MUNICIPALITY OF MAASIN

Maasin got its name from a salt spring in barangay Magsaysay more or less two kilometers from the Poblacion. As revealed by our forefathers, the early settlers used to go spring for needed supply of salt.  

In 1775, Maasin has acquired a status of a town with appointment of Don Agustin Garcia as its first Captain. When the Americans came in, the town was made the arrabal of Cabatuan on April 4,1903, as it was observed, it could not stand by itself financially. However, the town leaders entitle for the purpose of separation of Maasin, Don Vicente Malaga represented the municipal District to the council in Cabatuan. Maasin regained its old status as an independent municipality when the late governor Francis Burton Harrison eventually appointed Don Vicente Malaga as the first Municipal President in 1916.  

Maasinanon are generally peaceful and possess a healthy sense of humors. But happy days were disrupted when HUKBALAHAP MOVEMENT concerned on their strong hold in then mountain areas from 1947-1952. Economic conditions were greatly affected during these turbulent periods.  

Since it was founded 216 years ago, Maasin has grown from scattered villages to a spreading terminal town. It is a fifth class municipality with rugged topography. Despite of this condition, the keystone of agriculture. The people raise bamboos, sugar cane, rice, corn, and coconut of land ownership. Aside from agriculture, the residents derived much income from sawali industry and other handicrafts made of bamboos.  

Presently, about 90% of the total population are Roman Catholics, this spiritual supervisory expediency, the town was divided into two parishes. the Saint James the greater is situated in Poblacion while the Parish of St. Martin de Porres is centered in barangay Layog.  

A memorable mark of a new milestone of progress was the inauguration of the electric power last May 15,1977 to which many families enjoy the comfort of modern appliances.

The Municipal of Maasin is located at the West central part of Iloilo Province, bounding the northern part by the Municipality of Janiuay, on the east by the Municipality of Cabatuan, on the by the Municipal of Alimodian and on the nonwestern by the mountain ranges of the province of Antique. The distance is 30 kms. from Iloilo City. It has a total land area of 17,110 hectares including the 6,150 hectares of watershed area. According to 1991 projected population of PAPCOM.

Maasin is composed of 51 barangays and 4 are in Poblacion.

Land Area - 17,110 hectares of rugged terrain.

Land Use

By nature, rocks formation is present in mountainous areas of the Municipality of Maasin which cover almost 30% of the total Land area.

Topography

Maasin has terrain ranging from the plain to strongly hilly and mountainous. Mountainous areas cover approximately 8,212.8 hectares. or 48% of the total municipal areas located at northwestern portion of the town. All of the urban barangays are located in the lowlands.

Soil Types

Type of Soil found in Maasin is clay-loam, which is suited to agricultural crops. Since only four types of soil was found in the municipality; suitably to crop production is not the ultimate problem after having considered the slopes and weather conditions.

Population - 33,123 household (as of 1995)

Major Industry - Bamboo Crafts Industry

Agriculture

• Backyard Hod Raising
• Cattle Fattening
• Backyard Poultry Raising
• Backyard Vegetable Gardening

Attractions
• Grotto of Lourdes and The Paet Salty spring Maasin gots its name from this extra-ordinary spring located at Barangay Magsaysay. 
• St. James the Greater Church - The interior of the church reflects the creativity of skilled Maasinanon in Bamboo Craft. 
• Sacred Heart Shrine and Gines Hill - This is a one hundred six steps to the statue of the Sacred Heart overlooking the panoramic view of Municipality of Maasin. 
• The Municipal Stage - It reflects the Maasinanon ingenuisity in architectural designing. Built in concrete structure catches the attention of visitors in its unique architectural design. 
• Dam site - Barangay Daja, built sometime in the late 1030's. This Dam catcher H2O in its 6,150 hectares resume area that supply water to Iloilo City by the Municipality of Cabatuan, Pavia, Sta. Barbara and Maasin. 
• Municipal Park - This situated by town earth healers rendering services in seven days a week. 
• Military Parks - A significant efforts of all barangay officials and military staff of the seventh IB to have a home for our peacemaker. 
• Greening Project - If trees could and build promises, then we are assure of a new paradise. 
• Hanging Bridge - Brgy. Buntatala. This is the only resource in crossing the Tigum river.

Roads - 109 kms. Barangay Roads 

Bridges - one concrete and two wood- length of the three bridges, forty six meters with a width of five meter for concrete and an average of five meters also for woods bridges. 

Schools 

• 1 Private High School 
• 5 Barangay High School 
• 15 complete Elementary Schools  
• 10 complete Primary Schools 
• 6 Incomplete Primary Schools

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