The Glimpse: Ang Bag-ong Mawab

The Municipality of Mawab is one of the eleven municipalities of Compostela

Valley. Located in the southeastern part of the province, it is bounded on the northeast
by the Municipality of Nabunturan, northwest by the City of Tagum, and west by the
Municipality of New Bataan and on the south by the Municipality of Maco. Mawab lies
between 7’ 3” North Latitude and 125’ 22” East Longitude.

With 11 barangays and 49 sitios, Mawab was created on August 14, 1959 through
Executive Order (EO) No. 351 signed by the late President Carlos P. Garcia. Barangay
Poblacion is the seat of the municipal government and considered as the urban barangay
of the municipality. Barangay Poblacion is 75 kilometres (km) away from Davao City, 19
km away from Tagum City and 17 km away from the provincial capital, Municipality of
Nabunturan.

Municipality of Mawab due its abundance and richness of trees, and rainforest
does not normally experience floody climate during rainy season. However landslides
occur in some areas. The river tributaries offer seasonal planting for agro-industrial
businesses. Man-made fish ponds for fresh water fishes that are privately owned are
various opportunities for business entrepreneurs.

Land Area

The municipality has a total land area of 16,952 hectares which is 3.63 percent of
the total 466,693 hectares of the province. Its alienable and disposable area totalled to
9,997 hectares or 58.97 percent of the total area of the municipality. Forestland is 41.03
percent or 6,955 hectares of the municipality’s land area.

Of the 11 barangays, Saosao has the biggest area with 2,385 hectares which is
14.07 percent of the municipality’s land area. Barangay Bawani has the smallest land
area with only 822.0792 hectares or 4.85 percent of the municipal land area.
Origin

Indigenous people known as the Mansakas, Mandayas and Dibabawons

historically inhabited Mawab. Mawab was named “Maawag” by the indigenous people to
mean, “Wide valley”. The name also originated from the word “Maawat” (mansaka
dialect), which means far from civilization. Mawab used to have verdant forests, teeming
with wild flora and fauna and rich in other natural resources. Monkeys, wild boars and
deer were of common sight. Hunting was one of the means to acquire for food.

The four rivers traversing Mawab namely: Hijo, Mawab, Galinan and Gamawan
were abundant with various species of fresh water fish, lobsters, crabs and mollusks.

The indigenous groups in Mawab were primitive in their ways but were not hostile.
They built fire by striking two stones or by rubbing two sticks together. Both men and
women had long hair and were scantily dressed. They spoke only with their native tongue.
If one were to communicate with them, sign language was used.

There was farming then. It was minimal and was done by patches. The early
farmers used kaingin for land preparation. There were rice, camote, gabi, and other root
crops. Fruits like durian, lanzones, papaya and others grew wildly in abundance.
In 1919 the Philippine government deployed the first batch of “sacadas” to the
Island of Mindanao to hasten its development and introduce civilization in the area. The
government recruited qualified young men from Luzon and the Visayas who were willing
to explore and blaze the trail in Mindanao. Among the recruits was Mr. Celestino E.
Esuerte, a young man from Cabalagnan, Guimaras, and Iloilo. He was more than willing
to take the chance of adventuring in Mindanao because of severe financial crisis in his
hometown. He was the first Christian to set foot in Mawab.

Mawab then can only be reached by foot or by a hired banca. Hijo River used to
be the only way to pass through. Marketing farm products was so difficult.
 In 1920 the Bureau of Public Schools opened the first school in Mawab. Mr.
Esuerte being a trade school graduate with basic knowledge in carpentry undertook the
mission of putting up a school building using indigenous materials with the assistance of
the indigenous people. As barter was practiced and money was not recognized as a
means of compensation, labor was paid with wild boars or monkey caught with the use
of a shotgun issued by the government.

About three years later, other Christian settlers arrived. Among them were Mr.
Delfin Jampayas, Lt. Feliciano Acopio, Mr. Felipe Bingil, Mr. Vicente Lanuza and others.
More settlers moved to live in Mawab. Over time, the sleepy barrio developed. The
indigenous people were either assimilated or moved to another place and mountains.

In the latter part of 1930 the Davao – Agusan road was constructed. With this
development, initial zonification was done. There was relocation of the barrio site or seat
of government, school site and the market site. This was followed by the construction of
roads and bridges.

Marketing farm products became easy then. This encouraged the farmers to
increase agricultural production. Durian and lanzones were grown as major fruits for the
municipality, while coconut, abaca, rice and corn were the major agricultural products.
Since then and up to the present, Mawab emerged as the agricultural center and food
bowl in the province.

The first recorded population count of the municipality was on February 15, 1960
with 7 818 people. As of August 2015, the population count of the Municipality of Mawab
was 37 065. Barangay Poblacion was the most populated barangay with 10 524 or
28.39% of the total population. Barangay Andili came next with the population count of 4
886 or 13.18%, trailing behind is Barangay Nuevo Iloco with 4 543 people or 12.26%.

Mawab is home to 50 ethnic groups. Cebuanos outnumbered all others ethnic

groups of the municipality. It summed up to 11,667 or 36.62 percent of the total 31,891
ethnic population with 8,489 or 26.64 percent of the total. Most of these groupings come
from Luzon and Visayas who migrated in the area years back.

Source: Mawab Municipal Planning and Development Office, 2018

 A BRIEF PROFILE

MUNICIPALITY OF MAWAB

I. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Indigenous people known as the Mansakas, Mandayas and Dibabawons

historically inhabited Mawab. Mawab was named “Maawag” by the indigenous people to
mean, “wide valley”. The name also originated from the word “Maawat” (mansaka dialect),
which means far from civilization. Mawab used to have verdant forests, teeming with wild
flora and fauna and rich in other natural resources. Monkeys, wild boars and deer were
of common sight. Hunting was one of the means to acquire for food.

The four rivers traversing Mawab namely: Hijo, Mawab, Galinan and Gamawan
were abundant with various species of fresh water fish, lobsters, crabs and mollusks.

The indigenous groups in Mawab were primitive in their ways but were not hostile.
They built fire by striking two stones or by rubbing two sticks together. Both of the men
and the women had long hair and were scantily dressed. They spoke only with their native
tongue. If one were to communicate with them, sign language was used.

There was farming then. It was minimal and was done by patches. The early
farmers used kaingin for land preparation. There were rice, camote, gabi, and other root
crops. Fruits like durian, lanzones, papaya and others grew wildly in abundance.

In 1919 the Philippine government deployed the first batch of “sacadas” to the
Island of Mindanao to hasten its development and introduce civilization in the area. The
government recruited qualified young men from Luzon and the Visayas who were willing
to explore and blaze the trail in Mindanao. Among the recruits was Mr. Celestino E.
Esuerte, a young man from Cabalagnan, Guimaras, Iloilo. He was more than willing to
take the chance of adventuring in Mindanao because of severe financial crisis in his
hometown. He was the first Christian to set foot in Mawab.

Mawab then can only be reached by foot or by a hired banca. Hijo River used to
be the only way to pass through. Marketing farm products was so difficult.

In 1920 the Bureau of Public Schools opened the first school in Mawab. Mr.
Esuerte being a trade school graduate with basic knowledge in carpentry undertook the
mission of putting up a school building using indigenous materials with the assistance of
the indigenous people. As barter was practiced and money was not recognized as a
means of compensation, labor was paid with wild boars or monkey caught with the use
of a shotgun issued by the government.
 About three years later, other Christian settlers arrived. Among them were Mr.
Delfin Jampayas, Lt. Feliciano Acopio, Mr. Felipe Bingil, Mr. Vicente Lanuza and others.
More settlers moved to live in Mawab. Over time, the sleepy barrio developed. The
indigenous people were either assimilated or moved to another place and mountains.

In the latter part of 1930 the Davao – Agusan road was constructed. With this
development, initial zonification was done. There was relocation of the barrio site or seat
of government, school site and the market site. This was followed by the construction of
roads and bridges.

Marketing farm products became easy then. This encouraged the farmers to
increase agricultural production. Durian and lanzones were grown as major fruits for the
municipality, while coconut, abaca, rice and corn were the major agricultural products.
Since then and up to the present, Mawab emerged as the agricultural center and food
bowl in the province.

II. GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

The Municipality of Mawab is one of the municipalities of Compostela Valley

Province It is located southeastern section of the province. It lies between 7’ 3” North
Latitude and 125’ 22” East Longitude. It is bounded on the Northeast by the municipality
of Nabunturan, on the Northwest by the City of Tagum, on the west by the municipality of
New Bataan and on the South by the municipality of Maco.

Mawab has 11 barangays and 49 sitios interconnected with barangay/municipal

and provincial roads and bridges.

Barangay Poblacion, the seat of the municipal government is 75 kilometers away

from Davao City and 19 kilometers away from Tagum City. It is 17 kilometers from
Nabunturan, the capital town of the province, where the provincial capitol is located.

III. LAND AREA

The municipality has a total land area of 16,952 hectares which is 3.63 percent of
the total 466,693 hectares of the province. Its alienable and disposable area totalled to
9,997 hectares or 58.97 percent of the total area of the municipality. Forestland is 41.03
percent or 6,955 hectares of the municipality’s land area.

Of the 11 barangays, Saosao has the biggest area with 2,385 hectares which is
14.07 percent of the municipality’s land area. Barangay Bawani has the smallest land
area with only 822.0792 hectares or 4.85 percent of the municipal land area.
Table 1. Land Area per barangay

Land Area
BARANGAY Hectares % Distribution
Andili 828.2458 4.89
Bawani 822.0792 4.85
Concepcion 1,271.4910 7.50
Malinawon 1,670.8750 9.90
Nueva Visayas 1,272.0149 7.50
Nuevo Iloco 1,115.1591 6.60
Poblacion 957.4161 5.65
Salvacion 2,186.5879 12.90
Saosao 2,385.2572 14.07
Sawangan 996.7863 5.80
Tuboran 1,123.0631 6.62
Other Claimed Areas 1,403.9444 8.82
Pandapan (Boundary) 919.08 5.42
TOTAL 16,952 100
Basic Source of Data: 2010 Census of Population and Housing
National Statistic Office (NSO)
Office of the MPDO, Mawab Compostela Valley Province

III. POPULATION

Since the creation of the municipality of Mawab on August 14, 1959 it recorded its
first official population count of 7, 818 during the February 15, 1960 census of population.

The municipality recorded a total urban and rural population count of 37,065 as of
August 2015 Census of Population and Housing. Of the 11 barangays, only Barangay
Poblacion was classified as urban barangay. It recorded a total of 10,524 or 28.39 percent
of the total population. Out of the 10 rural barangays, Andili had the highest population
count of 4,886 or 13.18 percent of the total municipal population. Trailing behind is
Barangay Nuevo Iloco with 4,543 population or 12.26 percent. The rural total population
recorded at 26,541.

Table 2. Population and Household per barangay:

POPULATION HOUSEHOLDS
MAWAB
37,065 8,334
Andili 4,886 1,098
Bawani 1,948 438
Concepcion 1,119 251
Malinawon 2,810 631
Nueva Visayas 2,329 523
 Nuevo Iloco 4,543 1,021
Poblacion 10,524 2,371
Salvacion 2,261 508
Saosao 1,519 341
Sawangan 2,360 530
Tuboran 2,766 622
Basic Source of Data: 2015 Census of Population and Housing
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
Office of the MPDO, Mawab Compostela Valley Province

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

The municipality of Mawab is dominantly populated by the Roman Catholic

members. It accounts the highest share of 28,570 or 80% percent of the total 35,698
population. Trailing next are the Evangelicals with 2,220 or 6.2% percent. Other religious
groups just numbered below 1,000 counts.

Table 3. Religious Affiliation (Grouped) by Sex

Name of Religion Total Male Female

35,698 18,419 17,279
Aglipay 409 192 217
Association of Fundamental Baptist Churches in
the Philippines 117 59 58
Bible Baptist Church 162 84 78
Buddhist 7 1 6
Cathedral of Praise Incorporated 1 1 -
Church of Christ 89 50 39
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints 1 1 -
Convention of the Philippine Baptist Church 1 1 -
Evangelical Christian Outreach Foundation 7 5 2
Evangelicals (Philippine Council of
Evangelical Churches) 2,220 1,105 1,115
Faith Tabernacle Church (Living Rock
Ministries) 114 58 56
Iglesia ni Cristo 364 190 174
International Baptist Missionary Fellowship 2 1 1
International One Way Outreach 240 114 126
Islam 490 274 216
Jehovah’s Witness 626 308 318
Jesus is Lord Church 15 8 7
Lutheran Church of the Philippines 28 18 10
Non-Roman Catholic and Protestant (National
Council of Churches in the Philippines) 261 134 127
Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association 14 7 7
Philippine Ecumenical Christian Church 5 3 2
Philippine Good News Ministries 2 1 1
Philippine Grace Gospel 1 - 1
Philippine Independent Catholic Church 93 54 39
Potter’s House Christian Center 1 1 -
Roman Catholic including Catholic
Charismatic 28,570 14,825 13,745
Seventh Day Adventist 663 326 337
UNIDA Evangelical Church 5 4 1
United Church of Christ in the Philippines 464 234 230
United Pentecostal Church (Philippines)
Incorporated 84 39 45
Victory Chapel Christian Fellowship 25 12 13
Way of Salvation Church Incorporated 2 - 2
Other Baptists 80 33 47
Other Protestants 383 193 190
Other Religious Affiliations 88 49 39
Tribal Religions 48 26 22
None 16 8 8
Not Stated - - -
Basic Source of Data: 2010 Census of Population and Housing
National Statistic Office (NSO)
Office of the MPDO, Mawab Compostela Valley Province

ETHNIC GROUP

Mawab is home to 50 ethnic groups. Cebuanos outnumbered all others ethnic

groups of the municipality. It summed up to 11,667 or 36.62 percent of the total 31,891
ethnic population with 8,489 or 26.64 percent of the total. Most of these groupings come
from Luzon and Visayas who migrated in the area years back.

Table 2. Ethnicity by Sex

Ethnicity Total Male Female

35,698 18,418 17,280
Abelling/Abellen/Aberling/Aborlin 5 2 3
Agta 1 0 1
Agta-Cimaron 5 2 3
Agta-Tabangnon 2 2 0
Agutaynen 25 14 11
Akeanon 3 2 1
Aromanen-Manobo 8 5 3
Ata 2 0 2
Ata-Manobo 3 1 2
B’laan/Blaan 8 5 3
Badjao 1 1 0
Bagobo 61 36 25
Bagobo-Tagabawa 3 1 2
Bangon 26 11 15
Bantoanon 3 2 1
Banwaon 5 1 4
Batak 2 0 2
Batangan 2 2 0
Bikol/Bicol 65 42 23
Binongan 4 2 2
Bisaya/Binisaya 6,500 3,271 3,229
Boholano 7,633 3,947 3,686
Bugkalot/Ilongot 7 3 4
Buhid 3 1 2
Bukidnon 3 2 1
Cagayanen 13 7 6
Caviteño 7 5 2
Caviteño-Chavacano 2 2 0
Cebuano 8,228 4,216 4,012
Chinese 17 9 8
Clata/Klata 1 1 0
Cotabateño 1 1 0
Cuyonon/Cuyonen 3 1 2
Davao-Chavacano 12 6 6
Davaweño 416 220 196
Diangan 1 0 1
Dibabawon 15 9 6
Dibabeen Mulitaan 1 1 0
Dibaben 3 1 2
Dumagat 2 0 2
Higaonon 13 7 6
Hiligaynon Ilonggo 4,453 2,303 2,150
Ifugao 8 5 3
Illaud 3 2 1
Ilocano 2,347 1,243 1,104
Isinai 1 0 1
Isoroken 2 2 0
 Iwak/Iowak/Owak/I-wak 1 1 0
Kalagan 341 189 152
Kalinga 3 2 1
Kapampangan 7 3 4
Karay-a 7 3 4
Karulano 4 3 1
Lahitanen 565 301 264
Magkunana 1 0 1
Maguindanao 52 19 33
Mandaya 225 114 111
Manobo 29 13 16
Mansaka 2,972 1,544 1,428
Manubo-Ubo/Manobo-Ubo 3 1 2
Maranao 181 100 81
Masbateño/Masbatenon 5 4 1
Obu-Manuvu/Ubo-Manobo 4 2 2
Panay-Bukidnon 2 2 0
Pangasinan/Panggalato 1 1 0
Ratagnon 4 3 1
Sama Bangingi 22 6 16
Sama/Samal 14 7 7
Subanen/Subanon/Subanun 10 4 6
Surigaonon 291 159 132
T’boli/Tboli 1 0 1
Tagakaulo 44 22 22
Tagalog 70 40 30
Tausug 19 10 9
Waray 629 318 311
Yakan 8 2 6
Yogad 4 4 0
Zambageño-Chavacano 71 46 25
Zambal 6 3 3
Other Local Ethnicity 163 92 71
Other Foreign Ethnicity 10 4 6
Not Stated 0 0 0
Basic Source of Data: 2010 Census of Population and Housing
National Statistic Office (NSO)
Office of the MPDO, Mawab Compostela Valley Province