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Lupon
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Lupon
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Lupon ([lʊˈpɔn]), officially the Municipality of Lupon (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Lupon; Tagalog: Bayan ng Lupon), is a municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 66,979 people.[5]

Key Information

Lupon is said to have derived its name from the native word "naluponan", meaning a body of land accumulated at the mouth of a river resulting from years of continued accretion. The settlers shortened the word "naluponan" into what is called now "Lupon". This "naluponan" area was then applied to the mouth of the Sumlug river of Lupon municipality of today.

Geography

[edit]

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Lupon, Davao Oriental
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		23
(73) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 168
(6.6) 		141
(5.6) 		143
(5.6) 		141
(5.6) 		216
(8.5) 		235
(9.3) 		183
(7.2) 		169
(6.7) 		143
(5.6) 		176
(6.9) 		226
(8.9) 		168
(6.6) 		2,109
(83.1)
Average rainy days 22.1 18.5 21.7 22.5 27.8 28.1 27.4 26.6 24.7 26.3 26.5 24.9 297.1
Source: Meteoblue[6]

Barangays

[edit]

Lupon is politically subdivided into 21 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Bagumbayan
  • Cabadiangan
  • Calapagan
  • Cocornon
  • Corporacion
  • Don Mariano Marcos
  • Ilangay
  • Langka
  • Lantawan
  • Limbahan
  • Macangao
  • Magsaysay
  • Mahayahay
  • Maragatas
  • Marayag
  • New Visayas
  • Poblacion
  • San Isidro
  • San Jose
  • Tagboa
  • Tagugpo

Demographics

[edit]
Population census of Lupon
YearPop.±% p.a.
1939 4,905—    
1948 7,746+5.21%
1960 26,149+10.67%
1970 32,456+2.18%
1975 35,497+1.81%
1980 41,081+2.96%
1990 47,946+1.56%
1995 50,668+1.04%
2000 57,092+2.59%
2007 60,133+0.72%
2010 61,723+0.95%
2015 65,785+1.22%
2020 66,979+0.38%
2024 68,717+0.62%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][8][9][10][11]

Lupon, like many areas of Mindanao, is inhabited by the Mandaya, Mansaka, the native Kalagans, and the local immigrants from all points of the Visayas, Luzon and Mindanao. The immigrants brought with them their culture resulting in a mixture of beliefs and practices.

Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Lupon

10
20
30
40
50
2000
45.93
2003
37.76
2006
36.80
2009
42.93
2012
32.83
2015
24.72
2018
26.05
2021
24.73

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

History

[edit]

Lupon was primarily inhabited by the Mandaya and Mansaka in the hinterlands, and the native Kalagans in the shorelines of Lupon connected to Pantukan municipality and San Isidro municipality today. But, through a wave of migration [local immigrants from Luzon and the Visayas (Christians and Muslims alike)] and the coming of logging concessions, the population of Lupon has increased through the succeeding years.

The migrants from Luzon and Visayas took advantage of the natives' kindness and ignorance. They took their lands and were even proud to tell stories that the natives (Mandayas) changed their lands for sardines and tobacco.

The land grabbers and their descendants insult Mandayas on a daily basis. They treat them like they are lower life forms. They yell at them "Mandaya! Mandaya!" like being a Mandaya is a shameful thing. When a person behaves stupidly they will say "You are like a Mandaya." All of them does it including the educated ones.

Creation into a Municipal District

[edit]

Lupon first became a regular barrio of Pantukan in 1919. Two years later Governor General Francis Burton Harrison issued an Executive Order No. 8, series of 1921, creating Lupon as a Municipal District comprising eight (8) barrios that include Poblacion Lupon, Sumlog, Cocornon, Tagugpo, Piso, Maputi, Langka, and Banaybanay.

For the meantime, Datu Commara Manuel was appointed as the municipal district president from 1921 to 1929. The American Occupation in the Philippine Islands was serious about pacifying inhabitants from rebellion against the American regime. What they did was to create Mindanao into a Moro Province, at the expense of the Christians both Catholic and Protestants also inhabiting the whole region. It was on this ground that Lupon was said to have been made into a sultanate with Datu Manuel as its sultan. But such an idea of Lupon becoming a sultanate was short-lived as Datu Manuel was replaced by the succeeding municipal district presidents.

These were the municipal district presidents after Datu Manuel: Alfredo Lindo (1929–1931); Luis Yabut (1931–1933); Teodoro Panuncialman (1933–1939); Carlos Badolato (1939 to the outbreak of World War II); Sixto Carreon (1940 onward to the Japanese Occupation); Cresencio Tuballa (1944–1945 time of the Philippine Commonwealth military and Recognized Guerrillas); Claudio Libre (1945–1946); Cresencio Tuballa (1946); and Carlos Badolato (1946–1947).

Creation into a regular municipality

[edit]

Lupon was created into a regular municipality on August 8, 1948, by virtue of Executive Order No. 151, s. 1948 with Teodoro Panuncialman as the first appointed mayor of Lupon. But that appointment was cut short by another appointment of Crisanto Magno as mayor of Lupon from 1948 to 1950; however Panuncialman was re-appointed for 1950–1951.

At this time in 1951, a local election installed Crisanto Magno as the first elected mayor of Lupon from 1951 to 1955. Then the succeeding elected mayors were privileged to take responsibility of the unbroken mayoralty seat of Lupon. Oswaldo Barol (1955–67); Eulalio Angala Jr. (1967–79); Francisco M. dela Cruz (1979–86); then at the transition from the Marcos to the Aquino administration brought about by the February 1986 Edsa Revolution, Jose Lim was appointed Office In-Charge (1986–87); then Francisco dela Cruz was again re-elected and the longest reigning mayor(1988–98); Quiñones was elected in May (1998–2001); and Guiñez was elected in May 2001. But his untimely death brought the Vice Mayor Barabag to the mayoralty seat in 2002 to finish the term up until 2004. Quiñones was again elected to office during the 2004 elections and would serve the office until 2007. In 2007 Domingo Lim was first elected and served as mayor until 2016 after winning the 2010 and 2013 mayoralty elections respectively. He was replaced by this wife Erlinda Lim who won the 2016 election and became the first ever woman to serve as mayor of Lupon.

Mayors of Lupon

[edit]

Here is the list of the Mayors of Lupon:

  • Sultan Comarra T. Manuel, Municipal District President (1921–1929)
  • Alfredo P. Lindo, Municipal District President (1929–1931)
  • Luis Yabut, Municipal District President (1931–1932)
  • Teodoro M. Panuncialman (1932–1933)
    • Appointed Mayor (1946–1947)
  • Carlos Badolato, Municipal District President (1933–1939)
    • Appointed Mayor (1946–1947)
  • Sixto Carreon, Municipal District President, Japanese Occupation (Wartime)
  • Cresencio Tuballa, Municipal District President (1942–1944) Guerilla Mayor
    • Appointed Mayor, (1946)
  • Emiliano Montos, Municipal District President (1944–1945)
  • Crisanto M. Magno, Appointed Mayor (1948–1950)
    • Elected Mayor (1951–1955)
  • Oswaldo P. Barol, Elected Mayor (1955–1967)
  • Romeo M. Bote Sr., OIC Mayor (1967)
  • Capistrano V. Roflo Sr., OIC Mayor (1967)
  • Eulalio A. Angala Jr., Elected Mayor (1967)
  • Francisco M. Dela Cruz, Elected Mayor (1981-1985 & 1988-1998)
  • Jose A. Lim, OIC Mayor (1986–1987)
  • Faustino T. Suzon Sr., OIC Mayor (1987)
  • Arfran L. Quinones, Elected Mayor (1998–2001 & 2004-2007)
  • Manuel B. Guinez, Elected Mayor (2001)
  • Hadji Bonso S. Barabag, Mayor By Succession (2001–2003)
  • Domingo A. Lim, Elected Mayor (2007–2016)
  • Erlinda Lim, Elected Mayor (2016-present)

See also

[edit]
  • Maryknoll School of Lupon
  • Eastern Davao Academy Inc.
  • Lupon National Comprehensive High School
  • Lupon Vocational High school
  • Bagumbayan Agro Industrial High School

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lupon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lupon, officially the Municipality of Lupon, is a coastal first-class municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, Davao Region, Philippines. It covers a land area of 886.39 square kilometers and comprises 21 barangays. As of the 2020 census, Lupon has a population of 66,979 inhabitants. The municipality's economy is primarily driven by agriculture, including rice production and other crops suited to its terrain, supplemented by fishing due to its coastal position along the Pacific Ocean. Recent infrastructure projects, such as extensive rural development road networks, have aimed to enhance agricultural productivity and connectivity in its barangays. Lupon was originally established as a municipal district in 1921 before transitioning to full municipal status in 1948, reflecting its growth from a riverside settlement named after accumulated land formations at river mouths.

History

Early Settlement and Pre-Colonial Context

The territory of present-day Lupon was inhabited by the Kalagan people, an indigenous group of Austronesian descent who migrated to the Philippine lowlands thousands of years ago from southwestern Asia. These early settlers established communities known as banwa, typically located along rivers and coastal river keys in the Davao region, drawn to the fertile sediment deposits that supported subsistence activities. The name "Lupon" derives directly from the Kalagan word nalupunan, referring to a body of land formed by accumulated silt at a river mouth, underscoring the environmental basis for settlement in the area's riverine landscape. Pre-colonial Kalagan society in eastern Mindanao, including areas like Lupon, relied on kaingin (swidden) agriculture, hunting, fishing, and barter trade for livelihood, with social organization centered on kinship groups led by datus and spiritual practices guided by balyans (priestesses) who conducted rituals honoring nature spirits under an animistic worldview. Defensive adaptations, such as tree-top houses, reflected ongoing inter-group conflicts and the Bagani warrior system. Neighboring Mandaya groups, concentrated along Davao Oriental's east coast, contributed to regional cultural exchanges through their expertise in farming, weaving (e.g., dagmay cloth), and symbolic rituals, though Kalagan dominance is evident in Lupon's etymology and river-focused settlements. Isolation from major trade networks characterized much of this era, fostering self-sufficient, spiritually reverent communities until external contacts in the 16th century.

Establishment as a Municipal District

Lupon was initially established as a regular barrio of the municipality of Pantukan in Davao Province in 1919, reflecting the gradual settlement and administrative organization of frontier areas in Mindanao during the American colonial period. Two years later, on February 22, 1921—though the exact issuance date of the order is tied to the governor-general's directive—Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison issued Executive Order No. 8, series of 1921, which formally created Lupon as a municipal district. This status was a transitional administrative category commonly applied to sparsely populated or developing regions in the Philippines, allowing for localized governance under the supervision of provincial authorities while facilitating infrastructure and settlement growth. The new municipal district of Lupon encompassed eight barrios: Poblacion Lupon, Sumlog, Cocornon, and others, carving out territory from the parent municipality of Pantukan to address the increasing population and economic activities, particularly in agriculture and coastal trade. This establishment marked an early step in decentralizing administration in Davao Oriental's precursor territories, prioritizing empirical needs for local oversight amid the region's rapid homesteading and migration from the Visayas and Luzon. The order's implementation reflected causal priorities of colonial policy, such as promoting orderly development in non-Christian or frontier zones through appointed officials rather than fully elective bodies, as outlined in contemporaneous administrative codes.

Elevation to Regular Municipality

Lupon was elevated to regular municipality status on July 8, 1948, through Executive Order No. 151 issued by President Elpidio Quirino, which organized the municipal districts of Samal, Lupon, and Kapalong in the Province of Davao into independent municipalities with full administrative autonomy. This transition from municipal district—established in 1921—to regular municipality expanded Lupon's local governance structure, enabling elected officials and broader fiscal responsibilities under the Philippine local government framework. Teodoro Panuncialman was appointed as the inaugural municipal mayor upon elevation, overseeing initial post-war administrative consolidation. The change reflected broader efforts to formalize frontier settlements in Davao Province amid reconstruction following World War II, prioritizing stable local administration in agriculturally promising areas.

Post-War Development and Key Milestones

Following its formal recognition as a regular municipality in 1948, Lupon underwent administrative stabilization and economic recovery aligned with national post-independence efforts, emphasizing agricultural expansion on its fertile coastal and inland areas. The population surged from 7,746 in the 1948 census to 26,149 by 1960, a growth rate of over 10% annually in that period, driven primarily by internal migration seeking opportunities in farming and fishing. A pivotal administrative milestone came with the enactment of Republic Act No. 4867 on May 8, 1967, which partitioned the expansive Davao Province into Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental; Lupon was incorporated into the newly formed Davao Oriental, comprising municipalities including Mati, San Isidro, Lupon, Governor Generoso, Manay, Tarragona, Boston, and Baganga. This division enhanced local governance focus and resource allocation for eastern Mindanao's development, facilitating targeted infrastructure and agricultural initiatives amid ongoing regional population increases, reaching 32,456 residents by the 1970 census. Economic progress centered on primary industries, with coconut and abaca cultivation dominating land use, supplemented by coastal fishing; these sectors underpinned household incomes and contributed to export-oriented recovery in the Davao region post-1946 independence. By the 1970s, sustained agrarian activities supported modest infrastructure gains, such as improved access roads linking rural barangays to ports, though challenges like limited mechanization persisted.

Recent Natural Disasters

On October 10, 2025, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck offshore near Manay in Davao Oriental, with its epicenter approximately 20 km from Lupon, followed hours later by a magnitude 6.8 aftershock; the tremors prompted immediate evacuations as residents and workers in Lupon rushed to open grounds amid fears of structural collapses and further shaking. The event, originating from tectonic movement along the Philippine Trench, generated over 800 aftershocks in the ensuing days and contributed to provincial-wide disruptions, including power outages and damage to infrastructure affecting more than 70,000 families across Davao Oriental. In May 2022, heavy rains triggered a flash flood in Barangay Limbahan, displacing 30 families or 150 individuals who sought temporary shelter; no fatalities were reported, but the incident highlighted vulnerabilities in low-lying areas prone to rapid runoff. Severe Tropical Storm Paeng (international name Nalgae) in late October 2022 brought heavy rainfall to the region, leading to the evacuation of five families in Lupon as part of broader impacts on 111 households in Davao; the storm exacerbated flooding risks but caused limited localized disruptions in the municipality compared to more northern areas.

Geography

Location and Topography

Lupon is a coastal municipality in the province of Davao Oriental, within the Davao Region of the Philippines, situated on the eastern seaboard of Mindanao island. It borders the Philippine Sea to the east and encompasses a land area of 886.39 square kilometers. The municipal center lies at approximately 6.90°N latitude and 126.01°E longitude, at an elevation of about 23 meters above sea level. The topography of Lupon features a mix of coastal lowlands, riverine deposits, and inland mountainous terrain. Average elevation across the municipality is 197 meters, with significant portions of land below 2,000 meters, particularly in lowland areas extending from the coast. Mountain ranges stretch along provincial boundaries, contributing to uneven plateaus and rough elevated lands characteristic of Davao Oriental's eastern landscapes. The coastal zone includes sediment accumulation at river mouths, reflecting the etymological root of the name from native terms for land built up by fluvial deposition. This varied relief supports diverse environmental features, from swamps and lowlands to higher elevations prone to erosion and flooding influences.

Climate and Environmental Features

Lupon experiences a Type II climate as classified by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), featuring no true dry season but a pronounced wet period from November to January, with relatively even rainfall distribution otherwise. Annual average temperatures hover around 27°C (81°F), with highs typically reaching 28–29°C (82–84°F) and lows between 23–25°C (73–77°F); the warmest months are August at 27.5°C (81.5°F) average, while February records the coolest at 26°C (79°F). Precipitation averages approximately 775 mm annually, concentrated in January (140 mm) as the wettest month, with April (46 mm) the driest, and about 110 rainy days per year occurring on roughly 30% of days. High humidity persists at 77% yearly, contributing to an oppressive feel, while the area's exposure to the Pacific renders it susceptible to typhoons and enhanced rainfall from easterly trades. Environmentally, Lupon's topography blends coastal lowlands, rolling hills, and forested uplands, with elevations from sea level to interior hills supporting loam and sandy clay loam soils conducive to agriculture but prone to erosion and flooding. Natural forests covered 22,000 hectares (62% of land area) as of 2020, providing timber, non-timber products, and habitat, though recent losses totaled 82 hectares by 2024, equivalent to 44.8 kilotons of CO₂ emissions. Coastal features include fringing reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds along Davao Gulf, vital for fisheries and biodiversity, yet threatened by overexploitation and sedimentation; community efforts focus on habitat restoration to sustain these resources. The region's flood vulnerability stems from river systems draining uplands into low-lying areas, exacerbated by climate projections of intensified rainfall, potentially expanding high-risk flood zones by 2030–2050 without mitigation.

Administrative Divisions

Lupon is administratively subdivided into 21 barangays, which serve as the primary local government units responsible for basic services, community governance, and development initiatives within the municipality. These barangays vary in size, population density, and economic focus, with Poblacion functioning as the central urban core encompassing government offices, commercial areas, and residential zones. The following table lists the barangays along with their populations from the 2020 Census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority:
BarangayPopulation (2020)
Bagumbayan5,764
Cabadiangan1,415
Calapagan3,442
Cocornon2,210
Corporacion3,342
Don Mariano Marcos3,632
Ilangay5,903
Langka1,960
Lantawan396
Limbahan2,049
Macangao2,285
Magsaysay903
Mahayahay1,042
Maragatas3,179
Marayag4,841
New Visayas703
Poblacion17,362
San Isidro1,757
San Jose716
Tagboa1,800
Tagugpo2,278
Data sourced from the Philippine Statistics Authority via PhilAtlas compilation. Rural barangays such as Calapagan and Marayag often emphasize agriculture and fishing, while others like Ilangay support plantation economies.

Demographics

Population Dynamics

The population of Lupon, the largest municipality in Davao Oriental by resident count, reached 65,785 as of the 2015 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority. This figure rose modestly to 66,979 by the 2020 census, reflecting an annual growth rate of 0.38% over the intervening five years. Historical census data illustrate a pattern of decelerating growth amid broader Philippine rural demographic shifts. The table below summarizes key population figures from Philippine Statistics Authority censuses:
Census YearPopulation
200047,946
200757,092
201061,723
201565,785
202066,979
These data indicate average annual growth rates exceeding 2% in the 2000-2010 period, tapering to under 1% post-2010, consistent with declining national fertility trends and sustained out-migration from agrarian areas. By 2020, population density stood at 124 inhabitants per square kilometer across Lupon's 540.1 square kilometers of land area. Natural increase remains a primary driver, supported by province-level reductions in infant mortality to 11.6 per 1,000 live births in recent reporting periods, though specific Lupon vital statistics are not disaggregated in available records. Net migration contributes minimally to growth, as rural-to-urban flows and overseas labor opportunities draw younger cohorts away, mirroring patterns in Davao Oriental where annual provincial growth averaged 1.47% from 2010 to 2015 before further moderation. No localized data on crude birth or death rates for Lupon are publicly detailed beyond national benchmarks of approximately 24 deaths per 1,000 population annually.

Ethnic and Cultural Composition

The population of Lupon comprises a mix of indigenous Lumad groups and migrant communities primarily from the Visayas and Luzon regions of the Philippines. Indigenous inhabitants include the Mandaya, who maintain settlements in areas such as Barangay Calapagan and are recognized for their traditional knowledge systems, including the stewardship of sacred forests for climate resilience and cultural rituals tied to environmental conservation. The Mansaka and Kalagan (also known as Kagan) also reside in the municipality, with the latter historically occupying shoreline areas and the former in hinterland communities, reflecting pre-colonial Austronesian roots adapted through intergroup dynamics. Culturally, Lupon's composition blends traditions with the dominant Cebuano-influenced practices brought by post-war settlers. Mandaya communities preserve distinctive such as abaca weaving and tie-dye textiles, alongside animistic rituals that have partially syncretized with . Kalagan and Mansaka groups emphasize oral histories, , and kinship-based , though assimilation pressures from migrant populations have led to widespread use of Cebuano as the . No precise delineates ethnic proportions at the municipal level, but provincial patterns indicate indigenous groups form a minority amid Visayan-majority demographics shaped by 20th-century resettlement programs.

Socioeconomic Indicators

Lupon, classified as , benefits from revenues exceeding ₱100 million annually, supporting services and in a predominantly agrarian . The 2020 population of 66,979 contributes to a labor primarily involved in agriculture, fisheries, and related activities, with the provincial employment rate in Davao Oriental reaching 96.2% in 2023. This high employment aligns with the Davao Region's overall rate of 96.8% in 2024, exceeding the national average and indicating robust labor absorption despite seasonal agricultural dependencies. Poverty incidence among families in the stood at 11.9% in 2021, below the national figure of 18.1%, reflecting targeted interventions and in resource-based sectors. In , approximately 36,274 poor families were estimated in the first semester of 2021, underscoring persistent challenges in remote barangays reliant on subsistence farming. rates in the province reached 97.3% for the household aged 10 and over in 2015, higher than the national and supportive of development for economic diversification.
IndicatorValueYearScope
Family Poverty Incidence11.9%2021Davao Region
Employment Rate96.2%2023Davao Oriental
Literacy Rate (age 10+)97.3%2015Davao Oriental

Government and Administration

Local Governance Structure

Lupon operates as a first-class municipality under the framework established by Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, which decentralizes authority to local government units for efficient administration and service delivery. The executive authority is vested in the municipal mayor, elected by popular vote for a three-year term with a limit of three consecutive terms, who holds primary responsibility for enforcing laws, managing fiscal resources, appointing department heads, and overseeing public safety, health, and infrastructure projects within the municipality. The vice mayor assists the mayor and presides over the legislative body, stepping in as acting mayor when necessary. The legislative functions are performed by the Sangguniang Bayan, comprising the vice mayor as presiding officer and eight elective councilors, all serving three-year terms with the same consecutive limit. This body legislates municipal ordinances, approves annual budgets not exceeding the revenue raised or authorized by law, creates committees for specific oversight such as finance and appropriations, and reviews barangay-level resolutions for consistency with municipal policies. Ex-officio members include the president of the municipal Association of Barangay Captains, the president of the Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation, and, where applicable, representatives from indigenous cultural communities to ensure inclusive representation. The Sangguniang Bayan of Lupon has received recognition for legislative effectiveness, including the 2025 Local Legislative Award from the League of Provinces of the Philippines. At the grassroots level, Lupon is divided into 21 barangays, each functioning as the smallest administrative unit with its own elected and seven councilors forming the . Barangay officials, also serving three-year terms, manage local disputes through the Lupon Tagapamayapa—a panel of ten members appointed by the —prioritizing amicable settlements for minor civil and criminal cases to reduce court burdens, as mandated by the . The municipal provides oversight, allocations, and coordination for initiatives, fostering integrated delivery of services like and order maintenance and programs.

Historical and Current Leadership

Lupon's follows the standard of Philippine municipalities, with the as the chief executive elected every three years. Historical are , but the municipality's executive dominated by the Lim in recent decades. Domingo A. Lim served as from to , during which period he faced administrative , including a 2017 Ombudsman ruling fining him for simple neglect of duty in failing to implement a dismissal order against municipal employees. Erlinda D. Lim, spouse of Domingo A. Lim, succeeded him as elected starting in and held the position through multiple terms until , overseeing initiatives in partnerships and amid ongoing development efforts in . Her administration emphasized collaborations, such as with conservation groups for . In the May 2025 local elections, Santos "Sonny" Alonzo of the Nacionalista Party was elected mayor with 22,977 votes (45.12% of the vote share from 50,924 registered voters), succeeding Erlinda Lim. Christian "Chrence" Go, running independently, was elected vice mayor with 29,302 votes (57.54%). Alonzo assumed office in July 2025, marking a shift from the prior long-term incumbency.

Economy

Primary Sectors and Resources

constitute the primary sectors of Lupon's , leveraging the municipality's fertile lands and coastal position along Davao Gulf. Key agricultural activities include the cultivation of , hybrid corn, (), and , often supported by micro-financing programs through cooperatives to enhance production and incomes. Coconut, corn, and farming are also prominent, contributing to regional output amid efforts to improve farm-to-market . Fisheries rely on small-scale and commercial operations in Davao Gulf, where fishers target various despite challenges like declining catches prompting closed seasons for recovery. The sector supports livelihoods but faces pressures from and environmental factors. Natural resources include deposits such as , formed through chemical interactions in local host rocks, alongside potential for and other metals noted in the broader Davao Oriental area. Mining operations exist but are complicated by illegal activities, as highlighted in local land use plans aimed at rehabilitation and . Land suitability assessments indicate potential for crops like robusta coffee, underscoring agricultural resource diversity.

Agricultural and Fisheries Production

Lupon's agricultural production centers on staple crops suited to its fertile plains and climatic conditions, with rice as the dominant commodity. The municipality ranks among the top producers of hybrid rice seeds in Davao Oriental, contributing significantly to regional seed multiplication efforts under the Department of Agriculture's programs. Coconut farming is also prevalent, aligning with the province's substantial share—32.7 percent—of the Davao region's total coconut output, driven by extensive plantation areas. Other key crops include corn, abaca, and vegetables such as ampalaya and eggplant, supported by microfinancing initiatives for village-level production that have enhanced farmer incomes through improved technologies. Fisheries production in Lupon relies heavily on municipal operations along the Davao Gulf, where small-scale fishers target commercially important small pelagic species amid identified fishing grounds in the eastern gulf area. Fishing constitutes the primary household income source for approximately 81 percent of coastal residents, supplemented by limited aquaculture such as fishponds. Local efforts, including the Fisheries Aquatic Resources Management Council, promote sustainable practices like closed seasons to address declining catches, though overfishing pressures persist in shared gulf waters. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources highlights Lupon's municipal fishing as representative of regional small-scale activities, integrated into broader national profiles.

Mining, Industry, and Trade

Lupon's sector primarily involves small-scale and exploration-stage operations focused on , , and historically deposits. Oro East Mining Inc. holds (MPSA) No. 320-2010-XI, covering areas in Lupon and adjacent for and through tunneling methods rather than , with test operations commencing to target vein-type deposits at projected rates of up to 200 metric tons per day. The company, operating under permits valid until 2035 across approximately 7,798 hectares, emphasizes sustainable practices amid broader regional scrutiny over environmental impacts from in . has persisted as a challenge, prompting interventions by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), which in 2016 confirmed cessation of unauthorized activities in Lupon following local government requests. Small deposits of , formed through chemical alteration, were noted in earlier geological surveys, though commercial exploitation remains limited. Industrial activities in Lupon are nascent and supplementary to primary sectors like agriculture, with limited large-scale manufacturing. Local enterprises include mineral trading firms such as M.A. Gravino Mineral Trading in Barangay Calapagan, which handles processing and distribution of extracted resources. Broader industrial development ties into regional ecozone proposals under the Davao Oriental Ecozone, aiming to integrate mining outputs with value-added processing, though implementation in Lupon specifically lags due to infrastructural constraints. Trade in Lupon centers on local commerce facilitated by the public market inaugurated in 2019, which serves as a hub for agricultural produce, fisheries, and small-scale goods exchange, incorporating waste and water management systems to support sustained operations. The Port of Lupon enhances inter-island trade via fastcraft ferry services, promoting economic linkages, tourism, and export of commodities like minerals and farm products to Davao City and beyond. Department of Trade and Industry initiatives, including market matching, have boosted sales in Davao Oriental, with Lupon benefiting from increased linkages for native products, though informal trading dominates supply chains for items like native chicken.

Economic Challenges and Growth Factors

Lupon's economy, predominantly agrarian and fisheries-based, contends with vulnerabilities inherent to primary sectors, including susceptibility to typhoons, erratic patterns, and in coastal waters. Small-scale fisheries in Davao Gulf, where Lupon is situated, have recorded declining catches attributed to , destructive practices, and periodic closed seasons enforced since to rehabilitate , with fishers reporting reduced yields and instability exacerbated by impacts like altered patterns. Agriculture faces post-harvest losses averaging 10-15% for due to inadequate storage and infrastructure, contributing to volatility for farmers reliant on crops like , coconut, and bananas. These factors align with broader provincial trends, where Davao Oriental's poverty incidence declined sharply by 7.3 points to levels below the regional average of 16.8% by 2021, yet persistent economic constraints, including limited industrial diversification, hinder sustained household resilience. Key growth drivers stem from Lupon's role as a leading rice producer in , with its port facilitating export of "fancy rice" varieties and supporting agro-trade volumes that bolster municipal revenue. Local economy growth indicators improved, ranking 63rd nationally in recent assessments, reflecting gains in active establishments and output expansion amid provincial GDP growth of 4.0% in 2024, driven by agriculture's resilience post-pandemic. Fisheries modernization efforts, including community-based resource management in coastal barangays, aim to enhance participation and sustainability, while the 2023-2028 Tourism Development Plan positions ecotourism—leveraging beaches, mangroves, and cultural sites—as a diversification avenue to generate employment beyond seasonal harvests. Government-backed infrastructure, such as port upgrades, further enables trade linkages, potentially amplifying these factors if post-harvest and climate adaptation investments materialize.

Infrastructure and Public Services

Transportation and Accessibility

Lupon is primarily accessible via road networks connecting it to Davao City and the provincial capital of Mati, with the municipality located approximately 132 kilometers east of Davao City and 36 kilometers west of Mati. National highways facilitate travel, including the Tagboa-Macangao Road, a diversion route linking two national roads to enhance provincial connectivity. Public bus services, such as those operated by Bachelor Express, provide regular transport to Davao City, with journey times averaging 3.5 to 4.5 hours and fares ranging from ₱430 to ₱1,800 depending on the route and operator. The of Lupon serves as a key maritime gateway for inter-island shipping and , supporting in agricultural products and fisheries. Infrastructure upgrades, including a completed port development by , have improved facilities for operations, with proposals for fastcraft services to reduce travel times to from the current 2.5 hours by private . Efforts to resume direct routes from to Lupon were planned for October 2024 by a Manila-based firm, aiming to bolster economic links. Air access relies on nearby facilities, with no dedicated airport in Lupon; residents typically use Mati Airport or , approximately 36 kilometers and 132 kilometers away, respectively. Post-2025 twin earthquakes in prompted coordinated rebuilding of roads, bridges, and ports by agencies including the and and Highways, emphasizing resilience in transport infrastructure. Local public utility vehicles like jeepneys and vans operate within the municipality and to nearby areas, though broader regional modernization efforts focus on buses in urban centers like .

Education Facilities

Education in Lupon is primarily managed by the Department of Education (DepEd) through its Lupon East and West Districts, which oversee public elementary and secondary schools serving the municipality's population of approximately 66,979 as of 2020. Public facilities include numerous elementary schools, such as Tagboa Elementary in Lupon East , Calapagan Elementary with modern classrooms and a library, Logdeck Elementary , Langka Elementary , Benito Barol Sr. Elementary , and Tagugpo Elementary . Secondary education features national high schools emphasizing vocational and agricultural , including Lupon Vocational High , a DepEd-accredited technical-vocational located on Cambing Baratua of 261 such schools nationwide offering priority programs in skills development. Other key facilities are Lupon National ( ID 304321), Macangao Agricultural Vocational High providing junior and senior high programs, and Ernesto D. Violan National High , established in 2022 via DepEd Order No. R-XI-013 s.2022 to address needs. Private institutions supplement public offerings, notably the Maryknoll School of Lupon, a diocesan secondary school founded in 1960 by American missionaries on the southeastern coast. Post-secondary vocational training is available at the Lupon School of Fisheries on Panuncialman Street, accredited by TESDA for fisheries-related courses. No tertiary institutions are located within Lupon, with residents typically pursuing higher education in nearby urban centers like Davao City. The provincial literacy rate in Davao Oriental stands at 97.3% for those aged 10 and older, reflecting strong basic education access amid rural challenges.

Healthcare and Social Services

The primary public healthcare facility in Lupon is the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital, which provides inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, and specialized treatments for residents of the municipality and Davao Oriental province. The hospital, classified as a level II institution under the Department of Health, operates continuously and handles cases ranging from general medicine to basic surgical interventions. It also serves as a referral center for nearby rural areas, supported by provincial funding and national health programs. At the grassroots level, the Lupon Rural Health Unit, under the Municipal Health , delivers essential primary healthcare, including prenatal and postnatal care, vaccinations, family planning, and disease surveillance for communicable illnesses like . This unit, staffed by physicians, nurses, and midwives, conducts outreach in Lupon's 40 barangays to address rural access barriers, with an email contact of [email protected] for inquiries. The Lupon Super Health extends these services with enhanced diagnostics and minor procedures, as evidenced by its role in post-disaster medical assessments. Private sector contributions include facilities like Razo Medical Hospital, offering diagnostic imaging and general consultations on Comarra Street, and LIM Medical Clinic, which handles adult and pediatric care. These supplement public options but remain limited in scope compared to urban centers like Davao City. Social services in Lupon are coordinated by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), which implements protective programs for children, families, seniors, and persons with disabilities, including crisis intervention and livelihood support. MSWDO collaborates with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI on national initiatives, such as the Social Pension Program providing quarterly cash aid to over 4,000 indigent seniors aged 60 and above in the area. Additional efforts include community-based rehabilitation for the vulnerable and disaster preparedness, with recent validations for climate-resilient projects like LAWA at BINHI to enhance food security and reduce poverty risks. In response to the 2025 earthquakes affecting , MSWDO and health units mobilized joint assessments and aid distribution, prioritizing evacuation centers and vulnerable households in coordination with local police and disaster offices. These services emphasize self-reliance through projects like DSWD-supported rice retailing ventures valued at PHP 100,000 to aid low-income families.

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