Compostela, Compostela Valley

Map of Compostela Valley showing the location of Compostela

Compostela is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Compostela Valley, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 61,667 people in 12,151 households.

Compostela is one of the municipalities that comprise the vast plains of Compostela Valley. Its development started before World War II when the area was still a forest and the only inhabitants were the native Mandayas who chose to settle along the river banks of the compassionate Agusan River. There are no written records as to how Compostela got its name but respectable residents believed that it was a temporary Spanish settlements, a “Kampo de Kastila” of Spanish that came from the Eastern Coast of Davao Oriental. Another version is that a Spanish friar from the East Coast came to the place bringing with him a statue of Senior (cf. Señor) Santiago de Apostol, patron saint of his birth place Santiago de Compostela, Spain and thus named the place Compostela.

Before the outbreak of World War II, Compostela Valley was one of the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes for Mindanao. Its office was based at Dansalan, Lanao under the directorship of Teofisto Guingona, Sr. who was then exercising government control over provinces and municipal districts of Mindanao. However, the bureau was abolished right after the war. The valley was then formed into Compostela-Monkayo Districts and subdivided into three small districts: Monkayo, Compostela and Camansa. Compostela was governed by Mr. Bonifacio Garcia as the District Mayor appointed by the Governor of Davao which during that time was still one province with the capitol at Davao City. Local government functions were performed by the governor and the district mayors were only ceremonial leaders.

Road construction of the Davao-Agusan National Highway extended up to Camp Kalaw, a Philippine Constabulary detachment located at Monkayo. Compostela Proper (the popular name of Compostela then) was accessible via Agusan River with embarkation at Kilometer 106 (now Barangay Bankerohan Sur of Montevista). Settlers from Luzon and the Visayas started to settle in Compostela, lured by a promise of vast agricultural lands so fertile and rich if you are determined and able-bodied. That was in 1939 and some of those who came to settle in Compostela to tame the wilderness are the Garcia’s of Talibon, Bohol; the Galenzoga’s of Baybay, Leyte; the Maquilan’s of Mandawe, Cebu; the Regaña’s of Samar; the Estrada’s of Luzon and the Bayubay’s of Ilocos. These pioneers lived in harmony with the native Mandayas; among them were the Blanco’s, the Manzanares’, the Braose’s, the Adao’s and the Fabian’s. Third generation of both these pioneers and natives are still in Compostela today.

When World War II broke out in 1941, most of the people evacuated to hinterlands of the valley leaving their farms behind. Also at this time, the Philippine Civil Assistance Unit (PCAU) established a civil government at Kilometer 90 (now Nabunturan) and installed Juanito Regaña as the Mayor of Compostela.

After the war in 1945, the people came back to their farms which now became a virtual forest. Those who came back again tilled the soil and settled permanently in the place. Also during these times, Governor Antonio Lanzar appointed Mr. Formoso Piansay as Mayor of Compostela.

Now, came in August 1, 1948 when an Executive Order No 156 signed by the late President Elpidio Quirino, organizing into four regular municipalities under the names of Compostela, New Leyte, Governor Genoroso and Trinidad the Municipal Districts of Compostela, Moncayo, Saug, Camansa, Surup, Sigaboy, Batulaki and Caburan, all of the Province of Davao.

In 1949, all municipal districts were abolished thus paving a way for the creation of new municipalities and Compostela with the seat of government at Km. 90 became a regular municipality with Mayor Lauro Arabejo as the appointed mayor. Compostela Proper then was only a barrio of the original Compostela municipality. It is accessible by boat powered by outboard motors that ply from Compostela Proper to km. 106 via Agusan River. From there (km. 106) people go to the government center at km. 90 Nabunturan by hiking or riding.

Then in the early 1950’s, road construction going to Compostela Proper started via km. 102 (now Montevista). One of the engineers of the Bureau of Public Highways was Engineer Prospero S. Amatong.

In 1955, the barrio (barangay) of New Sabonga was transferred to this town from Asuncion.^[1]

On June 23, 1957, then President Carlos P. Garcia signed Republic Act No. 2038^[2] which separated Compostela from Nabunturan. The first Mayor appointed by President Carlos P. Garcia was the late Mayor Pio P. Galenzoga, one of the pioneer settlers.

In the same year the sitios of Kao, Magkagong, Margosan, Matilo, Magangit, Cabacungan, Tigbatinao and Camanlangan were constituted into a barrio known as Santo Niño.^[3]

At the time, Compostela was an incongruous mixture of wooden- roofed houses concentrated along the Agusan River which was properly known as “dungguanan” (embarkation). This area later became its center of trade and commerce or Poblacion.

Since then Compostela slowly rose from a backward infant municipality into one of the progressive towns of the valley. Its vast flat lands become the major rice production area of Davao Province when the National Irrigation Administration- Asian Development Bank (NIA-ADB) constructed an irrigation system in the early part of 1970 that serve the southwestern portion of the municipality. Also, cavendish bananas are produced here by the Ayala Conglomerate and Multi-National Dole (Stanfilco), Philippines, Incorporated. But its progress is owed much to the spirit of the people who came and stayed in Compostela. The realization of their dream is discerned today of the bustling urban center that can boast of modern amenities and updated educational centers. Today, we can truly and modestly say that Compostela is one of the best places to live in under the new seat of elected officials which are as follows:

Municipal Mayor - Hon. Jessie S. Bolo Municipal Vice- Mayor - Hon. Atty. Reynaldo Q. Castillo

SB Members: Hon. Josielyn A. Romano Hon. Haidee Suarez-Jeminez Hon. Teofilo S. Arcales Hon. Nena G. Atamosa Hon. Rogelio P. Econar Hon. Juric G. Blanco Hon. Miguel G. Vargas, Jr. Hon. Paulino G. Musong

B. DEMOGRAPHY

a. Population Size, Growth Rate and Trend

The first record of municipality’s population enumerated in census was in 1939 with a total population of 2,716. Compostela then was still a municipal district composed of municipalities of the district.

By virtue of Executive Order 156 issued by President Elpidio Quirino, Compostela officially became a municipality on August 1, 1948.

In 1960, the municipality’s recorded population was 20,444. This was attributed to the fact that the municipality started to emerge and the influx of settlers from all over the country flocked to the municipality owing to its vast land. Another factor that contributed to this population was the logging operation of Valderrama Lumber Manufacturers Co., Incorporated.

In 1970, the population of the town declined by -3,285 or -16.07 percent. This was attributed by the creation of the Municipality of New Bataan into a municipality taken from Compostela on 1966.

Apparently, the biggest increase in population of the municipality was in 1990 with a registered population of 53,546. There was an increase of 23,008 or 75.34 percent from the 1980’s population. This remarkable increase was attributed by the thousands of gold prospectors flocked to Compostela when gold deposits was discovered in Sitios Kantigbao, Mambusao, Pulang-lupa and Bango of Barangay Ngan in 1983 to 1988.

In 1995, only 1,484 or 2.77 percent increase was recorded with an average growth rate of 0.55 percent.

During the 1990 census, the municipality’s population grew up to 61,667 posting an increase of 6,637 or 12.06 percent over the 1990 figure.

Table 1.   Historical Growth of Population

Municipality of Compostela: 2000

Year Population Increase/Decrease Average Growth Rate 1970 17,159 1975 23,084 5,925 6.11% 1980 30,538 7,454 5.76% 1990 53,546 23,008 5.78% 1995 55,030 1,484 0.55% 2000 61,667 6,637 2.47% 2007 69,849 8,182 2.02%

            Source:  National Statistics Office

b. Urban-Rural Distribution/Density

Among the sixteen (16) barangays of Compostela, Barangay Poblacion being the only urban barangay has the highest number of population with 18,328 or 29.72 percent of the municipality’s total population; it is followed by Barangay Ngan (11.19 percent) and Barangay San Miguel (7.17 percent). Barangay Panansalan, on the other hand, Barangay is the least populated barangay with 0.93 percent to the total population.

Table 2. Household Population and Number of Household by Barangay Municipality of Compostela: 2007

Source: National Statistics Office

Poblacion, the most inhabited barangay obtained a population density of 35.59 persons per hectare, and Tamia, on the other hand, is the least densely populated barangay with 0.73 persons per hectare.

Table 3. Urban - Rural Population Distribution, Population Density Municipality of Compostela: 2000

Source: National Statistics Office

            Municipal Assessor’s Office

c. Sex Distribution/Composition

In 2000, males outnumbered females with a sex ratio of 106.26 males for every 100 females. Males dominated the age group 79 years and below while females in the age group 80 and over.

d. Age Distribution/Composition

Age group 5 to 9 dominated the municipality’s total population with 14.34 percent share to the population. This is followed by age group 10-14 with 13.72 percent and then by those aged 15-19 years with 11.01 percent.

Table 4. Total Population by Age-Group and Sex Municipality of Compostela: 2000

Source: National Statistics Office

e. Marital Status

Out of 45,010 household population 10 years old and over, 45.23 percent were single; 44.97 percent were married; 3.32 percent were widowed; 0.78 percent were separated; and those with other marital arrangements registered at 5.70 percent.

Single males prevailed over single females (55.47 percent), married (50.03 percent), separated (50.14 percent), and among those with other marital arrangements (50.95 percent). On contrary, most of the widowed were females (72.26 percent).

Establishments

Internet Cafe

Cybernetech 1 Cybernetech 2 Cybernetech 3 Shoppe@net Net Drive Finger.Net

Redlink Comval Cyberzone Imi Kimi, Minnie Mouse Abap.com

Gasoline Station

Phoenix Petron(Pob.) Petron(Crossing Gabi) A Plus, Shell

Colleges

• Bukidnon State University(BSU)
• New Era Technological College of Compostela(NETTCOM)
• University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP)
• Legacy College of Compostela (LCC)

References

1. ^ "An Act Making the Barrio of New Sabonga in the Municipality of Saug, Province of Davao, As a Part of the Municipality of Compostela of the Same Province". LawPH.com. http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1311.html. Retrieved 2011-04-11. 
2. ^ "An Act Dividing the Municipality of Compostela, Province of Davao, into Two Municipalities, One to Retain the Name "Compostela," and the Other to Be Known As the Municipality of Nabunturan". LawPH.com. http://lawph.com/statutes/ra2038.html. Retrieved 2011-04-11. 
3. ^ "An Act Creating the Barrio of Santo Niño, Municipality of Compostela, Province of Davao". LawPH.com. http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1691.html. Retrieved 2011-04-12. 

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information

Coordinates: 7°40′39.72″N 126°04′31.80″E / 7.6777°N 126.0755°E / 7.6777; 126.0755