Nabunturan, officially the Municipality of 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.
The municipality is home to the Mainit Hot Springs Protected Landscape.
History
The 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 Barangays Nabunturan is subdivided into 28 barangays, namely: 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
Demographics
In the 2024 census, the population of Nabunturan was 85,949 people, with a density of .
Economy
Government
List of former chief executives + Local Executives Serving the Municipality of Nabunturan Since 1957–Present 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
Radio stations and cable provider 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
External links Nabunturan Profile at the DTI Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code] Philippine Census Information