San Andres, Romblon

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Map of Romblon showing the location of San Andres

San Andres is a 5th class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 13,460 people in 2,737 households. It is a coastal town on the northwest portion of Tablas Island. It is bounded on the north by the Calatrava, on the south by Odiongan, on the east by San Agustin and on the west by the Tablas Strait. San Andres has a land area of 75.50 sq. km.

1 History
2 Tourism
3 Economy and infrastructure
4 How to get there
5 Barangays
6 External links

[edit] History

Mablaran Falls in Brgy. Linawan San Andres Romblon.

San Andres was originally a barangay of Odiongan which became a municipality on 1920. It was a native settlement of nipa huts known as Parpaguha, named after a rare large bird that had its nest among the thicket along the river where settlement was located.

Among the first Spaniards to reach Parpaguha during the later half of the 19th century was Don Jose de Tiran, a military commander of Romblon who set out an inspection trip of the surrounding villages. On reaching the place he ordered a civil guard to fetch a glass of water from nearby well. The water turned out to be salty and the Spaniard yelled "Salado", issuing an official order to that effect.

In 1882, a prominent resident of Salado named Rufino Leano was accused of a crime by an influential Spaniard, Don Barcelo. Don Barcelo succeeded in having Leano imprisoned without trial in the provincial jail of Capiz (which Romblon then belonged to as a sub-province).

Years later, the Spanish Governor-General Eulogio Despujol visited Capiz, and Leano successfully sought an audience with him. Governor Despujol found Leano innocent and set him free. On reaching his hometown, he successfully petitioned the provincial governor to change the name of Salado to "Despujols" in honor of the Governor General.

The third change of name during the late years of President Carlos P. Garcia's administration. Because the town's name was reminiscent of Spanish tyranny, the town was renamed "San Andres" in honor of the town's patron, Saint Andrew, patron of fishermen. Most of the people of San Andres are fishermen. The name was changed by an executive order enacted June 18, 1961.

[edit] Tourism

An early morning scene in the municipal beach of San Andres.

San Andres Beach: Located at the town proper of San Andres. Fine gray sands line the three-kilometer stretch of the San Andres shoreline. During the months of June to December, the waters of San Andres beach are ideal for wind surfing.

Mablaran Falls: Located in Barangay Linawan, 4.5 kilometers from the town proper. Mablaran falls, lies amidst lush greenery and wild foliage. The falls empties into a pool of cool, blue-green waters with a depth of about 20 feet.

Sapatos Point: A large rock shaped like a shoe, located at Barangay Mabini.

Cajil Cave: Located in Barangay Pag-alad.

Bangko Bangko Point: Located at Barangay Agpudlos. It is called Bangko-bangko because of the rare carving of the stones as if chairs.

Bal-Ong Falls: A waterfall located at Barangay Mari Sur. Cool waters runs through the big rocks at the foot of the falls and flows all the way down to the cool brook.

[edit] Economy and infrastructure

People are into crop and livestock production. Vast area is devoted to rice production.

San Andres is supplied by Tablas Island Electric Cooperative (TIELCO) and NAPOCOR which provides electricity to 50% of households.

As with the rest of Tablas Island, the main mode of transportation in San Andres is by motorcycles, public utility jeepneys and tricycles.

Odiongan Tel, PLDT and Liberty Phones provide communication services in San Andres. Globe and Smart cell phone signal is also available in certain areas, especially in coastal barangays.

[edit] How to get there

San Andres is a 1.5-hour drive away from the Tugdan provincial airport. Travel time between Manila and Tablas is less than an hour.

A 10-hour boat trip is also available that takes one from Manila to the port of Odiongan. There are also 10-hour boat trips from Batangas to Odiongan, or from Batangas to San Agustin.