MUNICIPALITY OF

History

The Municipality of Datu Montawal has existed when the Late Mayor Datu Macabangen K. Montawal of the Municipality of realized the necessity of creating another political entity in order to address the future political wrangling among local leaders. The Late Mayor proposed the eleven (11) barangays shall form part to the newly created municipality from the twenty-three (23) barangays of Pagalungan Municipality. These barangays are namely: Batungkayo, Bulit, Bulod, Dungguan, Limbalod, Maridagao, Nabundas, Pagagawan, Talapas, Talitay and Tunggol. The creation underwent tough processes which a competent and knowledgeable person was indispensable in facilitating the technical preparation. The late Mayor Montawal sought the assistance of his son-in law Dr. Alonto B. Bangkulit, Sr., former Principal of Tunggol National High School, to conduct an evaluation and search relevant information regarding the establishment of a new local government unit. Dr. Bangkulit immediately prepared the necessary documents that eventually align their effort to its very purpose. The Late Mayor Montawal has requested the former President Fidel V. Ramos that a new municipality must be created from the Municipality of Pagalungan to address the current problems. The former President immediately referred the said request to Secretary Robert Barbers of the Department of Interior and Local Government for appropriate and immediate action. Secretary Barbers favorably consider the said matter and referred the said request to the Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. When Former RLA Speaker Kabilan Sema received the endorsement letter attached the letter of request of Late Mayor Montawal, evaluate the pertinent documents and advice the Late Mayor to immediately submit the requirements. On the other hand, conducted a consultation and dialogues with the constituents of the twenty-three (23) barangays of the Municipality especially the local leaders which was initiated by the Late SB Secretary Daniel Abellera and was assisted by the former ABC President Mohamad Andoy. They also invited some Non-Government Organization and other concern sectors in crafting the creation of a new Municipality of Pagagawan. The consultation and dialogues and among others pave the way to the passage of the consensual resolution by the twenty-three barangays requesting the Sangguniang Bayan of Pagalungan, Provincial Board of and the Regional Legislative Assembly of the ARMM to expedite the approval of the establishment of the new Municipality in order to accelerate economic development, improve peace and order and avoid or minimize political rivalry among local and political leaders. The Regional Legislative Assembly of ARMM started to deliberate the proposed RLA Bill NO.63 entitled, “The Creation of the Municipality of Pagagawan from Pagalungan Municipality Bill. The Bill was sponsored by Late Hon. Mama Masukat, co-sponsored by Hon. Langkuno, Hon. Datu Bimbo Sinsuat and Hon. Kabilin Sema. The gentlemen conducted the committee hearing in view of the determination of the degree of necessity that a new local government unit will be created. After the tremendous debate of the RLA Bill No. 63 in the plenary, it was unanimously approved by the august body. The Bill was signed into law through Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 95 creating Pagagawan Municipality into a district municipality from its Mother Municipality – Pagalungan by former Regional Governor Nur Misuari. The law was ratified through plebiscite which was conducted last March 18, 2000 whereby the “YES” vote won. Subsequently, the newly set of officers was appointed by the Regional Governor on March 24, 2000 to manage them local affairs of the infant municipality, to wit:

Bai Annie C. Montawal Municipal Mayor Bai Zorahaida Maglangit Municipal Vice-Mayor Bai Bening M. Paglas Sangguniang Bayan Member Mohaliden M. Bao Sangguniang Bayan Member Victor Kambang Sangguniang Bayan Member Datu Sela Bacuna Sangguniang Bayan Member Kalubidan Ganding Sangguniang Bayan Member Oraw P. Kakim Sangguniang Bayan Member Alex Laguilaot Sangguniang Bayan Member Butch Ulama Sangguniang Bayan Member Datu Andy C. Montawal ABC President

Successively, employees were also appointed, last March 28, 2000, the newly appointed officials took their oath of office and began their work regularly. On June 9, 2003, by virtue of MMA Act No. 152, formally change the name of the Municipality of Pagagawan to the Municipality of Datu Montawal in the Province of Maguindanao in memory of the grandfather of the Late Mayor Datu Macabangen K. Montawal, Datu Montawal who fought and defend the land against foreign invasion and help Christians and other tribal groups from Luzon, Visayas and other part of Mindanao to settle in the area. That was how this Municipality came into existence.