History

President Roxas was originally the small community of Lutod-Lutod, Barrio Aranguel in the old town of Pilar. Sitio Lutod-Lutod was a cogonal and shrubby area where a variety of trees, game birds and animals abound. Inhabitants in this area are minimal, “less than what your fingers could count” according to stories. During the heyday of sugar production in Visayas, it was discovered that the plains of Lutod-Lutod where very suitable for sugar cane plantation. In 1924, the first sugar mill was installed right at the side where the Central Azucarera de Pilar (now Capiz Sugar Central) now stands. Elizalde and Co. acquired the sugar mill which improved production and became one of the biggest sugarcane producers in the Philippines.

The burgeoning sugar industry resulted to rapid influx of population in Sitio Lutod-Lutod. The inhabitants were either employers or workers of the sugar central and the sugarcane haciendas. The progress of the sugar industry also gave rise to the emergence of the small-scale industries, merchants and retailer groups. Eventually, Lutod-Lutod became a big community and a stable source of income for the municipality of Pilar.

Former Pilar Mayor Don Braulio M. Patricio, Jr. whose wife was the talented Bonifacia Roxas, cousin of President Manuel A. Roxas, initiated the creation of a separate town. Through the help of his compadres Tio Feling Asis and Sebastian Corro and his nephew, Attorney Pacifico Patricio Pacis, mobilized the people’s initiative petitioning the creation of the municipality of President Roxas. From 1948-1949, the Municipal Resolution separating President Roxas from Pilar was intensely debated until finally affirmed and approved by the Town Council in 1949.

In congress, Representative Ramon Arnaldo and Senator Oscar Ledesma co-sponsored the House Bill creating a new municipality from the territories of Sitio Lutod-Lutod, Barrio Aranguel and the neighboring coastal and mountain barrios in the area. On June 14, 1949 by virtue of the enactment by the joint session of the Congress and the Senate of the Philippines. Republic Act 374 was signed into law by Philippine President Elpidio Quirino, making the sitio as the new Municipality of President Roxas. The municipality was named in honor of President Manuel A. Roxas (a renowned Capiceño) and was officially inaugurated on November 30, 1949. RA 374 provides for “…the conversion of sitios into barrios and its separation from the municipality of Pilar. The barrios include Aranguel, Culilang, Pandan, Pinamihagan, Quiajo, Sangkal, Pondol, Marita, Madulano, Jaboyana (now Viscaya), Cabugcabug, Goce, Badiangon, Bayuyan, Agbolo (now Manoling), Ibaca and Elizalde (Poblacion)”. The seat of government was placed at Barrio Elizalde in the Poblacion, which was the former Sito Lutod-Lutod. Barrio Carmencita, Cubay, Sto. Niño and Pantalan were later created. Barrio Hanglid was created after 1970.

Today, President Roxas has become one of the more vibrant and active towns in the Province of Capiz. President Roxas is an agricultural community which is proud of its heritage, culture and its people.