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NEGROS
ORIENTAL
Eastern Negros
Sidlakang Negros
Native Name: Buglas
HISTORY
March 10, 1971
● The province was founded with the city provincial capital, Dumaguete City.
Spanish explorers on the expedition of Miguel Lopezde Legazpi first came to the island
in April 1565. Legazpi dropped anchor in Bohol and sent hismen to scout the island. Because of
the strong currents of the Tañon Strait between Cebu and Negros, they were carried for several
days and forced to land on the western side of the island. They reported seeing many dark -
skinned inhabitants,and they called the island "Negros" ("Negro" means "black" in Spanish).
The island was sparsely settled at the time, except for a few coastal settlements including Ilog and
Binalbagan. In 1571, Legaspi assigned encomiendas on the island to 13 of his men. Augustinian
friars began the Christianization of the island the next year. The island was administered as part
of the jurisdiction of Oton until 1734 when it became a military district, and Ilog became the
capital of the island. The capital was transferred to Himamaylan in 1795. Negros became a
politico-military province in 1856 and the capital was transferred to Bacolod.
Due to its proximity to Mindanao, the south eastern coast of Negros was in constant
threat from Moro marauders looking for slaves, and watchtowers were built to protect the
Christian villages.The Moro raids and Negros Oriental's distance from the Negros capital in
Bacolod induced 13 Recollectionist priests to petition forthe division of the island in July 1876.
The island of Negros was then divided into the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros
Occidental by a royal decree executed by Governor General Valeriano Weyler on January 1,
1890. Dumaguete City was made the first capital of Negros Oriental. In 1892, Siquijor became a
part of Negros Oriental, having previously been administered by Spain under the politico -
military province of Bohol.
LOCATION
ABSOLUTE LOCATION
09° 45´ N 123° 00´ E
RELATIVE LOCATION
N & W Negros Occidental province
S Sulu Sea
E Tañon Strait and Cebu
SE Negros Island
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GEOGRAPHY AND TOPOGRAPHY
TOTAL LAND AREA
540,230 hectares (5,402.3 km²)
3rd
largest island in the Philippines
DIVISIONS
Component Cities 6
Municipalities 20
Barangays 557
Districts 3
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
● A chain of rugged mountains separates Negros Oriental from Negros Occidental
● Characterized by low, grooved mountain ranges which mostly lie close to the
shoreline
● Province’s terrain consists of rolling hills, few plateaus and mountain ranges
● Mostly made up of plains and valleys
● Highest peak with 2,450 m above sea level (Mt. Canlaon in the north)
● Highest mountain with an elevation of 1,903 m (Cuernos de los Negros in the
south)
ATTRACTIONS
Dumaguete Bell Tower
Silliman University
Twin Lakes Balinsasayao and Dano
Palimpinon Hot Springs
Camp Look Out
FESTIVAL
Buglasan Festival – Dumaguete, October (week-long celebration)
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DEMOGRAPHY
POPULATION
1,286,666 (as of 2010 by NSO)
LANGUAGE
Cebuano 94%
Hiligaynon 5%
Others 1%
*Filipino and English are used for official, literary and educational purposes
RELIGION
● Christianity is the predominant religion in the province with Roman Catholicism
as the biggest single denomination. Other denominations include mainline and
evangelical Protestant groups, the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Seventh-day Adventists,
Jehovah's Witnesses and the Aglipayan Church, also known as the Philippine
Independent Church.
● Minority of the population adherents of Islam and Buddhism.
PRODUCTS AND LIVELIHOOD
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY
Principal Products: Sugarcane
Corn
Coconut
Rice
Source of Livelihood: Fishing
*Metallic minerals found in the province include gold, silver and copper.
CLIMATE
Tropical
2 climatic conditions – eastern part of the province is characterized by unpronounced
maximum rainfall with short dry season lasting for 1 to 3 months, and the western half of
the province is characterized by distinct wet and dry season.
