Valencia, Negros Oriental

Municipality in Negros Oriental, Philippines

Municipality in Negros Island Region, Philippines

Valencia

Municipality

Municipality of Valencia

Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant in Barangay Puhagan

Flag

Seal

Map of Negros Oriental with Valencia highlighted

OpenStreetMap

Valencia

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 9°17′N 123°15′E﻿ / ﻿9.28°N 123.25°E﻿ / 9.28; 123.25
Country| Philippines
Region| Negros Island Region
Province| Negros Oriental
District|  3rd district
Barangays| 24 (see Barangays)
Government

[1]

• Type| Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor| Edgar Z. Teves, Jr. (NPC)
• Vice Mayor| Juna May T. Teves (NPC)
• Representative| Janice Degamo (Lakas)
• Municipal Council|

Members

* Loe A. Salvoro
* Romeo T. Alviola
* Elsie A. Dagoy
* Oliver G. Igsie
* Jane C. Albina
* Marilie S. Maturan
* Dioscoro T. Benedico
* Edmund F. Dy
* Shaquille T. Teves ‡
* Alyannah Shane V. Anque ◌
* ‡ ex officio ABC president
* ◌ ex officio SK chairman

• Electorate| 27,828 voters (2025)
Area

[2]

• Total

| 147.49 km2 (56.95 sq mi)
Elevation

| 275 m (902 ft)
Highest elevation

| 1,276 m (4,186 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 21 m (69 ft)
Population

(2024 census)[3]

• Total

| 39,986
• Density| 270/km2 (700/sq mi)
• Households

| 9,255
Economy

• Income class| 1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence|

15.59

% (2021)[4]
• Revenue| ₱ 304.6 million (2022)
• Assets| ₱ 1,603 million (2022)
• Expenditure| ₱ 238.2 million (2022)
• Liabilities| ₱ 692.7 million (2022)
Service provider

• Electricity| Negros Oriental 2 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 2)
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code|

6215

PSGC|

074623000

IDD : area code | +63 (0)35
Native languages| Cebuano
Tagalog
Named after| Valencia, Spain

Valencia, officially the Municipality of Valencia, is a municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 38,733 people.[5]

The municipality was voted as "the greenest and cleanest" town of Negros Oriental in 2007.[6]

Our Lady of the Abandoned is the patroness of Valencia, and her feast day is celebrated annually every October 12 with the town fiesta. The fiesta is an official non-working holiday for the town.

## History

[edit]

Valencia was originally named Ermita, which means "a secluded place", due to its being a refuge from marauding Muslim pirates. In 1856, it was renamed Nueva Valencia by Spanish colonizers, in honor of its parish priest Father Matias Villamayor from Valencia, Spain. He also had a fountain brought over from his aforementioned hometown, which currently sits in front of the Town Hall.

In 1920, it was renamed Luzuriaga (often times misspelt as Luzurriaga) in honour of Don Carlos Ruíz de Luzuriaga, a delegate from Negros island to the Philippine Legislature who promised town officials he would work hard to help improve the town. The town reverted to Valencia in 1948, by virtue of Republic Act 252.[7]

During World War II, Malabo was the headquarters of the Free Government and resistance movement in Negros Oriental.[8]: 127–135

In 2007, its Municipal Police Station which is under the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) headed by Senior Superintendent Melvin Ramon Buenafé) was adjudged the “Municipal Police Station of 2007” in the best unit awards category, and the best town police station in the Central Visayas (General order number 110 dated January 22, 2008).[9]

## Geography

[edit]

Valencia occupies an area of 14,749 hectares (36,450 acres), 35% of which are classified as plains. The town is 65% mountainous, with elevation averaging from 200 to 500 metres (660 to 1,640 ft) above sea level, with the top of Mount Talinis at an elevation of 1,903 metres (6,243 ft) along the municipal southern boundary. The climate in the municipality is relatively cool, especially at higher elevations.

Valencia is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of provincial capital Dumaguete and 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from Bacong.

The region is also the most critical watershed area of Negros Oriental, providing abundant drinking water to Valencia and its neighboring municipalities.

### Barangays

[edit]

Valencia is politically subdivided into 24 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC |  Barangay  |  Population  |  ±% p.a.

|
|
|

|  |  2024[10] |  2010[11] |
074623001 |  Apolong  |  4.3% |  1,732 |  1,496 |  ▴ |  1.03%
074623004 |  Balayagmanok  |  3.7% |  1,472 |  1,106 |  ▴ |  2.03%
074623005 |  Balili  |  1.5% |  607 |  487 |  ▴ |  1.56%
074623006 |  Balugo  |  5.6% |  2,222 |  1,649 |  ▴ |  2.11%
074623007 |  Bongbong  |  3.8% |  1,527 |  1,333 |  ▴ |  0.96%
074623008 |  Bong-ao  |  8.1% |  3,228 |  2,226 |  ▴ |  2.64%
074623013 |  Caidiocan  |  4.1% |  1,620 |  1,536 |  ▴ |  0.37%
074623009 |  Calayugan  |  3.4% |  1,362 |  1,114 |  ▴ |  1.42%
074623010 |  Cambucad  |  1.5% |  589 |  529 |  ▴ |  0.76%
074623011 |  Dobdob  |  3.7% |  1,475 |  1,346 |  ▴ |  0.64%
074623002 |  East Balabag  |  9.8% |  3,916 |  2,662 |  ▴ |  2.75%
074623012 |  Jawa  |  6.6% |  2,639 |  1,964 |  ▴ |  2.09%
074623014 |  Liptong  |  3.1% |  1,224 |  1,094 |  ▴ |  0.79%
074623015 |  Lunga  |  2.6% |  1,044 |  885 |  ▴ |  1.17%
074623016 |  Malabo  |  2.0% |  799 |  823 |  ▾  |  −0.21%
074623017 |  Malaunay  |  5.3% |  2,136 |  1,950 |  ▴ |  0.64%
074623018 |  Mampas  |  1.3% |  513 |  413 |  ▴ |  1.53%
074623019 |  Palinpinon  |  8.4% |  3,352 |  2,447 |  ▴ |  2.23%
074623020 |  North Poblacion  |  1.8% |  738 |  752 |  ▾  |  −0.13%
074623022 |  Puhagan  |  5.0% |  1,986 |  1,548 |  ▴ |  1.76%
074623023 |  Pulangbato  |  2.6% |  1,031 |  989 |  ▴ |  0.29%
074623024 |  Sagbang  |  2.2% |  879 |  846 |  ▴ |  0.27%
074623021 |  South Poblacion  |  1.4% |  557 |  602 |  ▾  |  −0.54%
074623003 |  West Balabag  |  5.2% |  2,085 |  1,680 |  ▴ |  1.53%
| Total  | 39,986  | 31,477  |  ▴ | 1.69%

### Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Valencia, Negros Oriental

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)  | 31
(88)  | 30
(86)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)  | 29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 21
(70)  | 21
(70)  | 21
(70)  | 22
(72)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 22
(72)  | 21
(70)  | 22
(72)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 26
(1.0)  | 22
(0.9)  | 28
(1.1)  | 41
(1.6)  | 95
(3.7)  | 136
(5.4)  | 147
(5.8)  | 126
(5.0)  | 132
(5.2)  | 150
(5.9)  | 98
(3.9)  | 46
(1.8)  | 1,047
(41.3)
Average rainy days  | 7.5  | 6.7  | 8.9  | 10.4  | 21.6  | 25.6  | 26.3  | 25.0  | 24.1  | 26.2  | 19.2  | 12.1  | 213.6
Source: Meteoblue (Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)[12]

## Demographics

[edit]

Population census of ValenciaYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1903 | 8,726| —
1918 | 8,825| +0.08%
1939 | 9,979| +0.59%
1948 | 7,059| −3.77%
1960 | 10,048| +2.99%
1970 | 13,318| +2.85%
1975 | 14,656| +1.94%
1980 | 14,645| −0.02%
1990 | 18,102| +2.14%
1995 | 20,147| +2.03%
2000 | 24,365| +4.16%
2007 | 27,933| +1.90%
2010 | 31,477| +4.44%
2015 | 34,852| +1.96%
2020 | 38,733| +2.25%
2024 | 39,986| +0.77%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][11][15][16]

### Languages

[edit]

Cebuano is the common vernacular in Valencia. Tagalog and English are also widely spoken.

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Valencia

2000
33.66

2003
32.43

2006
36.00

2009
27.25

2012
20.54

2015
25.24

2018
13.00

2021
15.59

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Valencia Industrial Park Lanzones fruits grown in Valencia are exported to other towns.

The economy of Valencia is largely based on agriculture. Major products include abaca, copra, corn, flowers, vegetables, root crops, and exotic fruits such as lanzones and rambutan.

The municipality is also the site of a geothermal power station operated by the Energy Development Corporation. It generates electricity that supplies the needs of Negros, Panay, and parts of Cebu. The municipal government receives royalties from the power station.

Valencia, specifically, has a 20-megawatt Palinpinon 2 Geothermal Optimization Project in Sitio Nasuji, Barangay Puhagan, 35 kilometers from Dumaguete. The ₱1.74-billion geothermal optimization (expansion) project, funded the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) is part of EDC's 192-MW Southern Negros Geothermal Production Field that supplies the power needs of 8 provinces in Negros, Panay, Guimaras and Cebu Islands. Valencia's 192-MW Palinpinon I and II geothermal field ranks 4th in installed capacity nationwide. The Palinpinon field contributed $457.8 million in 2004 foreign exchange savings for 2004, and also generated $267 million savings from January to July, 2008.

Because Palinpinon is such a big source of geothermal energy, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said it received P 250 million in royalties, applied for livelihood, education, related projects, and also for the 50% subsidy on Valencia electric bills consumers.[25] Many residents also work in the nearby city of Dumaguete.

## Tourism

[edit]

Casaroro Falls

The Filipino-Japanese Amity Memorial Shrine is located in Valencia. It stands at the foot of Mount Talinis and marks the spot where the combined Filipino and American troops including the Negrosanon guerrilla units fought the Japanese Imperial Army toward the end of World War II.

Eco-tourism sites include:

The Forest Camp Resort

* Tejero Highland Resort and Adventure Park - is the newest attraction in Central Philippines to offer the best value-for-your-money relaxation and recreation facility. It features a speed dual zipline, ATVs, segway, Aquazorb, slide, natural pools, restaurant and hotel. Located only 3 kilometers from town proper of Valencia, Tejero is the nearest natural attraction from Dumaguete, and considered the most popular of tourist destinations.
* Casaroro Waterfalls - as the province's most photographed body of water, it is relatively enclosed by lush greenery and natural rock formations. The falls' cool water gushes down to a swimming hole.
* The Forest Camp Resort - was first opened in 1990, as a 6,000 square meter property, today its 2.2 hectares of land is a vast camping ground, with 2 large nipa hut houses, 4 cottages, a tree house, a 250-people capacity conference/reception hall, a backpacker's den and a dormitory that can hold up to 20 students.
* The Spanish Fountain - a relic of the town's colorful historical past at the heart of the municipal plaza, has a unique sunken design, and was once the town's major source of water supply (invented by an Augustinian Recollect Friars to channel water from an upland spring).
* Cata-al War Memorabilia - a private collection by an 84-year-old World War II survivor Porforio Cata-al, at his residence cum museum. It includes bombs, grenades, Japanese and American bills, coins, medals, charred pieces of an authentic military uniform, and a Japanese soldier mummy
* Filipino-American-Japanese Amity Shrine - on a hilltop of Sagbang, this is a 3-sided pillar representing the 3 countries (Philippines, America and Japan), unveiled in 1977.
* Banica Swimming Lagoon - known as Tejeros resort, it has 2 man made pools fed by Banica River.
* Malabo/Pulangbato Falls - is a swimming and diving hole with many reddish rocks.
* Red Rock Hot Spring - dipping pool
* Mount Talinis \- a 1,903-meter peak in the Cuernos de Negros which has a number of volcanic lakes and extensive biodiversity.
* Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park \- a protected area near Mount Talinis surrounding two crater lakes.

## Education

[edit]

The public schools in the town of Valencia are administered by one school district under the Schools Division of Negros Oriental.

Elementary schools:

* Badiang Elementary School — Sitio Badiang, Pulangbato
* Balabag Elementary School — East Balabag
* Balili Primary School — Balili
* Balugo Elementary School — Balugo
* Bong-ao Elementary School — Bong-ao
* Bongbong Elementary School — Bongbong
* Caidiocan Elementary School — Caidiocan
* Calinawan Elementary School — Sitio Calinawan, Dobdob
* Dobdob Elementary School — Dobdob
* Dungga Primary School — Sitio Dungga, Malaunay
* Inas Elementary School — Sitio Inas, Dobdob
* Liptong Elementary School — Liptong
* Malabo Elementary School — Malabo
* Malaunay Elementary School — Malaunay
* Nasuji Elementary School — Sitio Nasuji, Puhagan
* Palinpinon Elementary School — Palinpinon
* Puhagan Elementary School — Puhagan
* Pulangbato Elementary School — Pulangbato
* Sagbang Elementary School — Sagbang
* Valencia Central Elementary School — Luna Street, North Poblacion
* Vicente I. Villa Memorial School — Apolong

High schools:

* Balugo National High School — Balugo
* Pulangbato National High School — Pulangbato
* Pulangbato National Senior High School — Palinpinon
* Valencia National High School — Bong-ao
* Valencia NHS - Dobdob Extension — Dobdob

Private schools:

* Colegio de San Pedro-Recoletos (formerly San Pedro Academy) — Rizal Street, South Poblacion
* Dumaguete Kalikasan Educational Center, Inc. — Bong-ao
* San Pedro Academy-Recoletos — Caidiocan
* ABC Learning Center - Valencia Branch
* Marymount Westridge School

## Government

[edit]

### List of chief executives

[edit]

* Mariano Imbo (Captain)
* Gerardo Imbo (1916 - 1919)
* Eustaquio Vincoy (1919 - 1927)
* Guillermo Albina (1928 - 1931)
* Quiterio Mariño (1931 - 1939)
* Jose Villamil (1940 - 1946)
* Rodolfo Gonzalez, Senior (1946 - 1967)
* Elpidio Unto (1968 - 1971)
* Rodolfo Gonzalez, Senior (1972 - 1980)
* Saludario Sonjaco (1981 - 1986)
* Victor Naces (1986 - 1987)
* Jose Villamil (Officer in Charge) (1987 - 1988)
* Edgar Teves (1988 - 1998)
* Humberto Sy (1998 - 2001)
* Rodolfo Gonzalez, Junior (2001 – 2010)
* Enrique Gonzalez (2010 - 2013)
* Edgar Teves (2013–2022)
* Edgar Teves, Jr. (2022–present)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Municipality of Valencia |  (DILG)
2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
6. ^ elgu.ncc.gov.ph, The Greenest and Cleanest Town of Negros Oriental
7. ^ "An act to change the name of the municipality of Luzurriaga, province of Negros Oriental, to that of "Valencia"". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
8. ^ Mills, S.A., 2009, Stranded in the Philippines, Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, ISBN 9781591144977
9. ^ globalnation.inquirer.net, Valencia police station in NegOr adjudged best
10. ^ Census of Population (2020). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
11. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
12. ^ "Valencia: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
13. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
14. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
15. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
16. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
17. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
18. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
19. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
20. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
21. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
22. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
23. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
24. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
25. ^ pia.gov.ph, PGMA invites industries to invest in Negros Oriental and enjoy 50% power subsidy

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Valencia, Negros Oriental.

* The travel guide Wikivoyage includes Valencia in its Dumaguete article.
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
* Philippine Census Information
* Local Governance Performance Management System Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine

Places adjacent to Valencia, Negros Oriental

|  | Sibulan |

|
|

|  |
Santa Catalina |

Valencia

| Dumaguete
Bacong
|  |
| Dauin |

* v
* t
* e

Province of Negros Oriental

Dumaguete (capital and largest city)

Municipalities|

* Amlan
* Ayungon
* Bacong
* Basay
* Bindoy
* Dauin
* Jimalalud
* La Libertad
* Mabinay
* Manjuyod
* Pamplona
* San Jose
* Santa Catalina
* Siaton
* Sibulan
* Tayasan
* Valencia
* Vallehermoso
* Zamboanguita

Component cities|

* Bais
* Bayawan
* Canlaon
* Dumaguete
* Guihulngan
* Tanjay

* v
* t
* e

Negros Island Region (NIR)

Regional center
(interim/de facto)|

* Bacolod and Dumaguete

Provinces|

* Negros Occidental
* Negros Oriental
* Siquijor

Metropolitan Area|

* Metro Bacolod

Highly urbanized city|

* Bacolod

Component cities|

* Bago
* Bais
* Bayawan
* Cadiz
* Canlaon
* Dumaguete
* Escalante
* Guihulngan
* Himamaylan
* Kabankalan
* La Carlota
* Sagay
* San Carlos
* Silay
* Sipalay
* Talisay
* Tanjay
* Victorias

Provincial capitals|

* Bacolod
* Dumaguete
* Siquijor

Municipalities|

* Amlan
* Ayungon
* Bacong
* Basay
* Binalbagan
* Bindoy
* Calatrava
* Candoni
* Cauayan
* Dauin
* Don Salvador Benedicto
* Enrique B. Magalona
* Enrique Villanueva
* Hinigaran
* Hinoba-an
* Ilog
* Isabela
* Jimalalud
* La Castellana
* La Libertad
* Larena
* Lazi
* Mabinay
* Manapla
* Manjuyod
* Maria
* Moises Padilla
* Murcia
* Pamplona
* Pontevedra
* Pulupandan
* San Enrique
* San Jose
* San Juan
* Santa Catalina
* Siaton
* Sibulan
* Siquijor
* Tayasan
* Toboso
* Valencia
* Valladolid
* Vallehermoso
* Zamboanguita

Visayas, Republic of the Philippines
*[PSGC]: Philippine Standard Geographic Code
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate. Executive Order 135 §6 states that for "census years" (years divisible by 10) the reference date would be May 1st, but for all other years, the reference date is to be the "middle of the year". This means that growth rates, although correct, are not necessarily simple year-on-year comparisons.
*[Pop.]: Population
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template