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FOCUS ON KADAGAYAAN
VOL.5 ISSUE 85 • JULY 1 -2, 2012
Davao del Norte’s governors (1967-present)
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HEN the undivided Davao was split into three by virtue of Republic Act 4867 authored by Rep. Lorenzo S. Sarmiento in the House of Representatives and by Senator Alejandro D. Almendras in the Senate, the incumbent governor – Paciano Bangoy- and members of the incumbent provincial board were made to choose the new provinces under which they would like to serve. Governor Bangoy picked his native place, Davao Oriental, whose capital town was Mati, one of the oldest municipalities of the undivided Davao. Members of the provincial board also had their own options. Verulo S. Boiser, the senior board member who hailed from Bohol and the most popular of all, being the mostlistened to radio announcer at the time, selected Davao del Norte. There was a reason
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why he made the choice. More popularly known by his radio monicker, “Bonjong “over ABS-CBN, Boiser wanted Davao del Norte because some 80 percent of its residents were from Bohol or had roots traceable to the land of Francisco Dagohoy, the hero who launched the longest revolution in Philippine history against the Spaniards (80 years). Ramon L. delos Cientos, a Cebuano who ruled for a long time as municipal mayor of Bansalan, also known as Miral, chose to be the governor of Davao de Sur, whose capital is Digos, another old thriving town. Delos Cientos preferred Davao del Sur, because Cebuanos dominated the migrant population in that province. While 1967 was a regular election year for governor and mayors, and Boiser, delos
Cientos and Bangoy won handily the governorshipin the following regular elections, it was midterm for the position of congressman held by Sarmiento who chose to serve his unexpired two years in Davao del Norte. There was therefore a need to hold special elections for congressman of Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur which at the time was combined with Davao City as one district. Artemio Al. Loyola, a seasoned city councilor of Davao City, was elected congressman of Davao del Sur-Davao City, while Constancio B. Maglana Sr., a lawyer from Leyte who had a logging concession in Davao Oriental, won as congressman of the then tiniest new province. In 1971. Boiser was reelected governor of Davao del Norte, and so were delos Cientos in Davao del Sur and Bangoy in Davao Oriental.
Awards received for three consecutive years by the Province of Davao del Norte from the Asian Institute of Management and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The award was given for having excelled in its agricultural program in 1995 and 1996 and its health program in 1997. These were the 1995 Trichogramma; 1996 Sustainable Food Security Program and the 1997 Blood Sufficiency Program. On January 30, 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed bills into law that forever altered the physical complexion of Davao del Norte. They are Republic Act No.8470 creating the Province of Compostela Valley, carved out of Davao Province; the enactment
of Republic Act No. 8471, creating the Island Garden City of Samal, comprising of the former municipalities of Babak, Samal and Kaputian; Republic Act No. 8472 converting the municipality of Tagum into Tagum City, the seat of the provincial government of Davao del Norte Province; and Republic Act 8473 creating the municipality of Braulio E. Dujali from the municipalities of Carmen and Panabo. As a result of all these changes, the province was now composed of eight municipalities and two cities with a total of 223 barangays. On March 26, 1998, Governor Amatong chose to take his oath as governor of the newly created province of Compostela Valley, thus
Prospero S. Amatong
FTER Corazon C. Aquino was swept to power as president of the Philippines by virtue of the “People Power” phenomenon, or EDSA Revolution on February 25, 1986, an innovative approach of leadership was ushered in by Prospero S. Amatong, a veteran municipal mayor of Nabunturan, when appointed OIC Governor. Named with him were six OIC board members, four of whom resigned when they ran for congress a year after. As a result, four new members of the Provincial Board were appointed to fill in the vacancies. Among the most highprofile achievements under the leadership of Gov. Amatong were the three Galing Pook
Martial law was proclaimed in 1972 and there was no local election until 1981. Sometime during the martial law years, Boiser resigned as governor and Gregorio Dujali, long-time mayor of Panabo, was appointed to replace him and served his unexpired term. Dujali was elected in 1981 and served until 1986 when replaced with Mayor Prospero S. Amatong of Nabunturan as officer in charge (OIC) governor by the revolutionary government of President Corazon C. Aquino. Way back then, Davao del Norte was already reputed to be the most endowed province among the three then. It had the most fertile soil –ideal for Cavendish bananas, coconut and other export semi and fully-processed products. Copper and gold also topped its other non-agricultural export products.
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ODOLFO P. del Rosario was elected as the new governor of Davao del Norte and took his oath of office on July 1, 1998. Upon his assumption, he immediately embarked on programs for poverty alleviation and sustainable
development. An exemplification of good governance was manifested under the leadership of Governor Del Rosario. All elected provincial officials came together and formed “Hugpong Dabaonon”. The provincial officials made
a commitment to work together, setting aside their political affiliation and differences. Observers concluded that the unity and solidarity of the provincial officials was instrumental in effecting the fast-paced development of Davao del Norte. And of course, public officials and employees of Davao del Norte had internalized the provincial government’s core values:“Integrity, Competence, Commitment.” Just before the 2001 elections or on March 31, 2001, Panabo became a city through Republic Act 1015. Congressman Antonio R. Floirendo, Jr. authored the bill for its cityhood. Three years after or on March 15, 2004, a new municipality was created through Republic Act 9265. Through the efforts of Congressman Arrel R. Olaño, San Isidro became
Verulo Boiser
HE political landscape of Davao Province started when the late strongman, President Ferdinand E. Marcos, appointed the Senior Board Member of the undivided province and radio broadcaster Verulo “Bonjong” C. Boiser as its very first governor on July 1, 1967, serving the infant province for ten years, two years as an appointed governor and eight years (two terms) as elected governor. In 1972, infrastructure development was a big boom when the province qualified along with 27 other provinces and included in the development program of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development in tandem with
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Rural Roads Program (RRP) was implemented for 15 years and the Barangay Water Program (BWP) for 11 years.
Gregorio R. Dujali
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ARMER, former campus wrestling champion and then municipal mayor of Panabo for several terms, governorship was also extended to Gregorio R. Dujali through a presidential appointment on July 7, 1977. His appointment lasted for two years as he, like his predecessor ran and was elected for two terms until March 31, 1986 during the time when the Aquino revolutionary government replaced all the incumbent elected officials with officers-in-charge (OICs) throughout the country. “Pagkain ng Bayan” (Food for the Masses) a benchmark rice farm administered by the provincial government was one of the most notable program of Dujali’s term
which stressed more on agricultural development and food production. It was under the Dujali administration that people in the province were able to benefit themselves of livelihood projects.
Gelacio P. Gementiza
officially ending his stint as Davao del Norte’s chief executive.
Rodolfo P. del Rosario 1998-2004 and 2007 up to present
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EDGEDAVAO
the eighth municipality of Davao del Norte, with six barangays culled out from the municipality of Kapalong and seven barangays from the municipality of Asuncion. TRUE to his 2007 election campaign, Governor del Rosario implemented programs and projects through the RDR WHEELS that stands for: Roads and infra development Development of cooperatives Reforms in governance and peace and order Water and electricity development Health, sanitation and social services Education, culture and sports development Economic development and protection Livelihood and Skills Development
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2004-2007
HE 2004 elections saw the changing of the guards in Davao del Norte. The venerable
Spiritual and moral recovery Majority of the Dabawenyos joined the bandwagon – riding on a vehicle with RDR maneuvering the WHEELS. There seemed to be no end then of the euphoria - of RDR’s return, of his Response to Davao del Norte’s Rebuilding. After RDR WHEELS’ three-year stint on the road it was rested to give way to P.E.O.P.L.E. – People Empowerment, Education, Optimum Health and Social Services, Public-Private Partnership, Link to the World, Employment and Livelihood Opportunities, a
Boholano, Gelacio “Yayong” P. Gementiza, stood up to the challenge of leading Davao del Norte after Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario accepted a cabinet post in the Arroyo administration as Presidential Adviser for New Government Centers. Governor Yayong spent only a term as governor. Secretary Dolfo del Rosario resigned from his cabinet post and made a comeback to Davao del Norte by defeating Governor Yayong in the 2007 gubernatorial election. The election campaign propaganda did it! RDR WHEELS!
brand new vehicle to serve the Davaoeños, a vehicle loaded with more pro-people programs and carrying at the same time not just projects and resources but the whole provincial government down and into the barangays P.E.O.P.L.E., an Executive-Legislative Agenda has been in the forefront of serving those in the countryside through the Convergence for Peace and Development. It is a manifestation of a down-to-earth leader. A leader who does not think of the next election, but of the next generation – a statesman.