Kabankalan

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Component city in Negros Occidental, Philippines

title: "Kabankalan" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["cities-in-negros-occidental", "populated-places-established-in-1907", "1907-establishments-in-the-philippines", "component-cities-in-the-philippines"] description: "Component city in Negros Occidental, Philippines" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabankalan" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Component city in Negros Occidental, Philippines ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
name
image_skylineKabankalan City Cathedral, Negros Occidental.jpg
image_captionSaint Francis Xavier Cathedral Parish
image_flagFlag_of_Kabankalan,_Negros_Occidental.png
flag_size120x80px
image_sealFile:Kabankalan City seal.svg
seal_size120x80px
image_map
map_caption
mapframeyes
pushpin_mapPhilippines
pushpin_label_positionleft
pushpin_map_captionLocation within the
coordinates
settlement_type
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_namePhilippines
subdivision_type1Region
subdivision_name1
subdivision_type2Province
subdivision_name2
official_name
etymology
named_forNauclea orientalis (locally called Bangkal)
other_nameCabancalán
nicknameThe Rising City of the South
anthem"Kabankalan, Halandumon nga Siyudad"
subdivision_type3District
subdivision_name3
established_titleFounded
established_dateMarch 14, 1907
established_title1Cityhood
established_date1August 2, 1997
parts_typeBarangays
parts_stylepara
p1(see Barangays)
leader_titleMayor
leader_nameBenjie M. Miranda
leader_title1Vice Mayor
leader_name1Divina Gracia S. Miranda (PFP)
leader_title2Representative
leader_name2Mercedes Alvarez (NPC)
leader_title3City Council
leader_name3{{PH Town Council
1Anne Marie N. Zayco
2Joan Daclan-Cagape
3Joestarr B. Bandojo
4Helen Q. Ibañez
5Jerzy M. Guanzon
6Marie Vic Anacan-Ramos
7Adolfo T. Mangao, Jr.
8John T. Antolo
9Macario Z. Zafra III
10Jose M. Dumaguete
abcRico M. Regalia
skErnie J. Libona
leader_title4Electorate
leader_name4voters ([electorate_point_in_time}}
government_type
government_footnotes
elevation_m
elevation_max_m1455
elevation_min_m0
elevation_footnotes
area_footnotes
area_total_km2
population_total
population_as_of
population_density_km2auto
population_blank1_titleHouseholds
population_blank1
timezonePST
utc_offset+8
postal_code_typeZIP code
postal_code
postal2_code_type
postal2_code
area_code_type
area_code
website
demographics_type1Economy
demographics1_title1
demographics1_info1
demographics1_title2Poverty incidence
demographics1_info2% ()
demographics1_title3Revenue
demographics1_info3
demographics1_title4Revenue rank
demographics1_title5Assets
demographics1_info5
demographics1_title6Assets rank
demographics1_title7IRA
demographics1_title8IRA rank
demographics1_title9Expenditure
demographics1_info9
demographics1_title10Liabilities
demographics1_info10
demographics_type2Service provider
demographics2_title1Electricity
demographics2_info1
demographics2_title2Water
demographics2_title3Telecommunications
demographics2_title4Cable TV
blank_name_sec1
blank_info_sec1
blank1_name_sec1Native languages
blank1_info_sec1
blank2_name_sec1Crime index
blank1_name_sec2Major religions
blank2_name_sec2Feast date
blank3_name_sec2Catholic diocese
blank4_name_sec2Patron saint
::

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| demographics1_title4 = Revenue rank | demographics1_info4 = | demographics1_title5 = Assets | demographics1_info5 =
| demographics1_title6 = Assets rank | demographics1_info6 = | demographics1_title7 = IRA | demographics1_info7 = | demographics1_title8 = IRA rank | demographics1_info8 = | demographics1_title9 = Expenditure | demographics1_info9 =
| demographics1_title10 = Liabilities | demographics1_info10 =
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Kabankalan, officially the City of Kabankalan (; ; , Spanish: Ciudad de Cabancalán), is a component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people, making it the second most populous city in Negros Occidental next to Bacolod.

Kabankalan is applying for a Highly Urbanized City (HUC). It is also the second city with the highest gross and net income in Negros Occidental next to Bacolod.

The city hosts three major festivals: the Kabankalan Sinulog every third Sunday of January (celebrated together with Cebu City), Udyakan sa Kabankalan and the Charter Anniversary. Kabankalan is also known for its Mag-aso Falls and the Balicaocao Resort. Also located in the city is the main campus of the Central Philippines State University (CPSU).

Kabankalan City won the major award as the "Best Performing City" in Region VI in the 2011 Regional Search for Excellence in Local Governance (EXCEL). The award was given during the Pagdayaw 2011 program held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel in December 2011.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Landing_Fields_-Philippines-Negros_Island-NARA-_68161338.jpg" caption="Aerial view of Kabankalan, 1938"] ::

According to historians, the first inhabitants of Kabankalan were people who came from neighboring towns. They derived the name Kabankalan from the word "bangkal" (Nauclea orientalis), a tree that is abundant in the place. The settlers established the Barangay form of government, with which every group has its own leader, called the Capitan.

In 1566 the Christianization of the Island of Negros began with the foundation of the mission of Binalbagan (1575), Tanjay (1580) and Ilog (1584) by the Augustinian missionaries. In 1622, at the request of Bishop Pedro de Arce of Cebu, the Recollects came to evangelize Negros. The spiritual administration of Binalbagan including that of Kabankalan was ceded to them. When the mission of Ilog was turned over to the Jesuits, it had four towns, Ilog being the chief town. The next was Kabankalan which already appears in a document dated 1630 as the center of encomienda of Admiral Cristobal de Lugo y Montalvo. The third was either Jima or Sima. The fourth was probably Su-ay. The Jesuits who served Kabankalan were Fr. Esteban Jayme. After the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Philippines in 1767, the Dominican missionaries came to continue the spiritual administration of Negros with Father Manuel Diez assigned in Kabankalan in 1769. During the Spanish regime, Spaniards taught the people the Spanish language and introduced to them the Roman Catholic religion.

In 1830, the three Capitanes- Polito Moreno, Vicente Rojas and Mariano Vingal-petitioned the government to transfer their barangay located at the Hilabangan River towards the area of Orong and established a town. They elected a migrant from Tigbauan, Iloilo-Leocadio Tayum y Gregorio- their new head, who served for one year. In 1856, 500 commissaries and policeman of Governor Emilio Saravia stationed in the poblacion attacked the stronghold “made of trunk” of the local chief Manyabog at Carol-an who endured the Spanish artillery for a long time. They disbanded only when a stray bullet killed Manyabog. Seeing their leader killed, they set themselves on fire with their houses. The tribal suicide resulted in the deaths 300 of Manyabog's men, while seven died on the opposite side. Prior to the actual revolt in 1898, clandestine activities had already been in the offing, the leaders of the revolution such as Aniceto Lacson joining the Katipunan and others arming themselves. By mid-1896, arms were unloaded in Binicuil, Kabankalan for the hacienderos of Kabankalan, Ilog, Himamaylan, Su-ay and Cauayan but they refrained to join the revolt knowing that they were not prepared and had no confidence in victory. It was not until November 7, 1898, that Kabankalan took up arms after Bacolod was taken over from the Spanish authorities. The Cantonal Republic of Negros was declared on November 5, 1898.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/KabankalanCityGovernmentCenter.jpg" caption="Kabankalan City Government Center (City Hall)"] ::

When the Americans came, they introduced a democratic form of government. During this time, a lot of improvements came to the town and new modern techniques of farming were introduced by the Americans to the local farmers that improved their products. On April 2, 1903, the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 716 reducing the 34 municipalities of the Province of Negros Occidental to 21 whereby the municipality of Cavancalan was merged to Ilog. On March 14, 1907, Philippine Commission passed Act. No. 1612 increasing the number of municipalities in Negros Occidental from 21 to 22 by separating from Ilog the former municipality of Cavancalan and reconstituting the same under the name Kabankalan. In mid-1907, a group of rebels called "Pulahanes" led by Papa Isio, raided the town and burned down all the houses. However, the people of Kabankalan quickly recovered and rebuilt the town from the destruction caused by the dissidents. Lorenzo Zayco was elected Municipal President in a special election and took his oath of office, along with other elected officials on January 2, 1908. Pre War-Kabankalan saw the emerging development of the sugar industry. Sugar mills were put up in Hacienda Bearin and Hacienda San Isidro.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/KabankalanCityLionsArch.jpg" caption="Kabankalan Lion's Arch"] ::

During the Second World War, Kabankalan was made a garrison town by Japanese Imperial Forces. Sugar mills were destroyed, school buildings were demolished and houses razed to ground. During this time, a recognized guerrilla unit and the local troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army were formed to oppose the foreign aggression and many people fled to the mountains to avoid Japanese military abuse. When the Americans returned to the island to aid Filipino soldiers under the Commonwealth Army and Constabulary, and the recognized guerrillas, they helped the people be freed from Japanese occupation. Post war era concentrated on rehabilitation efforts that saw the establishment of two Sugar Mills-Dacongcogon and SONEDCO-placing Kabankalan at the crossroad of agro industrial development and setting the ground as a hub of business and trade in southern Negros. With the growth of the sugar industry, banks and other financial institutions and commercial establishments put up branches and offices in Kabankalan. The establishment of two sugar mills in the 1960s and early 1970s gave the town a boost into the list of the top improving towns of Negros.

Cityhood

Main article: Cities of the Philippines

The town of Kabankalan was declared by then President Fidel V. Ramos as a chartered city on August 2, 1997, under Republic Act No. 8297.

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Mag-asoFallsKabankalanNegrosOcc.jpg" caption="Mag-aso Falls, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental"] ::

Kabankalan occupies the central portion of the Southern Negros Island and its geographically located at 10° north and 122° east. It is bounded on the north by the City of Himamaylan, on the northwest by Panay Gulf, on the southwest by the Municipality of Ilog in Negros Occidental, on the southeast by the Municipality of Mabinay and on the south by the City of Bayawan in Negros Oriental. It is 88 km away from Bacolod, 127 km from Dumaguete, and 99 km from the southernmost town of Hinoba-an. With an area of 697.35 square kilometers, it is the largest city in Negros Occidental and the second largest in the whole Negros Island, after Bayawan (which has an area of 699.08 square kilometers).

Climate

| location = Kabankalan | width = auto | metric first = Yes | single line = Yes | Jan high C = 30 | Jan low C = 22 | Feb high C = 31 | Feb low C = 22 | Mar high C = 32 | Mar low C = 22 | Apr high C = 33 | Apr low C = 24 | May high C = 32 | May low C = 25 | Jun high C = 30 | Jun low C = 25 | Jul high C = 29 | Jul low C = 25 | Aug high C = 29 | Aug low C = 24 | Sep high C = 29 | Sep low C = 24 | Oct high C = 29 | Oct low C = 24 | Nov high C = 30 | Nov low C = 23 | Dec high C = 30 | Dec low C = 23 | Jan precipitation mm = 38 | Feb precipitation mm = 29 | Mar precipitation mm = 55 | Apr precipitation mm = 65 | May precipitation mm = 141 | Jun precipitation mm = 210 | Jul precipitation mm = 212 | Aug precipitation mm = 176 | Sep precipitation mm = 180 | Oct precipitation mm = 180 | Nov precipitation mm = 130 | Dec precipitation mm = 70 | Jan rain days = 9.0 | Feb rain days = 7.2 | Mar rain days = 11.1 | Apr rain days = 13.5 | May rain days = 25.6 | Jun rain days = 28.4 | Jul rain days = 28.9 | Aug rain days = 27.3 | Sep rain days = 26.9 | Oct rain days = 27.7 | Nov rain days = 21.8 | Dec rain days = 13.8 | source 1 = Meteoblue | url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/kabankalan_philippines_1709968 | title = Kabankalan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall | publisher = Meteoblue | access-date = May 7, 2020 }} | date = May 7, 2020

Under the Coronas climate classification system, Kabankalan falls under Type III. Dry season is from December to May, while the rainy season is from June to November. Average temperature is 26 °C (80 °F).

Barangays

Kabankalan City is politically subdivided into 32 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

| align= left | title= Population census of | 1903 = | 1918 = | 1939 = | 1948 = | 1960 = | 1970 = | 1975 = | 1980 = | 1990 = | 1995 = | 2000 = | 2007 = | 2010 = | 2015 = | 2020 = | 2024 = | 2030 = | footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/09/KabankalanAerialCathedral.jpg" caption="Aerial view of the city, with the [[Kabankalan Cathedral]] in the center."] ::

Languages

Major languages are Hiligaynon, followed by Cebuano (both of those languages are used interchangeably in to day-to-day activities) with English and Tagalog being used as second languages.

Kabankalan City and the cities and the municipalities in the southwestern and the northeastern parts of the province are the only places in Negros Occidental whose residents can speak and understand both Cebuano and Hiligaynon due to their proximity to Negros Oriental.

The city is the only place where the Karol-an language is used. Due to its geographical area of usage, the Karol-an language is classified as a vulnerable language, making its conservation a top priority, as it is vital to the culture and arts of Kabankalan natives.

Economy

Infrastracture

Transportation

Kabankalan is over an hour's drive south of Bacolod City by car. Public utility vehicles reach the place in about two hours. The city, which serves as the hub of economic activities in southern Negros, is also the take-off point for various destinations down south, and links the province to Dumaguete, the capital of Negros Oriental, via the Kabankalan-Mabinay Highway.

Currently under construction, the Kabankalan City Domestic Airport, once opened, will be the second active airport in the province (after the Bacolod-Silay International Airport).

Notable People

Main article: List of people from Negros Occidental

References

References

  1. {{DILG detail
  2. "Kabankalan City is best performing city in WVisayas - PIA".
  3. (Cuesta, 1980)
  4. (January 20, 2014). "Zayco: Kabankalan airport work still on". The Daily Star.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

cities-in-negros-occidentalpopulated-places-established-in-19071907-establishments-in-the-philippinescomponent-cities-in-the-philippines