Nabunturan

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Nabunturan
Municipality of Nabunturan
Flag of Nabunturan, Davao de Oro.png
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Nicknames: 
  • Heart of the Valley
  • Home of the Biggest Gold Ring in the Philippines
  • El Dorado FIlipino
Motto(s): 
Nabunturan, A Progressive, Peaceful, and Dynamic Agri-based Municipality
Anthem: Nabunturan Hymn
Ph locator davao de oro nabunturan.svg
Map of Davao de Oro with Nabunturan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Nabunturan
Philippines location map (square).svg
Red pog.svg
Nabunturan
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°36′03″N125°57′56″E / 7.6008°N 125.9656°E / 7.6008; 125.9656
Country Philippines
Region Davao Region
Province Davao de Oro
District 2nd district
Founded July 23, 1957
Barangays 28 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
  Type Sangguniang Bayan
   Mayor Myrocel Clarin-Balili
   Vice Mayor Rodel G. Balili
   Representative Ruwel Peter S. Gonzaga
   Electorate 53,977 voters (2025)
Area
[2]
  Total
231.30 km2 (89.31 sq mi)
Elevation
127 m (417 ft)
Highest elevation
437 m (1,434 ft)
Lowest elevation
64 m (210 ft)
Population
 (2024 census) [3]
  Total
85,949
  Density370/km2 (960/sq mi)
   Households
20,831
Demonym Nabunturanon
Economy
   Income class 1st municipal income class
   Poverty incidence
13.7
% (2021) [4]
   Revenue 464.6 million (2022)
   Assets 872.4 million (2022)
   Expenditure 416.3 million (2022)
Service provider
   Electricity Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
8800
PSGC
IDD : area code +63(0)87
Native languages Davawenyo
Cebuano
Kalagan
Mansaka
Tagalog
Ata Manobo
Website nabunturan.gov.ph

Nabunturan, officially the Municipality of Nabunturan (Cebuano : Lungsod sa Nabunturan; Tagalog : Bayan ng Nabunturan), is a municipality and capital of the province of Davao de Oro, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 84,340 people. [5]

Contents

The municipality is home to the Mainit Hot Springs Protected Landscape.

History

The town of Nabunturan was once a barangay of Municipality of Compostela. The origin of the name is from bungtod, the Cebuano term for “hill.” The word Nabunturan means “surrounded by hills” in English (nabungturan). The early settlement was governed by a headman called Bagani, but was under the supervision of the Municipal District President of Compostela over matters concerning civil affairs. For the maintenance of peace and order, the area was under the immediate supervision of the Philippine Constabulary Detachment of Camp Kalaw, Moncayo. From barangay Jaguimitan in the north to barangay Mawab (now a municipality in the south), the whole Compostela town was divided into two (2) municipal districts: the district of Moncayo, and the district of Compostela, with the latter's seat of local government in barangay Nabunturan, now the municipality of Nabunturan.

Before the construction of the national road traversing Nabunturan, the place was little known; but despite the threat of malaria, which was prevalent at the time, pioneers ventured into the area. Mansaka natives settled their lives here in the municipality of Mawab to Barangay Bangkerohan, Montevista. The original site of Barangay Nabunturan was situated along the Libasan-Saosao Provincial Road, about 4  km from the present Poblacion site. The public school system was under the supervision of the Supervising Teacher stationed in the Kalaw Settlement for schools in the district of Monkayo.

When the road was constructed in 1938, many Visayan settlers and pioneers came to Nabunturan and made it their home. By that time, the establishment of the Bureau of Public Works (BPW) camp settled in Nabunturan. Many business trades and establishments poured in and Nabunturan was established as a rural community.

In 1941, the Second World War broke out in the country. A new hiding place for guerrillas and USAFFE Contingents spread in Nabunturan. But during the Japanese occupation in Mindanao, Nabunturan became a Japanese Kempetai Garrison. After the war, the Japanese were repulsed back to Davao City, and the camp regained its status as the center of life and business in Davao de Oro. Camp Kalaw was destroyed and abandoned.

In 1945, American forces landed in Davao City, and the Philippine Civil Assistance Unit (PCAU) established the civil government of Compostela at Nabunturan because of its accessibility to Davao City. By that time, many highways and roads were constructed, and Nabunturan became a center of commerce. Because of this, the need to convert Nabunturan into a municipality was felt. On July 23, 1957, 30 days after the approval and passage of Republic Act no. 2038, a new political unit—separate and distinct from the mother municipality of Compostela—was created. It retained its original name, Nabunturan. The first mayor of the town was Lauro C. Arabejo, the incumbent mayor of the municipality of Compostela.

On January 30, 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law the creation of the 79th province of the country, Compostela Valley (now named Davao de Oro), pursuant to Rep. Act 8470, which created Nabunturan as its capital town on March 8, 1998. Prospero Amatong, then incumbent governor of Davao del Norte province from which the new province of Compostela Valley was carved out, opted to serve as the first governor of the newly created province. He only served for one day because he resigned the following day and filed his candidacy for Congress. He was succeeded by Luz Sarmiento as an appointed governor and served for two months. The first elected governor was Jose R. Caballero who served from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 2007.

Geography

Barangays

Nabunturan is subdivided into 28 barangays, namely: [6] Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Anislagan
  • Antequera
  • Basak
  • Bayabas
  • Bukal
  • Cabacungan
  • Cabidianan
  • Katipunan
  • Libasan
  • Linda
  • Magading
  • Magsaysay
  • Mainit
  • Manat
  • Matilo
  • Mipangi
  • New Dauis
  • New Sibonga
  • Ogao
  • Pangutosan
  • Poblacion
  • San Isidro
  • San Roque
  • San Vicente
  • Santa Maria
  • Santo Niño (Kao)
  • Sasa
  • Tagnocon

Climate

Climate data for Nabunturan
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)27
(81)
27
(81)
28
(82)
29
(84)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)160
(6.3)
127
(5.0)
96
(3.8)
62
(2.4)
141
(5.6)
197
(7.8)
185
(7.3)
186
(7.3)
183
(7.2)
181
(7.1)
128
(5.0)
111
(4.4)
1,757
(69.2)
Average rainy days20.017.215.913.923.827.228.128.227.027.021.318.7268.3
Source: Meteoblue [7]

Demographics

Population census of Nabunturan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1960 21,860    
1970 27,689+2.39%
1975 30,883+2.21%
1980 37,292+3.84%
1990 53,410+3.66%
1995 56,576+1.08%
2000 60,543+1.46%
2007 67,365+1.48%
2010 73,196+3.07%
2015 82,234+2.24%
2020 84,340+0.53%
2024 85,949+0.45%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

In the 2020 census, the population of Nabunturan was 84,340 people, [13] with a density of 360 inhabitants per square kilometre or 930 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Nabunturan

10
20
30
40
2000
35.58
2003
29.88
2006
27.20
2009
28.33
2012
24.43
2015
22.68
2018
17.50
2021
13.70

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

Government

List of former chief executives

Local Executives Serving the Municipality of Nabunturan Since 1957–Present
Name of mayorYears servedRemarks
Lauro C. Arabejo1957–1959Not, who continued his two unexpired term as Mayor of Compostela
Antonio A. Tulio1960–1963Served until September 11, 1963 only because he ran for Provincial Board
Gregorio EchavezFour MonthsServed as Mayor on September 12, 1964 being as Vice Mayor.
Lauro C. Arabejo1964–1967Served as Mayor for the whole term
Lauro C. Arabejo1968–1969Served as Mayor until 1969 because he ran for Congressman
Venancio C. Piastro1969–1971Served as Mayor from September 1969 to 1971 being as Vice Mayor
Prospero S. Amatong 1972–1977Served as Mayor from January 1, 1972, to September 28, 1977, after his courtesy resignation was accepted by then President Marcos.
Zosimo A. Bugas1977–1980Appointed and served as mayor from September 29, 1977 to March 2, 1980
Prospero S. Amatong 1980–1986Served as Mayor until March 31, 1986, only because he was appointed as OIC Governor.
Venancio C. Piastro15 DaysServed as Mayor from April 1, 1986, to April 15, 1986 for being as Vice Mayor
Arsenio B. Flores1986–1988Appointed and served as OIC Mayor from April 16, 1986, to January 26, 1988
Romeo A. Chavez, MD5 daysAppointed and served as Mayor from January 27, 1988, to February 1, 1988
Joel O. Bugas1988–1992Served as Mayor for the whole term
Joel O. Bugas1992–1995Re-elected as Mayor during the 1992 national and local elections
Joel O. Bugas1995–1998Re-elected as Mayor during the 1995 national and local elections
Ruben R. Flores MD1998–2001Served as Mayor for the whole term
Macario T. Humol2001–2004Served as Mayor for the whole term
Macario T. Humol2004–2007Re-elected as Mayor during the 2004 national and local elections
Macario T. Humol2007–2010Re-elected as Mayor during the 2007 national and local elections
Romeo C. Clarin2010–2016Served as Mayor of Nabunturan
Chelita C. Amatong2016–2022Served as Mayor of Nabunturan
Myrocel C. Balili2022–presentCurrently elected as Mayor of Nabunturan

Media

Radio stations and cable provider

References

  1. Municipality of Nabunturan | (DILG)
  2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN   0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  4. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  6. "Province:". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  7. "Nabunturan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  8. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  9. Census of Population (2015). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  10. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region XI (Davao Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  11. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  12. "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  13. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  14. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  16. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  17. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  18. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  19. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  20. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  21. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.