Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental
Negros Occidental
—  Province  —

Seal
Nickname(s): Philippines' Sugarbowl
Map of the Philippines with Negros Occidental highlighted
Coordinates: 10°25′N 123°00′E / 10.417°N 123°E / 10.417; 123Coordinates: 10°25′N 123°00′E / 10.417°N 123°E / 10.417; 123
Country Philippines
Region Western Visayas (Region VI)
Founded 1890
Capital Bacolod City
Government
 – Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. (NPC)
 – Vice Governor Genaro M. Alvarez, Jr. (NPC)
Area
 – Total 7,802.5 km2 (3,012.6 sq mi)
Area rank 9th out of 80
Population (2007)
 – Total 2,370,269
 – Rank 6th out of 80
 – Density 303.8/km2 (786.8/sq mi)
 – Density rank 19th out of 80
Divisions
 – Independent cities 1
 – Component cities 12
 – Municipalities 19
 – Barangays 601
including independent cities: 662
 – Districts 1st to 6th districts of Negros Occidental
including independent cities:
Lone district of Bacolod City
Time zone PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code
Spoken languages Hiligaynon, Cebuano,
Tagalog, English

Negros Occidental (Filipino: Kanlurang Negros) is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half. Across the Panay Gulf and the Guimaras Strait to the northwest is the island-province of Guimaras and the province of Iloilo on Panay island. Known as the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines", Negros Occidental produces more than half the nation's sugar output.

Contents

History

Negros Island was originally known to the natives as "Buglas". When the Spaniards arrived in April 1565, they named it "Negros" because of the dark-skinned natives they found. Two of the earliest native settlements were Binalbagan and Ilog which later became towns in 1572 and 1584, respectively. Other settlements were Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, Bago, Marayo (now Pontevedra), Mamalan (now Himamaylan) and Candaguit (a sitio in San Enrique).

Ilog was made the first capital of the province in 1743. This was later transferred to Himamaylan. Bacolod became the capital in 1849.

The island was divided into Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental in 1890.

Main article: Negros Revolution
Historical marker commemorating the surrender of Spanish forces in Negros in 1898

On November 5, 1898, a rebellion led by Juan Araneta and Aniceto Lacson began which ended with the defeat of the Spaniards. Following their victory, the revolutionaries formed a Republic of Negros which later included Negros Oriental.

During the succeeding decades between 1901 to the 1930s, Negros Occidental was under American occupation as with the rest of the country. Nonetheless, the economic growth continued especially with Philippine sugar having a part of the US market despite some accompanying socio-economic problems during this period. When the Japanese landed in the province on May 21, 1942, civilian and military leaders in Negros Occidental refused to surrender and instead organized a free government and guerrilla movement under Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Negros Island. They helped bring about the surrender of the Japanese forces in Negros in 1945, continued the liberation in Negros Occidental by joint Filipino and American troops together with Negrosanon guerrillas who fought the Japanese forces until the end of World War II.

The history of the province for the post-World War II period has yet to be formally written. Suffice it to briefly note here that this was mainly a period of rehabilitation from destruction of the war. With the sugar industry, the major pillar of the province's economy, as well as other areas being revived, consequent socio-economic growth in the province followed.

The socio-economic life of Negros Occidental from the 1950s up to the 1980s depended as before mainly on the sugar industry. Producing annually about 60% of the country's sugar output, an expansion in the industry with the establishment of several new mills in the late 1960s spurred increased production. A downturn caused by the low world sugar prices in the mid-1970s was followed by possibly the worst sugar prices hitting rock bottom in 1985. The province was also hit by two destructive typhoons in 1984, Nitang and Undang, after a serious drought in 1983.

Negros del Norte was created from Negros Occidental on January 3, 1986. Its creation was declared unconstitutional on July 11, 1986, and was abolished on August 18, 1986.

Towards the end of 1987, the rays of hope started to shine when the over-all economic situation showed a positive upturn. The campaign for agricultural diversification had been gaining momentum, paving the way for more landowners to invest in prawn farming and high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, livestock and other cash crops.

Investments upswing became apparent by 1988. The participation of the industrial sector accelerated the consumer-led economic growth and development manifested by the increase in sales of consumer goods and by-products.

Today Negros Occidental remains one of the most progressive and largely developed Philippine province, in large due to the profits from the sugar industry but also due to diversification to other fields.

Geography

Negros Occidental is located in the western side of Negros Island, the fourth largest island in the Philippines with a total land area of 972,607 hectares or 9,726.06 km2. The province is approximately 375 kilometers long from north to south. It is bounded by the Visayan Sea in the north, Panay Gulf on the west, Tanon Strait and Negros Oriental province on the east and Sulu Sea on the south. Negros is basically volcanic, making its soil ideal for agriculture. Eighty percent of all arable land is cultivated.

The north and western parts of the province are largely composed of plains and gentle slopes. A mountain range lines the eastern part of the province, forming the basis of the border with Negros Oriental. Mount Kanlaon, which is partially located in Negros Oriental, rises to a height of 2465 m (7987 ft) and is the highest peak in the Visayas.

Demographics

Most residents are of Austronesian heritage. Residents of Negros are called "Negrense". Negros Occidental is predominantly a Hiligaynon-speaking province. However, the cities and towns facing the Tañon Strait are Cebuano-speaking due to their proximity to the island-province of Cebu. Tagalog/Filipino and English are widely spoken on both sides of the island.[citation needed]

Negros Occidental is the second-largest province in terms of population after Cebu, with the second largest number of congressional districts.

Culture, arts and people

Negros Occidental has long been a center of culture and arts; the wealth brought about by the sugar industry made sure that the Negrense principalia enjoyed the very best.

Balay Negrense on Cinco de Noviembre Street

Silay City to the north of the capital Bacolod City, nicknamed the "Paris of Negros", is the cultural and artistic center of Western Visayas. It has 30 heritage houses declared by the national historical institute, most notable of which is Balay Negrense; it is also the hometown of National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture Leandro Locsin and international mezzo-soprano Conchita Gaston.

This blossoming in art was due to the economical importance of the area during the Spanish era, Negros became probably the most hispanized area and pro-Spanish area, due to the enormous investments of Spain in the sugar business.

Another famous treasure of Negrense art heritage is to be found in Victorias City, within the confines of the Victorias Milling Company in its chapel is the world famous mural of the Angry Christ, painted by artist Alfonso Ossorio, a scion of the Ossorio family who owned the mill.

The Negrenses' joie de vivre is manifested in the various festivals all over the province, foremost among which are famous MassKara Festival of Bacolod, Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota, Bailes de Luces of La Castellana and Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos. These and other local festivals are featured during the Pana-ad sa Negros Festival staged every April at the 25-hectare tree-lined Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City. Dubbed as the "Festival of Festivals", Pana-ad brings together the 13 cities and 19 towns in a showcase of history, arts and culture, tourism, trade, commerce and industry, beauty and talent as well as games and sports.

San Sebastian Cathedral

Negros Occidental is rich in structures and buildings that are remnants of a once affluent lifestyle. The Palacio Episcopal (1930), San Sebastian Cathedral (1876), and the Capitol Building (1931) are popular landmarks. In most towns, steam locomotives that used to cart sugarcane from the fields to refineries attract steam-engine enthusiasts from all over the world. There are also impressive churches all over the province, both built recently and during the Spanish era.

Media

Hacienda Rosalia, setting for 1981 film Oro, Plata, Mata

Modern communication facilities, as well as radio, television and newspapers, are available in the province. Most are provided by dominant national players in the industry like PLDT, Globe Telecom and their subsidiaries. For television and radio, the major providers are giant network ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5 and RPN. Cable TV provides access to CNN, BBC, ESPN and other international programs. National and international newspapers are available on the same day of issue in Manila.

Bacolod City is noted for being the home of the Negros Summer Workshops, founded by multi-award-winning film-maker and Negrense Peque Gallaga. Founded in 1991, Workshops has long been training students from different parts of the country who wish to learn courses in film-making, acting, writing, and more. Some of its alumni include actors in mainstream Philippine show business.

Negros Occidental has also been used as a setting and location shoot for various films and television shows, most notable of which is the 1981 epic Oro, Plata, Mata. Recent films that were set and filmed in Negros are Ligaw Liham (2007) and Namets! (2008).

Sports

Negros Occidental has produced a large number of athletes that have achieved success in both national and international circuits, the province is also well known for hosting national and international athletic events, which has given it a reputation as the Sports capital of the Philippines

Football

Negros Occidental has a long, entrenched history when it comes to football. The first ever Filipino to play in the European football circuit was bacolod born Manuel Amechazurra,[1] who joined FC Barcelona from 1905 to 1915.

The Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City has been a venue for national and international athletic events; such as the 23rd Southeast Asian Games men's football and the 2006 ASEAN football qualifiers. On February 9, 2011, the stadium hosted a match between the Philippines national football team and Mongolia in the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualification with an attendance of 20,000 people.

Bacolod City has been christened as the Philippine "football city" for its patronage of the sport in the country. A few members of the Philippine football team are from Negros; most notable is goalkeeper Eduard Sacapaño, a native of Bago City.

Negros Occidental has its own football association: Negros Occidental F.A. It works under the Philippine Football Federation as provincial football association for the Negros Occidental area. The Negros Occidental FA sends a team to represent the region in the yearly PFF National Men's Open Championship and PFF National Women's Open Championship.

Boxing

Aside from hosting sporting events Negros Occidental has produced many of the nation's finest athletes, particularly in boxing. The likes of World Flyweight boxing champion 1923, Francisco Guilledo a.k.a Pancho Villa, current WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Nietes, 1970's WBA world junior lightweigh champion Ben Villaflor, to cite a few have all come from this province.

It is also notable for producing Olympiads, Silver Medalist Mansueto Velasco in the 1996 Summer Olympics, his brother Roel Velasco who in turn won a bronze medal in the 1992 Summer Olympics both for boxing of course.

Softball

Negros is also home to the Junior League World Series (softball) Champions for 2003.

Golf

Bacolod City has two major golf courses. These are the Bacolod Golf and Country Club and the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. The city hosted the 61st Philippine Airlines Inter-club Golf Tournament and the 2008 Philippine Amateur Golf Championship.

Karatedo

Bacolod City hosted two major karatedo championships, the 1996 Philippine Karatedo Federation National Championship and the 2007 20th PKF National Open. Both tournaments were held at the La Salle Coliseum of USLS. The tournaments were participated by hundreds of karatekas all over the country.[1][2]

Basketball

Bacolod City hosted the 2008 PBA All-Star Weekend. The city is also a regular venue for the Philippine Basketball Association out-of-town games. Another major sports team in the past is the Negros Slashers arguably the most successful team of the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association

International tournaments

Many other athletes of the province have also won medals, in the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games and international billiard 9-ball championships.

Track and field

Negros Occidental produce a lot of national athletes which competes to other nations in and out of the Philippines.[citation needed]

Swimming

One of the product of Negros Occidental who competed in 1986 Olympic in Los Angeles, California was Francisco Guangco.

Modern Arnis

Main article: Modern Arnis

The Philippines' national martial arts and sports was founded in its modern incarnation in Negros Occidental by the late Remy Presas, Beginning with a small gymnasium in Bacolod in the 1950s, he attempted to spread the art to the local youth as both a cultural legacy and a form of physical development or sport. He also taught the art at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos

Economy

Known as the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines", the sugar industry is the lifeblood of the economy of Negros Occidental, producing more than half of the country's sugar. There are 15 sugar centrals located throughout the lowland areas the north and west of the island, stretching from northwest along the coasts of the Visayan Sea and Guimaras Strait. Among the larger mills are San Carlos, La Carlota, Bago, Binalbagan, Kabankalan, Sagay, Silay City, Murcia, Victorias. Victorias Mill in Victorias City is the largest sugar mill in the country, and the world's largest integrated sugar mill and refinery. Sugar is transported from plantations to refineries by large trucks that use the national highway. Because of the priority given to sugar plantations, much of the province's food has to be imported from neighboring islands.

A fishing industry is found in Cadiz City, and other fishponds dot the province. One of the country's largest copper mines is located in Sipalay City. There also exists a cottage industry which produced handicrafts made from indigenous materials.

Bacolod City is the center of commerce and finance in Negros Occidental. It has oil companies, factories, bottling plants, allied industrial businesses, steel fabrication, power generation, agri-businesses, prawn culture and other aqua-culture ventures.

Teletech Bacolod

It is also the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub of the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines. Among the notable BPO companies operating in the city are Convergys, Teleperformance, TeleTech, Focus International and Transcom Asia.

Infrastructure

Through its capital, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental is only 50 minutes from Manila and 30 minutes from Cebu by air. By sea, it is an 18-hour cruise from Manila and an hour by fast ferries from Iloilo. It is also accessible by sea and land trip from Cebu via Escalante City, San Carlos City and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental. Travel from Bacolod to Dumaguete is only 5 to 6 hours by land. Seven airline companies, including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines, serve the province. Four inter-island shipping lines call on nine seaports of Negros Occidental

Bacolod-Silay Airport

Main article: Bacolod-Silay Airport
The Bacolod-Silay Airport Terminal Building.

On January 18, 2008, the new domestic airport was inaugurated in Silay City 16 kilommeters north of Bacolod. The new airport replaces the 60-yr-old Bacolod domestic airport. The new Bacolod-Silay Airport runway is of international standards and was constructed to facilitate future landings of international Flights to serve the growing number of tourists visiting Negros Occidental each year.

Kabankalan City Domestic Airport

Main article: Kabankalan City Domestic Airport

is a new airport designed to serve the general area of Kabankalan City, The airport would be the second airport in Negros Occidental, after the New Bacolod-Silay Airport, and the third airport on the island of Negros. It is located four kilometers northeast of Kabankalan City proper on a 100-hectare site in Barangay Hilamonan.

Road network and accommodations

All cities and municipalities are linked by an extensive road and bridge network stretching more than 1,500 kilometers crisscrossing the province with seven alternative scenic routes to the nearby province of Negros Oriental. Within the province, travel is also easy, comfortable and even enjoyable by air-conditioned and non-aircon buses or metered taxis. Car rental services are also available. However, the jeepney is still the most common means of transport among the towns and cities. For accommodations, visitors may choose from a wide range of about 67 hotels, pension and lodging houses and tourist inns. The better known hotels are L’ Fisher, Bacolod Convention Plaza, Pagcor Hotel, and Business Inn, Sugarland Hotel, all in Bacolod City.

Energy and water

The province has adequate power and water supplies. It is currently interconnected to the Visayas Power Grid whose main sources of power are geothermal. Aside from its existing 170 megawatts capacity, Negros Island by the year 2006 has an additional 105 megawatts of locally produced power from geothermal plants in Bago City and Palinpinon, and from bagasse co-generation facility of First Farmers Sugar Mill. Ample water supply for household, commercial, industrial and agricultural uses is assured by 73 thousand hectares of proclaimed and protected major watersheds, regular rainfall and six major river systems.

Communications and medical facilities

Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital

International direct dialing, fiber optic data lines and internet services are accessible in most areas of the province. Also, GSM, digital and analog cellular networks provide good coverage in Bacolod City and other areas, including international roaming. The medical and health care needs of the people of Negros Occidental and its guests are presently being met by 20 government hospitals and 10 private hospitals, as well as several city and municipal health centers, barangay health stations and day-care centers. Doctors, nurses and other medical personnel serving these facilities are not only competent but also very caring towards their patients.

Banking, finance and accessibility

Banking and finance is likewise a thriving industry in Negros Occidental. According to the latest count, there are 389 financial institutions competing for businesses in the province. 149 of these are banks. Negros Occidental offers several advantages for those who are doing business in the province. It is strategically located near Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao, all major international gateways with maximum travel time of only about 4 hours between the Philippines and its neighbors in Asia. It is equipped with major infrastructure facilities for easy travel and shipment of goods within and outside of Negros.

It has adequate information and communication facilities with excellent connection capabilities necessary for, among others, call center operations for business communication and transmission of data. The province is also blessed with abundant water supply and dependable power supply for almost any type of business endeavor. Modern health care facilities with competent medical s are available, as well as excellent schools to care for the needs of the investor and his family.

Landmarks

Panaad Stadium

Main article: Panaad Stadium

The Panaad Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the province. It is currently used mostly for football matches, and was used for the 2005 South East Asian Games. It was the venue of the pre-qualifiers of the 2007 ASEAN Football Championship or ASEAN Cup, in which the Philippines, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Brunei and Laos participated. The stadium has a seating capacity of 15,500, but holds around 20,000 people with standing areas. It is unofficially designated as the home stadium of the Philippines national football team. Aside from the football field, it also has a rubberized track oval, an Olympic-size swimming pool and other sports facilities.

The stadium is also the home of Panaad Festival, a week-long celebration participated in by all cities and municipalities in the province held annually every summer. The festival is highlighted by merry-making and field demonstrations at the stadium. The stadium itself features replicas of the landmarks of the 13 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.

Capitol Park and Lagoon

Main article: Capitol Park and Lagoon
Capitol Park and Lagoon

The Capitol Park and Lagoon is a provincial park located right in the heart of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, in the Philippines. One of the landmarks of the park is the carabao (water buffalo) being pulled by a woman. This carabao is located at the northern end of the lagoon. On the other end, there is also another carabao sculpture but the figure is being pulled by a man.

There are several other attractions in the park. These include activities of the locals -jogging, aerobics, school dance rehearsals, promenaders, arnisadors, martial arts practitioners and even the relaxing and therapeutic quiet of feeding the tilapias of the lagoon. It is well-secured and well-lighted; it is very safe to walk /stroll, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.[citation needed]

Fountain of Justice

Main article: Fountain of Justice
Fountain of Justice, Bacolod City

The Fountain of Justice is a historic landmark in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. It marks the location where the house of Jose Ruiz de Luzurriaga used to stand. It was in this house that the surrender of Bacolod by Spanish authorities to the Filipino forces of General Aniceto Lacson took place on November 6, 1898, during the Negros Revolution.

Bacolod Public Plaza

Main article: Bacolod Public Plaza

The Bacolod Public Plaza is one of the notable landmarks of Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is located in the heart of the downtown area, near the city hall and across from the San Sebastian Cathedral. The plaza is a trapezoidal park with a belt of trees around the periphery and a gazebo at the center. Scattered within the trees are four circular fountains.

The plaza was constructed in 1927 as a place for recreation, political, spiritual and cultural activities. It is quite a popular site for outdoor picnics and concerts. The gazebo is often used to house a bandstand and inscribed along the sides of the roof are the names of Western classical music composers Beethoven, Wagner, Haydn, and Mozart.

Balay Negrense

Main article: Balay Negrense

The Balay Negrense was originally the ancestral house of Victor F. Gaston, a son of Yves Leopold Germain Gaston and Prudencia Fernandez. The elder Gaston is credited as one of the pioneers of sugarcane cultivation in this portion of the Philippine archipelago. A native of Normandy in France, he married a Filipina from Batangas where he initially began experimenting with sugar production before relocating to Negros.

Built in 1897,[2] the structure housed Victor Gaston and his twelve children from 1901 until his death in 1927. Left unused by the family, the structure was abandoned in the mid-1970s and fell into disrepair until a group of concerned Negrenses formed what would later become the Negros Cultural Foundation and managed to acquire the house from the heirs of Gaston through a donation. With donations from prominent individuals and later the Department of Tourism, the structure was repaired and furnished with period furniture and fixtures. The museum was officially inaugurated on October 6, 1990.

Mariano Ramos Ancestral House

Main article: Mariano Ramos Ancestral House
Mariano Varela-Ramos Ancestral House, Bacolod City

The Mariano Ramos Ancestral House is the home of the late Don Mariano V. Ramos,the son of Agaton Ramos and Dolores Varela ,was the first appointed Presidente Municipal of Bacolod City, Philippines. It was built in the 1930s and its architecture is a combination of Castilian and Tuscan and has three storeys including the tower room, known as the torre.

During World War II, Don Generoso Villanueva's house on the same street (Burgos Street) was the most prominent structure with a view over the whole city. The commanding Japanese general was disguised as a family gardener. As the war broke, the Japanese seized the Villanueva family house in order to use it as a watchtower and as a headquarters.

San Diego Pro-cathedral

Main article: San Diego Pro-cathedral
San Diego Pro-cathedral, Silay City

The San Diego Pro-cathedral, formerly known as the San Diego Parish Church or the St. Didacus Parish Church before its declaration as a pro-cathedral in 1994, is an early 20th century church in Silay City, Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It is the only pro-cathedral outside of the national capital of Manila, and is unique in Negros Occidental for being the only church in the province featuring a cupola or dome.

The Ruins

The Ruins, Talisay City

The mansion dates back to the 1900s when it was built by the sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his first wife, Maria Braga, a Portuguese from Macau whom he met in his vacations in Hongkong. The mansion’s structure is of Italianate architecture enhanced by a belvedere complete with renaissance-type ballustrading typical of the homes of English ship captains.It was burned down in World War II to prevent the japanese from using it. It is was opened to the public by descendants of the original owner and is listed as among the World's 12 most fascinating ruins .[2]

Education

University of Negros Occidental

There are 1,318 schools in the province, 53 registered technical schools including the Technological University of the Philippines-Visayas and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Talisay City. Of these, 158 are private schools, including University of Saint La Salle, West Negros University and University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R).

Food and agriculture

Rice field in Hinoba-an

Negros Occidental’s output of more than 1 million metric tons for crop year 2002–2003 accounts for nearly half of the country’s sugar production in an industry that generates an estimated annual revenue of more than P18 billion. There are 12 sugar mills in the province, of which only 10 are presently[when?] operational. Victorias Milling Company has the highest rated capacity with 15,000 tonnes cane per day.

However, the volatility of the sugar industry forced the province to shift, albeit slowly, to other high-value crops and alternative industries. The diversification has proven to be successful. Production of rice, the basic commodity for food security, has been increasing. By 2003, annual output of 437 thousand metric tons of palay was 33% better than two years ago. This allowed the province to significantly raise its sufficiency level from 65% to more than 84%. The improvement could be attributed to the introduction and promotion of hybrid rice, which increased rice yields to 3.8 metric tons per hectare. Because of the success of the program, area planted to hybrid rice has increased nearly fivefold. The highest hybrid yield was recorded at 10.3 tons per hectare.

Corn also registered increasing gains. Production for 2003 of 42 thousand metric tons outperformed 2001 output by 18%. Average yield per hectare has also grown by 18%. Other fruit and vegetable crops, except for banana and cassava, likewise improved their harvest. Harvested coconut was placed at 139 million nuts, while production of banana; fruit and vegetable crops totaled 110 million kilograms. Livestock and poultry are industries where Negros Occidental has strongly diversified.

With the province successfully quarantined from the dreaded foot and mouth disease and the Bird Flu, and with other endemic diseases under control, total production of livestock and poultry in 2003 of 49 thousand metric tons exceeded estimated local demand by 18%. Fishing is likewise an industry where the province has remained focused. After all, 9 of its cities and 16 of its municipalities are located along the coast and a great portion of the population depends on fishing for their livelihood.

The area for exploitation by this industry is huge, covering most of the coastal areas and the rich fishing grounds of the Visayan Sea on the north, Sulu Sea on the south, Tañon Strait on the east, Guimaras Strait and Panay Gulf at the southern portion of the province. These rich coastal areas and fishing grounds continue to be generous to the people of Negros Occidental. In 2003, products from deep-sea fishing, municipal marine and inland waters, and aquaculture reached 87 thousand metric tons, 30% better than 2001 production.

The province is rich in mineral deposits. Minerals that abound in the province are primary copper with estimated reserve of 591 million metric tons and gold ore with estimated reserve of 25 million tons. Silver and molybdenum deposits are also abundant, as well as non-metallic minerals suitable for agricultural and industrial uses. Notwithstanding its great potential, the mining industry in Negros Occidental has remained virtually dormant since the biggest copper mine in Sipalay suspended its operation.

Political divisions

Negros Occidental is subdivided into 19 municipalities and 13 cities. It has the most chartered cities among all the provinces in the Philippines, . Although Bacolod City serves as the capital, it is governed independently from the province as a highly-urbanized city.

Cities

Bacolod Government Center

Municipalities

Congressional districts

1st District

  • City: Escalante City, San Carlos City
  • Municipality: Calatrava, Toboso, Salvador Benedicto
  • Congressman: Jules Ledesma

2nd District

  • City: Cadiz and Sagay City
  • Municipality: Manapla
  • Congressman: Alfredo Maranon III

3rd District

  • City: Silay City, Talisay City, Victorias City
  • Municipality: Enrique B. Magalona, Murcia
  • Congressman: Alfredo Benitez

4th District

  • City: Bago City, La Carlota City
  • Municipality: Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid
  • Congressman: Jeffrey Ferrer

5th District

  • City: Himamaylan City
  • Municipality: Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana, Moises Padilla
  • Congressman: Iggy Arroyo

6th District

  • City: Kabankalan City, Sipalay City
  • Municipality: Candoni, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog
  • Congresswoman: Mercedes Alvarez

Notable people

Below is a list of people who are from Negros Occidental, or who lived there for an extended period.

Historical figures

  • Juan Araneta - revolutionary
  • Yves Leopold Germain Gaston- Sugar Baron
  • Antonio Ledesma Jayme - revolutionary, provincial governor and assemblyman.
  • Aniceto Lacson- Revolutionary, President Republic of Negros
  • Papa Isio- Revolutionary,
  • Dr. Antonio A. Lizares - provincial governor, founder of the University of Negros Occidental (now UNO-Recoletos)

Politicians

International Organization

National Government

Local Government

Military

Other

  • Alex Lacson-lawyer, philanthropist and politician,author of "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country."

Sportsmen

Media, Arts and Culture

Architecture

Fashion

Film

  • Jay Abello- film director
  • Bernard Bonnin-actor
  • JC Bonnin- actor, known for his role as Toffee in the Bagets (film series)
    Christian Vasquez
  • Peque Gallaga -multi-awarded filmmaker
  • Ronnie Lazaro-is a Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino film and television actor, producer and casting and art director.
  • Carlo Ledesma-film director, producer and screenwriter, Cannes Film Festival award recipient for Best Short Film
  • Pancho Magalona-award winning actor
  • Susan Roces - award winning actress, nicknamed Queen of Philippine Movies, widow of Fernando Poe, Jr.
  • Rosemarie Sonora-actress
  • Joel Torre [6] - is an actor, director, producer

Literature

  • Adelina Gurrea-journalist, poet and playwright in Spanish
    Margaret Nales Wilson
  • Elsa Martinez Coscolluela-award-winning poet, short-story writer, and playwright

Music

  • Bobby Enriquez- jazz pianist who became prominent in the United States and well-known internationally.
  • Kuh Ledesma-popular pop and jazz singer.known as the Pop Diva of the Philippines

Television

  • Allan K.-is a singer, comedian, actor and TV host. He is one of the co-hosts of the noontime variety show Eat Bulaga.
  • Saicy Aguila-dancesport and samba instructor,former reality show contestant who joined Pinoy Big Brother (season 2).
  • Rio Diaz-was a former beauty queen, TV Host and actress
  • Romy Pastrana-comedian
  • JM Rodriguez- TV host, stage actor, and current TV Head Channel V Philippines
  • Margaret Nales Wilson-British-Filipino beauty pageant contestant, TV personality, and actress
  • Christian Vasquez-actor, model and a former housemate of ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother: Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition.
Lea Salonga

Visual Arts

Business

  • Amado Araneta-Sugar Miller, developer of the Araneta Coliseum and Araneta Center
  • Jorge Araneta- Chairman and CEO and President, Araneta Group
  • Judy Araneta-Roxas- Vice Chairman, Araneta Group, mother to Liberal Party (Philippines) President and Cabinet Secretary Mar Roxas
    Charlene Gonzales
  • Margarita Araneta Fores[7]-Celebrity chef and businesswoman extraordinaire in Manila. Owner of 10 Italian inspired restaurants including Cibo, Pepato, Café Bola and Pepato restaurants. Other businesses include Fiori di M and Casa di M, high-end floral and housewares design, respectively
  • Lynn Agustin and Corcor Bitong- founders of Bayo Inc., a women's clothing line
  • Oscar Hilado - Chairman, Philippine Investment Management Inc. ranked in 2007 by Forbes Magazine as the 33rd richest person in the Philippines
  • Raul Locsin [8]-Editor,Publisher and founder of BusinessWorld, Southeast Asia's first daily business newspaper.Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient.
  • Tan Yu- was once the richest man in the Philippines. In 1997, Forbes ranked him among the 20 wealthiest men on the planet when he had a net worth of about $7 Billion, he studied at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City
  • JM, Rose and Bing Tanalgo - founders of Bacolod Chicken Inasal, a Philippine restaurant chain
  • Dr. Homero Sicangco and Conchita Varela Sicangco- founder of Bob's [9], a restaurant chain in the Philippines
  • Ricardo B. Yanson and Olivia Flores Yanson- founder of Vallacar Transit Corporation;operator of Ceres Bus Lines, the largest land transport company in the Philippines

Religion

Others

Notable people of Negrense descent

Below is a list of people whose parent were born and raised in Negros Occidental, but was not born nor lived in Negros for an extended period

Gallery

  • The Ruins Plantation House, Talisay City

  • Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City

  • The Mariano Ramos Ancestral house

  • Northdrive Bacolod City

  • Philippine National Bank building, along Lacson Street

  • UNO-Recoletos facade

  • SM City Bacolod North Wing

  • Robinsons Place Bacolod, along Lacson Street in Barangay Mandalagan

  • La Salle Coliseum of the University of St. La Salle

  • Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod

  • Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod Administration Building Facade

  • The Student Center – Colegio San Agustin - Bacolod

  • Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital (Riverside Medical Center)

  • Bacolod Christian College of Negros

  • Figure of woman and water buffalo

  • Figure of man and water buffalo

  • Paghimud-os by Eduardo S. Castrillo

  • Aniceto Lacson Statue, Talisay City

  • SM City Bacolod

Social problems

While most residents of Negros enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, Negros continues to face many social challenges as it develops.[citation needed]

Child poverty

One of the major social problems in Negros Occidental is the growing population of street children. Many children are abandoned by their parents as a result of drug or alcohol addiction, or poverty. These children are often involved in criminal activities, and can even be forced into child prostitution, which is a growing problem in the area. Lack of education, medical attention, food and shelter are a daily reality for many of Negros' street children. Children are often emotionally scarred from their early childhood experiences, leading to drug and alcohol abuse later in life.[citation needed]

There are several charitable organizations who work with the Negros Occidental communities to help them alleviate the problem of child poverty, including Kalipay Negrense Foundation. These organizations help to provide food and shelter, as well as access to education and medical care. They also aim to aid in the physical, mental and emotional development of Negros' impoverished children.

See also

References

  1. ^ PKF and POF National Karatedo Winners,Team Jack & Jill School, Sunstar September 26, 2007
  2. ^ Karatedo Winners,NOKAF Karatedo, Visayan Daily Star September 17, 2007 edition
  3. ^ Galunan Jr., Gerome (2008-04-10). "Fernandez to grace Monico Cup 19-U". Sun.Star Bacolod. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bac/2008/04/10/sports/fernandez.to.grace.monico.cup.19.u.html. Retrieved 2008-06-08. 
  4. ^ NOKAF Officers, Sunstar, 07-07-2004 edition

External links

v · local government units of Negros Occidental
Municipalities
Component cities
  • Bago
  • Cadiz
  • Escalante
  • Himamaylan
  • Kabankalan
  • La Carlota
  • Sagay
  • San Carlos
  • Silay
  • Sipalay
  • Talisay
  • Victorias
Highly urbanized city
(Administratively independent from the province, but grouped under Negros Occidental by the National Statistics Office)
v · d · ePolitical divisions of the Philippines
Capital Flag of the Philippines.
Map of the Philippines.
Autonomous region
Provinces
A (Abra • Agusan del Norte • Agusan del Sur • Aklan • Albay • Antique • Apayao • Aurora) • B (Basilan • Bataan • Batanes • Batangas • Benguet • Biliran • Bohol • Bukidnon • Bulacan) • C (Cagayan • Camarines Norte • Camarines Sur • Camiguin • Capiz • Catanduanes • Cavite • Cebu • Compostela Valley • Cotabato) • D (Davao del Norte • Davao del Sur • Davao Oriental • Dinagat Islands) • E (Eastern Samar) • G (Guimaras) • I (Ifugao • Ilocos Norte • Ilocos Sur • Iloilo • Isabela) • K (Kalinga) • L (La Union • Laguna • Lanao del Norte • Lanao del Sur • Leyte) • M (Maguindanao • Marinduque • Masbate • Misamis Occidental • Misamis Oriental • Mountain Province) • N (Negros Occidental • Negros Oriental • Northern Samar • Nueva Ecija • Nueva Vizcaya) • O (Occidental Mindoro • Oriental Mindoro) • P (Palawan • Pampanga • Pangasinan) • Q (Quezon • Quirino) • R (Rizal • Romblon) • S (Samar • Sarangani • Siquijor • Sorsogon • South Cotabato • Southern Leyte • Sultan Kudarat • Sulu • Surigao del Norte • Surigao del Sur) • T (Tarlac • Tawi-Tawi) • Z (Zambales • Zamboanga del Norte • Zamboanga del Sur • Zamboanga Sibugay)
Other subdivisions
Territorial disputes
Benham Plateau • North Borneo (Sabah) • Scarborough Shoal • Spratly Islands

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