Sibalom, Antique

Sibalom
Municipality
Municipality of Sibalom
Sugarcane farm in Sibalom
Map of Antique with Sibalom highlighted
Sibalom Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°47′N122°01′E / 10.78°N 122.02°E / 10.78; 122.02 Coordinates: 10°47′N122°01′E / 10.78°N 122.02°E / 10.78; 122.02
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province	Antique
District	Lone district
Barangays	76 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Joel P. Occena
• Electorate	32,546 voters (2016)
Area  [2]
• Total	201.3 km2 (77.7 sq mi)
Population (2015 census) [3]
• Total	60,306
• Density	300/km2 (780/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	5713
PSGC	060616000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)36
Climate type	tropical climate
Income class	2nd municipal income class
Website	elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/sibalom-antique/

Sibalom, officially the Municipality of Sibalom, (Kinaray-a : Banwa kang Sibalom; Hiligaynon : Banwa sang Sibalom; Filipino : Bayan ng Sibalom), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Antique, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 60,306 people. ^[3]

Sibalom is home to the University of Antique.

History

It was in the middle of the 17th century when the town of Sibalom was founded under the Spanish domination. It was inhabited by the Malays that came from Borneo under the leadership of Datu Sumakwel. After the governments of several provinces were established, a pueblo or town was organized. The first Capitan and Governadorcillo of Sibalom was Don Pedro Antang in the year 1751. Agustin Baladjay who had been elected many times as governadorcillo had been imprisoned by Spanish authorities in the province for having resisted against the abuses of Spanish officials. His followers from the mountains fought against the guards and released him. In the year 1792to 1793 when Santiago Damacino was the Governadorcillo, the Roman Catholic Church was erected. The people were forced to work in the construction of the Church. In the year 1802 when Juan Geronimo was holding the position, there was pestilence. A destructive typhoon occurred in the year 1814 when Juan Benito was the governadorcillo. Basilio Vilvar became governadorcillo many times beginning the year 1858. He was considered as one of the most educated and the wealthiest landowner. Later on he lost his wealth for he was too hospitable to the government officials. In the year 1878 to 1879 when Mariano Rojo was the Governadorcillo, there was famine for almost two years. Santiago Lotilla was given a medal of merit in San Jose, Antique. It was under his domination that the Roman Catholic Cemetery was erected. He also encouraged the planting of fruit trees such as coffee, cacao, etc. During the term of Felipe Tordesillas in 1888 to 1889, war broke out between the mountaineers of Sibalom and San Remigio. Gregorio Palermo, also known as King Ario, was their leader. They revolted against the Spanish government. They made the mountain of Igbaong, in the barrio of Osorio, as their headquarters. Under the leadership of Mariano Vacera in the year 1893 to 1894, the municipal building was erected. Doroteo Alvior was the last governadorcillo to hold office in the year 1896. The Spanish sovereignty lasted until the month of November 1898 when an expeditionary force sent by General Emilio Aguinaldo under the command of General Leandro Fullon and Colonel Angel Salazar conquered the capital of the province San Jose on the 24th of November 1898. The people had learned to read and write in Spanish from the Spanish missionaries. The Spanish occupation brought Christianity to the people.

Sibalom during and after World War II

The declaration of war on December 8, 1941 between the United States and Japan alerted not only the people of other places in the province but also the people of Sibalom, who were then still enjoying an easy and peaceful life. Not long after the war was declared, the town of Sibalom gradually became a somewhat deserted place because its people evacuated to nearby mountains, their homes to be abandoned for an indefinite period of time. Looting was rampant then. The Japanese occupation forces, who landed in San Jose on April 17, 1942, arrived at Sibalom at 2:00 p.m. on that day. There were already no people living in the town when the enemy came. The people that time began to panicky. However, when the USAFFE surrendered in May 30, 1942, many civilians began to return to the lowlands. Others preferred to stay in the mountains. In June 1942, a Filipino Government was set up with Jose P. Laurel as President of the Philippines, Tobias Fornier was the governor of Antique, and Melquiades Melo (the town mayor when the war broke out) became a puppet mayor in enemy-occupied Sibalom. His work was to assist the Japanese occupation forces especially in the procurement of food supplies, maintenance of peace, and to attract the people who evacuated to the mountains, to come down. The civil government in town that time was under the Japanese forces. When the Japanese occupation forces came, they immediately occupied the Bongbongan Copper mines. In July 1943, Sibalom Elementary School was reopened and Nipponggo was taught as one of the subjects. The school was headed by Mr. Mariano X. Rojo who was the school Principal and other teachers were Mr. Francisco Occena (II and III), Mrs. Rosario M. Silva and Mr. Juan Vego. Mr. Ambrosio Galera was the Food Production Supervisor. Part of the town plaza was converted into a vegetable garden. The Japanese occupation forces undertook to plant all the rice fields in the plains of Sibalom and to put up fish corrals in San Jose, Hamtic, and Guinsang-an. Bamboo trees in Sibalom were cut down and were used in the construction of these fish corrals. The Bonbongan copper mine was reopened under the management of the the Ishihara Mining Co. Two bridges (in Pangpang and Villar) were constructed. The bridge in Pangpang cost around P400,000.00 (Japanese money). Bongbongan copper mines later on was called “Bongbongan City” because it had a population of around 18,000 with many prisoners of war serving as laborers in the mines. On February 8, 1944, Mr. Melquiades Melo was replaced by Mr. Agaton Grasparil as Mayor of Sibalom. The replacement was made by the order of Governor Fornier when the Japanese authorities gave back the Philippines its independence. From February 8 to September 15, 1944, Mr. Grasparil served as Mayor of Sibalom. On September 16, 1944, the guerilla forces headed by Col. Peralta, ordered the evacuation of Sibalom, so Mr. Grasparil complied with the order and escaped to the mountains. Governor Fornier appointed then Mr. Santiago Lotilla as Mayor until the Japanese forces were driven out of the capital. In April 1945, Mr. Santiago Lotilla was replaced by Mr. Ambrosio Galera as acting Mayor of the PCAU government. After the Japanese were conquered, the pre-war officials were returned to their posts and Mr. Pedro Morales who was elected Vice Mayor , acted as Mayor of Sibalom until elections came.

Civil Government in the “free area” of Sibalom

The civil government outside the enemy territory, was organized on October 17, 1942. Atty. Ramon Maza was appointed deputy governor of Panay. Mr. Pedro Morales (elected Vice Mayor in 1941 elections) was appointed as mayor. Mr. Miguel Mataquel was the Vice Mayor. Three councilors who have served before the Japanese landed in Antique were again appointed. These were Pedro Tordesillas, Nicolas Magbanua, and Francisco Bernabe. The three other appointed councilors were Fausto Estioso, Mateo Cordero, and Alejo Mondejar. A food Administrator’s Committee was also organized to be headed by a chairman and eight assistants. In October 24, 1942, the office of the Deputy Governor was moved to barrio Lambayagan from Catmon. The transfer was necessary because the Deputy Governor’s evacuation place was within the war zone then. Mr. Morales mayorship was from 1942 to January 1943. On February 1, 1943, he resigned thus Miguel Mataquel became the mayor (from February to May 2, 1943). On May 2, 1943, Miguel Mataquel was replaced by Mr. Angel Villafuerte. On January 18, 1944, the Japanese soldiers who patrolled the mountains ruthlessly massacred 40 civilians in Barrio Salvacion. One of the victims was Miss Petronila Petiaoco, an elementary school teacher who was assigned as a Food Administrator in Salvacion and she happened to be present when the Japanese arrived in that barrio. She died a rather heroic death. In May 1944, the Japanese forces constantly patrolled the barrios and mountains, thereby causing many families to move into the enemy-occupied town. In November of the same year, civilians were free to return the town. People were encouraged to go to the lowland to harvest rice. But in December, the guerilla forces launched another counter attack on the enemy; thus the harvest in the lowland was abandoned by panic-stricken people.

Military Government

On December 20, 1944, Mr. Ambrosio Galera was appointed as mayor of Sibalom. He succeeded Mr. Angel Villafuerte. The civil government was changed to military government under Col. Peralta. In that month, Peralta dissolved the government of Confesor. The former appointed Atty. Calixto Zaldivar as military governor and at that time Mr. Galera acted as mayor.

Enemy’s Flee to the Mountains On April 3, 4, and 5, the Japanese fled to the mountains and fought against the guerilla men in Sido, Igsoming, Bato Cueva, Canselayan, and Igmaro. The Japanese retreated to the mountains.

PCAU Government

On March 5, 1945, Atty. Ramon Maza was appointed as Governor in the PCAU government. He recommended Mr. Angel Villafuerte as Mayor. The latter became town mayor from April 7 to September 1945. In September, the Commonwealth authorities were restored to their offices. Governor Tobias Fornier resumed office as governor and he appointed Mr. Rotillo Duazo as mayor of Sibalom. The latter’s term of office lasted until January 13, 1946. In January 14, 1946, Mr. Santiago Lotilla was appointed as town mayor with Pedro Morales as vice mayor. They served until 1947. At this time, many houses were already constructed and people were beginning to live a normal life. Prices of goods were still sky-high. On November 11, 1947, an election was held for the first time after the liberation and the election results made Mr. Tiburcio Tubianosa as mayor with Mr. Espiridion Anovert as vice mayor. Mayor-elect Tubianosa, a candidate of the liberal party, won over Mr. Santiago Lotilla, a Nacionalista. Mayor Tubianosa’s term of office was from 1948 to 1951. In November 11, 1951, was another election day in town again. As a result, Mr. Santiago Lotilla won as mayor with Mr. Espiridion Anovert as vice mayor. Such is a series of facts, events, incidents, and personages in Sibalom, during and after the world war until 1953

Geography

Sibalom is located at 10°47′N122°01′E / 10.78°N 122.02°E / 10.78; 122.02 . It is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from the provincial capital, San Jose de Buenavista.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 201.3 square kilometres (77.7 sq mi)  ^[2] constituting 7000738000000000000♠7.38% of the 2,729.17-square-kilometre- (1,053.74 sq mi) total area of Antique.

Barangays

Sibalom is politically subdivided into 76 barangays. ^[4] From 1953 to 1955, Barangay Catmon was known as Barangay Pajarito. ^{[5] [6]}

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2015 [3]		2010 [7]
060616002	Alangan	1.4%	834	712	▴	3.06%
060616004	Bari	1.7%	1,009	878	▴	2.68%
060616005	Biga-a	0.5%	329	291	▴	2.36%
060616006	Bongbongan I	1.3%	760	653	▴	2.93%
060616007	Bongbongan II	0.9%	524	515	▴	0.33%
060616008	Bongsod	1.0%	601	555	▴	1.53%
060616009	Bontol	1.4%	849	764	▴	2.03%
060616010	Bugnay	0.4%	253	227	▴	2.09%
060616011	Bulalacao	0.8%	475	453	▴	0.91%
060616012	Cabanbanan	0.5%	278	267	▴	0.77%
060616013	Cabariuan	1.2%	714	643	▴	2.01%
060616014	Cabladan	1.5%	875	866	▴	0.20%
060616015	Cadoldolan	1.1%	651	580	▴	2.22%
060616016	Calo-oy	0.4%	228	221	▴	0.60%
060616017	Calog	0.7%	400	391	▴	0.43%
060616018	Catmon	1.8%	1,069	1,044	▴	0.45%
060616019	Catungan I	1.0%	614	558	▴	1.84%
060616020	Catungan II	0.7%	420	331	▴	4.64%
060616021	Catungan III	1.0%	589	487	▴	3.69%
060616022	Catungan IV	1.9%	1,128	1,088	▴	0.69%
060616051	Cubay-Napultan	1.8%	1,101	1,036	▴	1.17%
060616023	Cubay-Sermon	1.6%	949	999	▾	−0.97%
060616061	District I ( Poblacion )	2.6%	1,542	1,412	▴	1.69%
060616062	District II (Poblacion)	2.3%	1,398	1,353	▴	0.62%
060616063	District III (Poblacion)	6.2%	3,740	3,398	▴	1.84%
060616064	District IV (Poblacion)	3.8%	2,266	2,050	▴	1.93%
060616024	Egaña	5.5%	3,333	3,121	▴	1.26%
060616025	Esperanza I	0.7%	425	296	▴	7.13%
060616026	Esperanza II	0.8%	460	451	▴	0.38%
060616027	Esperanza III	0.7%	425	366	▴	2.89%
060616028	Igcococ	1.1%	673	621	▴	1.54%
060616030	Igdagmay	0.6%	360	326	▴	1.91%
060616029	Igdalaquit	1.8%	1,076	983	▴	1.74%
060616031	Iglanot	1.6%	974	860	▴	2.40%
060616032	Igpanolong	0.7%	450	418	▴	1.41%
060616033	Igparas	0.6%	347	351	▾	−0.22%
060616034	Igsuming	1.1%	659	634	▴	0.74%
060616035	Ilabas	2.1%	1,293	1,138	▴	2.46%
060616036	Imparayan	1.0%	579	573	▴	0.20%
060616037	Inabasan	1.0%	616	571	▴	1.45%
060616038	Indag-an	0.6%	359	597	▾	−9.23%
060616039	Initan	0.9%	515	504	▴	0.41%
060616040	Insarayan	0.9%	556	452	▴	4.02%
060616041	Lacaron	3.3%	2,009	1,839	▴	1.70%
060616042	Lagdo	0.8%	491	459	▴	1.29%
060616043	Lambayagan	0.8%	487	479	▴	0.32%
060616044	Luna	0.5%	328	283	▴	2.85%
060616045	Luyang	0.7%	410	404	▴	0.28%
060616046	Maasin	0.7%	435	441	▾	−0.26%
060616047	Mabini	1.1%	673	633	▴	1.17%
060616048	Millamena	0.6%	340	326	▴	0.80%
060616049	Mojon	0.5%	328	327	▴	0.06%
060616050	Nagdayao	2.0%	1,198	1,175	▴	0.37%
060616053	Nazareth	1.3%	787	767	▴	0.49%
060616054	Odiong	1.4%	838	715	▴	3.07%
060616055	Olaga	0.8%	472	401	▴	3.15%
060616056	Pangpang	1.1%	665	650	▴	0.44%
060616057	Panlagangan	0.8%	472	398	▴	3.30%
060616058	Pantao	0.4%	245	229	▴	1.29%
060616059	Pasong	1.1%	686	604	▴	2.45%
060616060	Pis-Anan	3.9%	2,355	2,174	▴	1.53%
060616065	Rombang	0.8%	502	500	▴	0.08%
060616066	Salvacion	1.1%	639	662	▾	−0.67%
060616067	San Juan	2.2%	1,318	1,159	▴	2.48%
060616068	Sido	1.4%	849	729	▴	2.94%
060616069	Solong	1.7%	1,007	983	▴	0.46%
060616070	Tabongtabong	0.6%	389	368	▴	1.06%
060616071	Tig-Ohot	0.9%	516	524	▾	−0.29%
060616073	Tigbalua I	1.2%	717	682	▴	0.96%
060616079	Tigbalua II	0.4%	264	197	▴	5.73%
060616074	Tordesillas	0.7%	418	412	▴	0.28%
060616075	Tulatula	1.3%	771	677	▴	2.51%
060616003	Valentin Grasparil (Bad-as)	0.8%	483	442	▴	1.70%
060616076	Villafont	1.2%	696	581	▴	3.50%
060616077	Villahermosa	1.0%	633	624	▴	0.27%
060616078	Villar	2.0%	1,189	1,180	▴	0.14%
	Total		60,306	56,058	▴	1.40%

Demographics

Population census of Sibalom
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	15,562	—
1918	17,844	+0.92%
1939	22,178	+1.04%
1948	28,558	+2.85%
1960	24,468	−1.28%
1970	30,392	+2.19%
1975	32,247	+1.20%
1980	35,515	+1.95%
1990	42,647	+1.85%
1995	46,143	+1.49%
2000	49,971	+1.72%
2007	53,934	+1.06%
2010	56,058	+1.42%
2015	60,306	+1.40%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [3] [7] [8] [9]

In the 2015 census, Sibalom had a population of 60,306. ^[3] The population density was 300 inhabitants per square kilometre (780/sq mi).

In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 32,546 registered voters. ^[10]

Sibalom Natural Park

Main article: Sibalom Natural Park

Sibalom Natural Park, one of the last patches of lowland forest on Panay Island and the first protected area in the island, harbors many unique species of plants and animals, some of which are on the brink of extinction. About 5,000 hectares (12,000 acres) of forest in Sibalom from Mount Porras extending to Mount Igmatindog, covering Sibalom river and its main tributaries Mao-it river and Tipulu-an river, was declared a natural park on April 23, 2000. Of this forest, 672 hectares (1,660 acres) are undisturbed by any human activity while about 4,223 hectares (10,440 acres) constitutes the 50-year-old reforestation site. One highlight is the Rafflesia speciosa , discovered in Mount Porras and surrounding Barangays in 2002. ^[11] Dubbed the biggest bloom in the world, its discovery put Sibalom in the map of tourist stopovers in the Philippines.^{[ citation needed ]} Sibalom also has century-old industries and structures, as well as boulders of gemstones and treacherous mountain trails.

Tourism

Sibalom's tourism industry dawned after the proclamation of the Sibalom Natural Park.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013. 
2. "Province: Antique". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 12 November 2016. 
3. Census of Population (2015). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA . Retrieved 20 June 2016. 
4. "Municipal: Sibalom, Antique". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 January 2016. 
5. "An Act to Change the Name of the Barrio of Catmon, Municipality of Sibalom, Province of Antique, to Pajarito". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-09. 
6. "An Act to Change the Name of the Barrio of Pajarito, Municipality of Sibalom, Province of Antique, to Catmon". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-09. 
7. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO . Retrieved 29 June 2016. 
8. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO. 
9. "Province of Antique". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016. 
10. "2016 National and Local Elections Statistics". Commission on Elections. 2016. 
11. Barcelona, J.F.; Pelser, P.B.; Balete, D.S.; Co, L.L. (30 October 2009). "Taxonomy, ecology, and conservation status of Philippine Rafflesia (Rafflesiaceae)". Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants. 54 (1): 77–93. doi:10.3767/000651909X474122 . Retrieved 2 January 2013. 

External links

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