| Calinog | |
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| — Municipality — | |
| Map of Iloilo showing the location of Calinog. | |
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Calinog
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Western Visayas (Region VI) |
| Province | Iloilo |
| District | 3rd District of Iloilo |
| Founded | 1763 |
| Barangays | 59 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Alex Centena |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 51,018 |
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) |
| ZIP Code | 5040 |
| Income class | 2nd Class |
| Website | Official website |
Calinog is a 2nd class[1] municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 48,454 people in 9,273 households, and in the 2007 census, the population grew to 51,018.[1]
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Calinog, which according to legend, Datu Marikudo chose to settle, is strategically located in the central part of the Island of Panay. According to tradition, the town got its name from the Hiligaynon word, “Kalinong”, meaning, calm and pacific. Calinog was already a developing community when the Spaniards came between the 16th and the 17th Century. In the early 18th Century, Calinog was established into a permanent settlement following the system of town planning as prescribed by the law of the Indies: a town plaza surrounded by the church, Municipal Tribunal, school and public market. This remains the main town-planning feature of the poblacion until the present. The Spanish Colonial Government then declared Calinog as “Pueblo” or town in 1763.
In the early 1900’s, the Americans, as a new colonial power, introduced important changes in the civil affairs of the municipality. The most significant was annexing Calinog as part of the Municipality of Passi (now a component city) from 1904 to 1920. Through intense lobbying by prominent leaders, Calinog was restored to its original status as a separate Municipality in January 1921. It was in the late 1960’s when Calinog stepped on the springboard of development as a progressive Municipality bustling with business and economic opportunities. In 1969, with the boom of the sugar industry, the political leadership decided to split a portion of the town into a separate municipality, the Municipality of Bingawan.
The history of Calinog is marked with honor, courage and love for freedom. Among the founders of the old communities in the uplands were the descendants of the families who fought the abusive Spanish colonizers in the settlements of Bugasong and Lawaan, Province of Antique, in the 16th Century (their colorful folklore and the oral tradition of their historical journeys became a part of the timeless epic, “Hinilawod”). Mt. Dila Dila in Barangay Alibunan is best remembered as a strong hold of Filipino guerillas and soldiers during World War II where the fiercest battles in the annals of war in the Island of Panay were fought against the Japanese Imperial Army.
Throughout history, the people of Calinog are also known for their industry, modesty and healthy life. Cleanliness is a way of life among Calinognons. It was not surprising that in 1994, during the first-ever conducted Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality, Calinog ranked fourth among the 43 municipalities in the Province of Iloilo. And in September 1998, the town was declared the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Province of Iloilo and in Western Visayas (Region VI). Subsequently, Calinog became a finalist in the national search competition.
On the same year, Calinog made its name not only in the cleaning and greening aspect, but it has garnered national awards in different fields. The Office of the Municipal Civil Registrar was awarded for its exemplary performance in civil registration for four times, our Community Development Information Officer was awarded as Top Performing CDIO. Not only that, the municipality was accredited by the Civil Service Commission to take final action on all personnel actions on the appointments of municipal employees. The Poblacion Day Care Center contributed to its glory as it was rated Five Star on the conduct of day care services in the poblacion.
On the other hand, our main health center qualified to the Sentrong Sigla, Provincial Level in relation to the Pinoy Sigla Program of the government. This is a concrete proof that Calinog looks not only on the physical aspect of the place, but on the health condition of the residents as well.
In 1999, Calinog once again proved its worth by topping over the 42 towns as the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Province of Iloilo and ranked 2nd in the Regional Search. The District of Calinog II ranked first in the Congressional contest on War on Waste and got third in the Division Level. On the other hand, the District of Calinog I got the same honor by garnering first place in the Congressional and District levels on School in a Garden category. The Alcarde Gustilo National High School situated in Barangay Alibunan, likewise topped other schools by ranking first place both in War on Waste and School in a Garden categories in the Third Congressional Level.
And luckily, in the recently concluded Provincial Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality, Calinog once again was declared as First Place but emerged second in the Regional Level. This is a concrete manifestation that Calinognons have actually institutionalized the cleaning and greening of its habitat.
Calinog generally excels in so many areas. In cultural arts and sports, it has likewise placed itself in the pedestal by winning the highest honors in the Congressional, Division, Regional and National levels.
God has indeed endowed the people of Calinog because of their manifestation of concern and gratitude towards nature and the Maker.
Calinog is relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. The maximum rain periods are not very heavy with a short dry season lasting from one to three months. The climate is influenced by the southeast monsoons, one of the principal air streams affecting the country. Local topography affects its exposure to prevailing winds.
The languages spoken and understood by the residents are Filipino and English. The main dialects are the Kinaray-a and Hiligaynon.
Calinog is politically subdivided into 59 barangays.[1]
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Calinog is home to the Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival. From a Visayan term for “jubilation” or “rejoicing,” “Hirinugyaw” was inspired by the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City and has become a feast with success for the people Calinog through a festivity showing the town’s devotion to the Child Jesus and highlighted as it turns out in celebration for the feast of Sto. Niño. People make effort to perform colorful cultural dances and other festive commemorative rites in His honor. The festival has given life in their faith and has become a growing devotion in their hearts. The dances performed are usually thought to be simple dances composed of repetitive, easy-to-learn steps. However the presentation becomes highly complex with the incorporation of a Sugidanon---traditional stories on a town’s history and culture narrated through chanting. It is used to highlight the dances in order to heighten the dramatic or comic effect of the presentation. As a whole, the festival functions to create or promote a sense of community as it continues to make the community feel part of a provincial or regional group to help them establish ties with their heritage.
Jalaur River is the main source of water supply most specially for irrigation purposes considering the fact that this river is one of the biggest in terms of source volume in the whole Panay Island. For Potable Water, there is one pumping station at Barangay Bo. Calinog as its main source and one back-up pumping station at Barangay Simsiman along the Jalaur River.
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