Lambayong Tourism

Lambayong, formerly called Mariano Marcos, was created as a municipality and now part of Sultan Kudarat Province by virtue of Executive Order Number 543 signed by the late President Elpidio C. The name Lambayong was changed to Sultan sa Barongis, then under the administration of the undivided Cotabato Province by Republic Act Number 2589 in honor of the late Sultan sa Barongis, believed to be the

forefather of the Pendatun Family, the ruling elite during that period of time. On April 29, 1974, upon signing of Presidential Decree Number 339 by the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sultan sa Barongis was changed to Mariano Marcos making it part of Sultan Kudarat Province. Lambayong is now the adopted name of the municipality after it was changed from Mariano Marcos for the second time. Lambayong, before its creation as a separate and distinct municipality under the Province of Sultan Kudarat, was just a mere sitio called Torre because of the presence of a Watch Tower during the Spanish period. This served as a guard post to protect the Spaniards from sporadic attacks of the native rebels. When it was created as a town, it was popularly known as Lambayong, derived from a violet-colored ornamental plant, which was abundantly widespread in the area. In 1952, there was a marked influx of Christian settlers from all parts of the country, the Ilocanos notably is the biggest group who came from Luzon. It was also during this period that the Alunan Road was constructed linking Cotabato City to General Santos City, which provided the access of the municipality to other flourishing nearby towns and barangays. The migration of the people from Luzon was initially aimed at opening frontiers. However, it eventually served as a practical tool to ease the agrarian crisis nationwide. Before the coming-in of the Christian settlers, the place was ruled by some Muslim leaders. The northern portion was ruled by Hadji Pasawilan while the southern parts by Hadji Galay. That was until October 5, 1952 when a new set of officials took their oaths of office, a brief account of whom follows:

Jose L. Guerrero - first mayor of the municipality (CY 1952 to 1974)

Tinio T. Abellera - assumed office from May 30, 1974 to July 20, 1986

Florante L. Agduma - served as OIC-Mayor from July 21, 1986 to December 30, 1987

During the 1988 election, all OIC-mayors were directed to resign from their offices. DILG Officer Felicisimo Braga acted as OIC-mayor until during the election period when Telesforo S. Agustin was appointed as the OIC-mayor from February 1, 1988 up to May 1988. Recinto - assumed office as municipal mayor from July 1988 up to May 1998

Pedazur A. Guerrero - elected municipal mayor from May 1998 until his ultimate death on July 21, 2000

Talilisen S. Kabugatan - by law of succession, assumed as municipal mayor from July 22, 2000 up to June 2001

Ramon M. Abalos - assumed office as the duly elected municipal mayor from June 30, 2001 to June 30, 2010

Florante L. Agduma - newly elected municipal mayor on May 10, 2010 elections and was reelected on May 13, 2013 to July 2016

Ramon M. Abalos – elected municipal mayor on May 2016 to June 2019

Ferdinand G. Agduma – elected municipal mayor from July 1, 2019 to present

Many unwelcomed events and undesirable circumstances ensued, which aggravated the relationship between Christians and Muslims and made the wary of and hostile to each other. Cognizant of the worsening tribal chaos and the brawling armed conflict in Mindanao, the Provincial Board of Cotabato province under the leadership of then Provincial Governor, Carlos B. Cajelo and corroborated by then Regional Commissioner, Simeon A. Datumanong of the Regional Autonomous Government, petitioned and recommended to the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines for the territorial and political subdivision of North Cotabato province into three provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. The National leadership bequeathed the petition of the local officials which consequently gave way to the creation of Lambayong (along with Esperanza and President Quirino towns), into a municipality. At present, there are already significant achievements and landmarks which could tangibly prove that Lambayong is indeed the leading center of development. Massive infrastructure projects, agro-modernization and the broader spread of social and economic services exhibited the major accomplishments and success of this Local Government Unit for the past few years. This unprecedented progress could be attributed to the development oriented and pro-active municipal officials and employees and the strong support and cooperation of the civil society organizations, private sectors and other major stakeholders in the locality.