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Creation of the City
When Samal Island were created into three
municipalities, it was perceived that its development would be
mobilized being located proximately to the progressive Metropolis of
Davao and nearby growth centers in Davao del Norte and Davao del Sur.
yet, after the past decades since its creation as municipalities in
1948, 1953 and 1966 its development lagged far behind from its
neighboring local government units. Hence n 1966 the high ranking
officials of Davao del Norte led by Congressman Rodolfo del Rosario
and Provincial Governor Prospero S. Amatong with other members of
Sangguniang Panlalawigan moved on to usher Samal a new vision of
hope before its Golden Anniversary in 1998. During this year a new
concept of development strategy cropped up which is the creation of
an urban center in a rural development that would set a new horizon
of modernity and prioritize quality public service delivery.
Congressman Rodolfo P. del Rosario passed the bill
that resulted to the passage of Republic Act#8471, which paved the
way for the integration of the three municipalities into one local
government unit that is now called the Island Garden City of Samal.
This was signed on January 30, 1998 by his Excellency, President
Fidel V. Ramos and was overwhelming approved by the people of the
locality during the plebiscite held on March 7, 1998. Almost four
months later, on June 30, 1998, the new city began exercising its
corporate powers.
At first, people from all walks of life were
resistant on its name for it's too long. Other simply remarked that
with physical attributes of the locality, it does not deserve to be
called a city. With due respect to these observations, only few
realized that the creation of the city is totally distinct in the
sense that it embraces the new dimension of development which
hopefully will make things happen for its people.
The Early Years of the Island
In the early years, indigenous people coming from the
Northern and Eastern coasts of the undivided Davao Province settled
Samal Island. A large mixed population of Mansakas, Mandayas and
Muslims composed the identification of the now so-called Sama Tribe.
As these primeval settlers were organized into
communities a Datu up to the early part of the American Regime
dynastically ruled them.
In the early part of the 18th century governance
shifted when Christianization came in. The first mass was celebrated
in Barangay San Hose of Samal District in 1928.
As an archipelago, Samal became a District
Municipality of Davao Province on June 8, 1948 under executive Order
#151, which was sgned by then President Elpidio Quirino. Later, on
May 28, 1953 Babak Municipality was created under Executive Order
#590 which was also signed by then President Elpidio Quirino. After
thirteen years, Municipality of Kaputian was created on June 18,1966
under Executive Order # 184, which was signed by then President
Ferdinand E. Marcos. Each municipal name derived from each different
historical tracing.
The second district which is the government center of
the city got its name Samal from the early indigenous settlers
forming into one tribe called "ISAMA" and its barangay name
Peņaplata from the Isama term "MALIBASA" which means a place where
honorable people living in perfect harmony who love peace. First
district derived its name Babak from an abundant shrubs called "TAGBAK"
grown in the area and a big tree which the natives called "BABAK"
which were used as landmark for the people's trade center. White
sand in the local dialect "PUTTING BALS" is significantly true to
the shoreline of the third district from which is name Kaputian
derived.
Climate
Land Area
History
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