Tubod, Surigao del Norte

Geography

Tubod lies in a valley at the centre of the peninsula that is the mainland portion of Surigao del Norte, with hills and mountains to the east and west of the town. A natural feature in the western hills is Songkoy Spring, where clear water emerges from the rainforest and collects in a natural pool that is a popular local swimming place.

Rural areas along the valley floor are dominated by agriculture, while the hills are home to coconut plantations, rainforest and gold mining. To the south of Tubod is Lake Mainit on the border between Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte.

The Maharlika Highway runs through the centre of Tubod and links the town with the major center of Surigao City in the north. The closest airport is in Surigao City which has flights to Cebu and Manila. Ferries at Surigao City connect the mainland with the adjacent islands of Surigao del Norte and the neighbouring province of Southern Leyte.

Barangays

Tubod is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.

History

Tubod in the early times is woodland, otherwise known as a virgin forest, where native inhabitants called the “Mamanwas” have been living. Mamanwas are nomadic in nature. They travel from the hinterland of Tubod and usually stayed near riverbanks. Mamanwa is derived from words "Man" - meaning people, and “Banwa,” meaning jungle - A Mamanwa means a man living in the jungle.

The Mamanwa tribe is still occupying hinterlands of Tubod particularly in Barangays Cawilan and Motorpool. They were very significant in the beginning of building homes for the Tuboranons, and the development of Tubod.

Agustin Mendez is recognized as the First Christian settler who discovered the woods. He was an immigrant from Ubay, Bohol Province during the 19th Century, when he began to develop Tubod and mark the town in Surigao del Norte's map. It was Agustin Mendez who organized its first Cabeza de Barangay that created the first Sitio.

Cabeza, in the Philippine occupation of Spain, was adapted to name founding “Leader” as well as its Cabezilla or “Kagawad” as it is called today. The Original Tuboranon Cabeza de Barangay founding members were - Agustin Mendez, Donato Pacatang, Florencio Gallenero, Gabriel Sumania, Isaias Calamba, Marciano Dapar, Galanida, Basil, Lumayag and Barro. Mendez led the Cabeza de Barangay bloc and young Galanida was their Secretary. The rest were known as Cabeza Council members.

To create the name for the newly found Sitio, Mendez commissioned a priest from Carrascal, Surigao del Sur but was not able to come as the means of transportation that time was only through use of a Kayak to reach Carrascal to Placer (nearest to Tubod), then via horses to Brgy. Timamana. However, Agustin Mendez never stopped dreaming. He requested for a clergyman in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte. They cruised Tubod River to Sabang point of Lake Mainit to reach the Sitio and celebrate its founding.

Christian settlers believed the importance of a First Christian mass celebration during foundation. This was probably the root of how Tuboranons were raised religious in the Roman Catholic faith. This was also the day when the new Sitio’s name was conceived. Rev. Father Sanidad officiated the first Mass and declared the new sitio after his name “Sitio Union Sanidad” on the 3rd of April.

Sitio Union Sanidad was mainly of rough roads, community nipa houses where only a few people settled. Its progress began with Brgy. Timamana in Placer where Agustin Mendez first established residence and cultivated farmlands day in and out. He then later transfers his family in Brgy. Poblacion, Tubod.

Later, through an order from constituted authorities, Sitio Union Sanidad was declared as independent from Brgy. Timamana and was called Brgy. Tubod come 1908. With Agustin Mendez leading the barangay, he became its First Leader & Originator (Barrio Lieutenant) and named the woods "Tubod" from the local dialect "Tuboran" that meant 'source of water.' The early Brgy. Tubod had a population roughly 100 people, mostly immigrants from Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Camiguin and Surigao. Its main socio-agricultural sources of income were from abaca, coffee, rice as well as root crops such as ube, camote and calibre. As progress continued, it became a large source of coconuts/copra and began its own irrigated rice farming.

Brgy. Tubod is surrounded by mountainous terrains, hills and the famous Mt. Maniayao standing overlooking the town. Pasturelands and mountain ranges, the presence of natural deposit and mineral resources like gold, silver, copper, chromate and iron are all God’s blessings for the Tuboranon to this very day.

Tuboranon religious undertaking, Mr. Mendez donating Two (2) Solid Wood Sculptured Patron Saints Peter and Paul sculpted on 19th Century. All the way, town feast falls every June 28–29 each year. Thus, Tubod Founding Hero Agustin Mendez legacy founded Tubod and took several donations for Municipal and Roman Catholic Church Settlement. Eventually, as per Municipal Resolution on 1989 asserts Mr. Agustin “Usting” Mendez Tuboranon Local or Municipal Hero of our time. Apparently, series of donation from portion of track land in order to entice people and capture to live.

The political bustle exists in Tubod. It led by Mr. Agustin Mendez establishing TUBOD and inherited by Famous Tuboranon Leaders. They were appointed and elected based on our Tubod Municipal Archives record. Tubod was previously part of the Municipality of Mainit, Surigao del Norte. It created by virtue of Executive Order No. 269 dated September 18, 1957.

Demographics

The Surigaonon language is the common local language, while Cebuano, Filipino, and English are also spoken.