History of Maayon
November 9th, 2007 by mbhSome thirty two kilometers southeast of
Roxas City lies the town of Maayon, the latest addition to the fifteen
municipalities which composes the Province of Capiz. It has an area of 18,002
hectares or 180.02 sq. kms. Pockmarked with green and verdant forest. Hidden
under the bossom of its fertile land are rich natural resources ready to be
tapped.
As to the origin of
the name of Maayon not much has been written about it, but folks speak of
several versions and one among those considered most popular was when a group of
Spanish soldiers while pursuing the insurrectus, discovered a settlement near
the bank of the river. Finding the people to be hospitable and nice, they asked
for the name of the place. Since the natives did not understand the Spanish
language, they assumed that what the Spaniards were asking for what is the
status of the harvest-for them it was harvest time. The natives answered "Mango
man". So the Spaniards named the settlement "El Pueblo de Maayo". Thus, the name
Maayon was derived from that word and to this very day, it is known as
such.
Maayon first became
a town during the early American era. However, during the Cadastral Survey, it
was reverted to a barrio status under the Municipality of Pontevedra. For nearly
half a century, the residents fought hard and long for its restoration to a
separate and distinct entity. Their untiring efforts were empty rewarded when in
1995, Carmen Dinglasan Consing, then representative of the first District of the
Province of Capiz field House Bill No. 2098 in the lower chamber of Congress.
Senator Justinano S. Montaño sponsored and steered the bill until its approval.
Finally on March 30, 1955 President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill re-creating
the lot Municipality of Maayon, Capiz in a ceremony held in
Malacañang.
The "New
Municipality" included eight barrios then, namely, Maayon, Fernandez, Pi4a,
Balighot, Batabat, Guia, Tuburan and Canapian Sur. Now it has thirty two (32)
barangays.
The ceremony
was attended by a large delegation from Capiz. The President also signed the
appointment of the following officials of the new town: Rael Declaro; Ernesto
Diaz. Vice Mayor; Marcelo Diaz, Felomino Comoro, Damaso Deocampo, Ambrosio
Dumagpi, Agustin Barruela, and Marcelo Delfin, Councilors. These official, have
gone back to their Maker.
Also present during the historic
signing of Republic Act No. 1203 were Representative Godofredo Ramos, Judge and
Mr. Rafael Dinglasan, Sr., Judge Antonio J. Beldia , Romeo Arceño, Gabriel
Borres and his two sons Roberto and Athos, Mamerto Dadula. Most of the wives of
the officials of the town also witnedded the memorable occasion.
Among the
town’s first officials were: Uldarico Dieta, Secretary: Amado S. Almalbis,
Treasurer: Ponciano Declaro, Judge: Diosdado Borres, Chief of Police; and Dr.
Alejandro Orosco, Rural Health Physician. Also Dr. Manuel Buenvenida who was
then Rural Health Physician for Pontevedra took charge of the health problems of
the new town until his transfer to Pres. Roxas Dr. Ricardo A. Dasal replaced
him. It was not until a year later, in 1956, when a regular and the first Rural
health Physician was appointed. Rev. Fr. Crisogono Dequiña was then parish
priest.
Rafael M. Declaro who was also
the first elected official of the town during its first election in November
1955 won with less than 200 majority over Atty. D. Artagnan D. Roxas. He
relinquished the Mayorship to his running mate-Prudencio L. Alovera - when he
assumed the position of municipal judge of the same town. The late Mayor Alovera
served from April 17, 1957 to 1971 - the longest term in the 25-year existence
of the municipality. Alovera did not seek re-election in 1971, In 1972, Bertile
D. Comoro, fresh from college, ran won against the late Jose Diaz III. Comoro
serves as the third executive of the town. Until Feb. 1986. When Pres. Corazon
C. Aquino won through People’s Power, she appointed Jose Diaz, Jr. as an offer
in charge of the office of the Mayor from Feb.. 1986-March, 1986. His
appointment as a Board Member has been approved after one Month of Service.
Rolando L. Eleazar then take charge the office. The following are the past &
present Municipal Officials.
