Pontevedra, officially the Municipality of Pontevedra, is a municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 54,941 people.
The town celebrates the annual Handurayo Festival every May.
Former actress Rio Diaz served as vice mayor of the town from 1998 to 2004.
Contents
History
On October 22, 1962, 22 striking workers in the La Carlota milling districts' 11 haciendas were convicted by the Ponteverda peace court of resistance and disobedience to agents of authority, and placed in a small cell that was made for two to three people. Upon receiving reports about their squalid conditions, President Diosdado Macapagal granted them all executive clemency on November 9, 1962.
Geography
Also known as Marayo, the town center or poblacion of Pontevedra is anchored by the St. Michael the Archangel Parish, with the Saint Michael Academy located adjacent to it. To the east lies the Public Market, extending to Barangay Antipolo, known for housing prominent haciendero families and political clans. The western side of the town offers scenic views of Panay Gulf and the nearby islands of Guimaras and Panay.
At the northern end is Barangay San Juan, named after Saint John the Baptist and known for the locally grown turnips. The southern boundary is Barangay Miranda, which borders Hinigaran, where fishing is the primary livelihood of the residents.
Pontevedra is 40 kilometres (25 mi) from Bacolod and 175 kilometres (109 mi) from Dumaguete.
Barangays
Pontevedra is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Economy
Poverty incidence of Pontevedra
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority