San Fernando, Romblon

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San Fernando is a 4th class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 21,214 people in 4,159 households.

Contents 1 History 2 Population of San Fernando at Various Time 3 Barangays 4 External links

[edit] History

The contents of this history about San Fernando might be different from all previous written histories available for this municipality be it done by local authors, clergies and amateur historians like me. The version herewith was derived largely from my own personal researches in libraries, achieves, old manuscripts and documents, rare maps, civil and church records as early as year 1779, encyclopedia of the Philippines islands by Blair and Robertson, census records during Spanish time, Guia official de las Islas Filipinas and many more from 1571-1898. And lastly, some of the items were also gathered from previous scholastic write-ups and articles from reliable sources that I deemed correct in-order to produce an accurate history and information. (Data entries here are correct, except my grammar. Please help).

San Fernando is a coastal town located at the foot of the mountain. It occupied the whole southern portion of the island of Sibuyan, the province’s second largest island that is composed of three municipalities: San Fernando, Cajidiocan and Magdiwang, and is the biggest among the three towns.

San Fernando begun sometime in 12th century when settlers of Malay stock and origin descendants of the Shri-Vishayan empire in Palembang, Sumatra chooses to settle in the southeastern coast of the Island, according to one local writer. Perhaps the first written history of Sibuyan island where San Fernando is located was in May 10, 1570 when Spanish conquistador and explorer Martin de Goiti on orders of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi the ‘Maestro de Campo’ (Master of the Camp) or better known as the ‘El Adelantado’, explored and conquered the settlements and native villages in Sibuyan island where his team of 27 ships, 280 Spaniards and several hundred Bisayan (Visayan) auxiliaries found native Pintados or painted (Tattooed) Visayan indios living in the island on their way to conquer the famed city of Manila in the island of Luzon. He noted Sibuyan island to have a population of around 200 indios.

Just a little over a year in November 2, 1571 the islands of Cibuyan (Sibuyan) and Tablas including the settlements along the river Mahalud (or Maharlu / Mahanlur in some records) were organized into a single encomienda belonging to Don Alvaro de Angulo. This is now the coastal barangay of Majanlud located east of Sapian municipality in Capiz, one of the earliest settlement in the country. The island was again visited by another Spanish explorer in 1582 by the name of Don Miguel Lopez de Loarca who was a census officer dispatched by the Spanish authorities to evaluate the vastness and wealth of their new conquered territory. He was perhaps the second European to set foot on the island of Sibuyan. In his writings he noted native painted indios of around 300 souls (residents) in the island who already converted to Christianity. The island was rich in gold deposits and the natives lives by gathering wax, raising tame animals and in agriculture. The island belongs to the province or alcaldia of Panay in the Pintados. The third European to set-foot in the island was a Spanish missionary and explorer, Father Pedro Cubero Sebastian who made religious and missionary exploration and investigation for the furtherance of the Catholic faith in 1667. He noted Sibuyan Island as highly mountainous and rich in mineral resources such as gold and other minerals with good source of water.

In 1716, Capiz was created a separate province out of the old Alcaldia de Arevalo, formerly called Panay in the Pintados province and later Ogtong (Oton). The new province included the islands of Romblon group and the valley of Aclan (Aklan) in northwestern Panay island.

Establishment of Pueblo de Sibuyan:

In 1734 Philippine map published by the Spanish government, both visitas de Cajidiocan and Cauit (Azagra) existed as part of pueblo (parish) of Romblon. In 1744, under the Destacamento (Detachment) de Romblon, then part of the ecclesiastical province of Panay, the recollect friars proposed to the people of the villages of Sibuyan that they baptized. The leaders met and considered the matter and told the friars that they are willing to be baptized, but they had conditions. They must be recognized and founded into a pueblo with their own governadorcillo and cabezas. They made it clear that they would elect these without intervention of the people from the mother pueblo of Romblon. They were to have their own maestro de campo, sargento mayor and infantry captain; these officials should not be charged the fees for the issuance of the government titles or for the media-anata (half of the first year's salary, paid into the royal treasury) for at least 10 years. They should be exempt from the tribute and personal services for a like ten-year period. Even the ten-years they should not pay the 3 reals nor the fees for burials, weddings, and other church services on account of their poverty. Finally, they should never be asked to sail on boats or serve as rowers, because they were highland people.

Although the people's desire for a pueblo status could be acted upon only by the government, the friars assured them that their petition would be approved. The people were therefore baptized in due course, the friar made the application for pueblo status in their behalf. The Manila regime approved their application with the predicable amendments. The new pueblo was required to have a celador; his salary was to be paid by the pueblo. The matter of the three reals and church fees was not an issue of government, and should be taken up with the curate. Finally, the people were informed of the provisions of the recopilacion on the powers of the governadorcillo. He must proceed against all wrong-doers; his authority covered imprisonment of all offenders for not more than one day, as well as embargo of property; from those absent from mass on religious holidays, for drunks and persons guilty of similar offenses he could order whipping of from six to eight lashes.

Thus the pueblo Sibuyan was created in late 1744, and the seat of its pueblo or parish was located at visita de Cajidiocan's Casco de Poblacion. Cajidiocan out-weight Cauit on reasons that it was strategically located in the center of Sibuyan island. Thus, 'Pueblo de Sibuyan' was always referred to as 'Pueblo de Cajidiocan' and 'Cajidiocan' to 'Sibuyan' respectively. The visita de Cajidiocan became the Poblacion of pueblo de Sibuyan comprising all villages, settlements (fundaciones), missionary centers and all other visitas with-in the island of the same name all-through-out Spanish time until July 23, 1848 when the name of the pueblo was replaced finally to pueblo de Cajidiocan. This was way-before the establishment of PMC del Distrito de Romblon in 1853. However, pueblo Cajidiocan continued to be referred-to as Sibuyan and Sibuyan alternately referred-to as Cajidiocan as well.

The first recorded existence of San Fernando formerly known as ‘Pag-alad’, meaning ‘offering’ was in year 1813 when the former settlement of fundacion de Pag-alad under visita de Cauit (Azagra) was converted into a separate curacy named visita de Pag-alad under the jurisdiction of pueblo (parish) de Sibuyan (Cajidiocan) that year. Visita is a curacy without a permanent priest assigned, thus Pag-alad belongs to this category. The settlement was even antedated by many of its present barrios or barangays when speaking to its establishment. The century old barangay Azagra was established even earlier as a visita. It was in 1636 when construction of visita Cajidiocan and visita Cauit (Azagra) churches were started. Both Cajidiocan and Cauit already existed as separate visitas in the early part of the 17th century.

Cangumba was an established settlement in early 18th century. The first recorded data was in 1842 as sitio de Cangumba part of visita de Azagra, dela mision de Sibuyan. Sitio Mabolo existed in 1847, Canjalon in 1848. The rest of the early established sitios, barrios and visitas were España, Agtiwa (originally a barrio of Magdiwang during Spanish time until 1901), Cangumon, San Roque, Canago and finally Otod in 1894.

In March 19, 1853, the District of Romblon was organized known as Politico Militar Commandancia del Distrito de Romblon under Commandante de Infanteria Don Ramon Vieytes as its first Commander (petty Governor) taken from Capiz province with four existing towns namely, Romblon which was designated as the new capital town, Banton which included Sibale, Looc and Cajidiocan originally known as pueblo de Sibuyan (which included visita de Cauit, Pag-alad and España). The full text of the superior decree in Spanish: ‘El superior decreeto No. 206 del 19 de Marzo de Ano de 1853 mandato creacion Commandante Politico Militar del Distrito de Romblon de la provincia de Capiz”. On February 18, 1854 the royal order was confirmed by a superior decree. “La real orden No. 57 del 18 de Febrero del ano de 1854 approvado la creacion de el Distrito Politico Militar de Romblon con denominacion de Commandante Militar de Romblon”.

The following year of 1855 recorded a tremendous leap on the creation of new pueblos or parishes under the new government of Commandante de Infanteria Don Joaquin de Prat y Parella installed as Romblon’s second provincial executive beginning in 1854 replacing Don Ramon Vieytes. Don Joaquin issued the creation of 17 new pueblos out of the original four. However, visita de Sibale remained part of pueblo de Banton while isla de Carabao was under Capiz. The new pueblos that were created in 1855 were: Guintiguian (San Agustin), Simara (Corcuera), Odiongan, Andagao (Calatrava), Parpagoja (San Andres), Tingaray (Ferrol), Catolog (Santa Fe), Cabalian (sitio of Agmanic, Santa Fe, formerly a pueblo), Saban (sitio Sabang, Danao Norte, Santa Fe, formerly a pueblo), Lauan (Alcantara), Guinbirayan (barangay of Santa Fe), Magallanes (Magdiwang), Pag-alad (San Fernando), Cauit (now named barangay Azagra, San Fernando), España (barangay of San Fernando), Isabel (barangay Cambalo, Cajidiocan, formerly a pueblo) and Princesa was formerly a pueblo now sitio Cangumba of barangay Azagra in San Fernando. This pueblo was named after Infanta Doña María Luísa Fernanda of Spain. (born: 30 January 1832 - died: 2 February 1897) She was Infanta of Spain and Duchess of Montpensier and was the younger and only sister of Queen Isabella II of Spain. Infanta Luisa Fernanda was heiress-presumptive to the crown between 1833 and 1851 when Isabella's oldest surviving daughter was born.

Thirteen years later, the Politico Military Commandancia del Distrito de Romblon was converted into Politico Military Commandancia dela Provincia de Romblon on January 11, 1868. This happened during the incumbency of Commandante de Infanteria Don Joaquin Corillo who was installed as Commandante since 1866. As a consequence, Don Corillo being the first official Governor of the new province reorganized the local municipal government. Thus 15 existing pueblos (municipios) or parishes were abolished while retaining only 7 pueblos. The abolished pueblos namely: Guinpuc-an (barangay Carmen in San Agustin), Cagbagacay (Santa Maria), Pag-alad, Rancheria de Infiel (Ranch of Savaged or Wild People found at barangay Dulangan, Magdiwang), España, Isabel (barangay Cambalo, Cajidiocan), Princesa (formerly a pueblo, its territory now forms part both of sitio Cangumba in barangay Azagra and barangay Otod), Odiongan, Andagao, Parpagoja, Tingaray, Catolog, Sabang, Lauan and Guinbirayan.

While the 7 retained pueblos under PMC dela Provincia de Romblon in January 8, 1868 were the following: Romblon, Badajoz (now San Agustin formerly Guintiguian renamed Badajoz in August 28, 1868), Banton, Corcuera, Looc, Cajidiocan, Azagra (San Fernando), and one missionary center, the mision de Magallanes (Magdiwang) and one semi-autonomous visita administered from pueblo de Banton named visita de Concepcion. Although Magallanes was demoted from pueblo or parish status to a Missionary center, the former town continued to enjoy greater autonomy until its restoration in 1901. Before the end of Spanish rule, four more pueblos were restored to their former status, these were: Odiongan, Santa Fe, Despujols (San Andres) and España (existed for a short period only. Inclusive date: 1884-1886).

In Sibuyan, there were only 3 pueblos left from the former 8 towns after January 11, 1868, these were: Magallanes which absorbed the former pueblo of rancheria de Infiel (Dulangan), Cajidiocan which annexed the former town of Isabel (Cambalo) and pueblo Cauit which was renamed Pueblo de Azagra in February 3, 1868 and it included the former pueblos of Princesa (Cangumba), Pag-alad (San Fernando) and España. (Please be reminded that Cauit (Azagra), Princesa (Cangumba), Pag-alad (San Fernando) and España existed as separate towns or parishes from 1855 until January 11, 1868. Likewise, beginning in 1868 Cauit later renamed Azagra became the only municipality in southern Sibuyan island with jurisdiction over abolished pueblos of Princesa, Pagalad and España. The scenario was reversed in 1901 when it was San Fernando created into a municipality with the former municipality of Azagra becoming its barrio as it is today).

In 1882 visita Pag-alad of Pueblo Azagra was renamed visita San Fernando in honor of Fernando Magallanes, the discoverer of the Philippines to the western world. In year 1884 the territory known as racheria de España separated from pueblo Azagra as independent pueblo. The break-up was short lived, because in 1886, España was recalled back and again reunited to its mother-town, Azagra through the insistence of Azagra’s mayor (Governadorcillo) Don Maximo Madrilejoz.

Civil government was established under the Americans on March 16, 1901 and Azagra was one of the 11 new municipalities. The other municipalities were: Badajoz, Banton, Cajidiocan, Corcuera, Looc, Magallanes, Odiongan, Romblon the Capitol, Despujols and Santa Fe. However, few months later, before the end of the year the seat of the municipality was transferred from Azagra to the present townsite at San Fernando poblacion. Reason for the transfer was not mentioned. Perhaps due to politics or maybe due to scarcity of water in the old-townsite of Azagra, nobody can give a clear and definite answer by now.

The province of Romblon was abolished on July 15,1907 and incorporated to the province of Capiz as a sub-province due to insufficient income. Concepcion however was separated from the rest of the province and incorporated into the province of Mindoro due to its long distance from Capiz town, the capital town of Capiz province now known as Roxas city. For this reason, it was created into a separate local government unit known as the Municipal District of Concepcion as attested by a Romblon map showing the provincial maritime boundary of Mindoro encroaching the island of Maestro de Campo published in 1914 and issued by the U.S. Army Map Service, Corps of Engineers. Please check Philippine Map Series S501 reprinted in 1954 for reference.

In March 10, 1917 the province of Romblon was restored as a regular province. On that same year of 1917, due to reorganization and the province's difficult financial status as newly restored entity, the former municipality of Magallanes was abolished and annexed to Cajidiocan. Magallanes was restored as independent municipality on March 1, 1933 with a new name, Magdiwang as a tribute to the Magdiwang faction of Andres Bonifacio, Supremo of the Katipunan while the former municipal-district of Concepcion belonging to Mindoro (now Oriental Mindoro) was recalled back to the province. In June 8, 1940, the special municipality of Sibuyan was established through the passage of Commonwealth Act No. 581 sponsored by a Bantoanon legislature, Congressman Leonardo Festin. San Fernando was abolished and was annexed to the new municipality with its seat at Cajidiocan town. The former towns of San Fernando and Magdiwang were represented only by one councilor at its municipal council in the municipality of Sibuyan based in Cajidiocan town. On May 26, 1946, the special municipality of Sibuyan was abolished through the passage of Republic Act No. 38 authored by Congressman Modesto Formelleza and enacted on January 1, 1947 when the Philippine President signed into law restoring both San Fernando and Magdiwang to their former status as independent municipalities.

In the field of education, San Fernando high school was converted into a national school of arts and trades known as Romblon National Vocational School under Republic Act No. 2428 inacted into law in 1958. Today, San Fernando is composed of 12 barrios or barangays to-date.

[edit] Population of San Fernando at Various Time

Barrio/Barangay Name	Land Area (Hectares)	1894 /a	1896 /a	1903	1918	1939	1948	1960	1970	1975	1980	1990	1995	2000	2007 /c
Poblacion (U) (San Fernando)	107.13			637	947	857	1,427	965	1,366	1,338	1,368	1,575	1,605	1,590
Dentro del Pueblo (U) (Azagra)		1,147	1,201
Agtiwa	1,429.19	/b	/b	269	543	812	760	654	705	854	944	1,098	1,021	1,220
Azagra (U)	635.38			591	513	692	734	937	1,304	1,307	1,305	1,448	1,523	1,878
Campalingo	978.55	180	182	264	490	645	883	1,020	1,242	1,218	1,166	1,408	1,321	1,643
Cangumba		46	46
Cangumon				100
Canjalon (U)	1,913.36	200	205	277	446	585	779	876	1,017	1,115	1,145	1,369	1,574	1,829
Embarcacion					12
Espana	5,119.12	120		357	365	845	981	1,394	1,779	1,678	1,820	1,955	2,122	2,248
Mabini	1,106.02							623	861	835	880	1,118	1,028	1,236
Mabulo	1,023.09			314	531	948	660	951	1,042	1,189	1,148	1,600	1,678	1,859
Otod	848.29	155	155	354	624	715	765	968	1,126	1,047	1,140	1,345	1,517	1,748
Panangcalan	496.80			243	360	365	315	561	486	536	584	610	609	775
Pili	489.28			571	386	436	501	600	756	646	797	941	964	1,092
Rancheria de Canago			176
Rancheria de San Roque			151
Taclobo (U)	6,138.76	60	62		385	685	892	1,110	1,764	2,245	2,481	3,301	3,589	4,097
Tinimbuan		270	270
Visita de San Fernando		1,500	1,515
Ylaya Barrio		70	73
Total	20,284.97	3,748	4,039	3,977	5,602	7,585	8,697	10,659	13,448	14,008	14,778	17,768	18,551	21,214	20,101

/a – Municipality of Azagra, /b - Part of Magallanes (Magdiwang) /c - 2007 NCSO Projection

Development of San Fernando’s Barrios / Barangays:

The municipality of San Fernando was previously known as pueblo de Azagra until 1901. In late 1901, the poblacion was transferred from Azagra to San Fernando poblacion, thus renaming the name of the municipality from Azagra to San Fernando because of the transfer.

A tabulation of its barrios is not available for year 1886 when there were two existing pueblos in what is now San Fernando municipality. Namely: pueblo España with a population of 2,101 and pueblo de Azagra with a population of 3,477.

As mentioned earlier, España ceased in 1886 and annexed back to Azagra. In 1894, Azagra had a total of 10 barrios, namely: Cangumba, Tinimbuan, Otod, Canjalon, Campalingo, visita de San Fernando, España rancheria, Ylaya barrio, Taclobo and Dentro de Poblacion with combined population of 3,748. In 1896, 2 new barrios were created out of rancheria España. These were rancheria de Canago and Rancheria de San Roque absorbing the former pueblo of España. Azagra pueblo’s total population in 1896 was 4,039.

The American civil government, from 1899-1901, reduced the number of barrio to facilitate the military policy of concentrating the civilian population of the poblaciones. Thus, in 1901, San Fernando lost 3 barrios, namely: Cangumba, Taclobo and Tinimbuan. In 1903 census, the former municipality of Azagra which was replaced by San Fernando had a total of 11 barrios, namely: Canjalon, Otod (absorbed former barrio of Tinimbuan), Cangumon (which included territory of former barrio of Cangumba), visita Azagra, Campalingo, Poblacion, Pili (which absorbed abolished barrio of Taclobo), Panangcalan (this barrio was formerly known as Ilaya barrio), visita España (the former visita was restored taken from dissolved barrio named rancheria de San Roque which represents only the poblacion area of España), Mabolo (created taken from the former barrio of rancheria de Canago, this territory previously extended from what is now Mabini-Mabolo area up to present day sitios of Punong and Binayaan of España including all its tingues 'hills and mountains') and finally Agtiwa (comprising the former barrios of Tinimbauan and Guintac-an) formerly part of pueblo de Magallanes until 1901. San Fernando's total population in 1903 was 3,977.

In 1918, barrio Cangumon was abolished and annexed to barrio Azagra while barrio Taclobo (misspelled Taglobo in 1918) was restored as independent barrio taken from Pili. Embarcacion was one of the barrios enumerated in 1918 which represented those engaged in shipping and maritime industries that time. However, in 1939 census, Embarcacion was not enumerated. It's population was integrated to barrio Poblacion while the rest of the municipality did not make any remarcable change with regards to its number of barrios which still stand at 11. The last barrio to be created was barrio Mabini in 1958 taken from barrio Mabolo. Today, the municipality of San Fernando included the former territories of abolished municipalities of Azagra, Princesa and España that existed during Spanish time as separate pueblos or parishes. San Fernando today has a total of 12 barrios or barangays to-date, namely:

[edit] Barangays

San Fernando is politically subdivided into 12 barangays.

• Agtiwa
• Azarga
• Campalingo
• Canjalon
• España
• Mabini
• Mabulo
• Otod
• Panangcalan
• Pili
• Poblacion
• Taclobo

[edit] External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information

v • d • e Municipalities of Romblon Alcantara • Banton • Cajidiocan • Calatrava • Concepcion • Corcuera • Ferrol • Looc • Magdiwang • Odiongan • Romblon • San Agustin • San Andres • San Fernando • San Jose • Santa Fe • Santa Maria

Coordinates: 12°18′11″N 122°36′04″E / 12.303, 122.601