Magdiwang, officially the Municipality of Magdiwang, is a municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.

Formerly known as Naylog and Magallanes, it is one of three municipalities in Sibuyan Island, which has been dubbed as the "Galapagos of Asia" due to its pristine natural environment and high endemism rate for flora and fauna.

Etymology

The place got its name from Magdiwang, in honor of the Magdiwang in 1933.

History

Early history

Based on civil and church records from 1820, Magdiwang was founded as Fundacion de Naylog, a settlement established in the northern coast of Sibuyan Island by religious missionaries led by Don Valentin Ayala. It was placed under the jurisdiction of Pueblo de Sibuyan, whose seat was located in Cajidiocan town. In 1855, the settlement was one of 17 new pueblos (towns) added to the four already existing in the province and was renamed Magallanes, in honor of Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan.

Six years later, on 21 February 1861, another pueblo, Rancheria de Infiel, was organized close to Magallanes, located in the upstream of the present poblacion in what is now Barangay Dulangan. This new pueblo was established for the sake of the relocated Mangyanes or May-as tribe, who used to live in the mountains, so that missionary works and Christianizing efforts conducted in the lowland villages will be extended to them as well. This pueblo was incorporated later on, during the American occupation, as part of Magdiwang.

In February 2018, the government planned the construction of a road that would go through Mt. Guiting-guiting Natural Park Protected Area, effectively endangering thousands of Sibuyan Island pristine forests that have never been touched by man. An online campaign against the road construction was launched afterwards, urging the President, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Work and Highways, the Mt. Guiting-guiting Natural Park Protected Area Management Board, and the LGUs of Sibuyan Island to halt the highly-destructive 'development' project.

Geography

Magdiwang is one of three municipalities in Sibuyan Island, the second largest among the islands of Romblon. It is bound on the west by Cajidiocan, on the south by San Fernando, and on the north by Sibuyan Sea, and to the north-west by Romblon, Romblon. The total land area of Magdiwang is 100.75&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. The town has the following soil classification: Tupi loam, Laylay sandy clay loam and Mogpog Farson Complex. Much of the terrain is hilly and mountainous and is covered by lush tropical rainforest, as it is part of the Mount Guiting-Guiting Natural Park.

| date = 28 April 2020

Demographics

According to the 2015 Philippine census, Magdiwang has a population of 14,142 people. A variant of the Romblomanon language locally, called Sibuyanon, is the native language of the municipality's inhabitants.

Economy

Magdiwang is an agricultural municipality with a small percentage of manufacturing and service-oriented activities. According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, the municipality has the highest agricultural production in the province. Other potential economic activities include fish culture and processing, cut flower industries, cottage industries, garment manufacturing, banking, and tourism. the municipal government 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.

Education

The Cajidiocan-Magdiwang Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Agsao Elementary School
  • Agutay Elementary School
  • Ambulong Elementary School
  • Dulangan Elementary School
  • Ipil Elementary School
  • Jao-Asan Elementary School
  • Magdiwang Central Elementary School
  • Silum Elementary School
  • Tampayan Elementary School
  • Tomas & Maria T. Maglaya Memorial School

Secondary schools

  • Agutay National High School
  • Magdiwang National High School

References

  • Magdiwang Profile at PhilAtlas.com
  • Magdiwang Profile - Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information
  • "Magdiwang Profile" at the Local Governance Performance Management System