Municipality of Moises Padilla

Moises Padilla is a 4th class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 34,658 people in 6,376 households.

Moises Padilla is formerly called Magallon, an old barangay district of a neighbour town of Isabela.

The town is famous for its vast livestock yard, the major source of income of the town. Traders all over the island of Negros come to buy, sell, and trade all kinds of farm and dairy animals. The town's official emblem shows the Carabao or the Water Buffalo.

Geography

Moises Padilla is situated in central part of Negros Island. The location of the town is best for viewing the mount Canlaon in its near perfect cone shape. Along the east side part of the town is the longest river in Negros Island, the Binalbagan River.

The town is amazingly having its natural spring water right in the heart of the town. Large concrete storage tank was constructed to store the never ending supply of clean and fresh water. No mechanical device needed to extract the rare wealth, it just flowing free and filled the tank endlessly.

History

Three miles north from the town is a small sitio called Magallon Cadre. Here lie the ruins of field hospital of the U.S. Army and USAFEE before the World War II. Magallon had witnessed the brutality and terror of World War II. However no event was ever recorded in public documents. It is believed and verified by older citizens that the opening attack of Japanese invaders were sending the two well-armed Mitsubishi Zero fighters. The Japanese commander had chosen cleverly to initiate the attack during the market day of the Magallon which is every Tuesdays; where the large population gathered and met to buy food, clothing, farm tools, and everything of value. According to witnesses, the two Japanese Zero fighters began their low level flight from Crossing Magallon all the way to the heart of Magallon that have a distance of about 7 kilometers. They strafed any thing that moves in the road; people, children, and animals of all kinds. They finally dropped their two lethal cargoes of bombs right in the center of th
e market. After recovering from initial shock, the Japanese infantry began pouring in from every direction of the barangay.

After the war, the town is still called Magallon. It was only changed to "Moises Padilla" after the late Mr. Moises Padilla. He was a public figure that was tortured and killed by assassins of former Governor Rafael Lacson in Negros Island due to political reasons.

Moises Padilla was declared a martyr by the late Ramon Magsaysay, then a Secretary of National Defense during the early ‘50s. It was believed that Moises Padilla was an ardent supporter of Ramon Magsaysay in every political arena after the war.

Festivals

Magayon Festival. The municipality of Moises Padilla is famous for its livestock animals. It is a festival wherein dancers are dressed resembling any livestock animals found in the municipality.

Famous landmarks

Ang Tuburan sa Balanhigan is a mountain resort that offers accommodations for visitors.

Old Municipal Building was built in the early 50’s. It is one of the town’s historical attractions.

Japanese Barracks is the historical marker of World War II.

Kaitulari Ecotourism Zone is the place for adventure and relaxation. It is where mother nature is at its best.