Lebak

Lebak was once part of Sultanate of Maguindanao.The arrival of Maguindanao which establish the Islamic faith and settled in near the rivers and shores in the 15th century.[11]

This territory was part of the Spanish Empire in Asia and Oceania (1520–1898). By 1696, Captain Rodríguez de Figueroa obtained from the Spanish government the exclusive right to colonize Mindanao. On February 1 of this year, Iloilo reached the mouth of the Rio Grande of Mindanao, in what is now known as the city of Cotabato.

The first written history of this town was in 1871, The colonial government of Spain, Lebac was made into a military district of Cotabato.[12][13] The military campaign of Emilio Terrero y Perinat against Sultan reaches Lebak in 1887.[14]

By the end of the Spanish regime in 1898, includes politico-military comendancia of Lebak in "Fifth District of Mindanao".[15] The town already producing rice during the period of 1905 and vinta was already in service from Cotabato to Lebac.[16] In 1913 Under the United States ended the military rule in Mindanao and establish the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. Act No. 2711 of the Philippine Commission dated March 10, 1917, Lebak and Salaman was incorporated into Province of Cotabato.[17] The growing agrarian problem in Luzon and Visayas offers United States government offers the solution of homestead and resettlement in Mindanao particularly in Lebak.[18] Act 2408 enacted on July 23, 1914, Lebak was part of Empire Province of Cotabato. Between the time between 1914 and 1937 a steady flow of Christian settlers from Luzon (Ilocanos) and Visayas (Ilongos).[19]

In 1945, World War II when the combined American and Filipino forces took over the supervision of the Philippine Government against Japanese occupation, Marcelino A. Concha was still the Military Governor of the Empire Province of Cotabato. In the same year, Aurelio Freires, Sr. was appointed Municipal District Mayor of Salaman.

On August 18, 1947, President Manuel Roxas sign an executive order 82 organizing municipalities and municipal district of Cotabato Province.[20] The municipal district of Lebak was formally created under the municipal district of Kiamba under section 4, however, on same executive order on section 10 the municipal district of Salaman was under the Municipality of Dinaig. Together with the Kalamansig, Salaman was formerly a part of the municipality of once called Lebak and the seat of government is in now called Kalamansig Municipal Hall.[21]

An executive order number 195, the Municipality of Lebak as separated from the municipality of district of Kiamba and Dinaig and upholding the seat of government at Sito Kalamansig was signed by President Elpidio Quirino on December 31, 1948.[22] and on April 12, 1951, and an executive order 432 issued to transfer the seat of government from Kalamansig to Barrio of Salaman.[23]

On April 12, 1951, the municipality of Kalamansig is formally created consisting of 20 barrios and sitios from Lebak.[24]

The Land Reform Code of Diosdado Macapagal brought more Christian migrants from Luzon and Visayas.

Under the command of Rajah Buayan, Commander Ali “Cassius Clay” Sansaluna of Cotabato Moro National Liberation Front Command landed at barangay Tran in December 1972 with an estimated 5,000 – 6,000 armed with European made weapon ship from neighboring Muslims countries. Tran was the main logistical base of the MNLF's Cotabato Command. Early February 26, 1973, the hostilities began when a group of fishermen at Tran River was shot and killed. The following day, February 27, 1973, the 54 Philippine Constabulary verify the event and the skirmishes begin. Signalled the MNLF offensive all over Cotabato raided including Civilian Home Defense Forces (CHDFs), 27th Infantry Battalion, PC Provincial Commands and villages as far as barangay Basak.[25]

22nd Infantry Battalion (Separate) was deployed at Lebak in April 1973.[26]

Datu Guiwan Mastura withdraws from Lebak and Kalamansig and seeks sanctuary at Palimbang on March 21, 1973. Tran was guarded with 600 rebels under the command of Datu Sangki Karon.

Offensive military operation started June 6, 1973, under the command of Unified Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM) Task Force COSMOS under General Fortunato U. Abat who was the commanding general of 3rd Inf Bde (Sep) PA.[27] Units include 21st, the 22nd and the 4th Infantry Battalions PA, the 1st Composite Infantry Battalion, GHQ, the 554th and 531st Philippine Constabulary Companies and four ships of the Naval task Group 71.1, and Composite Air Support Force Cotabato[28][25]

July 21, 1973, government troops controlled the Barangay Tran and kept pushing towards Sitio Turugan. A thousand rebels together with their families surrendered to government troops on August 3, 1973. On August 4, 1972, the 22nd Infantry Battalion finally cleared the Sitio Turugan, the Moro National Liberation Front stronghold. The Tran Offensive officially ended on August 6, 1973, ending the two-month conflict.[29]

Leader of Tran insurgents Datu Guiwan Mastura together with 12 men surrendered to Ferdinand Marcos in June 1973.[30] First Presidential Streamer Award was awarded to 22nd Infantry Battalion in 1973. On the side of MNLF, 422 killed, 39 captured and 1,036 surrendered. The government troops counts 48 killed in action, 148 wounded and 1 missing[31] including Lieutenant Gringo Honasan was one of the wounded[32] of this battle and was later awarded with 3 Gold Cross Medal.[33]

Homes destroyed in Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, by the 1976 tsunami.

The 8.0 (Mw) earthquake on August 16, 1976 at 16:11 UTC (12:11 AM local time) occurred near the Moro Gulf at a depth of 33 kilometres (21 mi), about 40.7 kilometres (25.3 mi) south of the populated barangay of Tibpuan. It was followed by 15 aftershocks.[34] The quake triggered a 9-meter tsunami that killed an estimated 8,000 people in the affected region.[35][36]

A few years later, the municipality of Lebak was transferred from Cotabato Province to Province of Sultan Kudarat on November 22, 1979, by presidential decree 341 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.[37]

The municipality was formerly composed of 23 barangays and created 4 new barangays, Bolebak, Barurao II, Poblacion II and Poblacion III making it to 27 barangays.

The renaming of Poblacion 2 to barangay Aurelio F. Frieres Sr was approved by the Sanguniang Bayan in its resolution number 007 series of 2002. A plebiscite was enacted last March 31, 2005.

List of peaks in Lebak by elevation

• Mount Salangsang 3,379 ft (1,030 m)
• Mount Tona 2,001 ft (610 m)
• Mount Klomono 1,509 ft (460 m)
• Mount Luho 853 ft (260 m)
• Mount Balanganan 722 ft (220 m)
• Mount Pansud 525 ft (160 m)

The Mangrove forest in wetlands of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat

Lebak is marked with hilly, mountainous ranges. The plains range from level to nearly level while uplands range from nearly level to hilly mountainous and gently rolling slopes which are suitable for intensive rice and corn farming. Silty Loam which is best suited for agricultural crops such as rice, corn and vegetables. This covers 37.36% or 17,500 has of the total land area. Soils Un-differentiated which is favorable suited to grazing, pasture, forest and agro-forestry. This covers a total of 29,440 has or 62.64%.[38]

The Municipality is rich in natural resources. Its fishing ground abounds with fish of various species for domestic consumption and export. Marine products bring substantial income to a marginal fisherman. Fishing grounds are practically untapped. Identified watershed areas are Barurao Watershed (6,817.62), Salaman Watershed (8,176 ha.), Tran-Sucong Watershed (8,518.65) and Tran River Watershed (10,230 Ha.).[39]

Groundwater information

The water resources of Lebak consist of Tran River 120 km (75 mi), Salaman River 36.4 km (22.6 mi), and Barurao River 19 km (12 mi) the Makin and Ebi Waterfalls, Nuling, Salangsang and Ebi Springs. Some are tapped for irrigation and other purposes.

Under the Köppen climate classification system, the municipality of Lebak features a tropical rainforest climate. Together with the rest of the Philippines, Lebak has a mild climate with evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Being located outside of the typhoon path, it does not experience tropical depressions, typhoons and devastating winds. Mean relative humidity for the Municipality of Lebak is 87%. The highest humidity is 89.5% and the lowest is 83.6%.

The municipality of Lebak falls under TYPE IV classification. Rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Prevailing winds- light to moderate.

The municipality of Lebak, PAG-ASA recorded mean maximum and minimum temperatures of 34.3 and 32.5 °C (93.7 and 90.5 °F), respectively.

Mean, Maximum and Minimum Temperature ( °C ):[41]

Administrative map for Lebak

Lebak is politically subdivided into 27 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Datu Guiabar is a newly created barangay carved out from barangay Poloy-poloy. It is not officially recognized until plebiscite is held.

There are 4 major religious groups in the municipality of Lebak. These are the Roman Catholic which accounts for 62% of the total population, Islam, 15%, Protestants, 8% and UCCP, 7%. The remaining percentage is distributed to Evangelical, United Pentecostal Church and other religions which make up 8%.

The most widely spoken language is Hiligaynon (41.06%), followed by Karay-a (12.98%), Maguindanaon (12.91%), Cebuano (9.42%), Teduray (8.08%), Ilocano (7%), Manobo (5.74%), and 4.57% for other languages.

Agriculture is the primary source of income. Corn, rice and coconut are the most extensive crops grown. Cacao most commonly intercropped with coconut while the coffee is still a major crop.

Livestock like swine/hog, ducks, cattle, carabao, goat and poultry products, fruits and vegetables.

Fishing Coastal barangay like Salaman, Tibpuan, Kinudalan, Datu Karon and Taguisa rely on fishing as their livelihood.

Lebak is known for its produce like crabs (alimango), prawns (sugpo), milkfish (bangus) on its total of 247 Has. of shallow ponds. Shell fish are also abundant in shallow areas.[55]

Smart Communications provide services like wireless 3G connection and broadband connection on its Smart Bro product. While Globe Telecom offers 3G and HSDPA signal that boost mobile internet connectivity. Some complain of unstable and frequent disconnection on Globe Tattoo and WiMax services. Fixed telephone line are provided by the Sultan Kudarat Telephone System Incorporated (SKTSI) subsidiary of PLDT.

FM station is also present in Lebak. The 105.1 MHz DXLR Radyo Natin of the Manila Broadcasting Company broadcast local news and advertisements with power of 500 Watts Kalamansig-Lebak Cable System, Inc. (KALECA) carries cable television signal to barangay Poblacion, Salaman, Pasandalan, Tibpuan, Barurao 1 & 2, Purikay and far as barangay Pansud. Direct-To-Home satellite TV such as G Sat, Cignal and Dream are common in the rural areas.

With total of 27 financial institutions includes 1 commercial banks and 2 rural banks, 5 finance cooperatives, 9 pawnshops, 2 foreign exchange dealers, 6 remittance centers and 2 microfinance institutions.[54] 3 automated teller machines (ATMs) operated by Land Bank of the Philippines and One Network Bank.

Local water utilities are supplied by Lebak Water District (LEWADI) with a rate of Php. 55.2/Per Cubic Meter.

As of March 31, 2017 Sultan Kudarat Electric Cooperative (SUKELCO) provides electricity for 70% of the residents.[56] The electric distribution company energized all 27 barangays (100%), 264 sitios (57%) with 6,457 member-consumer and 14,693 connections.[57] The average cost of Php 6.7/KwH for commercial and industrial users. SUKELCO Lebak is in constant power interruption and unreliable service. Several complaints like rude employee including its security guards pretending to be a manager of the power cooperative.[58]

• Aurelio F. Freires, Sr. 1948–1955
• Timoteo P. Belarmino 1956–1959
• Aurelio F. Freires, Sr. 1960–1963
• Aurelio C. Freires, Jr. 1964–1967
• Jorge T. Labog 1968–1971
• Romeo F. Almirante 1972–1975
• Reynaldo P. Palileo, Sr. 1976–1979
• Romeo F. Almirante 1980–1986 (died in office)
• Salvador G. Ang, MD 1986–1987 (appointed)
• David Gestosani 1987–1988 (appointed)
• Sergio P. Sabio 1988–1998
• Kahirup C. Ang, M.D. 1998–2003
• Gerardo S. Delasan 2003–2010
• Dionesio Besana 2010–2019
• Frederick Celestial 2019–Present