The city has recorded a total population of 125,148 as of 2010. Its total land area is 336.40 km2 (129.88 sq mi) divided among its 65 component barangays.
Cauayan City is about 375 kilometers northeast of Manila; 34.5 km. south of Ilagan, the capital town of Isabela; about 48 km. North of Santiago City; and roughly 117 km. away from Tuguegarao City in Cagayan province.
Gaddang is the native language spoken by majority of the original settlers, especially in some part of the city’s forest, eastern and western regions. Ilocano dialect with a mixture of Tagalog, Ybanag and English are being spoken in the poblacion areas. English and Tagalog are the languages used in schools and business offices.
History
Cauayan have its name from the word Kawayan meaning bulo in the Ilocano language, the early settlers of the place. How it got its name is vaguely told by the natives. In the tale, early Spaniards reached the place found abundant bamboo trees along creeks that circled the town site of Bulod, Sipat, Bungkol, and Marabulig creeks where few families lived. It was also a common to see crocodiles basking under the cluster of bamboo along the creeks in the early morning sun.
Another version of how the town was named is this way: One day the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary disappeared. For many weeks, a tireless search was undertaken but it was nowhere to be found. Then one day in October the image was found among the bamboo groves. Not a single sign of mishandling or scratch was detected on the image.
Cauayan used to be a big municipality in terms of land area. With the creation of the neighboring municipalities of Luna (Antatet) Cabatuan, Reina Mercedes (Callering), Aurora and San Mateo, however, the land area was reduced to about 336.40 square kilometers.
Cauayan town was once a part of the province of Cagayan. When Nueva Vizcaya was created as a province in 1839, Cauayan was transferred to it. On May 1, 1856, the province of Isabela was created by a Royal Decree, Cauayan was again administratively transferred, this time to Isabela. Founded in 1740, Cauayan antedates the establishment of Isabela by 116 years. The town site was first located in a place called Calanusian along the Cagayan River. After a series of disastrous floods, the town site was moved to its present location.
Vague and little information gathered from living descendants of the early inhabitants tell that few families lived in the place and three of the early natives were Enrique Baligod, Sebastian Canciller and Salvador Macaballug. Enrique Baligod was the head of the group of the early settlers. Sebastian Canciller who served for two terms as “Gobernadorcillo” succeeded him.
In 1866, a friar, Father Paulino, became the curate of the town. He put up “quita” or chapel, preached God’s words and baptized the people. He put semblance of government by appointing Fructuoso Gannaban as Gobernadorcillo. Sparse settlements are found along the Cagayan River and these barrios were Turayong, Labinab, Duminit, Baringin and Culalabat, believed to be the first barrios of Cauayan. Father Miguel Bonnet replaced Fr. Paulino who left for Manila. He proved to be a good missionary of God and leader. It was during his leadership that a big adobe and stone church was constructed. As the years passed, the town became well known for its tobacco industry luring other inhabitants from as far as Ilocos and Pangasinan to work on vast tobacco farmlands of the Tabacalera’s Hacienda de San Luis.
Historical structures still visible to this day are the big adobe stone church located at the Poblacion and the Tabacalera warehouse and La Insular bodegas found at barangay Turayong that date their construction during the Spanish rule.
With the establishment of the government under the United States of America, Don Domingo Damatan was appointed as the first “presidente municipal.” During American Commonwealth the town had the following elected municipal mayors: Guillermo Blas and Federico Acio. The first elected municipal mayor after the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippine was Mayor Jose Africano. Mayor Tranquilino Dalupang 1956 to 1963.
Cityhood
It was during the administration of Mayor Faustino N. Dy, from 1964 to 1972, that the municipality started to come alive from a rather slow development. The town’s development continued at an even faster pace under Mayor Benjamin G. Dy, (1983–1992), who envisioned the municipality to become a city. This vision became a reality under Mayor Faustino G. Dy, III who saw through the introduction of House Bill No. 3163 to Congress resulting in the passage of Republic Act No. 9017 and which was signed by Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on February 28, 2001. Cauayan became a component city of the Province of Isabela after it was ratified in a plebiscite by a majority vote on March 30, 2001. Thus, Mayor Faustino G. Dy, III was the last municipal mayor and the first to sit as City Mayor of the City of Cauayan, Isabela in hold over capacity while Mayor Caesar G. Dy was the first-ever elected City Mayor of Cauayan.
Economy
Cauayan is a third class city in the province of Isabela. Cauayan City has been selected to host the Proposed Isabela Special Economic Zone and the Regional Agro-Industrial Growth Center. It is the location of 21 banks, 21 lending institutions, 44 insurance agencies, 89 real estate businesses and 35 pawnshops. There are over 2,422 commercial establishments that include distributors, wholesalers and retailers. Puregold, a large retail chain in the Philippines, is currently operating two supermarkets in Cauayan.
Recently, SM Prime opened a new mall in Cauayan City, the SM City Cauayan is situated in District II, National highway, Cauayan City, the former site of Isabela Colleges. SM City Cauayan is the first SM Supermall in Region II which caters at least 1 million residents of the province and neighboring states.[8][9] SM City Cauayan is the first non-premier SM Supermall to offer Al-fresco malling experience, tapping the clean and fresh air that the city has to offer.
SM City Cauayan also delivers new stores, national and international brands, giving Cauayan City and other neighboring towns and cities the opportunity to experience high-end shopping on a vibrant and elegant environment—and most notably is the Japanese clothing line Uniqlo. The Cauayan, Isabela branch of UniQlo is the first in Northern Luzon. KFC is also expected to open a branch in SM City Cauayan, the company's first store in Cagayan Valley.
The construction of The Greenway Market with Savemore and McDonald's is scheduled to start this year according to Mayor Bernard Dy's latest SOCA (State of The City Address). The new city mayor also confirmed the investment of Robinsons Land Corporation in the city. Construction of Robinsons Place Cauayan will start soon and will be closely monitored by the city government, the mayor added.
Philippine coffee shop/restaurant YAH! Coffee originated in Cauayan City, Isabela. Its first store is located along Barangay Cabaruan, Cauayan City. The emerging business opened a new store in Santiago City last February 9, and its second store in the City of Cauayan at SM City Cauayan. YAH! Coffee will also open new stores in Tuguegarao, Cagayan and Quezon City later this year.
Small Restaurants also made their part to the industry like Kinomo Restaurant, Hap Chan, and is located at San Fermin, Cauayan City.
Big real estate developers like Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc. also entered the city with the opening of Camella Cauayan.
Agriculture
Cauayan city is a surplus producer of rice and corn. A total of 24,004 hectares or 69.9% hectares is utilized for palay production and corn production. Average yield per hectare per cropping is 4.5 MT for rice and corn. Other products include livestock and poultry, fruits and vegetables, and fishery products such as hito (cat fish) and tilapia.
Culture
Gawagaway-yan Festival of Cauayan City is a celebration of the city’s bountiful livelihood and merriment for the ethno-linguistic groups residing in Cauayan. It also traces and gives due recognition to the ancestry of Cauayenos from the ethno linguistic group called Gaddang and recognizes the diversity of the cultural groups residing in Cauayan City through street dancing, float parade and other indigenous activities.
Cauayan traces its roots to the people of Gaddang, who the city celebrates during the annual festival of Gawagaway-yan. This celebration features a street dance competition, a float parade and assorted activities that different ethno-linguistic groups participate in.
Its ease at growing mushrooms has established Cauayan as the “Mushroom City of the North.” Do not leave the city without visiting the Mushroom Center and trying the delicious local mushrooms cooked in a delightfully unfamiliar way, like tempura, sisig and lumpia.
The city was once tobacco land, and there are still reminders of this past at the Old Tabacalera Warehouse, known as Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas during the Spanish period. This local tobacco industry was a massive enterprise going all the way back to 1881, when it first started supplying the Tobacco Monopoly of the Spanish government.
Calapan, is a component city, is the capital of the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the 2010 Census, this coastal community has a population of 124,173 people. Its citizens are called Calapeños.
The city serves as the gateway to the Oriental Mindoro province with the implementation of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) an integrated ferry project of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that extends further to the southern part of the Philippines. The Calapan City Seaport is the largest and busiest seaport on Mindoro Island, which is just 45 minutes away by ferry boats and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ships to-and-fro Batangas City International Seaport.
Calapan is currently one of the only two cities in Region 4-B (Mimaropa Region) the other being Puerto Princesa City in Palawan. Calapan serves as the region's administrative center. It is also the center of commerce, industry, transport, communication, religious activities and education in the entire province of Oriental Mindoro.
Geography
Calapan is bounded to the north and north-east by the Calapan Bay, south and southeast by the Municipality of Naujan, and to the west by the Municipality of Baco. The city lies at the quadrangle bounded by 13°12.6 and 13°27’ north latitudes and 121°17’ east longitudes. It is approximately 28 nautical miles (52 km; 32 mi) from the nearest point of Batangas Province, 45 km (28 mi) south of Batangas City and 130 km (81 mi) south of Manila.
The city has an area of 250.06 km2 (96.55 sq mi) and is composed of 62 barangays of which 22 are classified as urban and 40, rural. The city also has jurisdiction over the three Baco-Chico Islets and the two Silonay Islets on Calapan Bay.
The overall land characteristic is a wide plain with rivers, interspersed with wetlands at the seacoast periphery. The highest elevation is 187 m (614 ft) above sea level at Bulusan Hill, a 6-kilometre (3.7 mi) long landform east of the city, which interrupts the mostly flat terrain north-east of the Halcon-Baco Mountain Range.
Etymology
The derivation of the name of Calapan cannot be traced with certainty. Some opined that it came from the word “Kalap” which means to gather logs. Thus “Kalapan” was supposed to be a place where logs were gathered. In the old records, however, there was never a mention of Calapan as a place where logs were produced or exported. Furthermore, huge forest trees where logs were produced certainly did not grow near the town, which was swampy. Another theory holds that Calapan was originally pronounced as “Kalapang” which, according to an old Tagalog dictionary, was a synonym for “sanga” or branch. It could then refer to the settlement of Kalapang as a branch of its mother town of Baco, an adjoining town. The name was later hispanized as Calapan.
History
Calapan was formerly a small village before the establishment of the first Religious District in Baco. The District convent was transferred to Calapan in 1733 and began its jurisdiction over the Northern Mindoro Ecclesiastical Area.
In the early 18th century, the town only occupied a strip of land stretching from Ibaba to Ilaya in a cross-shape facing the present church and cut off by the river. Later on, succeeding barrios were founded.
In 1837, the capital of the province was moved from Puerto Galera to Calapan. When Mindoro became a part of Marinduque on June 13, 1902, the provincial capital was once again moved to Puerto Galera. On November 10, 1902, Mindoro was detached from Marinduque. In 1903, Calapan once again became the provincial capital.
When Mindoro was detached from Marinduque on November 10, 1902, Baco, Puerto Galera and San Teodoro were annexed to Calapan in 1905 under Act. 1280, adding a total area of 843 square kilometres (325 sq mi). of land. In 1902, under Act 2824, the three municipalities gained their independence.
In 1919, the boundary dispute between Calapan and Naujan was adjudicated by Presidentes (Mayors) Agustin Quijano of Calapan and Agustin Garong of Naujan over a portion of the territory of what is now known as the present boundary. The portion of agricultural area was awarded to Naujan, thus, making the area of Calapan much smaller as compared to that of Naujan which is now considered as the biggest municipality of the province.
Cityhood
In the year 1998, Calapan was converted from a municipality into a component city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8475. The law was authored in Congress by Rep. Renato V. Leviste and was signed by President Fidel Ramos on February 2, 1998. On March 21, 1998, the people of Calapan ratified the creation of the City of Calapan in a plebiscite marking the same day as the city’s foundation day. Incumbent Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan became the last Municipal Mayor and the first City Mayor of Calapan. To date, it is the first and only city in the whole island of Mindoro.
Since attaining cityhood, Calapan has witnessed significant improvements in commerce and industry, infrastructure and social services. New commercial establishments were opened providing employment and income opportunities for the residents An expanded program on social services delivery, particularly in health care and education, were undertaken. The city’s physical infrastructure was upgraded, which includes the construction of new roads and drainage facilities, as well as a new City Government Center. Tourism was boosted with the opening of inland resorts and new hotels. Malls had also started rising in the city to cater more to the shopping needs of its people. Sports and events tourism were also strengthened as was seen with the large influx of tourists in the city during the MIMAROPARAA, ALCULYMPICS and Ms. Earth Long Gown Competition all in 2011, proofs that indeed the city is capable of handling regional and national activities.
Calapan boasts of many notable accolades and recognitions that it had garnered under its belt over the past years ever since becoming a city all of which serve as proofs of the city's continuing efforts to improve its standing and cement its reputation as one of the most livable cities in the country.
Climate
Calapan's climate is described as mild. It is relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. February and March have the least rainfall while October and November are the months of greatest rainfall. Average yearly rainfall is 2,500 to 4,500 millimetres (98 to 177 in) at the City’s south-west portion. The average daily temperature is 22.9 to 28.3 °C (73.2 to 82.9 °F).
Wind direction throughout the year is variable; Northeast monsoons prevail from August, November, December and January to March; East to Northeast on April; Southeast to South on May and June; Northeast to South on July and September, and Easterly on October.
Climate is favorable for vegetation throughout the year under the Type III climate type of the Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, with relative humidity at 81%.
Economy
The city's economy is dependent on agriculture and fishing. However, a growing industry in machinery and tourism has contributed well to the city's annual income making it one of the fastest growing new cities in the country for the last 10 years.
Since 1998, the city has experienced rapid development. The establishment of a special development area, particularly an eco-zone for light industries located at the Urban Development Area (Lumangbayan and Guinobatan), has been promoted and now serves as growth area which generates employment and spurs economic opportunities. Such industries focus on agro-industrial based activities such as food processing, handicraft making, furniture making and other related activities.
Calapan plays a major role in the Philippine economy as one of the major food suppliers in the country. The city is also a major exporter of rice supplying to Metro Manila and major parts of Luzon making it both an agriculturally-progressive and urbanized city. The five major crops are rice, citrus, banana, rambutan and lanzones. The top five industries in Calapan are trading, tourism, services, marine and aquatic, and food processing.
Calapan serves as the province’s industrial hub. It plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the province and its adjacent areas.
Calamba City, is a component city of Laguna, Philippines. It is the regional center of the Calabarzon region. It is situated 54 kilometres (34 mi) south of Manila, the city is known as the Resort Capital of the Philippines because of its numerous hot spring resorts, which are mostly located in Barangay Pansol, Bucal and Bagong Kalsada.
According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 389,377 people, making it the most populous local government unit in Laguna. It is the 5th densest city in the province with more than 2,600 people per square kilometer after San Pedro, Biñan, Cabuyao and Santa Rosa. Based on the overall rankings of the 2014 Cities and Municipalities Index, the city ranked 18th in the overall competitiveness (cities ranking) and 1st among cities in the Calabarzon region.
The City of Calamba is the hometown of the Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal.
Etymology
The name of the city comes from a legend that during the early time of the Spanish period in the country, two "guardias civil" or soldiers were lost and passing through what is now Calamba. The soldiers met a young lady who came from a river carrying a jar of water and a clay stove. The soldiers unwittingly in Spanish language and in authoritative tone, to conceal the fact that they were lost, asked the local maiden the name of the place they were in. The lady, who speaks only her native language, naturally thought she was being interrogated about what she was carrying and nervously uttered "kalan-banga", meaning "clay stove" (kalan) and "water jar" (banga). Because the Spaniards could not pronounce it properly, the town has been called Calamba supposedly since then. This legend is immortalized with a large concrete water jar erected in the city plaza with the names of the city's barangays written on its surface. It is now known as Calambanga and is considered the "World's Biggest Claypot". This same jar is also found in the city's seal. The plaza was proposed by Dr. Agapito Alzona, then the town councilor to utilize the waste area where the old town market relocated from. The resolution was approved by the then town mayor Roman Lazaro and added additional P5,000 for the fence to the original P15,000 construction cost. It was completed in 1939.
Geography
Calamba lies on the northern slopes of Mount Makiling, a dormant volcano. The southern terminus of the South Luzon Expressway is in Calamba and this geographic position makes the city a gateway to the southern provinces of Luzon. The highway at the end of the South Luzon Expressway leads east to the other towns of Laguna and south towards the provinces of Batangas and Quezon.
Calamba City is bordered by Cabuyao City to the north, Los Baños to the east, by the province of Batangas to the south, specifically the municipalities of Santo Tomas, Tanauan City and Talisay, and by the province of Cavite to the west, with Tagaytay City and Silang. Laguna de Bay the country's largest lake, forms the city's northwest border. The provincial capital, Santa Cruz, is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) by road to the east.
Calamba covers a total land area of 14,950 hectares (36,900 acres), making it is the 2nd largest city in Laguna province in terms of land area after San Pablo City.
History
The oldest part of Calamba is believed to be Barangay Sucol where its first settlers remained. With the arrival of Spaniards, the whole area was converted into a hacienda, then a part of Tabuco (now known as Cabuyao City). Calamba became an independent pueblo on August 28, 1742, and formed into the town of Calamba in 1770. In 1813, Calamba was placed in the hands of "encargados" by the Dominican Brothers, who divided into portions and sold the haciendas to the natives during the American regime.
During the Japanese occupation in World War II, the city was the theater of a massacre during which the Imperial Japanese Army killed at least 2,000 civilians. The St. John the Baptist Church, established in 1859, was burned by the Japanese during World War II. It was reconstructed by Fr. Eliseo Dimaculangan. It was the christening site of José Rizal. The original baptismal font has been preserved and refurbished.
Cityhood
After a process of more than seven years, Calamba became the second component city of the Laguna by virtue of Republic Act No. 9024, "An Act Converting the Municipality of Calamba, Province of Laguna into a Component City to be known as the City of Calamba." R.A. 9024 was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 5, 2001, at the Malacañan Palace. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) then set the plebiscite for Calamba’s cityhood on April 21, 2001 where 15,056 residents participated. 3,413 or 22.67% voted "No" while the remaining 77.33% voted "Yes" to Calamba’s conversion into a component city.
Religions
Calamba is predominantly Roman Catholic (84.22%), followed by Members,Church of God International (MCGI or ADD)(4.5%), Protestants (3.43%), Iglesia Ni Cristo (3.14%), and Islam (0.26%).
Economy
Calamba City is known today as the "Second Richest City in Calabarzon", after Sta. Rosa City (according to the 2013 Commission on Audit Annual Audit Report), as it registered a total income of P2,191,286,734. Calamba is also considered as one of the "Next Wave Cities" for outsourcing firms.
The major income sources comes from manufacturing and economic plants, tourism, agriculture and services. There are many manufacturing and economic plants located in upland barangays like Canlubang, Real, La Mesa, Milagrosa, Makiling, Punta, Barandal, Batino and Prinza.
Cabadbaran is a city and the provincial capital of Agusan del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. It has a population of 69,241 according to the 2010 census. Founded in 1894, the city rose from its Spanish period beginnings to become the premier town of Agusan del Norte. Its rich cultural heritage is evident in its preserved colonial period houses and its archaeological collections. Following its recent declaration as a city, it is also the officially designated capital of the province per Republic Act 8811.
Geography
Cabadbaran lies 9 degrees north latitude and 125 degrees and 30 minutes east longitude in the northeastern part of Mindanao. Its boundaries are Tubay and Santiago to the north, Butuan Bay to the west, Magallanes and R. T. Romualdez to the south, and Sibagat, Agusan del Sur to the east. It is 29 kilometres (18 mi) from Butuan City. It is generally flat with rolling hills and swamplands in its western part. The highest of all mountains in the Caraga Region, Mount Hilong-Hilong (with an altitude of 2,012 metres (6,601 ft) above sea level), rises in this city.
Climate
The city belongs to the Second Climatic Type of the Corona Classification. No definite dry season in the place and maximum rainfall occurs from October to January. The average rainfall is 171.29 millimetres (6.744 in) per month, average annual temperature 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
History
CABADBARAN, as a community, is very old, so old that one could trace its existence back to 1200A.D. Traces of the existence of 12th century villages could be found along ancient waterways dissecting the territory now called Cabadbaran. Along the old creeks of Caasinan, Cambuayon and Capudlusan, pre-Spanish Cabadbaranons once lived, worked and died during the 9th-12th centuries, contemporaneous with the old archaeological sites in Butuan City. Artifacts from these pre-Spanish villages could be found today at the Cabadbaran City Artifacts Gallery now temporarily housed at the City Library.
We have no records of what is in Cabadbaran or what transpired therein during the early years of Spanish colonization except for the solitary site in Sanghan which exhibited Chinese ceramics made during the 15th-16th centuries.
Archival records showed that Cabadbaran was first mentioned in history as a small village chosen by Spanish authorities to become a new reduction which they called “La Reunion de Cabarbaran” in 1867. Added to the existing small population at that time were the inhabitants of Bunawan, Talacogon & Solibao who were coerced by Spanish authorities to migrate to La Reunion. Ten years later, in 1879, La Reunion was disbanded. Those from upper Agusan went back to their places of origin and the remnant population was attached to the town of Tubay.
In 1880-1881, Fr. Saturnino Urios revived the reduction but named it Tolosa in honor of his hometown in Spain. This reduction increased in population with migrants settling in coming from the Visayas. In 1880, its leadership under Teniente del Barrio Don Eduardo Curato, petitioned the Spanish authorities to approve its application for township which was granted in January 31, 1894 as archival documents showed. Separated now from Tubay, the new pueblo, still named Tolosa, increased in population and its economy was propped up by agriculture (rice production) and commerce (abaca trading). This steady growth was disrupted by the events of 1896, the revolution against Spain. But even at that time, no significant turmoil occurred in Cabadbaran until the coming of the American occupation forces in 1901.
Forced by the superiority in arms of the enemy, Filipino forces in Agusan, including those in Cabadbaran under Capt. Andres Atega were forced to surrender. Under American rule and tutelage, Tolosa which was now called again as Cabadbaran (due to Don Andres Atega’s proposal) became a center of growth in Northern Agusan.
Public education system was established in 1903 with George Bohner as the first American teacher. With the appointment of Dr. Pedro Malbas as Public Health Officer in the 1920s, public health was improved upon construction of sanitary toilets, deep wells & drainage canals. The American authorities also embarked in public construction of roads & bridges. Early local leaders who led the struggle but eventually surrendered to the Americans were appointed/elected to different government positions. Don Andres, for one, became Treasurer, Juez de Paz, Inspector of Public Schools and Member of the Provincial Board at one time or another.
New generation of leaders also emerged. Apolonio “Oyok” Curato, a son of Eduardo became a lawyer and represented Agusan in the 1935 Constitutional Convention. He became Governor and Congressman of the undivided province of Agusan.
In economy, Cabadbaran continued producing abaca but started abaca production from the extensive coconut plantations established at the start of the American occupation. Rice remained as staple crop grown in the ricefields of present day areas of Calibunan and Mabini. The Agusan-Surigao road became serviceable in the 1930s. Several Bus lines, among the MASTRANCO, started public service along this route, thus catapulting economic growth. The advent of World War II again disrupted not only the growth of Cabadbaran but the whole province as well. With the entry of Japanese forces in 1944 and the defeat of the fledgling Phil. Army and U.S. forces, it didn’t take long for anti-Japanese forces to get organized. Fil-Am Guerilla forces started resistance first in Buenavista then followed by actions in Cabadbaran. Foremost among these guerilla organizers were Judge Jose Villanueva, Capt. Benjamin Famador, Capt. Plenio Atega, etc. (see “Red Sun Over Agusan” by Florante Mori). These dark years under Japan were years when heroes, villains and traitors made their marks in the annals of history not only in Cabadbaran but the whole of Agusan and Surigao as well.
In July 4, 1946 after liberation, Philippine independence was formally granted by America but economic dependence on America was and still a knot that has yet to be untied until today. In spite of this hindering factor, economic growth continued to advance with gains in agriculture and technology. In Cabadbaran, copra, abaca, rice and corn remain as staple crops. But new sources of wealth were now derived from the forests and mountains of Agusan.
Although small-scale gold mining had already began earlier, the entry of Manila Mining Corp. in the 1960s in the rich gold lode in Pirada, Del Pilar brought in jobs and income to many people of Cabadbaran and even until today gold is still a fabulous source of wealth to many who have gambled their lives and fortune to seek this metal. Logging, a bane to the environment but a boon to those who invested in this industry became also a rich source of income to Cabadbaranons in the 1960s until the 1970s.
Together with economic growth, strides were also made in the field of education as attested by the establishment of different high schools and lately, colleges in Cabadbaran. In politics, the rise and fall of presidents of the republic flow side by side with the rise and fall of political forces in Agusan, most of which are family centered. Among others, the Curatos, Ategas, Rosaleses, Aquinos, Calos and the Plazas have indelibly left their marks in the administration of the province one of which is the division of the lone province of Agusan into two: Agusan del Sur and Agusan del Norte.
Lately, the political forces that coalesced under the strong leadership of the Amantes contributed a great bearing on the current status of Cabadbaran. With a considerable mass support base all throughout Agusan del Norte and Butuan City, the Amantes have been able to push through their development advocacies over the years. Since then, the Amante clan remained a formidable force in the whole of Agusan del Norte.
But, little is known about how home-grown values have shaped the socio-political landscape of Cabadbaran from the time of its establishment in 1894 and onwards. Fully enmeshed into the consciousness of every proud Cabadbaranon, they served their purpose by acting as moral forces that bind its people together as they fall and rise across time and generation. Nowhere have these ideals been more manifest than in Cabadbaran’s protracted struggle towards cityhood - the defining moment for all Cabadbaranons.
Cabadbaran’s bid for cityhood began in April 12, 2007 by virtue of Republic Act 9434, authored by Representative Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba which converted Cabadbaran into a component city of Agusan del Norte. The man at the helm of this refurbished strip is Mayor Dale Bokingo Corvera, who had just assumed office after the local election of the same year as Municipal Mayor. The conversion of the then municipality into a component city of Agusan del Norte had opened the doors for more opportunities. At that time, however, Cabadbaran needed a major facelift on all fronts. Having received a fresh mandate, it was Mayor Corvera as the first City Mayor of Cabadbaran, who undertook the bold move of instituting fundamental reforms while at the same time streamlining the local bureaucracy, among others. The development of the fledgling city could have set off earlier during his term were it not for the legal brawl that embroiled the city for the next four years. Despite the insurmountable odds heaped against him, the new mayor was able to rise up from the rubbles of adversity.
It was in early 2007 prior to the conduct of the plebiscite on July 28, 2007 when the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) challenged the cityhood laws as unconstitutional by filing a petition before the Supreme Court for that purpose. They argued that the 16 newly-converted cities (known as the League of 16) failed to qualify the statutory criteria for income requirements as set forth by Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 thereby allegedly reducing the internal revenue allotments of the existing cities nationwide. However, Congress had already expressed an earlier stand that the 16 newly-converted cities were exempted from the income requirements mandated by law. The LCP however refused to accept Congress’ position and even went into great lengths to have the cityhood laws declared unconstitutional.
It must be noted that the cityhood case shook the entire legal community because it exhibited a divided Supreme Court. Since it first declared the cityhood law unconstitutional in November of 2008, the High Court had been receiving quite a number of criticisms from legal luminaries for the flip-flopping of its decision. When it initially declared unconstitutional the law in 2008, no one expected that the Court would overturn its own decision later on. That is why when it did in 2009---after two failed attempts of the League of 16 to move for a reconsideration---the LCP cried foul and itself filed a motion for reconsideration. In August of 2010, the Supreme Court, in the most unusual way, invalidated the 2009 decision of constitutionality and reinstated the 2008 decision of unconstitutionality, only to be reversed again in February of 2011 where the legal cartwheel finally ended. This time, however, the decision to uphold the constitutionality of the city hood law was meant to be final forever. It is worth mentioning that Cabadbaran City was ably represented by legal hawk, Atty. Estilito Mendoza, in its legal fiasco before the Supreme Court.
The resolution of the cityhood controversy is considered one of the liberating episodes in Cabadbaran’s history. For four long years, it was unable to move at the crossroads, the controversy being fraught with so much excitement, frustration, division and total surrender. But because of the innate resiliency, bayanihan attitude and deep religiosity of the people, the insurmountable odds were prevailed over. At the center of all these efforts was the rallying cry of Mayor Corvera against the backdrop of the Cabadbaranons’ belief and faith in God.
During the height of the cityhood controversy, Mayor Corvera stood his ground. Realizing that the issue has already transcended beyond human fallibility, he surrendered the fate of Cabadbaran to God by summoning the help of all the sectors, particularly the spiritual leaders, in a meeting called for the purpose at the Beads Restaurant. Realizing that the matter is already within the realms of divine intervention, he pleaded assistance from pastors and priests for which the latter gladly accepted the challenge. That call for unification was a classic articulation of his leadership skills, his being an International Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines having played a major part in the shaping of his character.
A week after that, the city government in cooperation with the religious leaders organized a prayer meeting dubbed as “Prayer for Justice and Fairness” which event gathered the people representing various offices, schools, barangays and other key sectors in Cabadbaran in a morning of intense prayer and supplication before a jam-packed crowd at the City Gymnasium. The extraordinary prayer gathering was full of emotion with the religious leaders pounding the heavens for divine intercession as the audience broke down into tears. Since then, the religious sector of Cabadbaran City has been very much actively involved in providing spiritual assistance as churches around the city started hanging streamers and banners expressing prayers of heavenly mercy in favor of the cityhood case.
The heavenly supplications continued all throughout the years 2009, 2010 and even until 2011. For the city employee’s part, they wasted no moment everyday by persistently doing their Monday morning convocations. The longer it has been consistently done, the more intense the prayers became. If there was anything good about that controversy, it would be the unity the people had shown in coming together for a unified purpose. For that reason, Mayor Corvera decided to institutionalize the Monday morning convocations until the finality of the cityhood case was sealed in June 28, 2011.
His people-centered and transparent governance having impacted his grass-roots constituents, Mayor Corvera obtained major headways under his leadership since he assumed office in 2007. Hence, in the national and local election of May 2013, he received a fresh mandate - his last term - unopposed. Since then, he had been at the forefront of institutional, economic, social and political reforms in Cabadbaran City by invoking his mantra of people’s participation, transparency and accountability at all levels of local governance.
Candon is a city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 57,884 people. Dubbed as the "Tobacco Capital of the Philippines" the city is the country's largest producer of Virginia-type tobacco. As the district center of southern Ilocos Sur, the city plays a vital role in the development of adjacent municipalities.
This once small resort town is known for making the heaviest and largest kalamay, a sweet and sticky snack made from sticky rice, coconut milk and sugar, in the world. This city also has a rich historical background. In its legends, the name of the city is derived from the legendary "kandong" tree which is now but extinct in the area. Its patron saint is John of Sahagun and his feast day is celebrated every June 12.
Candon is the center of the 2nd district of Ilocos Sur. Government District offices are all located in the city. The city supports more than 100,000 citizens in terms of commercial and industrial services.
Etymology
Several theories exist about the etymology of the city. One is that the name of the city was derived from the now rare "candong" tree. It is said by locals that during Spanish times, the powerful chieftains of the area, after having a gathering called a "kaniaw," held a contest (called "gabbu," a wrestling contest) to decide the husband of Ineng, the daughter of the most powerful chieftain, Madal-ang, and his would-be successor, owing to his advancing age. The contest was held under the shade of the candong trees, the residence of Madal-ang. The winner was the chieftain named Kalinio, resident of the caves of Cauplasan who defeated Madal-ang and another chieftain named Abay-a from the caves of Cadanglaan. Kalinio and the daughter of the chieftain were wed under the shade of a candong tree in grandiose ceremonies.
During this wedding, a group of Spaniards, which included Captain Juan de Salcedo, passed by, and asked what was going on. Natives thought they were asking for the name of the tree, so they uttered, "Candong." Candon in Spanish would be pronounced as Candong.
Another theory is that the place was named after the town of Candon in Spain.
Geography
Candon City is situated in the lower central portion of the Province of Ilocos Sur. It has a "C" shape with elevations ranging from 10 – 500 ft above sea level. The city is bounded by the municipality of Santa Lucia in the south; the municipality of Salcedo is the southeast,; the municipalities of Galimuyod and San Emilio in the east; the municipalities of Santiago and Banayoyo in the north and the South China Sea in the west.
Climate
The climate is generally dry that usually occurs from the months of October to May. However, the southernmost portion is observed to be humid and rain is evenly distributed throughout the year while the eastern part is dry with rain not sufficiently distributed. August has the most rainfall while January and February have the least. The mean temperature in the province is 27 °C (81 °F). January is the coldest.
History
According to the city archives, Malayan settlers were the first residents of Candon City that later turned into a village. Settlers were mostly farmers, fishermen, woodsmen and craftsmen. The Village was then ruled by three local chieftains: Abay-a, Madalang and Kalinio. Madalang chose as his abode the shade of a gargantuan tree which stood in the center of the said village and under this large tree people converged to exchange pleasantries and goods. This is also where the elders and the chief settle disputes and offer advice. The Villagers named the large tree “Kandong”.
Upon the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, the symbolic tree was cut down upon orders of the friars and its lumber was used for the construction of the first Catholic Church in the area. The people were easily led into the new church and were converted to Catholicism. The Spaniards named the place Candon from their version of the “Kandong” tree. The cemetery yard in the Catholic Church located south of the Poblacion area was constructed in 1797. In 1780, the village was turned into a municipality. Under the Spanish rule, the village was quickly taken over by wealthy Spaniards employing the natives in conditions of near slavery. Famine occurred in 1881 and 1882. Then on March 25, 1898, a revolutionary government was declared and attacked the Spaniards. However, Spanish troops were able to re-occupy Candon. Most of the leaders and participants of the uprising were arrested and then summarily executed.
During the Japanese occupation in 1942, another revolution was staged. Several truckloads of Japanese forces and supplies perished along the national highway. However, the Japanese Soldiers retaliated back by burning the whole town in January 1942, which is considered the greatest event that ever happened in the history of Candon. Despite the hardships that the townsfolk went through during the World Wars, residents were steadfast to go through the process of redemption and rebuilding. And the tall acacia trees that now adorned the town plaza and municipal buildings are testimonies of the Candon’s steadfastness. Large trees now spans alongside the National Highway of the Poblacion which towers up to 15 meters high and 20 feet in circumference.
Commerce and industry
The Municipality of Candon has a geographical setting and proximity to the national highway and other towns that encouraged greater mobility in terms of trade, economic, social and cultural activities. The Department of Trade and Industry termed the City as the center for trade and commerce in Ilocos Sur.
Many adjacent towns frequent Candon for commercial activities, catering to the commercial needs of an estimated 100,000 population. The City also has a supermarket and a shopping mall, banking and lending institutions, recreational facilities, tourism facilities, health and medical establishments.
Existing industries in Candon City are manufacturing, agro-industry and cottage industry. The manufacturing sector owns the Tobacco Stalk Cement Bonded Board Plant that produces particle boards for low cost housing and other construction needs. Other manufacturing establishments are based on calamay making, chichacorn, bakeshop/bakery, and ice cream, and vinegar, furniture making shop, concrete products and Coconut Oil Processing Plant located at Barangay Talogtog. On the other hand, the cottage industry includes “balut” or egg production, fish re-drying, salt making, native delicacies, woodcrafts and handicrafts.
Service establishments are also present in Candon, such as sari-sari and grocery stores, carinderias, nightclubs, barber shops, beauty parlors, gasoline stations and stores/outlets for the following: auto parts, agricultural equipment and supplies, school and office supplies, photo and supplies, appliances, pharmaceuticals, hardware and electrical. There are also video centers, bazaars, gift shops, pawnshops and mineral/distilled drinking water store outlets, and real estate.
Climate
The climate is generally dry that usually occurs from the months of October to May. However, the southernmost portion is observed to be humid and rain is evenly distributed throughout the year while the eastern part is dry with rain not sufficiently distributed. August has the most rainfall while January and February have the least. The mean temperature in the province is 27 °C. January is the coldest.
Roman Catholic is the predominant religion in Candon City.
Calbayog, is a city in the province of Samar, Philippines. It lies along the coastal region of the province stretching about 60 miles (97 km) from the northern tip of the island and 180 miles (290 km) from southern boundaries.
It is the third largest city in terms of land and water areas in the Philippines. The first crowned city of Samar and the nineteenth city of the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, Calbayog has a population of 172,778 in 37,395 households, making it the third most populated city in Eastern Visayas region and the most populated city on Samar island, the city alone makes up for 23.5% of the population of the province of Samar. Calbayog is one of the commercial trade centers in Eastern Visayas. Calbayog is subdivided into three major districts: Calbayog, Tinambacan and Oquendo.
History
Calbayog's early history has been associated with the introduction and spread of Catholicism in the country. Calbayog started as one of the small settlements in the Island of Samar, an area assigned to the Jesuit missionaries. Jesuit chroniclers, as early as the 17th century, notably Fr. Ignacio Alcina, wrote many accounts about it and its people. Jesuit records and reports referred to the settlement initially as Ibatan and Jibatang (Hibatang). In the annual report of 1739 the name Calbayog appeared for the first time. Fr. de Huerta, a 19th-century Franciscan writer, noted in his work Estado Geografico that in earlier times, Calbayog was called Tiayban for having been founded near a river of the same name. Then it was transferred due to a flood to the shore of the Hibatang River, whose name it took. Then again the settlers transferred to the place that they permanently occupied and took the name Calbayog.
Hibatang had already been a small settlement at the beginning of the 17th century. It slowly occupied a prominent place among the several small settlements. It became a visita (a large barrio with a chapel, similar to a chapelry in Britain) of Capul under the jurisdiction of the Parish priest of that town. After the expulsion of the Jesuit missionaries from the Philippines in the 18th century, the administration of the parishes in Samar was handled over to the Franciscan friars.
Calbayog as a town and parish during the Spanish period was composed of several villages, the most populated of which are called visitas. Calbayog grew from visita size and became a pueblo (town). It was created a separate parish in 1785. Separated from the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the parish priest of Capul, it was later given its own minister, becoming a religious center. Its parish priests cared for the spiritual needs of the people living in what are now Calbayog City, the municipalities of Sta. Margarita, Sto. Niño and Almagro. By the late 19th century a number of visitas became the poblaciones when new towns were created from Calbayog. They were Caybago (later called Oquendo), Sta. Margarita, Weyler (later called Tinambacan) and Sto. Niño.
During the American Era, Calbayog rose to political as well as religious prominence. Prominent political and religious figures in Samar and Leyte emerged from it, particularly those who studied in the Colegio-Seminario de San Vicente de Paul (now Christ the King College and St. Vincent de Paul Seminary) which was established in 1905 and La Milagrosa Academy which was established in 1911. Both schools were run by the religious.
On April 10, 1910, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calbayog was created by virtue of the Papal Bull of Pope Pius X, comprising the islands of Samar and Leyte. Calbayog became the episcopal see of the diocese. In 1942, the Japanese occupation forces entered in Calbayog city, in 1945, the liberated in Calbayog city by the Philippine Commonwealth troops and recognized guerrillas against the Japanese forces in World War II. It was only much later that the other dioceses in the region were created.
Republic Act No. 328, otherwise known as the City charter of Calbayog was signed into law on July 15, 1948 by then President Elpedio Quirino who became president after president Manuel A. Roxas died in April 15, 1948 due to cardiac arrest. The first set of city officials, incumbent municipal officials of the place, were sworn in on October 16, 1948 much later than the signing of the law that created Calbayog City (Republic Act 328) as the municipal officials waited. Legally, therefore, Calbayog was founded as a city on July 15, 1948 as it was on this date that its charter was signed into law. The city comprises the territorial jurisdiction of the former Municipalities of Calbayog, Oquendo and Tinambacan.
Geography
The city has a total area of 90,300 hectares (223,000 acres) which is 0.301% of the archipelago's total land area, 4.21% of the regional land area, 6.724% of the island of Samar and 16.10% of the Samar province area.
Forty percent of the city's land area are plain and hilly terrains with elevation ranging from 5 to 20 metres (16 to 66 ft) above sea level. The rest are rugged mountain ranges with elevations from 300 to 700 metres (980 to 2,300 ft) above sea level. Flooding is minimized because of many rivers, brooks, streams and natural water conveyors that flow towards the sea.
Climate
Calbayog experiences a variety of wind types: Amihan (northeastwind), Timog (southwind), Habagat (southwestwind), Canaway (northwest wind), Cabunghan (east wind), Dumagsa (southeast wind) and Salatan (west wind).
Calbayog has well distributed rainfall throughout the year, except during the summer months of February through May, when most parts of the city are dry. The highest rainfall intensity recorded is 267 millimetres (10.5 in) per hour. Heavy downpour is seldom experienced in the locality, therefore making Calbayog potentially appropriate for protective agricultural investment.
Culture
Sarakiki- Hadang Festival
Sarakiki is a local term apparently referring to premeditated or frenzied movements which means to allure, to draw with, to attract or exercise attraction, to entice or to win. By its pre-colonial denotation, it means to praise, extol or eulogize spirits of gods. The word does not only ascribe to the ritual or hadang as an activity to gratify the gods, but likewise hadang as the offering or the sacrifice.
Sarakiki as a ritual dance per se is a dance-offering of the Warays to their deity or deities which traces its roots to pre-colonial religious beliefs. Calbayognons held that spirits occupied a position of command over the power of nature which may inflict harm or do good in society. Rituals to please these spirits were held during feasts and other occasions like planting and harvest season, drought and in times of dreadful epidemics. The ceremony could last a couple of days. It involved the entire villagers who offered (manok) sacrifices to venerate the spirits. Traditionally, our forefathers make use of patani ug ugis nga manok (black feather and white feather chicken) as the offering in veneration of the spirits.
In the context of cultural development, the term Sarakiki is adapted to describe the significance of the movements used in the famous dance "kuratsa", a courtship dance eminent to all Calbayognons. Today "kuratsa" is the most popular dance form consummated in all celebrations most especially during wedding jovialities. Sarakiki is likewise place forth in songs particularly the SADA-SADA an event of merriment in the evening before a wedding ceremony, which redound to one of our most well-liked tradition, the so-called pamalaye or pamamanhikan. Another confirmation is the thumbs-up form of the Calbayognons while dancing which represents the tahud. During the 1st Grand National Streetdance Competition – Aliwan Fiesta on May 1–3, 2003, participated by 26 famous festivals in the country,the Sarakiki-Hadang Festival of Calbayog City won the 3rd prize. Sarakiki-Hadang Festival is celebrated in Calbayog City every year from September 1 to 8 under the auspices of the City Arts And Culture Office.
Karako
This is a less popular but a more traditional celebration of the folks from Brgy. Matobato about merry dancing at the shores bearing the image of Nuestra Senora de Porta Vaga, more popularly known as "Soleda". This festival is specially pursued and initiated by the descendants of the early settlers in the community called "Tagalugan" referring to Tagalog speaking migrants from Cavite City during the Spanish era. The celebration is prominently highlighted by the presence of "kubol" or sea-shanties made up of bamboo and coconut palm leaves. The devotees dance their way from the local Chapel as they bring out the image and pass by the different "kubols" until reaching the main "kubol" where a simple ceremony is conducted. The date of celebration though is not very prominent because of the confusion of the actual festival day which falls either on January 27 during the local barangay fiesta or every last Sunday of October.
Calbayog Ko
"Calbayog Ko" is a famous folk song in the city composed by Jose Cinco Gomez. It serves as a symbol of the love of Calbayognons to their city and it serves as the "anthem" of the city.it is even sanged before the office in the city hall starts their duties
Catbalogan City, is the capital of Samar province, Philippines, with a population of 94,317 (2010 Census). It is Samar's main commercial, trading, educational, political and financial center. It is also an important and major seaport serving inter-island vessels. Catbalogan City's central geographical location in Eastern Visayas makes it ideal as the gateway to the region's three Samar provinces. The city is often referred to as "The Gateway to Samar Region."
Each region of the country has its own patron saint, and their feast days are celebrated with gusto. Catbalogan City's Patron Saint is St. Bartholomew, the Apostle, and celebrates its city fiesta on August 24. Known in the Scriptures as Nathaniel, St. Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Christ and a martyr of the Christian faith. He also witnessed the Ascension of Jesus. Together with St. Jude, he introduced Christianity to Armenia during the first century. He preached in India, Mesopotamia, Iran and Egypt and was able to convert thousands to Christianity.
History
Catbalogan City was founded or settled sometime in October 1596 by the priests of the Jesuit Order (Society of Jesus) and became the cabecera (capital) of the whole island of Samar. Friar Francisco de Otazo, S.J., who arrived in the Philippines in 1596, founded the Catbalogan Mission and was thus the first missionary to bring the Catholic faith to the people of Catbalogan. In 1627, Catbalogan was raised to the status of residencia (residence or central house) and among its dependencies were Paranas where in 1629 Father Pedro Estrada actively evangelized the area and Calbiga where he took whiterocks or grey limestone to use as building blocks for its church. On October 17, 1768, Catbalogan was ceded to the Franciscans who took over from the Jesuits. The first Franciscan parish priest was Fray Jose Fayo, OFM.
During the early days of Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 16th century, Samar was under the jurisdiction of Cebu but later was declared a separate province. In 1735, Samar and Leyte were united into one province with Carigara, in Leyte, as the capital. The union, however, did not prove satisfactory. In 1768, Catbalogan City became the provincial capital when Samar separated from Leyte and became an independent province.
On January 27, 1900, the Americans captured Catbalogan City during the Philippine-American War (1899–1902). On June 17, 1902, a provincial civil government was established on Samar Island by an act of the Philippine Commission with Julio Llorente of Cebu as the first governor of Samar.
On May 24, 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces landed in Barrio Pangdan and occupied the capital. On December 18, 1945, American and Filipino forces liberated Catbalogan City from the Japanese.
In 1948, the barrios of Jiabong, Jiaan, Malino, San Fernando, Casapa, Camoroboan, Lologayan, Magcabitas, Paglayogan, Dogongan, Bayog, and Malobago were separated to form the municipality of Jiabong.
On June 19, 1965, the Philippine Congress, along with the province's three congressmen, Eladio T. Balite (1st District), Fernando R. Veloso (2nd District) and Felipe J. Abrigo (3rd District), approved Republic Act No. 4221 dividing Samar into three provinces, namely Western Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, respectively. Catbalogan City thus ceased to be the capital of the whole island-province after enjoying the prestige of being the premier town of Samar for 197 years since 1768.
On June 21, 1969, under Republic Act No. 5650, Western Samar was renamed Samar with Catbalogan City remaining as the capital.
The greatest calamities to occur in Catbalogan City were big fires. The April 1, 1957 conflagration, considered as the most destructive one, caused damage to properties in the amount of thirty million pesos. The next was on May 19, 1969, where damage was estimated at twenty million pesos and the more than century-old Saint Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church was razed to the ground. Paradoxically, like the proverbial Phoenix, each time Catbalogan City suffered under the throes of these calamities, better buildings and infrastructures emerged from the ashes.
As early as 1960, Catbalogan already agitated to become a city. In 1969, Rep. Fernando P. Veloso sponsored House Bill No. 1867 creating Catbalogan into a city. The bill was being deliberated in the Philippine Senate, but the blaze of 1969 unfortunately caused it to be shelved. Subsequent efforts were made by Catbalogan's political leaders, such as Mayor Jesus B. Redaja, Vice Mayor Gerardo C. Teves, Councilor Art Sherwin Gabon, Mayor Coefredo "Tekwa" Uy and Vice-Mayor Manuel Van A. Torrevillas and Representatives Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura and Catalino V. Figueroa, respectively, to make Catbalogan's cityhood dream a reality despite strong and rabid opposition by the League of Cities of the Philippines, particularly Catbalogan City's neighboring Calbayog under the administration of Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento.
On March 15, 2007, Catbalogan finally attained its cityhood. Under the sponsorship of Senator Alfredo S. Lim and by virtue of Republic Act No. 9391, Catbalogan was converted into a component city known as the CITY of CATBALOGAN following a unanimous vote by the Philippine Senate. Senator Manuel Villar, Jr. (President of the Senate), Congressman Jose De Venecia, Jr. (Speaker of the House of Representatives), Oscar G. Yabes (Secretary of the Senate), Roberto P. Nazareno (Secretary General, House of Representatives) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (President of the Philippines) were among its signatories. The residents of Catbalogan overwhelmingly ratified this change through a Comelec plebiscite on June 16, 2007 with over 92% "Yes" votes for cityhood.
However, Catbalogan temporarily lost its cityhood, along with 15 other cities, after the Supreme Court of the Philippines in a very close 6-5 vote granted a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, and declared the cityhood law (RA 9391) which allowed the town to acquire its city status, unconstitutional.
On December 10, 2008, Catbalogan and the other 15 cities affected filed a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court. More than a year later, on December 22, 2009, acting on said appeal, the Court reversed its earlier ruling as it ruled that "at the end of the day, the passage of the amendatory law (regarding the criteria for cityhood as set by Congress) is no different from the enactment of a law, i.e., the cityhood laws specifically exempting a particular political subdivision from the criteria earlier mentioned. Congress, in enacting the exempting law/s, effectively decreased the already codified indicators." As such, the cityhood status of Catbalogan was effectively restored.
