The Municipality of Diplahan was created on December 19, 1979 by the enactment of Batas Pambansa Bilang 48 through the sponsorship of Congressman Antonio Ceniza. The municipality was initially composed of twenty-seven (27) barangays but was reduced to twenty-two (22) when the adjacent municipalities, Siay, and Malangas legally claimed and recognized the territorial boundary of each municipality. The Municipality become a part of the First Congressional District of the newly-created province of Zamboanga Sibugay through the passage of Republic Act No. 8973. For its almost forty-two (42) years of existence, through the leadership of Local Chief Executives, Diplahan was able to exercise genuine and meaningful local autonomy that enabled the Municipality to achieve rapid development towards a self-reliant community. Through the present leadership of Hon. Atty Eric Y. Palma, the Municipality was able to spur rapid development through the implementation of various necessary projects, programs, and activities that are geared toward socio-economic growth to effectively respond to the needs and welfare of the people in this community and neighboring municipalities as well.
HISTORICAL PROFILE
Time immemorial, a group of Subanen, the native of Zamboanga Peninsula coming from coastal settlements, specially Malangas, has settled and cleared a portion of the area now known as Diplahan. At that time, most of these areas were covered with forest and swamplands and the only existing roads were those trails that serviced the natives to their kaingin (slash-and-burn farming), hunting grounds, and going to other places. The present site of Poblacion, Diplahan was just a piece of hilly land but known for its abundant water springs which are sprouting on both sides of the hills and almost everywhere.
Due to its abundance of clean and cold water, travelers from different places in Zamboanga Peninsula made it their place after a long journey. It is also a place where most of the beautiful Subanen women were seen washing clothes and taking a bath.
Until such time, the place was known to the natives as “DAPLAHAN”, which means a place of gathering.
With the advent of the influx of settlers coming from Luzon, Visayas, and other points in the country to Diplahan during the time of rush for the “Promised Land” from 1940 to 1960, the settlement rapidly expanded. Just when Malangas became a regular town, Diplahan became an integral part of Malangas as a barrio.
However, “DAPLAHAN” was erroneously registered, and by that, Daplahan became “DIPLAHAN” until the present. There might exist other historical tales or facts regarding the name Diplahan or Daplahan, however, none has volunteered to correct this.
VISION
We envision Diplahan as the center of food production in Sibuguey Valley, with vibrant, progressive, diversified local economy in a balanced ecology, driven by God-loving, peaceful, self-reliant, and economically prosperous citizenry, under transparent, accountable, and participatory leadership with a political will.
MISSION
To improve the agri-industrial community by providing basic social, economic, and infrastructure services through the concerted development effort of the 22 barangays, national government agencies, civil society, and stakeholders within the context of sustainable development.
