Contract Package 9

Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

2.1.2.1 The Municipality of Monkayo

Monkayo, officially the Municipality of Monkayo, is a 1st class municipality in the province
of Compostela Valley, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of
94,908 people.

Monkayo is an agricultural town, with vast tracts of land planted to rice and banana. The
municipality is also host to the gold-rich barangay of Mt. Diwata, popularly known as
"Diwalwal" (which in the local dialect means one's tongue is hanging out due to
exhaustion), a 1,000-meter high range known for its rich gold ore deposit. Monkayo's
seat of government is located in Barangay Poblacion, a highly developed rural town
center, and is 120 kilometres (75 mi) away from Mindanao's regional center of Davao
City, and some 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Nabunturan, the provincial center.

Etymology

The Municipality of Monkayo is a political unit with a land area that was once and for a
long period of time a wilderness in the Northern hinterlands of Compostela Valley. The
name “Monkayo” is derived from a gigantic tree towering on top Tandawan mountains
and its northern tip in between and immediately adjacent to the Agusan River. The tree
is called “Mondabon Kayo” (Mondabon Tree). It was however shortened by the first
settlers of the area as “Monkayo”.

In the other related version, it is believed that a certain Fr. Ladour, the first missionary
priest assigned in the area, gave the place the name of Moncayo, a snow-topped
mountain dividing the kingdoms of Aragon and Castile, in Spain, probably as an analogy
to the high mountains in the area that reminded him of his own place of birth.

Monkayo is an agricultural town, with vast tracts of land planted to rice and
banana. The municipality is also host to the gold-rich barangay of Mt.
Diwata, popularly known as “Diwalwal” (which in the local dialect means
one’s tongue is hanging out due to exhaustion), a 1,000-meter high range
known for its rich gold ore deposit. Monkayo’s seat of government is
located in Barangay Poblacion, a highly developed rural town center, and
is 120 kilometres (75 mi) away from Mindanao’s regional center of Davao
City, and some 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Nabunturan, the provincial
center.
History

Monkayo belonged to the northern hinterland of what is now called Compostela Valley.
It was occupied by Mandaya, Manobo, Mansaka, Manguangan and Dibabawon people
who dwelt on primitive life and lived by hunting, fishing and crude method of farming

Project Description Report Page | 1

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

(Kaingin) long before the Spanish conquistadors penetrated deep in Mindanao in the
middle part of the 18th century. These different tribes or groups, each had a bagani as
head or chief. They wore clothing and armed with bladed weapons and bows and
arrows, they sang hymns called Tudom and long narrative songs called Owaging they
danced and held rituals, feasted and chewed beetle nuts. Nevertheless, when Spanish
missionaries came, these natives changed their lives and attitudes and eventually
receptive to Christian teachings and ultimately embraced Christianity. Today, this
municipality still has Mandaya, Dibabawon, Manguangan and Manobo, other tribes have
transferred to other places.

Monkayo became a Municipality District in 1917. The position given to the highest official
was District President. The first one appointed to the position was Adolfo Mongado, the
first Mandayan educator who served from 1917-1925. The other prominent leaders who
held the same position were : Ignacio Cervantes – 1926-1933; Ildefonso Labrador –
1934-1935; and Pedro Aroma – 1936-1937. The title of the position was changed to
District Mayor in 1938 with the following officials: Jose Ibañez who served from 1938–
1939, followed by Feliciano Cervantes who held the position from 1940 up to the end of
the World War II.

During the Second World War, Monkayo was made an important military outpost. The
81st Military Division under the command of Col. Kangleon was established in the
Poblacion and was named Camp Kalaw.

On September 4, 1954, Monkayo became a separate district and founded as a

Municipality by virtue of a Presidential Executive Order No. 65 by then President Ramon
Magsaysay of the Republic of the Philippines. The first mayor was Angelo Ortiz (Sept.
1954–Oct. 1955), who also was responsible for making Monkayo an independent
municipality.

Alejandro Peñaranda (Nov. 1955-Dec. 1955) was the shortest reigning mayor for only
one (1) month, the next appointed mayor who donated portion of his land which became
part of the Municipal Town Site. He was followed by Severino Lacson (Jan. 1956-Nov.
1964), Jose T. Amacio (Nov. 1964-Mar. 1972), and Anastacio C. Basañes. After the
EDSA Revolution, Mayor Anastacio Basañes was succeeded by Constantino Alcaraz
(April 1986 – 1992) as Officer In-Charge by virtue of the Freedom Constitution
implemented under President Corazon Aquino. He was succeeded by Rizal G.
Gentugaya, and Avelino T. Cabag (1998 to 2001).

Geography
Figure 2: Location Map of the Municipality of Figure 3: Municipal Hall of Monkayo
Monkayo in Compostela Valley Compostela Valley

Project Description Report Page | 2

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Barangay

Monkayo is politically subdivided into 21 barangays. [2]

 Awao
 Babag
 Banlag
 Baylo
 Casoon
 Inambatan
 Haguimitan
 Macopa
 Mamunga
 Mount Diwata (Mt. Diwalwal)
 Naboc
 Olaycon

 Pasian (Santa Filomena)

 Poblacion
 Rizal
 Salvacion
 San Isidro
 San Jose
 Tubo-tubo (New Del Monte)
 Upper Ulip
 Union

Project Description Report Page | 3

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Figure 6: Olaycon Bridge Located in Municipality of Monkayo, Compostela Valley

Demographics

Project Description Report Page | 4

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Attractions

Kumbilan Cave(Casoon)

Kumbilan Cave has tunnel-like features and wide chambers laden with stalactites,
stalagmites and other formations. Fauna observed within the cave are snakes and fruit
flies. The cave is home to the "kabyaw" fruit bats.

Mt.Diwalwal

A barangay of 18,000 people, mostly migrants from Surigao, Agusan and Cebu - all
dependent on gold. Small-scale mining has been their major industry since the gold-
rush in the area in the 80’s. Diwalwal is a relatively quiet town but recently caught the
headlines when an estimated 25 miners died on October 25 inside a tunnel allegedly
due to toxic gas suffocation.

Seven Waterfalls of Awao

The gushing water coming from

above are not that high in volume but
cold but not chilling; it is noticeable
that the fauna on its surroundings as
well as the moss that was formed
above the rocks where the falls are
flowing are still thick indicating that
this falls is not frequently visited by
outsiders.

Culture and Heritage

Another Spanish influence that remains up to this day is the observance and celebration
of barrios, or villages, of the day of their respective patron saint called "Fiesta". It is in
these celebrations wherein songs, dances and other forms of arts and merrymaking from
various cultures have evolved creatively into the sights and sounds of Monkayo now.

Kariyawan Festival

Kariyawan Festival which is celebrated

every 4 September is also one of the
highlights in the municipality. This tells of
the story of a diwata who has protected the
people of Monkayo and who has given the
first gold to the people.

Project Description Report Page | 5

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Binibining Monkayo

Is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual town beauty pageant which
selects the beautiful girl throughout the municipality of Monkayo.

Drum and Bugle

Is a musical marching unit (similar to a marching band) consisting of brass instruments,

percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit
organizations, they perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions.
Participants from different schools throughout the town compete for the title.

Monkayo Fiesta

Monkayo's celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius de Loyola every July 31.

Araw ng Monkayo

The celebration falls on the fourth day of September.

Transportation

There are various means to travel to Monkayo. The common modes of transportation
within the municipality are multicabs, jeepneys, motorcycles. Tricycles ply the routes that
are outside the main streets of the town. In mountainous areas, the habal-habal
passenger motorcycle is the main mode of transportation.

Project Description Report Page | 6

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

2.1.3

The Profile of the Province of Davao del Sur

Project Description Report Page | 7

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Figure 3: Administrative District Map of the Province of Davao Del Sur

Even before the Philippine independence in 1946, the entire region was already a single
province called Davao Province, with Davao City serving as its capital, and Digos City
as its 2nd class city capital in the province of Davao Del Sur.

The province was one of the largest provinces in the Philippines during that time,
spanning more than 20,000 square kilometers (7,700 sq mi). Which lasted from 1920
until 1967, when the province was split into three provinces in May 1967 now known as,
Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority, as Davao Region was split into three
provinces, it now formally belongs to Davao Del Sur Province. After the division, Davao
City was officially named its regional center and is reputedly the largest city in the world,
that has an area of 244,000 hectares, or 8% of the land area of Southern Mindanao
Region or Region XI, and is divided into 3 congressional districts and furthermore divided
into 11 administrative districts. Which are the Poblacion and Talomo Districts comprised
as District I, meanwhile District II is composed of the following districts, known as,
Agdao, Buhangin, Bunawan and Paquibato, while District III includes Toril, Tugbok,
Calinan, Baguio and Marilog.

Project Description Report Page | 8

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

A substantial part of Davao City is mountainous, characterized by extensive mountain

ranges with uneven distribution of plateaus and lowlands. The mountain range which
delimits the western boundary of the city extends as far down to South Cotabato. This
mountain range nurses the highest peak in the Philippines, which is Mt. Apo located at
the boundaries of North Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Davao City. Mt. Apo has an
elevation of about 10.311 feet (3,144 meters) above sea level. It has been considered
as a semi-active volcano. (Figure 1.4)

The large, contiguous lowland areas of Davao City are coastal plains and valleys
extending inland as gently-rising valleys. These areas are found in the eastern part of
the city, in Paquibato district, which is an extension of the vast lowlands at the head of
Davao Gulf. The other substantial lowland areas are located in the southeastern part of
the city along the western coast of the Gulf, and are in the districts of Bunawan,
Buhangin, Agdao, Poblacion, Talomo, and Toril. These lowland areas are level to nearly
land with slopes ranging from 0 to 3 per cent. These are generally composed of recent
Figure 4: Davao Del Sur’s Tourism; (First row, first box to the left) Crocodile Park, (Second box from
first row) D’Leonor Hotel & Resort, (Third Box, First row) Eden Nature Park, (First box from the left of
second row) The Marco Polo, (Second Box from second row) Mt.Apo, (Third box from second row)
Seda Hotel, (First box from the left corner of third row) Sm Mall of Davao, (Second box of third row)
Abreeza Ayala Malls, (Third box, third row) Shrine Hills of Davao City

alluvium consisting of clay, silt and some sand and gravel.

Topographically, only the southeast quarter is plain and slightly hilly (along the entire
coast and uplands north and westwards to Calinan, with slopes generally below four to
five degrees. The plains and valleys merged gradually into the uplands, and the uplands
in turn into the mountains. Although the eastern part of the city is a broad lowland belt,
its surface is interspersed by low hills and knobs. (Figure 1.5)

The entire land area of Davao City is drained towards the Gulf. Davao River and its
numerous tributaries is the main drainage system of the city. Davao River originates
from Bukidnon Province, flows towards the south meandering along the central part and
finally flows eastward emptying into the Gulf at the southern periphery of the City Proper.
The secondary drainage system of the city is the Talomo River which is the drainage
outlets of the eastern slopes of Mt. Apo. Other major drainage system includes the
Lipadas River, Matina River, Lasang River and Sibulan River.(Figure 1.6).

Project Description Report Page | 9

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Project Description Report Page | 10

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Project Description Report Page | 11

Contract Package 9
Province of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Del Sur and Davao City

Project Description Report Page | 12