Long before the Spaniards came
to Negros, this town was short of being a wilderness.
Primitive people wore loincloth or bahag while
hunting and fishing were their primary source of livelihood.
The natives also cultivated small farms where they planted
rootcrops to augment their diet.
In 1822, Cuayan was formally
founded by Don Vicente Paulo, believed to have come from
Cebu. He was enticed into Cauayan by the legendary beauty of
a native girl who subsequently became his wife.
During the Spanish era, a seat
for the municipal government was sought. Guihulngan, Cauayan
and Isio were candidates but Isio prevailed as it was more
populated. It got the honor of being the center of
government although gobernadorcillos were accorded Cauayan
and Guihulngan.
Not much progress happened to
the town at that time since the Spanish rulers were
reluctant to educate their subjects. Even if they built
schools, only a few privileged were admitted to them. There
were no roads and most people were required to render forced
labor.
All these changed when the
Americans came in 1904. The tribunal in Isio was shifted to
Cauayan and this fostered development. The natives were
taught modern ways to raise crops while schoolhouses, roads
and bridges were constructed. Not even the Japanese
occupation could disrupt the development of the town since
|
Municipality
Of Cauayan
