Alimanguan is a barangay in the municipality of San Vicente, Palawan, Philippines. Its name originates from the native term “alimango,” which refers to a species of crab abundant in the area, particularly in “katunggan” or “bakawan” – terms that designate mangrove habitats. The site is historically renowned for the large numbers of Alimango that could be spotted wandering the streets.
The first inhabitants of Alimanguan were the Tagbanua people, primarily composed of four families: the Rodriguez, Martinez, Talibod, and Francisco families. The name “Alimanguan” was adopted as homage to the distinctive local fauna.
Interestingly, Alimanguan was initially known as “Aduas” and was a part of the municipality of Taytay. The transformation into a separate barangay named Alimanguan occurred in stages. In 1931, the name Alimanguan was officially given to the area. The recognition of Alimanguan as a distinct barangay took place after World War II in 1945. The first appointed local leader, or Teniente del barrio, was Mison Gapilango, succeeded by Marciano Gabin in 1946, then Guillermo Estrada, Josefina Collado, and Floresto Abrina.
A significant administrative change took place in 1972. In this year, San Vicente emerged as a separate municipality within the province of Palawan. As a part of this reorganization, Barangay Alimanguan was transferred from Taytay, its mother municipality, to become one of the barangays of San Vicente.
Therefore, Alimanguan’s history is intertwined with changes in local governance and the ebb and flow of biological abundance, represented by the Alimango crabs. Today, it remains a distinctive part of the broader municipality of San Vicente, contributing to the rich cultural and natural diversity of Palawan.