The Old Congressional Districts of Leyte
(Part 4)
In the 1700s Leyte and Samar were part of the Diocese of Cebu. The proximity of the island of Cebu to Leyte resulted in migration and inter-marriages between the two places. Majority of Cebuanos and Leyteños are interrelated by affinity or blood, the result of this is that their politics and religious practices share common roots.
Old 2nd District of Leyte
From 1907 up to 1931, the district was composed of the following local government units: Bato, Cabalian, Hilongos, Inopacan, Liloan, Maasin, Malitbog, Matalom, Pintuyan, Sogod, Libagon, and Macrohon. Macrohon was named in honor of the Spanish governor general, Manuel Macrohon, it was the Americans who appointed the first municipal president by the name of Felomino Demetrio in 1901, however in 1906 it was reverted into a barrio. Later in 1908 it was converted into a town through the efforts of Representative Salvador Demetrio.
On May 22, 1959 Congress enacted Republic Act 2227 creating the Province of Southern Leyte composed of the towns which were part of the Province of Leyte. These are the towns of Maasin, Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Malitbog, Bontoc, Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, Pintuyan, San Francisco, St. Bernard, Cabalian, Anahaw, Hinundayan, Hinunangan, and Silago. Maasin was designated as provincial capital. It was inaugurated on July 1, 1960. The champion of the creation of the separate province of Southern Leyte was Congressman Nicanor Espina Yñiguez, the Father of Southern Leyte and a Speaker of Congress.
The following served the district from 1907 to 1931: Florentino Penaranda (1907-1909), Francisco Zialcita (1909-1912), Dalmacio Costas (1912-1919), Ciriaco K. Kangleon (1919-1922), and Tomas Oppus (1922-1931).
A town in Southern Leyte was named in honor of the long-time serving congressman by virtue of Republic Act 5777 by separating the barrios of San Isidro, Punong, Hinapo, Rizal, Maslog, Banday, Cambite, Cabascan, Cawayan, Anahaw, Carnaga, Maanyag, Tinago, and Salvacion of the town of Malitbog and forming them into a new town. San Isidro was designated as the town’s capital However on July 25, 1973 President Marcos issued Presidential Decree No. 225 transferring the seat of government from the barrio of San Isidro to the barrio of Banday. (To be continued)
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