Kitaotao

Kitaotao, officially the Municipality of Kitaotao, is a local government unit in Bukidnon province in the northern Philippines. It occupies the southern part of the province and is organized into 35 barangays and 108 sitios. The municipality is connected to neighboring areas through the Sayre Highway and is geographically linked with the upper Pulangi region, the Cotabato border, and the approaches toward Davao City. The name Kitaotao is associated with a Manobo tradition concerning Datu Tayaotao, a leader remembered in local cultural history for his bravery and authority. According to the tradition, Tayaotao aided a Muslim datu during a Spanish military campaign in Cotabato. After the combined forces resisted the Spanish operation, the Muslim leader held a celebratory feast and formed a marriage alliance between his daughter and Tayaotao. The story states that, impressed by the celebration, the Muslim datu honored Tayaotao with the name Datu Kitaotao, interpreted as referring to a chief or land of wealth. The locality later became known by that name. Administratively, the area was formerly associated with the district of Maramag. When Kibawe was created as a new district in 1956, Kitaotao became part of the Kibawe district. In the postwar period, the Philippine government reorganized settlements and municipalities in Bukidnon. President Carlos P. Garcia issued Executive Order No. 444 in 1961 for the creation of Kitaotao as a municipality. The municipality was subsequently established through Republic Act No. 4801, approved on June 16, 1966, following congressional sponsorship by Bukidnon representative Benjamin Tabios. Its first municipal election was held in November 1967, when Eusebio B. Pabualan was elected the first mayor. Kitaotao covers approximately 52,512 hectares. Its northern boundaries are shared with Don Carlos, Quezon, and San Fernando. Kadingilan, Dangcagan, and Kibawe lie to the west, while Cotabato is to the south and Davao City is to the east. The landscape changes from a plateau around the Sayre Highway to rolling terrain and mountain slopes in the eastern and upper Pulangi areas. Mountains identified in the municipal area and along the Cotabato–Davao del Norte border include Sinaka, Malambo, Molawit, Makaayat, Kibinaton, Mahanao, Sumalili, Zita, and Kibanda. These upland areas are also associated with Philippine wildlife habitats. The municipality contains several waterfalls, including Sumalili, Kinanoran, Matigol, and Lalapoy Falls. Its drainage generally runs southward, with the Pulangi, Muleta, Kulaman, Rawari, Zita, and Salog among the principal rivers. The municipality’s 2024 census population was 57,364, with a reported density of approximately 73 inhabitants per square kilometre. As a local-government entity rather than a commercial consumer brand, Kitaotao’s public identity is centered on territorial administration, community services, local infrastructure, cultural heritage, and the management of its agricultural and upland environment.

Kitaotao’s recorded cultural history includes a Manobo tradition centered on Datu Tayaotao. In the account, Tayaotao supported a Muslim datu during an effort by Spanish forces to extend colonial control into Cotabato. The Muslim and Manobo forces successfully resisted the operation. A subsequent feast and marriage alliance commemorated the cooperation between the groups. Local tradition says that the Muslim leader then bestowed the name Datu Kitaotao on Tayaotao, and that the locality eventually took its name from this figure. In administrative terms, the area was once part of the district of Maramag. The creation of Kibawe as a district in 1956 placed Kitaotao within the Kibawe district. During the post-Second World War period, the Philippine government created and reorganized municipalities across existing districts and settlements. President Carlos P. Garcia issued Executive Order No. 444 in 1961 providing for the creation of the municipality of Kitaotao. The municipality’s legal establishment was later confirmed through Republic Act No. 4801. The measure was sponsored by Bukidnon Congressman Benjamin Tabios and was approved by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on June 16, 1966. The first political election of the new municipality took place in November 1967. Eusebio B. Pabualan was elected as its first municipal mayor. Kitaotao developed as a local government area in southern Bukidnon, with territorial connections to the Sayre Highway, the upper Pulangi region, Cotabato, and Davao City. Its approximately 52,512-hectare area includes plateau country, rolling hills, mountain slopes, rivers, and waterfalls. The municipality is divided into 35 barangays, with barangays further organized into puroks and, in some cases, sitios. The geography of Kitaotao is especially varied. Areas close to the Sayre Highway form a plateau, while the eastern side becomes more elevated and irregular. Mountains such as Sinaka, Malambo, Molawit, Makaayat, Kibinaton, Mahanao, Sumalili, Zita, and Kibanda are associated with the municipality or its border region. These uplands are described as habitats for rare Philippine wildlife. Water features include Sumalili, Kinanoran, Matigol, and Lalapoy Falls. The Pulangi, Muleta, Kulaman, Rawari, Zita, and Salog rivers form part of the municipality’s southward drainage system. The 2024 census recorded 57,364 residents, equivalent to a reported population density of about 73 people per square kilometre. Contemporary Kitaotao is therefore best understood as an active Philippine municipality whose identity is rooted in public administration and community development rather than in commercial products. Its principal areas of public significance include local governance, settlement organization, cultural memory, territorial infrastructure, environmental resources, and the management of communities spread across plateau and upland landscapes.

• 2024

  Population recorded at 57,364

  [1]Kitaotaoen.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 Philippine census recorded 57,364 people living in Kitaotao.

• 1967

  First municipal election

  [1]Kitaotaoen.wikipedia.org

  Kitaotao held its first political election in November 1967, electing Eusebio B. Pabualan as its first municipal mayor.

• 1966

  Legal creation of Kitaotao

  [1]Kitaotaoen.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 4801 was approved on June 16, 1966, formally establishing Kitaotao as a municipality.

• 1961

  Municipality proposed by executive order

  [1]Kitaotaoen.wikipedia.org

  President Carlos P. Garcia issued Executive Order No. 444 for the creation of the municipality of Kitaotao.

• 1956

  Kitaotao becomes part of the Kibawe district

  [1]Kitaotaoen.wikipedia.org

  Following the creation of Kibawe as a new district, Kitaotao was administratively associated with Kibawe rather than its earlier district of Maramag.

A municipal government and territorial community identity associated with local administration, public services, cultural heritage, agriculture, upland landscapes, rivers, and nature attractions in southern Bukidnon.

1. 1Kitaotaoen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Municipality of Kitaotao official websitekitaotaobuk.gov.ph