Himamaylan
' (), officially the ' (; ), is a in the province of , . According to the , it has a population of people. This component city located is south of Bacolod, the provincial capital. Due to its coastal location, it is a rich source of different types of seafood, mainly fish, oysters, mussels and shrimps. The city celebrates the "Himaya-an Festival" every April 14–25. Himamaylan became a city on March 5, 2001, through a proclamation by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo under Republic Act No. 9028. It is the only city in the 5th District. Etymology. The term ""Himamaylan"" is a portmanteau of the two  Hiligaynon words "hima" and "babaylan". It is alleged that the settlement's early Malay inhabitants suffered from a foot malady called "himà", and their employment of witch doctors called "babaylan". However, due to difficulty of the Spaniards to pronounce the words, it became "Himamaylan". During the Spanish colonisation, it was once spelt as ""Gimamaylan"". History. In 1795, Himamaylan became the capital of Negros. At that time, the city served as a garrison for occupying Spanish forces. Today, the old Spanish-built fort constructed as a lookout point for frequent Moro raids is one of the historical attractions found in the  city. Cityhood. In 2001, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act No. 9028, providing for the conversion of the municipality into a city after a favourable plebiscite. Geography. Himamaylan is located at the centre-most cove on the coastline of Negros Island. Himamaylan has a natural harbour characterised by deep waters favourable to access by marine vessels. Located in the centre of the island, the city is conducive to operations reaching all parts of the country and the rest of Southeast Asia from a strategic point. Most portions of the city are plains and generally have fertile soil, conducive for agriculture . The city's rivers are or deeper, providing drainage for farmland. Barangays. Himamaylan City is politically subdivided into 19 barangays. Demographics. The people in the city speak the Hiligaynon language (often called Ilonggo). Filipino and English are generally understood. Economy. The city's main sources of livelihood include fishery, sugarcane farming and sugar production, rice farming, mango cultivation and ethanol exports.