Kabasalan comes from the word basal, meaning to play the agung, a musical instrument which is a favorite pastime of the Subanon.

In 1956, Siay was established, as twenty-six barrios and sitios, including Barrio Siay which would be the seat of government in the newly created municipality, had been separated from Kabasalan, along with parts of Malangas.

[5] Kabasalan was greatly affected by Typhoon Tembin (2017) which most of the municipality where flooded.

Schools were destroyed due to strong winds.

Poverty Incidence of Kabasalan Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Kabasalan and its neighboring towns is being served by Flash-FM 91.3 MHz and Countryside Cable Television, Inc.