Municipal Goverment of Jose Abad Santos
Municipal Officials
Municipal Mayor:
Hon. Atty. Jason John A. Joyce, MPA
Vice Mayor:
Hon. James John A. Joyce
Councilors:
Hon. Atty. Marvic Vonn Guillermo
Hon. Gualberto Sioco III
Hon. Jessel Atay
Hon. Ermelita G. Malaki
Hon. Evelyn Aragoncillo
Hon. Harden Henry Joyce
Hon. Roger Castro
Hon. Reynante B. Mier
Ex-Officios:
Hon. Jennifer S. Joyce (Liga ng mga Barangay)
Hon. Datu Greg T. Day I (IP Mandatory Representative)
Hon. Roger A. Deloy, Jr. (Sangguniang Kabataan Federation)
Jose Abad Santos
The Municipality of Jose Abad Santos was formerly a part of the town of Malita. Barrios Batulaki and Caburan seceded and established as a separate town and was originally named “Trinidad”. The barrio of Caburan became its poblacion or town center. The Municipality of Trinidad was created pursuant to Executive Order No. 156 on July 9, 1948, a coastal town and composed of thirty-two barangays situated in the Western Coast of Davao Gulf. On April 20, 1955, by virtue of Republic Act 1206, it was renamed Jose Abad Santos, in honor of Abad Santos, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, wo was executed by the Japanese invading forces during World War II. On July 17, 1980, Presidential Decree 1550 signed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos created the Municipality of Sarangani, leaving the Municipality of Jose Abad Santos with twenty-six (26) barangays. The town is being peopled by Manobos and Bl’aan. Over the years, other ethnic groups like Boholanos, Cebuanos and the Tagalogs came to settle in the town.
In 1958, the seat of government was established by then Mayor John Joyce (1958-1967), in what is presently called Caburan Small. Mayor David L. Lachica (1967-1986), continued the development of the municipality instituting various programs and projects in agriculture, social services, infrastructure, and fiscal management.
In 1986, Corazon C. Aquino was elected into the Presidency via the now popular “people power” phenomenon. Engineer Wilfredo Setiota (1986-1988) was designated as the Officer-in-charge, Office of the Mayor, thus instituting more developmental programs and projects. David L. Lachica (1988-1992), won another term, and continued his program of government for the development and upliftment of the town.
In 1992, Joel R. Lachica (1992-2001) succeeded his father as the town Mayor. During his term, Republic Act 7160 was passed and signed into law, thus giving immense power to the local government. Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) was given to LGUs to fund developmental programs and projects.
Alex B. Wangkay (2001-2010) paved the way for the town becoming a first class municipality. Once a dormant town, Jose Abad Santos is now emerging as a tourist destination.
On July 1, 2010 to 2016, Honorable James Y. Joyce, assumed the office. Mayor Joyce, together with the assistance of Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) XI and in collaboration with the League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines (LLPDCPI) decided to revise the plan as it serves as the important blue print in charting the development directions of the. He was very decisive in implementing the programs, projects and activities particularly the infrastructure sector with assistance from the national agencies for additional support fund.
Gwapong Serbisyo is a flagship program of the current Local Chief Executive. Honorable Atty. Jason John A. Joyce, MPA endeavors to organize and value the wellbeing of the Jaseños. He assures that the most flexible approach is used in providing support to carry out projects and activities while ensuring the quality of the service.