Long before the Spaniards came to Negros, this town was short of being a wilderness. It got its name from bamboo thickets abundant in the area.. Primitive people wore loincloth or “bahag” while hunting and fishing were their primary sources of livelihood. The natives also cultivated small farms where they planted rootcrops to augment their dietary requirement.

In 1822, Cauayan was formally founded by Don Vicente Paulo Decena, 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 then.

The changing of the town’s name into “Moises Padilla” was in honor of its defeated Nacionalista Party candidate for mayor who was tortured to death by the Special Police of then Governor Rafael Lacson shortly after the 1951 elections. The town became a full-fledged Municipality on October 16, 1951.

For more than 50 years, the municipality evolved into a dynamic yet peaceful community of law-abiding people. And with all the colors of its noble history, creates its own unique identity and indubitable stature not only as the place of beautiful and brave people but also as the “Livestock Capital of Negros Occidental”.