Pulupandan
With an area of 23 square kilometers, it is the smallest town in terms of area in Negros Occidental.
The town was once a barrio of Valladolid before it became a separate municipality in 1917. It was in the beaches of Pulupandan in the early dawn of March 29, 1945 that the historical event of the landing of American liberation forces without any opposition, who together with the Filipino guerillas, drive the Japanese forces away from the island of Negros during the Battle of the Visayas.
The town is also known for their annual "Salapan Festival".
Etymology
The town's name is derived from the vernacular phrase Pulo sang Pandan, meaning the "Isle of Pandan".
Saint Philomena is the patron saint of Pulupandan. August 11 is the feast day. The main street is named after St. Philomena, the Wonderworker.
Geography
Pulupandan is 29 kilometres (18 mi) from Bacolod.
Barangays
Pulupandan is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
- Barangay Zone 1-A (Pob. / Paco beach)
- Barangay Zone 4-A (Poblacion)
- Barangay Zone 1 (Pob. / Green beach)
- Barangay Zone 2 (Poblacion)
- Barangay Zone 3 (Poblacion)
- Barangay Zone 4 (Poblacion)
- Barangay Zone 5 (Poblacion)
- Barangay Zone 6 (Poblacion)
- Barangay Zone 7 (Poblacion)
- Canjusa- Punong Barangay Cecilia J. Yuro
- Crossing Pulupandan
- Culo
- Mabini
- Pag-ayon
- Palaka Norte
- Palaka Sur
- Patic (Sitio Kalubhian)
- Tapong
- Ubay
- Utod
Climate
| Climate data for Pulupandan, Negros Occidental | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
32 (90) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
28 (82) |
30 (85) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 23 (73) |
23 (73) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 57 (2.2) |
37 (1.5) |
41 (1.6) |
42 (1.7) |
98 (3.9) |
155 (6.1) |
187 (7.4) |
162 (6.4) |
179 (7.0) |
188 (7.4) |
114 (4.5) |
78 (3.1) |
1,338 (52.8) |
| Average rainy days | 12.0 | 7.7 | 9.2 | 10.2 | 19.5 | 24.6 | 26.9 | 25.1 | 25.5 | 25.2 | 18.0 | 13.0 | 216.9 |
| Source: Meteoblue | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 6,167 | — |
| 1918 | 5,268 | −1.04% |
| 1939 | 10,751 | +3.46% |
| 1948 | 11,726 | +0.97% |
| 1960 | 14,844 | +1.98% |
| 1970 | 19,476 | +2.75% |
| 1975 | 23,665 | +3.98% |
| 1980 | 24,824 | +0.96% |
| 1990 | 22,983 | −0.77% |
| 1995 | 24,932 | +1.54% |
| 2000 | 25,849 | +0.78% |
| 2007 | 27,072 | +0.64% |
| 2010 | 25,350 | −2.36% |
| 2015 | 27,735 | +1.73% |
| 2020 | 30,117 | +1.63% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority | ||
The people in the municipality speak the Hiligaynon language. Filipino and English are generally understood.
Majority of the town are adherents of the Philippine Independent Church, followed secondly by the Roman Catholic Church.
Economy
Poverty incidence of Pulupandan
5
10
15
20
25
30
2006
17.80 2009
24.58 2012
10.28 2015
12.64 2018
7.70 2021
13.43 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority |
Politics
The current mayor of Pulupandan is Miguel C. Peña, son of its former mayor Magdaleno "Magsie" Peña who, until recently, was mayor of Moises Padilla town.
Known for being a bailiwick of the Liberal Party, the town is notable for being the only municipality in Negros Occidental where Rodrigo Duterte won during the 2016 presidential election.
President Bongbong Marcos won by a landslide with a delivery vote of 89% (12,544 votes) in the 2022 Presidential election.
Transportation
Pulupandan currently has a sea port with RORO vessels traveling straight to the island province of Guimaras.
Notable personalities
- Lea Salonga, singer-actress