Hinigaran

Hinigaran, officially the Municipality of Hinigaran (Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Hinigaran; Tagalog: Bayan ng Hinigaran), is a municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 90,403 people.^[5]

Hinigaran
Municipality
Municipality of Hinigaran
St. Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Hinigaran
Flag
Nicknames:  "The Oyster and Pyrotechnics Capital of Negros Occidental" "Christmas Capital of Negros Occidental" "Center of Economic Development by 2030"
Map of Negros Occidental with Hinigaran highlighted
Interactive map of Hinigaran
Hinigaran Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°16′N 122°51′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Negros Island Region
Province	Negros Occidental
District	5th district
Founded	1768
Barangays	24 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Mary Grace S. Arceo (NPC)
• Vice Mayor	Jose Nadie P. Arceo (NPC)
• Representative	Emilio Bernardino L. Yulo III (Lakas)
• Municipal Council	Members Paul Christopher L. Yulo Narciso Martini P. Gayares III Allain Joy M. Lopez Maria Xenia Angela T. Guanco Don Angelo Emil F. Colmenares Jafet John M. Jong Edmund P. Arceo Steven P. Pineda Freddie Mongcal ‡ John Michael C. Mongcal ◌ ‡ ex officio ABC president ◌ ex officio SK chairman
• Electorate	55,682 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	154.92 km2 (59.81 sq mi)
Elevation	5.0 m (16.4 ft)
Highest elevation	43 m (141 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2024 census)[3]
• Total	90,403
• Density	583.55/km2 (1,511.4/sq mi)
• Households	22,592
Demonyms	Hiligaynon (Ilonggo): Hinigaranon (masculine) Hinigareno (feminine) Hinigarena
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	19.65 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 410.7 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 912.3 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 340 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 369.6 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6106
PSGC	064511000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)34
Languages	Hiligaynon Tagalog English
Website	www.hinigaran.ph

It is the fastest growing economy and progressive development in the province of Negros Occidental. Hinigaran envision itself to be leading of top economic hub place for commerce, industry, agriculture, fishery and, education in the southern district. It is also vision to become a "Center of Economic Development" by 2030 in the south-central part of Negros Island.

Etymology

The town's name is derived from the word higad and was originally recorded as "Ginigaran" by the Spaniards. The early settlers from Panay, known as Tagahigad, displaced the aboriginals called "Mundos" and "Ambaks" to the mountains. Over time, the name evolved in spelling and pronunciation to "Hinigaran."

An alternative legend suggests that the name originated from the Bisayan word Linigaran, which means "bypassed" or "skirted." Based on this account, during an eruption of Mount Kanlaon, a massive snake fled to the sea, bypassing the present-day Hinigaran, and became stranded at the mouth of the present-day Binalbagan River.^[6]

History

The early inhabitants of this town were the aboriginal people called "Mundos" and "Ambaks". When traders and settlers from Panay started moving in, the natives were driven to the mountains.

The town was founded in 1765, and Captain Basilio Mongcal was appointed as the first president in 1806. Among its first settlers were the families of Mongcal, Lagtapon, Curio, Sario, David, Orin, Pido, Pabalinas, Luntayao, Javier, Vargas, Lucasan, Grijaldo, and Dano-og— some of whom were from Panay.

The Spaniards established the seat of the "pueblo" in Jacinto and Zamora Streets, and the town was governed by "Capitanes Municipales", Tenientes Absolato" and Cabeza de Barangays". When revolt against the Spanish Government broke out, Capitan Bibiano Gelvosa and his followers fought bravely against the Spaniards. He was the last "Capitan Municipal" when the Americans arrived.^[6]

Geography

Hinigaran is 52 kilometres (32 mi) south from Bacolod and 163 kilometres (101 mi) from Dumaguete.

Barangays

Hinigaran is politically subdivided into 24 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Anahaw
• Aranda
• Baga-as
• Barangay I (Poblacion)
• Barangay II (Poblacion)
• Barangay III (Poblacion)
• Barangay IV (Poblacion)
• Bato
• Calapi
• Camalobalo
• Camba-og
• Cambugsa
• Candumarao
• Gargato
• Himaya
• Miranda
• Nanunga
• Narauis
• Palayog
• Paticui
• Pilar
• Quiwi
• Tagda
• Tuguis

Climate

Climate data for Hinigaran, Negros Occidental
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30 (86)	31 (88)	32 (90)	33 (91)	32 (90)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	38 (1.5)	29 (1.1)	55 (2.2)	65 (2.6)	141 (5.6)	210 (8.3)	212 (8.3)	176 (6.9)	180 (7.1)	180 (7.1)	130 (5.1)	70 (2.8)	1,486 (58.6)
Average rainy days	9.0	7.2	11.1	13.5	25.6	28.4	28.9	27.3	26.9	27.7	21.8	13.8	241.2
Source: Meteoblue[7]

Demographics

Population census of Hinigaran

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	14,256	—
1918	16,097	+0.81%
1939	27,438	+2.57%
1948	29,017	+0.62%
1960	36,240	+1.87%
1970	46,010	+2.41%
1975	52,018	+2.49%
1980	54,717	+1.02%
1990	68,739	+2.31%
1995	71,519	+0.75%
2000	74,997	+1.02%
2007	80,528	+0.99%
2010	81,925	+0.63%
2015	85,602	+0.84%
2020	88,909	+0.80%
2024	90,403	+0.40%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][9][10][11][12]

Languages

The people in the town speak Hiligaynon. Tagalog and English are generally understood.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Hinigaran

10

20

30

40

50

2000
45.40

2003
28.85

2006
29.10

2009
30.56

2012
16.57

2015
16.58

2018
19.36

2021
19.65

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]}

Hinigaran Public Plaza

Economic Profile

• Total Internal Revenue Allotment: Php P180,762,087 (2018)
• Total Income: Php 158,600,789.72 (2015)
• Major Industry: Agriculture and fishing
• Products: Nylon shell, Capiz shell, Talaba, firecrackers manufacturing
• Market Days: Thursdays and Sunday
• Town Fiesta: April 30 (Hinugyaw Festival)
• Patronal Fiesta: July 22
• Patron Saint: Saint Mary Magdalene.

Hinigaran Market Mall – is a new shopping center in Hinigaran.

Infrastructure

• Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard also known simply as Magsaysay Boulevard is currently underconstruction and formerly as Hinigaran Seaside Boulevard, It is a two lane divided roadway that travels northwest and southwest from Brgy. 1 Old Reclamation, Brgy. 2 Tugbungan, Brgy. Tagda to Brgy. Pilar.
• Hinigaran SeaPort Project (plan)

Healthcare

• Hinigaran Medical Clinic
• Hinigaran Doctors' Hospital Incorporated
• Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital Hinigaran

Media

FM radio stations

• 105.7 Radyo Natin Hinigaran
• 104.9 K5 News FM Hinigaran

Education

• 27 elementary schools, both public & private schools
• 7 secondary schools, both public and private
• Negros Occidental National Agro-Industrial School Of Home Industries (1969)
• Hinigaran National High School (1946)
• Hinigaran Institute (1922)
• Madeleine Academy (1919)
• Central Philippines State University Hinigaran Campus (2011), the municipality's lone tertiary school.
• Hinigaran Central Colleges (plan)

Notable personalities

• Espiridion Guanco – first President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines and Secretary to Senate President Manuel L. Quezon^[21][22]
• Gil Montilla - 9th Governor of Negros Occidental,Senator of the Philippines, 4th Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
• Remy Presas - Martial artist, Founder of modern Arnis
• Mariano Yulo – 6th Governor of Negros Occidental,Senator of the Philippines from 1925 to 1929^[21]