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DAVAO
CITY : The history of Davao is brief but interesting. It harks to the past and brings to mind tribal wars. drum beats and ritual fires along the river banks which, according to some sources gave origin to the word "Davao" from daba-daba", meaning fire. The early inhabitants occupying the eastern shores of Davao were the Manobos, Tagcaolos, Guianggas, Bilaans and Aetas. On the western portion were the Mandayas and Bagobos. The Samals occupied the Samal and the Talicud Islands. Later, the Maguindanaos from Cotabato, Zamboanga and Jolo migrated to Davao and succeeded in driving the natives inhabitants to the mountains. In 1528, Davao was visited by Albaro de Saavedra; in 1543, Baganga, Manay and the island of Sarangani were explored by Villalobos. |
Source of Information: Department of Tourism, Philippines |
In 1844, Governor Figueroa and
Agustin Bocallan, a brigadier-general in the Spanish army, obtained
from the Sultan of Mindanao the cession of the region in favor
of the Spanish government. In 1847, armed with an authority from
Gov. Claveria, Don Uyanguren, a political refugee and a soldier
of fortune set sail for Davao, landing at the mouth of the Davao
river on July 20, the Spaniards were met by the Muslims led by
Datu Bago. In the ensuing battle, Datu Bago was slain and his
followers retreated to the hinterlands. Don Uyanguren conquered
first the region now occupied by Davao City. Two years later,
he organized the neighboring regions together with a strip of
territory of Caraga (now Surigao) into a province of Guipozcoa,
in honor of his home in Spain. He became the first governor.
In 1858, Nueva Guipozcoa was
abolished and two commedencias were included in the district
of Davao which comprised the southeastern territory of Mindanao.
At the end of the Spanish rule, Davao was one of the seven districts
under the political military government of Mindanao. Major Hunter
Ligget led the American forces who came to Davao in 1900.
In 1903, the Moro province was
organized and Davao became a district of the province. However,
in 1914, the Moro Province was abolished and in its stead, the
Department of Mindanao and Sulu was created. Davao then became
on of the provinces of this Department with Davao municipality
(now Davao) as its capital.
In 1937, Davao became a chartered
city. The city was inaugurated formally by the Secretary Elpidio
Quirino on March 16, 1937. Assemblyman Romualdo Quimpo is known
at the "Father of Davao City". Davao was divided into
three provinces in 1967. Davao City assumed a stature all its
own apart from the three provinces, proud of its past and confident
of its future. Gradually, the city regained its status as a primary
agricultural and trade center of Mindanao. Today the city of
Davao has gone far and wide in economic development. Davao City
can just as well be called the "melting pot of the Philippines".
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In 1844, Governor Figueroa and Agustin Bocallan, a brigadier-general in the Spanish army, obtained from the Sultan of Mindanao the cession of the region in favor of the Spanish government. In 1847, armed with an authority from Gov. Claveria, Don Uyanguren, a political refugee and a soldier of fortune set sail for Davao, landing at the mouth of the Davao river on July 20, the Spaniards were met by the Muslims led by Datu Bago. In the ensuing battle, Datu Bago was slain and his followers retreated to the hinterlands. Don Uyanguren conquered first the region now occupied by Davao City. Two years later, he organized the neighboring regions together with a strip of territory of Caraga (now Surigao) into a province of Guipozcoa, in honor of his home in Spain. He became the first governor. In 1858, Nueva Guipozcoa was abolished and two commedencias were included in the district of Davao which comprised the southeastern territory of Mindanao. At the end of the Spanish rule, Davao was one of the seven districts under the political military government of Mindanao. Major Hunter Ligget led the American forces who came to Davao in 1900. In 1903, the Moro province was organized and Davao became a district of the province. However, in 1914, the Moro Province was abolished and in its stead, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was created. Davao then became on of the provinces of this Department with Davao municipality (now Davao) as its capital. In 1937, Davao became a chartered
city. The city was inaugurated formally by the Secretary Elpidio
Quirino on March 16, 1937. Assemblyman Romualdo Quimpo is known
at the "Father of Davao City". Davao was divided into
three provinces in 1967. Davao City assumed a stature all its
own apart from the three provinces, proud of its past and confident
of its future. Gradually, the city regained its status as a primary
agricultural and trade center of Mindanao. Today the city of
Davao has gone far and wide in economic development. Davao City
can just as well be called the "melting pot of the Philippines".
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