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Negros Oriental

Tanjay City Charter Anniversary

Tanjay City Charter Anniversary is celebrated in the city of Tanjay, Negros Oriental, Philippines every April 1st. The event remembers the cityhood of Tanjay in 2001. The date may be declared a special nonworking holiday, such as Proclamation 932 issued in 2020.

It also holds the Tanjay City Children’s Festival every January, annual Sinulog de Tanjay Festival every July, and Aurora Festival every August.

History of Tanjay City

The Spaniards explored the island of Negros as early as April 1565. The island was called Buglas in pre-Hispanic times, and it was renamed by the colonizers upon seeing dark-skinned people who lived in its lands.

Tanjay was known as Tanay in pre-colonial times. It was one of the earliest settlements in Negros as it dates back to the period of the conquest. Prior to the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, its people were migrants who escaped the attacks by the Ternatean forces in Bohol.

In 1571, Legazpi created an encomienda system in the island. He gave its lands to the Spaniards who accompanied him in the expedition.

In 1572, Miguel de Loarca came to the shores of Tanjay following a series of explorations by the Spaniards conducted earlier. It was noted that the early settlements of the natives were found along Tanay and Dumaguete.

Tanay was one of the several missions established in the 16th century, when the Augustinian friars who came from Cebu began preaching to the natives in June 11, 1580.

Its titular was St. James the Greater, and it was called the Mission de Santiago de los Rios de Tanay. It existence predates the founding of Dumaguete whose mission was established four decades later.

Three of the early encomienda in Negros Oriental in those times were Rios de Tanae (Tanjay), “Davi” (Dauin) and “Monalongon” (Manalongon). When Tanae or Tanay became Tanjay is uncertain, though an assertion stated that it may be due to an error in record-keeping in the 18th century.

The friars however had to abandon their mission because of lack of ministers. The church was given to the secular clergy and remained under the Diocese of Cebu.

In 1851, the Augustinian Recollects were instructed to take over the parish. For a time, they assumed control only to give it up back to the secular clergy. The Recollects took over again after the death of the parish priest in 1866.

During World War II, the town was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army and liberated with the combined forces of Philippine army and guerillas.

On June 16, 1950, Pamplona separated from Tanjay and became an independent town by virtue of Republic Act No. 535 on June 16, 1950.

The cityhood of Tanjay was first introduced through House Bill House No. 8880 and Senate Bill No. 2256. After their approval on February 8, 2001, Republic Act 9026 was approved by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 5, 2001.

The law was otherwise known as “An Act Converting the Municipality of Tanjay, Province of Negros Oriental into a Component City to be Known as the City of Tanjay.” It was ratified via a plebiscite on April 1, 2001. This is the date that is the basis of Tanjay City Charter Anniversary.

How to reach Tanjay City, Negros Oriental

Tanjay City can be reached via Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport or sea port and a land travel by buses.

References

Tanjay City Charter Anniversary Summary

NameTanjay City Charter Anniversary
CelebrationCityhood Charter Anniversary
Contact(035) 527 0823 & (035) 415 3138
CountryPhilippines
DateApril 1
Emailtanjaycityinformationoffice@gmail.com
Facebookwww.facebook.com
Historical eventConversion of the municipality of Tanjay to a city on April 1, 2001
LocationTanjay City, Negros Oriental
OrganizerCity Government of Tanjay