Barangay Aplaya Profile

BRIEF HISTORY OF BARANGAY APLAYA

Every place has its own origin and how they got its name. Barangay Aplaya, is a small coastal Barangay situated at the City of Digos, Province of Davao del Sur, considered as one of the cleanest and greenest Barangay in the province, and the home of friendly and peace loving people.

During Pre-Spanish time, even in the Spanish time and first World War and Second World War, there are no traces of evidence or proof that there is already settlement that had been existed in Barangay Aplaya. As old folks or people told, Aplaya own a virgin forest.

After Second World War, the first settlers came to this place; they name the place “LAPYAHAN” meaning a seashores or shoreline, but as tears passed by people change its name to Aplaya.

As years goes on, many people coming from different places started to live in this barangay. Most of the people lived near the seashore. They engaged in fishing as their primary source of income and livelihood as well as farming. They plant coconut trees, bananas, fruits, and trees and other variety of farm products but corn products are the main crop among people in Barangay Aplaya that time.

Now, their way of living is already in the proper place. They started to establish a community. A community that brings the people to become united; where there is a leader who guide to the people in a peaceful living and so with harmonious relationship with others.

In the year 1980, through the leadership of Barangay Captain Casuki Mamac and with the help of the people, they petitioned to the government that the Barangay Aplaya should be subdivided for the better living of the people residing here and also this is the time that the Barangay Aplaya declared as an official name of this Barangay.

This Barangay Aplaya entered a new era of development. Beach resorts had been established. Many people coming from other places attracted the beauty of beach views for them to relax and enjoy the freshness of air coming from the sea.

Barangay APLAYA is about three (3) kilometers away to the eastern side of Digos Poblacion. It is a coastal Barangay along the gulf of Davao which is rich in marine life. APLAYA is a dialect word which means “BEACH”. This Barangay is very popular because of its natural attraction => “THE BEACH RESORT”.

Aside from Poblacion, BARANGAY APLAYA is one of the densely populated. The main agricultural product of this place is coconut, but it is not only source of livelihood among the populace. Some are fishermen, businessmen, government employees and employees in the private sectors. The main route going to this Barangay is a well-maintained all weather provincial road.

Tricycle is the major means of transportation, flying frequently enough during the day and early during the night time.

Barangay APLAYA has a total land area of two hundred fifty (250) hectares, bounded in the north by Digos River, in the south by Barangay Dawis, at the east is the beautiful beach and in the west by the poblacion barangays.

There are only three (3) educational institutions in the Barangay;

a) a complete public elementary school

b) three (3) day care center located at Purok 2, Purok 9-A and Purok 10, Aplaya, Digos City

c) and Arabic school, located at Purok 7, Aplaya, Digos City

The dominant religion of this Barangay is Roman Catholic with 57% followed by Islam, followed by Iglesia ni Cristo, and most of the people speaks Cebuano.

Government buildings are present in this Barangay, eight (8) unit school building, two (2) units Barangay health station, one (1) unit Barangay hall, one (1) unit Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) office, one (1) unit Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office, one (1) unit Bureau of Fire Protection Office, one (1) unit hall of justice, Barangay mini-public market, Barangay landing fish building, two (2) modern police outpost, Bayan muna building, the Satellite terminal, and the newly constructed bay walk along Aplaya seashore.