"Little Baguio, climate like Tagaytay, Views like Banaue Rice Terraces & chocolate hills of Bohol" The Municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto is situated at the mid-center of hinterlands of the entire north of the Province of Negros Occidental and was established as a Town only last February 09, 1983 and the creation was intended to consolidate the area into a separate and independent local gover
nment unit to counter the prevailing lawlessness and instability of the area which seemed neglected by their respective jurisdictional units. The establishing legislation was Batas Pambansa Bilang 336, authored by Pambansa Member Alfonso Garcia and Jose Varela, Jr. It acquired its name in honor of the late Vice-Governor Salvador Benedicto, who was part in setting the Revolutionary Government of Negros Island and Siquijor at the area (Igmaya-an) during the Japanese Aggression last World War II. The composite jurisdiction of Don Salvador Benedicto was comprised of two (2) Barangays from Municipality of Murcia (Pandanon and Igmaya-an); three (3) Barangays from the City of San Carlos (Kumaliskis, Bunga and Pinowayan-Prosperidad); and two (2) Barangays from Municipality of Calatrava (Bagong Silang-Marcelo and Bago-Lalong). It is situated at a distance of 47 kilometers from the Provincial Capitol and lies at an average of 2, 495 feet above sea-level and has a municipal jurisdiction of 17, 056 hectares, composite of 67% public domain and only 33% alienable and disposable lands. It has a very cold temperature ranging from 16 to 27 degrees Celsius and coldest months are December, January and February. Despite the immature status of this new found Town, it could not be imposed that its people were uncivilized considering some historical facts that could establish proof that civilization was already existent in the area, even during the early conquest of the Spaniards. This could be traced back that history has established that after the Island of Panay was sold, its inhabitants had migrated to its neighboring island and settled at an area in-between Mt. Mandalagan and Canla-on Volcano and this fact could be concretized that there was no other area in the entire region that huge mountains were significantly situated adjacent to each other, except the earlier-mentioned mountains. Civilization in the area was further confirmed upon wandering adventure of a certain Vicente Jagocoy, a civilized person from Municipio de Sum-ag (now Barangay Sum-ag in Bacolod City) who had aimlessly tracked upstream Bago River chancing to find a productive area for settlement. Upon days of aimless walking he chanced upon the settlement of Bukidnon in the area, led by their Chieftain called “Laki Umaylas” who had established fondness of this daring Adventure, resulting to his accommodation to admit the lowlander at their village and such fondness had developed into a more harmonious relation that the Chief had offered her daughter “Ka Kinay” to become the wife of Jagocoy, whom was given the highland name as “Tan Igum” the union of Tan Igum and Ka Kinay was blessed with 18 offsprings who were all female except for only son named “Alipio” whose only offspring left in the area established to be “Remedios Jagocoy Panganiban” of Barangay Bunga. The only proof that indeed Tan Igum had really existed was that he only died during the Spanish-American War and his remain were buried at the Baisan Cave near Lacson’s Ranch House, the only proof that these were really his remains because his name was inscribed at the opening of the cave that was made into his graveyard. Now, transforming into the cyberage, it could be established that residency was dominantly Cebuano speaking comprising sixty percent (60%) and the rest Ilonggo and other dialects but their desire for cultural revival had opted to adopt the art of “KALI” otherwise known as Arnis or “Escrima” the traditional martial arts of the Filipino people since the 7th century, as it was designed for physical training, mental development and spiritual upliftment of the individual practitioner which relatively strengthens his moral value foundation, hence being highlighted annually by the celebration of the “KALI-KALIHAN HARVEST FESTIVAL” , where observance of various traditional and cultural activities can be achieved. The political structure which started with the FOUNDER, Nehemias “Nene” G. de la Cruz, as the first appointed Municipal Mayor in 1983 had greatly faced the surmountable burden of effectively managing the municipal operations, considering that upon its founding, it has to function without any funds coming from the National nor the Local Government where it originally belonged, but the unwavering determination of the FOUNDER did not prevent him from doing the task designated to him, instead, he solicited funds from the people’s organizations and other non-government organizations, which the situation prevailed until 1986, when OIC Mayor Ricardo T. had taken over during the Transitory Government of President Corazon C. Aquino and it was only in 1987 that it had availed its share of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA). When the FOUNDER re-assumed the position as the first elected Municipal Mayor in 1988, the Municipal Hall which had been constructed during the incumbency of Governor Alfredo L. in 1984 had been abandoned, the municipal operations were being conducted at the Town of Murcia because of the insurgency problem in the area, but despite that only keys were turned-over, this did not bother the very determined FOUNDER, as despite the barren structure of tables and chairs, the first elected officials proceeded with their inaugural session sitting on concrete floors, and this did start the resetting of the municipal operations at its executive halls. It was then, the period of simultaneously intensifying the fight against intense insurgency on one end and installation of basic services to the grassroots level on the other end. Every process enjoined with educating the people on the responsibilities of the legitimate government and likewise their responsibilities to the government that each and every citizen must adhere to. All hardships and burdens were well taken as administrative challenge in the nurturing, caring and proper upbringing of the infant and new-found town.
