Panganiban, Catanduanes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Panganiban is a 5th class municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 8,877 people in 1,581 households.
[edit] Barangays
Panganiban is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.
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[edit] History
Historians theorize that the original settlers of Payo (as Panganiban was originally called) came from settlements in the Philippine mailand (in the southeastern part of Luzon) and landed on the northeastern coast of Catanduanes most probably on what is now the small islet of Panay. The settlers called their landing place “panay” for they might have recalled that their Bornean forebears first sett foot on a place called Panay (in the Visayas) upon disembarking from their sailboats a century earlier.
The landing place, mountainous and facing the open sea, was not suitable for a settlement. In search for a greener valleys, the sea-fairing band sailed inland and landed at the mouth of what is now the Payo River. The place was ideal for a settlement: abundant fresh water, a brackish lake and vast swamps teeming with fish and crustaceans, and a wide fertile river delta for growing crops, pasturing animals and an inexhaustible source of forest game and lumber.
The early settlers setup their own governing body by electing from among themselves a tribal chief whom they fondly called “Payo” which could have been their vernacular term for headman. With the sprouting of satellite settlements, the original settlement has to be referred to as Payo to connote that it was the seat of government and residence of the tribal headman. The name Payo stuck through the Spanish era until January 1, 1921 when, pursuant to Executive Order No. 55 issued by Governor-General Francis B. Harrison, it segregated from Viga and its name was changed to “Panganiban” in honor of Jose Blanca Panganiban who stood aas sponsor during its inauguration.
During the last term of the late assemblyman Francisco Perfecto, Panganiban became Payo again on April 20, 1957 under Republic Act 1654. Congressman Jose M. Alberto (thru Republic Act 2122 approved April 15, 1959) changed the name to Panganiban again by which it is officially known at present.
[edit] External links
Bagamanoc • Baras • Bato • Caramoran • Gigmoto • Pandan • Panganiban • San Andres • San Miguel • Viga • Virac
