History
The first people who settled this place before was a certain Datu Andarol, his wife Ba-e Mahanu, and their son Datu ‘Mangginayun’. Datu Andarol was a ruler and the leader of the Manobo tribe settling the village of Minduso, which was the old name of Don Carlos. The place was covered with forests and access by outlanders was prohibited unless permitted by the datu. Minduso was the home of Datu Andarol's descendants. Upon the arrival of the Spaniards, the datu was succeeded by his son, Datu Mangginayun. With their contacts with the Spaniards and missionaries, Spanish naming conventions and Christianity was introduced, and Datu Mangginayun adopted the name "Antonio", hence his full name was now Datu ‘Mangginayun’ Antonio Sagandilan Sr. He was married to Ba-e Antonina Manlayuan. His leadership reflects that of his father, as he implemented tribal laws and settled criminal offenses, particularly murder. As the leader of his tribal community, he also presided wedding ceremonies and settled dowries.
The first popular Spanish stranger who approached Datu ‘Mangginayun’ Antonio Sr. was Tomás Sandoval. He requested a parcel of land that he intend to borrow and to till, the datu conceded to his request. As part of the agreement, Tomás was to give the part of his harvest as a share to the datu. Several years later, another Spaniard by the name of "Elizalde" came and, like Tomás, requested the datu for lands to establish ranches. The lands lent by the datu to Elizalde were: lands in Pantil-pantilan, Migtutugop, the lands along the Mulita river, the today-famous Squash Mountain, and the Tugas Falls. As the agricultural ventures of these two Spaniards flourished, Cebuanos (referred by the Lumads, or natives, as "Dumagats") and other Spaniards who came from Cagayan de Misamis and other coastal towns of Misamis were encouraged to settle and populate the area that comprises the present-day Don Carlos.
Census registry for the settlers of Minduso was only located at Ramag (Manobo for ‘breakfast’), which has a fully established local government facilities and would later be known as Maramag. Antonio Sr.'s son, Datu ‘Mangginayun’ Antonio Sagandilan Jr. was born on March 17, 1917, at Miuvan (now Barangay Sinangguyan) and had his birth registered at Maramag. Antonio Jr. was drafted into the USAFFE before World War II and completed his training with the rank of corporal. However, he was called upon to fight on the outbreak of war, and his family did nothing about it.
When the war ended, Antonio Jr. succeeded his father in the leadership of his tribe as a datu in 1946. He was first a tribal councilor, and later became a barangay captain of the whole of Minduso. During his time of service, Señora Remedios ‘Meding’ Fortich de Ozamiz personally visited Antonio Jr. and she petitioned the name change of Miuvan (which is now Barangay Sinangguyan) to ‘Don Carlos’ in her husband's memory, Don Carlos Azcona Fortich, and as a gratitude for living in the land which the Sagandilans flourished. At first, the datu declined, as the flourishing enclave has significance for their patrimony. Eventually, under Republic Act No. 4800, Minduso and other neighboring villages and barangays were clustered to form the municipality of Don Carlos in 1966.
Political Background
The political history of Don Carlos, Bukidnon is marked by its evolution from a remote settlement into a recognized municipality. Initially, the area was part of extensive cattle ranches owned by prominent families such as the Elizaldes, Guingonas, and Roceses before World War II. With the country's independence in 1946, significant changes began to shape the region’s political landscape.
The relocation of the Bukidnon Lumber Company, jointly owned by Howard Denison and the Fortich family, to a site near Lake Pinamaloy marked the beginning of increased settlement in the area. The sawmill attracted a steady stream of immigrants seeking opportunities as workers, merchants, and farmers. The establishment of makeshift housing near the sawmill led to the formation of a community. Due to the challenging road conditions, characterized by knee-deep mud, the area was aptly named "Menduso," derived from the Visayan term "duso," meaning "push."
In January 1953, the barrio of Menduso celebrated its inaugural Barrio Fiesta in honor of the Holy Child, later becoming the patron saint of the area. Shortly thereafter, the barrio’s name was changed to Don Carlos in tribute to the late Congressman Carlos Fortich.
The transition to municipality status began with the issuance of Executive Order No. 161 by President Diosdado Macapagal on August 17, 1965. This order officially created the Municipality of Don Carlos, separating it from Maramag. The newly formed municipality included various barrios such as Don Carlos Norte, Don Carlos Sur, Sinangguyan, and several others.
The official recognition of Don Carlos as a municipality was further cemented by Republic Act No. 4800, enacted on June 18, 1966. This legislation delineated the municipality’s boundaries and established its administrative framework. The first general elections for municipal officials were held in 1967, with Honorable Teodolo M. Palma, Sr. serving as the first mayor.
The boundaries of Don Carlos were clearly defined, including northern, southern, eastern, and western limits based on local geographic landmarks and rivers. This structured approach ensured that the new municipality could manage its administrative functions and resources effectively.
The establishment of Don Carlos was characterized by its phased development of barangays. The legal basis for the creation of these barangays involved various national laws and provincial ordinances, reflecting the municipality’s need to accommodate its growing population and administrative requirements.
Don Carlos has since developed a robust political and administrative framework, with a history of dedicated local leadership. The municipality continues to evolve, guided by its foundational legislation and the ongoing commitment of its elected officials.
Executive Order No. 161, issued on August 17, 1965, by President Diosdado Macapagal of the Philippines, delineated the establishment of the municipality of Don Carlos in Bukidnon province, in accordance with Section 68 of the Revised Administrative Code. This executive order delineated various barrios, formerly under Maramag municipality, and constituted them into an autonomous municipality named Don Carlos, with its administrative hub situated in Don Carlos Sur. The order meticulously outlined the territorial boundaries of Don Carlos municipality, which began from a designated point at the junction of Pulangui and Maramag rivers, extending in a northwesterly direction along the Maramag river, and then due west to the east side of Sayre Highway. From there, it followed specific coordinates and distances to include neighboring areas until it returned to the point of origin.
The municipality of Don Carlos as herein organized shall have the following boundaries:
“From point 1, on the attached plan, located at the junction of Pulangui and Maramag rivers at longitude 125°-2′-00” E. with latitude 7°-42‘-00″ N., more or less;
thence following through the Maramag river in northwesterly direction towards its upper stream at the head of the waterfall of said river at longitude 125°-1′-00″ E. and latitude 7°-43′-00″ N. to point 2;
thence moving due west to the east side of Sayre Highway, distance of 700 meters to point 3;
thence moving in the same direction to the opposite of said Highway a distance of 60 meters to point 4;
thence moving due west toward the east bank of the Mulita river at longitude 124°-55’-10″ E.,
and latitude 7°-42′-50″ N. a distance of 9 kilometers and 430 meters more or less to point 5;
thence moving in the same course to the opposite side of same river a distance of 70 meters;
thence moving due west until it reaches the east bank of Kidangguin river at longitude 124o-49′-00″ E., and latitude 7°-42′-50″ N. a distance of 10 kilometers point 7;
thence moving in southerly direction following the center of said river towards the lower stream at longitude 124°-51‘-00″ E. and latitude 7°-38′-00″ N. more or less point 8;
thence moving due east passing through the northmost and highest Peak of Rauban Hill located on the west of Bocboc marsh to the west bank of Mulita river at longitude 124°-56′-00″ E. and latitude 7°-38‘-00″ N, distance of 10 kilometers and 150 meters to point 9;
thence following the center of said river in northeasterly direction toward the upper stream until it reaches the junction of Kitaotao creek and Mulita river otherwise known as M.B.M. No. 1 of Pls. #112 equivalent to point 10;
thence following through the center of Kitaotao creek toward the upper stream until it reaches the Sayre Highway at M.B.M. No. 3 of Pls. #112, as point 12;
thence moving due east toward the west bank of the Pulangui river at longitude 125°-31′-00” E. with latitude 7°-39′-00″ N. more or less to point 13;
thence following through the center of the Pulangui river moving upper stream to point 1, point of beginning, containing an entire area of 18,450 hectares, more or less.
(Based on the technical description furnished by the Office of the Highway District Engineer of Bukidnon of the sketch plan or map of the proposed municipality of Don Carlos prepared by the said Office and on file in this Office, Scale: 1:50,000). [5]
This decree supplemented Republic Act No. 4800, enacted by the Philippine Congress on June 18, 1966, which officially created the Municipality of Don Carlos, segregating specified barrios from Maramag municipality. Under this act, the first mayor, vice-mayor, and councilors of the new municipality were to be elected in the 1967 general elections for local officials. This legislative action aimed to facilitate effective governance and ensure the sustained viability of both Don Carlos and Maramag municipalities. (Source: https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1966/ra_4800_1966.html)
