Hinigaran, officially the Municipality of Hinigaran (Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Hinigaran; Tagalog: Bayan ng Hinigaran), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 88,909 people.

It is 52 kilometres (32 mi) south from Bacolod.

History

The early inhabitants of this town were the aboriginal people called "Mundos" and "Ambaks". When traders and settlers from Panay started moving in, the natives were driven to the mountains. The new settlers were called "Tagahigad" and when the Spaniards came the place was called "Ginigaran" from the word "higad" but it was later spelled and pronounced as Hinigaran.

The town was founded in 1765 and Captain Basilio Mongcal was appointed as the first president in 1806. Among its first settlers were the families of Mongcal, Lagtapon, Curio, Sario, David, Orin, Pido, Pabalinas, Luntayao, Javier, Vargas, Lucasan, Grijaldo, and Dano-og— some of whom were from Panay.

The Spaniards established the seat of the "pueblo" in Jacinto and Zamora Streets, and the town was governed by "Capitanes Municipales", Tenientes Absolato" and Cabeza de Barangays". When revolt against the Spanish Government broke out, Capitan Bibiano Gelvosa and his followers fought bravely against the Spaniards. He was the last "Capitan Municipal" when the Americans arrived.

Geography

Barangays

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

Climate

Demographics

Population census of Hinigaran

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	14,256	—
1918	16,097	+0.81%
1939	27,438	+2.57%
1948	29,017	+0.62%
1960	36,240	+1.87%
1970	46,010	+2.41%
1975	52,018	+2.49%
1980	54,717	+1.02%
1990	68,739	+2.31%
1995	71,519	+0.75%
2000	74,997	+1.02%
2007	80,528	+0.99%
2010	81,925	+0.63%
2015	85,602	+0.84%
2020	88,909	+0.75%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The people in the town speak the Hiligaynon language (often called Ilonggo). Filipino and English are generally understood.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Hinigaran

10 20 30 40 2006 29.10 2009 30.56 2012 16.57 2015 16.58 2018 19.36 2021 19.65 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Economic profile

• Total Internal Revenue Allotment: Php P180,762,087 (2018)
• Total Income: Php 158,600,789.72 (2015)
• Major Industry: Agriculture and fishing
• Products: Nylon shell, Capiz shell, Talaba, firecrackers manufacturing
• Market Days: Thursdays and Sunday
• Town Fiesta: April 30 (Hinugyaw Festival)
• Patronal Fiesta: July 22 (Kampana Festival)
• Patron Saint: Saint Mary Magdalene

Infrastructures

• Hinigaran Coastal Road/Magsaysay Boulevard
• Hinigaran International Seaport

Health Services

• Hinigaran Community Hospital

Location: Del Pilar-Luna St. Brgy. 3, Hinigaran.

• Hinigaran Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital

Location: Espiridion Guanco North Drive, Acacia, Brgy. Gargato, Hinigaran

Media Network

• 105.7 Radyo Natin Hinigaran
• 89.7 K5 News FM Hinigaran (formerly known as Radyo Bandera)

Education

• Number of Elementary Schools : 25
• Number of Secondary Schools : 7
• Hinigaran National High School
• Hinigaran Institute
• Madeleine Academy
• Pahilanga National High School
• Negros Occidental National Agro-Industrial School of Home Industries
• Esteban Jalandoni Farm School Calapi Main/ Baga-as Extension
• Fundamental Baptist Christian School
• Number of college :2 — Central Philippines State University – Hinigaran Campus (2011)
• Southern Negros Polytechnic University (coming soon)
• STI College (coming soon)

Tourism

• San Jose Muscovado Sugar Mill
• Barangay Pilar World War II Marker
• Saint Mary Magdalene Church
• Talabahan Plantation
• Paradiso del Sur Beach Resort
• Heroes Park
• Canonoy Beach Resort
• Bulobito-on Beach Resort
• Makikiling Point Beach Resort
• Senator Esperidion Guanco Bridge
• Espiso Beach Resort
• Tagda Pier
• Linao Lake Farm Resort
• Hinigaran Sakura Tree