BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The name Tampilisan originated from a tree called “Tampilis”. This tree is about one to three meters in height and belongs to the palm family. Its sturdy part when split was used by the natives, Subanen, as a substitute for betel nuts. Since these trees were abundant in the area, the place thus called by the natives as “Tampilisan”

The municipality was originally a barangay of the Municipality of Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte. In the early part of 1978, because of the concentration of population and potentials of the area and through consultation with the local leaders, Assemblyman Guardson Lood filed a bill in the Interim Batasang Pambansa for the creation of Tampilisan as an independent municipality.

The municipality of Tampilisan was then established by virtue of Batas Pambansa Bilang 14 issued on December 22, 1978, upon the separation of seven barangays in the southern part of Liloy, with a barangay with the same name as the seat of government. A plebiscite was held on March 22, 1979.