San Agustín, officially the Municipality of San Agustín, (formerly Guintigui-an and Badajoz), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 24,115 people.

Etymology

On 20 June 1957, by virtue of Republic Act No. 1660, Badajoz Town was changed to San Agustin, after the town's patron saint.

History

San Agustín was known during Spanish times as Guintigui-an because of the abundance of a fish called "tigue" in the area. Negrito and Mangyan tribes from Panay and Mindoro were the first inhabitants, as well as migrants from island of Romblon, and southern Tablas. In the early part of Spanish conquest, the first settlement was at barangay Cabolutan. The early settlers found it very tiring at times to cross the channel to Romblon town to attend to civil and religious duties. To solve this problem, Cabolutan leaders discussed the matter such as building a visita in their settlement of around 250 souls. Finally in 1635, the first church building made of coral stone and lime was started. In 1700, Spanish authorities decided to separate Cabolutan in Tablas Island from Romblon, with its seat at visita Cabolutan subjugating all settlements west of Tablas Island. The new pueblo or town of Cabolutan progressed slowly and grew more populous despite frequent Moro kidnapping raids. However, in 1790, a smallpox epidemic almost wiped out the town's entire population. The heavy casualty toll caused the pueblo's abolition which led to re- incorporation to Romblon until 1855, when another pueblo named Guintigui-an was founded some 4 kilometers south of the old town site. The town was founded by Don Laureano Montesa together with his brother Don Esteban and cousin Don Luis Montesa, who became Tiniente Absoluto in Romblon. Its jurisdiction included what is now the towns of Calatrava and Santa Maria. The construction of the Cotta (fort) at Payong-Payong hill (located in present-day barangay Cagbo-aya), started in 1873. Cotta protected the community from Muslim pirates and still stands today. In 1868, the town was renamed "Badajoz" by Andres Lebarde, a visiting Spanish soldier, after his native city of Badajoz, Spain.

Geography

San Agustin is in the north-eastern part of Tablas Island with a total land area of 14048 ha. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Calatrava, on the south by the municipality of Santa Maria, on the east by Romblon Pass facing the Romblon capital town and on the west by the municipality of San Andres. Its municipal port serves as the eastern gateway to the main island of Tablas, as well as to the neighboring islands of the province. A mountain range shields the town from southeasterly monsoon but is completely exposed to north-easterly typhoons. San Agustin has the second highest mountain in the province, the volcano-shaped Mount Payaopao at 2,182 feet (665 m) high, overlooking Carmen Bay.

Barangays

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

Demographics

According to the 2015 census, San Agustin has a population of 22,598 people. Romblomanon or Ini is the native language of the municipality's inhabitants. Tagalog is widely understood, and English stands as the medium of communication in business and trade.

Climate

Government

Local government

As a municipality in the Province of Romblon, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government. Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, the municipal government is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice mayor (bise alkalde) and members (kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms. Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

Elected officials

The incumbent mayor and vice mayor of San Agustin for the term 2019–2022 are Denon Madrona and Zaldy G. Marin, respectively.

Economy

The municipality has various establishments including general merchandise stores, construction and welding shops, furniture outlets, funeral homes, rice mill, bake shops, bank, pawn shops, catering services, hostels, cable TV station, and Internet shops. Farming and fishing provide the main source of livelihood for the residents in San Agustin. The farmers primary products are rice, coconut, banana, copra, abaca. Fishermen harvest the bounty of the surrounding seas. Aside from fishing, an alternative source of livelihood are swine and poultry raising, cottage industries such as raffia production (bags, baskets, mats, hats, etc.) rattan and nitto basket and plate weaving, broom production such as soft broom made of tiger grass, locally known as walis tambo, and coconut broom or broomstick made of coconut palm fronds (leaves), locally known as walis tingting.

Transportation

Communications

Healthcare

San Agustin has its own hospital, the Tablas Island District Hospital, a government hospital, and four barangay health stations.

Education

San Agustin has the following 15 public Elementary Schools: • San Agustin Central School (Dubduban) • Dayongdong Primary School (Dayongdong, Sugod) • Cawayan Elementary School (Cawayan) • Long Beach Elementary School (Mahabangbaybay) • Sugod Elementary School (Sugod) • Carmen Elementary School (Carmen) • Cabolutan Elementary School (Cabolutan) • Luis M. Abello Sr. Primary School (Cagbo-aya) • Doña Juana Elementary School (Doña Juana) • Alfredo P. Navarette (Lubi) Elementary School (Binongaan) • Severina M. Solidum Memorial Elementary School (Lusong) • Hinugusan Elementary School (Hinugusan) • Buli Elementary School (Buli) • Camantaya Primary School (Camantaya) • Bachawan Elementary School (Bachawan) High Schools: College / University:

Tourism