|
Cateel is one of the oldest towns in northeastern
Davao Oriental. It is situated on a shore of a
bay of the pacific Ocean at the mouth of the river
bearing its name.
Cateel was once part
of the Caraga Province that was composed of four
encomiendas during the Spanish period namely:
Encomienda de Bislig where Cateel then belonged,
Encomiendas de Surigao, Butuan and Tandag. |
 |
|
In
1582, the Spaniards partly explored the coast of
Cateel. Landing at the mouth of the river they
called it Rio de Cateel or Cateel, after they found
some Mandaya (natives) splitting rattan vine. Cateel
is a kind of rattan that abound in the place.
Cateel has a long and varied history. The Spaniards
took the town in 1614 and lost it to the Americans
in 1900. It became a regular Municipality during the
American regime by virtue of Organic Act No. 21
passed by the Legislative Council of the Moro
Province of October 29, 2003.
Bounded on the North by the Municipality of Boston,
on the east by the Pacific Ocean, on the South by
the Municipality of Baganga, and on the West by the
Municipality of Compostela, Cateel is a land of rich
and fertile valleys, rolling, hills, beaches, swamps
and vast plains. |
