Punong Barangay
Jose Randy Gargarita

Barangay Kagawad
Stephen Manlangit
Romulo Manlangit
Florita Gaborri
Ma. Eleanor Latoza
Ronel Manlangit
Jason Melanio
Putin Tolog

SK Chairman
Ken Balinas
Christine Joy Solario
Jenny Singanon
Chayla Bacolod
Honeylou Gerasmia
Vincent Borja
Gemvil Villanueva

History

Just how this Barangay got its name. To many this maybe a puzzle but through interviews of the old folks, they gave information which have been told them as handed-mouth-to-ears by their great-great grandparents approximately 10- 15 generations .Long before the Spaniards came to the place in the 1600, Linao’s topography was as follows-From the farthest Purok 10 (Sitio Balitarhan) in the South, to Purok 9 (Sitio Cabintagan) was flowed the fairly deep river. It glided along Purok 8 (Sitio Canlipot), then to the southern side of Purok 7 continuously passing to the southeastern side of the Barangay Proper (Purok 6), then to East Linao (Purok 1), and glided out through Sitio Cantonog (Purok 5). The traces and contour of the now-silted route of theonce flourishing river still survive up tothe present time.

Very deep were most portions of this river that one length of the ful-grown bamboo could not fathom. As such the inhabitant called the place Linao. Accented on the first syllable Li which means very deep and hardly flowing body of water. Later theword Linao has been moved of its accent to the last sylable Linao tobemore soothing to hear.

It was sometime on or before 1300 to 1400 that the place was mostly covered with native grass called “TIGBAW”. Nomads like Ate, Agta, Magahat and Odong came and inhabited the place. They lived by hunting and fishing and made land clearings togrow corn and rice for their food. Nosugarcane yet introduce unlike atpresent.

In 1910, the first church was constructed through the auspices of the owner-managers of the then Hda. Bearin Central. The owners were mostly Spaniards with German counterparts. Considered a landmark, it had been used by the Catholic religion for their services since the time of its completion. The leaders were the beginning were the Catholic priest of the Columban Congregation notably Fr. Cronin, Fr. Hurley, Fr. Cavanaugh, Fr. Alen and some others. It is a durable edifice with concrete walls, beams, floorings and altar. The roofing is of the ordered factory-formed circular corrugated galvanized –iron sheets. Many Catholic faithful had been attending church services in this church from the neighboring places. Since then especially on Lenten Season for the Christian Dom, this Church had been acenter of religious activity.

Come the time of Japanese conquest. Many Japanese soldier occupied the place mostly because of the sugar mill. This was lasted until the American Liberation.

(1940-1950) The first Barangay Lieutenant or Teniente Del Barrio was Crispin Gerasmia followed by Balbino Geladuga. The place at this time was very rich in natural resources that served as support system of the barrio people–fertile soil which grow sugarcane, rice and cash crops such as sitao, eggplant, okra and etc. The river and creeks were abundant with local fishes such as pantat, haloan and etc. The inhabitants were secured in terms of food supply due to these local resources. During this

period there were many seasonal migrant workers (SAKADA) coming from the town of Guimbal in Panay Island to seek for work in sugar plantation. The Mayor in Kabankalan during this time was then Hon. Roberto Cordova. There were no such development in the barangay such as buildings, access roads, etc.

(1951-1960) Barangay population had virtually increased because some resident in the nearby places transferred in Barangay Linao. Next Teniente del Barrio was Potenciano Amparo, Vidal Colorado and Ludovico Vilacruz. Life in the barrio seems complicated and miserable due to increase in population and lack of local employment opportunities but migration started during this years tofight poverty that stalked the community.

(1961-1970) After Ludovico Vilacruz, Jose Manlangit folowed by Francisco Gerasmia, and elected Barangay Captain. The Primary school was established. Green Revolution or modern farming was introduced in the place. This includes package of farm technology such as; the use of chemical inputs and High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) or Hybrids. Rice production was considerably good but farmers were tied-up to credit and loans. In terms of health facilities the barangay was able to establish a Health Center through the help of the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes. Primary health care services were extended to the community residents.

(1981-1990) The place was generally peaceful but migrations continue to increase due to poverty. In 1984 to 1986, insurgency problem disturbed the peace and order situation of the place. This was responded by the military launching an “OPLAN THURDERBOLT”, of which some of the sitios of the barangay were affected. In this operation many were killed in the place. Following this event, various typhoons entered the area such Nitang and Roping. To somehow change the situation of the locality, the DENR implemented the tree planting program. Various development took place in the barangay. This includes the construction of Day Care Center, Health Center access roads. On the other side of this improvement population increased also. The Barangay captain at this was Gil Piopongco and later followed by Arturo Garzon who took over the local leadership in 1987 andonwards.

(1992-2004) Noel Vilacruz succeeded as Barangay Captain Arturo run for SB Member, until he has been elected in 1994 Barangay Election. In later years of his leadership, additional projects were materialized namely: the construction of barangay hal and plazas, waiting sheds, footwalks, shalow wels and etc. Because of his exemplary leadership he was able to retain his leadership up to September 5, 2004, the day hedied.

(2004-November 2010) First Barangay Kagawad Jose Randy Gargarita succeeded as Barangay Captain. In his term more improvements in the barangay can be seen such as: Construction of Zayco Type Health Center and Day Care Center, Concreting of Road at Purok 5, Construction of Solar Dryer, Construction of Land Mark “Welcome to Barangay Linao”, Construction of Footwalks at Purok 2, 3 and 4, Construction of Shallow wells with Jetmatic Pumps, Repainting of Public Plaza and Buildings, Purchased of Computer and other furniture and fixture, Purchased of Radio base atbarangay hal.

(November 30, 2010 to Present) Appointed Barangay Kagawad Albino C. Bendo (Ret. Maj. PA) won in the October 2010 election. More improvement in the barangay had been seen such as the Construction of the most awaited Barangay Hal, Construction of waiting shed in front of Public Plaza, Construction of footwalk at Purok 3, 4 and 5 and widening of Footwalk at Purok 6, Construction of Barangay Garage, Installation of Jetmatic Pumps, repainting of Public Plaza and Buildings, Purchased of Furniture and Fixture, Purchased of Culvert Pipes Forms, Purchased of Radio handset for Barangay Tanod and Barangay officials. Activation of barangay tanod in the barangay, the opening of Talubangi National High School–Linao Extension on June 2012. The approval of Market day every Sunday. He won again in the October 28, 2013 Election. Various projects had been materialized such as the Construction of Covered Court with 4 step benches, and etc.

On May 2018 Barangay Election and SK Election Punong Barangay Albino C. Bendo he won again. He was the first Punong Barangay who successively won for the 3^rd term of Barangay Election. For 2018 and onwards various projects has been proposed and among those, the construction of Mini-playground and Street lighting System at Purok 1 and Purok 2 were materialized.

Land Area

• 755.451861 hectares

Map

Total Population

• 3,052

Number of Households

• 718

Education Health and Services Facilities

• Secondary
• Elementary
• Day Care
• Barangay Health Center
• Barangay Outpost
• Multi-purpose Hall
• 6 Sports Facility