ETYMOLOGY OF MUNICIPAL NAME

Legendarily, Bongao was derived from a local term (both in Sinama and Tausog) “bangaw”, a name of a bird like called “heron” in English which has a long tapering bill, large wings and soft plumage that abundantly inhabited the mountain ranges around this island in those days, thus, the place was identified with it.

In the early years, group of sea nomads belonging to several Austronesian ethnic groups of Maritime Southeast Asia known to be Bajau’s (also Bajau, Sama- Bajau or Sama- Dilaot), various studies show that they have migrated to Bongao around 800 AD to 11th century AD² and made this area the center of their culture and arts. These people signify early habitation and considered as one of the earliest settlements in Southeast Asia. Evidences were found like bones, jars, shells, and other artifacts and fossils in the Balobok Rock Shelter-Cave Archaeological Site located in Barangay Lakit-Lakit were carbon dated to be 8,810 to 5,190 years old signifying habitation of hunting and gathering group of people between 6810 BC to 3190 BC¹.

LEGISLATION DETAILS CREATING THE LGU

Bungaw in 1918 and Bongaw in 1939 and 1948. By the virtue of Executive Order No. 355, on August 26, 1958, Bongao was converted into a Municipality.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE

Bongao was then under the Sultanate of Sulu which was in a perpetual war with Spain. When the power of the sultanate declined, it was eventually captured by Spain. It was then where old Spanish port had been constructed and other strategic structures.  Bongao was never   under the control of the Spaniards resulting to the preservation of its Muslim and Bajau cultures. When the Americans took over, a centralized government was introduced and Bongao became a political district of Sulu.

It was then ruled by the prominent noble Halun family, who used to own about three quarters of the island. When the Second World War broke out, the titular name of “President” was replaced with “Mayor”. But like the “presidents”, the mayors were also appointees of the Sulu Provincial Government. Datu Wagas Halun was the first mayor-appointee and served for almost two years. He was succeeded by six more “Mayors” until the creation of Bongao as a full pledged municipality, by then President Carlos P. Garcia. That was under the term of Ibrahim Hassan who also served as the mayor of the transition government.

In the early 1950’s, there were schools, hospitals and public market was established. By 1959, the first election transpired with Binging Ho as the first-ever elected local chief executive and served for 27 years.

At the height of the armed rebellion and fearing that the provincial capitol (Batu-Batu, the capital of the Province of Tawi-Tawi) might be overrun by the MNLF in the early 1970’s, the government transferred it to Bongao where a white-washed, Taj Mahal-inspired provincial capitol building is located on a hill overlooking the bay and the whole town to the north of the island against the backdrop of mount Kabugan and the famous Bud Bongao (Bongao Peak). The transfer of the seat of government ushered the rapid development of the island as the southernmost center of commerce and trade.

In the 1990, Bongao have increased to 35 barangays. Several barangay roads were constructed, more housing projects, expansion of wharfs where it can accommodate more commercial boats from Zamboanga, Sanga-Sanga Airport have begun to accept airline companies to operate like Philippine Airlines, Sea Air, and Air Philippines. The presence of Cable TV and cellular phones made people locally and globally updated especially in communications. Construction of public market, road pavements and other facilities were proof in the growth of Bongao.          

The years 2000 to the 2020 era ushered in more challenges and transformation for the municipality. It marks the expansion and improvements of both seaport and the airport where flights have increased with coming of new airline, Cebu Pacific Air. Greater consciousness in environmental management, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation started to gain track ushered in by global campaigns, changing needs and several ordinances. The Bongao Municipal government was able to put up and operate a Sanitary Landfill at barangay Tubig Basag for solid waste management. Road widening projects along the national highway commenced together with new road openings/construction to support tourism purposes in Barangay Lakit-Lakit where the Boloboc Rock Shelter-Cave Archaeological is located, Mangrove Forest Eco Park at Barangay Lapid-Lapid, the famous Bongao Peak (Bud Bongao) spanning several barangays with its vast expanse mainly in Barangay Pasiagan; and the Tango Island located at Barangay Ungus-Ungus. On the other hand, the LGU continues to develop its existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) with the most recent ones those of Lakit-Lakit Boloboc MPA now on its 3^rd year while both Pahut and Mandulan MPAs have been started last year.  All these are being envisioned by Bongao Municipal Government as key factors in its development scenario for the next coming decades.

SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Number of Barangay: 35 (33 are coastal)

Population: 116,118 (PSA 2020)

Annual Population Growth Rate: 2.93

Number of Household: 19,353

Estimated Poverty Threshold: 7,878 (PSA 2015)

Major Sources of Livelihood: Farming, Fishing and Trade & Commerce

Ethnic Group Composition:

Tausug 71.82%

Sama 15.35%

Christian: 12.83%