Barotac Nuevo

History

According to local folklore, the barrio of Malutac in Dumangas was famous for its well-bred horses. There was once a horse called Tamasak, a pure white stallion in the stead of one Don Simon Protacio. Don Protacio was offered to sell the horse to Manuel Gonzales de Aguilar, the governor-general of the Philippines at that time whose white horse previously died. Don Protacio adamantly refused to sell his horse which led to Gonzales de Aguilar personally visiting Don Protacio's compound in order to persuade him to do so. After a long negotiation, they came to a truce wherein Tamasak will be given to the governor-general in exchange for Malutac to be made into a town. When the barrio was eventually separated from Dumangas and became a town, it was renamed into Barotac Nuevo.

The name "Barotac" is from the Spanish word "baro", which means mud, as well as the second syllables of the Hiligaynon word, "lutac" which also means mud. "Nuevo", which translates to new, was added to the name to distinguish it from another town called Barotac Viejo located 26 km north.

Barotac Nuevo is a small town whose main industry and capital are in fishing and agriculture. The town church was built by Spanish Roman Catholic missionaries in the 16th century.

Geography

Barotac Nuevo is 31 km from the provincial capital Iloilo City, 9 km from Pototan, and 8 km from Dumangas. The town is bordered by Pototan to the west, Dingle to the north-west, Anilao to the north-east, and Dumangas to the south.

Barangays

Barotac Nuevo is politically subdivided into 29 barangays: Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Acuit
• Agcuyawan Calsada
• Agcuyawan Pulo
• Bagongbong
• Baras
• Bungca
• Cabilauan
• Cruz
• Guintas
• Igbong
• Ilaud Poblacion
• Ilaya Poblacion
• Jalaud
• Lagubang
• Lanas
• Lico-an
• Linao
• Monpon
• Palaciawan
• Patag
• Salihid
• So-ol
• Sohoton
• Tabuc-Suba
• Tabucan
• Talisay
• Tinorian
• Tiwi
• Tubungan

Climate

| access-date = May 3, 2020 }} (Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Barotac Nuevo was 59,184 people, with a density of {{sigfig|59184/94.49|2}} PD/km2.

Language

The primary language spoken in Barotac Nuevo is Hiligaynon.

Religion

The population is predominantly Roman Catholic.

Economy

The town's agricultural output includes rice, sugar cane, and spinach. Marine products such as milkfish and tilapia are harvested from local fisheries. There are usually three annual rice harvests, depending on the season.

Sports

Football is the most popular sport in Barotac Nuevo which is usually dubbed as the football capital town of the Philippines. A football field is present in the town plaza. Every summer season, a local football league is held. Stallion F.C., now named Stallion Laguna F.C. of the Philippines Football League, was founded in Barotac Nuevo. There is only one basketball court in town and is rarely used.

Football was introduced in the town in the 1920s by the Monfort brothers.

Telecommunications

Smart Communications has a cell site in the middle of the town providing voice, texting and data services over the GSM network. Smart is likewise providing 4G LTE, 3G and HSPA services. SmartBRO is also available for fixed internet service. There are also cell sites located at Barangay Tiwi.

Education

The Barotac Nuevo Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

;Primary and elementary schools

• Acuit Elementary School
• Agcuyawan Pulo Elementary School
• Agcuyawan Calsada Elementary School
• Bagongbong A Primary School
• Bagongbong B Elementary School
• Baras Elementary School
• Barotac Nuevo Central Elementary School
• Barotac Nuevo Evangelical School
• Cabilauan Elementary School
• Guintas Elementary School
• Igbong Primary School
• Iloilo Christian School
• Jalaud Elementary School
• Juan F. Siochi Elementary School
• Lanas Elementary School
• Lico-an Elementary School
• Linao-Cruz Elementary School
• Monpon Elementary School
• Palaciawan Elementary School
• Patag Elementary School
• Salihid Elementary School
• Sohoton Elementary School
• So-ol Elementary School
• St. Paul School
• Tabucan Elementary School
• Talisay Elementary School
• Tinorian Elementary School
• Tiwi Elementary School
• Tubungan Primary School
• Victory Child Learning Center ;Secondary schools
• Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School
• Barotac Nuevo National Comprehensive High School (Tiwi Annex)
• Iloilo State College of Fisheries-Fisheries and Marine Science High School
• Jose Monfort National Science High School
• Salihid National High School

Notable personalities

• Myrtle Sarrosa, Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4 Big Winner
• Chieffy Caligdong, former Philippines National Football Team player
• Ian Araneta, former Philippines National Football Team player
• Jovin Bedic, former Philippines National Football Team player
• Elmer Bedia, former Philippines National Football Team player, PFF Mr. Football
• Ferjenel Biron, politician and physician

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. (November 4, 2022). "Multi-million gym at PH's football capital completed".
3. (11 July 2006). "Yes, RP can kick out sorry state of football, if only...". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
4. (September 18, 2013). "FITNESS No-nonsense Caligdong recalls how Barotac days shaped him as a player and person". Sports Interactive Network Philippines.
5. (14 July 2007). "80 years of football passion". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
6. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".