Cuartero

Cuartero
Municipality
Cuartero Municipal Hall
Flag
Cuartero Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°20′34″N122°40′17″E / 11.3428°N 122.6714°E / 11.3428; 122.6714
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas
Province	Capiz
Founded	January 1, 1939
Named after	Mariano Cuartero
Barangays	22 (see Barangays)
Government
•  Mayor	Stephen Chris E. Openiano (1Capiz)
•  Vice Mayor	Abner V. Falcis (1Capiz)
•  Representative	Jane T. Castro (Lakas)
Area
• Total	106.58 km2 (41.15 sq mi)
Highest elevation	520 m (1,710 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020)
• Total	27,993
• Density	262.65/km2 (680.25/sq mi)
Economy
• Income class	3rd class municipality
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
Area code	36

Cuartero, officially the Municipality of Cuartero (Capiznon/Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Cuartero; Tagalog : Bayan ng Cuartero), is a municipality in the province of Capiz, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 27,993 people. ^[1]

Geography

Cuartero lies about 37 kilometres (23 mi) from Roxas City. It is a landlocked town surrounded by the municipalities of Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, and Maayon.

Barangays

Cuartero is politically subdivided into 22 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks, and some have sitios.

• Agcabugao
• Agdahon
• Agnaga
• Angub
• Balingasag
• Bito-on Ilawod
• Bito-on Ilaya
• Bun-od
• Carataya
• Lunayan
• Mahunodhunod
• Maindang
• Mainit
• Malagab-i
• Nagba
• Poblacion Ilawod
• Poblacion Ilaya
• Poblacion Takas
• Puti-an
• San Antonio
• Sinabsaban
• Mahabang Sapa

Climate

Climate data for Cuartero, Capiz
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	27 (81)	28 (82)	29 (84)	31 (88)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	27 (81)	29 (85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	61 (2.4)	39 (1.5)	46 (1.8)	48 (1.9)	90 (3.5)	144 (5.7)	152 (6.0)	145 (5.7)	163 (6.4)	160 (6.3)	120 (4.7)	90 (3.5)	1,258 (49.4)
Source: Meteoblue (modelled data) [2]

Demographics

Population census of Cuartero

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1939	10,775	—
1948	9,985	−0.84%
1960	11,534	+1.21%
1970	14,497	+2.31%
1980	18,513	+2.48%
1990	22,597	+2.01%
2000	24,286	+0.72%
2010	25,456	+0.47%
2015	27,408	+1.42%
2020	27,993	+0.45%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

History

According to community oral traditions, the area now known as Cuartero was once called Binudhian, later Mapang (after a nearby creek), and then Fonda, meaning “founder.” Early inhabitants were mainly Ati (Negrito) groups who practiced subsistence farming and hunting.

During the Spanish colonial period, the settlement was organized as a parish on November 30, 1872 and named Cuartero in honor of Bishop Mariano Cuartero, the first bishop of Jaro, Iloilo. A stone church and convent were erected under Spanish supervision, marking the start of formal administration and evangelization.

Under American rule, schools and civil institutions were introduced, and Cuartero was officially inaugurated as a municipality on January 1, 1939 with Manuel Funa as its first mayor. Agriculture - rice, corn, and sugarcane - became its economic base.

World War II brought occupation and hardship, but local resistance groups helped secure liberation in 1945. In the post-war decades, Cuartero rebuilt rapidly, expanding education, health, and infrastructure.

Today, Cuartero remains a third-class agricultural municipality covering 106.58 km² and home to nearly 28 thousand residents. It continues to celebrate its cultural identity through devotion to St. Anthony of Padua and community festivals. ^[3]

Culture and Festivals

Agdahanay Festival

The Agdahanay Festival is the official town festival of Cuartero, celebrated annually during the second week of June, culminating on June 13 in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Anthony of Padua (San Antonio de Padua).

The term Agdahanay is derived from the Hiligaynon word meaning “inviting and accommodating others,” reflecting the Cuarteronhons’ tradition of hospitality and unity. The festival includes street dancing, trade fairs, sports events, and other community activities. ^[4]

Foundation Day

Cuartero celebrates its Foundation Day every August 23, marking its establishment as a municipality by Manuel L. Quezon through Executive Order No. 159 in 1938. The day commemorates separation of the then barrios of Cuartero, Agdajon, Angub, Bito-on, Bun-od, Carataya, Maindang, Malagab-i, Nagba, San Antonio, and Sinabsaban from Dao to form an independent municipality under the name of Cuartero that is originally consisted of territories belonging to Cuartero, Agdajon, Angub, Bito-on, Bun-od, Carataya, Maindang, Malagab-i, Nagba, San Antonio, and Sinabsaban. ^[5]

The celebration features civic parades, sports and cultural programs, and recognition ceremonies for residents who contributed to the town’s progress.

The anniversary is marked by civic parades, sports and cultural programs, and recognition ceremonies honoring outstanding residents. Recent celebrations have been accompanied by the Hinugyaw sa Cuartero, a festival showcasing local achievements, industries, and traditions. The event commemorates Cuartero’s founding leaders, beginning with its first municipal mayor, Manuel Funa, and highlights the town’s continued development since its establishment. ^[6]

Together, the Agdahanay Festival and Foundation Day form the twin pillars of Cuartero’s cultural calendar - one emphasizing faith and hospitality, the other civic pride and history.

List of Municipal Mayors

Term	Mayor	Notes
1939	Manuel Funa	First mayor; secured municipal status.
(Undated)	Rafael Villagracia	Recognized as the first elected mayor.
2008-2012	Roger F. Flores	Served during the late 2000s; listed in the DBM 2012 Local Government Directory. [7]
2019-2022	Tito L. Mayo	Oversaw infrastructure and agriculture programs. [8]
2022-Aug 2023	Joemarie H. Openiano	Served until his passing; succeeded by Vice Mayor Mayo. [9]
Aug 2023-2025	Tito L. Mayo	Assumed office after Openiano’s death. [10]
2025-present	Stephen Chris E. Openiano	Current mayor; elected with 57.6 % of votes in 2025. [11]

Etymology

The name Cuartero was bestowed in honor of Mariano Cuartero, O.P. (1851–1884), the first bishop of the Diocese of Jaro, who helped expand ecclesiastical administration across Panay Island during Spanish rule. ^[12]

References

1. "Region VI (Western Visayas), Province of Capiz, Municipality of Cuartero – PSGC Reference Code 061907000". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
2. "Cuartero: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
3. "Region VI (Western Visayas), Province of Capiz, Municipality of Cuartero – PSGC Reference Code 061907000". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
4. "All the Thrilling Capiz Festivals You Should Check Out". Starlite Ferries. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
5. "Organizing certain barrios of the Municipality of Dao in the Province of Capiz, into an independent municipality under the name of Cuartero". lawphil.net. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
6. "Cuartero, Capiz History and Founding Anniversary". Cuartero, Capiz Official Page. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
7. "DBM 2012 Local Government Directory". Department of Budget and Management. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
8. "Cuartero, Capiz Profile and Officials (2019–2022)". PeoPlaid. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
9. "Cuartero Mayor Joemarie Openiano passes away at 54". Panay News. 17 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
10. "Vice Mayor Mayo assumes as new Cuartero mayor". Panay News. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
11. "Cuartero, Capiz 2025 Election Results". Rappler. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
12. "Archdiocese of Jaro". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 24 October 2025.