Historical and Cultural Background of Bubong
As like any other place that has its origin, let us trace back why this municipality called Bubong. According to some resident of the municipality it was named โBubongโ because the term connotes the place itself where it is not fully a plain land and it is surrounded by hills. Before the Municipality of Bubong became one of the class municipalities in the Province of Lanao Del Sur, it was originally part of Ditsa-an Ramain which were divided into three municipalities (Bubong, Buadiposo Buntong and Ditsa-an Ramain) during the Philippine Commonwealth period beginning in 1935. It was said also in the local historical account that the American Soldier under General Gity Fort established the general headquarters of 81st division of USAFFE during the second World War in the present territory of the municipality and named it Camp Karukutan. It was also in this camp that marked the last stand of combined American and Filipino. Camp Karukutan is located in the forest of Bubong, particularly in Barangay Rogero. Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, Datu Manua Aborad, an influential and respected traditional leader of Bubong proposed for the separation of Bubong from its mother district of Ramain Ditsa-an. Supported by the whole populace, the formal request was granted by the Commonwealth Government in Manila. With issuance of Executive Order No. 42 converting Bubong into separate and regular district. At the same instance, Datu Manua Aborad was appointed its first district mayor. He was succeeded by his son, Sultan Macabangkit Manua who was appointed for two terms. Mayor Manua was succeeded with the appointment of Datu Macaraya Domaring as new district mayor of Bubong who served for three years. He was followed by Sultan Saidona Tuan who served for one term. Mayor Tuan was succeeded by Mayor Hadji Laut Macaraya who was in the office up to 1960. In 1960, the first election was held in Bubong and Hadji Laut Macaraya became the first elected mayor of Bubong. Finally on June 25, 1963, Executive Order No. 42 was issued declaring Bubong as a regular municipality by the President of The Philippines. Through the initiative of then Late Congressman Thomas L. Lluch, during the election of 1964, Datu Hadji Ali M.B. Munder won as the first Municipal Mayor of Bubong and served until 1980 during the Martial Law years. In the 1980 election, Sultan Panarigan B. Sarip, al-Hajj ran and was elected new Municipal Mayor. He served for only a year due to his demise. The Vice Mayor Datu Minupun S. Manua served for the unexpired term until 1987. In 1987 election, Sultan Jamal M.P. Alonto served as elected Municipal Mayor. During the 1992 election, Datu Hadji Ali M.P. Munder ran anew and won the post and served until he graduated for the term of nine years in 2001. In 2001 election, his son Datu Usoph B. Munder ran and won. He graduated his term in 2010 and succeeded by his son Mayor Alfais T. Munder until he graduated for the term of nine years in 2019. After his sonโs nine year term, Datu Usoph B. Munder ran anew and was elected as the new and present municipal mayor.
