HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF CARMEN

The Municipality of Carmen is located in the northwest part of the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur; on the east by the municipalities of Matalam and Pres. Roxas, on the south by the municipalities of Pagalungan of the province of Maguindanao, and Pikit of the Province of Cotabato; and the west by the municipalities of Libungan, Alamada, and Banisilan; on the southeast by the municipality of Midsayap. In addition, the Mulita River embraces it from the northwest, and to the south by the Rio Grande de Mindanao River; and from the northwest, west, and south.

Carmen derived its name from a certain Surveyor del Carmen, chief of the Cadastral Survey Party, who in 1924 conducted a survey in the area. During the American period, Carmen and Kabacan belonged to one municipal district under Pikit. It was by virtue of Presidential Proclamation NO. 46 and, was reinforced by Executive Order No. 214 issued by the then President Ramon Magsaysay last November 15, 1956 when Carmen was created as a separate and distinct town of Kabacan.

When created a municipality, it was composed of Thirty Eight (38) barangays. Ten barangays were either claimed or ceded to the two adjacent municipalities, Banisilan and President Roxas. Six by the municipality of Banisilan and four to the municipality of President Roxas. Now, only twenty eight (28) barangays remain in which are presently inhabited by the so called Tri-people composed of the Christians, the Muslims and Indigenous Peoples belonging to the Manobo-Aromanon ethnic group.

Before it was named Carmen, early inhabitants called this large tract of land “Kalalaw” a Muslim term meaning “jar of water”, because legend tells that there was once a big Balite tree with a continuous reservoir of water under its dense foliage, that even in long dry seasons, it had never dried up.

Later on, when early settlers came and cultivated large portions of land in what is now the Poblacion, the whole place was unofficially called “Landing” because of the Landing Field reservation of approximately two hundred (200) hectares. The name “Landing” later on changed to Carmen in honor of del Carmen.

The original people or inhabitants of this place were the Manobos and Muslims. Way back in the later part of the 15^th century, the ancestors of the Muslims began after the arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan who converted many pagans to Mohammedanism, hence, they have been called today Muslims. Increasing in number, they ventured to many places and occupied various parts of the province, towns, barrios, and sitios. When the Muslims arrived in this area, there were already inhabitants living in the hinterland called the Manobos.

The present Christian in this place are an immigrants from Luzon and Visayas. They are brought here by sheer pioneering spirit inspired by widespread rumors of this “Land of Opportunity and Promise”. Their settlement started during the American regime. When the Americans launched their policy of attraction to the Muslims providing advanced technology, economic and educational advancement and the art of government. The first Christian settlers came from Cebu and established settlements at Pikit. Then adventurers followed them from Luzon and Visayas most notably the Ilongos and the Ilocanos who came in great numbers.

The first known school was organized sometime before 1920 in what is now called today as the Liliongan Elementary School with Mr. Lakenario as the lone teacher. In 1920, Mulita Primary School was opened under Mr. Honorato Reneido. In 1921, Lebpas Primary School was constructed with Mr. Justino Doctolero as the first teacher.

The first known teacher after Liberation was Mr. Juan Ona, who taught in 1945. Later, Mrs. Rosalina A. Leoncito and Mrs. Gella joined him; Mr. Venerando M. Agdeppa, Sr. was the first teacher of now the Ugalingan Elementary School.

Mr. Simplicio Pabro was the first Municipal District Mayor of then Carmen and Kabacan appointed by the late Congressman Salipada K. Pendatun. When Carmen was separated already from Kabacan, the first appointed Mayor was Datu Dima Dalid by the late Gov. Datu Udtog Matalam from 1957 to 1959. Later on, he was elected Municipal Mayor from 1960 to 1963 and soon re-elected to the same position until the year 1971. He was followed by Eduardo D. Cagara (1972-1976) and then succeeded by Teodoro C. Leoncito Sr. (1976-1979) and then followed by Isaac C. Leoncito, Sr. (1980-1986).

During the very early time of the administration of the former President Corazon C. Aquino, after the fall of the dictator government of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1986, she appointed Teodoro C. Leoncito, Sr. as OIC Mayor who served from June 1986 to December 1987 but was, because of an administrative case, replaced by Juan C. Olivo who served from January 1,1987 to February 1,1988.

Then in the election for local officials held January 18,1988, Hon. Rogelio T. Taliño won by landslide victory over his political rivals, and was legally installed for three (3) consecutive terms up to 1997. During the same period around the middle part, Vice Mayor Lu suffered stroke and was partially paralyzed rendering him incapacitated to serve his remaining term and so was replaced by Hon. Moises C. Arendain who at that time was the 1^st Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member.

In the election conducted last May 14,1998, Hon. Moises C. Arendain run for Mayor and prevailed over his political rivals with landslide victory and served for one (1) term from 1998 to 2001. Honorable Rogelio T. Taliño having no opponent also won as Vice Mayor during said election.

The next election which was conducted last May 14,2001 gave a very clear victory for Honorable Rogelio T.Taliño and Honorable Moises C. Arendain who run for Mayor and Vice Mayor respectively, since, both of them had no opponents contesting for the same positions. It did show how good the administration of Hon. Rogelio T. Taliño was, since no body of his lined-up SB members lost for the contested position.

Before, Carmen was classified as 6^th class municipality, but now; under the progressive leadership of Honorable Rogelio T. Taliño it is already a 1st-class municipality. More developments that would bring a brighter future to the Carmenians were foreseen under the fair and just administration of Honorable Rogelio T. Taliño.