First District of the Province of Iloilo: The first congressional district is one of the five congressional districts of the province of Iloilo in the Philippines. It is composed of the following municipalities: Guimbal, Igbaras, Miagao, Oton, San Joaquin, Tigbauan, and Tubungan. The district has been represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines since 1916 and earlier in the Philippine Assembly from 1907 to 1916.
First Congressional District of Iloilo
- Municipality of Guimbal
- Municipality of Igbaras
- Municipality of Miagao
- Municipality of Oton
- Municipality of San Joaquin
- Municipality of Tigbauan
- Municipality of Tubungan
Municipality of Guimbal
Guimbal is a 4th class municipality in the province of Iloilo. As of 2020, it has a total population of 35,022. Having nine kilometers (5.6 miles) of shoreline facing the Panay Gulf, the town has attracted tourists for its scenic beaches and inland resorts. The coastal community is located in the southwestern part of the province. It is 29 kilometers (18 miles) from Iloilo City and has a total land area of 4,461 hectares. Politically, it is subdivided into 33 barangays, 11 within the Poblacion (town center) and 22 outside.
Festivals and event highlights in the town include Bantayan Festival, Disyembre sa Guimbal Celebration, Annual Town Fiesta (September 20), and Holy Week Celebration (Bari-Bari). Tourism attractions include the Guimbal Church, Moro Watchtowers, Guimbal Steel Bridge, Public Plaza, New Municipal Building, Taytay Tigre, and the Ayaw Ayaw Monument.
Municipality of Igbaras
Igbaras is a third class municipality in the province of Iloilo. As of 2020, it has a total population of 32,197. Nestled on the southwestern part of the province, it is 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Iloilo City. Politically, it is subdivided into 46 barangays.
Event highlight in the town is its Annual Town Festival (May 22). Tourism attractions include Mount Napulak, Bahi-Bahi, Lagsakan Falls, Timapok Falls, Guiritsan Falls, Sampanan Falls, Bat Cave, Igcabugao Cave, and Bais Cave. Moreover, a species of Rafflesia is also found in this town.
Municipality of Miagao
Miagao is a first-class municipality in the province of Iloilo. As of 2020, it has a total population of 68,115. Miagao is dubbed the ‘Onion Capital of the Visayas’. Its town center is nestled on the western bank of the Tumagbok River, the largest river in the municipality. Politically, it is subdivided into 119 barangays, the most barangays in any other municipality in the Philippines – 22 of which are coastal barangays and 97 are landlocked.
Event highlight in the town is its Annual Town Festival (September 22) which lasts several days. Tourism attractions include the Miagao Church (one of the Baroque Churches in the Philippines and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Miagao was also inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage City and became a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities).
Municipality of Oton
Oton is a first-class municipality in the province of Iloilo. As of 2020, it has a total population of 98,509. It is also a part of the Metro Iloilo – Guimaras area centered on Iloilo City. Eleven kilometers (6.8 miles) west of Iloilo City, Oton is bordered by the municipality of Tigbauan to the west, San Miguel to the north, Pavia to the northeast, Panay Gulf to the south, and the district of Arevalo, and Iloilo City to the east. Politically, it is subdivided into 37 barangays.
The town’s economy is fueled by a growing number of properties – Gaisano Oton, Puregold Oton, and Vista Mall are located in this town. Other tourist attractions include Anhawan Beach Resort and Spa, Adhara Eco Boutique Resort, and Sheridan Boutique Resort to mention a few.
Municipality of San Joaquin
San Joaquin is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Iloilo. As of 2020, it has a total population of 52,617. Nestled on the southern tip of the province, it is 53 kilometers (33 miles) from Iloilo City and 44 kilometers (27 miles) from San Jose de Buenavista of the Province of Antique. One of the rivers that traverse the town is the Siwaragan River with Barangay Siwaragan and Bucaya situated in its mouth. Politically, the town is subdivided into 85 barangays.
Event highlight in the town is its Bayluhay Festival, celebrated every third week of January. Tourism attractions include the San Joaquin Church, Garin Farm, Talisayan Beach Resort, Cata-an Cove, and Tobog Beach Resort.
- Read: Guide to San Joaquin
Municipality of Tigbauan
Tigbauan is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Iloilo. As of 2020, it has a total population of 65,245. The town ranks as one of the leading municipalities in terms of fish production. Politically, it is subdivided into 52 barangays.
Event highlights include the Saludan Festival, and Adlaw sang Tigbauan (the third Friday of October). Tourism attractions include the Bearland Paradise Resort, Sol Y Mar Beach Resort, Shamrock Beach Resort, to mention a few. It is also home to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC)
Municipality of Tubungan
Tubungan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Iloilo. As of 2020, it has a total population of 23,021. The town is 41 kilometers (25 miles) from Iloilo City and has a total land area of 8,518 hectares (21,050 acres). Its topography is dominated by gently rolling hills and idyllic mountains. Politically, it is subdivided into 48 barangays.
Event highlight in the town is its Tubong Tubong Festival (April 26 to May 01). Tourism attractions include Barangay Ituble (Tubig Sumpit, Bato Sumpit, Bato Tariwis, Labay Cave), Cruz sa Balabago, Tindug Bato, Bato Simbahan, Pinihakan Daraga, and Binugsukan Falls.
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- Bayanihan in Iloilo’s First Congressional District
- Iloilo First District Launches ‘Southern Iloilo Health Zone’
- First District of the Province of Iloilo
- Second District of the Province of Iloilo
- Third District of the Province of Iloilo
