Kitaotao, Bukidnon

Kitaotao
Municipality
Kitaotao Municipal Hall
Seal
Nickname(s): The Municipality at the hips of Bukidnon; Friendly Municipality in Province of Bukidnon; Mango Capital of Bukidnon
Map of Philippines with Kitaotao highlighted
Kitaotao Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°38′N 125°01′E / 7.63°N 125.02°ECoordinates: 7°38′N 125°01′E / 7.63°N 125.02°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao (Region X)
Province	Bukidnon
District	3rd district of Bukidnon
Founded	June 18, 1966
Barangays	35
Government[1]
• Mayor	Lorenzo A. Gawilan Jr.
Area[2]
• Total	788.78 km^2 (304.55 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	50,260
• Density	64/km^2 (170/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	8716
IDD : area code	+63 (0)88
Income class	1st
Website	www.kitaotaobuk.gov.ph

Kitaotao is a first class municipality in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 50,260 people.^[3]

Geography

Kitaotao is situated in the southern part of Bukidnon. It lies in the 124°24’ east longitude and 7°40’ to 7°39 south longitude. It is bounded in the north by the municipalities of Don Carlos, Quezon and San Fernando; and the municipalities of Kadingilan, Dangcagan, and Kibawe in the west; and then the province of North Cotabato in the south and Davao City in the east.

Topography

The area along the Sayre Highway is a plateau while the eastern portion including the Upper Pulangi region is mostly rolling hills with varying mountain slopes.

There are several mountains along the North Cotabato-Davao del Norte Border. Foremost of them are Mt. Sinaka, Mt. Malambo, Mt. Molawit, Mt. Makaayat, Mt. Kibinaton, Mt. Mahanao, Mt. Sumalili, Mt. Zita, and Mt. Kibanda which serve as the sanctuaries of the rare Philippine wildlife. It featured also the numerous waterfalls such as Sumalili, Kinanoran, Matigol and Lalapoy Falls which can be found in the Upper Pulangi region.

Drainage is generally directed southwards where the principal rivers: Pulangi, Muleta, Kulaman, Rawari, Zita, and Salog River.

Barangays

Kitaotao is politically subdivided into 35 barangays.^[2] this are the barangay that no water every day

• Balangigay
• Balukbukan
• Bershiba
• Bobong
• Bolocaon
• Cabalantian
• Calapaton
• Sinaysayan (Dalurong)
• Kahusayan
• Kalumihan
• Kauyonan
• Kimolong
• Kitaihon
• Kitobo
• Magsaysay
• Malobalo
• Metebagao
• Sagundanon
• Pagan
• Panganan
• Poblacion
• San Isidro
• San Lorenzo
• Santo Rosario
• Sinuda (Simod)
• Tandong
• Tawas
• White Kulaman
• Napalico
• Digongan
• Kiulom
• Binoongan
• Kipilas
• East Dalurong
• West Dalurong

History

Cultural history

During the Spanish regime, a Manobo Tribe in Bukidnon, headed by Datu Tayaotao, was known among its neighboring settlements for his bravery and leadership. When the Spaniards invaded Cotabato, in one of their drives to expand their colonial control over the Philippines, Datu Tayaotao was called upon for help by one Datu Muslim. The combined forces of the Muslims and Manobo successfully repulsed the Spanish operation.

A feast was declared by the Muslim chief to honor and thank Datu Tayaotao and his men. During the feast, the Muslim chief offered his only daughter to Datu Tayaotao to be his wife, as reward and bond, to strengthen the relation of the two tribes.

The wedding took place at Datu Tayaotao’s enclave, followed by a three-day feast. The Muslim Datu, overwhelmed by the gaiety and lavishness of the celebration, proclaimed and called Datu Tayaotao as Datu Kitaotao, the chief of the land of wealth. After his death, the locality was named after Datu Kitaotao.

Political history

Kitaotao was once part of the district of Maramag. The creation of Kibawe in 1956 as a new district reclassified Kitaotao as part of Kibawe. After the Second World War, municipalities were created from the existing district and some settlements. In 1961, President Carlos P. Garcia issued Executive Order No. 444 for the creation of the municipality.

Under the sponsorship of Bukidnon Congressman Benjamin Tabios, House Bill No. 1655 was passed by Congress and approved by President Ferdinand E. Marcos as Republic Act No. 4801 for the creation of Kitaotao into a municipality on June 16, 1966. Its first political election was held in November 1967, electing Eusebio B. Pabualan as Kitaotao’s first municipal mayor. At present, Kitaotao is composed of 35 barangays and 108 sitios, with an approximate area of 52, 512 hectares.

Demographics

Population census of Kitaotao
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	34,472	—
1995	38,404	+2.04%
2000	26,073	−7.97%
2007	42,212	+6.87%
2010	49,488	+5.96%
2015	50,260	+0.30%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][4]

In the 2015 census, the population of Kitaotao was 50,260 people,^[3] with a density of 64 inhabitants per square kilometre or 170 inhabitants per square mile.

References

1. "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 1 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
2. "Province: BUKIDNON". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
3. "Region X (NORTHERN MINDANAO)". Census of Population (2015): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
4. "Region X (NORTHERN MINDANAO)". Census of Population and Housing (2010): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information