History of San Manuel
History of San Manuel
History of San Manuel
San Manuel, formerly Callang, lies in the central western part of the province of
Isabela, bounded on the north by the municipality of Roxas, on the south by the
municipality of Aurora, on the east by the municipality of Burgos, all in the province of
Isabela, and stretched westward to the municipality of Paracelis in Mt. Province and
Potia, now Alfonso Lista, in Ifugao.
How the name of the municipality originated is confusing because there were no
written facts or documentation to that regard. However, there is a general belief and
tendency that the name originated from “Callang”, a native word, which refers to the
hard wood, “molave” by the Kalingas.
In the early twenties, the first waves of pioneers from the provinces in Central
Luzon arrived and made settlement in this area. By that time, Callang was a regular
barrio of the municipality of Gamu. In the year 1948, Roxas, formerly a barrio Vera in
Gamu, Isabela, gained its independence and was created into a regular municipality
where Callang was included as one of the barrios of the newly-created municipality.
Attributing to its rapid progress, the leaders came up with the idea of converting
Callang into a regular town. Proponents of this idea prepared the necessary
documentary requirements and made several representations to Hon. Delfin B. Albano,
Congressman of the lone district of Isabela, for the planned conversion. In response to
the petition of the residents, Congressman Albano passed a bill in the Congress
requesting for the creation of the Municipality of Callang. By that time, the place has an
inhabitant of about 14,650 and an approximate annual income of P65,000.00.
Consequently, House Bill No. 7256 has been passed, separating Callang as an
independent municipality from Roxas, having the barrios of Callang, Eden, Babanuang,
Cabaritan, Sta. Cruz, Malalinta, Mararigue, Calaocan, Sandiat and Caraniogan as its
composite barrios. However, Cong. Albano amended that Sandiat must be stricken out
and the amendment was approved. Hence, the Municipal Government of Callang was
inaugurated and begin to function as a new municipality on October 12, 1957, with the
seat of government designated at barrio Callang.
However, during the term of Mayor Mariano Garcia in 1965, the Municipal
Council requested the Congress, through former Congressman Delfin B. Albano, for a
possible change of the name of the municipality. Thereupon, by virtue of Republic Act
No. 4600, approved on June 19, 1965, the name of the municipality was changed from
Callang to San Manuel, derived from the name of fifth Philippine President of the
Philippine Republic, Manuel A. Roxas.
On June 21, 1969, by virtue of R.A.5869 which was enacted without executive
approval, the barrios of Sandiat and Villanueva, formerly Calaocan, including Nueva
Era, formerly Sitio Bical, were transferred to the Municipality of San Manuel, after a
strong petition of the people of Sandiat and Congressman Melanio T. Singsong in
Congress. This happened during the incumbency of former Mayor Paulino A.
Domingo.
San Manuel is currently represented in the Lower House of the Congress
through the Fifth Congressional District of Isabela. It consists of 19 barangays namely
District No. 1, District No. 2, District No. 3, and District No. 4 in Poblacion, as well as
Agliam, Babanuang, Cabaritan, Caraniogan, Eden, Malalinta, Mararigue, Nueva Era,
Pisang, San Francisco, Sandiat Centro, Sandiat East, Sandiat West, Sta. Cruz, and
Villanueva. Per 2015 NSO Census, the municipality has a total population of 31,896.
San Manuel stretches across a total land area of more or less 123,170,000 square
meters (12,317 hectares or 123.17 square kilometers). The town proper consists of
1,290,000 square meters (129 hectares or 1.29 square kilometers).
With a colorful and meaningful history, San Manuel is the fruit of so many
minds, efforts, and sacrifices. Credit goes to the first pioneers of the municipality who
bravely settled into this locality in the midst of the dreadful disease called malaria
prevailing in the area during those times. Worth mentioning is the humility of the
native Kalingas motivated by their dreams for a better, happy, and prosperous
community. Lastly, to the pioneer leaders: Ignacio Mendoza, the first appointed Mayor,
followed by the first elected Mayor Fermin A. Santiago, and the succession of Mariano
B. Garcia, Agaton Salvador, Paulino A. Domingo, Reynaldo P. Abesamis, Jaime H.
Domingo, and Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy, III, who is now a Congressman of the
Fifth District of Isabela.
Parallel to the commitment and dedication of the Local Chief Executive is the
head of the Legislative Department, Hon. Gloria H. Velasco, who relentlessly extends
support in the efficient implementation of programs and policies in consonant with the
national objective through policy making. Furthermore, being the Presiding Officer of
the Sangguniang Bayan, she directs and facilitates the significant activities of the
Sanggunian’s legislative measures paramount to the smooth operation of the Local
Government Unit and the interest of effective public service.
Final credits go to the untiring efforts of other government servants and the
tireless sacrifices and unequalled cooperation of the citizens in making the home of the
“Cariada Festival” an ever-advancing and self-sustaining “Rice Bowl of Mallig Plains”.