| MUNICIPALITY OF MIAG-AO |
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| MUNICIPALITY OF MIAG-AO |
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Miag-ao became an independent municipality in 1716. It used to be a part or arrabal of several towns in the first District in Iloilo.
From 1716 to the present, Miag-ao has had 133 townheads with Julieta Noble Flores as the incumbent Mayor.
How it derived its name has several versions. Firstly, it was believed that the word Miag-ao came from the name of a plant that grew abundantly in the place then called "Miagos". Secondly, it was derived from the name of an old Negrito called Miyagaw who when asked of the name of the place by the Spaniards, gave his name instead. The Spaniards mistook the answer as the response to their query.
There is a third version, which relates that the name Miagao came from the love story of two young lovers Maya and Gao.
Miag-ao is one of the seven towns comprising the First District of Iloilo Province. It is situated 40 kilometers Southwest of Iloilo City and 58 kilometers from San Jose, the capital town of Antique.Overlooking the island of Negroes towards South China Sea, Miag-ao is bounded by the towns of Igbaras to the Northeast, by Guimbal to the East, by San Joaquin to the West and by Sibalom, Antique to the Northwest.
How to get there:
Land AreaThe municipality has a total land area of 15,722.04 hectares. The poblacion, composed of eight (8) barangays, has an area of 299.54 hectares while the rest of the 119 barangays has a total area 15,422.50 hectares.
Land Use
- Agricultural Land - 9,225 hectares
- Open Grass Lands - 128.65 hectares
- University of the Philippines in the Visayas (Presently Acquired) - 518.1805 hectares
- Institutional / Commercial / Residential - 1,153,859.5 hectares
- Forest Resources
TopographyMiag-ao is partly coastal and partly mountainous town. In general, its terrain is rolling with mountain ranges serving as border between Miag-ao and part of the Province of Antique and other neighboring towns of Iloilo.
The poblacion is situated in a hill overlooking the sea and public institutions are located in a plateau. The low and high mountains lying close to the river, plus the narrow coastal plains stretching 16 kilometers are varied topographical features of Miag-ao.
Soils TypeMineral Resources
- Alimodian Clay Loam
- Sta. Rita Clay Loam
- Umingan Fine Sandy Loam
- Alimodian Soil Undifferentiated
- Beach sand
It has abundant source of ceramic clay used for potteries and mixtures of sand and lime structure called the Miag-ao stone used as building material like the one used in building the Miag-ao church.
Ethnic Groups - Nomadic Aetas
AgricultureMiag-ao is basically an agricultural town with rice production as the primary crop. Yellow and White corn are considered as secondary crops while mongo, peanuts, bulbs, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, and root crops are also produced as alternate crops.
Fishery - Bangus and other species fry, varied speciesof adult fishes.
Livestock - Cattles, Carabaos, Hogs and Swines, Goats and PoultryMajor industries
Aside from agriculture, many are also engaged in salt making, bamboo craft, pottery making, loom weaving, candy making, fish preservation, peanut products processing and fishing.
AttractionsInteresting economic activities
- Miag-ao Roman Catholic Church - Listed in the World Heritage List
- Kuta Watch Stone - watch tower constructed with the same material as the Roman Catholic Church, located in Barangay Baybay Norte, Poblacion.
- Old Taytay Boni Old Bridge - constructed of the same materials as the old Roman Catholic Church, located in Barangay Igtuba.
- Tinagong Dagat - A wonderful and mysterious lake located in Barangay Ongyod, one of the higher upland barangays in the Municipality.
- Sinuhutan Cave - A magnificent cave located in Barangay Onop, also an upland barangays of the Municipality.
- Nabugsukan Falls - Accessible and unspoiled waterfalls with fresh and clear running water located in Barangay Dalije.
- Danao Lake
- Mini-Rice Terraces
- Haven of Ferns
- Hidden Castle
- Winding Rivers
- Rainforest
- Bugtong Bato
- Robin Cave
- Rocky Mountain
- Guib ni Tikoy
- Tabay Falls
- The Loom Weaving
- The Bamboo Craft Making
- The Salt Making
- The Pottery Making
- The Ceramics and Clay Products
Resorts - 4
Transportation
Sports and Recreation Centers
National
Road (asphalted) - 15 kilometer
Provincial
Road (all weather/gravel) - 31 kilometer
Municipal
Road (concrete) - 11.2 kilometer
Barangay
Road (all weather earth/gravel) - 82.3 kilometer
Bridges
Communication facilities
Telegraph/Telephone/Telegram
Schools