Cauayan, officially the Municipality of Cauayan (; ), is a 1st class municipality and the most populous municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 108,480 people.
Cauayan is from the provincial capital of Bacolod and is known for its sandy beaches and pristine waters, limestone and dried fish products. With a population of 102,165 inhabitants, it is the most-populated out of the 19 municipalities in Negros Occidental.
History
Before the Spaniards came to Negros, this town was a wilderness and local indigenous people dwelling there depended on hunting and fishing. The site from where the town began was covered with bamboo thickets called kawáyan in the Hiligaynon language, hence the name "Cauayan" (pronounced kawayán, "place where bamboo grows abundantly).
In 1822, Cauayan was formally founded by Don Vicente Paulo Decena, believed to have come from Cebu. During the Spanish era, a seat for the municipal government was sought. Guiljungan, Cauayan and Isio were candidates but Isio prevailed as it was more populated. It received the honor of being the center of government although gobernadorcillos were accorded to Cauayan and Guiljungan.
Progress was stalled during that period since the Spanish rulers were reluctant to educate their subjects. Even when they built schools, only a few privileged were admitted to them. There were no roads and most people were required to render forced labor. When the Americans came in 1904, the tribunal in Isio was shifted to Cauayan and this fostered socioeconomic development. The inhabitants of Cauayan were taught modern agricultural techniques to raise crops, and public infrastructure such as schoolhouses, roads and bridges were built.
Geography
Located on the southern portion of the province, Cauayan is bounded on the east by the municipality of Ilog; on the south by the municipality of Candoni; on the west by the mining city of Sipalay and on the north by Panay Gulf with its bountiful fishing grounds.
The municipality of Cauayan has a rugged topography. Mt. Malipantao, considered the highest peak in the province, separates the municipality from the town of Candoni and the city of Sipalay. Portion of the ranges are the remaining thick forest that needs protection where the watershed is located. The remaining portions of the municipality are slightly rolling to moderate large areas of flat lands center on the different barrios, which is much suited to agriculture.
The municipality consists mainly of the following slope distribution:
From gently sloping at 0-3 percent or equivalent to 5,369.42 hectares to moderately sloping at 3-8 percent or a total of 1,059.40 hectares to rolling lands with slopes ranging from 8-18 percent which covers to about 1,716.94 hectares. A bigger portion is moderately steep with a slope distribution ranging from 18 to 30 percent having a total area of 19,419.42 hectares. However, large areas are steep and mountains with a slope of 30-50 percent, which accounts to 21,181.92 hectares, and to very steep hills and mountains with a slope of over 50 percent, which covers to about 3,246.90 hectares. Moderately large areas of flat land center on the different barrios. However, the southern part of the municipality is hilly. The Poblacion and the 12 barangays along the seashore are approximately 0-3 degrees above sea level.
Barangays
Cauayan is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
These are further categorized into the Coastal and the Upland Barangays.
Climate
Demographics
Economy
Tourism
Tourism has recently picked up in the Cauayan Municipality, with its fine white sand beaches and diverse marine and wildlife.
Punta Bulata Resort & Spa, the most developed resort in the area, with an AA accreditation from the Department of Tourism, has seen tourists from all parts of the world who come to relax, bask in the tropical atmosphere and enjoy the marine life that is among the best in the country.
Danjugan Island Marine Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary in Barangay Bulata is also one of the most recognized dive spots in the region. Once featured on the cover of Mabuhay Magazine, this island has one of the most diverse and highly dense coral life in the world, comparable to the Great Barrier Reef. Visitors may go for day-trips to the island with pre-arranged visits by contacting Danjugan Island or through Punta Bulata Resort.
The Lubay-lubay Festival and Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul is held annually on January 25.