Before its creation into a municipality, Molave used to be part of Aurora town. It was then called Salug meaning "floor", possibly because of the abundance of molave trees, so that the wide valley looked like a green floor from above. Because of the fertility of the soil, many were attracted to come and settle down in Molave. It has a total land area of 251.50 square kilometers, with 40,423 inhabitants. Its population is a conglomeration of varied ethnic groups, including cultural communities. It has an annual income of P 33,430,858.00

Molave became a municipality by virtue of Republic Act No. 377, dated June 14, 1949. The creation of Molave was mainly due to the efforts of Assemblyman Juan S. Alano. The first appointed mayor was Hon. Pelagio Blancia. He served from 1949-1951.

Those who succeeded him are the following: Hon. Javier A. Ariosa, 1952-1962; Hon. Daniel Mantos, 1962-1963(by succesion); Hon. Paciano Guillen, 1964-1979; 1982-1986; Hon. Jose M. Geromo, Sr. 1980-1982; 1986-1987; Hon. Vidala M. Geromo, 1988-1992; Hon. Encarnacion O. Blancia, 1992-2001; Hon. Flavio J. Saniel, Jr., 2001 up to present.

The land area of Molave has been greatly diminished since three municipalities have been carved out of it, namely:Dumingag 1957;Tambulig 1958; and Mahayag 1960; and later Josefina in 1977. Its population has likewise been reduced to only 37,677. However, with its vast tracts of ricefields, Molave stands out as the "rice granary in District 1" of Zamboanga del Sur. And because of its strategic location, it is the business center of the eastern towns.
   
People, Culture & Arts

The municipalitys population is a conglomeration of different dialects and inhabitants of which majority are Cebuanos, Boholanos, Hiligaynons, Ilocanos, etc.

The subanens are the ethnic group of the municipality. Early inhabitants activate themselves of their life through trading and commerce. Picture herein reflected are subanen minorities of the municipality.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

On-going projects:

The municipality is a progressive locality that relates to different developmental activities such as the development of its tourism park, its agriculture program on cassava, various livelihood, entrepreneurship by womens group, basic health services on nutrition and infrastructure projects, such as roads and the construction of its district hospital.

Completed Projects:

1. Public Market

2. Slaughterhouse

3. Public Toilet

4. Senior Citizen Building

5. Lying-in Clinic

Projects for Development:

1. Gymnasium

2. Water System

3. Public Market

4. Integrated Bus Terminal Building

Agricultural Assistance
To enhance agricultural productivity of the municipality, the LGU had distributed various planting materials to barangay such as pineapple planting materials, etc..

Environmental Programs
To address the problem on garbage collection, the LGU had bought a three (3) hectare lot in barangay Mabuhay to serve as waste disposal site. Recently, a seminar on solid waste conversion was attended by LGU officials to resolve the problem on garbage within the municipality.

Economic
Our municipality is the hub of commerce and trade in what is known as the Salug Valley. Six municipalities converge here in Molave to do business; even the neighboring provinces and cities come to Molave. We shall exploit this favored position to the hilt, which shall spell greater progress for our municipality and the Salug area in general.

Under my administration, I have adopted an open business policy. new investments are welcomed without any bias or any personal considerations.

For year 2002, out total income increased by 25% compared to the 2001 actual income or an increase of P 9.9 million. The total income was P 49,483,254 million, this exceeded our targeted income by more than P 1.1 million. Our net income reached P 7.3 million.

Specifically, properly taxes amounted to P 768,898.70 while taxes on goods and services totaled reached P 43 million. Among our economic enterprises, our public market generated the highest income of P 3 million, followed by the water system with P 1.4 million and then the slaughterhouse having P 366,841.50.

We had appropriated for P 50,611,237.50 but only P 47,417,744.80 was actually used or a savings of P 3,193,492.70 at the end of the year 2002. Our total assets which amounted to P 51.9 million increased by 10% compared to last year. Our total liabilities amounted to P 12.3 million.

When the local government unit earns revenues from taxes and its public economic enterprises, this shall mean more, bigger and better projects and programs for the people.

Within 27 months in office, this administration was able to implement numerous programs and projects in infrastructure and socio-economic development with the support of higher officials and offices, the heads and employees of our local and national offices and you molavenians.
 
Source:
Municipality of Molave