Maayon

As to the origin of the name of Maayon not much has been written about it, but folks speak of several versions and one among those considered most popular was when a group of Spanish soldiers while pursuing the insurgents, discovered a settlement near the bank of the river. Finding the people to be hospitable and nice, they asked for the name of the place. Since the natives did not understand the Spanish language, they assumed that what the Spaniards were asking for what is the status of the harvest, for them it was harvest time. The natives answered "Maayo man". So the Spaniards named the settlement "El Pueblo de Maayon". Thus, the name Maayon was derived from that word and to this very day, it is known as such.

Maayon first became a town during the early American era. However, during the Cadastral Survey, it was reverted to a barrio status under the Municipality of Pontevedra. For nearly half a century, the residents fought hard and long for its restoration to a separate and distinct entity. Their untiring efforts were empty rewarded when in 1955, Carmen Dinglasan Consing,  representative of the first District of the Province of Capiz field House Bill No. 2098 in the lower chamber of Congress. Senator Justinano S. Montaño sponsored and steered the bill until its approval. Finally on March 30, 1955 President Ramon Magsaysay signed the bill re-creating the lot Municipality of Maayon, Capiz in a ceremony held in Malacañan.

The "New Municipality" included eight barrios then, namely, Maayon, Fernandez, Piña, Balighot, Batabat, Guia, Tuburan and Canapian Sur. Now it has thirty two (32) barangays.

The ceremony was attended by a large delegation from Capiz. The President also signed the appointment of the following officials of the new town: Rael Declaro, Mayor; Ernesto Diaz, Vice Mayor; Marcelo Diaz, Felomino Comoro, Damaso Deocampo, Ambrosio Dumagpi, Agustin Barruela, and Marcelo Delfin, Councilors. These official, have gone back to their maker.

Also present during the historic signing of Republic Act No. 1203 were Representative Judge Godofredo  and Mr. Rafael Dinglasan, Sr., Judge Antonio J. Beldia , Romeo Arceño, Gabriel Borres and his two sons Roberto and Athos, Mamerto Dadula. Most of the wives of the officials of the town also witnessed the memorable occasion.

Among the town's first officials were: Uldarico Dieta, Secretary: Amado S. Almalbis, Treasurer: Ponciano Declaro, Judge: Diosdado Borres, Chief of Police; and Dr. Alejandro Orosco, Rural Health Physician. Also Dr. Manuel Buenvenida who was then Rural Health Physician for Pontevedra took charge of the health problems of the new town until his transfer to Pres. Roxas Dr. Ricardo A. Dasal replaced him. It was not until a year later, in 1956, when a regular and the first Rural health Physician was appointed. Rev. Fr. Crisogono Dequiña was then parish priest.

Rafael M. Declaro who was also the first elected official of the town during its first election in November 1955 won with less than 200 majority over Atty. Artagnan D. Roxas. He relinquished the Mayorship to his running mate-Prudencio L. Alovera - when he assumed the position of municipal judge of the same town. The late Mayor Alovera served from April 17, 1957 to 1971 - the longest term in the 25-year existence of the municipality. Alovera did not seek re-election in 1971, In 1972, Bertile D. Comoro, fresh from college, ran won against the late Jose Diaz III. Comoro serves as the third executive of the town. Until Feb. 1986. When Pres. Corazon C. Aquino won through People's Power, she appointed Jose Diaz, Jr. as an offer in charge of the office of the Mayor from Feb.. 1986-March, 1986. His appointment as a Board Member has been approved after one Month of Service. Rolando L. Eleazar then take charge the office. The following are the past & present Municipal Officials.

Some portion of the Maayon is considered flat and hilly and its eastern section is mountainous. Due to the existence of the Maayon River which flows from the boundary of Iloilo in the east towards the Panay River in the west, Maayon has an abundant quarry of gravel and sand.

It is believed that the mountains of Maayon have rich deposits of valuable minerals like copper, gold rock, manganese, and limestone. Its plains are fertile lands, making the town basically rice producing, and farming as the main livelihood of the inhabitants. Every harvest, Maayon produces a great surplus of palay marketed to the neighboring towns and even to nearby towns of Iloilo.

Maayon's total population based on the census survey has an annual growth rate put at 1.11%.

In the 2015 census, the population of Maayon was 38,416 people,[3] with a density of 270 inhabitants per square kilometre or 700 inhabitants per square mile.

Hil-o Hil-o: Maayonanons Way of Life. The etymological origin of the word is up to now yet unknown, but its concept as practiced in our way of life over the years has been very visible and already firmly assimilated in the culture of Maayonanons.

Hil-o Hil-o is reciprocity that demonstrates mutual interdependence among our people. It expressed itself in many forms and in many ways. It could simply be taking turns in helping one another to make a heavy work for one becomes lighter. It can also be rendering services or giving material donation for a relative, a friend or a neighbor who is holding a very important affair in the family.

All through the years, the Maayonanons, generation after generation has preserved this peculiar desirable trait in our community. Nurtured by experience and guided by the admonition of our elders to think well of others, Hil-o Hil-o is now deeply assimilated into the culture of the Maayonanons.

Certainly, it will stay and last forever. We are wont to it already. Furthermore, it is a positive attribute that should be kept forever, that helps Maayonanons become more cohesive. Hil-o Hil-o , the Maayonanons way of life.

Maayon has several landmarks that symbolizes its rich history and culture over the years. The town is renowned for its natural ecological beauty and diversity, which is very evident from its rich mountain ranges and beautiful caves.

• Ma-ayon Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information