Buenavista, officially the Municipality of Buenavista, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Marinduque, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 26,043 people, making it the least populated municipality in the province. Buenavista is 30 km from Boac.

Etymology

The town was named "Buenavista" by Don Cornelio Sadiua, due to its "good view." Its former name was Sabang, which is the river that runs through it. The majority of Buenavistans trace their ancestry to the Don Cornelio Sadiua family.

History

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Buenavista at Patay Ilog before making their way to the capital. Due to its rugged terrain, relative isolation, and fierce pro-American sentiment, Buenavista was the headquarters for the resistance movement. Japanese forces and the Resistance and guerrillas frequently engaged in skirmishes within the town borders. Occupying Japanese forces burned the school and municipal building, after holding captives composed a member from each Buenavista family. Guerrilla forces eventually re-captured the town. The 'Libas Ambush, known locally as Pinag Labanan, was a joint guerrilla-Buenavistan effort in which Filipino guerrillas and Buenavistans ambushed and killed a troop of Japanese soldiers. After which the Japanese commandant issued a proclamation that for 1 Japanese soldier killed by the Filipinos in Buenavista, 10 Filipinos will die within a 5-mile radius. In spite of the Japanese threats the Buenavistans continued their fight against Japanese occupation throughout the war, including rescuing and hiding several the combined Filipino and American military personnel during the war. One such rescue occurred shortly after the fall of Bataan, when the lighthouse keeper found an American seaman hiding among the shoreline rocks. These rescued Filipinos and Americans were clothed, fed and hidden by the Buenavistans, even though they risked execution if the Japanese found out about it. In 1945, the combined U.S. and Allied Philippine Commonwealth military forces landed at Caigangan beach in Buenavista and attacked from the Japanese Imperial forces in the Battle of Marinduque. The Buenavista Campaign was the first major offensive fought during the Battle of Marinduque. It culminated in a bloody firefight between the Japanese and a joint Allied- Filipino guerrilla offensive. The Japanese, who were headquartered in the Municipal building and elementary school, were soundly defeated. Buenavista was chosen as the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the U.S. Army Signal Corps due to their record of anti-Japanese actions during the war. The U.S. Army Signal Corps and the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army were quartered in Pablo Pe's bodega in the town. The longest-serving mayor was Recaredo Sarmiento. His term was interrupted during World War II. The first Chinese-Filipino mayor was Wilfredo Sadiua Pe.

Geography

Barangays

Buenavista is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Buenavista, Marinduque, was 26,043 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Locally crafted products include:

Tourism

Events

Government

List of former local chief executives

Education

Tertiary

Secondary

Primary

• Bagacay Elementary School • Bagtingon Elementary School • Bancoro Public School • Bicas-Bicas Elementary School • Binunga Public School • Buenavista Central School • Caigangan Elementary School • Daat Public School • Daykitin Elementary School • Libas Elementary School • Lipata Elementary School • Malbog Elementary School • Pag-Asa Elementary School • Sihi Elementary School • Timbo Elementary School • Tungib Elementary School • Yook Elementary School • Private schools: • Good Shepherd Diocesan School IFI • Holy Child Jesus Parochial School