Municipality of Valladolid

Valladolid is a 4th class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. At the 2000 census, it had a population of 32,576 people in 6,653 households. The mayor of the municipality is Romel P. Yogore who won against Ricardo Presbitero in the last May 2007 elections.

Known as the "Food Basket of Negros Occidental," the municipality celebrates its fiesta every 28 February.

History

The place was first called “Inabuyan” until the Spanish leaders arrived and one of them name the place after its native town Valladolid in Spain. During the Spanish era, Valladolid is considered as one of the prosperous towns of Negros Occidental. The size of the convent and church built by the Recollect Missionaries in 1851 were proofs of this status considering that the church authorities were powerful in running the affairs of the government.

Valladolid was established in 1860. The influx of settlers from the neighboring islands of Guimaras, Panay and Cebu prompted the then Governor Saravia to create an additional town which is now Pulupandan. The settlers made this town a landing area in coming to Negros, brought about by the introduction of sugar which resulted in the economic growth and prosperity of the island. The town is known as the Rice Granary of Negros Occidental with 90 percent of its arable land planted to palay. It produce more than half a million cavans of rice every year.

The Aetas were the original inhabitants of Valladolid. They were ultimately forced to move to the uplands when the early settlers and colonizers came to stay. Significant events in the province during the early founding years as well as major upheavals during and after the revolutionary period brought profound changes in the municipality.

By and large, Valladolid has its place in the historical set-up of the province of Negros Occidental socially, spiritually, economically and politically. It is also the bulwark of Filipinistas (Aglipayans) in Negros. This dominant sect caused the defeat of the fiery Manuel L. Quezon in the hands of the Aglipayans in the presidential election of 1935 during the Commonwealth era.

The town also produced distinguished men and women who played vital role in its historical development. Through its intrepid sons, Valladolid did its share in the fight for freedom during the later part of the Spanish reign in Negros.

Pasundayag Festival is a thanksgiving and celebration of good harvest. It is a farmers festival in honor of the town’s patroness, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe featuring street dancing competition, arena festival dance showdown and merry making.

Geography

Valladolid Municipality is located on the southernwestern coast of the Province of Negros Occidental.It is approximately a 35-minute drive from Bacolod City by private car and 45 minutes by public utility vehicles via the main highway.

Valladolid is bounded on the north by the town of Pulupandan, on the south by the municipality of San Enrique, on the west by the Guimaras Strait and on the east by the city of La Carlota.The global location of Municipality of Valladolid is 10 degrees, 27 minutes 54 seconds - north and 122 degrees 49 minutes 33.6 seconds - east with Our Lady of Guadalupe Church as the benchmark.

Valladolid has two pronounced seasons, wet and dry. The rainy season starts from May to January of the following year with heavy rains occurring during the months of August and September. Dry season starts from the month of February until the last week of April.