Nabunturan

Nabunturan, officially the Municipality of Nabunturan, is a local government unit in the province of Davao de Oro, Philippines. It serves as the provincial capital and functions as an administrative, commercial, transport, and service center for the surrounding communities. The municipality is located in the interior of southeastern Mindanao and is associated with the province formerly known as Compostela Valley, which was officially renamed Davao de Oro. The name Nabunturan is derived from the Cebuano word bungtod, meaning hill. It refers to a place that is surrounded by hills, a description consistent with the municipality's inland setting. Before becoming an independent municipality, the area was a barangay of Compostela. Its early administration combined local leadership with oversight from the civil authorities of the Compostela municipal district. A local headman known as a Bagani was involved in community governance, while peace and order were connected to the Philippine Constabulary presence at Camp Kalaw in nearby Monkayo. Nabunturan's development accelerated after the construction of a national road through the area in 1938. Improved access encouraged Visayan settlers and other pioneers to establish homes and businesses. The Bureau of Public Works also maintained a camp in Nabunturan, helping the settlement develop into a rural service and trading center. The original barangay site was located several kilometres from the present poblacion, along the Libasan-Saosao Provincial Road. During the Second World War, Nabunturan was used as a refuge and operating area for guerrillas and United States Armed Forces in the Philippines contingents. Under Japanese occupation, it became the site of a Kempetai garrison. After the war, the area again gained importance as roads and public facilities were restored. In 1945, the Philippine Civil Affairs or Civil Assistance administration established the civil government of Compostela at Nabunturan because of its accessibility to Davao City and its position within the developing road network. Republic Act No. 2038 created Nabunturan as a separate municipality from Compostela. The new political unit was formally established on July 23, 1957, retaining the name Nabunturan. Lauro C. Arabejo, then serving as mayor of Compostela, became the first mayor of the new municipality. Nabunturan later became the capital of the newly created province of Compostela Valley under Republic Act No. 8470. The law was signed on January 30, 1998, and the province was formally established on March 8, 1998. Compostela Valley was subsequently renamed Davao de Oro. The municipality is divided into 28 barangays. Its local economy includes public administration, commerce, agriculture, services, and activity connected with regional transport and provincial government. Nabunturan is also home to the Mainit Hot Springs Protected Landscape, an important natural and recreational area. According to the 2024 Philippine census figures reported in the Wikipedia reference, the municipality had 85,949 residents, with a population density of approximately 370 people per square kilometre. Its public information environment includes local radio stations and a cable television provider, reflecting its role as a provincial center.

Nabunturan began as a settlement and barangay within the municipality of Compostela. The name is associated with the Cebuano term bungtod, meaning hill, and is commonly interpreted as describing a place surrounded by hills. Early community administration involved a local headman known as a Bagani, while civil matters were supervised through the Compostela municipal district. Philippine Constabulary personnel based at Camp Kalaw in Monkayo had responsibility for peace and order in the wider area. Before modern road infrastructure reached the settlement, Nabunturan was relatively isolated and affected by the threat of malaria. Mansaka communities and other residents lived across the wider area between present-day Mawab and Montevista. The original Nabunturan barangay site stood along the Libasan-Saosao Provincial Road, approximately four kilometres from the present poblacion. Schools were administered through the public-school structure associated with the Kalaw Settlement. A major turning point came in 1938, when a national road was constructed through Nabunturan. The improved connection attracted Visayan settlers, pioneers, traders, and public works activity. A Bureau of Public Works camp was established in the settlement, and commercial establishments followed. Nabunturan consequently developed from a rural community into an increasingly important local center. The Second World War disrupted this development. Guerrillas and USAFFE contingents used the area as a hiding place and operating base. During the Japanese occupation, Nabunturan became the location of a Japanese Kempetai garrison. Following the arrival of American forces in Davao City in 1945, the Philippine Civil Assistance Unit established the civil government of Compostela at Nabunturan. Its road connections and accessibility to Davao City made it a practical administrative location. The post-war construction of highways and local roads further strengthened its commercial role. The municipality was created by Republic Act No. 2038 and formally separated from Compostela on July 23, 1957. Lauro C. Arabejo, who had been the incumbent mayor of Compostela, became its first mayor. Nabunturan retained its original name and continued to develop as a center for trade, public administration, education, and services. A second major institutional change occurred with the creation of Compostela Valley province through Republic Act No. 8470. President Fidel V. Ramos signed the law on January 30, 1998, and Nabunturan was designated the provincial capital when the new province was established on March 8, 1998. Prospero Amatong, then governor of Davao del Norte, initially became governor of the new province but resigned shortly afterward to pursue a congressional candidacy. Luz Sarmiento served as appointed governor for approximately two months, followed by Jose R. Caballero, the first elected governor, who served from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 2007. Compostela Valley was later renamed Davao de Oro. Nabunturan remains the provincial capital and is organized into 28 barangays. Its present identity combines local-government administration, regional commerce, agricultural and service activity, communications, and access to natural attractions including the Mainit Hot Springs Protected Landscape.

• 2024

  Reported population of 85,949

  [1]Nabunturanen.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 census figures cited in the reference reported a population of 85,949 for Nabunturan.

• 1998

  Designation as provincial capital

  [1]Nabunturanen.wikipedia.org

  The creation of Compostela Valley province under Republic Act No. 8470 established Nabunturan as its capital. The province was later renamed Davao de Oro.

• 1957

  Creation as an independent municipality

  [1]Nabunturanen.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 2038 created Nabunturan as a municipality separate from Compostela, with formal establishment on July 23.

• 1945

  Post-war civil administration

  [1]Nabunturanen.wikipedia.org

  The Philippine Civil Assistance Unit established the civil government of Compostela at Nabunturan, reinforcing its administrative importance.

• 1941

  World War II reaches the area

  [1]Nabunturanen.wikipedia.org

  Nabunturan became associated with guerrilla and USAFFE activity and was later occupied by a Japanese Kempetai garrison.

• 1938

  National road construction

  [1]Nabunturanen.wikipedia.org

  Construction of a national road through Nabunturan improved access, encouraged settlement, and helped the community develop into a commercial center.

Nabunturan is positioned as the administrative capital and inland service center of Davao de Oro, combining provincial-government functions with commerce, transport access, community services, and nature-based attractions.

Product categories. Local agricultural products · Retail and wholesale goods · Public and administrative services · Hospitality and tourism services

1. 1Nabunturanen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website of the Municipality of Nabunturannabunturan.gov.ph