Magdiwang, Romblon
Magdiwang | |
---|---|
Nickname(s): The Gateway to Mount Guiting-Guiting | |
Country | Philippines |
Region | MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) |
Province | Romblon |
District | Lone district |
Founded | 1820 (as Naylog) |
1855 (as Magallanes) | |
Restored | 1 January 1947 |
Barangays | 9 |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-Council |
• Mayor | Ibarra R. Manzala(NP) |
• Vice Mayor | Guillermo Rocha(NP) |
• Councilors | Denisa Repizo (NP) Ado Tansiongco (NP) Antonio Menese (NP) Vilma Molo (NPC) Gil Mayor (NP) Laarni Rollon (NP) Rommel Augustus (NP) Wilson Muros (LP) |
Area | |
• Total | 100.75 km2 (38.90 sq mi) |
Population (2010)[4] | |
• Total | 13,584 |
• Density | 130/km2 (350/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
Zip Code | 5511 |
Dialing code | 42 |
Magdiwang (formerly Naylog and Magallanes) is a fifth class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. It is one of three municipalities in Sibuyan Island, the other two being Cajidiocan and San Fernando.
History
Early history
Based on civil and church records from 1820, Magdiwang was originally founded as Fundacion de Naylog, a settlement established in the northern coast of Sibuyan Island by religious missionaries led by Don Valentin Ayala. It was placed under the jurisdiction of Pueblo de Sibuyan, whose seat was located in Cajidiocan town. In 1855, the settlement was one of 17 new pueblos (towns) added to the four already existing in the province and was renamed Magallanes, in honor of Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan.[5][6]
Six years later, on 21 February 1861, another pueblo, Rancheria de Infiel, was organized close to Magallanes, located in the upstream of the present poblacion in what is now Barangay Dulangan. This new pueblo was established for the sake of the relocated Mangyanes or May-as tribe, who used to live in the mountains, so that missionary works and Christianizing efforts conducted in the lowland villages will be extended to them as well. This pueblo was incorporated later on, during the American occupation, as part of Magdiwang.[5][6]
Thirteen years later, on 11 January 1868, when Romblon was converted into a province, Magallanes was demoted to a missionary center from its former status as pueblo by the first governor of the Romblon, Don Joaquin Corillo.[5][6]
Modern history
Civil government in Romblon was established under the Americans on 16 March 1901. Magallanes was one of 11 new municipalities. In 1917, due to reorganization and the province's difficult financial status as a newly restored entity, the former municipality of Magallanes was abolished and annexed to Cajidiocan. It was only restored to its independent municipality status on 1 March 1933, with the new name Magdiwang, in honor of the Magdiwang faction of the Philippine revolutionary group, Katipunan. It was inaugurated through festivities which lasted from 24 to 25 March 1933 and led by Governor Manuel T. Alvero.[5][6]
On 8 June 1940, the special municipality of Sibuyan was established through the passage of Commonwealth Act No. 581, sponsored by Congressman Leonardo Festin. Magdiwang was abolished and was annexed to the new municipality with its seat at Cajidiocan town proper. On 26 May 1946, the special municipality of Sibuyan was abolished through the passage of Republic Act No. 38, which was authored by Congressman Modesto Formelleza and took effect on 1 January 1947, when President Manuel Roxas signed the Republic Act no. 38, restoring Magdiwang as a municipality.[5][6][7]
Geography
Magdiwang is one of three municipalities in Sibuyan Island, the second largest among the islands of Romblon. It is bound on the west by Cajidiocan, on the south by San Fernando, and on the north by Sibuyan Sea, and to the north-west by Romblon, Romblon. The total land area of Magdiwang is 100.75 km2. The town has the following soil classification: Tupi loam, Laylay sandy clay loam and Mogpog Farson Complex. Much of the terrain is hilly and mountainous and is covered by lush tropical rainforest, as it is part of the Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park.[5][7]
Magdiwang is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1960 | 4,802 | — |
1970 | 6,601 | +3.23% |
1980 | 8,149 | +2.13% |
1990 | 10,405 | +2.47% |
1995 | 11,447 | +1.80% |
2000 | 12,032 | +1.07% |
2010 | 13,584 | +1.22% |
Source: National Statistics Office[4] |
According to the 2010 Philippine census, Magdiwang has a population of 13,584 people, 7,934 of which are registered voters.[4] A variant of the Romblomanon language locally, called Sibuyanon, is the native language of the municipality's inhabitants.
Local government
Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,[8] the municipal government is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice-mayor (bise alkalde) and members (kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.
The incumbent mayor and vice mayor of Magdiwang are Ibarra R. Manzala and Guillermo Rocha, both from the Nacionalista Party.
Economy
Magdiwang is an agricultural municipality with a small percentage of manufacturing and service-oriented activities. According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the municipality has the highest agricultural production in the province. Other potential economic activities include fish culture and processing, cut flower industries, cottage industries, garment manufacturing, banking, and tourism.[5][7]
Utilities
Electricity in Magdiwang is provided by the Romblon Electric Cooperative. As for water supply, the town as 5 community irrigation projects that have service area of 188 hectares. Potable water is mostly supplied through jet pumps, artesian wells, deep wells, and springs. Cellular communication is made possible through companies like PLDT, Smart Communications, and Globe Telecom.[5][7]
Infrastructure
Ambulong Port in Magdiwang is the port of entry to Sibuyan Island. There are weekly RORO and motorized boat trips to the municipality from Manila, Lucena, Quezon, and San Agustin, Romblon. The municipality is connected to its neighboring towns via the Sibuyan Circumferential Road. Public utility jeepneys (PUJ), pedicabs, tricycles, and motorcycles are the common form of public transportation in the area.[5][7]
Tourism
Because of its preserved natural environment, Magdiwang is touted as a prime eco-tourism destination. The municipality is staging point of mountain climbers ascending Mount Guiting-Guiting, Romblon's tallest mountain. It also has several rivers, falls, and beaches, which tourists can enjoy.[5][7]
- Magdiwang Beach: Stretches over two kilometers on the western side of Magdiwang, facing the Sibuyan Sea.
- Lambingan Falls: A romantic hideaway marked by huge boulders that deflect the cascade from the heights. The falls has a natural pool with cool surroundings, ideal for swimming and picnics. The park is complimented by other tourist potentials that is constantly developed for town beautification because of its lush greenery.
- Paseo de Magdiwang: A farm close to Magdiwang Beach and is home to a strand of agojo and pine trees that are older than the park.
- Marine Garden: A repository of rich marine life that is a boon for scuba divers and explorer of the deep.
References
- ^ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
- ^ "Partial, Unofficial Results: 2013 Elections". Rappler. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "Province: Romblon". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ a b c "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Fabula, Milex (2001). "Profile: Magdiwang, Romblon". Romblon Travel Guide. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "The History of Magdiwang, Romblon". Reference.com. 2001. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Magdiwang, Romblon". The Official Website of the Provincial Government of Romblon. 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "An Act Providing for a Local Government Code of 1991". 8th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved April 21, 2014.