How
the Town Got It’s Name
Long before the Spanish invasion,
this place was a wilderness, surrounded with thick foliage and big trees. The
people lived by groups at first, composed of about five or seven families.
Later on, these groups founded a village. Due to the geographical situation of
the town the chief livelihood of the people were mostly fishing and a little
farming. Whenever people from far villages yearned for fresh fish they always
said. “Let us go the place where there is an abundance of “Ibis” (refers to
small fish.) They usually come in groups and stayed for weeks, salting and
preserving the small fish that they could get. Later on, when the Spaniards
came, they thought it wise to give a
proper name to the village. The Provincial Governor appointed a committee. This
in turn called a meeting of all the prominent men of the village purposely for
the selection of an appropriate name for this pueblo. The people together
with the Spanish Officials, aware of the
fact that the place was famous for “Ibis”, unanimously deemed it right and proper to call it Ibisan”. Officially
however, the Spaniards called it “Ivisan” because of their preference of letter
V to B. Modern scholars nevertheless, under the influence of American educators
called it “ Iuisan” primarily for the sake of euphony and secondly for the
reason that in the old roman writing they write the letter “U” as “V” hence
reading V as U as in IUISAN.
Date
of Establishment
The municipality of Ivisan has quite
an interesting and unique history all its own, especially regarding its
struggle for political and economic existence. Numerous and countless were the
trials as well as tribulations encountered by our forefathers and civic minded citizens before this place
was made into a third class municipality.
Ever-dreaming and longing for a
better place for themselves and their offspring, these men continued to work and labor for the
improvement and upliftment of the
community and the masses, until their
longed-for dreams and desires were duly realized. Some died before their ideals
materialized while several others minded not time, money, nor sufferings in
order to achieve their dreams.
During that time, the natives
experienced untold sufferings and discomforts because of the poor means of
transportation and communication. It is true that they had abundant products
but where could they find a good market for them? One may have money maybe,
more than enough to spend and to spare,
but for what may one spend them for?
Notwithstanding their handicaps
these citizens never daunted nor discouraged of their immense sufferings,
continued to plunge onwards in order that the future generation may have a
better place to live in.
Ivisan was officially organized into
a pueblo in 1815 with Don Eugenio Gerardo being appointed by the friars as the
first gobernadorcillo. His term of office lasted only for a year. In the year
1845 came the new reform in the government called “Reforma Maura” which changed
the name of the chief executive of the town from gobernadorcillo to “Capitan
Municipal”. In the year 1899 another
reform was made called the revolutionary reform which changed the name chief
executive “Capitan Municipal” to “Presidente Local”. Don Jose Andrada was the first “Presidente Local” of this
town. When the American civil government was formally established in the
islands it was again changed to “Municipal President”. Don Eugenio Villagracia
was the last “Presidente Local” and the first to be called “Municipal
President”. Then came the election in 1911. The people elected Pedro Advincula
who was at that time Municipal President.
The following are the officials of
the town starting from the time it was organized in the year 1815 up to the
present. Parish Priest were appointed beginning 1861 while Justices of the
Peace, 1895 as was record shows:
Year
Gobernadorcillo, Parish
Priest Justice of Peace
Capitan, President, Mayor
1815
-16 Don Eugenio Gerardo
1816 -17 Don
Manuel Acebedo
1817
-18 Don Alejo Quiachon
1818
-19 Don Fruylan Villaruz
1820
-21 Don Antonio Lambayan
1821
-22 Don Fruylan Villaruz
1822
-23 Don Marcos Quiachon
1823
-24 Don Alejo Quiachon
1824
-25 Don Marcos Quiachon
1825
-26 Don Alejo Quiachon
1826
-27 Don Jose Ameblico
1827
-28 Don Manuel Acebedo
1828
-29 Don Jorge Yason
1829
-30 Don Tiburcio de Salbie
1830
-31 Don Francisco Mendoza
1831
-32 Don Silvestre Vitorio
1832
-33 Don Casimero Villarruz
1833
-35 Don Pedro Antonio
1835
-36 Don Santos Andrada
1836
-37 Don Felix Patricio
1837
-38 Don Blas Quiachon
1838
-39 Don Felix Patricio
1839
-40 Don Regino Salvador
1840
-41 Don Lorenzo Gerardo
1841
-42 Don Felix Patricio
1842
-43 Don Regino Salvador
1843
-44 Don Felix Patricio
1844
-46 Don Roberto Salvador
1846
-47 Don Regino Salvador
1847
-48 Don Silverio Marciano Servillano
1848
-49 Don Felix Remegio
1849
-50 Don Doroteo Agapito
1850
-51 Don Lorenzo Villagracia
1851
-52 Don Gregorio Nacianceno Villagracia
1852
-53 Don Miguel Varcas
1853
-54 Don Ireneo Quiachon
1854
-55 Don Maximo Villagracia
1855
-56 Don Telesforo Enriquez Tupaz
1856
-57 Don Mauricio Varcas
1857
-58 Don Fernando Villagracia
1858
-59 Don Valentin Villaruz Tupaz
1859
-60 Don Telesforo Enriquez Tupaz
1860
-61 Don Ysidro Ocampo
1861
-62 Don Santiago Mendoza Padre Victor Gonzales
1862
-62 Don Nasario
Quiachon Padre Victor Gonzales
1863
-65 Don Valintin V. Tupaz Padre
Victor Gonzales
1865
-67 Don Fernando Villagracia Padre Victor Gonzales
1867
-68 Don Crispulo Andrada Padre
Victor Gonzales
1868
-69 Don Crispulo Andrada Padre
Francisco Pulo
1869
-71 Don Clemente Villagracia Padre Francisco Pulo
1871
-73 Don Flores Usison Padre
Francisco Pulo
1873
-74 Don Florentino Villagracia Padre Francisco Pulo
1874
-75 Don Florentino Villagracia Padre Simeon Solinap
(Fil.)
1875
-76 Don Flores Usison Padre
Simeon Solinap
1876
-79 Don Flores Usison Padre Hiladio Zamora
1879
-81 Don Fernando Villagracia Padre Hiladio
Zamora
1881
-82 Don Flores Usison Padre
Hiladio Zamora
1882
-83 Don Flores Usison Padre
Elvirio Jordoporez
1883
-85 Don Crispulo Andrada Padre
Elvirio Jordoporez
1885
-87 Don Trinidad Villa
Padre
Elvirio Jordoporez
1887
-89 Don Calixto Quiachon Padre
Jose Gutierez
1889
-91 Don Jose Andrada Padre
Jose Gutierez
1891
-94 Don Hipolito Vidal Padre
Angel Bejel
1894
-95 Don Sirvillano Quiachon Padre
Angel Bejel
1895
-99 Don Agrifino Villagracia Padre
Julian Nunes
1899
-1901 Don
Jose Andrada Padre Sofronio Baranda
(Fil.) Pedro Advincula
1901
-04 Don Eugenio Villagracia Padre
Sofronio Baranda Pedro Advincula
1904
-07 Don Pedro Advincula Padre Valeriano Latorilla Aproniano Vidal
1907
-10 Don Atanacio Villaruz Padre Valeriano Latorilla Aproniano
Vidal
1910
-18 Don Pedro Advincula Padre Valeriano Latorilla Juan Jarencio
1918
-19 Don Teodoro Usison (Interno) Padre Valeriano Latorilla Juan Jarencio
1919
-20 Don Panfilo Mendoza Padre Valeriano Latorilla Juan Jarencio
1920
-29 Don Catalino Andrada Padre Juan Rubrico Guillermo Andama
1929
-30 Don Panfilo Mendoza
Padre Ramon de Claro
Guillermol
Andama
1930
-32 Don Panfilo Mendoza Padre Primitivo Garcera Guillermo
Andama
1932
-35 Don Felipe Manalo Padre Primitivo
Garcera Guillermo Andama
1935
-48 Don Manuel Villaruz Padre Clemente Alba Luis Feliciano & Isidro Barrios
1948
-52 Don Iluminado Villaruz Padre Clemente Alba Isidro Barrios
1952
-56 Mr. Agustin Navarra Padre Clemente Alba Antonio Valdez
1956
-64 Mr. Jose Horario Msgr.
Clemente Alba
Antonio Valdez
1965
-75 Mr. Ernesto Navarra Msgr. Clemente Alba Braulio
Avelino
1976
-80 Atty.
Armando Obienda -OIC Rev. Fr. Romualdo Azarcon Braulio
Avelino
1880
-86 Atty.
Carmelo T. Andrada Rev.
Fr. Romualdo Azarcon Braulio
Avelino
1986
-87 Amelia N. Yap - OIC Rev.
Fr. Romualdo Azarcon Juan
Berjamin
1987-88 Nicasio V. Pisueña Rev.
Fr. Romualdo Azarcon Juan
Berjamin
1988-95 Amelia N. Yap Rev. Fr. Guillermo
Belvis Juan
Berjamin
1995- date Renato Q. Villareal Rev. Fr. Guillermo Belvis Luney V. Corcino
Rev.
Fr. Enrique Relano
The
Municipal Officials from July 1995-June 1998 are as follows:
Mayor - Hon.
Renato Q. Villareal
Vice
Mayor - Hon.
Noel N. Yap
S.B.
Members - Hon.
Homer U. Salgado
- Hon. Hon. Ma. Elena D. Unarce
- Hon. Romeo B. Unasin
- Hon. Ernesto H. Uguil
- Hon. Pablo P. Barcas
- Hon. Aniano S. Flores
- Carlette C. Pretta
LB
President -
Hon. Luis V. Jarencio, Jr.
PPSK
President -
Hon. John Kerwin D. Andrada
Municipal Officials from July 1998
are the following
Mayor - Hon.
Noel N. Yap
Vice
Mayor - Hon.
Seward S. Usison
S.B.
Members - Hon.
Haydie F. Apruebo
- Hon. Ramy U. Unasin
-
Hon. Ma. Elena D. Unarce
-
Hon. Joy Floyd Aperocho
-
Hon. Wilhelmina S. Oabe
-
Hon. Joaquin Sing Lip Y. See
-
Hon. Luis V. Jarencio, Jr.
-
Hon. Rodulfo R. Obrigue
Liga
ng mga Barangay Pres. - Hon. Bito O.
delos Santos
PPSK
President -
Hon. John Kerwin D. Andrada
Historical Spots, Buildings and
Structures
The old “Casa Tribunal” situated at
the site of the old municipal building along Manual A. Roxas Street had been
the place where important sessions in relation to the development of Ivisan was
held.
The Catholic Church Convent
constructed in 1892 during Capitan Hipolito’s term was the pride of the town
and its populace being the biggest and finest structure in the municipality
during that time. The natives under constructed the structure by forced labor
under the supervision of the friars. First group materials were used for its
construction. Dances were often held in this memorable and majestic hall.
Repairs were made from time to time but after some time it became dilapidated
that when a strong wind passed the place in 1937, it was completely demolished.
The
first Catholic Church edifice was constructed under the supervision of the friars by forced labor and is made up of
limestone and bricks including its roof and flooring. It is equipped with
organs used during mass celebrations. After some time, the first church was
demolished in favor of a bigger one under the administration of Padre Elviro (a
friar) and Capitan Hipolito Vidal. However they have barely started with the
construction when the Revolution broke out and the work was discontinued. It
was again reconstructed through the initiative of Mr. Pedro Advincula, Padre
Valeriano Latorilla and Padre Tomas
Navarote in 1917. Other zealous catholics like Hermogena Usison
Jarencio, Consejo Usison Manalo and Julia Villagracia Soriano, after approval
of the bishop solicited contributions from neighboring municipalities and even
went as far as Iloilo and Negros to add to its funds. Mr. Juan Jarencio could
also be credited for having done something for its reconstruction.
The
old historic bridge in front of the church is the favorite rendezvous of the
town folks. It was an old wooden bridge
with nipa thatch roofing, built over the river which run through the heart of
the town. People young and old used to stay in the bridge from early dawn to
late night. Children bathed, fished and played hide and seek, marro, and other
games while the older ones just sat and conversed on the railings or the
improvised seat which they themselves made adjacent to the bridge. Siestas are
also sometimes spent there. The young
men referred to the bridge as the YMCA of Ivisan in the absence of recreational
facilities. Even the late President
Manuel A. Roxas used to come over the place when he was still a boy to swim,
play or converse with his relatives. The bridge was concreted during the
incumbency of Mayor Catalino Andrada, however, it was blasted by the USAFFE
when the Japanese landed in Capiz on April 16,1942.
Not
far from the historical bridge was a beautiful spot called Biyasong and Malaga where the fair
“dalagas” (maiden) and “solteros” and in fact almost all the town folks loved
to take a bath in the cool and invigorating water. The Anoy river which is a
tributary of the Biyasong and Malaga is also used by the people during dry
season to bathe and to wash.
Salinday,
an island north of the poblacion and facing the Visayan sea is identified with
“Pasalom”, a fluvial religious procession held once a year in honor of the
Infant Jesus popularly known as “Sto. Niño where all the participants including
the image ended the celebration by taking a bath in the open sea. They sing
songs venerating the Infant Jesus, do
some merry making and sharing of food. The island could be reached one hour
ride in an open banca or fifteen minutes by motorized boat. The ruins of the old watch tower made of
limestone built during the Spanish era which the natives used to watch the
incoming Moro Vintas is still in this island.
The
Gabaldon Building was constructed in 1916 through the initiative of Mr. Pedro
Advincula. This was the first permanent
school building ever put up in the town but was burned by the USAFFE during
World War II. Restoration work was done and it was later used as the Hospital
Sang Ivisan and just recently was renovated and being used now as the Kabuhayan
Training Resource Center of the municipality.
The Rizal Monument which standing in
front of the Municipal Building was erected in 1934 through the efforts of
Municipal President Felipe Manalo. The
statue was donated by civic spirited Ivisanons living in Manila. The funds for the construction of the
platform of the monument come from voluntary contributions, donations and
personal funds of the Municipal President.
Along the road at the outskirts of
the town about a kilometer going to Roxas City is a hill where a concrete cross stand. The cross is believed
to be of the same size as the cross where Jesus Christ was nailed in Calvary.
This place called “Sta. Cruz” meaning holy cross is frequently visited by
pilgrims especially during the month of May. The cross was constructed through
the joint efforts of Padre Tomas Navarete and Justice of Peace Juan Jarencio in
commemoration of Sta. Cruz de Mayo. The
land where the cross was built was donated by Rosalia Andrada.
Important
Historical Events
In the year 1871, when Don Clemente
Andrada was the gobernadorcillo, more vinta riding pirates invaded the
town. They were able to capture six
native fishermen who were then out in the sea, three of whom where sold to rich
datus while the other three were retained as their slaves. The three natives
who were retained by the pirates escaped from their captors and returned to
Ivisan. The three captives or “bihag”
who escaped were Eulalio Catalan, Basilio Basa and Vicente Baradero.
A cholera epidemic broke out in
Ivisan in 1882. About 40 percent of the inhabitants died of the disease partly
due to lack of knowledge on sanitation and mostly for lack of medicines and
vaccines.
Famine broke out in the town in 1884
due to the long drought and the natives were not able to cultivate and plant in
their fields. The natives fed themselves on wild root crops that grow in the
mountains. Also during this time, locust infestation destroyed the crops of the
people and even the roofs and walls of their houses. Through the leadership and resourcefulness of
President Pedro Advincula, a system of eliminating the locusts was devised. The
people were made to dug big canals where the newly hatched and wingless locusts
(lukton) were driven and covered with soil. Through this method the infestation
was eliminated.
In 1897, General Diokno ordered the
inhabitants to evacuate and go to the mountains so as to make all the males
join the revolution. They disobeyed the order and because of disobedience, he
had some prominent citizens of the town kidnapped and kept for a ransom of Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00). Among those
kidnapped were Pedro Advincula, Pepe Andrada, and Padre Sofronio. When they
were in captivity they made negotiations with him to permit them to go back to the town leaving
Padre Sofronio Baranda as hostage until they come back to pay the amount. When
they went back to pay the amount. Diokno once more ordered them to come to the
mountains with their families or else the whole town would be put on fire. When
they were among their friends and families they again refused to obey Diokno,
so Capitan Agripino Villagracia had the town enclosed with big pointed posts
covered with thorns (Talutog) in order to make the penetration difficult from outside. The insurgents however so
overpowered and outnumbered the guards that the enemies were able to enter the
western part of the town (Taboc) which they burned without mercy. The majority
of the men were concentrated in the convent which was found in the eastern part
of the town. When they saw the burning houses and the insurgents forcing their
way towards the bridge, they went down bravely to meet their opponents. When
they discovered that they were so outnumbered, they retreated back to the
convent, resigned to their fate. The
enrushing insurgents, it was said, were then stopped and accosted by a big
handsome man with outreached arms forbidding them to continue their way. They
were so stunned and dumbfounded. It seemed to them as if the bridge had
disappeared due to magic or some supernatural force. They could just see the
overflowing waters rushing forcefully against the river banks. Fear struck
their hearts so they weakened and retreated back. That was how the eastern part
of the town was saved from the fire. Some people believe that the handsome man
was no other than St. Nicholas de Tolentino, the present patron saint of this
town.
The term of Pedro Advincula in the
year 1904-1905 and 1909-1916 was marked with political and economic progress.
It was through his efforts that fund for the construction of the Gabaldon
Building was obtained. He was also instrumental for the retention of the status
of Ivisan as a town instead of reverting it to an arraval because of lack of
fund. The road from Capiz was extended to Ivisan and Panay Autobus started
operation in Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan passing Ivisan. Municipal road
construction was started during his term so as with the planting of coconut
trees.
The momentum gained for economic
progress was continued during the term of
Catalino Andrada (1920-1929). The first water system was installed in Ivisan and a cadastral
survey of the municipality and the construction of a concrete bridge was done
during his incumbency. He also encourage the people to continue planting
coconut trees and other plants.
When Felipe Manalo was
"Presidente Municipal" in 1932-1934, he had been responsible for the
erection of the Rizal Monument and the construction of the canal which was
begun by Mr. Susano Soriano. This shortened the water route to Aplaya, hence it
was called "Manalo Canal" after his name. He donated a school site
for Malocloc Primary School during his incumbency.
Manuel
Villaruz became the mayor of Ivisan from 1935 until the outbreak of World War
II. His work before the war was the construction of Ivisan Public Market, the
barrio school buildings and culverts (concrete drainage). Then came the
Japanese Imperial Army which landed at Capiz in the early dawn of April 26,
1942. Philippine Army detachment at Capiz who were caught surprisingly were
forced to abandon the town and establish some slight resistance somewhere in
the province. The little town of Ivisan was converted into a ghost town
beginning the night of August 16, 1942. With small baggage, all civilians
scampered away to their hiding places. Panic stricken, abandoning all other
belongings and houses they did not know
what to do then. The Arson Squad of the Philippine Army assigned at Ivisan
begun burning all the houses in the poblacion sparing not a single house except
two toilets of the public school. In the early morning of April 17, 1942, Ivisan
was invaded by the Japanese Army. Motorized Unit of the invading hordes were
seen riding on bicycles and cars, approaching this town of Ivisan. Upon
arrival, they captured seven civilians namely, Roberto Orola, Fernando Vidal,
Fermin Arroyo, Angel Quiachon, Arnulfo Villasis, Juan Adison and Sulficio
Ganong. These civilians were the first ones to take the Japanese atrocities. An
enlisted man Pfc. del Rosario, who acted as an B-2 met the Japanese
Advance Group at Sapian-Sigma crossing.
He befriended them but unfortunately, through careful searching of the body of
the said enlisted man, his army tag bearing his serial number was found by the
Japanese for which case his life was virtually ended. God-fearing civilians
moved inward leaving their former evacuation homes upon hearing those sad news.
Houses were then built in the mangroves, in the forests and in far distant
places which had never been visited before the war. Life then was very hard.
Food become scarce, so meals were diminished from three to two times a day and
ultimately decreased into once a day. Bartering among civilians then existed
because money become scarce. To win the sympathy of the Filipinos, the Japanese
exerted efforts in organizing the civil government. Meetings after meetings were
held by the Japanese here and there telling the people that they came to
liberate the Filipinos from American Imperialist. They succeeded in convincing
some people to transfer to the Poblacion. Mayor Manuel Villaruz, the pre-war
Administrative Officer of Ivisan was summoned and inducted into office. All
teachers were requested to report and reopen classes under the Japanese
control. Mr. Martiniano Andrada was appointed principal while Mrs. Basilisa
Gustilo, Mrs. Marciana Valcarcel, Mrs. Consolacion Dedulo and Mrs. Nancy Yap
were designated as classroom teachers. The church was utilized for this
purpose. Banana leaves were used as papers and pointed sticks and feathers were
used as pencils. Nipongo was one of the subjects taught although English
remained the medium of instruction. These teachers played ball with the
Japanese Officials, by teaching the Nipongo language intensively when they were
present and thus another when no Japanese was around.
In the early parts of August, 1942,
some officers who did not care to surrender begun organizing their own troops.
At the start there was no mutual understanding among groups. Each manned his
own men independent from the others but as time went on, the forces organized
by Major Esteban Aranda and Captain Leon Gamboa gave birth to an understanding,
thus established a closer relationship between them. As the organization grew,
contacts were made to higher officers at Mt. Baloy, and since then synchronized
activities were had from time to time. The entire force of Panay were placed
under the overall command of Lt. Col. Macario Peralta. At this time, the town
of Capiz was the only municipality of the province occupied and garrisoned by
the Japanese. All organized guerilla forces of the Ilayan side were ordered to
attack Capiz. Ivisan was one of those towns designated as an assembly points of
these organized guerillas. Volunteers as well as the remnants of the USAFFE forces actively
participated in the raid. After the attack, these troops were withdrawn. With
an intermittent attack of Capiz, the Japanese who were limited in number but
heavily entrenched at Capiz requested
for re-enforcement which arrived two months after the raid. Upon arrival of
these fresh re-enforcement, the Japanese traversed rivers, mountains and lakes
in search of the guerillas. Every barrio of Ivisan was penetrated day and
night. In the course of those penetrations many innocent civilians were
captured and maltreated and some even suffered death. The Army then with very
limited arms and ammunitions organized themselves into platoons and established
several ambushing points hitting the Japanese here and there. Because of these
circumstances, the Japanese were angered so much that the civilians were made
to pay for this crime committed by the guerillas. In these ambushes, the
Japanese suffered several casualties. With this guerilla activities, the
Japanese constructed a strong garrison
in Ivisan at the foot of the destroyed bridge. This garrison was later on attacked from time to time when
re-enforcement and arms were received by them. While the guerillas were
becoming stronger, the Japanese become weaker and weaker. Ultimately, the
Japanese Army withdrew from Ivisan and concentrated their forces at Capiz.
Then liberation came. The war
quickly receded in the dim background as it had also surprisingly broken out
three years ago. While Manila still suffered in hunger and the chaos of battle,
it was plentiful and peaceful in Ivisan and its vicinity.
The town began rehabilitating
itself. From the ruins sprung up tiny nipa shacks. Trees and shrubs were out
and whole town was cleared of the rubbish the enemies left behind. A temporary
bridge that connects the western to the eastern part of Ivisan was constructed
made of coconut trunk to replace the concrete one that was destroyed during the
war. Schools were soon reopened and better and bigger houses took the place of
the shacks. A temporary municipal hall was also constructed as Mayor Manuel
Villaruz remained the chief executive after the war.
Ivisan, after gaining consciousness
from the full impact of war, was desperately in need of a leader who is good in
planning and sound and effective in
rehabilitation program. These requisites were embodied in the person of
Iluminado Villaruz and the people lost no time in electing him Mayor during the first post liberation election on
November 1947.
Mayor
Villaruz made good. The electorate was not disappointed with their choice.
Plans for the economic, social and cultural
development of the town were put into place and implemented. His term
was marked with the cleaning and widening of the municipal streets lined with
uniformly built fences on both sides. Stray animals were impounded. The water
system was once again made operational and an electric light plant was
installed for the first time which illuminated the poblacion. More roads and
bridges were constructed and bridges made of coconut trunk were replaced by a
Bailey Bridge. The national highway was
built at the southeastern out skirts of the municipality together with a
concrete bridge. Provincial road going
to Basiao and Cudian were likewise constructed. Ivisan public market was
expanded and made more sanitary.
Drainage was greatly improved.
Other
significant projects that were undertaken during the incumbency of Mayor
Villaruz are the planting of trees, and a plant nursery was constructed near
the temporary municipal building where people could buy seedlings at a very
reasonable price and technical assistance on proper planting and care of plants
being provided by the Municipal Agricultural Inspector. On health related projects, the first
Puericulture Center and Maternity Clinic was put up and housed in a quenset hut
near the Ivisan River. Also considered a
very good achievement is the elevation of the status of Ivisan from fourth to
third class town.
Mayor
Illuminado Villaruz did so much for the development of the town and its people,
however due to old age and failing health and compounded by the financial
difficulty the family suffered he opted not to run for a second term.
Agustin
Navarra assumed the mayorship of Ivisan when he won the election in 1951. He did his best to continue the programs
started by his predecessor and implemented to the letter the municipal
ordinances but after barely a year in service, he suffered a heart ailment
which rendered him incapacitated and unable to finish his term. Vice Mayor
Ramon Pisueña took his place as the chief executive of the little town of
Ivisan.
In
1956, Jose Horario assumed office as the elected mayor and introduced several
infrastructure projects such as the
municipal building and the old
Pubic Market which now houses the fish section
of the market. Mayor Horario served for two terms and sat in office until 1964.
Ernesto
Navarra assumed office as mayor from 1965 until 1975 when the got
incapacitated. Major accomplishments
during his term are the changing of the name of Barrio Agumang-ang to Agustin
Navarra, the separation of Barrio Sta. Cruz from Ilaya-Ivisan, Barrio Mianay
from Barrio Ondoy and Barrio Matnog from Barrio Agmalobo.
Designated
Officer In Charge was Atty. Armando Obienda from 1976 to 1980. Construction and
renovation of several infrastructure project in the town proper and extending
to the barangays were undertaken during his term. He run for mayor during the elections but
lost to Atty. Carmelo Andrada.
Mayor
Carmelo Andrada served for one term from 1980 to 1986 which is marked with
several infrastructure projects accomplished such as the construction of
concrete bridges and impact roads (Ivisan-Basiao Road). It was during his term
that the super typhoon “Undang” hit the province which literally brought Ivisan
flat to the ground. Loss of property
especially houses and crops were immeasurable. It was also during this time that
the cholera epidemic recurred. Despite
the calamities that struck Ivisan during that time, he was able to
implement many development projects.
Concrete bridges, compact road and public building were constructed. He was supposed to hold
office for six years, however, it was cut short when the snap presidential
elections was held which resulted to the EDSA revolution prompting the
appointing of an Officer-In-Charge wherein Amelia N. Yap was chosen and
took the leadership of the town until the holding of the local elections
in February 1988 wherein Nicasio Pisueña was appointed
OIC for two months in 1987-1988.
During
the year 1986-1995, Mayor Amelia Yap sat in office as the first woman elected
mayor of Ivisan. Her term is marked with the construction of the new Municipal
Hall at a new site in between Roxas and Villareal Street next to the catholic
church. The construction of Ivisan Civic Center and concreting of municipal
streets were also started.
Mayor
Renato Q. Villareal who served as Vice Mayor during the term of Mayor Yap,
became the elected local chief executive in May 1995 to the present. It was
during his term of office that a
permanent theme of the annual fiesta celebration “BUYLOGANAY” was adopted and
the first association of the same name was organized which is composed of a
multi-sectoral group. About 90 percent of the municipal streets were concreted,
and other infrastructure projects were implemented for the development of
Ivisan. The first ever five year Strategic Plan for the municipality was put in
place. The formulation of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan was also started.
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