Maragusan, officially the Municipality of Maragusan (; ), is a municipality in the province of Davao de Oro, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 67,759 people.

History

Pre-foundation

The area in what is now Maragusan is a valley that in the past was inhabited solely by native Mansakan people who made their living by engaging in slash-and-burn agricultural practices. They identified themselves as “Man-Agusan” which means those living on the banks of the Agusan River which had its source within the boundaries of the present municipality.

The area which is now Maragusan was made part of the municipality of Doña Alicia which was created on May 28, 1953, by virtue of Executive Order No. 596 of Pres. Elpidio Quirino, which was renamed Mabini a year later. By the time the town was created with which the area became part of, the valley remained undiscovered by settlers until in 1955 a pilot and a rancher from Lake Leonard discovered it by accident while travelling off-course. This triggered the creation of an agricultural settlement located in the Aguakan Springs which is now the location of the town center. The name of the settlement gradually became "Maragusan" which is a corruption of the “Man-Agusan” which was how the Mansakan natives of the area referred to themselves.

Maragusan eventually became a barangay of Mabini of in 1962. But while it grew as an agricultural settlement located in a valley, it had no direct route to Mabini's town center or government facilities. Hence, as early as 1972, locals have been clamoring for the establishment of a municipality in the area. A proposal to name it "San Mariano" was made, named after Mariano Marcos who is the father of then-President Ferdinand Marcos to expedite its creation.

Establishment

Finally, on November 25, 1977, San Mariano was created as a municipality in the province of Davao del Norte under Presidential Decree No. 1247 signed by President Marcos himself, with barangay Maragusan made as seat of local government. Following the ouster of Marcos in 1986, the municipality of San Mariano was officially renamed Maragusan on October 12, 1988.

In 1998, Maragusan became part of Compostela Valley (now Davao de Oro).

Geography

Barangays

Maragusan is politically subdivided into 24 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Bagong Silang
  • Mapawa
  • Maragusan (Poblacion)
  • New Albay
  • Tupaz
  • Bahi
  • Cambagang
  • Coronobé
  • Katipunan
  • Lahi
  • Langgawisan
  • Mabugnao
  • Magcagong
  • Mahayahay
  • Mauswagon
  • New Katipunan
  • New Manay
  • New Panay
  • Paloc
  • Pamintaran
  • Parasanon
  • Talian
  • Tandik
  • Tigbao

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Maragusan was 67,759 people, with a density of . It ranks 3rd most populated municipality in the first district of Davao de Oro.

Economy

See also

  • List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines

References

  • Maragusan Profile at the DTI Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information