Kapalong

DAVAO DEL NORTE

Historical Background

Kapalong became a municipality on August 1, 1948 by virtue of Executive Order No. 151 issued by then President Elpidio R. Quirino. The Municipality’s name came after the local dialect “makapalong ”, which means, “can put out a fire”. The word is associated to the once powerful currents of a creek in the area, which emptied at the Libuganon River and according to local folklore is enchanted. Oral history of the place tells that torches carried along the creek were put-off due to the currents powerful force. The natives started to call the creek “makapalong” as a warning to all inhabitants and passersby.

The Aetas and Mandayas are the early settlers of the forest areas of this municipality. They built houses, which they group together to form small villages. Their activities centered mostly on hunting and freshwater fishing and not much on agriculture. As the years passed and settlers from other places came development was introduced in trickles. Furthermore, it can be surmised that these settlers are those who have discovered and took advantage of the areas potential for banana plantation.

Political and Administrative Background

The Municipality was originally composed of barangay Maniki, Abaca, Tibal-og, Semong, Mabantao, Florida, Sua-on and Gupitan. The creation of Municipality of Sto. Tomas by Executive Order No.352 issued by the late President Carlos P. Garcia on August 14, 1959 and the Municipality of Talaingod by Republic Act 7081 dated July 29, 1991 approved by then President Corazon C. Aquino redefined the new territorial jurisdiction of Kapalong. Three (3) barangays of Kapalong namely: Sto.Niño, Palma Gil and Dagohoy were given off to the Municipality of Talaingod. Since then there are  21 barangays comprising Kapalong these are barangay Maniki, Pag-asa, Luna, Sampao, Mamacao, Gabuyan, Semong, Katipunan, Tiburcia, Capungagan, Mabantao, Florida, Sua-on, Gupitan, Monte Dujali, Datu Balong, Dacudao, Libuton, Pinamuno, Linao and San Miguel.

While on August 30,1992, three (3) new barangays were created: Datu Balong, Libuton and Pinamuno from the vast land area of Barangay Gupitan, the municipality’s farthest and biggest barangay.

The passage of the Local Government Code of 1991 paved the way for a reorganization of most if not all LGUs. The LGU of Kapalong’s workforce increased and a number of offices were added in compliance with the devolution provisions of the Local Government Code. At present, Kapalong is being headed by Hon. Dominador P. Cruda, Sr. elected chief executive.

Another Republic Act No. 9265 was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in March 15, 2004 creating the Municipality of San Isidro.  This marked out seven barangays of the Municipality which includes barangays Dacudao, Datu Balong, Libuton and Pinamuno. Barangay   Linao, Monte Dujali , and San Miguel all  of which are upland barangays.

Originally classified as a third class municipality, it has been elevated to a first class municipality with the implementation of the 1991 LGC.  At present, the major economic activity of the town is agriculture. Trade and commerce are minimal and mostly concentrated in the town proper.

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