In the 18th century, the place was inhabited solely by the Higaonons and even at the early part of the 19th century. It has been known that the ancestral Datu Amay Tomas Lilangan, was identified as the first family of this place. As the years rolled-on, another family arose known as the descendants of Amay Ombad (Oblad). The natives had inter-marriage through its tribal policies, although their laws and rules were unwritten. Later on the Old Datu Amay Tomas Lilangan ruled the place and its people through Datuism. He had three (3) sons and a daughter. One of his sons was Apo Man Tomas Lilangan, the eldest, the other two (2) brothers were also married in this place. The only daughter, named Apo Quirinao, got married to a Muslim in Talakag, Bukidnon. Her off springs were the family of Amay Salicobay, the father of Semeon Salicobay.
Baungon, before the outbreak of the Second World War, was once a forestal and pasture lands. With its rich natural resources, fertile soil and favorable climate condition, many migrants from the Provinces of Lanao, Misamis Oriental settled in this area, they were the Dumagats.one of the first Dumagats who came was Mr. Lope M. Rara followed by Mr. Meliton Magdales both were public school teachers. The first group of farmers were the family of Mr. Mano Pabillaran and the Bacarros. Later on, the families of Alejandro Linaac and Liborio Jangao Sr. followed. They were settlers who started as squatters of ranches operated by some rich and influential persons. The natives were scattered but had already settled and rooted in this place. These natives, later on, move out to upper areas to give way to the continuing influx of the migrants. Settlements then sprouted throughout with the first thickly populated urban core established along the Bobonawan and Tumalaong Rivers.
A fruit-bearing tree, called “Pomelo” and which locally known as “BAUNGON”, was observed to be in abundance in this area. Thus, to establish its identity, the early settlers called their first settlement after this sweet-tasting pomelo and that is how the Municipality got its name. This first settlement soon became a barrio, and as the transition time rolled by, it was later converted into a Municipal District of the Municipality of Libona by the 1919.
Unfortunately, a calamity struck the place, a strong flood swept away the entire district along the Bobonawan and Tomalaong Rivers causing casualty to lives and properties. To escape further damages to the community; leaders decided to transfer the urban core to an elevated area which was then called “Imbatug” which was derived from a Native or Visayan word “BATUG” which means ‘to stay high” or higher portion, which is now the seat of the Municipal Government and other government offices.
Before Baungon became an independent regular Municipality in 1959 by virtue of Executive Order No. 272 issued by former President Carlos P. Garcia, it was, then under the political supervision of so-called “Presidente”. In the year 1930, the incumbent president, through the appointment of Governor Ruben, was a certain “Amay Libanda”, a well-known nephew of Apo Man Tomas Lilangan, he was a native of the place and respected for being honest and of good character. The leadership of Libanda was assisted by the Deputy Governor Named Teofilo Calingasan and the Old Datus. In 1932, Amay Libanda resigned from his office and a certain Otto Lumintao, took over the post and still assisted by his deputies but did not take long, he tendered his resignation. Thus his Deputy Governor took over and ruled until his death in 1936.
After the death of Deputy Governor Teofilo Calingasan, a certain Jose Libanta, a resident of Talakag, Bukidnon took over the post until his death in 1941. Datu (Simbo) Cipriano Lilangan, was designated as Presidente but later on Alejandro Linaac, an immigrant, peddling different kinds of goods, was convinced by Cipriano (Simbo) Lilangan to take his place as Presidente but with the consent of the people. He was designated as the new Presidente and became a successful farmer and a businessman.
Alejandro Linaac, resigned in 1941. But before the outbreak of World War II, people were able to select another leader in the person of Patricio Lilangan, a grandson of Apo Man Tomas Lilangan, He was then appointed as Presidente. When the war broke out, Patricio Lilangan still continued serving the people faithfully, performing his duties all throughout the war years until the year of 1956 when baungon was declared in a legislative enactment by Congress, as regular Municipality and proper election was then held.
In 1960, the first local election was held. The candidates were Vicente Linaac, the elder son of Alejandro Linaac, and Patricio Lilangan, the official candidate of the Nacionalista party.but Vicente “Dodong” Linaac, an Independent, became the first elected Mayor of Baungon and served the municipality until 1962.
In 1963, another local election was held and Patricio Lilangan ran again for the post and won. A young lawyer by the name of Wilfredo B. Linaac, took the challenge for the mayoralty post against Mayor Patricio Lilangan and won, serving the people until the declaration for the martial law. After regular election resumed, he ran for assemblyman but lost the position.
On the other hand, then Governor Carlos O. Fortich of Bukidnon offered the post to former Mayor Patricio Lilangan who declined for reason that he already decided to retire from politics, but recommended instead Climaco Linaac for the chair and became the designated Municipal Mayor but was able to serve only for eleven (11) months until a regular local election was then held. This time, under the banner of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) and with his running mate Paz Lilangan Rosaciña, the daughter of former Mayor Patricio Lilangan, Climaco Linaac ran against his cousin, Artemio Linaac, the son of Alejandro Linaac. Artemio Linaac won as Mayor while Paz Lilangan Rosacinña as his Vice Mayor.
The administration of Mayor Artemio Linaac has served the people from 1980 up to the Revolutionary Government of then President Corazon C. Aquino. Then Vice Mayor Paz L. Rosaciña, was replaced by a certain Felix Alzula from Cagayan De Oro City. His designation was signed by then MLGCD Secretary Aquilino Pimentel but was opposed by the people as well as by the Mayor himself due to alleged non-residency and above all, he had not rendered his official duties and functions. So, the case was elevated to the court. The court decided in his favor, thus acting validity to his designation and granting his monthly salaries including other privileges.
In January 18, 1987 another local election was held, the incumbent Mayor Artemio Linaac, did not run for re-election due to health problems. His nephew, Hernando M. Linaa run for Mayoralty whose opponent was former Vice Mayor Paz L. Rosaciña with her team-mate Jacinto S. Tablando as her running mate. As a result, Rosaciña won as Mayor and Tabland for Vice Mayor.
For the past seventeen (17) years the Linaac’s and the Lilangan’s were opposing each other in these elections. It happened that a lone lady Mayor was elected last January 18, 1988 in the entire Province of Bukidnon. She served as a Mayor of Baungon for three (3) consecutive terms. In 1998 election, there were three (3) candidates for the mayoralty position, Rene Nagac, a former Vice Mayor, Rogelio S. Lago, a former Sangguniang Bayn member and Atty. Wilfredo Linaac, the former mayor. Rogelio S. Lago won as Municipal Mayor of Baungon while Jocelyn B. Janioso as Vice Mayora.
On the year 2007 Ardan J. Roa got the mayoralty position over Enriqueto Beja and served for one whole term from 2007 to 2010 as Municipal Mayor with Pedro Alvarez as the Vice Mayor.
Comes another election on 2010with Pedro “Adong” R. Alvarez won over Ardan J. Roa and Mayor Pedro “Adong” Alvarez served as Municipal Mayor from 2010 to 2019, with Enriqueto “Paking” Beja as the Municipal Vice Mayor but vice mayor Beja did not finish his last term due to his early demise. He was then replaced by law of succession by Giovanni M. Dahino as Municipal Vice Mayor from 2018 to 2019.
In 2019 election Giovanni M. Dahino run for mayoralty position and was opposed by Orlando Balbon III, of which Mayor Dahino was proclaimed winner with Vice Mayor Felipe W. Ragudo won over former Mayor Pedro R. Alvarez from 2019-2022.
Then comes the 2022 national and local election, former Mayor Giovanni M. Dahino challenged by former Municipal Councilor Rogelio D. Jaraula of which proclaimed winner with overwhelming votes was Mayor Rogelio “Loloy” D. Jaraula and Felipe W. Ragudo as Municipal Vice Mayor serving from 2022 to present. ###
-Baungon Higaonon Council of Elders
