DURING HIS TENURE AS THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF AGUSAN

According to the research, prior to the Spanish occupation, there was already a Manobo settlement known to the natives as Culilay at the junction of Sianib River and Gibong River. When Spanish Missionaries came they renamed the place into San Juan which was later changed to Las Navas.

After the regime of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1902-1920, American Military Government was established. Agusan along with Palawan, Mindoro, and Nueva Vizcaya was made special province, because majority of its populations were non-Christians & these provinces were headed by Military Governors. Agusan was subdivided with rivers serving as the primary land marks, such as Provincial subdivision of Simulao. Bunawan, Umayao; subdivision of Loreto, Wawa; subdivision of Ohot, Esperanza, Gibong River to Sulibao, (mouth of Agusan River) & nearby settler now Rosario and San Francisco.

Provincial subdivision of Gibong was composed of 13 municipal districts which are known today as Barangays. These are municipal district of Prosperidad (now Brgy. La Suerte and Las Navas), Sianib, Sta. Irene, San Salvador, Maug, Salimbogaon, Bahbah (now Poblacion of  Prosperidad), Azpetia, Los Arcos, Aurora, Mapaga, La Caridad, and Anibongan (now San Vicente R.A. 2650).

Mc  Cholluch was the first American appointed Deputy Military Governor of Gibong subdivision  in 1902. It was in the name of Municipal District of Prosperidad before (now Las Suerte and Las Navas) where the name Brgy. Poblacion now in “Prosperidad” originated.  Some of our ancestors said that such name which often referred to as a place with rapid prosperity must have come from the succeeding deputy military Governors Francisco Cataylo, Escolastico Zapanta & Bienvinido Blanco during the restoration of the Civil Government.

As related by Victor Mondejar, during the Civil Government Agapito Mira served as the Deputy Governor during 1934-1946. He was succeeded later by Juan Maestrado , Vicente Gabor, Florencio Inchoco, Damiano Villalba, Saturnino Curato & Ramon Burdeos.

In November 15, 1935 when President Manuel L. Quezon assumed Commonwealth Presidency, Silver Osin was the Deputy Governor of Gibong Division until the war.

After the war, during the presidency of Sergio Osmeña, Casiano Angchangco became the Deputy Governor of Gibong followed by Faustino until 1948.

Sometime in 1952 (during the Presidency of Elpedio Quirino, Victor Mondejar was appointed as the last Deputy Governor of Gibong until the period of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay, to whom he recommended the construction of Agusan-Davao & Awa-Los Arcos road.

President Garcia appointed Gresimo Ostos as the first Municipal Mayor until Garcia’s term ended in 1961. Vicente Morales succeeded Ostos thru an appointment issued by Pres. Diosdado Macapagal until before 1963 election periods ends. He was replaced by Jose Aquino then followed by his brother Joaquin Aquino who became the first elected Municipal Mayor of Prosperidad. His SB members Damaso Corton, Ben Magdamit, Florencio Barrios, Teodoro Alvizo, Anselmo Fundar & Anastacio Rivas.

During the period of Pres. Macapagal, by virtue of E.O. NO. 125 dated October 23, 1964, the seat of Municipal Government of Prosperidad was transferred from Prosperidad proper (now Las Navas & La Suerte) to Brgy. Bahbah (recently known as Poblacion). It was also during Aquino’s term that the Municipal Building, Old Public Market, & the PNC (now PNU) were established.

After two years of Marcos regime, R.A. 4969 dated June 17, 1967 was passed dividing the province of Agusan into two Provinces, Agusan del Sur & Agusan del Norte with the Municipality of Prosperidad as the capital town of Agusan del Sur.

Additional Territory was added to Prosperidad by virtue of Prosperidad Decree No. 108 transferring Brgy.  Patin-ay of San Francisco to become part of Prosperidad.

Aquino’s term lasted for about 17 years but in the early part of 1980, an election was held making Anselmo Fundar as the second elected Municipal Mayor with Anastacio Rivas as the Vice Mayor. However, Fundar’s term of office was cut off in 1982 due to his death from accident, by operation of law; Vice Mayor Rivas assumed into office & exercised the unexpected term of Mayor Fundar.

When Marcos regime ended, prior to civil military (EDSA) Revolution in February 26, 1986, newly installed Pres. Corazon Aquino appointed Demetrio Tecson as OIC & later won as Mayor in 1987 Election.

In 1992, Antonio Maturan won the election & made massive constructions of various projects. He was reelected & made grand slam for serving the Municipality for three terms.

Recently, Prosperidad is under the leadership of Hon. Nestor L. Corvera formerly the Vice Mayor of Hon. Antonio Maturan with the full support from the constituents he was able to launch various projects & different programs for the betterment of Prosperidadnons. Like Mayor Maturan, he too made a grand slam & now on his third term as the Municipal Mayor of Prosperidad.

The present leadership of the Municipality of Prosperidad is determined to transform the municipality from 1st class to an agricultural city for the next ten (10) years. These goals can be achieved by enhancing the economic based of the municipality such as agriculture, commerce, trade and industry, tourism related activities, fiscal reforms and improving the economic enterprise of the municipality to generate more revenue thereby providing better and quality services to its constituents.

Source: http://www.prosperidad.agusandelsur.gov.ph/heritage/1910/

La vanguardia: diario Filipino independiente, 1922.03.04 — Page 17
GOVERNOR PINEDA:
Currently, agriculture in Agusan is almost stagnant. It is true that it is progressing, but at a very slow pace due to the lack of tools and farming implements. The natives, lacking modern equipment, only use the bolo and the axe. The province could yield great agricultural benefits if the Central Government provided assistance by supplying farmers with agricultural tools and work animals. To ensure rapid progress, as is desirable, it would also be necessary to promote immigration. Immigrants could serve as models for the natives, both in activity and in modern farming methods.

But overall, the agricultural situation is good. Abacá, coconut, sweet potato, corn, and rice are produced there as food products, in addition to forest products with which its fields are rich. I have suggested to the Director of Non-Christian Tribes the purchase of farming tools and work animals that could be sold to the farmers of my province on an installment plan with a certain percentage of interest. With this method, agriculture in Agusan could easily progress. What is needed, therefore, is government support, both for immigrants and native farmers.

As for the immigrants, it should be noted that many of them are displeased with the delay in processing their applications, as they are negatively affected by it.

Speaking of education, in almost all the municipal districts inhabited by the Manobos, there are government schools—excellent buildings made of concrete and iron. There is great enthusiasm for education, as they are requesting more schools and more teachers. Currently, there are about 46 teachers, most of them educated Manobos. The Manobos, like all of us, feel love for our independence in their hearts. They wish that the sun of freedom that shines on Christians also shines on them, the non-Christians. The Manobos are good and peaceful people, above all, adaptable. The good things they have seen during our visits to other towns like Cebu and Manila are what they try to put into practice there.

The province’s economic situation has greatly suffered from the depreciation of abacá. To say that in some parts of the province a kilo of abacá reached only 8 centavos explains why the financial situation is not promising today.

As for food products, Agusan—mainly the inland towns—will never suffer from shortages because they produce sufficient food. There is a product called “lumbia,” something similar to sago, which is a good food.

Overall, the province is content. We are doing everything possible to educate them, to teach them to be progressive, peaceful, and hardworking people. With the cooperation of Lieutenant Governor Mr. Blanco, I am making efforts so that Agusan becomes one of the most progressive provinces. There are good, clean roads there. I believe and am convinced that these travel expenses are very useful for the Manobos. Through these visits, they acquire more knowledge and a greater inclination toward a progressive life.

My personal opinion about the division of the Nacionalista Party is that such division should not exist because it would be detrimental to our cause. Later, those two parties could become regionalist, and then it would be a disaster.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, BIENVENIDO BLANCO

We have brought ten of the most ignorant Manobos for educational purposes, so they can see the beauty of Manila, the progress of this capital of the Archipelago. We have taken them to visit various places so they can admire them and do the same in their own towns. I explain everything they see to them, and they are convinced that civilization is a light they must one day have.

The Manobos, with example and instruction, will progress in the not-too-distant future; they are an adaptable people, and what they see here they will replicate in their villages. Above all, they are peaceful people.