Information About Samal Island Philippines
General Geography - The Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) is situated at the heart of an archipelago consisting of three (3) districts namely; Kaputian, Samal and Babak. It is physically isolated from other municipalities of Davao del Norte province and mainland Mindanao at large. It lies between altitude 7 degrees to 7 degrees 5 minutes North and longitude 125 degrees and 40 minutes to 125 degrees and 40 minutes to 125 degrees and 45 minutes East. It is bounded on the North by Davao Gulf district of Babak, on the South by the Davao Gulf district of Kaputian and on the East and West by Davao Gulf. It takes about 15 minutes from Davao City to Samal Island Garden City via motor boat.
Topography - The Island Garden City of Samal is characterized by extensive mountain ranges, a number of isolated hills and uneven distribution of lowlands. Particularly, the eastern part of the island is mountainous. Swampy patches and stretches of sandy beaches are found in the areas along the coast. Caves which are rich sources of guano can also be found. One of the famous caves is Baga cave in Talicud Island and several others in the mainland.
The tallest mountain ranges can be found in the city, which is strategically located in Brgy. San Antonio with 479 mtrs. above sea level of Babak District, Tayapoc with
532 mtrs. above main sea level of Samal District and Bandera with 400 mtrs. Abovemain sea level of Kaputian District.
Land Area - The total land area of Island Garden City of Samalis 30,130 hectares inclusive of all component islets and tidal flats and roads which is approximately 3.7 % of the total land area of the entire Davao del Norte province.
Topography - The Island Garden City of Samal is characterized by extensive mountain ranges, a number of isolated hills and uneven distribution of lowlands. Particularly, the eastern part of the island is mountainous. Swampy patches and stretches of sandy beaches are found in the areas along the coast. Caves which are rich sources of guano can also be found. One of the famous caves is Baga cave in Talicud Island and several others in the mainland.
The tallest mountain ranges can be found in the city, which is strategically located in Brgy. San Antonio with 479 mtrs. above sea level of Babak District, Tayapoc with
532 mtrs. above main sea level of Samal District and Bandera with 400 mtrs. Abovemain sea level of Kaputian District.
Land Area - The total land area of Island Garden City of Samalis 30,130 hectares inclusive of all component islets and tidal flats and roads which is approximately 3.7 % of the total land area of the entire Davao del Norte province.
HISTORY
The name Samal was derived from the word Sama, a tribal group found in the island. People used the word Samal because of the Visayans who miscalled the
word Sama. The first datu in the island was Datu Taganiyug, a native of Peñaplata, Samal. In the past, the people of Samal name a place about what was
the said place known for. For example, the name Peñaplata was derived from the word “piña” or pineapple because of the abundance of pineapple in the area.
This, however, is folk etymology as peñaplata literally means “rock of silver” in Spanish.
Tagpopongan is the first barangay in Samal which name was from the word “tagpo” or meet. It was called so because in the past, this place is chose by
the datus as their meeting place. The word Samal was also known before because it was commonly used as surname by datus. Abu is the national costume of Samal
long time ago. The first business transaction in the island was during the Chinese era. Spanish influence was also felt in the island.
The Pacific War was also struck the island. Japanese fighter planes bombed Samal. Japanese occupied the island and forced the people to work for four years
until the Philippines expelled the Japanese. After the war, infrastructure was built, like the schools, churches and stores.
The city was created through Republic Act No. 8471 in 1998. This organic act paved the way for the dissolution and merger of the three former-municipalities
of Samal, Babak, and Kaputian into one local government unit, now officially named as the Island Garden City of Samal.
The name Samal was derived from the word Sama, a tribal group found in the island. People used the word Samal because of the Visayans who miscalled the
word Sama. The first datu in the island was Datu Taganiyug, a native of Peñaplata, Samal. In the past, the people of Samal name a place about what was
the said place known for. For example, the name Peñaplata was derived from the word “piña” or pineapple because of the abundance of pineapple in the area.
This, however, is folk etymology as peñaplata literally means “rock of silver” in Spanish.
Tagpopongan is the first barangay in Samal which name was from the word “tagpo” or meet. It was called so because in the past, this place is chose by
the datus as their meeting place. The word Samal was also known before because it was commonly used as surname by datus. Abu is the national costume of Samal
long time ago. The first business transaction in the island was during the Chinese era. Spanish influence was also felt in the island.
The Pacific War was also struck the island. Japanese fighter planes bombed Samal. Japanese occupied the island and forced the people to work for four years
until the Philippines expelled the Japanese. After the war, infrastructure was built, like the schools, churches and stores.
The city was created through Republic Act No. 8471 in 1998. This organic act paved the way for the dissolution and merger of the three former-municipalities
of Samal, Babak, and Kaputian into one local government unit, now officially named as the Island Garden City of Samal.
BARANGAYS
The Island Garden City of Samal is politically subdivided into 46 barangays.
The Island Garden City of Samal is politically subdivided into 46 barangays.
- Adecor - Anonang - Aumbay - Aundanao - Balet - Bandera - Caliclic (Dangca-an) - Camudmud - Catagman - Cawag - Cogon - Cogon (Talicod) - Dadatan
- Del Monte - Guilon - Kanaan - Kinawitnon - Libertad - Libuak - Licup - Limao - Linosutan - Mambago-A - Mambago-B - Miranda (Pob.) - Moncado (Pob.)
- Pangubatan (Talicod I) - Peñaplata (Pob.) - Poblacion (Kaputian) - San Agustin - San Antonio - San Isidro (Babak) - San Isidro (Kaputian)
- San Jose (San Lapuz) - San Miguel (Magamono) - San Remigio - Santa Cruz (Talicod II) - Santo Niño - Sion (Zion) - Tagbaobo - Tagbay
- Tagbitan-ag - Tagdaliao - Tagpopongan - Tambo - Toril - Villarica
