Tigbauan, Iloilo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Map of Iloilo showing the location of Tigbauan
Tigbauan is a 2nd class
municipality in the
province of
Iloilo,
Philippines. According to the 2007
census, it has a population of 54,574 people.
Barangays
Tigbauan is politically subdivided into 52
barangays.
- Alupidian
- Atabayan
- Bagacay
- Baguingin
- Bagumbayan
- Bangkal
- Bantud
- Barangay 1 (Pob.)
- Barangay 2 (Pob.)
- Barangay 3 (Pob.)
- Barangay 4 (Pob.)
- Barangay 5 (Pob.)
- Barangay 6 (Pob.)
- Barangay 7 (Pob.)
- Barangay 8 (Pob.)
- Barosong
- Barroc
- Bitas
|
- Bayuco
- Binaliuan Mayor
- Binaliuan Menor
- Buenavista
- Bugasongan
- Buyu-an
- Canabuan
- Cansilayan
- Cordova Norte
- Cordova Sur
- Danao
- Dapdap
- Dorong-an
- Guisian
- Isawan
- Isian
|
- Jamog
- Lanag
- Linobayan
- Lubog
- Nagba
- Namocon
- Napnapan Norte
- Napnapan Sur
- Olo Barroc
- Parara Norte
- Parara Sur
- San Rafael
- Sermon
- Sipitan
- Supa
- Tan Pael
- Taro
|
History
Tigbauan was the site where American forces code-named Victorino I,
landed on March 18, 1945 together and forever with the Philippine
Commonwealth troops under the Philippine Commonwealth Army's 61st, 62nd
and 63rd Infantry Division and the Philippine Constabulary's 6th
Infantry Regiment to begin the liberation of Panay. The troops set out
from Lingayen Gulf, Luzon on March 14. The 185th Infantry, 40th
Division, splashed ashore at Tigbauan, several miles west of Iloilo.
There they were greeted by Army Col. Macario L. Peralta's Filipino
guerrillas and continued with the Philippine Commonwealth troops drawn
up in parade formation. General Eichelberger recalled in his memoirs how
the guerrillas stood "stiff in starched khaki and resplendent with
ornaments." The strong guerrilla force of 23,000 had secured most of the
island' except the area immediately around Iloilo where 2,750 Japanese
were ensconced. The 40th Division quickly swept through the Japanese
outposts and then drove the Japanese from the city in two days. Again
the Japanese withdrew after the initial fighting into the inaccessible
mountain jungles. In the fighting, the Americans lost 20 men, the
Filipinos lost 42 men, and the Japanese 80. Responsibility for mopping
up was turned over to the Filipino guerrillas and the 2d Battalion,
160th Infantry. Some 1,500 Japanese later surrendered at the end of the
war. Because General MacArthur planned to stage two divisions from
Iloilo for the invasion of Japan, engineers began repairing the local
airfield and starting base construction at once.
Socio Economic
The Municipality of Tigbauan a component town of the Province of
Iloilo is a public corporation with dual function. Firstly it is
functioning as apolitical government; and secondly, it is carrying out
the function of the community in the administration of local affairs. It
has fifty-two (52) component barangays, nine (9) of which are situated
in the poblacion and the rests are scattered around the poblacion and
spread up to the boundaries of the Municipalities of Oton, San Miguel,
Tubungan, Leon and Guimbal.Boto lulu
Transportation
Public utility jeepneys are the most common means of transportation
which serve the needs of the riding public. However, with the
introduction of tricycles, commuters from nearby barangays prefer to
utilize them for convenience, thus dislodging the jeepneys from their
routine of operation. Hence, most jeepneys simply ply the Tigbauan-
Iloilo route. Franchise for tricycles and plate no. for trisikads are
secured from the Local Government Unit
Political Subdivision
Tigbauan is the second municipality to be visited among the 1st
district of the Province of Iloilo. It has 52 barangays with ten (10)
barangays situated along the Poblacion and 10 along the coastal area. It
is the 3rd largest town in terms of population and land area of the
seven municipalities composing the 1st district.
Land Area
Of the total 8,889 has. 93.78% is devoted to agriculture and allied
activities. Of this area, 1,077 has. are planted with coconut while
4,554 has. with rice and 19 has. are devoted to fishpond. Around 60 has.
are located to urban uses are residential, commercial, and
institutional.
Land Use Classification
* Urban Land Use Area (has.) Percentage
* Residential 46.719 20.199%
* Institutional 7.875 3.405%·
* Commercial 2.031 0.878%·
* Industrial 0.643 0.278%·
* Parks and Open Space 32.526 14.063%
* Infrastructure/Utilities 17.044 7.369%
* Agriculture 91.921 39.742%
* =====
* Total 258.759
General Land Use
* Built-up 139.589 1.570%
* Agricultural 8, 366.070 93.780%
* Forest -0- ·
* Industrial 2.163 0.024%
* Grassland 32.526 0.366%
* Infrastructure Utilities 94.152 1.059%
* ==========
* Total 8, 635.13
Education
Tigbauan has 16 complete elementary ( public schools ), 1 private
school, 5 primary schools, 45 Day Care Centers, 8 National High
(Secondary) Schools, 4 private preparatory schools, 1 Catholic
Kindergarten school. Schools are encouraged to establish and maintain
biological/ vegetable garden and participate in the coastal and
environmental clean up and tree planting.
Topography
The Municipality has flat terrain. The plain is approximately 57%of
the total area, covering about 6,667 has. along the Northwest site of
the Sibalom River. Along the boundaries of Guimbal, Leon and Tubungan
are rolling hills covering an area, of about 1,518 has. The Municipality
has no forest cover. The highest point is 200 meters above sea level
and lowest is one (1) meter above sea level. The town has two main
rivers, Sibalom and Tacuyong River. The first originates from the
mountain portion of Panay passing the town of Leon and snaking through
the barangays of Cordova Norte and Cordova Sur, Bitas and Bagumbayan,
the western portion of the poblacion and empties into the Panay Gulf.
The second emanates from the junction of Brgy. San Rafael, Binaliuan
Menor, Nagba, Dorong-an and joins the Sibalom River in the Southern
potion of the Poblacion. Aside from the rivers, there are creeks and
natural springs, which could be a good source of water supply and could
also be used as natural drainage.
Soil
Based on morphological studies, Tigbauan has four (4) types of soil
namely; Sta Rita Clay, Lamingan fine sand loam, Alimodian clay loam, and
Alimodian silt loam. With these types of soil and slope category, a
total area of 1,077 has. is devoted to coconut while the rest of the
rolling hills are planted with root crops, bamboos, corn and fruit trees
such as mangoes, etc. a large volume of these produce are for local
consumption while the excess are sold in the market or in the
neighboring towns.
Climate and Rainfall
The Municipality has two seasons, the wet and the dry: the first,
starts early June and ends early November while the second, starts early
of November and ends in the month of May. Influenced by these two
seasons, the municipality has two basic industries- Agriculture and
Fishing.
Fishery
Tigbauan ranks as one among the leading municipality of Iloilo in
fish production. The municipal waters bounds with best quality of fish
and most potable species. The ten coastal barangays of Barroc, Atabayan,
Baguingin, Namocon, Tan Pael, Brgy. No. 8, Brgy. 9, Parara Norte,
Parara Sur and Buyu-an, produce more fish than the residents can
consume. Thus, surplus is sold to the city of Iloilo or to Manila where
price is better. Small once are converted to fish mill and small shrimps
called ‘Hipon” are made into bagoong or simply dried as kalkag. The
latest survey showed that barangays Barroc, Atabayan and Baguingin
produced less than 2,000 tons of fish mill and bagoong and were sold to
fish millers and poultry raiser in the province. The bulk of the
products arte shipped to Cebu and Manila. Dried small shrimps “kalkag”
are exported to Japan and other Asian counties. Others are sold locally,
in Cebu, Mindanao, and in Luzon Provinces.
The Legend of Tigbauan
The Maragtas Legend tells us, that in the 12th century, ten (10)
Bornean datus or chieftains left their homeland in the island of Borneo.
In order to escape the cruel tyranny of their king, Sultan Makatunaw,
they sailed towards the north in their long boats called “balang-hais or
barangays.” They landed here on the island of Panay, in order to live a
life of unrestricted freedom.
The ten (10) Bornean datus or chieftains were led by Datu Puti. They
bought the island of Panay from Datu Marikudo, the native chieftains of
the Aetas or Negritos. For Panay Island, they paid Datu Marikudo with
one (1) golden salakot (head gear), and one (1) gold necklace for his
wife Maniwantiwan. ( The Aetas or Negritos then went to live in the
mountains.)
After the purchase of Panay, it was divided among three (3) Bornean
chieftains, namely: Datu Sumakwel for Hamtik (Antique); Datu Bankaya for
Aklan-Capiz; and Datu Paiburong for Irong-irong (Iloilo). Datu Puti and
the rest of the Bornean Chieftains left for Luzon.
Population increased mostly in the Siruwagan area (presently located
in San Joaquin, Iloilo), were most of the Borneans settled down.
And so, families from the tribes of Labing-isog and Mangwalis decided
to settle elsewhere in Panay. They sailed in their long boats, and
followed the course of the rising sun.
They landed on a place which they immediately called “Katigbawan”
because of the thick growth of a species of giant grass or tall reeds on
this place, known to them in their native dialect as “tigbaw”. The
famous Spanish Jesuit Historian Fray Pedro Chirino, SJ, called this
place “CAMPO DE SUARAGA” (a field of reeds).
The Maragtas Legend identified “KATIGBAWAN,” (a field of reeds) as an
between a big creek, now known as Buyu-an Creek, in the southwest, and
two big rivers in the northeast, now known as the Tacuyong and Sibalom
Rivers. ( This area being identified and referred to, is known and
occupied by Barangay Parara Sur and Barangay Parara Norte in Tigbauan,
Iloilo.)
A form of local government was functioning well in “Katigbawan”, when
the Spaniards discovered it sometime in 1575. That year (1575), the
Spaniards came from their Administrative Center in La Villa Rica de
Arevalo, and established the “Pueblo de Tigbauan”, having shortened
“Katigbawan” to its present name-the town of Tigbauan, in the Province
of Iloilo.
The Spaniards later transferred the administrative seat or Poblacion
of the “Pueblo de Tigbauan,” from Parara to its present location.
And so, the town of Tigbauan, in the Province of Iloilo, was named
after the giant grass or tall reeds known as “tigbaw” in our dialect,
which is a legacy from the freedom-loving Borneans who settled Panay
Island. (Note: The “tigbaw” or tall reeds are still growing luxuriantly
along riverbanks in this town.)
Saludan Festival
Saludan came from the word salud or salud. Tigbauan is coastal town
its sea water abounds in different kinds of fish. An excerpt from a
book, “The Philippine Islands,” by Blair and Robertson; 1493. 1898; Vol.
XII, pp. 217, 219-220 of which Fr. Pedro Chirino related his experience
and observations about our town states that, “The village itself was on
the same shore, at the mouth of the river, of which I myself have
enjoyed in abundance. As they were continually fishing on the beach,
usually with three or four nets, they never made a haul without devoutly
is regaling us with a part of it”.
Since the beginning of recorded history-Spanish time, our fishermen
have used nets or woven bamboos to catch fish from the sea or river and
in the local dialect we call this salud.
On the other hand, aside from our winter resources, our forests, farmers and hills also abound in rich natural resources.
The book further states; “Tigbauan has a very beautiful district with
many villages extending more than six leagues along the coast of the
sea; the entire district is well supplied with game, fruits, and
vegetables and fish from the sea. The people are very industrious and
always pre-occupied the men with their fisheries and farming, the women
with their spinning and weaving…”Primarily our farm product is rice.
Whether crude farming ways and tools or modern agricultural machineries
are used we use the term salud. In threshing rice using the old method
or the modern equipment – kita nagasalud man gihapon. Our tuba is famous
for its sweetness and as practiced and tuba ginasalud kang salud. Thus,
the Saludan Festival is born.
Adlaw sang Tigbauan
The former Lady Mayor of Tigbauan, Hon. Myrna M. Torres, has
envisioned Tigbauan to be a peaceful and progressive town. As a mayor
she instills in the minds of every Tigbaueño to love this town and to
cherish its rich historical legacy. During her first term in 1998 she
signed an Executive Order declaring the third Friday of October every as
the “Adlaw sang Tigbauan”. The assigning of October as the month where
the “Adlaw Sang Tigbauan” falls is very significant.
History tells us that because of the increase in population in
Sirawagan area (the place where the Bornean datus settled), the families
from the tribes of Labing-Isog and Mangwalis sought for greener
pasture. Following the course of the rising sun they landed in the place
which they called “Katigbawan” because of the plentiful growth of giant
grasses known to them as “tigbaw”. This place was said to be Parara by
word of mouth handed down from generation to generation, it is believed
that the families of Labing-Isog and Mangwalis reached the place when
the native feasted for bountiful rice.
To the present time, the season for gathering rice crop is mostly in
October. During this time of the year the fishermen also rejoice for a
bountiful sea catch. Thus, “Adlaw Sang Tigbauan” is celebrated in
October. To make this day more significant, the “Saludan Festival" was
lunch.
Tigbauan, is one of Iloilo's treasure trove, packed with "gems" from
more than a millennium of historical significance. With one foot in the
past, and the other in the present, Tigbauan allows every visitor a
glimpse of its heady blend of architectural masterpieces and natural
wonder, the town's 134 years of history are on display when you look.
Formerly known as "Katigbawan" (field of reeds), Tigbauan is a
fourth-class town 22.5 kilometers from Iloilo City. Its geographical
position make it part of the First District clusters of towns in the
province. Occupying the southern part of the province, it is bordered in
the north by Leon, San Miguel in the northwest, in the east by Oton,
the Iloilo Strait in the south and west by Guimbal.
Its total area is 6,062 hectares. Flat terrain account for 75 percent of that figure, with 94% devoted to agriculture.
The town delights its St. John of Sahagun Parish. Constructed using
forced labor under Fray Florencio Martin in 1867, its beautiful baroque
facade in rococo finish, allow visitors a glimpse of the community's
intense spirituality. The church's remarkable architecture with its
façade and tower, survived the ravages of the Second World War and the
great earthquake in 1948. Presently, the mystical beauty of its altar
depicts heaven and Dante's Inferno; the church walls with the Way of the
cross, all done in intricate mosaic of colored stones is a sight not to
be missed. On its churchyard remained a marker of what used to be the
site of the first Jesuit boarding school for boys in the Philippines
established in 1592 and renowned that time for their liturgical music
during church services.
Relatively unknown to most Ilonggos, the beach in Barangay Parara was
the landing site of America's 40th Infantry Division to liberate Panay
and Romblon during the Second World War on March 18, 1945. The same area
became the landing site in the 13th century of the descendants of the
Bornean Datus.
Although relatively small, Tigbauan is one of Iloilo's leading towns
in fish production. Its municipal waters, abundant with fish are
oftentimes producing more than what residents can consume. Three of from
its ten coastal barangays namely, Barroc, Atabayan and Bangingin are
engaged in bagoong production and are shipped and sold in Manila, Cebu
and Mindanao areas. Dried small shrimps or hipon are exported as far as
Japan and other ASEAN regions. The presence of SEAFDEC (
Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center)
in Barangay Buyu-an, complete with amenities and facilities, caters
information and technical service on bangus and prawn culture.
Although Tigbauan is a fourth-class town, those who want in on the
action head straight for the adjacent barangays a few meters away from
the town's poblacion. Coco-Grove, Sunflower and Sol Y Mar beach resorts
embrace the playground of the tanned and in high spirits.