Provincial Government of Basilan

Address	Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan Province
Phone	(062) 200-3414
Fax	(062) 200-3427
Website	http://www.basilan.gov.ph
Email	[javascript protected email address]

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Basilan island ancient name was TAGIME named after a datu ruler who once ruled a big part of the island before Spanish came to Basilan. Isabela City, the capital town of Basilan was known "PASANGEN" and even up to now natives of Basilan often refer Isabela town by the name "PASANGEN". In the long past, Basilan had other names. It used to be named ULEYAN derived from a mountain located at the heart of the island. Later it was changed to Matangal, also named after MT. MATANGAL in Tuburan and Tagime as its capital. Other names given were Puh Gulangan (Island forest); Umus Tambun (fertile land);Kumalarang, named after a river; Bennuh Peggesan; and later it was changed to Basih Balan. The name became Basih Balan after a heavy fight between the natives led by SULTAN KUDARAT a great muslim leader and his brave Muslim warriors, APUH MENGGAH, APUH DAGANG and APUH BATALAN against the Spanish invaders from nearby Zamboanga. After a fierce resistance the natives successfully repulsed the invaders. The victory played a major role in the changing of the island name into "BASIH BALAN", derived from their legendary weapon called "PIRA" made of Basih , meaning iron, and Balan meaning magnetic. By combining the two words it became BASIH BALAN. But when the early historians wrote the name shortened it into one word, BASILAN. The name remained unchanged up to the present. Others believe that Basilan got its name from Bantilan, a powerful Datu from Sulu who established a short-lived sultanate in Basilan. Other natives' believe it was coined from two native words-basi-meaning iron and lan-meaning trail or way-thus, The Iron Trail.

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