Hinigaran, officially the Municipality of Hinigaran (; ; , is a municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.

It is the fast-growing economy and progressive development in the province of Negros Occidental. Hinigaran envision itself to be leading of top economic hub place for agri-tourism, commerce, industry and, education in the southern district. It is also aim to become a "Center of Economic Development" by 2030 in the south-central part of Negros Occidental.

Hinigaran is currently applying for Independent Component City (ICC).

Etymology

The town's name is derived from the word higad and was originally recorded as "Ginigaran" by the Spaniards. The early settlers from Panay, known as Tagahigad, displaced the aboriginals called "Mundos" and "Ambaks" to the mountains. Over time, the name evolved in spelling and pronunciation to "Hinigaran."

An alternative legend suggests that the name originated from the Bisayan word Linigaran, which means "bypassed" or "skirted." Based on this account, during an eruption of Mount Kanlaon, a massive snake fled to the sea, bypassing the present-day Hinigaran, and became stranded at the mouth of the present-day Binalbagan River.

History

The early inhabitants of the town were indigenous groups known as the “Mundos” and “Ambaks.” With the arrival of traders and settlers from Panay, many of the natives were displaced and moved to the mountainous areas.

The town was founded in 1765, and Basilio Mongcal was appointed as its first municipal president in 1806. Among the early settlers were the families of Mongcal, Lagtapon, Curio, Sario, David, Orin, Pido, Pabalinas, Luntayao, Javier, Vargas, Lucasan, Grijaldo, and Dano-og, some of whom also originated from Panay.

During the Spanish period, the seat of the pueblo was established along Jacinto and Zamora Streets. The town was administered by officials such as capitanes municipales, tenientes absolutas, and cabezas de barangay. When the revolt against Spanish rule broke out, Bibiano Gelvosa and his followers resisted Spanish forces. He served as the last capitan municipal before the arrival of the Americans.

| date = 7 May 2020

Demographics

Languages

The people in the town speak Hiligaynon. Tagalog and English are generally understood.

Economy

thumb|Aerial view of Hinigaran

Hinigaran is one of the major sources of income to boost the local economy of production in agriculture, fishing and manufacturing industry to produce the key products of firecrackers, oysters, capiz shells, bananas, rice, milkfish and, coconuts. Hinigaran has also one of the primary economic hub for commercial and retail chains included Mang Inasal, Dunkin', Mcdonald's, Prince Hypermart, Puregold, KJ Fairmart and Metro Retail Stores Group Hinigaran.

NutriHogs Corporation and CPF Philippines Food Corporation the first agri-industrial hub in Hinigaran and the province of Negros Occidental and it is also known now as the largest facility in the Philippines. It is a 100 hectare land with 12,000 Sow-Level Modern Breeder Farm located in Sitio Alambre, Barangay Tuguis, Hinigaran. This modern facility aimed to produce 35 million kilograms of pork annually for the province to combines advanced, eco-friendly technology and enhance food security.

Infrastructures

thumb|Hinugyaw Inn Hinigaran

Hinugyaw Inn a three (3) storey building hotel with 24 rooms fully airconditioned and function hall, owned and operated by the local government of Hinigaran could boost the local economy and town's tourism industry in the southern negros.

  • Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard also known simply as Magsaysay Boulevard is currently underconstruction and formerly as Hinigaran Seaside Boulevard, It is a two lane divided roadway that travels northwest and southwest from Brgy. 1 Old Reclamation, Brgy. 2 Tugbungan, Brgy. Tagda to Brgy. Pilar.

Cultures

thumb|Buko Pie

is renowned for its fresh, mildly sweet buko pie with a soft, non-starchy filling.

thumb|Hinugyaw Festival Hinigaran

This week-long festivity showcases the town’s dynamic cultural identity through street dancing, beauty pageants, culinary fairs, and community-led activities that reflect the unity and creativity of its people. This festival was held every year of the last week of the month of April.

Healthcare

thumb|Hinigaran Doctors Hospital Incorporated

thumb|Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital Hinigaran

Hinigaran has only one government hospital that provide quality healthcare services which is Hinigaran Medical Hospital. The Hinigaran Municipal Health Office is responsible for the implementation and planning of the health care programs provided by the municipal government, which also operates and supervises Health Centers in the barangays of the municipality. Private hospitals in Hinigaran are fully operational in 2025 namely the Hinigaran Doctors' Hospital Incorporated and Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital Hinigaran.

Media

FM radio stations

  • 105.7 Radyo Natin Hinigaran
  • 104.9 5K Broadcasting Network Hinigaran
  • 107.9 Life Radio Hinigaran

Education

Hinigaran has only one university that offered a several programs. Currently, as sanctioned by the Department of Education, all primary and secondary institutions in the municipality use the K-12 and the MATATAG educational system.

  • 27 elementary schools and 7 secondary schools, both public & private schools
  • Negros Occidental National Agro-Industrial School Of Home Industries (1969)
  • Esteban Jalandoni Farm School Baga-as and Calapi Extension (1991)
  • Hinigaran Fundamental Baptist Christian School (1983)
  • Hinigaran National High School (1946)
  • Pahilanga National High School
  • Hinigaran Institute (1922)
  • Madeleine Academy (1919)
  • Herman Harrell Horne School
  • Hinigaran Adventist School
  • Maranatha Christian Academy
  • Central Philippines State University Hinigaran Campus (2011), the municipality's lone tertiary school.
  • STI College Hinigaran, the first STI system in the southern negros to be offered programs of information technology, accountancy, tourism management, hospitality management and, education.

Notable personalities

<!--NOTE: Only add people with existing Wikipedia articles as per Wikipedia:Notability policy. If you are a resident of Hinigaran, do NOT add yourself here.-->

  • Espiridion Guanco – first President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines and Secretary to Senate President Manuel L. Quezon
  • Gil Montilla - 9th Governor of Negros Occidental,Senator of the Philippines, 4th Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
  • Remy Presas - Martial artist, Founder of modern Arnis
  • Mariano Yulo – 6th Governor of Negros Occidental,Senator of the Philippines from 1925 to 1929