Monkayo Monkayo is a 1st class municipality in the province of Compostela Valley, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 103,263 people. It has 21 barangays, with Mt. Diwata, having the biggest population of 16, 965 people. Monkayo is an agricultural town, with vast tracks of land planted to rice and banana. The municipality is also host to the gold-rich barangay of Mt. Diwata, popularly known as "Diwalwal" (which in the local dialect means one's tongue is hanging out due to exhaustion), a 1,000-meter high range known worldwide for its rich gold ore deposit. Monkayo's seat of government is located in barangay Poblacion, a highlydeveloped rural town center, and is 120 kilometers away from Mindanao's regional center of Davao City, and some 30 kilometers from Nabunturan, the provincial center.
The Municipality of Monkayo is a political unit with a land area that was once and for a long period of time a wilderness in the Northern hinterlands of Compostela Valley. The name “Monkayo” is derived from a gigantic Tree towering a top Tandawan mountains and its Northern tip in between and immediately adjacent to the Agusan river. The gigantic Tree is called “MONDABON KAYO” (MONDABON TREE). It was however shortened by the first settlers of the area as “MONKAYO”. In the other related version, it is believed that a certain Fr. Ladour, the first missionary priest assigned in the area, gave the name from which he came from, in Spain, with a desire to make and have his missionary work in this part of the world more historical.
Any student of history may take either or both of these versions on how Monkayo got its name. What is important however, is the history of the political and socio-economic development of the Municipality. How Monkayo stood, and for more than FORTY (40) years of existence, transforms itself into a viable community with stable investment climate.
Monkayo then belonged to the Northern hinterland of what is now called Compostela Valley. It was occupied by Mandaya, Manobo, Mansaka, Manguangan and Dibabawon who dwelt on primitive life and lived by hunting, fishing and crude method of farming (Kaingin) long before the Spanish conquestadores penetrated deep in Mindanao in the middle part of the eighteenth century. These different tribes or groups, each has a BAGANI as head or chief. They wore clothing and armed with bladed weapons and bows and arrows, they sang hymns called TUDOM and long narrative songs called OWAGING they danced and held rituals, feasted and chewed beetle nuts. Nevertheless, when Spanish missionaries came, these natives have had changed their lives and attitudes and eventually receptive to Christian teachings and ultimately embraced Christianity. Today, this municipality has still plenty of Mandaya, Dibabawon, Manguangan and Manobo, other tribes have transferred to other places. As progress gradually seen, Monkayo became a Municipality District in 1917. The position given to the highest official was District President. The first one appointed to the position was Adolfo Mongado, the first Mandayan educator who served from 1917-1925. The other prominent leaders who held the same position were : Ignacio Cervantes – 1926-1933; Ildefonso Labrador – 1934-1935; and Pedro Aroma – 1936-1937. The title of the position was changed to District Mayor in 1938 with the following officials: Jose Ibañez who served from 1938–1939, followed by Feliciano Cervantes who held the position from 1940 up to the end of the World War II.
During the Second World War, Monkayo was made an important military outpost. The 81st Military Division under the command of Col. Kangleon was established in the Poblacion and was named Camp Kalaw.
On September 4, 1954, Monkayo became a separate district and founded as a Municipality by virtue of a Presidential Executive Order No. 65 by the late President Ramon Magsaysay of the Republic of the Philippines.
Monkayo as noted for its bright crops of local leaders dedicated to Public service like Honorable Angelo Ortiz (deceased ), the first appointed Municipal Mayor ( Sept. 1954 – Oct. 1955), who also made Monkayo an independent Municipality. The late Honorable Alejandro Peñaranda (Nov. 1955-Dec. 1955) was the shortest reigning mayor for only one (1) month, the next appointed mayor who donated portion of his land which became part of the Municipal Town Site. Former Mayor Severino Lacson (deceased) (Jan. 1956-Nov. 1964), the first elected Mayor of the Town who earned the distinction of having set the Municipal Government into a well organized unit so as to be truly responsive to the people. Atty. Jose T. Amacio (Nov. 1964- Mar. 1972) succeeded Mayor Severino Lacson in an election, which as a brilliant lawyer strengthened local administration by establishing organizational structure and sound fiscal management of the Municipal Government. When Atty. Jose Amacio was elevated to a higher position by becoming the General Manager of DANECO, he was succeeded by Mayor Anastacio C. Basañes who survived the brunt, and for fourteen (14) long years like his predecessor, strenuously and with untiring and selfless efforts continued the development of the municipality no matter how gargantuan the task was. After the EDSA Revolution, Mayor Anastacio Basañes was succeeded by Mayor Constantino Alcaraz (April 1986- November 1987) as Officer In-Charge by virtue of the Freedom Constitution implemented under President Corazon Aquino after the EDSA revolution. In 1988 he ran for Mayor and ultimately won in the elections against formidable foes and political giants. As a veteran and witty politician, Mayor Constantino T. Alcaraz has had no difficulties in implementing programs, projects and activities which are for social and economic reforms. He did not seek reelection in 1992. In 1992, after the elections smoke lost in thin air, the triumphant Mayor was Honorable Rizal G. Gentugaya, a well-known businessman in Monkayo. In 1995, he ran again, this time with no political opponent because of his financial and political strength that no one dared challenged him. Mayor Rizal G. Gentugaya, a Civil Engineer by profession has brought Monkayo in a tremendous quantum leap by implementing various socio-economic programs, strongly supported by infrastructure services and facilities. He has never faded in his eagerness to stir Monkayo into a stable Municipality in all levels of development. He is determined to be remembered as the man who transformed Monkayo into one of the best Municipalities in the Province of Davao, now Compostela Valley Province and even Region XI, in terms of Investment Climate, Socio-Economic Reforms, Peace and Order, Infrastructure Development and Local Governance.
He was succeeded by Honorable Avelino T. Cabag. Another giant in the political area of Monkayo. Because of his strong political touch with the people, he was elected Vice-Mayor of Monkayo in 1992 to 1998; and later elected Mayor in 1998 to 2001. He served for three (3) years as Mayor. Again Mayor Avelino T. Cabag became one of the strong pillars of local politics in the municipality. For the record, former Mayor Avelino T. Cabag is now the incumbent Vice Mayor of Monkayo.
Monkayo is predominantly an agricultural town, with vast tracks of land planted to rice and banana. The municipality is also host to the gold-rich barangay of Mt. Diwata, popularly known as "Diwalwal" (which in the local dialect means one's tongue is hanging out due to exhaustion), a 1,000-meter high range known worldwide for its rich gold ore deposit. Its seat of government is located in Barangay Poblacion, a highly-developed rural town center, and is 120 kilometers away from Mindanao's regional center of Davao City, and some 30 kilometers from Nabunturan, the provincial center.
Major industries as of 2006:
- Compostela Plantation, Inc.
Monkayo Banana Exporter
- Comval Tropical Fruit, Inc.
Monkayo Banana Exporter
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
- Philippine Long Distance Company
Monkayo Telecommunications
Monkayo Telecommunications
- Bulbscor Minerals Corporation
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
- Blucor Minerals Corporation
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
Monkayo is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.
- Awao
- Babag - a barangay of the municipality Monkayo, Compostela Valley in Davao Region with 3,298 residents by the end of 2008.
- Banlag
- Baylo
- Casoon
- Inambatan
- Haguimitan
- Macopa
- Mamunga
- Naboc - a barangay of the municipality of Monkayo in the province of Compostela Valley,Region XI,Mindanao Island, Philippines. Naboc had 3,500 residents at the end of year 2008. Naboc produces rubber,rice,corn,banana,coconut, and root crops like sweet potato and cassava. The barangay fiesta of Naboc is celebrated every 28 August and its founding anniversary is celebrated every 22 March. The chief executive of the barangay is the Barangay Captain or Punong Barangay who leads the barangay council of eight (8) members.
- Pasian (Santa Filomena)
- Poblacion
- Rizal
- Salvacion
- San Isidro
- San Jose
- Tubo-tubo (New Del Monte)
- Olaycon
- Upper Ulip
- Union
- Mount Diwata
Major industries as of 2006:
- Compostela Plantation, Inc.
Monkayo Banana Exporter
- Comval Tropical Fruit, Inc.
Monkayo Banana Exporter
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
- Philippine Long Distance Company
Monkayo Telecommunications
Monkayo Telecommunications
- Bulbscor Minerals Corporation
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
- Blucor Minerals Corporation
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
Monkayo Mining/Gold Processing Plant
The largest group is the Roman Catholic having 65% of the population, other Christian group comprises(Evangelicals, Born Again, Kingdom of Jesus Christ) comprises 15%, the Iglesia ni Cristo comprises 8% and the remaining 12% belong to the other non Christian group.
There are various means to travel to Monkayo. The common modes of transportation within the municipality are multicabs, jeepneys, motorcycles. Tricycles ply the routes that are outside the main streets of the town. In mountainous areas, the habal-habal passenger motorcycle is the main mode of transportation.
- Elementary
There are 37 public elementary schools within Monkayo, namely;
- Anagase Elementary School, located at Casoon
- Awao Elementary School, located at Awao
- Bagong Taas Elementary School, located at Haguimitan
- Babag Elementary School, located at Babag
- Banlag Elementary School, located at Banlag
- Baylo Elementary School, located at Baylo
- BLISS Elementary School, located at Poblacion
- Boay Elementary School, located at Salvacion
- Cabangkalan Elementary School, located at Casoon
- Casoon Elementary School, located at Casoon
- Depot Elementary School, located at Upper Ulip
- Haguimitan Elementary School, located at Haguimitan
- Inambatan Elementary School, located at Inambatan
- Liwanag Elementary School, located at Banlag
- Mabuhay Elementary School, located at Awao
- Macopa Elementary School, located at Macopa
- Mamunga Elementary School, located at Mamunga
- Matangad Elementary School, located at Upper Ulip
- Monkayo Central Elementary School, located at Poblacion
- Moria Elementary School, located at Banlag
- Mt. Diwata Elementary School, located at Mt. Diwata
- Munoz Elementary School, located at Union
- Naboc Elementary School, located at Naboc
- New Kapatagan Elementary School, located at Casoon
- Olaycon Elementary School, located at Olaycon
- Paco Primary School, located at Banlag
- Pasian Elementary School, located at Pasian
- Pilar Elementary School, located at Babag
- Rizal Elementary School, located at Rizal
- Samuag Elementary School, located at Salvacion
- San Jose Elementary School, located at San Jose
- San Isidro Elementary School, located at San Isidro
- Sugod Elementary School, located at Union
- Totoy Elementary School, located at San Jose
- Tuburan Elementary School, located at Casoon
- Tubo-tubo Elementary School, located at Tubo-tubo
- Ulip Elementary School, located at Upper Ulip
There are also two (3) private elementary schools, namely;
- Casa Amazing Grace School- Poblacion
- Agape Christian Academy
- Casa Amazing Grace School- Mt. Diwata
- Secondary
Public High Schools:
- Awao National High School, located at Awao
- Babag National High School, located at Babag
- Casoon National High School, located at Casoon
- Monkayo National High School, located at Poblacion
- Mt. Diwata National High School, located at Mt.Diwata
- Pasian National High School, located at Pasian
- Tubo-tubo National High School, located at Tubo-tubo
- Union National High School, located at Union
- Upper Ulip National High School, located at Upper Ulip.
- Private High School
- Assumption Academy of Monkayo, Inc., located at Poblacion
- Colleges and University
- Bukidnon State University (BSU)
- Monkayo College of Arts Science And Technology (MONCAST)
The former is state-run while the latter is funded and administered by the municipal government of Monkayo.
- Mt. Diwata College of Arts Science And Technology (MDCAST)
- TESDA accredited School
Kumbilan Cave(Casoon) Kumbilan Cave has tunnel-like features and wide chambers laden with beautiful formations. The presence of stalactites and stalagmites and other formations in one chamber of the cave responds to educational needs with regards to cave evaluation. Fauna observed as occupants of the cave are snakes and fruit flies. The cave is home to the "kabyaw" fruit bats.
Mt. Diwalwal
A small town of 40 000 people, mostly migrants from Surigao, Agusan and Cebu - all dependent on gold. Small-scale mining has been their major industry since the gold-rush in the area in the 80’s. Diwalwal literally means lawit because old folks say when you reach the place diwawal na ang dila mo or lawit na ang dila mo. Diwalwal is a relatively quiet town but recently caught the headlines when an estimated 25 miners died on October 25 inside a tunnel allegedly due to toxic gas suffocation.
Seven Waterfalls of Awao
The gushing water coming from above was not that high in volume but still it does relaxed our bodies from the stroke of strong current. The falls is really wide if it was all occupied with water, water is cold but not chilling and it is noticeable that the fauna on its surroundings as well as the moss that was formed above the rocks where the falls are flowing are still thick indicating that this falls is not frequently visited by outsiders.
Octagon Farm
Upper Ulip Hot Spring
Lantawanan Inland Resort (Union)
Inland Resort of Maite
Pasian Caves
Sagay Falls of Salvacion
Buenas Creek Inland Resort (Mt. Diwata)
Magdagandang Falls
- Mandayas
- Dibabawons
- Mansakas
- Manobos
- Telephone: Globe, Smart, Sun
- Internet: Globe Broadband, Smart Bro
- TV: Cignal Satellite TV, Dream Satellite TV, G Sat TV
- Newspapers/Magazine: SunstarDavao, Periodico Diwalwal etc.
- Radio Stations: Gold Radio, Ifm, Comval Radio etc.
Entertainment and Food Courts (Popular)
- Calle Otso
- Arkees
- Night Bars
- Clarion
- Randy's Bakeshoppe
- Chicky's
Establishments (Popular)
- Shell
- Petron
- Phoenix
- Biztek
- Jommel Glass
- Monkayo Hardware
- Emerson Hardware
- Monkayo Glass
- Flying V
- Caltex
- Dynasty Hardware
Shopping Places
- Aiza's Boutique
- Shyne Corporation
- Karen and Jay
- Cebuano's Boutique
Another Spanish influence that remains up to this day is the observance and celebration of barrios, or villages, of the day of their respective patron saint called "Fiesta". It is in these celebrations wherein songs, dances and other forms of arts and merrymaking from various cultures have evolved creatively into the sights and sounds of Monkayo now.
Kariyawan Festival
The festival features pageantry with a Monkayo queen from one of the prominent families of the place, and a cockfight at the Monkayo Sports complex,where cockfighting aficionados from all over the province converge .
Binibining Monkayo
Is the organization responsible for sponsoring the annual town beauty pageant which selects the beautiful girl throughout the municipality.
Monkayo Idol
The innovative municipal-wide search for the most talented and versatile homegrown young singers, has opened a new dimension for the youth program of the Municipal government of Monkayo.
Drum and Bugle
Is a musical marching unit (similar to a marching band) consisting of brass instruments, percussion instruments, and color guard. Typically operating as independent non-profit organizations, they perform in competitions, parades, festivals, and other civic functions. Participants from different schools throughout the town compete for the title.
Monkayo Fiesta
Monkayo's celebration of the Feast of St. Ignatius de Loyola every July 31 is well known in the Philippines.
Araw ng Monkayo
It is the heart of all celebrations in Monkayo. Furthermore, the celebration falls on the fourth day of September.
Coordinates: 7°49′N 126°03′E / 7.817°N 126.05°E / 7.817; 126.05
