Cauayan is a first class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.

Located on the southern portion of the province, it is bounded on the east by the Municipality of Ilog; on the south by the Municipality of Candoni; on the west by the progressive mining City of Sipalay and on the north by the Panay Gulf with its bountiful fishing grounds.

History

Long before the Spaniards came to Negros, this town was a wilderness and primitive people depend on hunting and fishing for a living. The town was covered with bamboo thickets called Kawayan in the local dialect hence, the name Cauayan.

In 1822, Cauayan was formally founded by Don Vicente Paulo Decena, believed to have come from Cebu. He was enticed into Cauayan by the legendary beauty of a native girl who subsequently became his wife.

During the Spanish era, a seat for the municipal government was sought. Guiljungan, Cauayan and Isio were candidates but Isio prevailed as it was more populated. It got the honor of being the center of government although gobernadorcillos were accorded Cauayan and Guiljungan.

Not much progress happened to the town at that time since the Spanish rulers were reluctant to educate their subjects. Even if they built schools, only a few privileged were admitted to them. There were no roads and most people were required to render forced labor.

All these changed when the Americans came in 1904. The tribunal in Isio was shifted to Cauayan and this fostered development. The natives were taught modern ways to raise crops while schoolhouses, roads and bridges were constructed. Not even the Japanese occupation could disrupt the development of the town since then.

Today, Cauayan is known for its fine beaches, limestone and dried fish products.

Tourism

Tourism has recently picked up in the Cauayan Municipality, with its fine white sand beaches and diverse marine and wildlife.

Punta Bulata White Beach Resort, the most developed resort in the area, with an AA accreditation from the Department of Tourism, has seen tourists from all parts of the world who come to relax, bask in the tropical atmosphere and enjoy the marine life that is one of the best in the country.

Danjugan Island Marine Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary in Brgy. Bulata is also one of the most recognized dive spots in the region. Once featured on the cover of Mabuhay Magazine, this island has one of the most diverse and highly dense coral life in the world, comparable to the Great Barrier Reef. Visitors may go for day-trips to the island with pre-arranged visits by contacting Danjugan Island or through Punta Bulata Resort.

Topography

The Municipality of Cauayan has a rugged topography. Mt. Malipantao, considered the highest peak in the province separates the municipality from the town of Candoni and the City of Sipalay. Portion of the ranges are the remaining thick forest that needs protection where the watershed is located. The remaining portions of the municipality are slightly rolling to moderate large areas of flat lands center on the different barrios, which is much suited to agriculture. The municipality consists mainly of the following slope distribution: From gently sloping at 0-3 percent or equivalent to 5,369.42 hectares to moderately sloping at 3-8 percent or a total of 1,059.40 hectares to rolling lands with slopes ranging from 8-18 percent which covers to about 1,716.94 hectares. Bigger portion is moderately steep with a slope distribution ranging from 18 to 30 percent having a total area of 19,419.42 hectares. However, large areas are steep and mountains with a slope 30 - 50 percent which accounts to 21,181.92 hectares and to very steep hills and mountains with a slope of over 50 percent which covers to about 3,246.90 hectares, Moderately large areas of flat land center on the different barrios. However, the southern part of the municipality is hilly. The Poblacion and the 12 barangays along the seashore are approximately 0 - 3 degrees above sea level.

Barangays

The Municipality of Cauayan is made up of 25 barangays and is categorized into two (2), the Coastal and the Upland Barangays.

Coastal Barangays

 

* Mambugsay

* Guiljungan

* Tiling

* Poblacion

* Man-uling

* Isio

* Tuyom

* Masaling

* Caliling

* Linaon

* Inayawan

* Elihan

* Bulata

Upland Barangays

* Talacdan

* Camindangan

* Tomina

* Molobolo

* Sura

* Basak

* Yaoyao

* Camalanda-an

* Abaca

* Lumbia

* Buclao

 

 

Source:

Wikipedia