Eme Jane Barro Code: 5939

GE8: Readings in the Philippine History Date: July 17, 2024

“Foundations of New Bataan: A Historical Retrospective"

New Bataan was founded on June 18, 1968 formerly part of barangay
Compostela. The Municipality of New Bataan was established as a Municipality by
Republic Act No. 1456. Its mother municipality, Compostela, is located 15 kilometers
away. The overall land area of 55,315 hectares is divided into 16 barangays namely:
New Bataan, located in Davao de Oro, has the following barangays: Andap, Bantacan,
Batinao, Cabinuangan (Poblacion),Camanlangan, Cogonon, Fatima, Katipunan,
Magangit, Magsaysay, Manurigao, Pagsabangan, Panag, San Roque these are the
barangays under the jurisdiction of New Bataan. The municipality in what is now
Barangay Cabinuangan was approved with the assistance of Luz Banzon Magsaysay,
the wife of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay, in honor of whom the
municipality was named.

Moving forward, geographically speaking, New Bataan is located south of the

Municipality of Compostela, west of the Municipality of Maragusan, and north and west
of the province of Davao Oriental. Its entire land area is 55,315 hectares, or 136,690
acres, of which more than half is covered in forest. The municipality receives water from
several rivers, including as the Mayo and Batoto rivers, and is encircled by mountain
ranges. New Bataan is divided politically and administratively into sixteen barangays.
51,466 people were living in the municipality as of the 2020 census, making up 6.71%
of Davao de Oro's total population. Cebuano/Bisaya, Boholano, Mansaka,
Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Mandaya, Dibabawon, Waray, Ilocano, and Davaweño are the
principal ethnic groups of New Bataan. ..From an economic standpoint, the main crops
grown in New Bataan include coconut, rice, corn, bananas, coffee, cacao, abaca, and
bamboo. There is a sizable mining and quarrying sector in the municipality.
Manufacturing and tourism are two other significant economic sectors, as the province
is home to a number of both man-made and natural attractions. In conclusion, New
Bataan is a municipality in the province of Davao de Oro that has a long history that
dates back to its establishment in 1968.
The names of the barangays of New Bataan seem to be a combination of
Tagalog and Cebuano, indicating the varied backgrounds of the town's founders:
Andap, Cabinuangan, Cogonon, Kahayag, Katipunan, Magsaysay, Pagsabangan,
Panag, and San Roque are only a few of the barrio names that are in Tagalog. This
implies that the people who called these barangays spoke Tagalog and were probably
from the province of Bataan, which is where the town gets its name.
Bantacan, Batinao, Camanlangan, Fatima, Magangit, Manurigao, and Tandawan are
among the other Cebuano barrio names. This suggests that immigrants who spoke
Cebuano, perhaps from the neighboring provinces of Davao, settled in these places.
Based on the settlement patterns of its founding population, New Bataan's barangay
names reflect the town's various beginnings, with a mix of Tagalog and Cebuano
influences. While the Cebuano names suggest habitation by people from the Visayas
region, the Tagalog names most likely originate from the Bataan migration.
Despite the fact that originally home to the Mandaya and Mansaka tribes, the
region currently known as New Bataan was predominantly populated by indigenous
peoples prior to its incorporation as a municipality. These people engaged in
subsistence farming, hunting, and fishing while coexisting peacefully with the
environment. Additionally, following World War II and the Commonwealth, many
Tagalog migrants from Bataan were among the first people to settle in the region.
In order to fully understand the timeline of history including how New Bataan was
established the following unravel the significant events which has molded New Bataan:
Prior to Colonialism: Prior to the 16th century, native tribes like the Mandaya and
Mansaka lived in what is now known as New Bataan. These tribes were agrarian,
engaging in subsistence farming, fishing, and hunting.
Time of Spanish Colonialism: 16th to 19th century: The area was a part of a broader
Mindanao area that was affected by Spanish colonial activity. The interior regions, on
the other hand, continued to be mostly independent, with native populations carrying on
with their customs.
American Colonial Era: 1898–1946: The Philippines had educational and
infrastructure advancement while under American administration. But the interior
regions, which included the future site of New Bataan, continued to be relatively remote
and unaffected by these developments. Period Following Independence
1946 saw the Philippines win their freedom from American rule. The administration
started attempting to include outlying regions into the country's structure.
Creation of New Bataan: June 18, 1968: Republic Act No. 4745 officially recognized
New Bataan as a municipality. The moniker "New Bataan" was selected as a tribute to
the World War II veterans of Corregidor and Bataan.
Growth in Population and Development: 1968–1980s: Drawn by agricultural
prospects, people moved to New Bataan from all over the Philippines, particularly the
Visayas and Luzon. The principal crops grown there were rice, corn, and coconuts, and
farming constituted the bulk of the income.
Diversification of the Economy: 1990s–2000s: The local economy of New Bataan
experienced diversification. Agriculture continued to be the dominant industry, although
small-scale mining and other business ventures started to develop.
Pablo the typhoon: On December 4, 2012, New Bataan was severely damaged by
Typhoon Pablo (Bopha). Due to the typhoon's substantial damage and casualty losses,
the region received national and international attention.
Following Typhoon Healing: 2013–2015: After Typhoon Pablo, significant work was
done on reconstruction and rehabilitation. These included programs for disaster
preparedness, agricultural assistance, and infrastructural upgrades.
Latest Advancements: From 2016 till now, resilience and sustainable development
have remained New Bataan's main priorities. The municipality's growth is mostly driven
by agricultural advancements, infrastructural initiatives, and community programs. In
order to lessen the impact of upcoming natural disasters, the local administration places
a strong emphasis on disaster risk reduction and management.
Cultural History and Social Context: Ongoing: The rich cultural legacy of New Bataan
being preserved. Local events that reflect the history and identity of the community
include the town's founding anniversary celebrations. These gatherings provide a sense
of belonging and tradition preservation.

Mentioned earlier was about the cultural history and social context in New
Bataan at this point of time this paper will deepen and widen the information about for
example festivals as well as other significant event that plays an important role to the
essence of New Bataan locality.
Festivals in New Bataan:
Araw Celebration - Held annually on June 18, this festival commemorates the founding
of the municipality of New Bataan in 1968.
Founder's Day - Celebrated every August 10, this festival honors the founding of New
Bataan.
Sal'lupongan Festival - Held from August 1-10, this festival celebrates the unity and
diversity of the different ethnic groups in New Bataan, including the Mansaka, Mandaya,
Manobo, Mangguangan, Dibabawon, Aeta, Kamayo, Davaweño and Kalagan. The
name is a combination of the Mansaka words "Sal'lu" meaning gathering/sharing and
"pongan" meaning solidarity.
The key festivals in New Bataan are centered around the town's founding, its
patron saint St. Anthony of Padua, and the cultural heritage and unity of the diverse
indigenous groups that inhabit the area. These festivals help preserve the history and
traditions of New Bataan.
On the other side, despite its remote location, New Bataan has developed as an
important agricultural center, producing major crops such as coconut, rice, corn,
banana, coffee, cacao, abaca and bamboo. The municipality has also seen
infrastructure d the backbone of New Bataan’s economy. The fertile land supports the
cultivation of rice, corn, coconut, and other crops. Farming practices have evolved over
time, incorporating modern techniques and tools. In addition to farming, fishing and
hunting were important aspects of livelihood for the indigenous tribes. These activities
provided essential food resources and materials for daily life. In recent decades, small-
scale mining has emerged as an additional source of livelihood. The area’s mineral
resources have attracted both local and outside interests, contributing to the economic
landscape. With the development of transportation infrastructure, trade and commerce
have grown. Local markets and businesses offer goods and services, creating
economic opportunities for residents. After the devastation of Typhoon Pablo in 2012,
efforts to rebuild and support livelihoods have been central to the community’s recovery.
Programs focused on sustainable agriculture, infrastructure development, and disaster
preparedness later on, the people of New Bataan continue to adapt and diversify their
sources of livelihood. Agriculture remains vital, but there is also a growing emphasis on
other sectors such as tourism, education, and small enterprises. Local government and
non-governmental organizations run programs to support livelihoods, improve living
standards, and enhance community resilience against natural disasters development,
with a road network spanning national, provincial and municipal roads.
Before modern transportation, indigenous tribes such as the Mandaya and
Mansaka relied on footpaths and waterways for movement. Rivers and streams served
as natural highways, and boats were commonly used for fishing and travel. During the
Spanish and American periods, transportation in the area remained rudimentary. The
interior regions of Mindanao, including what would become New Bataan, were less
accessible due to mountainous terrain and dense forests. Traditional modes of
transportation, such as walking and using carabaos (water buffalo), continued to be
predominant. When New Bataan was officially established as a municipality, there was a
gradual development of infrastructure. Roads began to be constructed, connecting the
municipality to other parts of Davao de Oro and the broader region. Transportation
improved significantly with the development of more road networks. Public
transportation such as jeepneys, buses, and motorcycles became common, facilitating
easier movement of people and goods. Today, transportation in New Bataan includes a
mix of modern vehicles and traditional methods. Improved road infrastructure has made
travel within the municipality and to neighboring areas more efficient.
Moreover, the indigenous tribes of New Bataan lived a life deeply connected to
nature, with customs and traditions passed down through generations. Community life
was centered around family, clan relationships, and communal activities. With the
establishment of the municipality in 1968 and subsequent migration, the way of life
began to evolve. New settlers from different parts of the Philippines brought diverse
cultural practices and contributed to the blending of traditions.

The history of our community, as we learned about it, is a beautiful tapestry

woven from the triumphs, tragedies, and tales of the generations who have called this
place home. Every historical period, from the indigenous people who initially occupied
these lands to the successive waves of settlers who built upon their foundations, left an
enduring imprint that continues to form the identity of our community to this day.
Even while change is an inevitable part of life, it is our duty as stewards of this legacy to
make sure that our community's distinctive character and customs are maintained for
coming generations. We can find a balance that lets our community grow while
remaining loyal to its origins by respecting the past while welcoming the future. We all
have a part to play in conserving the legacy that makes our community unique, whether
that be via sharing the stories of our ancestors, protecting historic sites, or passing
along cultural customs. Our sense of kinship with the past is what gives our house its
depth and significance, nevertheless.