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History of Samal
In the early Spanish regime, during the reign of Don
Jose Uyanguren of Davao City , a certain Island within the DAVAO
Gulf was named “ SAMAL” in recognition to the settlers who migrated
from Jolo and Basilan called the “ ISLAMIC TRIBAL GROUP” or “ ISAMAL”
. Most of the settlers lived along the coastal areas and only few in
the hinter lands. Their daily primitive way of acquiring foods is
through fishing, farming, and hunting within the vicinity.
The island was created into a municipality named as “
Municipality of Samal” and Barrio Peńaplata was the center for
commercial economic and government operation. At that time , the
municipal councilors of Samal found its concept of local autonomy
and effective delivery of services. They therefore decided to create
another municipality in order to be effective and autonomous in
governance. Mayor Simplicio Obenza , Sr. made his iniative to the
speedy creation of two municipalities.
History of Babak
The historical traces of the name of this developing
Island town came to surface from detailed informations through
investigations and personal interviews with some native chieftains
of how the place got its name. Based on unrecorded history , the
place was sparsely populated by few farming natives called ISAMALS
who first settled the coastal areas of the Island. There were no
known surveyed roads except trails and pathways crisscrossing the
lowland areas . Thick forest and green land covered the ISLAND’S
virgin soil.
In this isolated unnamed coastal area, there abound
green leafy shrubs “ TAGBAK “ which were used by the natives into
making baskets and containers for their fish catch , foods and
others. The place had been the source of “ TAGBAK “ the main
materials for their native handicrafts.
On another account , there was in the said place , a
tree which the natives called “ BAKBAK” which used to be the
landmark of the place as the trading center of the natives in their
trading business , thus , paving the start of the development of
commercial business among the inland tribes.
The place then , having been made the center of
tribal economic business activities and commercial intercourses, the
name “ BABAK” in short was born and became known to be the natives
trading center in the island. Babak grew and developed into a native
community out of the century old native tradition, old fashioned
agricultural farming and antiquated methods of fishing. It became
the main commercial center for traders from the mainland “DABA-DABA”
, now Davao.
Long before the Christians migrated to this Island ,
the coastal areas were already populated by natives ruled by a “DATU”.
These early settlers were tall, big and /or of giant size “
DINAGATAS”, but these natives , ancestors of the present samal
natives became extincts for they were killed and poisoned by the
early colonizers. Proof of this can easily be verified by the
presence of human bones and remains found in the rocky shoreline
caves of liquid Islets and the mainland Samal Island.
The Isamals are by occupation farmers and fisheries
using very crude methods. Through the coming of the Christians from
different provinces of Luzon and the Visayas , improved methods were
introduced , thus increasing production more arable land were
cultivated.
History of Kaputian
Before the Second World War Samal was still a virgin
forest during that time. Don Vicente Fernandez together with Don
Ramon and Don Pepe Fernandez acquired and cultivated the southern
part of Samal which was ruled by Datu Budas during the early period
of American occupation and founded Hacienda Samal and Compana
Maritima.
On June 18, 1966 , the Philippine Congress
historically made a landmark legislation through enabling laws
passed under “ Republic Act 4754” that dubbed the creation of the
municipality of kaputian and separating it from the mother
municipality for the purpose. The mandate includes the islets of
Malipano and Talicud Island. Under Executive order 184 , Kaputian
was legally declared as another municipality of Davao Province.
Since the beginning of its creation the municipality
has been ruled by Three (3) political leaders namely ; Hon. Diosdado
Alorro , Hon. Dediano E. Rebong and Hon. Aniano P. Antalan . The
incumbent took his reign during the revolutionary form of government
under the leadership of President Corazon C. Aquino.
Kaputian derived its name from the “ WHITE SAND” that
occupies the southern part of the Samal Island long before ruled by
Datu Budas.
Climate
Land Area
Creation of the City
Early Years of the Island
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