"DOPAJ BARANGAY, Dupax del Sur " a Dupax del Sur Travel Page by KastleKonfusion

The name of the original of Dupax in Nueva Vizcaya evolved from the Isinay word dopaj which is translated into English as to lie down in complete rest and relaxation. According to the folklore that have survived through generations since the founding of the municipality, the site of what eventually became the Poblacion of Dupax used to be camping site of primitive hunters from surrounding tribal settlements who usually congregate in the area after hard days of hunting in the nearby mountains. Herein, they would lie down and relax before returning to their homes. Eventually the hunters decided to settle there permanently.

The first known settlers of the place were the Mala-ats (Ilongots). They are said to be ancestors of the Isinays who now inhabited the locality. Actually before 1725, two tribal groups - the Mala-ats and the Isinays - already lived in the vicinity of Dupax.

Spanish Missionaries of the Augustinians order arrived in the locality in June 1726. However, it was not until April 22, 1731 that Dupax was formally founded by the Augustinian Missionaries.

While the Mala-ats were the original settlers found by the Spanish colonizers in Dupax, the former were forced to migrate deeper into the hinterlands with the influx of the Ilocanos, Igorots, Ifugaos and other ethnic groups from other provinces before and after the turn of the century.

As early as 1928, during the term of the Municipal President Inocencio Suson, attempts were made to transfer the Municipal seat to barrio Malasin. The Plan, however did not materialized. Finally however, in 1954, Congress passed a bill (R.A. 1181) authored by the Congressman Leonardo B. Perez transferring the seat of the municipality of Dupax del Norte.

Dupax del Sur is situated in the southeastern portion of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya. It is bounded by the municipalities of Dupax del Norte on the north; the municipalities of Castaneda on the south; and on the northwestern portion is the municipality of Aritao. It is 250 kms. from Manila and 27 kms. from the Provincial Capital town.

(Text extracted from LGu of Dupax del Sur)