# La Libertad, Negros Oriental

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.

## History

Before and during the Spanish Conquest of the Philippines, the Municipality of La Libertad was inhabited by indigenous tribes, mostly Negritos. Several enterprising families from neighboring villages and distant provinces began to settle, with one of the first pioneers being Pedro Absin.
These people were the leading pioneer families of the "old" Hinoba-an. Many of them engaged in farming and fishing.
The fertile valleys of Hinoba-an drew several families who immigrated there in the later part of the Spanish period. They were attracted by the richness and fertility of the soil of the Hinoba-an.
La Libertad was severely affected during the 2012 Visayas earthquake, which caused landslides that killed dozens of people.

## Geography

The Tañon Strait is located to the east of this municipality. La Libertad is 105 kilometres (65 mi) north of Dumaguete, the capital city of Negros Oriental.

### Administration (barangays)

La Libertad is politically subdivided into 29 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
| PSGC | Barangay | Population | Population | Population | ±% p.a. | ±% p.a. |
| | | 2020 | 2020 | 2010 | | |
| 074613001 | Aniniaw | 2.5% | 1,015 | 1,106 | ▾ | −0.85% |
| 074613002 | Aya | 2.6% | 1,052 | 953 | ▴ | 0.99% |
| 074613003 | Bagtic | 3.6% | 1,497 | 1,344 | ▴ | 1.08% |
| 074613004 | Biga-a | 2.3% | 927 | 1,101 | ▾ | −1.71% |
| 074613005 | Busilak | 3.3% | 1,369 | 1,176 | ▴ | 1.53% |
| 074613006 | Cangabo | 2.9% | 1,182 | 1,245 | ▾ | −0.52% |
| 074613007 | Cantupa | 3.3% | 1,348 | 1,048 | ▴ | 2.55% |
| 074613029 | Elecia (Talostos) | 4.0% | 1,657 | 1,561 | ▴ | 0.60% |
| 074613008 | Eli | 4.0% | 1,629 | 1,273 | ▴ | 2.50% |
| 074613009 | Guihob | 4.5% | 1,843 | 2,048 | ▾ | −1.05% |
| 074613010 | Kansumandig | 3.3% | 1,350 | 1,242 | ▴ | 0.84% |
| 074613011 | Mambulod | 1.6% | 662 | 632 | ▴ | 0.46% |
| 074613012 | Mandapaton | 3.9% | 1,603 | 1,927 | ▾ | −1.82% |
| 074613013 | Manghulyawon | 3.8% | 1,578 | 1,398 | ▴ | 1.22% |
| 074613014 | Manluminsag | 2.0% | 808 | 776 | ▴ | 0.40% |
| 074613015 | Mapalasan | 1.6% | 660 | 557 | ▴ | 1.71% |
| 074613016 | Maragondong | 2.2% | 891 | 930 | ▾ | −0.43% |
| 074613017 | Martilo | 5.2% | 2,134 | 2,038 | ▴ | 0.46% |
| 074613018 | Nasungan | 4.5% | 1,868 | 1,558 | ▴ | 1.83% |
| 074613019 | Pacuan | 6.8% | 2,777 | 2,478 | ▴ | 1.15% |
| 074613020 | Pangca | 1.2% | 488 | 652 | ▾ | −2.86% |
| 074613021 | Pisong | 3.3% | 1,341 | 1,325 | ▴ | 0.12% |
| 074613022 | Pitogo | 3.5% | 1,441 | 1,216 | ▴ | 1.71% |
| 074613023 | Poblacion North | 6.1% | 2,507 | 2,319 | ▴ | 0.78% |
| 074613024 | Poblacion South | 3.3% | 1,371 | 1,338 | ▴ | 0.24% |
| 074613025 | San Jose | 4.1% | 1,689 | 1,703 | ▾ | −0.08% |
| 074613026 | Solonggon | 6.2% | 2,565 | 2,235 | ▴ | 1.39% |
| 074613027 | Tala-on | 2.2% | 907 | 806 | ▴ | 1.19% |
| 074613028 | Talayong | 2.3% | 930 | 919 | ▴ | 0.12% |
| | Total | Total | 41,089 | 38,904 | ▴ | 0.55% |

### Climate

Climate data for La Libertad, Negros Oriental :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 42 (1.7) | 34 (1.3) | 40 (1.6) | 61 (2.4) | 124 (4.9) | 188 (7.4) | 190 (7.5) | 191 (7.5) | 189 (7.4) | 186 (7.3) | 124 (4.9) | 73 (2.9) | 1,442 (56.8) |
| Average rainy days | 10.0 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 12.8 | 22.3 | 26.8 | 28.4 | 27.9 | 27.3 | 27.6 | 20.5 | 13.1 | 234.7 |
| Source: Meteoblue ||||||||||||||

## Economy

Poverty incidence of La Libertad
* 10
* 20
* 30
* 40
* 50
* 60
* 70
* 2000 66.85
* 2003 64.82
* 2006 55.90
* 2009 50.20
* 2012 50.97
* 2015 57.52
* 2018 31.40
* 2021 38.77
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

## Tourism

In terms of attractions, La Libertad primarily offers outdoor destinations. The municipality is known for the white sand beach of Solangon. The nearby Mt. Panciao is often visited for hiking and exploration.

## Education

The public schools in the town of La Libertad are administered by two school districts under the Schools Division of Negros Oriental.
Elementary schools:
* Agbobolo Elementary School — Sitio Agbobolo, Aya
* Aniniaw Elementary School — Aniniaw
* Aya Elementary School — Aya
* Bagtic Elementary School — Bagtic
* Biga-a Elementary School — Biga-a
* Busilac Elementary School — Busilak
* Cangabo Elementary School — Cangabo
* Eli Elementary School — Eli
* Guihob Elementary School — Guihob
* Kansumandig Elementary School — Kansumandig
* La Libertad Central Elementary School — South Poblacion
* La Libertad North Poblacion Primary School — North Poblacion
* Mambulod Elementary School — Mambulod
* Mandapaton Elementary School — Mandapaton
* Manghulyawon Elementary School — Manghulyawon
* Manluminsag Elementary School — Manluminsag
* Mapalasan Elementary School — Mapalasan
* Martilo Elementary School — Martilo
* Nasunggan Elementary School — Nasunggan
* Pacuan Elementary School — Pacuan
* Pangca Elementary School — Pangca
* Pisong Elementary School — Pisong
* Pitogo Elementary School — Pitogo
* San Jose Elementary School — San Jose
* Solonggon Elementary School — Solonggon
* Tala-on Elementary School — Tala-on
* Talostos Elementary School — Elecia
High schools:
* La Libertad Technical-Vocational School — South Poblacion
* La Libertad TVS - Manluminsag Extension — Manluminsag
* Pacuan National High School — Pacuan
* Pacuan NHS - Busilac Extension — Busilak
* Pacuan NHS - Nasunggan Extension — Nasunggan
Private schools:
* Saint Francis School — North Poblacion

## Government

Elected municipal officials (2010–2013):
* Mayor: Emmanuel Iway
* Vice Mayor: Lawrence Limkaichong
* Councilors:
** Nancy Temonio Laturnas
** Ronald Opada
** Ronie Bulabon
** Emelia Luz Medes
** Leonida Rios
** Jellenito Cayetano
** Bertoldo Burlasa
** Jovito Sabanal
** ABC President: Ronald Gallosa
** SK Federation President: PJ Arriesgado

### List of former elective officials

| Date | Position | Name |
| 1919–1922 | President | Isaac Dionaldo |
| | Vice-president | Narciso Absin |
| | Secretary | Francisco Bautista |
| | Councilors | Pio Banogon |
| | | Luciano Libo-on |
| | | Ireneo Villaespin |
| | | Felipe Absin |
| | | Andres Absin |
| | | Fabio Torres |
| | | Leon Bonda-on |
| | | Brigido Sabanal |
| 1922–1924 | President | Isaac Dionaldo |
| | Vice-president | Fabio Torres |
| | Secretary | Roberto Estoconing |
| | Councilors | Margarito Gallosa |
| | | Pedro Timtim |
| | | Isaias Emperado |
| | | Antonio Torres |
| | | Pastor Carinal |
| | | Marcelo Libo-on |
| | | Bregido Sabanal |
| | | Benedicto Libo-on |
| 1925 | President | Isaac Dionaldo |
| | Vice-president | Fabio Torres |
| | Secretary | Roberto Estoconing |
| | Councilors | Antonio E. Torres |
| | | Pedrom Timtim |
| | | Pator Carinal |
| | | Margarito Gallosa |
| | | Marcelo Libo-on |
| | | Brigido Sabanal |
| | | Daniel Donaldo |
| | | Benedicto Libo-on, Sr. |
| 1926–1927 | President | Fabio Torres |
| | Vice-president | Daniel Dionaldo |
| | Secretary | Roberto Estoconing |
| | Councilors | Brigido Sabanal |
| | | Antonio E. Torres |
| | | Leopoldo Dionaldo |
| | | Aquilino Ricarte |
| | | Pedro E. Torres |
| | | Teodoro Absin |
| | | Felix Camero |