POLITICAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY

Political and Cultural History
 

The Municipality of Sindangan embraces a big tract of land with great potentials and resources, which when properly tapped, will enhance socio-economic development.  While it is true that thirty five (35) percent of agricultural land is slightly rolling, the soil is such that a wide choice of agricultural venture could turn productive.  Inspite of this, the overall farming system of Sindangan is inefficient therefore, production in remote areas is minimal and in the absence of  transportation, communication and other public utilities, they find it difficult to transport their agricultural products.  On the other hand, farming is intensive in the coastal barangays and the municipality is moving towards an agro-industrial community and it is highly inevitable that Sindangan will become urbanized.

The provisions on water and power supply are the other deterrent factor for development.  For the past decades, problems on water supply has been felt by the populace and the need to provide adequate water supply is of pressing necessity.  Power is essential to various economic activities.  The National Power Corporation has been providing power to the Zamboanga del Norte Electronic Cooperative regularly now for 24 hours per day.  Commerce and Industry in the municipality is fast moving towards development.

To improve the quality of life in the country side, the extension of welfare services has to be intensified.  Well coordinated programs and activities of the national, provincial and municipal government is highly desired.  More attention should be given to education, health services, housing and protective services.  In the agricultural sector, agro-forestry is already more than sufficient with corn production leading the way.  Since Sindangan is identified as a fertile fishing ground, the development of the fishing industry should likewise be given priority.  The Provincial Development Council has identified Sindangan as the target site for the establishment of a canning factory.

Sindangan is one of the pioneering municipalities of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.  What Sindangan is today, speaks well of the dedicated efforts and timeless legacies of the past administration.  Formerly an isolated barrio of the municipality of Katipunan, not connected with road, it stands today as the No. 1 revenue producing municipality of the province.  Its corporate life started on December 22, 1936 by virtue of Executive Order No. 97, signed by then President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon.

The 61 years existence of this municipality has been reared and nurtured by only ten (10) chief executives.  Listed hereunder are  the following mayors with their respective terms of office:

Several stories have been told, as to how Sindangan got its name.  The first version narrates that a native fishermen carrying a basketful of fish on his way home was met by a  Guardia Civil who asked this question,  “Que es el nombre de este lugar, amigo?”.  The fisherman who did not understand the spanish language then answered “Indangan”, believing that he was asked for the kind of fish he has caught.  The stranger heard this as “Sindangan”, the intended name for the place.  This was revealed to the other Spaniards and called the place ever since as Sindangan.  From then on, the natives used the name Sindangan until at present.  The second version is a story between the Spaniards and a group of visayan farmers.  As the Spaniards were walking within the vicinity, some blooming plants attracted them.  They asked the group of farmers in Spanish whether or not there were pests attacking the plants.  With their little knowledge of the language, the farmers simply answered, “Sin” meaning no and “Dangan”, meaning pests.  The two words were combined to form Sindangan, which literally means, a place with no pest. 


 Ethnic Origin

The natives that originally settled along the banks of Sindangan Bay belong to the subanen tribe.  Just a mile across the river towards the North, an army camp was established and this led to the migration of farmers from the Visayas and Luzon in response to the call that Mindanao is the “Land of Promise”.  The natives then continued to move further and higher into the hills and mountains, thereby leaving the plains and lowlands to the more civilized farmers from the north.  Today, the cultural heritage of the Subanen people are being pioneered and developed thru the Office of the Southern Cultural Council. 
 

Sindangan Municipal Hall