La Libertad, Negros Oriental Explained

Flag Size:120x80px
Seal Size:100x80px
Image Map1:
Frame-Width:250
Pushpin Map:Philippines
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Philippines
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Type3:District
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:January 10, 1919
Parts Type:Barangays
Parts Style:para
P1: (see Barangays)
Leader Name:Emmanuel L. Iway (LP)
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Leader Name1:Lawrence D. Limkaichong (LP)
Leader Name2:Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong
Leader Title3:Municipal Council
Leader Name4: voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|)
Elevation Max M:556
Elevation Min M:0
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Blank1 Title:Households
Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:+8
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Demographics Type1:Economy
Demographics1 Title2:Poverty incidence
Demographics1 Info2:%
Demographics1 Title3:Revenue
Demographics1 Title4:Revenue rank
Demographics1 Title5:Assets
Demographics1 Title6:Assets rank
Demographics1 Title7:IRA
Demographics1 Title8:IRA rank
Demographics1 Title9:Expenditure
Demographics1 Title10:Liabilities
Demographics Type2:Service provider
Demographics2 Title1:Electricity
Demographics2 Title2:Water
Demographics2 Title3:Telecommunications
Demographics2 Title4:Cable TV
Blank1 Name Sec1:Native languages
Blank2 Name Sec1:Crime index
Blank1 Name Sec2:Major religions
Blank2 Name Sec2:Feast date
Blank3 Name Sec2:Catholic diocese
Blank4 Name Sec2:Patron saint

La Libertad, officially the Municipality of La Libertad (Cebuano: Lungsod sa La Libertad; Tagalog: Bayan ng La Libertad), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 41,089 people.

History

"The history of a nation is often interwoven with persons who in one way or another have been instrumental in its progress-political, educational, economic, social and to some extent religious. Such is the history of a small barrio turned into a beautiful town. This is a brief history of La Libertad, a town north of Dumaguete."

"Hugging closely the coasts of Tanon Strait, and nesting cozily in the wide and fertile valley swept by the Hinoba-an River lines, La Libertad against a backdrop of sylvan scenery. It bears a Castillan name which connotes "freedom" and whose yesteryears are filled with tender memories."

"Barrio Hinoba-an During the Spanish Regime. The place was then inhabited by primitive tribes who were mostly Negritos. Several enterprising families from neighboring towns and distant provinces came to settle in this barrio. Among the first pioneers was a certain Pedro Absin. He came from the distant province of Camarines Sur with the Spanish friars, who spread the Christian religion to this part of Negros. He married a lovely lass who later was baptized as Mauricia. This was the beginning of the large and progressive Francisco Acar Absin clan."

"The other families were the Facturans from Jimalalud, the Carinals from Tayasan, and the de Paduas from Ilo-ilo. These people were the leading pioneer families of the "old" Hinoba-an. Most of them were engaged in farming and fishing."

"The fertile valleys of Hinoba-an were so enticing that several families immigrated to this barrio in the later part of the Spanish period. One of the prominent families that moved in was the Libo-on family. The head of this family was an Ilonggo. However, he did not come directly to Hinoba-an. A certain Maestro Tomas Libo-on of Miag-ao, Iloilo, arrived at the barrio of Jimalalud where he was employed as a private tutor by some families. He was a widower when he came but he brought with him his only son, Luciano, and a niece, Romana Libo-on. They lived in the barrio for several years. Later, Luciano was married to Bernabela Facturan, a native of the place. However, they were attracted by the richness of the soil of the neighboring barrio of Hinoba-an. They bought a pave of land at the mouth of the Hinoba-an River and built their first house there.

"Another family worthy of mention is the Banogon family. The head of this clan was Pio Banogon. Born on May 5, 1876, in Tanjay, another town of this province, Pio grew to be a promising young man. After he finished grade school, his parents sent him to Manila to study at San Juan de Letran for two years. When he returned home, he was so moved by the adventurous spirit that he decided to go northward. In 1896, he arrived at Jimalalud. It was in this barrio where he found his life's mate, one Petra Sevilla, a scion of the Facturans of Jimalalud. Like the others, the Banogons were also magnetized by the richness of the farmland of Hinoba-an. They bought some parcels of land at Canlaro in the barrio of San Jose and at Binatangan in Martilo."

"The other prominent families that moved to Hinoba-an were the Dionaldos from Moalboal, Cebu; the Somozas from Bais; the Emperados from Ayungon; and the Villaesters from Toledo, Cebu."

(lifted from "Souvenir Program 50th Anniversary of the creation of La Libertad as a Municipality of Negros Oriental, Dec 30, 31, 1968; Jan 1, 1969)

La Libertad was severely affected during the 2012 Visayas earthquake, that caused landslides killing dozens of people.[1]

Geography

Barangays

La Libertad is politically subdivided into 29 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Tourism

In terms of attractions, La Libertad offers natural beauty and outdoor destinations. The municipality is known for its beautiful beaches, such as the white sand beach of Solongon, which attracts tourists and locals alike. The nearby Mt. Panciao also offers opportunities for hiking and exploration.The construction of swimming pool at La Limar had already been completed and is operational. Presently, La Limar is catering to seminars, weddings, family reunions and other services which is being handled by the Local Government.

The Local Government is now actively participating in the promotion of local tourism and we are showcasing our La Li Mar beach Resort located at San Jose, La Libertad.

The project was initiated by Congresswoman Jocelyn S. Limkaichong who was also a former mayor of the town.

Education

The public schools in the town of La Libertad are administered by two school districts under the Schools Division of Negros Oriental.

Elementary schools:

High schools:

Private schools:

Government

Elected municipal officials (2010–2013):

List of former elective officials

DatePositionName
1919–1922PresidentIsaac Dionaldo
Vice-presidentNarciso Absin
SecretaryFrancisco Bautista
CouncilorsPio Banogon
Luciano Libo-on
Ireneo Villaespin
Felipe Absin
Andres Absin
Fabio Torres
Leon Bonda-on
Brigido Sabanal
1922–1924PresidentIsaac Dionaldo
Vice-presidentFabio Torres
SecretaryRoberto Estoconing
CouncilorsMargarito Gallosa
Pedro Timtim
Isaias Emperado
Antonio Torres
Pastor Carinal
Marcelo Libo-on
Bregido Sabanal
Benedicto Libo-on
1925PresidentIsaac Dionaldo
Vice-presidentFabio Torres
SecretaryRoberto Estoconing
CouncilorsAntonio E. Torres
Pedrom Timtim
Pator Carinal
Margarito Gallosa
Marcelo Libo-on
Brigido Sabanal
Daniel Donaldo
Benedicto Libo-on, Sr.
1926–1927PresidentFabio Torres
Vice-presidentDaniel Dionaldo
SecretaryRoberto Estoconing
CouncilorsBrigido Sabanal
Antonio E. Torres
Leopoldo Dionaldo
Aquilino Ricarte
Pedro E. Torres
Teodoro Absin
Felix Camero

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Quake causes severe damage in La Libertad, Negros Oriental. ABS-CBN News. 12 March 2013. 7 February 2012.