Valencia
Municipality
Municipality of Valencia
Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant in Barangay Puhagan
Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant in Barangay Puhagan
Flag of Valencia
Flag
Official seal of Valencia
Seal
Map of Negros Oriental with Valencia highlighted
Map of Negros Oriental with Valencia highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Valencia is located in Philippines
Valencia
Valencia
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°17′N 123°15′E / 9.28°N 123.25°E / 9.28; 123.25
CountryPhilippines
RegionCentral Visayas
ProvinceNegros Oriental
District 3rd district
Barangays24 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorEdgar Z. Teves Jr. (NPC)
 • Vice MayorRomeo T. Alviola (NPC)
 • RepresentativeArnolfo A. Teves Jr.
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate26,804 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total147.49 km2 (56.95 sq mi)
Elevation
275 m (902 ft)
Highest elevation
1,276 m (4,186 ft)
Lowest elevation
21 m (69 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total38,733
 • Density260/km2 (680/sq mi)
 • Households
9,255
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
13.00
% (2018)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 222.1 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 1,279 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 237.6 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 517.3 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityNegros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6215
PSGC
074623000
IDD : area code +63 (0)35
Native languagesCebuano
Tagalog
Named afterValencia, Spain

Valencia, officially the Municipality of Valencia, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 38,733 people.[3]

It is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of Dumaguete, the most populated city and capital of the province. The municipality was voted as "the greenest and cleanest" town of Negros Oriental in 2007.[5]

Our Lady of the Abandoned is the patroness of Valencia, and her feast day is celebrated annually every October 12 with the town fiesta. The fiesta is an official non-working holiday for the town.

History

Valencia was originally named Ermita, which means "a secluded place", due to its being a refuge from marauding Muslim pirates. In 1856, it was renamed Nueva Valencia by Spanish colonizers, in honor of its parish priest Father Matias Villamayor from Valencia, Spain. He also had a fountain brought over from his aforementioned hometown, which currently sits in front of the Town Hall.

In 1920, it was renamed Luzuriaga (often times misspelt as Luzurriaga) in honour of Don Carlos Ruíz de Luzuriaga, a delegate from Negros island to the Philippine Legislature who promised town officials he would work hard to help improve the town. The town reverted to Valencia in 1948, by virtue of Republic Act 252.[6]

During World War II, Malabo was the headquarters of the Free Government and resistance movement in Negros Oriental.[7]: 127–135 

In 2007, its Municipal Police Station which is under the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) headed by Senior Superintendent Melvin Ramon Buenafé) was adjudged the “Municipal Police Station of 2007” in the best unit awards category, and the best town police station in the Central Visayas (General order number 110 dated January 22, 2008).[8]

Geography

Valencia occupies an area of 14,749 hectares (36,450 acres), 35% of which are classified as plains. The town is 65% mountainous, with elevation averaging from 200 to 500 metres (660 to 1,640 ft) above sea level, with the top of Mount Talinis at an elevation of 1,903 metres (6,243 ft) along the municipal southern boundary. The climate in the municipality is relatively cool, especially at higher elevations.

The region is also the most critical watershed area of Negros Oriental, providing abundant drinking water to Valencia and its neighboring municipalities.

Barangays

Valencia is politically subdivided into 24 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[9]
074623001 Apolong 4.5% 1,732 1,496 ▴ 1.48%
074623004 Balayagmanok 3.8% 1,472 1,106 ▴ 2.90%
074623005 Balili 1.6% 607 487 ▴ 2.23%
074623006 Balugo 5.7% 2,222 1,649 ▴ 3.03%
074623007 Bongbong 3.9% 1,527 1,333 ▴ 1.37%
074623008 Bong-ao 8.3% 3,228 2,226 ▴ 3.79%
074623013 Caidiocan 4.2% 1,620 1,536 ▴ 0.53%
074623009 Calayugan 3.5% 1,362 1,114 ▴ 2.03%
074623010 Cambucad 1.5% 589 529 ▴ 1.08%
074623011 Dobdob 3.8% 1,475 1,346 ▴ 0.92%
074623002 East Balabag 10.1% 3,916 2,662 ▴ 3.93%
074623012 Jawa 6.8% 2,639 1,964 ▴ 3.00%
074623014 Liptong 3.2% 1,224 1,094 ▴ 1.13%
074623015 Lunga 2.7% 1,044 885 ▴ 1.67%
074623016 Malabo 2.1% 799 823 ▾ −0.30%
074623017 Malaunay 5.5% 2,136 1,950 ▴ 0.92%
074623018 Mampas 1.3% 513 413 ▴ 2.19%
074623019 Palinpinon 8.7% 3,352 2,447 ▴ 3.20%
074623020 North Poblacion 1.9% 738 752 ▾ −0.19%
074623022 Puhagan 5.1% 1,986 1,548 ▴ 2.52%
074623023 Pulangbato 2.7% 1,031 989 ▴ 0.42%
074623024 Sagbang 2.3% 879 846 ▴ 0.38%
074623021 South Poblacion 1.4% 557 602 ▾ −0.77%
074623003 West Balabag 5.4% 2,085 1,680 ▴ 2.18%
Total 38,733 31,477 ▴ 2.10%

Climate

Climate data for Valencia, Negros Oriental
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28
(82)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 26
(1.0)		 22
(0.9)		 28
(1.1)		 41
(1.6)		 95
(3.7)		 136
(5.4)		 147
(5.8)		 126
(5.0)		 132
(5.2)		 150
(5.9)		 98
(3.9)		 46
(1.8)		 1,047
(41.3)
Average rainy days 7.5 6.7 8.9 10.4 21.6 25.6 26.3 25.0 24.1 26.2 19.2 12.1 213.6
Source: Meteoblue (Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)[10]

Demographics

Population census of Valencia
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 8,726—    
1918 8,825+0.08%
1939 9,979+0.59%
1948 7,059−3.77%
1960 10,048+2.99%
1970 13,318+2.85%
1975 14,656+1.94%
1980 14,645−0.02%
1990 18,102+2.14%
1995 20,147+2.03%
2000 24,365+4.16%
2007 27,933+1.90%
2010 31,477+4.44%
2015 34,852+1.96%
2020 38,733+2.10%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][9][12][13]

The Cebuano language is the common vernacular in Valencia. Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and English are also widely spoken.

Economy

Poverty Incidence of Valencia
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15]
[16][17][18][19][20]
Valencia Industrial Park
Lanzones fruits grown in Valencia are exported to other towns.

The economy of Valencia is largely based on agriculture. Major products include abaca, copra, corn, flowers, vegetables, root crops, and exotic fruits such as lanzones and rambutan.

The municipality is also the site of a geothermal power station operated by the Energy Development Corporation. It generates electricity that supplies the needs of Negros, Panay, and parts of Cebu. The municipal government receives royalties from the power station.

Valencia, specifically, has a 20-megawatt Palinpinon 2 Geothermal Optimization Project in Sitio Nasuji, Barangay Puhagan, 35 kilometers from Dumaguete. The ₱1.74-billion geothermal optimization (expansion) project, funded the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is part of EDC's 192-MW Southern Negros Geothermal Production Field that supplies the power needs of 8 provinces in Negros, Panay, Guimaras and Cebu Islands. Valencia's 192-MW Palinpinon I and II geothermal field ranks 4th in installed capacity nationwide. The Palinpinon field contributed $457.8 million in 2004 foreign exchange savings for 2004, and also generated $267 million savings from January to July, 2008.

Because Palinpinon is such a big source of geothermal energy, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said it received P 250 million in royalties, applied for livelihood, education, related projects, and also for the 50% subsidy on Valencia electric bills consumers.[21] Many residents also work in the nearby city of Dumaguete.

Tourism

The Filipino-Japanese Amity Memorial Shrine is located in Valencia. It stands at the foot of Mount Talinis and marks the spot where the combined Filipino and American troops including the Negrosanon guerrilla units fought the Japanese Imperial Army toward the end of World War II.

Casaroro Falls
The Forest Camp Resort

Eco-tourism sites include:

  • Tejero Highland Resort and Adventure Park - is the newest attraction in Central Philippines to offer the best value-for-your-money relaxation and recreation facility. It features a speed dual zipline, ATVs, segway, Aquazorb, slide, natural pools, restaurant and hotel. Located only 3 kilometers from town proper of Valencia, Tejero is the nearest natural attraction from Dumaguete, and considered the most popular of tourist destinations.
  • Casaroro Waterfalls - as the province's most photographed body of water, it is relatively enclosed by lush greenery and natural rock formations. The falls' cool water gushes down to a swimming hole.
  • The Forest Camp Resort - was first opened in 1990, as a 6,000 square meter property, today its 2.2 hectares of land is a vast camping ground, with 2 large nipa hut houses, 4 cottages, a tree house, a 250-people capacity conference/reception hall, a backpacker's den and a dormitory that can hold up to 20 students.
  • The Spanish Fountain - a relic of the town's colorful historical past at the heart of the municipal plaza, has a unique sunken design, and was once the town's major source of water supply (invented by an Augustinian Recollect Friars to channel water from an upland spring).
  • Cata-al War Memorabilia - a private collection by an 84-year-old World War II survivor Porforio Cata-al, at his residence cum museum. It includes bombs, grenades, Japanese and American bills, coins, medals, charred pieces of an authentic military uniform, and a Japanese soldier mummy
  • Filipino-American-Japanese Amity Shrine - on a hilltop of Sagbang, this is a 3-sided pillar representing the 3 countries (Philippines, America and Japan), unveiled in 1977.
  • Banica Swimming Lagoon - known as Tejeros resort, it has 2 man made pools fed by Banica River.
  • Malabo/Pulangbato Falls - is a swimming and diving hole with many reddish rocks.
  • Red Rock Hot Spring - dipping pool
  • Mount Talinis - a 1,903-meter peak in the Cuernos de Negros which has a number of volcanic lakes and extensive biodiversity.
  • Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park - a protected area near Mount Talinis surrounding two crater lakes.

Education

The public schools in the town of Valencia are administered by one school district under the Schools Division of Negros Oriental.

Elementary schools:

  • Badiang Elementary School — Sitio Badiang, Pulangbato
  • Balabag Elementary School — East Balabag
  • Balili Primary School — Balili
  • Balugo Elementary School — Balugo
  • Bong-ao Elementary School — Bong-ao
  • Bongbong Elementary School — Bongbong
  • Caidiocan Elementary School — Caidiocan
  • Calinawan Elementary School — Sitio Calinawan, Dobdob
  • Dobdob Elementary School — Dobdob
  • Dungga Primary School — Sitio Dungga, Malaunay
  • Inas Elementary School — Sitio Inas, Dobdob
  • Liptong Elementary School — Liptong
  • Malabo Elemetary School — Malabo
  • Malaunay Elementary School — Malaunay
  • Nasuji Elementary School — Sitio Nasuji, Puhagan
  • Palinpinon Elementary School — Palinpinon
  • Puhagan Elementary School — Puhagan
  • Pulangbato Elementary School — Pulangbato
  • Sagbang Elementary School — Sagbang
  • Valencia Central Elementary School — Luna Street, North Poblacion
  • Vicente I. Villa Memorial School — Apolong

High schools:

  • Balugo National High School — Balugo
  • Pulangbato National High School — Pulangbato
  • Pulangbato National Senior High School — Palinpinon
  • Valencia National High School — Bong-ao
  • Valencia NHS - Dobdob Extension — Dobdob

Private schools:

  • Colegio de San Pedro-Recoletos (formerly San Pedro Academy) — Rizal Street, South Poblacion
  • Dumaguete Kalikasan Educational Center, Inc. — Bong-ao
  • San Pedro Academy-Recoletos — Caidiocan

Government

List of former chief executives

  • Mariano Imbo (Captain)
  • Gerardo Imbo (1916 - 1919)
  • Eustaquio Vincoy (1919 - 1927)
  • Guillermo Albina (1928 - 1931)
  • Quiterio Mariño (1931 - 1939)
  • Jose Villamil (1940 - 1946)
  • Rodolfo Gonzalez, Senior (1946 - 1967)
  • Elpidio Unto (1968 - 1971)
  • Rodolfo Gonzalez, Senior (1972 - 1980)
  • Saludario Sonjaco (1981 - 1986)
  • Victor Naces (1986 - 1987)
  • Jose Villamil (Officer in Charge) (1987 - 1988)
  • Edgar Teves (1988 - 1998)
  • Humberto Sy (1998 - 2001)
  • Rodolfo Gonzalez, Junior (2001 – 2010)
  • Enrique Gonzalez (2010 - 2013)
  • Edgar Teves (2013–present)

References

  1. ↑  Municipality of Valencia | (DILG)
  2. ↑ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Census of Population (2020). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. ↑ elgu.ncc.gov.ph, The Greenest and Cleanest Town of Negros Oriental
  6. ↑ "An act to change the name of the municipality of Luzurriaga, province of Negros Oriental, to that of "Valencia"". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  7. ↑ Mills, S.A., 2009, Stranded in the Philippines, Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, ISBN 9781591144977
  8. ↑ globalnation.inquirer.net, Valencia police station in NegOr adjudged best
  9. 1 2 Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "Valencia: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  11. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  12. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  14. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  16. ↑ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  17. ↑ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  18. ↑ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  19. ↑ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  20. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  21. ↑ pia.gov.ph, PGMA invites industries to invest in Negros Oriental and enjoy 50% power subsidy
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