The Provincial Capitol- The Seat of the Provincial Government

After the creation of the province when there was no capitol building yet, the province established its offices at the mezzanine floor and at the space below the grandstand of an old municipal gymnasium which was located right at the back of the Municipal Hall of Tagum. Other provincial offices were located at the Ymalay and Cervantes buildings along Mabini St.

The building construction of the capitol started in 1969 in the 20 hectare capitol site which was donated by the following land owners: Mr. Quirino Salcedo Magsanoc, Mrs. Margarita Magsanoc Aala, Mr. Pablo Laude Aala, Mrs. Thelma Aala Still, Engr. Richie Magsanoc Aala, Engr. Crisanto Magsanoc Aala, Mrs. Urduja Aala Julopzinen and Mr. Pablito Magsanoc Aala. It was completed and inaugurated on July 1, 1972 during the 5^th Founding Anniversary of the province.

The architects who designed the building are those commissioned by the Department of Public Works in the National Office. The architectural design was patterned after the Provincial Capitol of Benguet in Luzon. The capitol lies at the heart of a 24-hectare Provincial Government Center located at Barangay mankilam, which is 3 kilometers west of Tagum City. It is a two-storey white building occupying a total floor area of about 3,000 square meters. The main building holds the Office of the Provincial Governor and various provincial offices. The annex building houses the Legislative Branch of the province.

At the time of its construction, the place was so remote, but then the capitol became a catalyst of urbanization to its vicinity. The site of the capitol has always beena part of a larger urban plan.

The Provincial Capitol has been the seat of the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte since it was established in 1972. It has withstood the test of times to the the present. Major alteration has been made during the term of office of Honorable Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario. Such alterations include the renovation and improvement of the interior design of offices; the installation of air-conditioning units; the extension works and renovation of the building façade and the main lobby; the transfer of the Legislative Branch to the Annex Building and the improvement of other facilities to include the rest rooms and alleys.