BRIEF HISTORY OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

Negritos, Malayans and Chinese have long inhabited the island of Negros before the 1565 expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Because of the strong current of the channel between the islands of Cebu and Negros, the Spaniards were forced to land on the Occidental side. This island was called Buglas by the natives, but because the Spaniards saw many black inhabitants, they named it Negros.

The Spaniards considered the island of Negros as one province with Bacolod as the Capital. In 1856 it was changed to a politico-military district. Constant pirate raids, very poor defenses and the distance of the important towns from the capital caused thirteen Recollect priests to petition for the division of the Island.

After thirteen years, on January 1890 a royal decree prompted the Governor General Valeriano Weyler to establish Negros Oriental as a district and a separate political unit with Dumaguete as capital. When the Philippine Revolution, which broke out in 1896, reached the province in 1898, the functions of the government were disrupted by the bloodshed and chaos. Unfortunately, it was at this time that Gen. Pantaleon Villegas (Leon Kilat) of Bacong, one of our fabled revolutionary leader was treacherously murdered in Cebu.

In the last quarter of 1898, Negros Oriental was stirred into action to support the revolution. Inspired and organized under the strong and able leadership of Don Diego de la Vina, an army composed primarily of farm laborers, marched to Dumaguete to liberate it.

In 1901 the civil government was established under Don Demetrio Larena as Governor. In 1934 Negros Oriental became a corregimiento, a separate military district. After 10 years of transition or Commonwealth period, independence for Philippines was promised on July 4, 1946.

Four delegates from Negros Oriental were sent to the Constitutional Convention. The economic condition in the Philippines was good. Negros Oriental was directly benefited as a producer of sugar and copra. Forest resources were vast and sawmills acquired modern machineries. This was complemented with reforestration. Abundance of marine life especially in the southern portion, attracted big Japanese fishermen with better equipment.

The Bais Sugar Central was constructed to manufacture centrifugal sugar and alcohol. Under the American regime, roads were improved and bridges were built. Transportation companies sprung up and limited Cebu lines were in operation. News of the bombing of Pearl Harbor started preparations by Filipinos and Americans against Japanese aggression with emergency committees and agencies.

On May 26, 1942 the Japanese landed in a deserted Dumaguete whose residents had fled to the mountains. In their evacuation sites, residents made a concerted effort to become self sufficient. President Manuel L. Quezon, escaping from possible capture during WW II came to Dumaguete enroute to Northern Mindanao.

Through the USAFFE forces, 75th Infantry Regiment and the American Forces, the Japanese were defeated on August 6, 1945. Thus rehabilitation of a devastated province and economy started. People joined forces to achieve this goal. Municipal governments were started. Schools were reopened and the economy flourished. Under different governors, Negros Oriental developed into what it is now. Industries have increased, crops have been diversified. With the opening of the Geothermal Power Plant in Puhagan Valencia, Negros Oriental has improved its industrial potential in opening more plants and sugar mills.

One hundred years after its founding in 1890, Negros Oriental celebrated its Centennial in 1990 with a bang. Year long activities commemorated this momentous event. Tourism has increased and the province now moves towards a more energetic future in terms of its economy with a 10 year development plan.

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Brief History
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Negros Province
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