Mina, Iloilo

Mina is a 5th class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 18,096 people in 3,426 households. The 2010 population is estimated at 20,592, based on the 1.30% annual growth rate. The population consists of 4,403 households with average household size of 5. Literacy rate is 91.64%.

Land Area

It has a land area of 4,340 hectares which is dominantly used for agriculture. It is located 38km north of Iloilo City, passing through the national highway, and consists of 22 barangays, 2 of which are in the poblacion. It is sandwiched by the municipalities of Pototan and Janiuay.

Economy

Major source of income of the residents is rice farming. Some are engaged in livelihood projects such as hog raising/fattening, poultry and small business enterprises.

History

Before 1870, what is today known as the Municipality of Mina was then Barrio Montogawe. It got its name from a Montogawe Hill located at the Suague River, that had the appearance of the face of a man. The word Montogawe was derived from the Spanish word “Monte” meaning, mountain, and “Gawe” a vernacular word meaning, face of a man. Old folks claimed that such hill was an enchanted one, because no matter how high the flood was, it never submerged. Thus, the place was significantly called Montogawe.

A Civil Decree issued by General La Torre in 1870 lawfully created the civil town of Montogawe, provided that the residents of the area of the newly founded town should build a church, a municipal building and a school house.

Montogawe was elevated to a parish in 1872, but no Parish Priest was assigned. The Spanish Government had forgotten or overlooked the conditions of the 1870 Civil Decree of General La Torre so, on July 30, 1873, it issued another decree declaring Montogawe a parish. A dispute on the jurisdiction over Tolarucan (presently, a barangay in this municipality) lodged by both municipalities of Pototan and Janiuay, brought about the change in the name of Barrio Montogawe. A certain Capitan Placido wanted jurisdiction over Tolarucan but Capitan Roa objected. He alleged that the survey of Montogawe included Tolarucan. The controversy lasted for several years and was elevated to the court in Manila for final judgment. Capitan Roa brought the case to the attention of the Bishop of Jaro, Iloilo, and impressed upon him the importance of the case to the church. He pointed out ,that if he losses the case, it was not he who would lose, but, the church. The Bishop appointed ten (10) priests to handle the case. The priests retained the services of a Spanish lawyer named Mina. Atty. Mina won the case and Montogawe gained jurisdiction over Tolarucan. It can not be fully ascertained but some sources say that Atty. Mina refused to accept monetary remuneration. Because of his gallant act, the town was named in his honor, thus Montogawe became Mina.

Development Thrusts

Pro-poor programs geared towards reducing the incidence of poverty. Additionally, we will also be focusing our town’s development on the following:

• Continue with the ongoing programs on health care and improve further the services.
• Strengthen peace and order programs
• Educate on Leadership empowerment & capability enhancement
• Modernization of systems used through capability enhancement computerization of all local government business functions
• Livelihood Programs centering on Macro & Micro Finances
• Environmental waste management programs
• Enhance further the local governance through use of QSIP ( Quality service through use of QSIP ( Quality service
• Maximize operation and implementation of high-standard training courses in the Municipal Training Center with job placement support.
• More Infrastructures.

Barangays

Mina is politically subdivided into 22 barangays.

Abat Agmanaphao Amiroy Badiangan Bangac Cabalabaguan Capul-an Dala Guibuangan Janipa-an West Janipa-an East

Mina East (Pob.) Mina West (Pob.) Nasirum Naumuan Singay Talibong Grande Talibong Pequeño Tipolo Tolarucan Tumay Yugot

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Mina Municipal Government Official Website

Coordinates: 10°55′55″N 122°34′41″E / 10.932°N 122.578°E / 10.932; 122.578