The land where Cabatuan now nestles was once covered with forest, teeming with vegetation, wildlife and fish, nurtured by the mighty and winding Magat River . Its history started when one of the indigenous people of the mountain provinces settled down in the vast valley of Cagayan . This tribe is known as the Kalingas, the name is believed to have come from the Ibanag and Gaddang word which means "headhunters". The Kalinga villages were strategically located along the banks of the Magat River.

These early Cabatuanenses were generally known to be medium in height, with dark complexion and lissome with high nose bridges. Physically, they were very sturdy and well-built so that their war-like bearing feature made them look more like soldiers. They lived on tree-houses and depended on hunting, fishing and a little of poultry and agriculture. The Kalingas were believed to be the descendants of the second wave of Malay who came to the islands from Borneo . These pagans were headed by several able leaders like Ronsan and Ngolan (both from Sili, Aurora, Isabela), Balindan, Melad and Gombi (from Bolinao, Aurora,Isabela), Bayudoc (from Subasta Saranay,Cabatuan) and the grand old chieftain Materig ( also from Sili, Aurora, Isabela ). The Kalingas preferred to stay in the Cabatuan area of jurisdiction rather than in Aurora because the town proper of Aurora then was located in Dalig, now a barangay of the Municipality of Burgos , Isabela. When the Christians arrived, the Kalingas attached the word "Infiel" before their native name to fulfill their yearning for a second name like those of Christians. The name "Infiel " was derived from " Ynfieles "' a Spanish friar's term for non-believers of the Christian faith.

The pioneering Ilocanos from the North started arriving in1912, bringing with them their families, relatives and friends. The Ilocano Christians first settled in the forest-covered land far from the river, but the natives in "bahag" (g-strings) who were living along the banks considered it an intrusion which later led to nightly tensions. As soon as the sun sets, the able bodied natives raided the settlers' homes and stole their personal properties. And when they resisted, the indigenous habitants caused them trouble and harm. To protect themselves from the Kalingas, the Christians stocked piles of stones around their sleeping chambers. Whenever the sound of the " tangguyub " (horn bugle) was heard, this cautioned the Christians that the Kalingas has arrived. The Christians would defend themselves by throwing stones at the natives. This went on until a certain Bonifacio Bangug , a native of the Municipality of Piddig , Ilocos Norte and had long lived with the Kalingas, initiated a peace pact. A successful peace negotiation ensued. Don Bernardo C. Dacuycuy headed the Christians while a certain Infiel Ulleg represented the Kalingas. Finally, an agreement of friendship came up between the two parties.

To strengthen the developing friendship, the Christians distributed used clothing, kitchen and table utensils and farm equipment to the natives. The Christians also traded salt in exchange for Kalingan goods. After years of friendship, Kalingas were converted to the Christian faith and whenever a Kalinga child was baptized, their parents adopted the Ilocano godparent surname for their child to legally use. Soon the Christians and Kalingas lived in peace and harmony and enjoyed the fruits of the rich land they tilled.

During those days, the place was always referred to as " Ambatuan", a Kalingan word which means "no stones". However, the new settlers found an abundance of stones along the Magat. At another text, they branded the place "Ambatuan" on the very act when Christians and Kalingas were throwing stones at each other. As time passed by, the name "Ambatuan" evolved to " Cabatuan ".

Political

In 1914, during the American Regime, Cabatuan was incorporated with the Municipality of Cauayan , Isabela with Agapito A. Pilar as the first barrio teniente. Others who assumed the post were: Florencio Abad, Leocadio Acio, Pedro Acob, Felipe Aczon, Tomas Camungao, T. Damunglo, Jose Castillo,Macario Guerrero,Platon Guillermo, Antonio Medina, Felipe Pascual,Feliciano A. Ramos, Roman Rivera, Iñigo Sales,Francisco Salvador, Tirso Santos, B. Sumawang and Juan Ventura. In the 1930s, the Tagalogs, Pangasinenses and the Chinese arrived bringing with them their families and opted to stay and reside in Barrio Cabatuan.

Seeing that Barrio Cabatuan boldly maintains its image of being a political threat in the Cauayan leadership, the Municipal Council of the administration of Cauayan Mayor Jose Africano (1948-1951 and 1952-1955) Jose Africano agreed and endorsed the segregation of Cabatuan from her mother-town. Through the initiative of incumbent Municipal Councilor Severo C. Macugay, former Mayor Federico P. Acio, former Municipal President Bernardo C. Dacuycuy and the independent loving people of Cabatuan, a delegation to Malacañang was formed to ensure and witness this historical turn of events. The delegates were: Federico P. Acio as Secretary, Capt. Damian S. Tomacruz as Treasurer, Councilor Severo C. Macugay as Records, Atty. Luis B. Gomez as PRO, Jacinto Dumaliang as Liaison (Provincial Secretary) and the grand old man of Cabatuan, Don Bernardo C. Dacuycuy as Chairman.

On the fifth day of November 1949, His Excellency President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order No. 293 in Malacañang which gave birth to the Municipality of Cabatuan, Isabela. On November 30 of the same year, Governor Silvino M. Gumpal (1946-1947 and 1947-1951) cut the ceremonial ribbon at the foot of the Macañao Bridge in Barrio Luzon. He also inducted into office appointed Mayor Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa and Nicolas T. Almirol as Vice Mayor at the old Social Hall in District Dos (what is now the San Andres-Del Pilar Park). Their Councilors were: Federico P. Acio, Sofronio C. Corpuz, Atty. Luis B. Gomez, Filomeno S. Miguel and Capt. Damian S. Tomacruz. On the same day, Mayor Rumbaoa made the first inaugural address signaling the independence of Barrio Cabatuan from Cauayan, Isabela.

The first seat of the municipal government was situated at the Gozum residence in Barrio Saranay and the first chosen municipal officials and employees were as follows: Ramon A. Acosta (Municipal Secretary), Judge Dominador C.Mina (Justice of the Peace), Norberto V. Abad (Chief of Police), Luis C. Monforte (Municipal Treasurer/Postmaster), Wilfrido T. Dayrit (Municipal Agronomist), Rafael M. Gozum (Principal Clerk), Rodolfo Cagabi (Internal Revenue Clerk), Benicio H. Bartolome (Land Tax Clerk), Ciriaco Aguinaldo (Market Collector) and Antonio Padua (Sanitary Inspector). The municipal government stayed in the private Gozum residence up to June 30, 1950 until it moved to Barangay Centro where temporary shelter made of cogon and bamboo was erected.

The first local election was held on November 13, 1951 with Rafael M. Gozum elected as Municipal Mayor and Ireneo Junio as his Vice Mayor. The Councilors who were elected were: Juan A. Ganal, Sgt. Celestino G. Lomboy, Severo C. Macugay, Miguel O. Monte, Hermogenes B. Soriben and Captain Damian S. Tomacruz.

Mayor Gozum ran again on November 8, 1954 and won with Vice Mayor Ireneo Junio . Their Councilors were: Dr. Jose S. Pilar , Atty. Iñigo B. Tejada , Major Damian S. Tomacruz , Atty. Jose D. Dacuycuy , Enrique S. Limon and Atty. Luis B. Gomez . Months later Councilor Tomacruz resigned and his position was filled up by the appointment of Cipriano C. Diaz . On September 1959, Vice Mayor Junio resigned and was replaced by the appointment of Felix G. Cadeliña . Councilor Pilar also resigned upon filing his certificate of candidacy and his post was filled up by the appointment of Dr. Anacleto F. Angco .

Former OIC Mayor Rumbaoa won in the next mayoralty race on Novemer 10, 1959 and took office on January 1, 1960 with his Vice Mayor, Fermin P. Medina. Their Councilors were: Andrea S. Pilar-Acosta, Simeon Ancheta, Evaristo A. Patricio, Estelito G. Mendoza, Sofronio C. Corpuz, Amado P. Bareng, Rufino D. Apostol and Jose M. Rivera.  

Months before Mayor Rumbaoa's term ended, he resigned to become Provincial Secretary under the governorship of Melanio T. Singson . Vice Mayor Fermin P. Medina assumed the position of Mayor on September 15, 1963 by virtue of succession and continued the remaining unexpired term of his predecessor. Councilor Estelito G. Mendoza assumed as OIC Vice Mayor and the vacant position was filled up with the appointment of Ambrocio Gille as OIC Councilor.

Dr. Benedicto A. Acosta became the next mayor when he was elected on November 5, 1963 . He held office on January 1, 1964 with his Vice Mayor, Estelito G. Mendoza. Their Councilors were: Atty. Artemio R. Alivia, Tomas O. Monte, Andrea S. Pilar-Acosta, Herminio T. Domincil, Engr. Jonorio P. Visaya, Atty. Norberto C. Maramba, Simeon Ancheta and Engr. Corazon R. Albano. Councilor Albano resigned early in his term and was replaced by the appointment of Leopoldo R. Almirol as OIC Councilor.

Mayor Acosta was re-elected unopposed on November 6, 1967 with Tomas O. Monte as his Vice Mayor. Their Councilors were: Jaime Tio, Atty. Ernesto A. Miguel, Herminio T. Domincil, Rizalino R. Uy, Romulo R. Alivia, Engr. Faustino Salvador, Purisimo J. Marcelo and Ponciano K. Rosario. Vice Mayor Monte and Councilor Alivia resigned upon filing their certificates of candidacy in the upcoming election. Councilor Tio was elevated to the position of OIC Vice Mayor and Marciana B. Ramos-Gozum was appointed OIC Councilor.

Seeking another term, Mayor Acosta ran and won on November 8, 1971 and had Romulo R. Alivia as his Vice Mayor. Their Councilors were: Sol T. Dayrit-Reyes, Herminio T. Domincil, Dr. Rolando P. Dacuycuy, Teofilo P. Uy, Jaime G. Rumbaoa, Engr. Crispulo S. Santos, Purisimo J. Marcelo and Rizalino R. Uy. The term of Mayor Acosta and the other elected officials were extended further due to the declaration of Presidential Decree 1081 otherwise known as Martial Law. Councilor Dacuycuy and Councilor Rizalino R. Uy resigned before their terms ended and upon the creation of the Kabataang Barangay (Presidential Decree 684) in 1975, Andy P. Bagaoisan was elected and represented the youth in the Council. In compliance with Presidential Decree 826, additional officials were appointed to the Municipal Council. They were: Juanito D. Munsayac (sectoral - Professional), Rudy C. Co (sectoral-Business), former Mayor Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa (sectoral-labor) , Saturnino V. Acosta (sectoral-Barangay), Baldomero A. Adaoag (sectoral-Barangay), Cipriano D. Mercado (sectoral-Barangay) and Pedro B. Ramos (sectoral - Barangay). It was also in this period when DLGCD Memo Circular No. 96-75 was implemented changing the name " Municipal Council" into "Sangguniang Bayan".

After Martial Rule was lifted, Mayor Acosta was elected unopposed in the January 30,1980 elections with Vice Mayor Romulo R. Alivia . Their Sangguniang Bayan Members were: Fred L. Subillaga, Sol T. Dayrit-Reyes, Herminio T. Domincil, Purisimo J. Marcelo, Teofilo P. Uy, Jaime G. Rumbaoa, Engr. Crispulo S. Santos and Edarlina G. Bulan-Gammad. Representing the Kabataang Barangay was Eugene I. Acosta (1982 ) and former Senior Provincial Board Member Wilfrido T. Dayrit was Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President. Months later, Dayrit was elevated to the position of Ex-Officio Provincial Board Member representing the ABC and Antonio E. Bagaoisan took his place in the Sangguniang Bayan. In 1984, Jose P. Dacuycuy Jr. was elected ABC President.

One of the aftermaths of the popular People's Revolt in February of 1986, was the appointment of new leaders. The roster of officials of the municipality selected by Local Government Minister Luis Santos were Gregorio G. Isidro as OIC Mayor and Liliosa R. Gozum-Miano as OIC Vice Mayor. Their Sangguniang Bayan Members included: Ernesto Y. Acosta,Mario A. Arreola, Federico T.Dayrit, Dr. Mario P. dela Fuente, Alfredo G. Galicia Jr., Ferdinand N. Gomez, Guillermo G. Manuel and Ricardo U. Ty. Heading the ABC was Dr. Sergio A. Uy while the youth was represented by Mariano S. Sales Jr.

On December 5, 1987 , former Mayor Gozum was appointed town-head to facilitate the first free elections of the new government. His Vice Mayor was former Councilor Purisimo J. Marcelo. The appointed Sangguniang Bayan Members included: Ricardo A. Coloma, Santiago A. Ganal, Valentin A. Salazar, Juanito A. Tio, Flaviano M. Torio, Ricardo U.Ty and Ireneo A. Visaya.

Emerging triumphant in the January 18, 1988 local race was long-time serving Mayor, Dr. Benedicto A. Acosta. He held office on February 20, 1988 with Engr. Crispulo S. Santos as his Vice Mayor. Their Sangguniang Bayan Members were: Helen B. Meris-Gammad, Hermogenes P. Asuncion, Franklin P. Macugay, Engr. Arturo Y. Laurado, Rolando G. Velasco, Matias C. Cargo, Edwin S. Santos and Danilo C. Alivia, Dr. Sergio A. Uy was elected in 1989 as ABC President and Eugene I. Acosta as KB President.  

In the May 11, 1992 national and local elections, Dr. Atanasio T. Dayrit Jr., won as Municipal Mayor with Engr. Crispulo S. Santos as his Vice Mayor. Their Sangguniang Bayan Members were: Danilo C. Alivia, Hermogenes P. Asuncion, Rolando G. Velasco, Franklin P. Macugay, Rodrigo A. Padron, Edwin S. Santos, Ernesto Y. Acosta and Amelia R. Gozum-Carreon. Dr. Sergio A. Uy served his third term upon his election as Pangulo ng mga Liga ng mga Barangay (formerly ABC) in 1994 while Darrel N. Alivia was elected as Sangguniang Kabataan (formerly Kabataan Barangay) President in 1992. Vice Mayor Santos and Councilor Alivia resigned on March 23, 1995 as they filed their certificates of candidacy for Mayor and Vice Mayor , respectively. Councilor Asuncion was elevated to the position of Vice Mayor by virtue of succession and Feliciano D. Gaspar and Ireneo A. Visaya were appointed Councilors. In the provincial level, Dr. Sergio A.Uy was elevated to the position of Ex-Officio Provincial Board Member representing the Liga ng mga Barangay.

In the local elections on May 8, 1995 , Mayor Dayrit won a second term, with Danilo C. Alivia as his Vice Mayor. Their Sangguniang Bayan Members were: Rolando G. Velasco, Amelia R. Gozum-Carreon, Hermogenes P. Asuncion, Franklin P. Macugay, Ernesto Y. Acosta, Engr. Jaime V. Cadeliña, Noel A. Dawang and Jesse C. Suguitan. Dr. Sergio A. Uy was again elected as Pangulo ng mga Liga ng mga Barangay in 1997 while Resty Ian A. Dacuycuy was elected SK President in 1996. Councilor Velasco and Councilor Asuncion resigned on March 27, 1998 to file their certificates of candidacy. And former Barangay Captain Bugtong C. Sarmiento and Orlando Y. Reginaldo were appointed OIC Councilors to fill up the vacant positions.

The result of the May 11, 1998 local elections catapulted Mayor Dayrit into his third term as local town chief executive. Vice Mayor Alivia won his second term and the Sangguniang Bayan Members were: Engr. Jaime V. Cadeliña, Amelia R. Gozum-Carreon, Troy Alexander G. Miano, Edwin S. Santos, Engr. Roman B. Manibog Jr., Jesse C. Suguitan, Septy D. de Belen and Eugene I. Acosta.  

The year 2001 saw a hotly contested democratic process, an election which put into a head-on collision the incumbent Vice Mayor, Danilo C. Alivia and the wife of the incumbent Mayor Atanasio T. Dayrit in a battle for the Mayoralty race.

With a very slim margin of 108 votes, Mrs. Alma A. Dayrit won the Mayorality race. In the Vice Mayoralty race, Dr. Mario I. Acosta prevailed. The (8) eight slots for the Sangguniang Bayan are taken by the following: Hermogenes P. Asuncion, Engr. Jaime V. Cadeliña, Rolando G. Velasco, Engr. Roman B. Manibog, Jr., Edwin S. Santos, Eugene I.Acosta, Atty. Randolph Joseph P. Arreola, Bernardo A. Garcia Jr. , Vilinda H. Bernardo was elected in September 16, 2002 as Liga ng mga Barangay President while Aizza A. Daquioag was elected SK Federation President in August 15.

The May 11,2004 elections resulted into the following: Dr. Atanasio T. Dayrit, Jr. for his second time as Municipal Mayor; Hermogenes P. Asuncion for his first term as Municipal Vice Mayor. The Sangguniang Bayan Members were: Dr. Cid A. Dayrit, Rolando G. Velasco, Edwin S. Santos, Engr. Roman B. Manibog, Jr., Eugene I. Acosta, Bernardo A. Garcia Jr., Jesse C. Suguitan and Rodrigo A. Padron.