MUNICIPALITY OF SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA

(Reprinted from the Binirayan 2000 Souvenir Magazine)

In the middle of thirteenth century (year 1250), ten Bornean Datus and their wives, children, warriors servants and followers left Borneo and the cruelty, oppression and tyranny of Sultan Makatunao. They landed one day in December at Siriwagan, San Joaquin, Province of lloilo. After interrogating two Negritos, who were fishing, they were told that their leader, Chieftain Marikudo with his wife, Maniwantiwan were living in Sinugbo not far from the place. Then the Datus went downstream and found the Ati ruler. Negotiations were made and the ‘Barter of Panay” took place. Panay was bought in exchange for a gold salakot for Marikudo and a long, gold necklace for Maniwangtiwan. The other three datus sailed northward to Luzon, leaving the seven datus under the leadership of Datu Sumakwel.

Settlements after settlements were soon established from Malandog, which later spread outside of Malandog including Tubigon, now San Jose de Buenavista. A settlement was also established in Naganya (Egana). Barangay Odiong served as a water dock for boats of Malays coming from Malandog to eastern part of Hantique (Antique). To signal stopping and coming in of boats, the aduana (port) authorities made use of budyong or horns made from a carabao’s horn. The blowing of budyong took place at Telegrapo in Tubigon as this spot served as the signal and control tower. The rivers of Hantique (Antique) at that time were navigable, thus, the means of travel was by water.

The Spanish colonizers came to Hantique (Antique) in 1581 .With them came the Augustinian friars that Christianized the inhabitants who lived in Hamtic. They taught the people to believe in God and accept Christ as the Savior of the Roman Catholic faith. They built churches in Maybato, Asluman, Naganya (Egana) and Bugason (Bugasong).

There was no place called San Jose at that time. The place was called Tubigon* because it was under water. Tubigon was still a part of Hamtic and a “visita”of the church of Hamtic, meaning it has no parish priest of its own. The people went to Maybato to hear mass. The church was a big stone edifice, which gave the name “Maybato” to its vicinity. Moro pirates frequently plundered the shore of Hamtic and went as far as Maybato. These Moro pirates burned the church and took away the huge bell in the belfry. They had not gone far away from Mala-iba when their boat sank into the sea and in colloquial Spanish, Mala-iba means, ‘it had gone away”, hence, the name of the place since then. It was in 1733 when San Jose, formerly called “Tubigon” was founded and in 1790, it acquired its land title through land grants issued by the then Governor-General Carlos Benequer de Marquina. Afterwards, it became a regular “curra”or parish having its first “curra paroco” or parish priest, Fr. Manuel Ibañes, OSA.

In 1872, San Jose became a town. Then in 1902, it was made the capital of the Province of Hantique (Antique). Government officials and church dignitaries came by boat to attend the ceremonies. Impressed by the marvelous view of the town, they added to the name San Jose, the word “de Buenavista,” (meaning beautiful view) Hence, the present name, “San Jose de Buenavista.”

Before the creation of San Jose de Buenavista into what it is today, it had three neighboring pueblos, namely Guintas, Antike and San Pedro. These pueblos, each under the Presidente Municipal, served for one year as follows:

        Ramon Javier, Antike                  1901 —1902

        Nemesio Tinga, Guintas              1901 —1902

        Emigdio Moscoso, San Pedro      1901 —1902

        Anselmo Alicante, San Jose         1901 —1902

        Feliciano Mijillano, Antike          1902—1903

        Apolonio Magbanua, Guintas     1902—1903

        Agapito Capistrano, San Pedro   1902—1903

When the pueblos were fixed into one pueblo, San Jose, the following served as Presidente Municipal:

       Martin Iglesias, San Jose              1904 —1 905

       Mariano Autajay, San Jose          1905 —1 908

       Jacinto Peña, San Jose                 1908—1910

       Sixto Quilino, San Jose               1910 —1 912

       Vicente Javier, San Jose               1918 —1 922

      Antonio Ricarze, San Jose             1919 —1 922

(He died in office, January 1 922 and San Jose Iglesias served the unexpired term for the whole year.)

      Gregorio Esclavilla                       1922 —1 928

      Alberto Villavert                          1928 —1 934

      Antonio delos Reyes                     1934 —1 937

      Silverio Nietes                              1928 —1 951

      Julian Pacificador                        1952 —1 954

In 1934, the title, Presidente Municipal, was changed to Municipal Mayor. When Hamtic was separated from San Jose in 1954, Municipal Mayor Julian Pacificador was transferred to Hamtic and Vice-Mayor Delfin Encarnacion took over as Municipal Mayor of San Jose.

      Severa Panaguiton-Banusing         1956- 1963  (Still the first and only female mayor of San Jose)

      Agerico Villavert                           1964— 1967

      Oscar Salazar                               1968—May 7,1986

In 1986, the incumbent Municipal Mayor did not finish his term of office when the EDSA Revolution, a peaceful civilian-backed uprising took place and successfully brought President Corazon C. Aquino to power. Major revamp and changes were made in the national and local government offices which led to the appointment of Officer-in Charge, Efren G. Esclavilla from May 8,1986 to December 1987. Mr. Condrado V. Petinglay, Jr. served as Officer-in-Charge when Efren G. Esclavilla filed his candidacy to run for the mayoral seat. He was elected Municipal mayor for a term of four years from 1988-1992. The synchronized national and local elections held in May 1992 again brought former Mayor Efren G. Esclavilla to the same mayoralty position.

The 1998 elections brought a new set of local officials under the leadership of incumbent Mayor Fernando Corvera and Vice Mayor Ronnie Molina. The two were reelected in the 2001 elections and are still serving to date.

PROGRAM THRUSTS:

The main thrust and policy of the present administration has been geared towards the improvement of the quality of life of the farmers and anglers, the rural folks and the whole populace. Towards this goal, the administration had embarked on various development projects and endeavors to provide the people with basic infrastructure support facilities and services which will encourage them to produce more and enable them to market their produce with such ease and convenience. It will also enable them to further maximize the utilization of their existing resources without prejudice to the conservation measures to be instituted.

Another identified thrust of the administration is the development of the human resources. This policy is greatly complemented with the provision of the necessary infra support facilities such as the transfer of adequate and appropriate technology by conducting various livelihood training opportunities in dressmaking, cut flowers, rug toy making, and other means of livelihood in order to equip the people with the necessary skills and expertise. This policy is further complemented with the provision of easy credit facilities by way of capital mobilization for small scale business. The role of NGO's in this aspect is also making a big difference.

The present administration is deeply committed to the realization of the total socio- economic development not only through infrastructure support facilities, technology transfer and provision of livelihood opportunities but also by striving to link the producers with outside marketing outlets and prospective investors.

The year 1992-1993 has been considered a challenging year for the LGUs. It served as an adjustment period for the implementation of the New Local Government Code of 1991. With the national line agencies come the greater responsibility of finding additional resources to meet the additional expenses for the devolved agencies.

With the rapid increase and development of the business sector, basic services such as garbage collection, traffic, drainage and housing, among others, are being prioritized. The provision of telecommunication services, a wider market, a functional port and serviceable airport are among the infra-support facilities necessary to improve business in the municipality. A negotiation with the DOTC regarding the installation of a telecommunication facility is already underway. The improvement of the port is also on-going and studies for expansion of the present water system is also being undertaken. The problem of high power rates has been elevated to the national level and negotiations for a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) infrastructure construction scheme of the Villaziga hydro electric plant is also being pursued.

Should all these endeavors succeed, the municipality will experience sufficiency in water supply, low power rates, access to telecommunication facilities and easy transportation.

As to the housing demand, the municipality is undertaking the revision of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance. An inventory of possible sites for housing development is also in process. Negotiations with housing developers and financing institutions have already started.

ON- GOING PROJECTS:

The municipality has acquired a six-hectare lot situated more or less 800 meters from the present site. The public market had already been relocated to what is now known as the Trade Town. The former was replaced with a multi-million-peso Business Park that is targeted for expansion progressively. The project was conceived to solve the congestion, traffic flow and waste disposal. It will offer the growing number of new entrepreneurs, who would like to start business ventures in the municipality, a better business environment and climate.

The port of San Jose de Buenavista is presently being rehabilitated in order to accommodate at least a passenger ship to ply the Manila to Antique route.

The municipality is also entertaining the idea of transferring the port to Barangay San Pedro by dredging the mouth of Sibalom river to accommodate bigger ships. The idea has been presented to various financing institutions for a Build-Operate-Transfer scheme. The present port in San Jose does not offer a safe shelter for ships during the typhoon season.

Another factor, which can readily contribute to the rapid growth of the economy of this capital town, is the availability of telecommunication facilities. This is one of the major drawbacks of the municipalitys drive to industrialization. The DOTC has yet to consider the municipalitys request for assistance for the improvement of the present telecommunication facilities.

Another thrust is the provision of low-cost housing units. A proposal to this effect has already been submitted to the DILG and the National Housing Authority.

PLANS AND PROGRAMS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR

Various development projects have been programmed for the coming years but the main thrust of the present administration is to prove that it has the financial capability to meet the ever-growing needs of the municipality and the financial responsibility brought about by the devolution as mandated in RA 7160.

The municipality is looking forward to several alternative projects, which could boost income through the operation of a fishing port and expansion of commercial stalls.

* A DIFFERENT VERSION OF HOW SAN JOSE GOT ITS NAME:

About two hundred years ago, the site now occupied by San Jose de Buenavista was a dense jungle and a favorite landing place of the Moro pirates who used to come over and raid the countryside. During the invasions of 1743, the moros were reported to have penetrated as far as Catung-agan, but all were killed with the exception of three by the famous Manglo of Igmatongtong (Bugasong). The year1776 saw a return of the Moros to Bugasong in 1779, Badyangan (Patnongon) was the scene of their depredations, while Barbaza, the place suffered in their hands in 1782 and 1787. The inhabitants gradually moved away from the coastal areas and settled in the mountains and only two towns remained--Bugasong (founded in 1743) and Antike (founded in 1745), both belonging to the province of Oton. The Moro pirates used to land in the neighborhood of Madrangca and from there, penetrated into the other regions of the province. It gradually became clear that one of the best ways to stop them from landing at the point was to cut down the jungle and thus prevent their surreptitious landings and plunderous invasions of the areas. Seven men began this hazardous undertaking in Malai-ba near the San Juan Spring under the leadership of Augustin Sumandi. In the year 1790, the sitio of Mala-iba changed its name into San Jose, not only to honor its patron saint but also to perpetuate the name of Augustin Sumandi's son, Jose. Government officials and church dignitaries arrived by boat to attend the ceremonies and were so much impressed by the marvelous view of that town from the sea that they added to the name the words "de Buenavista". In 1802, upon petition of the people, San Jose became the capital of the province of Antique and Augustin Sumandi was appointed as its first Gobernadorcillo.

ACUSA Home | Anini-y | Tobias Fornier | Hamtic | San Jose de Buenavista | Sibalom | San Remigio | Belison | Patnongon | Bugasong | Valderrama | Barbaza | Laua-an | Tibiao | Culasi | Sebaste | Pandan | Libertad | Caluya