The name “Alimanguan” comes from a native term “alimango” which means crab, referring to a species of crustacean that thrives in the local mangrove swamps, known locally as “katunggan” or “bakawan”. This name was inspired by the abundant presence of these crabs in the area, with old tales even mentioning them crawling freely in the streets.
Alimanguan is deeply rooted in its local culture and history. It was first settled by the Tagbanua people, a pre-colonial ethnic group in the Philippines. The first settlers included four families: the Rodriguez, Martinez, Talibod, and Francisco families, who chose to adopt the name Alimanguan for their settlement.
The barangay wasn’t always called Alimanguan, though. Originally, it was known as “Aduas” and was a part of the municipality of Taytay. Significant changes in its administrative status occurred in the early 20th century. In 1931, the barangay was renamed Alimanguan, and it officially became a barangay following the end of World War II in 1945. Several people have served as Teniente del barrio, a position equivalent to barangay captain or head of barangay, over the years. These include Mison Gapilango, the first in line, followed by Marciano Gabin, Guillermo Estrada, Josefina Collado, and Floresto Abrina.
The article goes on to detail how Alimanguan became part of the municipality of San Vicente. In 1972, San Vicente became a distinct municipality of the province of Palawan. At this time, Alimanguan was officially ceded from its mother municipality Taytay and became one of the barangays under the jurisdiction of San Vicente. This marked a significant step in the political and administrative development of Alimanguan, securing its place in the municipal structure of San Vicente, Palawan.