The City of Roxas, also known as Roxas City, is a third-class component city and the capital of Capiz, Philippines. With a population of approximately 179,292 according to the 2020 census, it is a diverse location that caters to everyone’s needs.
Roxas City is the capital of the Province of Capiz.
Initially known as the Municipality of Capiz, the City of Roxas was granted charter status on May 12th, 1951 in honor of Manuel Acuña Roxas, a native son who served as the country’s fourth president after independence and as the pre-American Third Philippine Republic.
Roxas City is the second largest city of education, trade, economic activities, and logistics on the island of Panay, following Iloilo City. It is renowned as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines” due to its abundant marine life. The city has received numerous accolades, including the Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award from the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran (GPK) Cleanliness and Environmental contest, the Red Orchid Award from the Department of Health (DOH) for being a “100 percent tobacco-free” city, the Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the title of Best Police Station in the region from the Philippine National Police.
Spanish colonial period
The Spanish colonial period in the Philippines began in 1569 when Captain Diego de Artieda, who was sent by Miguel López de Legazpi from Cebu, arrived in the town of Panay and declared it as the capital. However, the capital was later moved to its current location, Capiz, as it was closer to the sea and offered better docking facilities. The Spaniards were attracted by the long coastal region and saw the potential for trade and shipping, leading to the construction of ports in Libas and Culasi of the city.
The Panay River divided the original settlement in two and fed into communities that grew along its banks. The river provided irrigation and gradually enriched the land, with high tide bringing water to the lowlands that became private and commercial fishponds that still exist today.
In 1590, the Spanish navy from Acapulco in the Viceroyalty of Mexico made the port of Capiz its naval yard, offering shelter for ships during rough seas. The port became bustling and stone houses were built. The indigenous rulers of Capiz often married colonial Spaniards, creating mestizo descendants who formed the base of the town’s Principalía, or noble class. Their privileged status allowed them to build houses near the downtown area, known as the población, which was centered around the plaza, local chapel along Burgos Street, and government complex. Their children were beneficiaries of the Augustinian mission in 1593.
In 1746, Capiz was made the seat of the politico-military government, separating from Iloilo after nearly 200 years, although it was still under the jurisdiction of the Bishopric of Cebu. In the late 1790s, under Gobernadorcillo Miguel Bautista, the old road to Baybay was built as an extension of Calle San Roque.
The town was often attacked by Muslims, leading to the construction of stone forts at Baybay Beach (Baluarte) in 1814 through the initiative of Gobernadorcillo José Consolación.
In 1870, the construction of the Capiz Cathedral began under the guidance of Reverend Apolonio Alvarez and was built by the forced labor of the Capizeños. In 1876, the Diocese of Jaro in Iloilo was erected, bringing Capiz under its jurisdiction. The cathedral was finally finished in 1877.
During the Philippine Revolution, the Spanish colonial government surrendered on August 31, 1898, when Governor Juan Herrero formally handed over power to General Ananias Diokno in the Baybay area.
Historical Account of Pedro G. Gallardo, O.S.A.
Capiz is located on a small island created by the Panay and Banica rivers. The Panay River was well-known for its large number of caimanes (alligators). The northern part of the island has poor soil, while the southern part is more fertile. In 1707, the area was declared an independent parish under the leadership of Fr. Agustin Estrada. The private council of 1716 established the town, which was originally called El Puerto de Capiz, and was under the supervision of Fr. Pedro Vivaldi as prior-vicar. The convent was relieved from paying rent to San Agustin Monastery in 1728 and 1732, which may indicate that the priors were struggling financially.
By the mid-18th century, Capiz had become the capital city of the province of the same name and was known as a famous seaport and a major hub for the Augustinians. Capiz was famous for its shells, used as window panes in houses and convents across the Philippines. The Visayas dialect was said to be spoken with more properness and musicality, and the women of Capiz were known for their elegance. During the British invasion, the Capizeños demonstrated their loyalty to Spain by sending money and ammunition to Manila and arresting the alcalde mayor for secretly negotiating with the British.
The population of Capiz was 2,327 in 1732 and increased to 17,683 in 1896. In 1891, the city was prosperous, with exports worth 1,800,000 pesos and imports worth 900,000 pesos. The primitive church was built before 1698 but was destroyed by a typhoon in January 4 of that year, along with the convent. Fr. Domingo Horbegoso began rebuilding the church in 1728, and the construction continued at least until 1732. Capiz was founded in 1693 under the patronage of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
American colonial period
Capiz (c.1917)
After three centuries of Spanish rule, the Philippines became part of the United States of America. By the beginning of the 20th century, Protestant missionaries arrived in the islands, and the various denominations agreed to divide the missions into territories. Western Visayas was assigned to the American Baptists, and Baptist institutions, including Filamer Christian University, Central Philippine University, and the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, were established. In 1904, Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Robbins established the Capiz Home School after being entrusted with the care of three homeless children. The school was later renamed Filamer Christian University, a combination of “Filipino” and “American”.
In 1914, Capiz faced an economic crisis when the Ayala Distillery abruptly shut down operations. The company, which could have been a pioneer in nationalized industrialization, became a victim of the Internal Revenue Law under American control.
In 1917, F.E. Hemingway, the Division Superintendent of Schools, founded the Capiz Trade School for intermediate students, offering woodworking as the only vocational course. The next division superintendent established Capiz High School.
In 1926, Division Superintendent Arthur Wittman authorized the teaching of a full secondary curriculum at the Capiz Trade School. That same year, the Culasi Port was built to serve inter-island ships.
Cityhood
On May 12, 1951, Capiz became a chartered city through House Bill 1528, which was sponsored by Ramón Acuña Arnaldo, the Representative of the First District Capiz. The bill was approved by President Elpidio Quirino on April 11, 1951, and became Republic Act 603. As a result, the town was renamed after Manuel Roxas, the last President of the Commonwealth and the first President of the Third Republic.
The city’s first appointed mayor was Lorenzo Acuña Arnaldo, followed by Ramón Berjamin Blanco, José Dorado, and Juliano Alovera Alba. Arnaldo became the city’s first elected mayor in 1959. He was followed by Teodoro Roxas Arcenas and then Juliano Alovera Alba, who was also the Representative of the First District Capiz when President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law nationwide on September 21, 1972.
From 1998 to 2007, Antonio A. del Rosario, served three terms as mayor. Vicente B. Bermejo, the former governor of the Province of Capiz, was elected mayor from 2007 to 2010. Alan Celino also served 3 terms as mayor.
Roxas City’s current mayor is Ronnie T. Dadivas, who was elected in 2019.
Geography
Roxas City is located on the north-central coast of Panay Island, with coordinates of 11°35′ N, 122°45′ E. It is bordered by the Sibuyan Sea to the north, Panitan to the south, Ivisan to the west, and Panay to the east. The city is 116 kilometers (72 miles) north of Iloilo City, 86 kilometers (53 miles) from Kalibo, 213 kilometers (132 miles) from San Jose de Buenavista, and 250 nautical miles (460 km) southeast of Manila. It takes 2 hours to reach Roxas City by land from Iloilo City and 50 minutes by air, and 18 hours by sea from Manila.
