96. ROXAS @ ROXAS

ROXAS @ ROXAS

Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano

04 July 2019

The Municipality of Roxas in the fifth district of Isabel province celebrates its 71^st founding anniversary today, the fourth of July. Numerous activities were in stored in the four day activities and I was invited to grace the unveiling of the President Manuel A. Roxas monument at the Roxas Freedom Park this morning. Mayor Jonathan Jose “Dok Totep” C. Calderon spearheaded the rites together with the Sangguniang Bayan Members led by Vice Mayor Nick M. Sebastian, municipal employees, barangay officials, DepEd community, students and the general populace. The honored guests for the unveiling ceremony were: Architect Terry Gavino, niece of President Manuel A. Roxas; Gerry Roxas Foundation Program Consultant and former NFA Provincial Manager Elenita Ganelo and President Manuel A. Roxas Foundation Deputy Executive Director Marites Gonzaga.

Mrs. Gonzaga delivered the message of former Senator Mar Roxas: “I am very happy and honored to be invited to your celebration of the 71^st founding anniversary of the town of Roxas, Isabela. I should say, historical town, because you are the very first municipality ever named after my grandfather, President Manuel A. Roxas. My Lolo passed away on April 15, 1948, and two and a half months later, is the birth of his very first CHILD TOWN, - Roxas, Isabela.

On July 01, 1948, - President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order 136 creating Barrio Vira as an independent municipality named “Roxas” to honor his predecessor and my grandfather, Manuel A. Roxas. The inauguration took place on July 4, 1948, with your very first Mayor Rafael Lintao.

Today’s celebration is also highlighted by the unveiling and turnover of the 9-foot statue of President Roxas, - lovingly donated by the Roxas Family and the President Manuel A. Roxas Foundation to your town. Is is an exact replica of the bronze statue of the President as rendered by National Artist Guillermo E. Tolentino in 1952.

The turnover of the President Roxas Statue signifies not only the transfer of a treasured statuary, but the statue itself represents something more in terms of what it means to the Roxas Family and the President Manuel A. Roxas Foundation – to have found a partner in you – towards inspiring a citizenry to share the late President dream of national excellence, freedom, and economic progress for all.

Malaki po ang aking kagalakan na binibigyan ninyong pahalagaang Pangulong Manuel A. Roxas, at hangad ko ang makadalaw sa inyong bayan sa nalalapit na panahon.

Inaasahan ko po na ang mamamayan ng Roxas, Isabela, lalo na ang ating kabataan, sa tulong ng mga punong lokal mula sa kay Punong Bayan Jonathan “Totep” Calderon at sa mga Kapitan ng 26 na Barangay ay magsasama at magtutulungan para ang Roxas, Isabela ay higit pang umunlad at maging masagana.

Again, I am honored to be invited in this ceremony. It is always gratifying to be part of a noble celebration, and particularly so when you have a Town Mayor given to integrity, service, and excellence – which are the very ideals my grandfather, President Manuel A. Roxas, bravely stood for.”

The territory of what is now the Municipality of Roxas including its adjacent towns was referred to as Zimbuey during the early Spanish explorations in Cagayan Valley. The indigenous Kalingas dominated the area being their hunting ground since the locality is situated at the foothills of the Cordillera near their abode. The natives used to loaf along the Siffu River. When imperial Manila authorized the migration of Ilocanos, Roxas area was one of the settling zones in the valley and this prompted clashes with the natives which eventually ended with a truce creating joint harmony among the two people. The area was referred to in old maps as Bindang which means “hero” of “bayani” in Filipino. It was later renamed to Vira and the whole locality was later incorporated as a barrio of the old pueblo of Gamu. The area became a part of Nueva Vizcaya province in 1839 and was later transferred to the province of Isabela de Luzon in 1856.

Migrants from Central Luzon arrived during the pre-Commonwealth era. In 1938, the area of Mallig Plains was set aside by the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) under Settlement No. 2, a pet project of President Manuel L. Quezon. After World War II, provincial leaders saw the potential of Barrio Vira as an independent town and on July 1, 1948. President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order No. 136 creating Barrio Vira and its adjacent barrios as an independent municipality named "Roxas" to honor his predecessor Manuel A. Roxas who just died a few months back. On July 4, 1948, the new town was inaugurated with Hon. Rafael B. Lintao as the first mayor.

In 1952, Roxas territory in the north were chopped and transferred to the newly created town of Mallig (Holy Friday, San Jose East, and San Jose West). In 1957, territory in the south were separated to form the municipality of Callang, now San Manuel (Callang, Eden, Babanuang, Cabaritan, Sta. Cruz, Malalinta, Mararigue, Calaocan and Caraniogan).

The following served as mayors of Roxas, Isabela: Hon. Rafael Binala Lintao (1948-1955), Hon. David Carpio Matusalem (1956-1967), Hon. Teofilo Corpuz Baylon (1968-1969), Hon. Epifanio Salvador Abad (1969-1971), Hon. Inocencio Chua Uy (1972-1986), Hon. Benito Rodriguez Calderon (1986-1987, 1987-1998), Hon. Oscar Calderon Reyes (1987), Hon. Benedict Cereno Calderon (1998-2007 & 2010-2016), Hon. Harry Guerrero Soller (2007-2010) and Hon. Jonathan Jose Cereno Calderon (since 2016).

Roxas is adjudged the next city of Isabela. Its fast development made the town the center of commerce and trade in the Mallig plains. The collective efforts of its past local chief executives resulted into an economic boom more specifically during the tenure of the Calderons. Roxas lies in the middle of the Santiago-Tuguegarao Highway making it a strategic point from north to south and heading east towards the capital city of Ilagan. The cooperative, accommodating and hospitable people played an important role to the development of Roxas as Isabeleños in adjacent towns flock in during the day to work, trade and offer their services to the people of western Isabela. Roxas, the first child-town of President Roxas, is a city to expect in Cagayan Valley.