Alcantara, Romblon Explained

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Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Philippines
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Type3:District
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1730 (as La Lauan)
Established Title1:Renamed
Established Date1:1870 (as Alcantara)
Established Title2:Incorporated
Established Date2:March 21, 1961
Parts Type:Barangays
Parts Style:para
P1: (see Barangays)
Leader Name:Riza G. Pamorada
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Leader Name1:Adrio "Onyot" Galin, Jr.
Leader Name2:Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona
Leader Title3:Councilors
Leader Name3:
  • Josephine Morales
  • Frankie Galin
  • Miriam Estrada
  • Martino Larky
  • Ermar Martinez
  • Jirmel Gado
  • Danny Sombilon
  • Cristina Imperial
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Elevation Min M:0
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Alcantara, officially the Municipality of Alcantara, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 17,171 people.

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.[1] [2]

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.[1]

Alcantara was elevated to municipality status on 21 March 1961 by virtue of Executive Order 427[3] signed by then President Carlos P. Garcia.[1] [2]

Geography

Alcantara lies in the southeast portion of Tablas Island. It is bounded to the north by the municipality of Santa Maria, to the west by Looc, to the south by Santa Fe, and to the east by the Sibuyan Sea. Most of Alcantara lies in plains along the coast with mountains in the interior to the west.[1] [2]

Climate

Barangays

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

Demographics

According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 16,351 people. 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/.[4]

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.[1]

Government

See main article: Philippine municipality. As a municipality in the Province of Romblon, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government.

Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,[5] 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:[1] [2]

Local delicacies

Infrastructure

Utilities

The Tablas Island Electric Cooperative (TIECO) and NAPOCOR supply 57.75 percent of the 2,740 households Alcantara with electricity. As for water supply, Alcantara has one irrigation service with 37 service areas and three community irrigation with 75 service areas. Potable water supply comes from jet pumps, open wells, artesian wells and springs.[1]

Transportation and communication

Alcantara is home to Romblon's sole airport in Barangay Tugdan. Cebu Pacific operates four flights a week to Romblon via the airport.[6] 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.[2]

People in the town take public utility jeepneys (PUJ), pedicabs, tricycles, and motorcycles to and from neighboring towns. The Tablas Circumferential Road connects Alcantara with neighboring municipalities. PLDT, Smart, and Globe provide landline and cellular phone services in the municipality.[1]

Education

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.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profile: Alcantara . Milex . Fabula . Romblon Travel Guide . 2001 . 13 August 2014.
  2. Web site: Alcantara, Romblon . The Official Website of the Provincial Government of Romblon . 13 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140813210011/http://www.romblonprov.gov.ph/pages.php?m=alcantara . 2014-08-13 . dead .
  3. Web site: Executive Order No. 427, s. 1961 | GOVPH .
  4. Web site: Inonhan . R. David Paul . Zorc . Glottolog Languiod Catalogue . Leipzig: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology . 1977 . 13 August 2014.
  5. Web site: The LawPhil Project. An act providing for a local government code of 1991 . 8th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines . 21 April 2014.
  6. News: Cebu Pacific adds Masbate, Tablas to route network. 12 January 2017. Manila Bulletin. December 13, 2016.