Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

Welcome to Himamaylan City, the “City of the South” in Negros Occidental. Rooted in history and rich in culture, Himamaylan’s name comes from the Ilonggo words “Hima” (a sickness) and “Babaylan” (a traditional healer), a tribute to the community’s ancient healing traditions. Once the second capital of Negros Island, this vibrant city today is a thriving hub, balancing its storied past with a vision for modern development. As the largest city in terms of land area in the province, Himamaylan is a testament to resilience and progress.

People of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

The population of Himamaylan City continues to show steady growth.

• 2020 Census: 116,240

• 2015 Census: 106,880

• 2010 Census: 103,006

• 2007 Census: 102,014

Registered Voters

• 2022 National and Local Elections: 67,698 registered voters

• 2019 National and Local Elections: 62,917 registered voters

• 2009 COMELEC: 58,586 registered voters

The History and Making of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental

Himamaylan City, located in Negros Occidental, has a name and a history rooted in both ancient beliefs and colonial encounters. Its journey from a small settlement to a chartered city is a testament to its resilience and political evolution.

Origin of the Name

The name Himamaylan is a combination of two Ilonggo words: “Hima,” a local malady, and “Babaylan,” a traditional healer or quack doctor. When the first Spanish colonizers arrived in the area, they observed that many natives were suffering from “Hima.” To cure this illness, the locals called upon the Babaylan, who they believed had the power to drive the sickness away through rituals.

The Spanish missionaries later constructed a church and, upon gathering the cured natives, called the place “Himaya,” a word of thanks for driving the “Hima” away. The Babaylan also considered it a spiritual paradise. The name evolved from “Himaya” to “Himamaya-an,” then to Himamaylan to make it easier for the Spanish priests to pronounce. When the settlement was officially founded as a “pueblo” or township, this name was formally adopted.

The Spanish and American Eras

In the mid-1560s, the Spanish colonized Himamaylan and established the Encomienda System, granting land and its inhabitants to their loyal followers. The town was founded in the 18th century and, although records are scarce, it served as the second capital of Negros Island from 1795 to 1849, after the Municipality of Ilog. The Spanish Kota (fortress) in Himamaylan was a key historical landmark, serving as the seat of the old Spanish government. It was also where many natives were not only cured of their sickness but also converted to Christianity.

On November 8, 1898, after receiving a copy of the Act of Capitulation, Spanish soldiers in Himamaylan surrendered, making it the last town in Negros to be liberated from Spanish rule. Just a month later, on December 28, 1898, the Americans arrived and easily established control over the island.

World War II and Post-War Politics

Himamaylan, along with the rest of Negros Occidental, fell to the Japanese forces in 1942, three days after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The Japanese Military Government was established throughout the province. In 1945, American forces liberated Negros Occidental, returning the province to American rule until the Philippines gained its independence on July 4, 1946.

Throughout the years, Himamaylan has played a prominent role in provincial politics, producing several notable leaders, including congressmen Rafael Ramos, Agustin Ramos, and Valeriano M. Gatuslao. After the declaration of Martial Law under President Ferdinand Marcos, Himamaylan continued its political prominence with the election of two of its sons, Roberto Gatuslao and Antonio Gatuslao, to the Interim Batasang Pambansa. Mayor Jose M. Gatuslao then led the municipality toward growth and progress.

The People Power Revolution in February 1986 ushered in a new era. The revolutionary government of President Corazon C. Aquino appointed Ernesto Rodriguez as the Officer-in-Charge of the municipality. In 1988, Providencia V. Silverio was elected as the new mayor. During her term, the municipality was reclassified from a fifth-class to a third-class municipality due to massive development projects aimed at poverty alleviation.

In 1992, Mayor Hernan Gatuslao took office but his untimely death in 1993 led Vice-Mayor Luz R. Bayot to assume the leadership. It was during her administration that Himamaylan was reclassified as a first-class municipality, based on its average annual income. This was further bolstered by the passage of the Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which improved the delivery of services and allocated funds to the barangays.

The Road to Cityhood

The journey to cityhood gained momentum in the late 1990s. Then-Congressman of the 5th District of Negros Occidental, Apolinario L. Lozada, Jr., filed House Bill No. 9885 to convert the Municipality of Himamaylan into a component city. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Sergio Osmeña III as Senate Bill No. 2255.

After a series of public hearings and committee approvals, the bill was signed into law as Republic Act No. 9028 on March 5, 2001, by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The act, converting Himamaylan into a city, was overwhelmingly ratified by the people in a plebiscite on March 31, 2001.

With the new city charter, Mayor Luz R. Bayot and Vice Mayor Raymond I. Tongson became the first City Mayor and Vice Mayor. In the subsequent 2001 elections, Carminia G. Bascon and Raymund I. Tongson were elected to lead the newly created city, ensuring its continued progress. Himamaylan City now celebrates its charter anniversary on March 30th each year.

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Elected Government Officials of Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Philippines

Elected Government Officials of Himamaylan City for the term of 2025-2028

City Mayor: Rogelio Raymund I. Tongson Jr.
City Vice Mayor: Justin Dominic S. Gatuslao

City Councilors – Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) Members

1. Julie Ann T. Vasquez
2. Johny T. Ades
3. Emmanuel V. Castro
4. Ricky T. Genova
5. Richard N. Genada
6. Pablo M. Libo-on
7. Teresita A. Gamposilao
8. Esther Marie B. Tongson
9. Jacinto B. Castillo
10. Marie Antoinette R. Limsiaco
11. Jedalyn Kaye N. Pampliega (SK Federation President, ex-officio)
12. Kerwin L. Tongson (Liga ng mga Barangay President, ex-officio)

Elected Government Officials of Himamaylan City for the term of 2019-2022

• City Mayor: Rogelio Raymund Intrepido Tongson
• City Vice-Mayor: Justin Dominic Silos Gatuslao
• Councilors of Himamaylan City:

1. Johnny Taguas Ades
2. Janet Tanmoya Villafranca
3. Samuel Repique Belarga
4. Aly Bayle Tongson
5. Marie Antoinette Rabago Limsiaco
6. Pablo Montero Libo-On
7. Julie Ann Torillo Vasquez
8. Michael Bern Chua Javelosa
9. Teresita Alila-In Gamposilao
10. Emmanuel Valdeviezo Castro

Elected Government Officials of Himamaylan City for the term of 2016-2019

• Mayor of Himamaylan City: Tinto Bascon
• Vice-Mayor of Himamaylan City: Mencit Bascon
• Councilors of Himamaylan City:

1. Julie Ann Torrillo-vasquez
2. Ricky Genova
3. Justin Silos Gatuslao
4. Mary Jane Faduga
5. Julian Gatuslao
6. Emmanuel Castro
7. Gerry Gamposilao
8. Janet Villafranca
9. Nene Saguban
10. Nonoy Javelosa

Elected Government Officials of Himamaylan City for the term of 2013-2016

• Mayor of Himamaylan City: Agustin “Tinto” Ernesto Gatuslao Bascon – NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION
• Vice-Mayor of Himamaylan City: Carminia “Mencit” Gatuslao Bascon – NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION
• Councilors of Himamaylan City:

1. BADAJOS, LARRY (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 18497 6.49%
2. GENOVA, RICKY (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 18047 6.33%
3. CASTRO, EMMAN (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 17089 5.99%
4. FADUGA, MARY JANE (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 16746 5.87%
5. VASQUEZ, JULIE ANN (LP) LIBERAL PARTY 15721 5.51%
6. GATUSLAO, HERNAN (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 15372 5.39%
7. SAGUBAN, NENE (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 15166 5.32%
8. SIAN, HARRY (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 14802 5.19%
9. TONGSON, ALY JR. (NPC) NATIONALIST PEOPLES’ COALITION 14656 5.14%
10. JAVELOSA, NONOY (LP) LIBERAL PARTY 14315 5.02%

Elected Government Officials of Himamaylan City for the term of 2010-2013

• Mayor of Himamaylan City: Agustin Ernesto Gatuslao Bascon
• Vice-Mayor of Himamaylan City: Carminia Gatuslao Bascon
• Councilors of Himamaylan City:
  1. Gerardo Gonzaga Gamposilao
  2. Luz Ramos Bayot
  3. Larry Camaso Badajos
  4. Aly Bayle Tongson, Jr
  5. Ricky Tamson Genova
  6. Harry Cuevas Sian
  7. Janet Tanmoya Villafranca
  8. Mary Jane Higgins Faduga
  9. Raymundo Sabla-On Lozada
  10. Rolando Verde Da-Anoy

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