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Malita

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Malita
Municipality
Poblacion area
Poblacion area
Official seal of Malita
Seal
Nickname(s): 

"Banana Capital of Davao Occidental"
"Whaleshark Capital of Mindanao"
"The Jewel of the South"
Motto: 
Angat Malita!
Map of Davao Occidental with Malita highlighted
Map of Davao Occidental with Malita highlighted
CountryPhilippines
RegionDavao (Region XI)
ProvinceDavao Occidental
DistrictLone District of Davao Occidental
FoundedNovember 17, 1937
Barangays30
Government
[1]
 • MayorBenjamin P. Bautista Jr.
 • Vice MayorBradly Bautista
Area
[2]
 • Total883.37 km2 (341.07 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total109,568
 • Density120/km2 (320/sq mi)
DemonymMalitaño
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
8012
Dialing code82
Income class1st
Websitewww.malita.gov.ph

Malita is a first class municipality that serves as the capital of the newly established province of Davao Occidental in the Philippines. According to the census of 2010, Malita has a population of 109,568 people in an area of 883.37 square kilometres (341.07 sq mi).[2][3] Malita is known for various cultural arts and heritage of its people and tribes. Gaginaway Festival is celebrated annually every full moon on the month of November and Araw ng Malita is also celebrated annually on the 17th of November.

Etymology

According to folk etymology, the name "Malita" is derived from the Spanish word "maleta" which means suitcase. It is said that purportedly Don Mariano Peralta, a retired veteran of the Spanish–American War who ventured to the place, decided to live on the vast, fertile plain across the river. One day while bodily fording the deep and swift river with his suitcase and other belongings in hand, the force of the current overwhelmed his perilous balance and got swept by the water consequently losing his grip on the suitcase. His frantic shouts of "maleta, maleta" attracted the attention of the bathing natives who after realizing the situation promptly responded and retrieved the vanishing to settle as Malita. How it came to its present spelling and usage maybe attributed to the natives’ prevalent use of suitcase. Hardly forgetting the shouts of Peralta, the natives later thought the word referred to the land he intended long 'e' sound for the vowels 'i' and 'e'.

History

Malita is the oldest community in the province. Malita’s existence dates back scores of years before its formal creation as municipality on November 17, 1936. Records show that Malita must have existed long before the passage of the Philippine Commission Act, the Laws of the Moro Province that mentioned Malita in Section 1 of Act No. 164 dated December 10, 1904. Through the said Act it is presumed that it existed as a barrio of Sta. Cruz long before the coming of the Americans to Davao. Executive Order No. 64 issued by President Manuel L. Quezon officially created Malita into a municipality. Marcelino Maruya, from whom the town of Don Marcelino was named after, was the first appointed municipal mayor.

Waves of migrants from the Visayan islands, most of whom hail from Cebu, came on what is now Malita long before it became a municipality. They were later followed by immigrants from Luzon. Even after the destruction brought by World War II by the belligerents, there are still waves of migrants towards Malita and other parts of then-Davao province. This increased its population until it later became the most populous municipality in the province.

Demographics

Population census of Malita
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 82,786—    
1995 83,457+0.15%
2000 100,000+3.95%
2007 106,135+0.82%
2010 109,568+1.17%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Economy

The municipality is the main economic center of Davao Occidental province. Agriculture and fishery is the main industry of the municipality. Being far from other major urban centers in its vicinity like Davao City, Digos City, and Gen. Santos City, and although only a town, Malita also serves as the major urban center of the province. However, as economic activity in the town continues its rapid growth, Malita will soon become the province's first component city for years to come.

Local government

Municipal Hall of Malita

Municipal officials (2013-2016):[1]

  • Congressman: Franklin Bautista (2nd District of Davao del Sur)
  • Mayor: Benjamin Bautista, Jr.
  • Vice Mayor: Bradly Bautista
  • Councilors:
    • Estefanie T. Bautista
    • Zaldy S. Lataban
    • Marianela C. Malinao
    • Ali G. Colina, Jr.
    • Artemio J. Peralta
    • Paulito M. Montero
    • Jimmy L. Danwata
    • Raymund G. Danwata

Political subdivision

Quezon Street

The municipality of Malita is subdivided into 30 barangays:[4]

Barangay Type Population
2010 Census[3]
Bito Rural 1,810
Felis Rural 1,901
Fishing Village
(Fisherman's Village)		 Rural 3,273
Kibalatong Rural 1,369
Kidalapong Rural 1,941
Kilalag Rural 2,879
Kinangan Rural 4,309
Lacaron Rural 3,032
Lagumit Rural 4,297
Lais Rural 1,770
Little Baguio Rural 10,154
Macol Rural 1,793
Mana Rural 3,895
Manuel Peralta Rural 2,761
New Argao Rural 1,330
Pangaleon Rural 2,265
Pangian Rural 3,920
Pinalpalan Rural 4,640
Poblacion Urban 15,905
Sangay Rural 3,660
Talogoy Rural 2,722
Tical Rural 1,269
Ticulon Rural 2,820
Tingolo Rural 1,667
Tubalan Rural 4,138

Proposal

The major proposal in the town is the biggest government office in Davao Province. The Davao Occidental Provincial capitol that will be built at Barangay Lais with a 20-hectare land.[citation needed]

Education

Tertiary

Secondary

  • B'laan National High School
  • Benjamin V. Bautista Sr. Special High School
  • Demoloc Valley National High School
  • Fishing Village Comprehensive National High School
  • Holy Cross of Malita, Inc.
  • Mariano Peralta National High School (Campuses in barangays: Poblacion, Sangay, Manuel Peralta, Datu Danwata, Talogoy, Pangian, and New Argao)
  • Ticulon National High School
  • Tubalan Comprehensive National High School

References

  1. ^ a b "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 1 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Province: Davao Occidental". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Municipality/City: Malita". Philippine Standard Geographic Code Interactive. Retrieved on 2013-11-03.
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