Malita

Capital of Davao Occidental, Philippines

Not to be confused with Melita or Malta.

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Municipality in Davao Region, Philippines

Malita

Municipality

Municipality of Malita

Hilltop view of Malita

Flag

Seal

Nicknames:

* Jewel of the South
* Whaleshark Capital of Mindanao

Motto:

Angat Malita!

Map of Davao Occidental with Malita highlighted

OpenStreetMap

Malita

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 6°24′39″N 125°36′52″E﻿ / ﻿6.41083°N 125.61444°E﻿ / 6.41083; 125.61444
Country| Philippines
Region| Davao Region
Province| Davao Occidental
District|  Lone district
Founded| November 17, 1936
Barangays| 30 (see Barangays)
Government

[1]

• Type| Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor| Bradly L. Bautista
• Vice Mayor| Estefanie B. Dumama
• Representative| Lorna Bautista-Bandigan
• Municipal Council|

Members

*   * Benjamin T. Bautista III
* Carlo Chino G. Baliota
* Elvira L. Gabaldon
* Girly D. Licuan
* Allan G. Colina
* Isabelo M. Masiwel
* Tomas D. Alcordo Jr.
* Josie James D. Rillo

• Electorate| 69,059 voters (2022)
Area

[2]

• Total

| 883.37 km2 (341.07 sq mi)
Elevation

| 197 m (646 ft)
Highest elevation

| 1,786 m (5,860 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 0 m (0 ft)
Population

(2020 census)[3]

• Total

| 118,197
• Density| 130/km2 (350/sq mi)
• Households

| 29,489
Economy

• Income class| 1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence|

35.66

% (2021)[4]
• Revenue| ₱ 579.1 million (2020), 222.5 million (2013), 242.3 million (2014), 277.2 million (2015), 304.6 million (2016), 197.5 million (2017), 515.8 million (2018), 517.1 million (2019), 648.7 million (2021), 799.1 million (2022)
• Assets| ₱ 1,463 million (2020), 434.3 million (2012), 468.5 million (2013), 555.1 million (2014), 461.4 million (2015), 575.1 million (2016), 678.2 million (2017), 1,093 million (2018), 1,300 million (2019), 1,629 million (2021), 1,671 million (2022)
• Expenditure| ₱ 496.5 million (2020), 165.8 million (2013), 175.5 million (2014), 224.5 million (2015), 248.4 million (2016), 273 million (2017), 325 million (2018), 418.7 million (2019), 521.8 million (2021), 617.4 million (2022)
• Liabilities| ₱ 721.1 million (2020), 91.03 million (2013), 103.1 million (2014), 103.5 million (2015), 166.4 million (2016), 197.5 million (2017), 515.8 million (2018), 637 million (2019), 709.2 million (2021), 500.3 million (2022)
Service provider

• Electricity| Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (DASURECO)
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code|

8012

PSGC|

118603000

IDD : area code | +63 (0)82
Native languages| Davawenyo
Cebuano
Kalagan
Tagalog
Website| www.malita.gov.ph

Malita, officially the Municipality of Malita (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Malita; Filipino: Bayan ng Malita), is a 1st class municipality and capital of the province of Davao Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 118,197 people making it the most populous town in the province.[3]

Malita is known for various cultural arts and heritage of its people and tribes. Gaginaway Festival is celebrated annually every full moon on the month of November and Araw ng Malita is celebrated annually on November 17, the day of its establishment's enactment in 1936.

## Etymology

[edit]

According to a legend, the name of Malita was derived from the Spanish word maleta, meaning suitcase. Don Mariano Peralta, a retired Spanish–American War veteran, lost his suitcase while crossing a river. His shouts of "Maleta, Maleta" caught the attention of the locals, who retrieved it and later named the area Malita. Its spelling may be associated with the local pronunciation, wherein the ‘e’ sound is commonly used for the vowels ‘i’ and ‘e’.[5]

## History

[edit]

Malita is the first municipality established in what is now Davao Occidental. However, its existence dates back scores of years before its formal creation as a municipality of the undivided province of Davao. The Tagakaulo, Blaan and Manobo communities have been living in the area before the arrival of the Spaniards. In 1887, Pablo Pastells, a Jesuit missionary, mentioned Malita, along with Malalag and Lais, as areas where a total of almost 7,000 Tagakaulo residents.[6]

Records show that Malita must have existed long before the passage of the Philippine Commission Act, the Laws of the Moro Province that mentioned Malita in Section 1 of Act No. 164 dated December 10, 1904. Through the said Act it is presumed that it existed as a barrio of Santa Cruz long before the coming of the Americans to Davao. Executive Order No. 64, s. 1936, issued by President Manuel L. Quezon, officially created Malita into a municipality. The change legally took effect on January 1, 1937. It originally consisted of nine barrios: Malita (the municipal seat), Basiauan, Kalian, Lacaron, Lais, Lawa, Lawayon, Talaguton, and Tubalon.[7] Marcelino Maruya, from whom the town of Don Marcelino was named after, was the first appointed municipal mayor.

Waves of migrants from the Visayan islands, most of whom hail from Cebu, came on what is now Malita during the American colonial period. They were later followed by immigrants from Luzon. Even after the destruction brought by World War II by the belligerents, there are still waves of migrants towards Malita and other parts of then-Davao province.

Barrios Batulaki and Caburan seceded from Malita to form the separate town of Trinidad (now Jose Abad Santos) on August 1, 1948.[8] On May 8, 1967, Malita became part of Davao del Sur, when Davao was divided under Republic Act No. 4867.[9] On December 19, 1979, barangays Calian, Kiobog, Lamidan, Lawa, Nueva Villa, and Talagutong were separated from Malita to form the new municipality of Don Marcelino.[10]

On October 28, 2013, Malita was ceded to Davao Occidental and designated as its provincial capital as a result of a plebiscite, in which the majority of voters approved the creation of the new province.[11]

## Geography

[edit]

### Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Malita, Davao Occidental

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 31
(88)  | 32
(90)  | 31
(88)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 23
(73)  | 24
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 38
(1.5)  | 29
(1.1)  | 37
(1.5)  | 45
(1.8)  | 102
(4.0)  | 166
(6.5)  | 179
(7.0)  | 176
(6.9)  | 157
(6.2)  | 133
(5.2)  | 86
(3.4)  | 46
(1.8)  | 1,194
(46.9)
Average rainy days  | 8.1  | 7.0  | 8.9  | 11.1  | 22.1  | 26.1  | 26.7  | 26.5  | 25.6  | 25.5  | 19.5  | 11.7  | 218.8
Source: Meteoblue[12]

### Barangays

[edit]

Quezon Street

Malita is subdivided into 30 barangays:[13] Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

* Bito
* Bolila
* Buhangin
* Culaman
* Datu Danwata
* Demoloc
* Felis
* Fishing Village
* Kibalatong
* Kidalapong
* Kilalag
* Kinangan
* Lacaron
* Lagumit
* Lais
* Little Baguio
* Macol
* Mana
* Manuel Peralta
* New Argao
* Pangian
* Pinalpalan
* Poblacion
* Sangay
* Talogoy
* Tical
* Ticulon
* Tingolo
* Tubalan
* Pangaleon

## Demographics

[edit]

Population census of MalitaYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1918 | 17,050| —
1939 | 30,775| +2.85%
1948 | 27,744| −1.15%
1960 | 28,228| +0.14%
1970 | 46,060| +5.01%
1975 | 64,898| +7.12%
1980 | 60,638| −1.35%
1990 | 82,786| +3.16%
1995 | 83,457| +0.15%
2000 | 100,000| +3.95%
2007 | 106,135| +0.82%
2010 | 109,568| +1.17%
2015 | 117,746| +1.38%
2020 | 118,197| +0.08%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17]

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Malita

2006
53.00

2009
63.82

2012
60.77

2015
57.26

2018
35.82

2021
35.66

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

Malita is the main economic center of Davao Occidental. Agriculture and fishery are primary economic drivers of the municipality.[6] There is also a fledgling tourism industry, focused on snorkeling and water activities.[26] The energy sector also contributes to the municipality's economy. The Malita Power Plant, opened in 2018, is a 300-megawatt coal-fired thermal power plant developed by San Miguel Global Power.[27]

As the town is quite far from other urban centers such as Digos, Davao City and General Santos, Malita is now developing as an urban center of its own, evident in its population, the biggest amongst the municipalities of Davao Occidental. It is now home to hospitals, colleges, banks and shopping centers. As economic activity in the town continues its rapid growth, Malita will soon become the province's first component city in a few years.

## Government

[edit]

Malita Municipal Hall

Municipal officials (2022-2025):

* Mayor: Bradly Bautista
* Vice Mayor: Estefanie Bautista-Dumama
* Councilors:
* Benjamin Bautista III
* Carlo Chino Baliota
* Romeo T. Lopez
* Girly Licuan
* Allan Colina
* Isabelo Masiwel
* Tomas Alcordo Jr.
* Josie James Rillo

## Education

[edit]

### Tertiary

[edit]

* Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology \- Poblacion, Malita (Main Campus) and Buhangin, Malita (Buhangin Campus)
* Adventure College of Malita, Inc.
* Seng Pek Chuan Academy, Inc.
* Don Juan Technical Academy of Davao, Inc. (Malita Branch)

### Secondary

[edit]

* B'laan National High School
* Benjamin V. Bautista Sr. Special High School
* Ernesto Lopez National High School
* Demoloc Valley National High School
* Fishing Village Comprehensive National High School
* Holy Cross of Malita, Inc.
* Mariano Peralta National High School (Campuses in barangays: Poblacion, Sangay, Manuel Peralta, Datu Danwata, Talogoy, Pangian, and New Argao)
* Ticulon National High School
* Tubalan Comprehensive National High School

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Municipality of Malita |  (DILG)
2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. ^ a b Census of Population (2020). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. ^ "Community and People". The Local Government Unit of Malita – Municipality of Malita. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
6. ^ a b Evangelista, Joey Ganio MJ (7 July 2022). "Malita: Chismis and History". Mindanews. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
7. ^ Executive Order No. 64, s. 1936 (1936-11-13), "Organizing the Municipal Districts of Malita and Pantukan, Province of Davao, Into Independent Municipalities Under the Names of Malita and Pantukan, With the Seats of Government in the Barrios of Malita and Pantukan", gov.ph, retrieved 5 May 2024
8. ^ 2011 Census archive.org
9. ^ Republic Act No. 4867 (May 8, 1967), An Act Creating the Provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental, The Lawphil Project, retrieved July 26, 2024
10. ^ Batas Pambansa Blg. 47 (December 19, 1979), An Act Creating the Municipality of Don Marcelino, Province of Davao Del Sur, Supreme Court E-Library, retrieved July 27, 2024
11. ^ Republic Act No. 10360 (January 14, 2013), An Act Creating the Province of Davao Occidental, The Lawphil Project, retrieved July 26, 2024
12. ^ "Malita: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
13. ^ "Municipality/City: Malita" Archived 2013-10-30 at the Wayback Machine. Philippine Standard Geographic Code Interactive. Retrieved on 2013-11-03.
14. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
15. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region XI (Davao Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
16. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region XI (Davao Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
17. ^ "Province of Davao del Sur". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
18. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
19. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
20. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
21. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
22. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
23. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
24. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
25. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
26. ^ "Visit of the Indonesian Consul General in Davao City to Davao Occidental Province". Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia - Davao City, The Republic of the Philippines. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
27. ^ "Malita Power Plant". San Miguel Global Power. Retrieved 5 May 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Malita Profile at the DTI Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
* Philippine Census Information
* Local Governance Performance Management System

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Malita

|  | Santa Maria |

|
|

|  |
Malungon, Sarangani |

Malita

| Davao Gulf
|  |
Alabel, Sarangani | Don Marcelino |

* v
* t
* e

Davao Region (Region XI)

Regional center|

* Davao City

Provinces|

* Davao de Oro
* Davao del Norte
* Davao del Sur
* Davao Occidental
* Davao Oriental

Metropolitan Area|

* Metro Davao

Highly urbanized city|

* Davao City

Component cities|

* Digos
* Mati
* Panabo
* Samal
* Tagum

Provincial capitals|

* Digos
* Malita
* Mati
* Nabunturan
* Tagum

Municipalities|

* Asuncion
* Baganga
* Banaybanay
* Bansalan
* Boston
* Braulio E. Dujali
* Caraga
* Carmen
* Cateel
* Compostela
* Don Marcelino
* Governor Generoso
* Hagonoy
* Jose Abad Santos
* Kapalong
* Kiblawan
* Laak
* Lupon
* Mabini
* Maco
* Magsaysay
* Malalag
* Malita
* Manay
* Maragusan
* Matanao
* Mawab
* Monkayo
* Montevista
* Nabunturan
* New Bataan
* New Corella
* Padada
* Pantukan
* San Isidro (Davao del Norte)
* San Isidro (Davao Oriental)
* Santa Cruz
* Santa Maria
* Santo Tomas
* Sarangani
* Sulop
* Talaingod
* Tarragona

Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines

* v
* t
* e

Province of Davao Occidental

Malita (capital and largest municipality)

Municipalities|

* Don Marcelino
* Jose Abad Santos
* Malita
* Santa Maria
* Sarangani

* v
* t
* e

Provincial capital cities and municipalities of the Philippines

Luzon

* Abra: Bangued
* Albay: Legazpi
* Apayao: Kabugao / Luna1
* Aurora: Baler
* Bataan: Balanga
* Batanes: Basco
* Batangas: Batangas City
* Benguet: La Trinidad
* Bulacan: Malolos
* Cagayan: Tuguegarao
* Camarines Norte: Daet
* Camarines Sur: Pili
* Catanduanes: Virac
* Cavite: Imus / Trece Martires1
* Ifugao: Lagawe
* Ilocos Norte: Laoag
* Ilocos Sur: Vigan
* Isabela: Ilagan
* Kalinga: Tabuk
* La Union: San Fernando
* Laguna: Santa Cruz
* Marinduque: Boac
* Masbate: Masbate City
* Mountain Province: Bontoc
* Nueva Ecija: Palayan
* Nueva Vizcaya: Bayombong
* Occidental Mindoro: Mamburao
* Oriental Mindoro: Calapan
* Palawan: Puerto Princesa
* Pampanga: San Fernando
* Pangasinan: Lingayen
* Quezon: Lucena
* Quirino: Cabarroguis
* Rizal: Antipolo
* Romblon: Romblon
* Sorsogon: Sorsogon City
* Tarlac: Tarlac City
* Zambales: Iba

Visayas

* Aklan: Kalibo
* Antique: San Jose de Buenavista
* Biliran: Naval
* Bohol: Tagbilaran
* Capiz: Roxas
* Cebu: Cebu City
* Eastern Samar: Borongan
* Guimaras: Jordan
* Iloilo: Iloilo City
* Leyte: Tacloban
* Negros Occidental: Bacolod
* Negros Oriental: Dumaguete
* Northern Samar: Catarman
* Samar: Catbalogan
* Siquijor: Siquijor
* Southern Leyte: Maasin

Mindanao

* Agusan del Norte: Cabadbaran / Butuan1
* Agusan del Sur: Prosperidad
* Basilan: Lamitan / Isabela1
* Bukidnon: Malaybalay
* Camiguin: Mambajao
* Cotabato: Kidapawan
* Davao de Oro: Nabunturan
* Davao del Norte: Tagum
* Davao del Sur: Digos
* Davao Occidental: Malita
* Davao Oriental: Mati
* Dinagat Islands: San Jose
* Lanao del Norte: Tubod
* Lanao del Sur: Marawi
* Maguindanao del Norte: Datu Odin Sinsuat
* Maguindanao del Sur: Buluan
* Misamis Occidental: Oroquieta
* Misamis Oriental: Cagayan de Oro
* Sarangani: Alabel
* South Cotabato: Koronadal
* Sultan Kudarat: Isulan
* Sulu: Jolo
* Surigao del Norte: Surigao City
* Surigao del Sur: Tandag
* Tawi-Tawi: Bongao
* Zamboanga del Norte: Dipolog
* Zamboanga del Sur: Pagadian
* Zamboanga Sibugay: Ipil

1 de facto seat of provincial government
*[PSGC]: Philippine Standard Geographic Code
*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate. Executive Order 135 §6 states that for "census years" (years divisible by 10) the reference date would be May 1st, but for all other years, the reference date is to be the "middle of the year". This means that growth rates, although correct, are not necessarily simple year-on-year comparisons.
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