The Municipality of Himamaylan derived its name from the Ilonggo words, “Hima & Babaylan”, a Herbolario or quack doctor that drives the Hima through a process of curing rituals. This happened when the first group of Spanish colonizers landed in the place; they found that most of the natives were afflicted with the malady, which was known to them as “Hima”. To cure this malady, the natives had to call on the services of the Babaylan, who in their belief possess the power to drive the Hima away.
In the middle part of 1565, the Spaniards came and subjugated Himamaylan. They introduced Encomienda System by which a piece of land including its products and other resources, and its inhabitants were granted to members of the conquering force as their puppets. The first Spanish priest, constructed a makeshift church and gathered the native which they later called “Himaya”, a thanksgiving for driving the “Hima” away. Himaya was also a place for spiritual paradise to the Babaylan. They later called “Himaya” as Himamaya-an or Himamaylan, but because of the tongue twisting sound of its syllables which the priest find difficulty in pronouncing, they changed the word to Himamaylan to suit their diction. The name Himamaylan was adopted officially when the place was founded into a township or pueblo. Thus, the town got its name both from historical and dialectical origin.
Himamaylan was founded in the 18th century. Although there was no definite record found, it became the second capital of Negros Island from 1795-1849; first being Municipality of Ilog. The town’s historical landmark, the Spanish Kota (Fortress) was the seat of the Old Spanish Government. It was also the place where many natives were cured of their sickness and consequently converted to Christianity.
Himamaylan’s historical records showed that in 1565 when the Spaniards came, there spur a quantum jump in the people’s religious life. From a pagan life, fresh arterial blood pumped into the multiplying discipline. In a span of only a few years after Spanish Colonization, embracing the Catholic Faith, the dame dramatic transformation continued to happen that even intellectuals of today is mystified in their own findings and misbelief that they were naturally drawn to the faith.
On November 4, 1898, the revolutionary forces in Himamaylan received orders from Gen. Juan Araneta to dislodge the Spanish Soldiers stationed in the town on November 5, and the rest of the towns in Negros. Due to lack of weapons they were not able to carry out the order and it was only on November 8, 1898 when the Deputy Commander for Southern Negros in the person of Gen. Rafael Ramos showed the Spanish Corporal a copy of the Act of Capitulation, that the Spanish Soldiers surrendered, thus, making Himamaylan as the last town to have been liberated from the Spanish Government.
When the Americans came on December 28, 1898, they easily capitulated the island of Negros from the Spanish Colonizers, thereby establishing the American Rule in the whole island.
In the year 1942, after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor to the Japanese forces, three days after Negros Occidental also fall, thus, the Japanese Military Government was established in the whole province.
In the year 1945, the American liberated the Province of Negros Occidental from the Japanese forces, three (3) days after Negros Occidental Fall; Japanese Military Government was established in the whole province. In the year 1945, the American liberated the Province of Negros Occidental from the Japanese forces, thereby establishing another American era until independence was granted to the Philippines on July 4, 1946.
Through the years, Himamaylan has likewise found its prominence in its political role in the Province of Negros. Illustrious sons of the town have risen to political prominence; most worthy mentioning were Hon. Rafael Ramos, Hon. Agustin Ramos and Hon. Valeriano M. Gatuslao, the late Congressmen, Hon. Elesio Limsiaco, Sr. and Hon. Agustin Gatuslao.
With the advent of the New Republic, after Presidential Proclamation No. 1081, Himamaylan continued its march to prominence in the field of politics by sending two of its illustrious sons; Hon. Roberto Gatuslao and Hon. Antonio Gatuslao to the Interim Batasang Pambansa, Hon. Jose M. Gatuslao as mayor of the town ushered the municipality to its growth and progress in the mainstream of political, social and economic development.
The collapse of the Marcos dictatorship during the People Power Revolution on February, 1986 installed new dimension throughout the country. Revolutionary government had been declared by Corazon C. Aquino regime and consequently appointed Officer in charge in all Local Government Units with the appointment of Hon. Ernesto Rodriguez as the OIC of the municipality until 1988.
Post EDSA era saw the empowerment of the Women Sector in the country as well as in the Municipality with the election of Hon. Providencia V. Silverio into the Office as the newly elected Local Chief Executive. During this time massive development projects focused on poverty alleviation were introduced to the municipality. It was during this time (1988-1992) that government services/public services were made closer, accessible and easier to the people. The municipality was alleviated from the lowest status of a 5th class to 3rd class municipality during her term. It was also during this administration that rebel returnees in large magnitude have returned to the fold of the law.
In the year 1992, Hon. Hernan Gatuslao has sworn into office as Municipal Mayor. His untimely demise in 1993 made Hon. Luz R. Bayot, the incumbent Vice-Mayor assumed the reign of leadership of the Local Government until 1995. During her administration and on the basis of the respective average annual income amounted to P20,258,402.80 for Calendar Year 1992-1995 duly certified to by COA Himamaylan was reclassified from 3rd class to a first municipality.
The passage of Republic Act 7160 in 1991 otherwise known as Local Government Code of the Philippines added impetus to the development program of the municipality. Efficient and expeditious delivery of services was witnessed by the people. Furthermore, the barangays were able to have their share of fund from the National Government resulting to an improved service to barangay constituents.
The nineties (90’s) was really a year for women empowerment, with the assumption into the office of another woman, Hon. Carminia G. Bascon in 1995. With her vision for
development, Himamaylan were assured of a bright future as development efforts were focused in all sectoral concerns of the Municipality.
Luz Ramos Bayot, was elected lady mayor in 1998 together with Raymond I. Tongson, dynamic leaders who at that time, together charted the course of the municipality into becoming a new component city of the province. Together, they vigorously pursue for the Integrated Comprehensive Development of the Municipality with focus on food security and sustainable development to all sectors and supportive of the National Program on Poverty Alleviation.
In the Political Arena, Himamaylan is more blesses than the other Local Government Units in Negros Occidental.
Mr. Rene Silos, former Board of Director of NOCECO was elected as Sectoral Representatives representing the Association of the Philippine Electric Cooperatives.
The election of Cong. Lozada as Representative of the 5th Congressional District in year 19998 brought good luck and hope to all Himamaylanon as he successfully steer the Municipality into becoming a first City in the 5th district with the approval (98%)of the people in a plebiscite held March 31, 2001.
Eventually, Hon. Luz R. Bayot and Hon. Vice Mayar Raymund I. Tongson became the first City Mayor and Vice Mayor respectively.
In the May 2001 election, Hon. Carminia G. Bascon and Vice Mayor Raymund I. Tongson (2nd term) were elected as the new Executives of the newly born city of Negros Occidental.
With these developments, Himamaylan can leapfrog its progress and development, thereby giving more benefits to its people and its eventual alleviation from economic stagnation.
Himamaylan, with the support and cooperation of every sector, will continue to march towards its rightful destiny in the future as one of the progressive cities in Negros Occiddental.
Making of Himamaylan City
House Bill No. 9885 filed by Cong. Apolinario L. Lozada, Jr. Then Congressman of the 5th district Of Negros Occidental converted the Municipality of Himamaylan into one of the component cities of Negros Occidental. It was then under the administration of municipal Mayor Hon. Luz. R. Bayot.
Senate Bill No. 2255 sponsored by Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, converting the Municipality of Himamaylan into a City of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental.
17 Feb 2000- Public hearing of the Bill No. 9885 in the Municipality of Himamaylan, held at the Himamaylan National High School. It was attended by several Senators and Congressman and more than ten thousand Himamaylanons.
07 Mar 2000 – Congressional Committee Hearing and unanimous approval of the House Bill No. 9885 held at the Rembrandt Hotel.
31 Jan 2001 – at 10:00 A.M., Senate Committee Hearing on the Cityhood.Sen. Sergio Osmeña III presiding with Cong. Jose Apolinario L. Lozada. Jr. Present with the Municipal Officials of Himamaylan.
01 Feb 2001 – at 4:30 P.M., The Cityhood of Himamaylan was presented on second reading during the Senate Session.
08 Feb 2001 – at 9:00 A.M. The City of Himamaylan was approved on third and final reading at the senate.
05 Mar 2001 – at 10:00 A.M., the Republic Act No. 9028, “An Act Converting the Municipality of Himamaylan, Province of Negros Occidental into a component City of Himamaylan”, was signed in a ceremony at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace.
31 Mar 2001 – Ratification of the Republic Act No. 9028 got an overwhelming support through a plebiscite.
30 Mar 2002 – Himamaylan City celebrates its First Charter Anniversary Celebration.
