, Kalamansig, and Palimbang
December 14 – Festivals of Esperanza, Isulan, and Bagumbayan
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Poverty in Kulaman
More than week ago, I created a post stating that Senator Ninoy Aquino is the poorest town in Region 12. The data were taken twelve years ago by the National Statistical Coordination Board. I rummaged through the agency's website again to look for more recent poverty statistics, and good news, my poor little town is no longer as poor.
Since 2000, NSCB conducted several more poverty estimates for the country. I can't find the results by municipality for 2006, so I will cite only the findings for 2000, 2003, and 2009. (NSCB's website could surely benefit from a little 5S.)
As I've posted, in 2000, Senator Ninoy Aquino received the dubious distinction of being the most impoverished municipality in Region 12, with 74.90 percent of its populace living below the poverty line. T'boli in South Cotabato ranked next at 73.67 percent, and three other towns in Sultan Kudarat Province registered poverty incidence above 70 percent—Colombio, Lutayan, and Bagumbayan.
In 2003, poverty in Senator Ninoy Aquino had been alleviated, for only 63.63 percent of its populace could not afford basic necessities. The municipality ranked fourth among the poorest in the region. The top two belonged to South Cotabato Province—T'boli (66.50 percent) and Lake Sebu (65.31 percent)—and on the third spot was Malapatan (66.37 percent), of Sarangani Province.
In 2009, the ranking of Senator Ninoy Aquino improved further. The municipality now placed twelfth, with only 47.60 percent of the population experiencing poverty. The sad thing is that its neighbor, Palimbang, took over the top spot, with 63.70 percent of its residents unable to make ends meet. The town was eighth in 2000 and sixth in 2003.
The most alarming about the findings is that the municipalities that registered the highest incidence of poverty are where indigenous tribes live. Hopefully, the statistics will goad (or shame) the local government units concerned into improving the plight of their peoples.
Since 2000, NSCB conducted several more poverty estimates for the country. I can't find the results by municipality for 2006, so I will cite only the findings for 2000, 2003, and 2009. (NSCB's website could surely benefit from a little 5S.)
As I've posted, in 2000, Senator Ninoy Aquino received the dubious distinction of being the most impoverished municipality in Region 12, with 74.90 percent of its populace living below the poverty line. T'boli in South Cotabato ranked next at 73.67 percent, and three other towns in Sultan Kudarat Province registered poverty incidence above 70 percent—Colombio, Lutayan, and Bagumbayan.
In 2003, poverty in Senator Ninoy Aquino had been alleviated, for only 63.63 percent of its populace could not afford basic necessities. The municipality ranked fourth among the poorest in the region. The top two belonged to South Cotabato Province—T'boli (66.50 percent) and Lake Sebu (65.31 percent)—and on the third spot was Malapatan (66.37 percent), of Sarangani Province.
In 2009, the ranking of Senator Ninoy Aquino improved further. The municipality now placed twelfth, with only 47.60 percent of the population experiencing poverty. The sad thing is that its neighbor, Palimbang, took over the top spot, with 63.70 percent of its residents unable to make ends meet. The town was eighth in 2000 and sixth in 2003.
The most alarming about the findings is that the municipalities that registered the highest incidence of poverty are where indigenous tribes live. Hopefully, the statistics will goad (or shame) the local government units concerned into improving the plight of their peoples.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)