Matanao, Davao del Sur

Matanao
Municipality
Map of Davao del Sur with Matanao highlighted
Matanao Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 06°45′N 125°14′E / 6.750°N 125.233°ECoordinates: 06°45′N 125°14′E / 6.750°N 125.233°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Davao (Region XI)
Province	Davao del Sur
District	1st district of Davao del Sur
Barangays	33
Government[1]
• Mayor	Vicente Fernandez
Area[2]
• Total	202.40 km^2 (78.15 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	51,382
• Density	250/km^2 (660/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	8003
Dialing code	82
Income class	2nd

Matanao is a second class municipality in the province of Davao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,382.^[3]

History

In 1957, some of the barrios of the municipality of Bansalan namely Kibao, San Vicente, Kibuaya, Managa Km. 67, Sinawilan, New Visayas, Sacub, Upper Malabang, Tibongbong, Sinaragan, Maliit Digos, Kapok, Tamlangon, Manga, Buas, New Katipunan, Da-Anama, Upper Kauswagan, Kagaulas, Kabasagan, Tuwak, Mal, Latian, Lanturi, Dongan-Pekong, La Union, Kauswagan, and Paitan were grouped and constituted into a new and independent municipality known as Matanao.^[4]

Matanao means a place or something to see or witness at a vantage point. In the earlier days, the place was known as “Matin-aw”, a term used to mean clear. The name is derived from the crystal clear brooks and rivers that abound in the area. No one could exactly tell how, when and why “Matin-aw” became Matanao.

In 1920, long before Matanao was formally created into a municipality, Buas had already existed (representing Matanao) as a barangay of Santa Cruz inhabited by tribal minorities, the Blaans (Bilaan) with Datu Edu Gamban as their recognized leader. In 1927, migrants from the Visayas led by the late Rosendo Javelona and his family came to the place. Protestantism was spread by one Pastor Diamonon through the Javelonas. Ranchers also invaded the place and have for themselves large homesteads. Ten years later, sometime in 1937, scores of Cebuanos came. Among them were Roman Albarracin, Pablo Chavez and Crispin Puerto and their kins. The next batch of Cebuanos came in 1940′s including the Famor Clan. The clan introduced Catholicism in the area and a chapel was built giving honor to the present patron Saint Senor San Miguel, the Archangel.

Countless batches of migrants flocked to the place and various cultural influences account for what Matanao is today. The people of the municipality is a blend of Cebuanos, Ilongos, Bicolanos, Boholanos, Ilocanos, Zamboanguenos, Tagalogs, Blaans, Calagans and Bagobos, Babel of dialects was experienced by the people in the place, but Cebuano came out to be the dominating dialect, thus, becoming the mother tongue of the municipality until the present time.

Geography

Matanao is located in the province of Davao Del Sur in Region XI Davao Region on Mindanao Island. The municipality Matanao is about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west-south-west of province capital City Of Digos and about 990 kilometres (620 mi) south-south-east of Philippine main capital Manila.

Climate

Hot and humid most of the year. May to November is typhoon season. The mean annual temperature of the municipality is between 22.4 to 31.5 °C (72.3 to 88.7 °F). The annual rainfall ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 millimetres (59 to 98 in). The coldest part of the year is usually during the month of December to February and the hottest month are April and May. Rainfall distribution is more or less even during the year.

Barangays

Matanao is politically subdivided into 33 barangays.^[2] The poblacion forms the center of the municipality whereas the other 32 are in the outlying areas which several kilometers away from the town.

Barangays	PSG-Code	Urban/rural	Population (2010)[3]
Asbang	112410001	rural	1,082
Asinan	112410002	rural	623
Bagumbayan	112410003	rural	470
Bangkal	112410004	rural	3,136
Buas	112410005	rural	836
Buri	112410006	rural	2,318
Camanchiles	112410007	rural	1,218
Ceboza	112410008	rural	618
Colonsabak	112410009	rural	1,619
Dongan-Pekong	112410010	rural	1,536
Kabasagan	112410012	rural	2,034
Kapok	112410013	rural	1,151
Kauswagan	112410014	rural	1,474
Kibao	112410015	rural	617
La Suerte	112410016	rural	1,685
Langa-an	112410017	rural	665
Lower Marber	112410019	rural	1,309
Cabligan (Managa)	112410021	rural	1,492
Manga	112410022	rural	3,569
New Katipunan	112410023	rural	1,909
New Murcia	112410024	rural	1,321
New Visayas	112410025	rural	2,367
Poblacion	112410026	urban	4,969
Saboy	112410027	rural	1,730
San Jose	112410028	rural	1,128
San Miguel	112410029	rural	501
San Vicente	112410030	rural	732
Saub	112410031	rural	467
Sinaragan	112410032	rural	1,448
Sinawilan	112410033	rural	4,016
Tamlangon	112410034	rural	782
Towak	112410035	rural	1,793
Tibongbong	112410036	rural	767

Demographics

Population census of Matanao
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	41,262	—
1995	43,455	+0.98%
2000	46,916	+1.66%
2007	49,806	+0.83%
2010	51,382	+1.14%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Economy

Although predominantly a rice farming municipality, Matanao is a growing area for banana cultivation. Cavendish and Lakatan banana plantations are now being established in barangays Manga, Dongan-Pekong and Saboy.

References

1. "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 1 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
2. "Province: Davao del Sur". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
3. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
4. "An Act Creating the Municipality of Matanao, Province of Davao". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• newsinfo.inquirer.net, 7 workers, 3 kids fall into river after hanging bridge snaps
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• http://balita.ph/2009/05/22/p785-m-modern-rice-processing-complex-to-rise-in-davao-del-sur/