Roxas is a 3rd class Partially Urban municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 46,711 people in 8,057 households with 24,025 registered voters as of 01 Aug 2007.
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Founded by Andres Torrefiel on November 15, 1948, it was formerly known as Paclasan, originally a part of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, then a barrio of Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. It was named after President Manuel A. Roxas, the first town to be named as such.
Located about approximately 180 km (2–3 hours ride) from the main capital city of Calapan, Roxas is one of the smallest municipality of Oriental Mindoro province, with a total land area of 8,526 hectares of up-land, lowland, and coastal areas.
Municipal Mayor -Jackson C. Dy
Vice Mayor - Mrs. Bolet Dimapilis
Councilors:
Roxas is politically subdivided into 20 barangays: Population count as per NSCB Census as of 01 Aug 2007.
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There are 24,025 (2009) registered voters in the Municipality as per NSCB census of 2009. Barangays Bagumbayan, Cantil, Odiong and Paclasan are considered as urban and the rest as rural areas.
It is considered as the center of socio-cultural activities in the southern part of Oriental Mindoro. During Christmas season, Mangyans from the uplands go to this common destination receive gifts from kindhearted lowlanders mostly in the form of old clothing, bread, rice and even money.
In 2003,the Strong Republic Nautical Highway ( SNRH )was inaugurated. This former sleepy town became the Gateway to Paradise, being the transient point of those who wanted to enjoy the beaches of Boracay. It is an approximately 4- hour RORO (Roll on-Roll Off)ferry ride to Caticlan from Port of Roxas, located in Barangay Dangay, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro. Several shipping companies such as Starlite and Montenegro Shipping Lines are servicing the route.
The town is mostly agricultural in nature, with palay, bananas, coconuts, rambutan, lansones, calamansi and other fruits as primary agricultural crops. Barangays like Cantil,Victoria Victoria, Dangay, San Isidro, and Odiong are primarily planted to palay. Barangay Little Tanauan and San Miguel are noted for its fruit orchards and vegetables. Also, some upland barangays like Maraska, San Jose and San Rafael have developed backyard goat raising.
Due to the opening of the Roxas Port, the influx of tourists and people from neighboring provinces have made this sleepy town an investment opportunity for investors.
Secondary Schools
Primary Schools
Pre-Schools
Due to the excellent communication facilities, many internet shops have proliferated, and the internet usage fees have gone down considerably since the first netcafe/shops started operating in Roxas.
The town can be reached with different modes of transportation. From Calapan,the town can be reached by Public Utility Vans and buses plying the route of Calapan to Roxas. The Port of Roxas, located in Dangay, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro is the main port for vessels going to Caticlan, Aklan, which is only a boat ride away from the island of Boracay.
The town has many beach resorts located at Barangay Dangay.
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Trivia Once in the late 80's the municipality was overran by communist rebels (absent an actual gunbattle) taking over the police headquarters and making a "show of force" parade around the "poblacion" area. The police chief was captured and was believed to have been executed as he was never heard of again. Also taken was the municipal administrator at that time.
Several months later, A contingent of Scout Rangers captured the communist rebels' hideout and a few rebels died during the dawn attack. Others are wounded and captured.