La Libertad, officially the Municipality of La Libertad (Cebuano: Lungsod sa La Libertad; Tagalog: Bayan ng La Libertad), is a municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 41,089 people.[3]
History
La Libertad measured 105 kilometres (65 mi) north of Dumaguete.
Barrio Hinoba-an During the Spanish Regime. The place was then inhabited by primitive tribes who were mostly Negritos. Several enterprising families from neighboring towns and distant provinces came to settle in this barrio. Among the first pioneers was a certain Pedro Absin. He came from the distant province of Camarines Sur with the Spanish friars, who spread the Christian religion to this part of Negros. He married a lovely lass who later was baptized as Mauricia. This was the beginning of the large and progressive Francisco Acar Absin clan.
The other families were the Facturans from Jimalalud, the Carinals from Tayasan, and the de Paduas from Ilo-ilo. These people were the leading pioneer families of the "old" Hinoba-an. Most of them were engaged in farming and fishing.
The fertile valleys of Hinoba-an were so enticing that several families immigrated to this barrio in the later part of the Spanish period. One of the prominent families that moved in was the Libo-on family. The head of this family was an Ilonggo. However, he did not come directly to Hinoba-an. A certain Maestro Tomas Libo-on of Miag-ao, Iloilo, arrived at the barrio of Jimalalud where he was employed as a private tutor by some families. He was a widower when he came but he brought with him his only son, Luciano, and a niece, Romana Libo-on. They lived in the barrio for several years. Later, Luciano was married to Bernabela Facturan, a native of the place. However, they were attracted by the richness of the soil of the neighboring barrio of Hinoba-an. They bought a pave of land at the mouth of the Hinoba-an River and built their first house there.
Another family worthy of mention is the Banogon family. The head of this clan was Pio Banogon. Born on May 5, 1876, in Tanjay, another town of this province, Pio grew to be a promising young man. After he finished grade school, his parents sent him to Manila to study at San Juan de Letran for two years. When he returned home, he was so moved by the adventurous spirit that he decided to go northward. In 1896, he arrived at Jimalalud. It was in this barrio where he found his life's mate, one Petra Sevilla, a scion of the Facturans of Jimalalud. Like the others, the Banogons were also magnetized by the richness of the farmland of Hinoba-an. They bought some parcels of land at Canlaro in the barrio of San Jose and at Binatangan in Martilo.
The other prominent families that moved to Hinoba-an were the Dionaldos from Moalboal, Cebu; the Somozas from Bais; the Emperados from Ayungon; and the Villaesters from Toledo, Cebu.
(lifted from "Souvenir Program 50th Anniversary of the creation of La Libertad as a Municipality of Negros Oriental, Dec 30, 31, 1968; Jan 1, 1969)
La Libertad was severely affected during the 2012 Visayas earthquake, that caused landslides killing dozens of people.[5]
Geography
Tañon Strait is located to the east of this municipality.
Barangays
La Libertad is politically subdivided into 29 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
In terms of attractions, La Libertad offers an abundance of outdoor destinations. The municipality is known for the white sand beach of Solongon, which attracts tourists and locals alike. The nearby Mt. Panciao also offers opportunities for hiking and exploration.
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