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 2024 census, it has a population of 85,949 people.[5]
Nabunturan | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Nabunturan | |
 Flag  Seal | |
Nicknames:
| |
| Motto: Nabunturan, A Progressive, Peaceful, and Dynamic Agri-based Municipality | |
| Anthem: Nabunturan Hymn | |
 Map of Davao de Oro with Nabunturan highlighted | |
 Interactive map of Nabunturan | |
.svg)  Nabunturan Location within the Philippines | |
| Coordinates: 7°36′12″N 125°58′01″E / 7.603414°N 125.967047°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Davao Region |
| Province | Davao de Oro |
| District | 2nd district |
| Founded | July 23, 1957 |
| Barangays | 28 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Myrocel Clarin-Balili |
| • Vice Mayor | Cyrian A. Reterba |
| • Representative | Leonel D. Ceniza |
| • Electorate | 53,977 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• 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 |
| • Density | 371.59/km2 (962.42/sq mi) |
| • Households | 20,831 |
| Demonym | Nabunturanon |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 1st municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 13.7 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 459.9 million (2024) |
| • Assets | ₱ 834.3 million (2024) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 457.2 million (2024) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Northern Davao Electric Cooperative (NORDECO) |
| • Water | Nabunturan Water District |
| • Telecommunications | Globe Telecom PLDT |
| • Cable TV | Nabunturan Cable TV Network |
| 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 |
The municipality is home to the Mainit Hot Springs Protected Landscape.
History
editThe 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 established 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 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, before resigning the following day and filing 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
editBarangays
editNabunturan 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
edit| Climate data for Nabunturan | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| 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 days | 20.0 | 17.2 | 15.9 | 13.9 | 23.8 | 27.2 | 28.1 | 28.2 | 27.0 | 27.0 | 21.3 | 18.7 | 268.3 |
| Source: Meteoblue[7] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
edit| Year | Pop. | ±% 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 2024 census, the population of Nabunturan was 85,949 people,[13] with a density of 370 inhabitants per square kilometre or 960 inhabitants per square mile.
Economy
editGovernment
editList of former chief executives
edit| Name of mayor | Years served | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Lauro C. Arabejo | 1957–1959 | Not, who continued his two unexpired term as Mayor of Compostela |
| Antonio A. Tulio | 1960–1963 | Served until September 11, 1963 only because he ran for Provincial Board |
| Gregorio Echavez | Four Months | Served as Mayor on September 12, 1964 being as Vice Mayor. |
| Lauro C. Arabejo | 1964–1967 | Served as Mayor for the whole term |
| Lauro C. Arabejo | 1968–1969 | Served as Mayor until 1969 because he ran for Congressman |
| Venancio C. Piastro | 1969–1971 | Served as Mayor from September 1969 to 1971 being as Vice Mayor |
| Prospero S. Amatong | 1972–1977 | Served as Mayor from January 1, 1972, to September 28, 1977, after his courtesy resignation was accepted by then President Marcos. |
| Zosimo A. Bugas | 1977–1980 | Appointed and served as mayor from September 29, 1977 to March 2, 1980 |
| Prospero S. Amatong | 1980–1986 | Served as Mayor until March 31, 1986, only because he was appointed as OIC Governor. |
| Venancio C. Piastro | 15 Days | Served as Mayor from April 1, 1986, to April 15, 1986 for being as Vice Mayor |
| Arsenio B. Flores | 1986–1988 | Appointed and served as OIC Mayor from April 16, 1986, to January 26, 1988 |
| Romeo A. Chavez, MD | 5 days | Appointed and served as Mayor from January 27, 1988, to February 1, 1988 |
| Joel O. Bugas | 1988–1992 | Served as Mayor for the whole term |
| Joel O. Bugas | 1992–1995 | Re-elected as Mayor during the 1992 national and local elections |
| Joel O. Bugas | 1995–1998 | Re-elected as Mayor during the 1995 national and local elections |
| Ruben R. Flores MD | 1998–2001 | Served as Mayor for the whole term |
| Macario T. Humol | 2001–2004 | Served as Mayor for the whole term |
| Macario T. Humol | 2004–2007 | Re-elected as Mayor during the 2004 national and local elections |
| Macario T. Humol | 2007–2010 | Re-elected as Mayor during the 2007 national and local elections |
| Romeo C. Clarin | 2010–2016 | Served as Mayor of Nabunturan |
| Chelita C. Amatong | 2016–2022 | Served as Mayor of Nabunturan |
| Myrocel C. Balili | 2022–present | Currently elected as Mayor of Nabunturan |
Media
editRadio stations and cable provider
edit- DXPA-FM 103.1 Radyo Serbisyo – Owned By Andres Bonifacio College Broadcasting System
- DXWH-FM 104.7 Radyo Natin – Owned by Manila Broadcasting Company ( operator . AJT production and media services )
- DXKY-FM 88.5 Zradio – Owned by 1st District Congressman Manuel "Way Kurat" Zamora under the license by RMC Broadcasting Corporation of the Radyo ni Juan Network
- Nabunturan Cable TV Network (NCTN) – owned By Jainal B. Uy
- 97.9 AFM Nabunturan owned by Mr. Alexander Petalcorin Agustin
- 94.3 Juander Radyo Nabunturan (RSV Broadcasting Network Inc.) owned by Richard S. Villaronte
References
edit- ↑ Municipality of Nabunturan | (DILG)
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ↑ "Province:". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
- ↑ "Nabunturan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
- ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
- ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
- ↑ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
- ↑ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
- ↑ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
- ↑ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
- ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.