(also called '''Oriental Negros''') is a
Province of the
Philippines located in the
Central Visayas Region . It occupies the southeast half of the island of
Negros , with
Negros Occidental comprising the northwestern half. It also includes
Apo Island a popular
Dive Site for both local and foreign tourists. Negros Oriental faces
Cebu to the east across the
Tañon Strait and
Siquijor to the southeast. The primary spoken language is
Cebuano , and the predominant religion is
Catholicism .
Dumaguete City is the capital, seat of government, and most populous city.
Negros Island , the fourth largest island in the
Philippines , is believed to have once been part of the island of
Mindanao , but was cut off either by
Continental Drift or the rising waters at the end of the
Ice Age .
Among the early inhabitants of the island were dark-skinned natives belonging to the
Negrito ethnic group, as well as the
Chinese and
Malays . They called the island "Buglas", a native word which is believed to mean "cut off".
Spanish explorers on the expedition of
Miguel Lopez De Legaspi first came to the island in April 1565. Legaspi dropped anchor in
Bohol and sent his men to scout the island. Because of the strong currents of the
Tañon Strait between
Cebu and Negros, they were forced to land on the western side of the island. They reported seeing many dark-skinned inhabitants, and they called the island "Negros" ("Negro" means "black" in
Spanish ). The island was sparsely settled at the time, except for a few coastal settlements including
Ilog and
Binalbagan . In 1571, Legaspi assigned
Encomienda s on the island to 13 of his men.
Augustinian friars began the
Christianization of the island the next year. The island was administered as part of the jurisdiction of
Oton until 1734 when it became a military district, and
Ilog became the capital of the island. The capital was transferred to
Himamaylan in
1795 , then to
Bacolod in 1856.
Due to its proximity to Mindanao, the southeastern coast of Negros was in constant threat from Moro marauders looking for slaves, and
Watchtowers were built to protect the Christian villages. The moro raids and Negros Oriental's far distance from the Negros capital in Bacolod led 13 Recollect priests to petition for the division of the island in July 1876. The island of Negros was divided into the provinces of Negros Oriental (now called Oriental Negros) and
Negros Occidental by a royal decree executed by Governor General
Valeriano Weyler on
January 1 ,
1890 .
Dumaguete City was assigned capital of Negros Oriental. In
1892 ,
Siquijor became a part of Negros Oriental, having previously been administered by Spain under the politico-military province of
Bohol .
The
Philippine Revolution reached the province in 1898, disrupting government fuctions with bloodshed. Revolutionary troops in the province, organized and led by
Don Diego De La Vina , overthrew the Spanish government in Dumaguete. The island's two provinces united to form the
Cantonal Republic Of Negros , which was a separate government from the more familiar
Malolos Republic established in
Luzon . However, the short-lived republc was extinguished by the
United States in 1901, and a civil government was established with
Demetrio Larena as governor. The American government made Siquijor a "sub-province" of Negros Oriental. Negros Oriental became a province under the American civil government on
March 10 ,
1917 . In 1934 Negros Oriental became a corregimiento, a separate military district.
During
World War II , the province was invaded by
Japanese forces and many residents were forced to flee to the mountains to escape. Negros Island was taken back from the Japanese on August 6, 1945.
On
September 17 ,
1971 , Siquijor finally became an independent province by virtue of Republic Act No. 6396.
Negros Oriental occupies the southeast half of the island of
Negros , with
Negros Occidental comprising the western half. It has a total land area of 5,402.30 km&
2. A chain of rugged mountains separates Negros Oriental from Negros Occidental. Unlike its sister province, which belongs to the
Western Visayas region, Negros Oriental belongs to the
Central Visayas region. Negros Oriental faces
Cebu to the east across the
Tañon Strait and
Siquijor to the southeast. The
Sulu Sea borders it to the south.
The province's topography is characterized by low, grooved mountain ranges which mostly lie close to the shoreline. At the southern end of the province is the
Cuernos De Negros (Horns of Negros)
Stratovolcano which rises to a height of 1864
Meters . At the northern end of the province is
Mount Canlaon , the highest peak in the island with a height of 2465 meters. There are a few plateaus in the interior to the west of the province.
Negros Oriental has a
Tropical Climate . Because of the mountain range running from the north to the south, the province has two types of
Climatic conditions. The eastern part of the province is characterized by unpronounced maximum rainfall with a short dry season lasting from one to three months. The western half of the province is characterized by a distinct
Wet Season and
Dry Season . Also because of the mountain range, the province is sheltered from the full impact of
Typhoons originating from the southwest. However, the northern part of the province (from
Canlaon City to
La Libertad ) is in the path of typhoons from the east.
.]]
Negros Oriental's total population as of the
2000 census was 1,126,061, making it the 20th most populous province in the country. 34.5% of the population is concentrated in the five cities of
Dumaguete ,
Bayawan ,
Tanjay ,
Bais , and
Canlaon . The province's average population density is 208 persons per km&
2, lower than the national average of 276 persons per km&
2. Population growth per year is about 2.11%, higher than the national average of 1.92%.
Cebuano is the main language of the province, spoken by 95% of the population.
Hiligaynon is spoken by the remaining 5%, and is common in areas close to the border with
Negros Occidental .
Filipino and
English are generally understood, and are used for official, literary, and educational purposes.
Catholicism is the predominant religion.
Dumaguete, the capital of the province, is a city with a good environment for studying. Dumaguete City was known as "University Town" due to the existence of four universities and colleges in the small city.
Silliman University (1901), the first American-Protestant university in Asia, was the largest in the province and distinguished as an institution of higher education in the Visayas. The city was also the site of St. Paul University of Dumaguete City (SPUD), the first Paulinian school in the Philippines founded in 1904.The other universities were Negros Oriental State University and Foundation University.The Colegio De Sta. Catalina De Alejandria (COSCA) and Don Bosco Schools can be also found in the city.There are also institutions and colleges outside the city.
Each town in Negros Oriental celebrates an annual
Town Fiesta , usually dedicated to a saint who is the
Patron of the town. In some of the larger towns, there are particular fiestas for specific neighborhoods or
Barangay s.
Additionally, the Bulasan Festival, which was revived in 2001, is celebrated annually in October and is hailed as Negros Oriental's "festival of festivals".
Agriculture is the major industry in Negros Oriental. The primary crops are
Sugarcane ,
Corn ,
Coconut and
Rice . In the coastal area,
Fishing is the main source of income. People are also involved in
Cattle ranches,
Fish Pond s and
Logging . There are also mineral deposits like
Gold ,
Silver and
Copper .
Negros Oriental is also becoming a notable tourist destination in the
Visayas .
Negros Oriental is subdivided into 20
Municipalities and 5
Cities , which are further subdivided into 557
Barangay s.
Dumaguete City is the provincial capital and seat of government. It is also the most populous city, despite having the smallest land area.
For purposes of legislative representation, the cities and municipalities are grouped into three congressional districts, with each district electing a
Congressman to the
House Of Representatives Of The Philippines .
- : Canlaon, Vallehermoso, Guihulngan, La Libertad, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Bindoy, Manjuyod
- : Amlan, Bais, Mabinay, Pamplona, San Jose, Sibulan, Tanjay
- : Bacong, Basay, Bayawan, Dauin, Santa Catalina, Siaton, Valencia, Zamboanguita
in
Dumaguete City .]]
Negros Oriental has a network of roads, including a national road that spans the circumference of Negros Island.
A large portion of residents do not own private vehicles, and are totally reliant on public transport. The main form of public transport between between the cities and municipalities of the province largely consists of privately operated
Jeepneys that link major towns to rural areas. For short distances within a town, motorized tricycles (locally known as
Pedicabs ) are available.
The
Dumaguete Airport located in
Sibulan is the province's only commercial airport. It is a
Domestic Airport with multiple daily flights to and from
Manila , served by
Air Philippines and
Cebu Pacific .
The primary
Seaport of the province is located in
Dumaguete City . Additionally, there are five other seaports in the province classified as tertiary.
