History
The Origin
The Batas Pambansa Bilang 206 signed on April 6, 1982 established and created the Municipality of Aleosan in the Province of Cotabato. Parliamentary Bill No. 670 was passed authorized by Assemblyman Jesus P. Amparo and co-authorized by Assemblyman Blah T. Sinsuat, Ernesto F. Roldan and Tomas B. Baga, Jr. For purposed of ratification, Proclamation No. 2188 was signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos on April 29, 1982. A plebiscite was conducted on May 7, 1982 which was unanimously confirmed the desire and aspiration of the people in the nineteen (19) barangays to become a distinct and regular municipality from Pikit its mother municipality.
The name Aleosan is an acronym derived from the three (3) flourishing towns of Ilo-Ilo: A is Alimodian, Leo is for Leon and San for San Miguel where majority of the early Christian settlers came from. The seat of the municipal government is in the Barangay San Mateo. It is bounded on the west by Midsayap; on the north by Libungan and on the east and south by Pikit, all of Cotabato Province. From the municipality seat of government, which is barangay San Mateo to the borders of Pikit, Midsayap and Libungan is a vast area of flat to gently rolling to highly lands, which now belong to Aleosan. But due to the alleged differences in the technical description in the Batas Pambansa Bilang 206 three (3) Municipalities namely, Libungan on the North, Pikit on the east and south east portion and Midsayap on the northwest portion still laid claim to a portion of Aleosan. These territorial jurisdictions have been long in conflict since its creation, a conflict that placed the municipal government of Aleosan as to the exercise of political and economic jurisdiction over these territories, in the losing end. This difficulty was however appreciated in the light of existing political situation, proximity and exigencies.
San Mateo, the seat of the Municipal Government, was just an insignificant area before the creation of Aleosan. The Manobos, the natives northwest of Kidapawan and the Muslims who inhabited the Barangays have long ago learned to co-exist with the settlers from Visayas particularly from Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel and some parts of the Province of Cebu and Leyte. They were not however clustered in big villages common to other tribes. They were interspersed throughout the different barangays although we find six (6) barangays donated by Muslim tribe.
The opening of Cotabato-Davao national highway has attracted migrants, land settlers and home seekers to establish communities in Barangays Dualing, San Mateo and Pagangan. This was the time settlers from Visayas streamed into the area at a fast rate opening new vista for agricultural lands including mountains. And like anywhere they formed communities patterned after those in the old home. San Mateo and Dualing became the center of activity and commercial interaction among Muslim and the early Christian settlers. The promise of land settlements still open for habitation attracted the later arrival of settlers from Visayas. Together with the old settlers they have enhanced the rapid development of the area, pacing out the rest of the earlier settlement.
Presently Aleosan is a progressive agricultural community with barangay and feeder roads extending into the inner portion of the town. Transport of agricultural product, mainly vegetable root crops, fruit, rice and corn was made convenient which was several years ago, done in carabao sledge and horseback.
In term of financial resources and economic classification Aleosan ranks as a third class municipality in 2008. In this hierarchy of settlements it is classified as a satellite town, its barangay settlements relatively dependent on its urban core and the urban core dependent on neighboring minor urban settlements.
Today, the Municipality of Aleosan looks forward to accelerating further its economic development. The demand to improve its agricultural potential in terms of high value crops and livestock has continuously brought ever increasing number of farmers venturing to integrate organic farming. Together with the Lumads – the Manobo and the Maguindanaons who have found grounds in the municipality wherein to start or renew their base in life. Among others, uplifting the quality of life of the Aleosanons, and transforming Aleosan to a progressive municipality, is a vision and mission of the present administration.
Aleosan is a 3rd Class Municipality with a total land area of 24,450 hectares. Endowed with vast plain and rolling areas, farming remains to be the main source of livelihood of Aleosanon and is well-known as a livestock producer of the Province of North Cotabato. It is also gaining grounds in terms of rubber, banana, cacao, coffee and other High Value Commercial Crops production. Aleosan rank 32 among the 3rd Class Municipalities in the Philippines in the 2017 Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index.
How Aleosan Got Its Name
The name Aleosan is an acronym derived from the three (3) flourishing towns of Ilo-Ilo: A is Alimodian, Leo is for Leon and San for San Miguel where majority of the early Christian settlers came from.