Barangay Officials

Sangguniang Kabataan Officials

History

Long before Kabankalan separated as an arabal of Ilog, the very first capital of Negros and Siquijor Islands, the place now called Camugao was already established as a settlement. And the place is blessed with a fertile soil. It became a vegetable basket of the settlement of Kabankalan founded by Leocadio Tayum from Tigbauan in Iloilo When the Philippine commission passed Act 1612 on March 14, 1907 authorizing the separation of Kabankalan from Ilog town, Camugao became one of the barrios of the new town.

Camugao was therefore an ideal place for a settlement because it is alongside the Ilog- Hilabangan River. Prior to the establishment of the national water and sewerage authority (NAWASA) then later the Kabankalan Water District, Camugao people did not have much problem with water because they obtain it from the river. During those early years, the river water was clean. People made “Tabay” or makeshift well in the river sand islets during low tide. The water was potable for drinking. Sadly today, the river water is unsafe for drinking due to pollutants resulting from urbanization and people’s utter disregard of nature.

The Spanish term “barrio” was used for much of the 20^th century until 1974, when President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the remaining smallest political unit to “barangay”. Barangay elections were then conducted simply. Most often be gathered electorates voted for their barangay leaders through a viva voce system, or just raising of the hands. The first barangay election under the 1987 Philippine Constitution was conducted on March 28, 1989, under the Republic Act No. 6679. During the olden times, “Cabugao” (or Pomelo) trees were abundant in the place, thus getting its name as Camugao. However, there are very few Cabugao trees left. The place has remain besieged of Coconut trees. Thus, the place is a rich source of Tuba (coconut wine), coconut vinegar, and young coconut juice was refreshing drink. Its land area of 641.84 hectares is comprised of fertile soil. The place therefore remains as one of the few vegetable and agricultural basket of the city. There are backyard plantation of eggplant, okra, string beans, corn and kangkong.

Today, Camugao is one of the 32 Barangays of Kabankalan City. It is the nearest barangay to the City proper. It is only a kilometer away from the Poblacion. However, it is separated from the poblacion by the Ilog-Hilabangan River which they derailed its progress. With the construction of the Camugao bridge and its inauguration in late 2017, progress in the development of the barangay became more evident. Prior to the construction of the concrete bridge connecting to Barangay 9 of the poblacion and Sitio Patay in Camugao, there was a hanging which connected Barangay 6 of the poblacion and Camugao Proper. Made of wood and some steel, the bridge was always destroyed and carried away by the strong current of water during typhoons. Back then, people used the Banca or wooden canoe to traverse the river. Using that form of water transport proved to be dangerous and

inconvenient for people. According to 2015 National census, the Population of Barangay Camugao was 2,909. The 2008 Kabankalan City profile shows that Camugao has a population density per square kilometer of 469.

Camugao is situated approximately 9.9817, 122.8063, in the island of Negros. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 12.9 meters or 42.3 feet above mean sea level.

It shares a common border with following barangay of Kabankalan: Hilamonan, Camansi, Linao, Talubangi, Brgy. 6, Brgy. 7, Brgy. 8 and Brgy. 9.

Within the barangay area, specifically in Sitio San Juan, is the Universal Robina Corporation– SONEDCO, a sugar mill owned by Gokongwei family. Originally, it was the Southern Negros Development Corporation (SONEDCO) which began operation in September 1987.

The establishment of SONEDCO answered the three major points in 1970’s thus to push the effort of the National Government for an increased sugar production taking advantage of the expanded sugar quota of 2.0 million metric tons a year, to silence the clamor of farmers in the South Negros District for a Sugar Mill; and to generate employment that would basically solve economic problems.

Camugao is therefore a place where a great development of Kabankalan took place.

With the establishment of an elementary school in the barangay, many children gained access

to free public education. This decrease the parents expenses for their small children‘s formal education.

After three-term public service of Nestor Dolar as Punong Barangay which lasted in 2017, Josephine P. Talatala was elected Punong Barangay during the 2017 barangay election. Talatala has served as barangay Kagawad for several terms.

Land Area

• 398.58 hectares

Map

Total Population

• 2,730

Number of Households

• 651

Education Health and Services Facilities

• Camugao Health Center
• Sitio San Juan Health Center
• 2 Day Care Centers
• KMBI
• Taytay sa Kauswagan
• Dungganon
• ASA and PAG-ASA
• Deep Well and Barangay Water System.