The traders of the past (Malays, Indians, Chinese, and Muslims), through watercraft called barotos, entered the Agusan River via Masao and paddled up to the farthest part of the river tributaries in La Paz and Loreto. However, since this upper portion of the Agusan Valley upward were flooded during rainy seasons, these pioneer traders baroto capsized thus losing all their precious merchandise, so that they had to establish their settlement somewhere at a higher elevated land which was later called Talacogon (probably from Talacogon or cogon land due to the abundance of this grass during those times).

By the early 1800s, the Spanish friars had already established the Roman Catholic religion in the municipality of which Western influence is evident. This was built in the Poblacion of San Isidro sometime in 1872 administered by the Jesuits. It was only in the early 1970s that other religions were able to put up their church which has proliferated in different barangays.

Talacogon became the hub of commerce and civilization before other municipalities were established in Agusan which was then a part of Surigao.

Talacogon has produced some of the most famous personalities both in Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte. The late former Assemblyman, Governor and ConCon delegate, Hon. Apolonio D. Curato was born in Caimpogan, formerly a sitio of Talacogon. Butuan City ex-mayors, Silvestre Osin and Figurado Plaza were also Talacognons. The late Mayor and former Governor Felixberto Dagani of Cabadbaran have his ancestors in Talacogon and the late former Congressman and Governor Democrito O. Plaza (popularly known as D.O. Plaza) was a very successful businessman and politician.

It is accessible by the national highway and is the transit point of natural resources from the south (La Paz) from the west (up to Bukidnon), and San Luis in the north. With the advent of improvements in national roads going to Bukidnon and Davao City, the municipality will serve as the center of services in the western part of the province.

 

Inter-LGU and Inter-governmental bodies existing

The municipality hosted some of the national offices that regularly coordinated with Local Chief Executive and department heads. These are the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Commission on Audit and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

 

Significant Local Institutional and Governance Platforms and Programs

During the incumbency of the Former Mayor Isaias C. Masendo, intensive effort to resolve the issue on land conflict was being pursued in active participation of the local legislative body headed by the Former Vice Mayor Cesar P. Juaton who subsequently became the mayor in the year 2001. For very long years and decades this land conflict has been fought by different administration of which in the year 2000 of May, a total land area of 12,062 has. was awarded

by DENR-LMB. Total approximate area 8 of disputed portions per updated Municipal Map of Cad-1118-D, Talacogon Cadastre (portion waived by the Municipality of La Paz in a Joint Resolution No. 01 S-1999 of both Sangguniang Bayan of La Paz and Talacogon dated January 6, 1999) totaling 1,851.00 hectares. This was the additional approximate area of the portion plotted based on the updated map of Cad-1118-D that is covered by Court Decision Re: Civil Case No. 837, resolved by the RTC and made final and executory on July 18, 1997, and entry of judgment by the Court of Appeal on November 7, 1997. Because of this proclamation and agreement, it resulted to increase of the land area from 26,612.04 hectares to 40,525.04 hectares. The increase of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) also increased of which development programs being prioritized for the ensuing years were also realized.

In the succeeding years from 2004 onwards, establishment of Water Works System was the biggest accomplishment of the administration which was headed by the Former Mayor Cesar P. Juaton of which source of water was taken from the waterbed of Sitio Tumaliktik, Buena Gracia and later from bigger sources of groundwater from Zillovia Talacogon, Agusan del Sur. The extent of services went through the ARC barangays and Poblacion (Del Monte, Zillovia, San Agustin, San Isidro, San Nicolas, Labnig, Causwagan, and Batucan) of which Level II and Level 111 water system were provided to the households. Improvement of the facility was being done by consolidating all the resources granted by different funding institutions like DILG-UNDP Phi, MINSSAD(JBIC), DA-MRDP-APL2, provincial grant and the 20% Local Development Fund of the LGU.

Another heap of development was the construction of steel bridges and farm to market roads in Barangay Del Monte, Causwagan, Desamparados, Zillovia, Labnig and San Nicolas which would take a positive response to farmers because it has provided accessibility in the production areas. The construction and concreting of Del Monte – Malihao Farm to Market Road funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA-PRDP) and counterpart by the LGU through its 20% LDF has afforded the community to enjoy the fruit of development because residents can access the basic services settled in the urban barangays like education of children, market and many others.

A major development in the locality is also the settlement of PTFI, CSDC, AGRIWOOD, SINAFAL, TWI, JIGSWOOD, SJAL (Orgon), JLQ and High Lander wood manufacturing and processing industries for match splints, veneer, and lumber that can resolve the unemployment problem of its unskilled and skilled workers. Talacogon became the center of wood-based processing industries in the Province of Agusan del Sur of which various administrations pursued to sustain such investments because it helped the municipality in terms of income and the purchasing power of its constituents.

 

Recognition and Awards

In the year 1998 Lake Himbang was awarded the cleanest lake which was recognized by the provincial government, regional office through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the national government. Improvement of the lake was pursued by the LGU of which different programs and activities were prioritized giving due credit to the coming in of local and foreign tourists. Succeeding recognitions and awards were also accorded to LGU given by the different institutions and bodies, like; Talacogon was given due recognition by NEDA, Regional Office as the Provincial Industrial Center in Agusan del Sur which would produce commercial wood.

A recognition awarded by Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc., Institute Primary Health Care in partnership with the Department of Health for being a reliable and active partner in enhancing the quality of life and achieving better health outcome especially for the poor through sustainable health care programs and services;

• Recognition given by the province to the LCE for the outstanding performance that LGU Talacogon can garner three (3) national awards six regional awards and 15 provincial awards;
• Justice Peace Integrity of Creation – Integrated Development Center for contributing efforts in the implementation of JPIC Early Childhood Education;
• Recognition given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development as the 2nd Best Functioning Action Team;
• Recognition given by the Department and Environment and Natural Resources for the exceptional performance in the implementation of the National Greening Program;
• Recognition given by the Department of Health, Regional Office for the sincere commitment on sustained performance as Best MLGP site;
• Recognition given by the Provincial Government through a resolution for the exceptional performance of LGU in implementing programs and projects;
• Award given by the Department of Health, Regional office with Best Inter Local Health Zone Initiatives

These recognitions and awards have inspired the leaders to be more aggressive of its initiative which would benefit the whole constituency hence the LGU strived hard to achieve the highest recognition due to the local government units which are the Seal of Good Local Governance. Talacogon was able to get it in the years 2014 and 2015 of which in the following year this was upgraded into Seal of Good Local Governance. Different organizations and institutions have seen the performance of the LGU in the implementation of programs, projects and activities of which through the leadership of Mayor Jesryl E. Masendo Talacogon received recognitions from AFP, PNP, DOH, DSWD, Philippine Red Cross, ASELCO, Provincial Government JPIC – IDC, DENR, and many others.

Regional Kalasag Award in the year 2016 was also accorded to the LGU because of its initiatives that involve the community in implementing the program and projects related to poverty reduction, disaster preparedness and mitigation particularly the Barangay Zamora. The recent effort of the administration was recognized both at the local and national levels especially in the promotion of peace and order and in the menace of drugs because of its community-based approach program which will be replicated by other local government units.