| Bulalacao | |
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| — Municipality — | |
| Map of Oriental Mindoro showing the location of Bulalacao. | |
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Bulalacao
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) |
| Province | Oriental Mindoro |
| District | 2nd District of Oriental Mindoro |
| Founded | |
| Barangays | 15 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Neil Villas |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 30,188 |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| ZIP code | |
| Income class | 4th class; partially urban |
Bulalacao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 27,698 people in 5,227 households.
Contents |
Bulalacao is located at the southermost tip of the province.
The name Bulalacao is legendary in origin. According to myth, a certain bird, referred to by the natives as “bulalacao”, periodically appeared out of the wilderness near the springs of Talisi and Lumagsak. Unexplainably, whenever this bird appeared, death would soon follow for the inhabitants. The inhabitants, gravely afraid and puzzled of this deathly phenomenon, changed the name of the settlement from Kaburayan (from the vines called Buray, which was in abundance in the area during that period) to that of the bird. Thus, the birth of Bulalacao. Afterwards, the bird bothered the place and the inhabitants no more.
Bulalacao, with its present situation might well be considered as the oldest settlement in the whole of Mindoro if we presume the old records about Mait to refer to a sitio in the South of the present Bulalacao town site.
Old Chinese records of the year 982 make mention of Mai, an island south of Manila, from where valuable merchandise was traded in Canton China.
The word “Mait” frequently occurs in the Ambahan literature of the Mangyans in Southern Mindoro, meaning “this earth, this place where we are living”. Moreover, a certain river near Maujao, the oldest barrio of Bulalacao is still called by the Mangyans the Mait River. It is further said that the old folks of Aklan in Panay referred to Mindoro as the Island of Mait. A historian, Professor O.W. Wolters of Cornell University considered the South of Mindoro as the possible site of the ancient Mait, mentioned in the first Chinese Records about the Philippines in the 10th century.
The Archeological Studies Program of the University of the Philippines (UP ASP) recently unearthed an ancient settlement located at Sitio Lobok, Poblacion, Bulalacao. Their findings proved that this settlement in Bulalacao existed in the late 17th century and is one of the oldest in the island of Mindoro. The structure found was proven a church with a fortification of palisades to protect the settlers from frequent Moro attacks. This settlement was eventually abandoned after the devastating storms and earthquake that occurred in 1844.
In the early years of the 19th century, Bulalacao was ruled by Datu Calido from Panay. Following the expansion of the settlement, it was ruled by the “capitanes”. They were Paigao, Gabriel Contreras, Jacinto Pajado and Narciso Pandino. He ruled the area until the arrival of Lt. Morris in 1903.
In 1906, the settlement became a township, which included Paclasan (now Roxas), Mansalay, Mangaring (now San Jose) and the islands of Caluya, Sibay and Semirara. Thereafter, succeeding “Municipal Presidente” ruled the town until 1940.
During Teotimo Cusi’s administration, the seat of government was transferred from Bulalacao to Mansalay, where he hailed from. This infuriated the original settlers of Bulalacao whose pride was hurt by this kind of development.
The influential person that altered the original territory of the Province of Oriental Mindoro was Congressman Mariano Leuterio, he ceded the islands of Caluya, Semirara and Sibay to the province of Antique; Sibale to the province of Romblon.
While relation between Bulalacao and Mansalay were getting estranged, Juan Templanza won as Municipal Presidente in the election held in 1929. As could be expected, he returned the seat of the Government to his native town of Bulalacao. The friction between two towns got hotter. This prompted Congressman Leuterio to work for the creation of Mansalay as a new municipality. Finally, in 1929 Mansalay was officially separated from Bulalacao. The original territory of Bulalacao under Act 1280, which included Roxas, San Jose, Mansalay and the islands ceded to Antique, was greatly reduced. Ironically, these municipalities have undertaken their mother Bulalacao economically.
By 1940’s, World War II erupted. While our country was put under the rule of the Japanese Imperial Government, Mr. Juan P. Templanza was appointed as Municipal Presidente. He served from 1942 to 1946. There are stories of torture, cruelties, and other inhuman “punishments” inflicted by the Japanese against the person of Mr. Templanza.
With the extension of American sovereignty, basic principle of American Constitutional system and American patterns of government were adopted in the Philippines. On July 4, 1946, Philippines was granted independence by the United States. All laws on local government with the passage of 1935 and 1973 Constitutions were accordingly continued in force, particularly Act No. 82, known as the Municipal Code enacted by the Philippine Commission on January 31, 1901.
The dramatic and institutional changes began to take place under Felipe Familara. Roads were opened and schools were built. Dolores Bago who succeeded Familara worked for the strengthening of Barangays. She started to bring barangay office to the mainstream of policy making. Under her administration, a new municipal hall was built in order to house the growing numbers of government personnel.
1986 marked a turning point in the national contemporary history. President Ferdinand Marcos who ruled the country for almost twenty years was deposed by People Power, a peaceful revolution made by the gallant Filipino people on the historic four days of February 1986.
Soon reorganization was effectuated throughout the country. Batasang Pambansa was dissolved. Incumbent elective and some appointive officials were removed and were immediately replaced by new ones. This was justified as effective means of facilitating transition from dictatorship to newly gained democracy.
It was on this ecstatic moment for the majority of freedom-loving Filipinos when a non-politician, Guillermo H. Salas, was appointed by Secretary Aquilino Q.Pimentel, Jr. as Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Municipality of Bulalacao.
When Salas decided to run as Municipal Mayor in 1987, he enjoyed great popularity among the poor and the Mangyans. He won with a landslide victory. Salas built his reputation in terms of infrastructure projects construction, agricultural support, ecological management and human resource development.
On May 7, l995, questions about what Salas might do in his last term suddenly became unanswerable. Salas was struck down at Campaasan by assassin’s bullets. It was the most unexpected and devastating single event in the history of Bulalacao. During a long weekend of mourning, the town immersed itself in every detail of the tragedy and its aftermath.
His assassination took place on the eve before that May 8 election. The question on who should replace him loomed. After evaluation and discussion, consensus was made to make the slain mayoralty candidates eldest daughter as a substitute. Gemma Gonzales Salas, at the young age of 25 entered the world of politics, as local chief executive, by accident literally and figuratively.
Ludovico C. Silang, Salas’ Vice-Mayor was sworn in as the Municipal Mayor from May 8, 1995 to June 30, 1995. He has to console the low moralled employees who have not yet recovered from the shock over the tragic death of the former mayor.
On July 3, 1995, Gemma G. Salas, a Medical Technologist by profession, on account of her victory over her uncle Nestor Gonzales, assumed the post of municipal mayor.
During Gemma G. Salas’ inauguration, she admitted her being a stranger in the workings of politics. She simply vowed to accomplish what her late father promised to deliver to them.
Nevertheless, the new mayor did possess advantages that enabled her to provide healing balm and effective leadership for the mourning town. No mayor came-to-office with youth and more academic degree than she since the creation of Bulalacao. The young local chief executive was only twenty-five with college diploma.
She advocated the Ramos Administration’ flagship program: the Social Reform Agenda, which hopes to identify the minimum basic needs and try to address them relentlessly. In the process, she was able to come in touch with the “hoi polloi” of the town.
The national elections on May 10, 2004 saw the emergence of a new kind of leadership in the person of Engineer Ernilo C. Villas, a civil engineer by profession. He hails from the Contreras-Villas clan of Bulalacao. Faced with the monumental task of building a community high on expectations but short on funds, the mayor elect lost no time in planning strategies, laying out visions of what Bulalacao would become in the span of three years of his administration. He extended his arms for reconciliation to start the healing process hence, a harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative department. He put up capable and energetic personnel for a well oiled and systematic service delivery.
With Mayor Villas, Bulalacao aims to hit the ICT situation, latest trend of communication technologies such as the Internet is being utilized in order to keep constituents, both local and abroad, informed of the local government’s activities investment potentials and services.
His economic development plan of the municipality is focused on harnessing its marine and agricultural base, strengthening its production through the provision of basic infrastructure support facilities, development of all identified tourism sites and implementation of existing environmental laws to protect its resources for a sustainable growth.
Infrastructure developments is centered on transportation, communication, power and water since these are the basic utilities to attain the desired economic growth envisioned.
His vision in the next three years is centered towards the attainment of Bulalacao as a community of empowered families living in a peaceful and sound environment.
Bulalacao is haven of Hanunuo, the most civilized tribe of stone age primitive Mangyans with colorful beadwork, basket, mat and ramit. They still hunt. Majorities are dressed in traditional G-Strings and adorn themselves with jewelry made of colorful beads. Their villages are located upland. Theirs is a culture that caught the attention of tourists.
Bulalacao is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.
Bulalacao is located in the southernmost tip of Oriental Mindoro is endowed with natural resources ideal for tourism development. It has islands, coves and peninsulas declared as tourism zones and marine reserves under Proclamation 1801 dated November 10, 1978 for administration by the Philippines Tourism Authority. The province of Oriental Mindoro as well, was included in the prioritized area under the 1993-2002 Tourism Investment Priority Plan.
Island hopping is one activity that visitors enjoy most. From Bulalacao Bay, there are motor boats which can be rented from P 600.00 to P 1,000.00 for a day’s travel going to these islands depending on the capacity of the boat and the distance of the islet to be visited. The Municipal Government, through the designated tourism officer, provides assistance in arranging the tour.
Alibatan, a more or less five (5) hectare island located three kilometers northeast of Bacungan and southeast of the town of Bulalacao is noted for its white sand. Big rocks are present throughout and the southern part is mountainous. A lake, more or less, half hectare can be found at the middle of the island. The place serves as hatching for seagulls and turtles. Although the area abound with the different species of fish, fishing is dangerous due to the presence of whales because of its nearness to the channel going to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Corals and oyster can be found all around the area. The island is also called “Target Island” because bombing practices in 1946 were made in this place by the Americans staying is San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
Sibalat Island is located in the northwest of Alibatan Island and east of Bating peninsula. Like Alibatan, Sibalat boast of white sand, big rocks, corals, shells, oyster and an ideal hatching place for turtles. This island measures 2.5 hectares and the surrounding water is suited for fishing and scuba diving.
About 1.5 kilometers south of Barangay Milagrosa lies the 12 hectares. Aslom Island which has the same features with the first two islands. Half of the island is planted to coconuts and a good place for ships to anchor during storms. A big cave could be found at the southeastern part of the island.
Maasin Island is situated at the southeastern part of the Municipality of Bulalacao, and is seven (7) kilometers from the town proper. The middle of the cave shaped island is planted to coconuts. Other parts are full of cogon and the part facing Tablas Strait is mountainous. The island covers 90 hectares. A 30-meter fathom deep channel could be found between this island and Tambaron Island.
Tambaron is a 160 hectares rocky, mountainous island separated by a channel from Barangay Balatasan. This is forty kilometers from the municipality and a hunting ground for wild pigs and monkeys, the place being full of cogon. It is also ideal for cattle and goat raising. The water around which is 30 meters fathom deep is suited for fishing.
In the northern part of Bulalacao lies Suguicay. A part of Barangay San Juan, this oblong-shaped island is separated by a channel. Suguicay is planted to coconuts and mangroves at both ends. This more or less ten hectare-island abound with corals and different kinds of shells.
Located at the southern part of Mansalay and at the northern part of Buyayao Peninsula, some 50 meters away is the island of Buyayao. There is a road constructed on the southern going to the northern part which is planted to coconuts. Big snakes called “Sobre Kama” are found in “Malaking Yungib” (big Cave) and in mountain. The water around is suited for deep fishing.
Buyayao Island is 206 hectares forest, reserved with more than 500 forests species under thick vegetation and ornamental plants. It has caves with abundant wildlife. (Squirrels, deer, wild chicken and bear cat). It has 3 sources of potable water. According to Cristina Ford, during one of her visits to the island, it is one of the most beautiful islands in the world. It was partly developed during the time of the then, Minister Manda Elizalde of PANAMIN.
Pocanil is located at the mainland of Buyayao Peninsula, north of Barangay San Roque. The place is rocky and suited for goat raising. This is a reserve area.
Liwagao, an island under dispute with the Municipality of Caluya Antique, lies in the southeast portion of Bulalacao. It is approximately 100 hectares in area with a long stretch of white sand. It has different classes of quality pebbles, coral formations and diverse marine ecosystem. The northeastern portion of the island is thickly covered with coconut and lumber trees. Coconut crabs once abound the area. It is an ideal hatching ground for sea turtles.
Up-trekking to about 1.5 km. From Poblacion is a 64 hectares Tree Park operated and maintained by the municipal government. The area is ideal for camping, hiking and trekking. From there is a breathtaking view of Bulalacao Bay and the Islands around.
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