Guimaras 266824 225679742 2008-07-14T21:33:39Z 125.60.241.242 /* History */ {{Unreferenced|date=August 2007}} {{Infobox Philippine province | name = Guimaras | sealfile = Ph seal guimaras.png | region = [[Western Visayas]] (Region VI) | capital = [[Jordan, Guimaras|Jordan]] | founded = [[May 22]], [[1992]] | pop2000 = 141,450 | pop2000rank = 7th smallest | popden2000 = 234 | popden2000rank = 33rd highest | areakm2 = 604.7 | arearank = 5th smallest | hucities = 0 | componentcities = 0 | municipalities = 5 | barangays = 98 | districts = 1 | languages = [[Hiligaynon language|Hiligaynon]] | governor = Felipe Hilan A. Nava | locatormapfile = Ph locator map guimaras.png }} '''Guimaras''' is an island [[Provinces of the Philippines|province]] of the [[Philippines]] located in the [[Western Visayas]] [[Regions of the Philippines|region]]. Among the smallest provinces, its capital is [[Jordan, Guimaras|Jordan]]. The island is located in the [[Panay Gulf]], between the islands of [[Panay Island|Panay]] and [[Negros]]. To the northwest is the [[Iloilo Province|province of Iloilo]] and to the southeast is [[Negros Occidental]]. The province is located on the islands of [[Guimaras Island|Guimaras]] and [[Inampulugan]]. Guimaras was a sub-province of [[Iloilo]] until it was made an independent province on [[May 22]], [[1992]]. ==People and culture== The people of Guimaras are considered as [[Ilonggo]] and their languages are [[Hiligaynon]] and [[Kinaray-a]] as it was once a sub-province of [[Iloilo]]. Hiligaynon is the major language spoken although the people can understand and speak [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] and [[English language|English]]. Many foreigners are known to own big lands, ships and major businesses. Many [[India|Indians]] are known to have the biggest lands in Guimaras. ==Economy== The province is basically agricultural with [[palay]], coconut, mango, vegetables, livestock, poultry and fishing as major products. Its major industries are tourism, fruit processing, coconut processing, fish farming, handicrafts making, mining, quarrying and lime production. Guimaras is well-known for its agricultural crops, particularly [[mango]]es, where some 50,000 of these trees are planted. The Guimaras Island is famous for producing the sweetest mangoes in the world. Guimaras mangos are reportedly served at the [[White House]] and Buckingham Palace {{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Guimaras' largest event of the year is The Manggahan Festival (the Mango Festival). The variety of mangoes produced are also best for making dried mangoes, jam and other delicacies. ==Government== House of Representatives: JC Rahman Nava Governor: Felipe Hilan Nava Vice Governor: Aurelio Tionado ==Geography== ===Political=== Guimaras is subdivided into 5 [[Philippine municipality|municipalities]]. ====Municipalities==== *[[Buenavista, Guimaras|Buenavista]] *[[Jordan, Guimaras|Jordan]] *[[Nueva Valencia, Guimaras|Nueva Valencia]] *[[San Lorenzo, Guimaras|San Lorenzo]] *[[Sibunag, Guimaras|Sibunag]] ===Physical=== Located southwest of [[Panay Island|Panay]], Guimaras is separated physically from [[Iloilo]] by a narrow channel, which takes about fifteen minutes to cross by pumpboat from the [[Ortiz, Iloilo|Ortiz]] landing on [[Iloilo]] to [[Jordan, Guimaras|Jordan]]. There are two other ways to get there, the Parola wharf in Iloilo to the municipality of [[Buenavista, Guimaras|Buenavista]]. The Parola wharf is used exclusively whenever the water is rough. There also is a roll on roll off (RORO) ferry that travels around five times a day and is used by the Iloilo bicycle clubs on Sunday to travel to Guimaras. Geologists opine that the island formed one landmass with Panay in the past. Guimaras was formerly known as Himal-us Guimaras is also famous for its beaches. Clear blue waters, white sand and marine life rivals that of Boracay.Commonly visited ones are at Roca Encantada, ALubihod and Puerto del Mar. ==History== Gonzalo Ronquillo de Peñalosa, a Spanish governor-general, established the Spanish settlement in Guimaras for the purpose of the Christianization of the natives of the island. He and his subordinates organized the pueblicitos or villages of Nayup, with San Pedro Apostol as the patron saint, and Igang, with Sta. Ana as the patroness. Evangelization of Guimaras occurred around the same time the friars were making inroads in [[Panay Island|Panay]]. The Augustinians established the visitas of Nayup and Igang dependent on Oton, Iloilo. Gov. Gen. Dasmariñas [[20 June]] [[1551]] report to the king noted that the friars of Oton made regular visits to the island. In [[1742]], the island fell under the jurisdiction of Dumangas - now known as [[Iloilo]], until [[1751]] when the Augustinian Order was replaced by the [[Jesuit]]s, after which the [[Dominican order]] took over Guimaras. The Jesuits, who had established a school in Iloilo and had missions in Molo and Arevalo, charge of the island. By [[1755]], it was organized into a regular parish. When the population increased considerably, the island was given its municipal status with a seat of government at Tilad (now known as Buenavista). In [[1908]], during the American period, the Guimarasnons were given the opportunity to elect their municipal president. [[Douglas MacArthur]], a fresh graduate from [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] as a [[Second Lieutenant]] at the age of 23, came to [[Iloilo]] as the head of the company of [[U.S. Army Corps of Engineers]]. They constructed roads and the Sto. Rosario Wharf, presently named MacArthur's Wharf, which are still in use today. In [[1942]], the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Guimaras Island. In [[1945]], the defenders of the [[Philippine Commonwealth]] forces landed in Guimaras Island by the attacked form the Japanese Imperial forces defeated beginning to the liberation in the [[Battle of Guimaras]]. Guimaras first gained its status as a sub-province of [[Iloilo]] by virtue of R.A. 4667, which was enacted by Congress on [[18 June]] [[1966]]. It was proclaimed as a regular and full-fledged province on [[22 May]] [[1992]] after a plebiscite was conducted to ratify the approval of its conversion pursuant to Section 462 of R.A. 7160. Shortly after Guimaras acquired its provincial status, President [[Fidel V. Ramos]] appointed Emily Relucio-Lopez as its first Governor. The province of Guimaras was originally composed up of 3 municipalities. In [[1995]], by virtue of Republic Act No. 7896 and Republic Act No. 7897, the municipalities of [[Sibunag, Guimaras|Sibunag]] and [[San Lorenzo, Guimaras|San Lorenzo]] were created in the province of Guimaras. The two new municipalities officially acquired their municipal status after the [[May 8]], [[1995]] plebiscite held simultaneously with the local election. Mayor Ernesto L. Gedalanga was the first appointed mayor of Sibunag and Mayor Arsenio Zambarrano was also appointed mayor of San Lorenzo. The temporary seat of government of the Municipality of Sibunag is at Brgy. Sabang while the temporary seat of Government of the Municipality of San Lorenzo is at Brgy. Cabano. The island province however encountered an [[Guimaras oil spill|ecological disaster]] on Aug. 2006, after M/V Solar I, chartered by Petron, the Philippines’ largest oil refiner, carrying 2.4 million litres of oil sank of the coast, contaminating 24 sq. km.[http://globalnation.inq7.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=15191] Cleanup is estimated to take at least a full year. The Philippine Coast Guard is calling this the worst oil spill in the country’s history. According to officials, 1,000 hectares of mangrove forests have been affected, including parts of the Taclong Island Sanctuary, a feeding and breeding ground for fish and other species. ==External links== *[http://www.guimaras.gov.ph Provincial Government of Guimaras] *[http://www.stayinguimaras.com Stay in Guimaras!] *[http://exploreguimaras.blogspot.com Explore Guimaras!] *[http://www.pbase.com/hammerslag/guimaras Guimaras Photo Gallery] *[http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?uNewsID=78300 WWF News Bulletin on the Disaster] *[http://www.saveguimaras.com/blog Save Guimaras.com (Guimaras Oil Spill)] *[http://www.ligtasguimaras.com.ph Ligtas Guimaras (Guimaras Oil Spill)] *[http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17385 Oil Spill near Guimaras Island] at [[NASA Earth Observatory]] *[http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife1_may8_2008 The hidden jewel that is Guimaras] *[http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/thegoodnews/view.php?db=1&article=20080517-137081 Guimaras grabs tourism alternative] {{Guimaras}} {{Visayas lateral}} [[Category:Provinces of the Philippines]] [[bcl:Guimaras]] [[ceb:Guimaras]] [[eo:Guimaras]] [[fr:Guimaras]] [[ilo:Guimaras]] [[id:Guimaras]] [[it:Guimaras]] [[pam:Guimaras]] [[mk:Гуимарас]] [[nl:Guimaras]] [[ja:ギマラス州]] [[no:Guimaras]] [[sv:Guimaras]] [[tl:Guimaras]] [[war:Guimaras]]