La Castellana, Negros Occidental
Municipality in Negros Occidental, Philippines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
La Castellana, officially the Municipality of La Castellana, is a municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 82,500 people.[5]
La Castellana | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of La Castellana | |
Kanlaon from Brgy. Cabacungan | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Map of Negros Occidental with La Castellana highlighted | |
 Interactive map of La Castellana | |
.svg)  La Castellana Location within the Philippines | |
| Coordinates: 10°21′N 123°04′E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Negros Island Region |
| Province | Negros Occidental |
| District | 5th district |
| Founded | January 1, 1918 |
| Named for | Paseo de la Castellana |
| Barangays | 13 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Añejo G. Nicor (Lakas) |
| • Vice Mayor | Alme Rhummyla G. Nicor-Mangilimutan (UNegA) |
| • Representative | Emilio Bernardino L. Yulo III (Lakas) |
| • Municipal Council | Members |
| • Electorate | 51,604 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 185.22 km2 (71.51 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 77 m (253 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 244 m (801 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[3] | |
• Total | 82,500 |
| • Density | 445/km2 (1,150/sq mi) |
| • Households | 5,398 |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 1st municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 26.69 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 305 million (2024) |
| • Assets | ₱ 495.2 million (2024) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 285.6 million (2024) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 360.8 million (2024) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative (NOCECO) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 6131 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)34 |
| Native languages | Hiligaynon Tagalog Cebuano |
Etymology
The town is named after the Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid, Spain.
History
According to local tradition, the early settlers of the town originated from Marayo (now Pontevedra), and initially referred to their settlement as the village of “Lapak.”[6]
During the Spanish colonial period, the area was renamed La Castellana due to its resemblance in vegetation to Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid. The Spaniards established haciendas and sugar plantations, significantly boosting the local economy and attracting migrants and workers from various regions. As a result, the town developed into an important center of trade and commerce.[6]
Under American rule, La Castellana was formally established as a municipality on January 1, 1918, through Executive Order No. 101 issued by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison.[7]
Geography
La Castellana lies at the base of Kanlaon Volcano, known for its natural springs and water falls. It is 65 kilometres (40 mi) from Bacolod and 22 kilometres (14 mi) from Pontevedra.
Barangays
La Castellana is politically subdivided into 13 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
- Biaknabato
- Cabacungan
- Cabagnaan
- Camandag
- Lalagsan
- Manghanoy
- Mansalanao
- Masulog
- Nato
- Puso
- Robles (Poblacion)
- Sag-ang
- Talaptap
Climate
| Climate data for La Castellana, Negros Occidental | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28 (82) |
29 (84) |
30 (86) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
28 (82) |
29 (85) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20 (68) |
22 (72) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
24 (74) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 100 (3.9) |
75 (3.0) |
90 (3.5) |
101 (4.0) |
183 (7.2) |
242 (9.5) |
215 (8.5) |
198 (7.8) |
205 (8.1) |
238 (9.4) |
194 (7.6) |
138 (5.4) |
1,979 (77.9) |
| Average rainy days | 14.9 | 11.3 | 14.5 | 17.4 | 26.4 | 28.4 | 28.5 | 27.5 | 26.9 | 28.4 | 24.2 | 17.2 | 265.6 |
| Source: Meteoblue[8] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 5,329 | — |
| 1918 | 8,087 | +2.82% |
| 1939 | 16,861 | +3.56% |
| 1948 | 24,654 | +4.31% |
| 1960 | 35,630 | +3.12% |
| 1970 | 34,881 | −0.21% |
| 1975 | 41,821 | +3.71% |
| 1980 | 44,684 | +1.33% |
| 1990 | 54,368 | +1.98% |
| 1995 | 59,620 | +1.74% |
| 2000 | 59,102 | −0.19% |
| 2007 | 70,838 | +2.53% |
| 2010 | 71,013 | +0.09% |
| 2015 | 74,855 | +1.01% |
| 2020 | 79,492 | +1.27% |
| 2024 | 82,500 | +0.90% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[9][10][11][12][13] | ||
Economy
La Castellana is an agricultural town engaged in sugarcane, rice, and banana farming.
Poverty incidence of La Castellana (%)
57.79
36.14
32.40
29.70
29.58
26.11
26.98
26.45
26.69
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
Culture and tourism
La Castellana holds many festivals namely Bailes de Luces, Banana Festival and Senior San Vicente Ferrer Feast Day where devotees far and near attend to for healing. Caduhada Spring Resort is a popular tourist spot located in Sitio Mambangon, Barangay Cabacungan.