Pavia, Iloilo

How the town got its name is unclear, and has long been disputed. One theory has it that the name came from a certain Colonel Pavia of the Spanish garrison in Iloilo who was supposedly responsible for initially establishing a Spanish presence in the area . Others believe that the name is a Spanish corruption of the Hiligaynon word biya-biya, as the area was originally considered a neglected patch of land that served mostly as a camping ground for city sophisticates and absentee landlords. Others claim that the town was named after a Spanish governor-general, Manuel Pavia y Lay, Marquis of Novaliches, who eventually became a priest after his short tenure in the Philippines from 1853-1854. However, the more credible theory seems to be the overlooked fact that the town's religious well-being was placed under the jurisdiction and supervision of the friars of the Augustinian Order, and they simply named the place in honor of the town of Pavia, Italy, where the founder of their order, Saint Augustine, was buried.[6]

The last theory seems to be supported by circumstantial historical evidence: it was also in 1862 that an independent parish dedicated to Saint Monica was established by an Augustinian friar, Policarpio Minayo. But it was only in 1889 when construction of the famous brick church—as it now stands—began. It was envisioned and built in the Byzantine style, with Romanesque design elements. Two Greek crosses dominate the facade, and the transept is round set against the rear wall. It is unique in the whole of Panay Island, as it is the only church built entirely of red brick, inside and out. Quite significantly, the church design was apparently inspired by the ancient royal arched basilica of San Michele Maggiore in Pavia, Italy—minus the front columns.

Pavia was settled by primitive Malays and later by Chinese approximately between the 15th and 16th centuries, corroborated by archaeological work at a Chinese burial ground in Cabugao Sur. The settlement had an estimated population of 200 to 400.[7]

Separating from town of Jaro , Iloilo , Pavia was officially established in 1848, during the Spanish Colonial Era, by thirteen landowners in what used to be a “camping place”, a “settlement place” or an “abandoned place”.

Pavia became a part of Santa Barbara in 1901 and then in 1904 part of Iloilo City. In 1907, Pavia, together with Leganes, Iloilo and Jaro seceded from Iloilo City to become the suburb Jaro. Petronilo Gumban governed Pavia from 1916 until his election as Presidente Municipal of Jaro in 1920. In 1921, Pavia led by Delfin Gumban became an independent municipality.[8]

Pavia is politically subdivided into 18 barangays. [2]

In the 2015 census, the population of Pavia, Iloilo, was 55,603 people,[3] with a density of 2,000 inhabitants per square kilometre or 5,200 inhabitants per square mile.

Pavia is one of the fastest growing economy in Iloilo. It is agricultural-industrial center in times of Cory Aquino Presidency where Vitarich corporation and New Panay Agri-ventures are located in Cabugao Sur , Pavia . It is now a commuter town where a number of suburb neighborhood are located such as Green Meadows , Providence , Centro Verde , Parc's Regency , Centenial Homes , and Deca Homes . Pottery is also mainstream in Pavia. Pandac Pavia has a score of agricultural produce. The newly renovated Mandaue Foam, CT Mall , Puregold , GT Town Center and Robinson Pavia are new establishments in the town. Panaynews , a news media is also located in Pavia. It has 2 hotels , the Gateway Hotel and JECA MJC Hotel & Event Center located in Brgy Aganan, Pavia. New hospital opened called the Holy Mary Women and Children's Hospital . Robinsons Builders , Coca Cola Bottling Company and Taytay sa Kauswagan employed thousands of employees.

Pavia is famous for "baye baye," a by-product of rice made from the newly harvested palay. Baye-baye is a sweet Ilonggo delicacy made from scraped young coconut meat, sugar and pinipig.[15] Its century-old pottery industry especially in Barangay Pandac(Pik- Pik Koron) and Jibao-an still survives amid flower and bonsai gardens. Pottery makers made pots (coron), firewood-fired stoves (sig-ang), drinking jars (banga) and water containers (tadyaw) using the open pit firing method.[16]

Lawrence Anthony G. Gorriceta is the present mayor.

• Pavia Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Iloilo Travel Website.
• Official Website of the Pavia Municipal Government
• Official Blog Site of the Pavia Municipal Government
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System