Alcantara, officially the Municipality of Alcantara, is a municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. It is located in the southeast portion of Tablas Island, bounded by the municipalities of Santa Maria to the north, Looc to the west, Santa Fe to the south, and the Sibuyan Sea to the east. According to the census, it has a population of people.

First established in 1730 as La Lauan, a barrio of Looc, the settlement was later renamed Alcantara in 1870 and elevated to municipality status on March 21, 1961. The majority of the population speaks the Alcantaranon variant of Inunhan. Farming and fishing are the primary sources of income, with the coastal waters yielding mackerel, tuna, and other species.

Alcantara is home to Tugdan Airport, the sole airport in Romblon province. The municipality is also recognized for its natural attractions, including the Alcantara Hot Springs, the Mag-Asawang Tubig Hot Spring, the Iyon-Iyon Falls, and Mag-aso Falls, as well as its traditional carabao-drawn carts used for local transportation.

History

Alcantara was first established in 1730 as La Lauan, a barrio of Looc town by migrants from Panay Island led by Don Ciriaco Alcantara. In 1855, the barrio was annexed from Looc and converted into a pueblo or town. However, in 1868, it was abolished and annexed as a barrio of Guintigui-an town (renamed Badajoz, now San Agustin) after a reorganization of municipalities resulting from the creation of Romblon province.

In 1870, due to continuous intimidation from Muslim pirates, as well as the rugged terrain, the residents of La Lauan led by a certain Gaspar Guevarra transferred from its former site in Daan Banwa (or Old Town) and established a new barrio down south called Alcantara, after Don Ciriaco Alcantara. In 1885, it was annexed back as a barrio of Looc, and would remain so until after World War II. signed by then President Carlos P. Garcia.

| date = 28 April 2020

Barangays

Alcantara is politically subdivided into 12 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Bonlao
  • Calagonsao
  • Camili
  • Comod-om
  • Madalag
  • Poblacion
  • San Isidro
  • Tugdan
  • Bagsik
  • Gui-ob
  • Lawan
  • San Roque

Demographics

According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 16,417 people.

Language

Just like in the neighboring municipality of Santa Maria, majority of the population speaks the Alcantaranon variant of Inunhan or Onhan where /l/ is used instead of /r/.

Economy

Farming and fishing are the major sources of income in Alcantara. Fishing grounds along the coastal areas of the municipality abound with mackerel, sea bass, tuna, anchovies, tanguigue, sapsap, and commercial tropical fish for aquariums. Forest products such as nito and huwag are abundant in some of its barangays. the municipality of Alcantara is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice mayor (bise alkalde) and members (kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.

Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

Tourism

Because much of Alcantara's interior is made up of mountains covered in lush tropical rainforest, it is being promoted as a hiking destination for backpackers. There are freshwater springs located in Camili, Calogonsao, Bonlao, San Isidro, and Madalag which tourists can enjoy. Other tourist spots in Alcantara include: Visitors going to Alcantara can reach Tablas Island via Odiongan where RORO vessels from Manila, Batangas City, and Roxas, Oriental Mindoro regularly stop by. From Odiongan, Alcantara is just an hour or two by jeepney.

Romblon National Institute of Technology (RNIT) is located in Poblacion, formerly Alcantara National Trade School. The town also has three public high schools offering quality education under the Department of Education.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Agbay-Ang Elementary School
  • Alcantara Central Elementary School
  • Alcantara Christian School
  • Bagsik Elementary School
  • Bonlao Elementary School
  • Calagonsao Elementary School
  • Camili Elementary School
  • Comod-Om Elementary School
  • Don Manuel L. Solidum Memorial Elementary School
  • Felipe Madali Memorial Elementary School
  • Gui-ob Elementary School
  • San Isidro Elementary School
  • San Roque Elementary School
  • Tugdan Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Alcantara National High School
  • Melodias Imperial Sr. National High School
  • Tugdan National High School

References

  • Alcantara Profile at PhilAtlas.com
  • Alcantara, Romblon Profile - Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
  • Municipality of Alcantara. Official Website of the province of Romblon.
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information
  • Local Governance Performance Management System