Libungan, officially the Municipality of Libungan , is a municipality in the province of Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 57,776 people.

Etymology

Libungan was known by various names by its early settlers. The Manobo settlers of the area initially called the area as "Dasdas" which means "road down by the river". "Libungan" is used to refer to the river located in the area by the Manobo which means "cheater." During the earlier settling period, the Libungan River changed its course which adversely affected the crops which led the settlers to believe that the river was "cheating" them; the area from then on was referred to as Libungan. "Tubak" is one of the earlier names used to refer to the place which means "eroding river".

History

The Manobo are the earlier settlers of the place and was eventually settled by other ethnic groups mainly by Cebuanos from Cebu who found the place suitable for them because of its terrain. Many immigrants from Luzon and Visayas came to settle in Libungan in the early 1930s. During World War II, the area of Demapaco was used by guerrillas as hideouts and the Libungan River became a battleground. After the Liberation in 1945, more settlers came to Libungan who cleared the forest and used the area's fertile lands for agriculture.

| date = January 30, 2020

Libungan's climate is under the 4th type, which is more or less even distribution of rainfall during the year.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Libungan was 57,776 people, with a density of .

The earlier settlers of Libungan are the Manobo, Maguindanaon and Iranun. It was later settled by people from Luzon and Visayas primarily by Cebuanos from Cebu.

Culture

Numerous festivals are held within the municipality by the Manobo people in the barangays of Barongis, Demapaco, Grebona and Sinapangan. Fiestas honoring patrons are also held in the municipality.

Notes

Explanatory

Citations

  • http://www.libungan.gov.ph/
  • Libungan Profile at the DTI Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
  • http://www.libungan-cotabatoprov.gov.ph/
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20071214205616/http://www.libungan.com/
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]