Research Center of Iloilo: The History Of Iloilo Chapter 14 - 1960s

Chapter 14

Hippies in the 60's

* highlighted in violet is the timeline or date


Pop (Popular) Culture turned groovy & hippie

There was a wave of social change in America during 1960's abandoning the clean-cut look of 1960's. The pop culture swept Iloilo. Women grew their hair into bushy-bushy hair do. From pomade-hair, young men grew their hair with messy look. Boys begun to wear denim pants. There was a rise in rock and roll in the 60's. Popular band was Jazzmasters lead by Jess de Paula and Technocrats Band emulating the Beatles who arrived in America in 1964.

Television, radiophones and jukebox continue to pour American popular culture into Iloilo. Detroit artist usually African-American such as Motown, Stevie Wonder and the Supremes, Beach Boys with their " Surfin' USA "( 1963), Peter Paul and Mary with their " Blowin in the Wind" ( 1963), Mamas and Papas with their "California Dreamin" ( 1965), Bobby Bare " Detroit"(1963) and Bee Gees "Masschussets"(1967).  They are more than enough to enthrall Ilonggos to move to America by nursing craze in the next decade.

The San-Lop Melodiers: playing music as sweet as sugar Santos-Lopez Sugar Central founded " San-Lop Melodiers", an orchestra  acclaimed as one of the most outstanding jazz groups in the country. The Sugar Central located in Barangay Salihid, Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo. The young men who comprised it were regular employees of the sugar  central. They held positions as mechanical engineers, chemists, crop and  laboratory analysts, clerks, accountants, and security guards. Most were college graduates. Their performances were not confined to the Visayas alone but had playing engagements in air force bases in Luzon and were also featured on television in Manila (Concert Souvenir  Program, CPU, January 22, 1966).

Cast
Mayo Lopez Carillo - The head and  conductor of the group of musicians,  one of the most  progressive business executives in the Philippines at that time.
Vocalists were Bob  Rodriguez, Aida Tolentino and Zenaida Dinzon.
Saxophone: Mariano Gumban (Band Leader), Cirilo Paciente, Sixto Alvarez, Ciriaco Suyo and  Romeo Panizales
Trumpet : Jose Saludes, Merlito Balsomo and  Francisco Arguinsula
Trombone:  Anselmo Arrollado, Enrique Cantara and  Luis Espino
Bass:Albert Ea
Guitar : Rubin Panizales
Drum: Jaime  Cabag drum,
Sound Technician- Marcelo Allado
Design  Specialist/PRO - Raul Biron

Compositions
1.  "Manuel Lopez Jump", composed and arranged by  Manuel Lopez
2. "All the Things You Are!"  arranged by Angel Peña
3. "My Friend, My Friend", transcribed by Rubin  Salaveria
4. "Bangud sa Imo", composed by Mayo Lopez Carillo and lyrics  by Margie Lopez
 5. “Melodiers Cha-Cha”, words and music by Carillo and arranged  by Engr. Mariano Gumban
6. "Farewell", words and music by Carillo and  arranged by Engr. Gumban
7. "Philippine Medley No. 2", arranged by M.  Lopez
8. "The Enterprise" - Paso Doble,  arranged by M. Lopez
9. Capt. Delfin March", arranged by M.  Lopez.


Local and Foreign Classic stunned Ilonggos

Hiligaynon Country Songs:
Iloilo Ang banwa ko
Dalawidaw
Dandansoy
Ohoy Alibangbang
Sang Kuyus pa si Dondonay

Iloilo radiophone favorites are
Petula Clark " This is my song" in 1967 and Downtown
Connie Francis " Somwhere my Love" in 1966
Brenda Lee " If you love me" in 1967


1960 - Casa Real was remodeled

Jose Zulueta, the governor of the province remolded the Casa Real  in 1960. The colonnade was removed from the original structure of the Casa  Real.

1965 - Hotel del Rio
Hotel was  established in 1965 by the family of Dña. Concha Soriano Gay de Loring. It was  later handed down to her son Manolet married to Milly Causing Ledesma  vda. de Javellana.

Hospitals  were founded

Puericulture Centers

In 1916, Act No. 2633 was enacted directing health officials to organize puericulture centers all over the country.  By December 21, puericulture centers had been set up in the provinces. In 1921, the Public Welfare Commission was tasked to supervise and organize puericulture centers. It was mandated that all centers should have a doctor, a nurse, a midwife and a social worker all to be paid by the government.

Between 1921 and 1926, Fabella mobilized members of the National Federation of Women's Clubs of the Philippines (NFWCP) and put in place 329 puericulture centers in the country. Jaro and La Paz Puericulture were founded.


High Mortality Rate and Morbidity Rate

In 1923 approximately 76 percent of deaths were caused by communicable diseases. Infant mortality was 101 per 1,000 in 1950.  By 1940's, there was a deterioration of health of Ilonggos . Tubercolosis spread fast in a community and many outbreak ( aratay) has occured anywhere in the Philippines, though Iloilo has low incidence of El Tor (Cholera) compare to Negros Occidental.

Illnesses and indigenous remedies

On number of illnesses, many folks resorted of herbs (kahuy-kahuy, hampol) as remedy (tambal),  they may seek quack doctors ( albularyo - hilot -manug-botbot)  who explains ailment such as air-penetration (gin-sulod sang hangin), dislocated sinews (kibit) or greeted by bad spirits (nabugnuhan sang kalag) beaten by dwarf ( gin hampak sang kama-kama)  that treats his patients by Allum (tawas) or kamangyan,  chew leaves and make it as an ointment ( bugahan kag hampulan) encantations (panabang), massage (hilot) , food offering (oronongon ) , blowing ( tayhup),  digging items from body(botbot) and fumigation (toub). Measles is treated with hitting the body with currant leaves.


Hospital Systems
To address the public needs of hospital care and treatment. In January 1947, President Manuel Roxas signed Executive Order (E.O.) No. 94 into law, calling for the creation of the Department of Health and previous Department of Education, Health and Public Welfare was abolished.  Dr. Antonio C. Villarama was appointed secretary. Major priorities of the agency were tuberculosis ( sugpa), malnutrition (atipoyung), leprosy (aro), gastrointestinal disease ( panuka-panlibang), and reduction of high infant mortality rate. A new Bureau of Hospitals and a Bureau of Quarantine was created under DOH.

Creation of Municipal Maternity and Charity Clinic if the town has no Puericulture Center
June 21, 1947 - REPUBLIC ACT NO. 185  - AN ACT AMENDING SECTION ONE, FOUR AND FIVE OF COMMONWEALTH ACT NUMBERED SEVEN HUNDRED AND FOUR The Director of Health shall establish a municipal maternity and charity clinic in every municipality and municipal district wherein no president or sanitary division is permanently stationed, and no puericulture center is established, or if there is such purericulture center, no physician is employed therein. The physician, registered nurse, or registered midwife appointed in accordance with section two shall receive monthly compensation at the rate of one hundred fifty pesos, one hundred pesos, and seventy pesos, respectively."

Creation of Rural Health Units ( Centro ) and Reorganization
June 15, 1954 - REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1082  - AN ACT STRENGTHENING HEALTH AND DENTAL SERVICES IN THE RURAL AREAS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR - The District Health Officers shall henceforth be called Provincial Health Officers , created rural health units of two classes: one of category one or senior rural health unit consisting of one municipal health officer as head of the unit, one public health nurse, one mid-wife and one sanitary inspector , having a population of not less than five thousand shall have a rural health unit of category one: Provided, however, that a municipality with more than thirty-five thousand inhabitants shall have an additional rural health unit of category two. Municipal Maternity and Charity Clinic Physicians  of the Bureau of Health shall henceforth be named Municipal Health Officers

Position                                   Salary Range   (per annum)
Municipal Health Officer    - 3,000.00  - 4,200
Public Health Dentist          -2,400.00  -  3,120
Public Health Nurse            -2,400.00  -  2,580
Midwife                              -1,440.00 -  1,880


Pototan Emergency hospital to Pototan General Hospital
May 16, 1959 - Republic Act No. 2215 - An act  converting the  Pototan Emergency hospital, into a  General Hospital to be known as  The Pototan General Hospital

Foundation of Guimbal, Lambunao and Sara Emergency Hospital
June 19, 1959 - Republic  Act  2283, an act for the establishment of emergency hospitals in the Province of Iloilo under the direct supervision of the director of hospitals, one emergency hospital in the Municipality of Guimbal, one emergency hospital in the Municipality of Lambunao, and one emergency hospital in the Municipality of Sara , with twenty-five beds capacity for each such emergency hospital.

Foundation of The Janiuay Hospital
June 19, 1960 - Republic Act 2731 - An act to provide for the maintenance and operation of a hospital in Janiuay , Iloilo , to be known as The Janiuay Hospital , under the direct supervision of the Director of Medical Services, a twenty-five-bed general hospital

Foundation of Dumangas Emergency Hospital
June 20, 1963 - Republic Act 3520 - An act  converting the   Puericulture Center in  Dumangas  Iloilo , into  an Emergency Hospital to be known as  THE Dumangas EMERGENCY Hospital

Pototan General Hospital into Doña Trinidad Bolivar Memorial National Hospital.
March 26, 1965 - Republic Act 4179, An act  converting the  Pototan General Hospital  into A NATIONAL Hospital to be known as Doña Trinidad Bolivar Memorial National Hospital.

Foundation of La Paz Emergency Hospital
June 19, 1965 - Republic Act 4629 An act  converting the Puericulture Center in The DISTRICT OF LA PAZ, city of Iloilo, into an  Emergency Hospital to be known as La Paz Emergency Hospital

Foundation of Ramon Tabiana Memorial Hospital
1967 - Under Gloria Montinola Tabiana, first Ilongga lawmaker and the daughter of Ruperto Montinola, former governor of Iloilo and Senator. She authored the Republic Act 4955 or Establishment of Ramon Tabiana Memorial Hospital in Cabatuan, Iloilo. It was a a twenty- five-bed memorial hospital under the direct supervision of the Director of Medical Services.  The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. Restituta Cabrera Kilayko was appointed as first Chief of Hospital.

Emergency Hospital changed into Guimbal, Lambunao and Sara General Hospital
June 21, 1969 - Guimbal Emergency Hospital  changed into Guimbal General Hospital. Lambunao Emergency Hospital changed into Lambunao General Hospital. Sara Emergency Hospital changed into Sara General Hospital. They transferred into Department of Health under its Secretary.

Foundation of Balasan Emergency Hospital
September 30, 1972 - Republic  Act No. 6573  - An Act establishing an Emergency Hospital in  Balasan, Iloilo.

Foundation of Barotac Viejo Municipal Hospital
March 18, 1983 - BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 346 – An Act establishing the Barotac Viejo Municipal Hospital in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. There is hereby established under the direct supervision of the Office of the Minister, Ministry of Health, a ten-bed capacity municipality hospital in the Municipality of Barotac Viejo, Province of Iloilo to be known as the Barotac Viejo Municipal Hospital.


1967 - The role of Ilongo that propelled political career of Aquinos

Liberal Party's (LP) Benigo Aquino was not qualified to sit as senator based on the age qualification for the position under the 1935 constitution. Born on November 27, 1932, Aquino was only 34 when he was elected but was 35 by the time he took his oath. Thirty five was the age qualification for senator. Benigno Aquino became the youngest elected senator in the country's history at age 34. It was a controversy that The Electoral Tribunal, composed of representatives from the Higher Court, the Senate and the House of Representatives it should be settled by voting. It was deadlock 50/50. Senator Rodolfo Ganzon, Chairman of the Electoral Tribunal  broke the 50-50 deadlock  justifying that if the Tarlaqueno wins the election by the time of his  induction he would be of age as Senator under the provisions of law. The one crucial  vote of Ilonggo Senator Roding Ganzon, served as the catalyst that propelled the Benigo Aquino to National Politics. In the long run by 1986 , Ganzon and President Cory Aquino are  bitter enemies even after they retired in politics and up to their death, they never reconciled.

*Forming opinions - you can use this method for a  crucial decision of Ganzon paved Aquinos political career. What it would be if Ganzon chose to oust Aquino? Would Cory be President or Noynoy Aquino?


1969 - The role of Ilonggo on triumph of Marcos

Vice-President Fernando Lopez laughs heartily with President Ferdinand Marcos

Fernando Lopez of Jaro, Iloilo is two-time Vice President of Philippines. In 1969 presidential election, Fernando aimed to be president. Ready with her political seduction, Imelda Marcos persuaded Fernando Lopez in Don Vicente Lopez Mansion in Jaro, Iloilo City in tears begging to support his husband. Bewitched by charisma and hypnotic innocence of  Imelda, Fernando agreed and threw his full support using their media and wealth. Lopez have spent 14 million to assure victory of Marcos. (Source: Anarchy of Families, The Nelly Gardens Sun Star dated Feb 2, 2012, Undaunted 2010)


Regime of Violence and Bancruptcy

Once in power, Marcos relationship with Lopez turned sour. On Lopez side, Marcos wanted to strip them off their companies.  On Marcos side, he want to diminish the oligarch extensive control of asset for economic reforms. Eugenio Lopez fearlessly expose Marcos unbriddled corruption and abuse of power.

Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972 to appease the growing social discord.


Abolition of House of Representative
Marcos dissolved the Congress or law-making body of the Philippines which was in its 7th Congress of the Philippines. He vested himself the power to rule and changed the 1935 constitution that limit the presidency to 6 years. He became an absolute ruler known as " Dictator". Through presidential decrees he was able to make laws without Congress as well as issue arrest and seizure orders that are normally issued only by the judiciary in a democratic government



Doomsday of Illegal Arrest, Disappearance, murders, tortures and Imprisonment

More than 50,000 people, including those critical of his governance were arrested during the first three years of his martial rule according to Amnesty International. The number does not include the  "desaparecidos" or victims of enforced disappearances under Marcos. The Marcos regime was also responsible for 3,257 murders, 35,000  torture cases, and 70,000 incarcerations according to members Akbayan party-list group, of whom many suffered under the dictatorship. The repression forced thousands to go underground with the book  "Dictatorship and Revolution: Roots of People’s Power" estimating that number of communist rebel growing from 1,250 in 1972 to an estimated  40,000 in 1983 because of Marcos.


The Economic Meltdown
Iloilo economy deteriorated. The value of the peso also dropped from P1 to US$1, to P25 pesos US$ 1 during Marcos' time in office. US$ 360 million in 1962, the Philippines' debt reached P28.3 billion at the end of Marcos' rule in 1986, according to James K. Boyce's "The  Political Economy of Growth and Impoverishment in the Marcos Era."Unemployment rate skyrocketed. Everywhere there was widespread of  rally. PCGG Chairman Andres Bautista said the government has yet to recover P30 billion to P50 billion worth of Marcos assets, 28 years after the  agency was established.


Creation of Western Visayas

On September 24, 1972, the Western Visayas region was created from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo (including its then-subprovince of Guimaras) and Negros Occidental by Presidential Decree No. 1 as part of the Integrated Reorganisation Plan of President Ferdinand Marcos. It is the most extensive reform in the country’s history. The IRP provided for decentralizing and reducing the bureaucracy, and standardizing departmental organization. The IRP also sought to introduce structural changes.


DPWH Regional Office
Ferdinand Marcos promulgated the P.D. No. 458, amending Presidential Decree No. 1 dated September 24, 1972 relative to Part X of the Integrated  Reorganization Plan Creation of Regional Office of Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications with Bureau of Equipment. There were 2 Engineering District in Iloilo; one in Santa Barbara and one in Barotac Viejo while the Bureau of Equipment was in Dumangas.

Graciano Lopez Jaena Day is a public holiday in the city and province of Iloilo by virtue of Republic Act 6155 enacted on November 9, 1970.

Road was constructed in Passi connecting to Capiz. Hills were bulldozed.



Dumangas Brackishwater Station

SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) was established in 1973 to conduct research, develop technologies, disseminate information, and train people in the farming of fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, and seaweeds for food, livelihood, equity, and sustainable development.

Iloilo Nursing Education Craze in 1970's

Central Philippine College resumed its Nursing Education in 1947. Nursing Education became a craze in 1970s. University of Iloilo, after acquiring the Don Benito Hospital opened its nursing school in 1972. When Iloilo Doctors' Hospital was founded in 1971, the School of Nursing and Midwifery was established in February 13, 1972 as its educational arm. University of San Agustin opened its nursing school in 1974 while West Visayas State University opened in 1977.


Iloilo Electric Cooperative I - Lighted 15 towns

Incandescent lamps has been tested and developed in Great Britain by a number of British physicist. An American Thomas Edison began serious research and successfully continue to improve design of electric lamp using carbon filament attached to platinum wires in 1879.

Iloilo City is among first to buy these American patent lighting system. In most towns people used Gasera, Petro-max to light nighttime houses.

The era of rural electrification began with the passage of Republic Act 6038 on August 4, 1969. The Act, populary known as the National Electrification Administration was sponsored by then Vice President Emmanuel N. Pelaez, now recognized as the Father of Rural Electrification in the Philippines. It declared as a national policy, the total electrification of the country using the area coverage concept through the organization and development ot the rural electic cooperatives (RECs), who were tasked with providing adequate, reliable and affordable electicity especially to the rural areas.

On August 6, 1973 Presidential Decree 269 was passed, repealing R.A. 6038. It converted the National Electrification Administration (NEA) into a public corporation, wholly owned and controlled by the goverment, vested with borrowing authority and corporate powers. With this, the construction stage of the cooperatives' physical facilities began.

1971 - ILOILO - 1 Electric Cooperative , Inc. (ILECO-1) was born on June 10, 1971, when its Articles of Incorporation was filed and registered with the National Electrification Administration. The initial loan of Php 19.771 million from NEA, started the construction of its headquarters in Brgy. Namocon, Tigbauan, Iloilo and backbone system. After a three-year construction of the cooperative offices, and the transmission lines from the National Power Cooperation (NPC) to the co-op's substation in Tigbauan, the first pole erection ceremony was held on July 27, 1974. On November 26, 1974, the ceremonial switch-on of electric power was officiated by then NEA Administrator Pedro G. Dumol, Iloilo Governor Conrado J. Norada and General Manager Romeo M. Montaño. The construction of the backbone system from town-to-town took almost four years (1974-1977). When the co-op franchise was released on August 22, 1978, ILECO-1 has fully energized the 15 towns in its coverage.


Don Benito Lopez Memorial Hospital was born

Privately-owned University of Iloilo purchased the Philippine Women’s College in Jaro. This was converted into the Don Benito Lopez Hospital. In the main campus two buildings were later constructed to accommodate the initial enrollment for the College of Nursing. On February 1982, Former Vice President Fernando Lopez offered the Benito Lopez Memorial Hospital for lease/sale. President Lilia V. Juele, then President of the West Visayas State College took cognizance of the offer and recommended the purchase to the Minister of Education and Culture.

Purchased by West Visayas State College
On May 7, 1982 the board of trustees governing body of West Visayas State College, through Referendum  No. 1 s. 1982  unanimously approved the request for the acquisition of the Benito  Lopez  Memorial Hospital. Although the contract of sale was made between West Visayas State College through President Lilia V. Juele and Lopez family through former Vice President Fernando Lopez, however it was not realized due to unavailability of funds from the government. In the meantime, a lease contract was made so that on January 1986 the Gov. Benito Lopez Memorial Hospital was   utilized as the base hospital of the School of Medicine with Dr. Angel R. de Leon as Director.

In April 5, 1987, Benito Lopez Memorial Hospital was finally purchased thru a GSIS loan and formally turned over by the Lopez family. On May 1987, the hospital became the West Visayas State University Hospital.

Diversion Road - Largest High Way in Iloilo City

Through Ferdinand Marcos road and bridge program. West Jaro Diversion road was constructed a 5 KM road from Sambag Jaro to San Rafael , Mandurriao. It is called , Diversion Road. It is an alternative road going to the City from the Western Iloilo Towns because E. Lopez and Lopez Jaena is getting busier.


UP Visayas founded in Miag-ao

On September 21, 1977 - President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed  Presidential Decree No. 1200 or  the Philippine Five-Year Development Plan (1978-1982), which provided among others, that Region VI would be the site of  the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) with emphasis on fisheries and marine sciences. Funds will come from a World Bank loan with a counterpart from the Philippine Government. EDPITAF was the implementing arm of  the project. Fifteen sites in Region VI were surveyed in the search of a suitable site for the UPV campus. The first choice was Cabano, Jordan in the Guimaras Island. The isolation of Guimaras from the Island of Panay, the next site chosen was the Tigbauan-Guimbal area by virtue of its proximity to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). Because  of strong negative reactions from the residents in the locale, Miag-ao was  considered as an alternative site after Assemblyman Salvador B. Britanico convinced Dr. Gerardo Sicat, then Director-General of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and members of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines.

In 1978, the municipal officials of Miag-ao conducted a series of dialogues and consultations with the people, together with UP officials. This was done to determine the impact of the presence of an institution like UP in the town. Mixed reactions were gathered from the residents but the majority believed that Miag-ao will progress faster if it will be the site of UP in the Visayas. Being the mayor then, I initiated a research of my own by studying the revised five-year development plan of UPV and visiting UP campuses especially UP Los Baños. Convinced that the project will give more benefits than disadvantages to the municipality, the latter made a more intensive effort to persuade the UP system that Miag-ao would be the best site for its new campus. Then Assemblyman Salvador B. Britanico worked out the mechanics in persuading higher authorities including President Marcos, UP President Dr. Emmanuel Soriano and the assemblymen of Western Visayas about the merits of choosing Miag-ao as the site of the university. Three areas were considered for the proposed location that will start from the seashore and extend towards the interior landscape. These sites were: (1) before the poblacion (Going towards Iloilo City), (2) the poblacion proper and (3) after the poblacion (going west towards San Joaquin). The site voted for was the area after the poblacion. The present location was chosen because of the UP Los Baños experience. During my tour of Los Baños, I observed that the town proper was left behind the terms of development. Progress  was concentrated in the area where UP Los Baños was built. Our vision was we  wanted to make sure that the town proper must also be developed simultaneously  with the development of UPV.

On September 6, 1979, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between me and UP President Emmanuel Soriano. Among the salient features of the agreement was the negotiation of the acquisition cost of land to be purchased, compensation given
  to tenants and remuneration for the cost of the land's produce such as trees and  crops. An appraisal committee was formed representing the municipality, the university and the affected landowners to determine the fair market value of the  land. Representatives of the municipality were: Cornelio Nacanaynay, Municipal  Treasurer of Miag-ao; Juan Figura, Municipal Treasurer of San Joaquin and Vice  Mayor Ramon Flores of Miag-ao. Actual land acquisition began in 1979. At that  time, the market value of the land was higher that those of Pototan, Pavia and  San Miguel. UPV agreed to provide adequate relocation site who will be  relocated. Full land title was promised to residential lots or home lots which  formed part of the land acquired by the University. In cases of residents whose  houses are standing on lots which do not belong to them, a home lot of the same  area will be leased to them without the right to sublease. The University, in  cooperation with the Municipality, will help provide the services needed with  the actual transfer of the relocated parties. The University will also pay for  the cost of relocation and compensation for dwellings based on certain terms and  conditions to be determined by the Department of Public Works and Highways  (DPWH). If the land purchased is not yet needed by UPV, the land owners have a  maximum of five years to benefit from the land and its improvements. If the  University will decide to discontinue with the UPV project, the heirs and  assignees of the various lots acquired by the UPV or the municipality, shall  have the right of first refusal for the purchase of the said lot. The University  will also embark on a continuing
community relations program which has the  following objectives: (1) to keep the community adequately informed of the  University's goals, policies, activities and probllems; (2) to make UPV aware of  the aspirations, resources and needs of the community; and (3) to collaborate  with the community in promoting the community's well-being.

Ground-braking
February 29, 1980 was grounbreaking day . UP President Emmanuel Soriano and the UP Board of Regents,  together with Assemblyman Salvador B. Britanico and the rest of the Assemblymen  of Region VI, Iloilo Governor Conrado Norada, Governor Saldivar of Antique and  other dignitaries, received a warm welcome from the people of Miag-ao. The  guests were very impressed with the 40 motorcycle riding men in blazing uniforms  that escorted their caravans from Iloilo City to Miag-ao. Three "Drum and Bugle  Corp" in multi-colored uniforms and schoolchildren lining the streets waving  small, paper-made Philippine flags, awaited the guests in the Miag-ao town  proper. The ground breaking ceremony was proceeded by  traditional "babaylan"  rite to appease the spirit of Mt. Barangatitip.

The year 1980 was a crucial one.  An economic slump caused by peso devaluation, the increase in prices of construction materials and  the trickling funds coming from the government share, all caused tremendous delays in the construction. Several strong typhoons also took place that caused the collapse of bridges along the highway from Iloilo to Miag-ao. Opposition coming from some sectors in Barangay Bacauan and problems in moving families to the relocation centers also plagued the project. On top of all these, landowners  became impatient because the delay in payments for their lands. They  were also  dismayed to find out that lots bought by UPV was far below the prevailing market  prices. This was because the price of land in Miag-ao went up when it became  public knowledge that the town was officially chosen as the site for UPV. To  accommodate and satisfy the landowners, the municipal and UP officials  negotiated with the Provincial's Assessor's Office in Iloilo for readjustment in  the prices of lots. After several negotiations, the Provincial Assessor's Office  approved the schedule of land pricing which took effect in 1983. This included  the cost of improvements of lands. But also in the same year, the government  imposed a 20% capital gains tax which again affected the cost of land. Prior to  these, the Sangguniang Bayan passed Resolution No. 22, series of 1980  authorizing the Municipal Mayor to make representations to President Marcos and  to the Representatives of Region VI requesting exemption of payment of capital  gains tax. This, however, was not considered favorably.  In addition, some  tenants and landowners complained that they were not give priority in  employment at UPV. The Mayor appealed to the contractors and the UPV officials  to implement the Memorandum of Agreement considering the hiring of workers and  employees

(A Personal Accoun by Erlinda Noble Britanico former Municipal Mayor of Miagao)

First SM Mall outside Manila

The first SM outside Manila was built in Delgado Street, Iloilo City. Iloilo was chosen by Henry Sy who established his first store in Quipo, Manila. He was born to a poor family in Xiamen, China on December 25 ,1924. He is the son of Henry H. Sy. He immigrated to the Philippines and got his start by selling rejected and overrun shoes from Tondo.


Ilonggo support for "Call for a Change"

Corazon C. Aquino on the campaign trail for the 1986 Presidential elections: in Iloilo, with running mate Salvador “Doy" H. Laurel. Laurel had been persuaded by Jaime Cardinal Sin and others to withdraw his candidacy for President. The Aquino-Laurel tandem ran under UNIDO, the largest opposition party at the time. Behind Cory was Assemblyman Arthur Defensor.


1986 - February 25  - Fall of a Dictator

In 1984, Arthur Defensor ran and won as an Opposition Assemblyman of the Batasan Pambansa, representing the Province and City of Iloilo. Through revolution , Marcos power came an end.


Misery came to an end - Congress was resumed
The 8th Congress was resumed, Iloilo was represented to the Republic Assembly by the following:
1st District - by Oscar G. Garin
2nd District - by Alberto J. Lopez
3rd District - by Licurgo P. Tirador
4th District - by Narciso D. Monfort
5th District - by Neil D. Tupas

First Time in History of Iloilo that City of Iloilo is represented
Iloilo City - by Rafael J. Lopez-Vito

The main accomplishment of Congress was the ratification of the Constitution of the Philippines in 1987 and the Local Government Code of 1991.


Agrarian Reform arrived in Iloilo

When ancient people from Indonesia and Borneo arrived in Iloilo, they claim the land as their own. Everyone has the natural right to possess as much as he could till. When Spanish arrived, Spanish Friars and Soldiers seize and acquired these vast lands of the natives legally using legal documents called " Titulo ". Following from the ideology of social justice through the agrarian principles in France, American government have distributed the lands to the few Ilonggos let alone the educated or in the government service or anyone who are knowledgeable of the process of legal ownership . The rest of population ownership is quite low and have to work on these fields. In order to improve the lives of Ilonggos, Marcos gave priority to Agrarian Reform which legislated by the lower house before him though weakly. On September 10, 1971, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed RA 6389 otherwise known as the Code of Agrarian Reform of the Philippines into law. Department of Agrarian Reform was established in Iloilo. It was during the time of Cory Aquino when it was given serious focus. A program was launched called Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). It limits the ownership of people to only 6 Hectares ( ?) , the rest should be distributed to the workers.


1980's -Ilonggo join the World as a community

Ilonggo traits such as perseverance , industry and honesty are qualities they possess that made them to join in the world as community as a migrant worker.

Support to Oil-rich Countries
Middle East has been the most poorest in the world , home to the nomadic and ignorant loose tribe who keep fighting among themselves. Monarchy maintain weak power. Eastern province is deprived of modern conveniences such as electricity, telephone or airport which Iloilo has been enjoying for many decades. The tide was turned when enormous oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain, economy grow exponentially that they need skilled workers to meet the demand. It was among the first countries that accepted labor force to support their growing economy. Agency were opened in Iloilo seeking engineers, masons, domestic helper, welders and drivers to these countries.

Support to International trade
The presence of Maritime Academy in Iloilo since 1930's was been prolific economically. It trained Ilonggos about the mechanics of navigation and how to operate the ship. The world needs to facilitate the inter-continental trade through international shipping by  transporting  goods , fruits , hogs , textiles ,  petroleum , steel , concrete , processed food , manufactured technologies  such as cars from country to country.

Nursing support to United Kingdom and United States
On the industrial revolution , factories enhanced the production of goods and commodities. Technologies discovered by UK and USA enable them to build patent on TV's , Planes , Motors vehicles and so on. This brought tremendous wealth to these countries. Much of their working age have plenty of jobs filled up , however , nursing is the least choice. To address the vacant nursing works of these countries , they opened a door to the world for employment. Ilongos are among to grab the oportunity these countries.

The common wage for a Nursing is 200,000 UP per month - ( Middle Class wage for cost of living in USA and UK ). The value increases fantastically when the money spent in the Philippines with low cost of living since only around 10,000 income in a month for a middle-class living.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) as of September 2013

The economic aftermath of Foreign-jobs
There hardworking strong-willed Ilongos gradually established a strong middle-class society in whole of Iloilo. It slowly changes landscape . Ilongos invested on real property , from a traditional bamboo-houses were shifted to concrete bungalow homes which is cost effective due to durability can withstand strong storms , only provide a hot dwellings for a warm climate. Apartments and buildings were constructed . Macro-economically , Phillipine dollar reserved increased fantastically.

The rise of Middle-Class
Middle Class subdivision emerged in Jaro such as such as the Banker's Village, Landheights Subdivision, Alta-Tiera Village, Petal's Ville, Imperial Homes. In Imperial Homes Subdivision in Mandurriao.

For the lower quintile, National Housing Authority ( NHA) allocated 3 neighborhood in Mandurriao in Bakhaw and in Bolilao.

Proclamation of Liberation of Panay as holiday

March 18 was declared holiday per Proclamation No. 430 issued by then President  Corazon C. Aquino which as highlighted in the said Proclamation  "March 18,  1945 is of great historical and sentimental significance to both the veterans  and the
people of Panay and Romblon because it was the day when the Panay  Guerilla
Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese Imperial Armed  Forces.”



1992 - Hall of Justice

The Hall of Justice was constructed during the presidency of Corazon Aquino. It cost the government some P200 million sourced from the DOJ’s infrastructure program then under secretary now Senator Franklin Drilon.

The building which sits on a lot donated by the Iloilo provincial government is home to 18 RTC branches, 4 Municipal Trial Court in cities branches, Iloilo City and Provincial Prosecutors Offices, Office of the Regional Prosecutor, Public Attorneys Office, Iloilo and Regional Parole and Probation Offices, offices of the RTC and MTCC clerks of court, Integrated Bar of the Philippines office, mediation office, RTC library, chapel and cafeteria.

Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor inaugurated it in January 1992. In 1992, Mayor Mansing Malabor renovated the  "Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand". Adversely, it covers the view of historical Iloilo Custom House from Calle Real.

Minimum Wage
125 per day
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PUJ Fare
P 1.50

Basic Commodities
1 Gantang Rice