Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur

Mahayag
—  Municipality  —
Town hall
Map of Zamboanga del Sur showing the location of Mahayag
Mahayag Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 8°08′N 123°23′E / 8.133°N 123.383°E / 8.133; 123.383Coordinates: 8°08′N 123°23′E / 8.133°N 123.383°E / 8.133; 123.383
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Mindanao (Region IX)
Province	Zamboanga del Sur
District	1st District of Zamboanga del Sur
Founded	March 9, 1960
Barangays	29
Government
– Mayor	Lorna Saycon Espina
Area
– Total	194.90 km2 (75.3 sq mi)
Population (2007)
– Total	44,087
– Density	226.2/km2 (585.9/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	7026
Income class	3rd class town; Partially Urban

Mahayag is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 42,462 people in 8,026 households.

History

The town's name is derived from the Cebuano term "mahayag" (ma=to become + hayag=bright) which means to become bright or sunny. When the Visayan migrants first trickled into the area after WW-II, the place was heavily forested, which, to some looks dark and forbidding. Local historical sources had it that when a large "Dao" tree which stands in the townsite was felt, the place becomes bright, hence the expression "mahayag".

Mahayag used to be sitio of barangay Molave of the municipality of Aurora. Early settlers of the area had endeavored for the creation of another municipality to fast-track development which is possible only by having a distinct political subdivision from the municipality of Molave. The town site for the new municipality was donated by Messrs Zacarias dela Torre and Pedro Alquizar.

The municipality of Mahayag was officially created on March 9, 1960, pursuant to Executive Order No. 393 by former President Carlos P. Garcia , with Saturnino Mendoza as its first appointed and subsequently elected Municipal Mayor. Hon. Lorna Saycon Espina, the incumbent Municipal mayor, is the 9th Municipal Mayor of the Municipality of Mahayag. Past mayors include Hon. Paulino P. Fanilag, Hon. Carlito A. Lumacang as OIC-Mayor following the EDSA I Revolution, and Hon. Perpetuo C. Apale, the appointed Officer-in-Charge in the Office of the Municipal Mayor during the first election after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.

Barangays

Mahayag is politically subdivided into 29 barangays.

Bag-ong Balamban Bag-ong Dalaguete Boniao Delusom Diwan Guripan Kaangayan Kabuhi Lourmah (Lower Mahayag) Lower Salug Daku Lower Santo Niño Malubo Manguiles Marabanan (Balanan) Panagaan

Paraiso Pedagan Poblacion (Upper Mahayag) Pugwan San Isidro San Jose San Vicente Santa Cruz Sicpao Tuboran Tulan Tumapic Upper Salug Daku Upper Santo Niño

Education

In addition to the daycare centers in each barangay, at least one (1) public elementary school exists in each of the 29 barangays in the municipality.

There are four (4) public high schools and one private highschool run by the Catholic Church in the municipality.

Although permitted to operate and offer Collegiate courses since the later part of the 1990s, no tertiary courses had been offered by the Santa Maria Goretti College except during the time when it served as an extension campus of the Saint Columban College (Pagadian).

College students who cannot afford to obtain their education from far places like Ozamiz or Pagadian, may still attend college at the Pagadian Institute of Technology (PIT) campus in Mahayag, and Josefina H. Cerilles State College.

Municipal officials

2010-2013 Municipal officials

• Mayor: Lorna S. Espina
• Vice Mayor: Paulino P. Fanilag Sr.

Councilors

1. Kristoffer Dan Lambatan
2. Teotimo Aclon
3. Jeffrey Artiaga
4. Rodulfo Caylan
5. Judandre Apale
6. Felipe Capadngan
7. Felpa Naval
8. Raquel Frasco

Tourist destinations

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Mahayag is also rich in naturals resources reserve. Tuburan, a remote barangay on the eastern part of the town, is famous for its cold and freezing natural springs. Three private resorts and swimming pools were put up to cater adventurous spirits.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Mahayag Online Forums