|
Padada is a word which refers to a tree that
belongs to the mangrove family which were abundant along its
entire quite shorelines and estuaries during the primeval time,
but due to encroachment and indiscriminate fish farming, Padada
tree become extinct. Guihing was once the original sitio of Padada
and its formation was brought about by Mr. Walstrom, an American
expatriate who owns a vast coconut plantation in the area called
the Mindanao Estate Co., together with the effort of Don Bartolome
Hernandez Sr., a coconut planter and a pioneer of the area too.
Padada as a town was organized on July 15,
1949, after its creation into such by virtue of Executive Order #
236 of the late Elpidio Quirino, then president of the Republic of
the Philippines. The territorial jurisdiction of Padada originally
embraced the present town of Sta. Maria, Malalag and Sulop in the
south, Kiblawan in the west, Hagonoy in the north, and part of
Matanao in the northwest with the seat of government in the barrio
of Limonso which is now the Padada Poblacion. Thus, the old one
street barrio of Limonso is the harbinger of the popular town of
Padada. For it came to pass that in 1946 after the proclamation of
the Philippine Republic, hordes of home seekers mostly Filipino
veterans of the second world war headed by the late Major Froilan
Mascardo Matas, settled the area called Padada Valley occupying
several repossessed Japanese Plantation in the vicinity. With the
influx of numerous migrants of all walks of life, Limonso as the
center of trade, bustled into a teeming commercial community,
attracting businessmen from neighboring towns and provinces. With
cock-fighting and various games and amusements held and conducted
regularly and patronized by countless aficionados, Limonso rose
into a stature highly qualified to become a separate municipality.
As early as January 1949, the various documents and blue print for
the creation of Padada Town were prepared meticously and readied
for submittal to the ruling Liberal Party of the late Pres.
Quirino for consideration and adoption, finally securing its
approval thru Executive Order No. 236, dated July 1, 1949.
Mr. Antonio Go Pace was the first mayor by
appointment who was erstwhile a councilor of Sta. Cruz. The
creation of Limonso now Padada into a municipality and the
subdivision of the poblacion into commercial and residential
districts was attributed to him. Gregorio Matas was the first
elected mayor and the municipal building was possible thru his
effort. Atty. Isidro M. Ordaneza succeeded the former and holds
the longest tenure of office—16 years. Padada ABC gymnasium was
built during his term. Mr. Benjamin Saragena took office after the
latter’s tenure ended and was succeeded by Atty. Carmelo de los
Cientos III during the People Power revolution. Mr. Benjamin
Saragena was reelected during the May 1998 elections until year 2001.
. .
. to be be updated.
|
MUNICIPALITY OF PADADA
