Kalamansig, officially the Municipality of Kalamansig (Maguindanaon: Inged nu Kalamansig, Jawi: ايڠد نو كلمانسيݢ), is a municipality in the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 52,257 people.
The main means of livelihood of the people is farming and fishing. The municipality's marine environment is home to various species of marine wildlife and plants, the most important of which is the giant tamilok, the largest shipworm species in the world. The species can only be found within the area, and nowhere else in the world, making Kalamansig an important biodiversity area. Formerly hunted by the locals, the giant tamiloks are now strictly protected by the municipality, specifically the former hunters of the species, after research confirmed the high importance of the species in the area's biodiversity.
The nearest point of entry is through Cotabato Airport, Cotabato City. The town can easily be reached by taking the fully cemented Upi-Lebak National Road. Convenient and safe public transport that plies directly to Kalamansig are also available at NCCC Mall Davao, General Santos Public Terminal, Cotabato City Lebak-Kalamansig Terminal and Tacurong City Public Terminal.
Etymology
Like most municipalities in the Philippines, Kalamansig traces its name from various legendary origins. A popular folklore among the Manobos, a tribe of people who were among the earliest inhabitants of the place, explained that the name originated from a phrase “Kulaman-su-wayeg”, which literally translates as “Kulaman in the water”. Kulaman is believed to have been a prominent sultan of the valley during the seventeenth century. According to local tradition, a severe famine once struck the area, prompting the sultan—regarded as a devoted provider—to venture out alone in search of food. He gathered cassava, a staple among the Manobo, to sustain his family.
Before returning home, he stopped to wash the root crops in a nearby river. However, a sudden and powerful current swept him away, carrying him downstream where he ultimately drowned. His body was later found and recovered downriver, coining the word “Kulaman-sa-ig” (Kulaman in the water).
The name evolved into “Kalamansig” which later become the official name. In honor of this Manobo tribal leader, the river where he was found was named after him and later, the entire upper valley was called “Kulaman”. This barangay is now part of Senator Ninoy Aquino.
History
The existing seat of government of Kalamansig was formerly the municipality of Lebak. The first attempt to separate was on Lebak (presently Kalamansig) was under the municipal district of Kiamba while Salaman (now Lebak) use under the district of Dinaig on August 18, 1947, under Executive Order No. 82. and it was again reunited under one independent municipality of Lebak on December 31, 1948. The seat of government was transferred to Salaman on April 12, 1951.
Ten years later, the Municipality of Kalamansig formally created by the virtue of Executive Order No. 459 dated December 29, 1961 signed by Carlos P. Garcia, creating the municipality of Kalamansig from certain barangays of Lebak and Palimbang.
There are 20 barangays and sitios carved out from Lebak:
Lun,
Pitas,
Dansalan,
Pedtegenan,
Madu,
Port Lebak,
Lenek,
Santa Clara,
Sebayor,
Nalilidan,
Bosawon,
Calubcub,
Camp III,
Poral,
Limulan,
Simsiman,
Cadiz,
Tipudos.
The 8 barangays and sitios were taken from Palimbang are Sangay, Mat, Danawan, Paril, Babancao, Basiawan, Narra and North Kulaman.
Kalamansig was transferred from Cotabato province to province of Sultan Kudarat on November 22, 1973, by Presidential Decree No. 341 by President Ferdinand Marcos. Kalamansig lies the few miles from the epicenter of the devastating 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake. On February 17, 1989, barangays Buenaflores, Bugso, Kiadsam, Kadi, Kulaman, Malegdeg and Sewod were excised from Kalamansig to become part of the new municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino, by virtue of Republic Act No. 6712.
In 2004, gigantic shipworms were discovered by the locals within the municipal waters. In 2017, the shipworms were formally researched on by local and international scientists. The research confirmed that the giant Kalamansig tamilok is kuphus polythalamia and is the largest species of its kind in the world. Due to the research, Kamalansig became the first and only known permanent natural habitat of the endangered species.
Geography
Kalamansig is a coastal municipality located to west of Sultan Kudarat. Limulan River is the longest river in Kalamansig with a total length of 27 kilometers (17mi).
Barangays
Kalamansig is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
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