WOW Canahay

Canahay Brief Story

Before the coming of Christian settlers the barangay was populated mainly by the Tagabilis (later on called T’boli’s), one of the ethnic tribes of South Cotabato. The area was covered with thick forest and the early inhabitants live contentedly, lake, rivers and creeks were teeming with different species of fresh water fish. The forest abounds with various kinds of wildlife an

d the soil was very fertile where plants grew luxuriantly. Perhaps, this is why the place is called Canahay, from the Tagabili word “Lamcanahay” which means “a place of abundant food”. Hunting and farming through the kaingin system (slash and burn) were the main sources of livelihood of the Tagabilis. They planted palay, corn, abaca and root crops using crude instruments for production. They usually transfer from one place to another after a few harvests, mainly due to their low level of output. The Land Settlement Development Corporation (LASEDECO) surveyed the area in 1956, where each farm lot covers an area of 8 hectares. Francisco Galaura, former chief of police of the Banga Municipality, was assigned by LASEDECO to oversee the settlement areas on thesouthern part of Surallah including Canahay. In this process he was able to acquire vast portion of arable lands in this area through Datu Manodal Godwino and Datu Montel Bana. At this point, he invited his relatives from the island of Guimaras in Iloilo to settle in this place. It was in 1959 when pioneering settlers from Visayas came in. Other has stayed for some time in different areas in Mindanao before they settled in Canahay. The T’bolis sold their lands to these settlers for a low price of one or two hundred pesos for every 8 hectare farm lot. The early 1960’s saw the arrival of additional settlers from Iloilo (Igbaras, Guimaras), Antique and Negros. Large portions of the areas were sold to the incoming settlers and the T’bolis moved further towards the mountainous parts of Lake Sebu. The early settlers cleared the area for agricultural production. Palay corn and root crops were planted mainly for local consumption. The bayanihan system (dagyaw) was prevalent during the time when unity and cooperation was of utmost importance. Barangay Canahay was created and formally inaugurated on September 24, 1962 as one of the regular barangays of the Municipality of Banga. Datu Manodal Godwino was appointed as the first barangay captain and served the office until his death on September 20, 1980. There was a need for educational facilities in the community as school children had to travel on foot to Barangay Buenavista, some five (5) kilometers from Barangay Canahay. In response to this pressing need, Datu Manodal Godwino donated a school site where a primary school was opened on July 23, 1962. This developed into the Godwino Elementary School with its first batch of graduates in 1965. A spring development project was constructed at Purok Zenia on the same year that supplied potable water to residents of barangay proper. A basketball court was constructed in 1975 at the barangay plaza. The project stands on an 8 hectares barangay site donated by the late Barrio Captain Datu Manodal Godwino as a part of its sports and development program. During this period, there existed a road network connecting Surallah and Lake Sebu passing through barangays Centrala, Tubi-ala, Buenavista and Canahay. The later serves as a stopover for agricultural products from the surrounding areas towards the Surallah market. This became the basis for a relatively faster economic growth for the barangayan. Within a few years, it has grown into one of the satellite trading center of Surallah until an alternative route was established in the mid 70’s. Upon the death of Datu Manodal Godwino on September 20, 1980, Juan Zabala, Jr. the first council member took over as Barangay Captain. This fearless, assertive, articulate and belligerent barangay official continued the projects and programs of his predecessors until his tragic death on November 25, 1987. Rogelio Fresco took over the office as chief executive of the barangay who served for barely two years when Mario Defensor won in collegial elections in 1989. The later remained in the succeeding electoral contest. It was in 1983 when the barangay health station was constructed. Five years later in 1988, the basketball court, stage and bleachers at the barangay plaza were rehabilitated. In 1990 a spring development project at Riverside, Sitio Bleboy was established, as the spring source at Purok Zenia can no longer supply potable water to the growing population. During the same year the electric power was installed at Puroks Zenia, Fresco and Imelda. The Southern Mindanao Agricultural Programme (SMAP) provided assistance to farmers in terms of technology or project financing. Livelihood projects were introduced and post harvest facilities in various areas were established. The program started in 1993 and ended in 1997, which had contributed to great extent of economic development of the barangay.