Lebak, officially the Municipality of Lebak (; , Jawi: ايڠد نو لبک; ), is a municipality in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. It lies on the northwestern coast of the province and has a population of 93,312 according to the 2024 census.
Etymology Lebak is a Maguindanaon word meaning hollow. This is attributed to the geography of Lebak, where the eastern portion is mountainous while the western side borders the Celebes Sea, creating a low-lying or hollow area between the mountains and the sea.
History Early settlers of the munipalicity were the Manobo at Salangsang. Anthropomorphic urn burials of limestone and some pottery were found in Seminoho Cave and they date back to AD 585. The Manobos' way of life was intact until the Teduray settlers arrived in the 1950s.
Sultanate era Lebak was once part of Sultanate of Maguindanao. The arrival of Maguindanao which established the Islamic faith and settled in near the rivers and shores in the 15th century.
Spanish era This territory was part of the Spanish Empire in Asia and Oceania (1520–1898). By 1696, Captain Rodríguez de Figueroa obtained from the Spanish government the exclusive right to colonize Mindanao. On February 1 of that same year, he reached the mouth of the Rio Grande of Mindanao, in what is now known as the city of Cotabato. After obtaining this exclusive right, Captain Rodríguez de Figueroa began an expedition to expand Spanish influence in the region. However, his efforts met strong resistance from local communities, including the Sultanate of Maguindanao and various indigenous groups. Despite this, Spanish influence continued to grow, particularly through the establishment of military posts and Catholic missions. Spanish rule in the interior of Mindanao remained unstable, with local resistance continuing throughout the colonial period.
The first written history of this town was in 1871, The colonial government of Spain, Lebac was made into a military district of Cotabato. The military campaign of Emilio Terrero y Perinat against Sultan reaches Lebak in 1887.
American period By the end of the Spanish regime in 1898, includes politico-military comendancia of Lebak in "Fifth District of Mindanao". The town already producing rice during the period of 1905 and vinta was already in service from Cotabato to Lebac. In 1913 Under the United States ended the military rule in Mindanao and establish the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. Act No. 2711 of the Philippine Commission dated March 10, 1917, Lebak and Salaman was incorporated into Province of Cotabato. The growing agrarian problem in Luzon and Visayas offers United States government offers the solution of homestead and resettlement in Mindanao particularly in Lebak. Act 2408 enacted on July 23, 1914, Lebak was part of Empire Province of Cotabato. Between the time between 1914 and 1937 a steady flow of Christian settlers from Luzon (Ilocanos) and Visayas (Ilongos).
World War II and Japanese occupation In 1945, World War II when the combined American and Filipino forces took over the supervision of the Philippine Government against Japanese occupation, Marcelino A. Concha was still the Military Governor of the Empire Province of Cotabato. In the same year, Aurelio Freires, Sr. was appointed Municipal District Mayor of Salaman.
Post colonial (third republic) and creation of Lebak On August 18, 1947, President Manuel Roxas sign an executive order 82 organizing municipalities and municipal district of Cotabato Province. The municipal district of Lebak was formally created under the municipal district of Kiamba under section 4, however, on same executive order on section 10 the municipal district of Salaman was under the Municipality of Dinaig. Together with the Kalamansig, Salaman was formerly a part of the municipality of once called Lebak and the seat of government is in now called Kalamansig Municipal Hall.
An executive order number 195, the Municipality of Lebak as separated from the municipality of district of Kiamba and Dinaig and upholding the seat of government at Sito Kalamansig was signed by President Elpidio Quirino on December 31, 1948. and on April 12, 1951, and an executive order 432 issued to transfer the seat of government from Kalamansig to Barrio of Salaman.
On April 12, 1951, the municipality of Kalamansig is formally created consisting of 20 barrios and sitios from Lebak.
Moro conflict
The Land Reform Code of Diosdado Macapagal brought more Christian migrants from Luzon and Visayas.
Under the command of Rajah Buayan, Commander Ali “Cassius Clay” Sansaluna of Cotabato Moro National Liberation Front Command landed at barangay Tran in December 1972 with an estimated 5,000 – 6,000 armed with European made weapon ship from neighboring Muslims countries. Tran was the main logistical base of the MNLF's Cotabato Command. Early February 26, 1973, the hostilities began when a group of fishermen at Tran River was shot and killed. The following day, February 27, 1973, the 54 Philippine Constabulary verify the event and the skirmishes begin. Signalled the MNLF offensive all over Cotabato raided including Civilian Home Defense Forces (CHDFs), 27th Infantry Battalion, PC Provincial Commands and villages as far as barangay Basak.
22nd Infantry Battalion (Separate) was deployed at Lebak in April 1973.
Datu Guiwan Mastura withdraws from Lebak and Kalamansig and seeks sanctuary at Palimbang on March 21, 1973. Tran was guarded with 600 rebels under the command of Datu Sangki Karon.
Offensive military operation started June 6, 1973, under the command of Unified Central Mindanao Command (CEMCOM) Task Force COSMOS under General Fortunato U. Abat who was the commanding general of 3rd Inf Bde (Sep) PA. Units include 21st, the 22nd and the 4th Infantry Battalions PA, the 1st Composite Infantry Battalion, GHQ, the 554th and 531st Philippine Constabulary Companies and four ships of the Naval task Group 71.1, and Composite Air Support Force Cotabato
July 21, 1973, government troops controlled the Barangay Tran and kept pushing towards Sitio Turugan. A thousand rebels together with their families surrendered to government troops on August 3, 1973. On August 4, 1972, the 22nd Infantry Battalion finally cleared the Sitio Turugan, the Moro National Liberation Front stronghold. The Tran Offensive officially ended on August 6, 1973, ending the two-month conflict.
Leader of Tran insurgents Datu Guiwan Mastura together with 12 men surrendered to Ferdinand Marcos in June 1973. First Presidential Streamer Award was awarded to 22nd Infantry Battalion in 1973. On the side of MNLF, 562 killed, 39 captured and 1,036 surrendered. The government troops counts 48 killed in action, 148 wounded and 1 missing including Lieutenant Gringo Honasan was one of the wounded of this battle and was later awarded with 3 Gold Cross Medal.
Post war and 1976 tsunami disaster
The 8.0 (Mw) earthquake on August 16, 1976 at 16:11 UTC (12:11 AM local time) occurred near the Moro Gulf at a depth of , about south of the populated barangay of Tibpuan. It was followed by 15 aftershocks. The quake triggered a 9-meter tsunami that killed an estimated 8,000 people in the affected region.
A few years later, the municipality of Lebak was transferred from Cotabato Province to Province of Sultan Kudarat on November 22, 1979, by presidential decree 341 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
Fifth republic
The municipality was formerly composed of 23 barangays and created 4 new barangays, Bolebak, Barurao II, Poblacion II and Poblacion III making it to 27 barangays.
The renaming of Poblacion 2 to barangay Aurelio F. Frieres Sr was approved by the Sanguniang Bayan in its resolution number 007 series of 2002. A plebiscite was enacted last March 31, 2005.
Geography
Lebak is a coastal town with a total coastline of long, separated from the mainland of Sultan Kudarat by mountain ranges. It is located on the western portion of the Province of Sultan kudarat, and bordered in the north by South Upi, Maguindanao del Sur; in the south by Kalamansig; in the west by Celebes Sea; in the east by Esperanza.
Lebak is marked with hilly, mountainous ranges. It is about eight feet above sea level. The plains range from level to nearly level while uplands range from nearly level to hilly. Mountainous and gently rolling slopes are suitable for intensive rice and corn farming.
The Tran River is the longest river in Lebak with a total length of followed by Salaman River and Nuling River (Barurao) .
The approximate land area of the municipality of Lebak as of December 31, 1999, is 514.034445 square kilometers. But for planning purposes, the area used is 47,000 hectares, pursuant to the DBM supported by the Land Management Bureau/ Bureau of Lands. Of the 27 barangays, Salangsang has the largest area with , followed by Keytodac with , Villamonte with and Poloy-Poloy with ; while Poblacion III has the smallest area with .
Topography
Land Formation
Lebak is marked with hilly, mountainous ranges. The plains range from level to nearly level while uplands range from nearly level to hilly mountainous and gently rolling slopes which are suitable for intensive rice and corn farming. Silty Loam which is best suited for agricultural crops such as rice, corn and vegetables. This covers 37.36% or 17,500 has of the total land area. Soils Un-differentiated which is favorable suited to grazing, pasture, forest and agro-forestry. This covers a total of 29,440 has or 62.64%.
Hydrology/ natural resources The Municipality is rich in natural resources. Its fishing ground abounds with fish of various species for domestic consumption and export. Marine products bring substantial income to a marginal fisherman. Fishing grounds are practically untapped. Identified watershed areas are Barurao Watershed (6,817.62), Salaman Watershed (8,176 ha.), Tran-Sucong Watershed (8,518.65) and Tran River Watershed (10,230 Ha.).
Groundwater information Results Remarks pH Level 9-May Nitrate concentration Below standard Bolebak has traced, Ragandang has 1 mg\L, Poblacion 1 has 2 mg\L The rest not yet contaminated with nitrates Dissolved Oxygen Bolebak, Pasandalan, Poblacion 1 and Tibpuan- conformed to the minimum 5 mg Iron Poblacion 3, Poloy-Poloy, Purikay, Salaman and Tibpuan – trace, Nuling Pansud and Tran- greater than 1.2 mg\L Rest no Iron detected Total Dissolved Solids Only Pasandalan and Salaman – above maximum limit (500 mg\l) Conductivity only Salaman has conductivity above 1000 us/cm Hardness Only Barurao I and Poloy-Poloy did not conform. Slightly above maximum limit. Turbidity Clear Below 5 NTU Salinity Not saline Below 1000 mg/l
The water resources of Lebak consist of Tran River , Salaman River , and Barurao River the Makin and Ebi Waterfalls, Nuling, Salangsang and Ebi Springs. Some are tapped for irrigation and other purposes.
Climate
Under the Köppen climate classification system, the municipality of Lebak features a tropical rainforest climate. Together with the rest of the Philippines, Lebak has a mild climate with evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Being located outside of the typhoon path, it does not experience tropical depressions, typhoons and devastating winds. Mean relative humidity for the Municipality of Lebak is 87%. The highest humidity is 89.5% and the lowest is 83.6%.
The municipality of Lebak falls under TYPE IV classification. Rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Prevailing winds- light to moderate.
The municipality of Lebak, PAG-ASA recorded mean maximum and minimum temperatures of , respectively.
Mean, Maximum and Minimum Temperature ( °C ):
Barangays
Lebak is politically subdivided into 27 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
Aurelio F. Freires (Poblacion II) Barurao Barurao II Basak Bolebak Bululawan Capilan Christiannuevo Datu Karon Kalamongog Keytodac Kinodalan New Calinog Nuling Pansud Pasandalan Poblacion I Poblacion III