Oton
Ogtong
Municipality
Municipality of Oton
Old Immaculate Conception Church, Oton, Iloilo (1883-1948)
Old Immaculate Conception Church, Oton, Iloilo (1883-1948)
Flag of Oton
Flag
Official seal of Oton
Seal
Nickname: 
Second oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines
Motto: 
Banwang Panganay of Western Visayas
Map of Iloilo with Oton highlighted
Map of Iloilo with Oton highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Oton is located in Philippines
Oton
Oton
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°41′35″N 122°28′25″E / 10.69306°N 122.47361°E / 10.69306; 122.47361
CountryPhilippines
RegionWestern Visayas
ProvinceIloilo
District 1st district
Founded1566
Formal town establishmentMay 3, 1572
Barangays37 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorSofronio Fusin Jr.
 • Vice MayorJose Neil Olivares
 • RepresentativeJanette L. Garin
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate54,130 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total86.44 km2 (33.37 sq mi)
Elevation
15 m (49 ft)
Highest elevation
147 m (482 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total98,509
 • Density1,100/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
 • Households
24,583
DemonymOgtonganon
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
11.65
% (2018)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 298.6 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 896 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 214.7 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 182.9 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityIloilo 1 Electric Cooperative (ILECO 1)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
5020
PSGC
063034000
IDD : area code +63 (0)33
Native languagesKaray-a
Hiligaynon
Tagalog
Websitewww.oton.gov.ph

Oton, officially the Municipality of Oton ([ɔˈtɔn]; Kinaray-a: Banwa kang Oton, Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Oton, Tagalog: Bayan ng Oton), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 98,509 people making it as the most populous town in the province and the entire Panay island.[3]

It is the second oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines after Cebu, founded in 1566.

Oton is a part of the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras area, centered on Iloilo City.

History

Old Oton cathedral, destroyed in the 1948 earthquake (1901)

Oton, formerly known as Ogtong, has a rich history dating back to the settlement of Malays in the area. Evidence of this early settlement includes the discovery of a gold death mask in Barangay San Antonio during the 1960s. The town's name, Oton, was mentioned in records from the Yuan Dynasty in the 1300s, referred to as in Hokkien Chinese: 啞陳; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-tân.[5]

The arrival of the Spanish in the mid-16th century marked a significant turning point in Oton's history. The Spanish designated Oton as the capital of the Panay, Negros, and Romblon.[6] Spanish missionaries used Oton as a base to spread Catholicism to neighboring settlements, including Jaro, Iloilo, Tigbauan, Cordova, Alimodian, Igbaras, Tubungan, Camando, Damilisan, and Tiolas.

Oton played a vital role in the Manila galleon trade, as new agricultural products from the trade route arrived in the town. Many ships traveling from Cebu would dock in Oton before continuing on to Manila. However, Oton's location made it vulnerable to pirate attacks, prompting the Spanish colonial authorities to relocate the capital a few kilometers away to La Punta, which is now known as Iloilo City Proper, in the 1600s. This move was intended to enhance the town's defense against pirate raids.[7]

Geography

Oton is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) west from Iloilo City. Oton is bordered by the municipality of Tigbauan to the west, San Miguel to the north, Pavia to the northeast, Panay Gulf to the south, and the district of Arevalo, Iloilo City to the east. The town is a part of Metro Iloilo-Guimaras which encompasses the whole island province of Guimaras with its municipalities, the Iloilo City, and the Iloilo provincial towns of Pavia, Leganes, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Cabatuan.

Barangays

Oton is politically subdivided into 37 barangays. [8] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

The Municipality of Oton belongs to the 1st District of Iloilo.

Listed below are the respective population of each barangay as of 2020 census.

  • Abilay Norte - 8,963
  • Abilay Sur - 1290
  • Alegre - 2323
  • Batuan Ilaud - 938
  • Batuan Ilaya - 1229
  • Bita Norte - 767
  • Bita Sur - 550
  • Botong - 5,242
  • Buray - 6,727
  • Cabanbanan - 2,833
  • Cabolo-an Norte - 3,686
  • Cabolo-an Sur - 834
  • Cadinglian - 1,713
  • Cagbang - 5,854
  • Calam-isan - 1,318
  • Galang - 1,129
  • Lambuyao - 3,236
  • Mambog - 924
  • Pakiad - 3,728
  • Poblacion East - 4,239
  • Poblacion North - 1,322
  • Poblacion South - 5,481
  • Poblacion West - 3,122
  • Pulo Maestra Vita - 3,783
  • Rizal - 2,274
  • Salngan - 701
  • Sambaludan - 1,097
  • San Antonio - 2,435
  • San Nicolas - 3,191
  • Santa Clara - 1,558
  • Santa Monica - 2,969
  • Santa Rita - 2,099
  • Tagbac Norte - 1,284
  • Tagbac Sur - 1,797
  • Trapiche - 6,490
  • Tuburan - 672
  • Turog-Turog - 711

Climate

Climate data for Oton, Iloilo
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 32
(90)		 34
(93)		 32
(90)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 30
(87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 19
(0.7)		 17
(0.7)		 26
(1.0)		 37
(1.5)		 119
(4.7)		 191
(7.5)		 258
(10.2)		 260
(10.2)		 248
(9.8)		 196
(7.7)		 97
(3.8)		 39
(1.5)		 1,507
(59.3)
Average rainy days 7.2 5.2 8.3 11.9 22.3 26.5 28.3 28.2 27.3 26.4 18.7 11.8 222.1
Source: Meteoblue[9]

Demographics

Population census of Oton
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 14,464—    
1918 15,396+0.42%
1939 20,577+1.39%
1948 21,306+0.39%
1960 27,246+2.07%
1970 32,862+1.89%
1975 36,566+2.17%
1980 41,044+2.34%
1990 52,125+2.42%
1995 56,821+1.63%
2000 65,374+3.05%
2007 77,621+2.40%
2010 82,572+2.28%
2015 89,115+1.46%
2020 98,509+1.99%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13]

In the 2020 census, the population of Oton, Iloilo, was 98,509 people,[3] with a density of 1,100 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,800 inhabitants per square mile.

Religion

As a Catholic Dominant Municipality, Oton has two parishes.

Parishes:

  • Immaculate Concepcion Parish (Town Parish)
  • Sta. Monica Parish (Sta. Monica, Oton)

Language

Kinaray-a is the main language of the people in Oton. Hiligaynon is spoken as a secondary language. There is a fairly unnoticed linguistic division of the town between the two aforementioned languages; the eastern part, or the urban part bordering Iloilo City, primarily speaks Hiligaynon, while the western part bordering the other 1st district municipalities generally speaks both Kinaray-a and Hiligaynon.

Economy

Poverty Incidence of Oton
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15]
[16][17][18][19][20]

Oton's economy is experiencing significant growth, driven by several factors. The town benefits from its geographic advantage, being in close proximity to Iloilo City. This advantage has led to a surge in real estate developments, with a growing number of residential and commercial properties being established in the area.

The increasing demand for retail services has resulted in the construction of prominent retail establishments in Oton. Gaisano Oton, Puregold Oton, and Vista Mall Iloilo have been established to cater to the growing retail needs of the town and its surrounding areas. The presence of these retail centers provides convenience for residents and contributes to the local economy.

Oton also hosts a number of banking institutions, ensuring accessibility to financial services for its residents and businesses. This availability of banking services supports economic activities and facilitates transactions within the town.

In terms of agriculture, rice production and fruits play a significant role in Oton's economy. These agricultural sectors contribute to the local food supply and support the livelihoods of many residents. Additionally, the town boasts a number of hotels, resorts, and restaurants, catering to the needs of tourists and visitors, further enhancing its economic potential.

An important development in Oton is the Vista City Iloilo. Spanning 500 hectares (1,200 acres), this flagship master-planned city by Vista Land in the Visayas stretches from Barangay Polo Maestra Bita to Barangay Abilay Norte.[21] Alongside existing residential areas, Vista City Iloilo will feature a 100-hectare (250-acre) central business district.[22] This planned urban development is poised to become a major economic center, attracting investments and providing opportunities for businesses and residents alike.

References

  1. ↑  Municipality of Oton | (DILG)
  2. ↑ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 Census of Population (2020). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  5. ↑ Reading Song and Ming Records on the Precolonial History of the Philippines By Wang Zhenping Page 256.
  6. ↑ "Iloilo History Part 2 - Research Center for Iloilo".
  7. ↑ "Iloilo History Part 2 - Research Center for Iloilo". Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Province: Iloilo". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Oton: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  11. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VI (Western Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  12. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "Province of Iloilo". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  16. ↑ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  17. ↑ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  18. ↑ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  20. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Villar launches P40-B Vista City Iloilo". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  22. ↑ BrandRoom, INQUIRER net (November 10, 2022). "Georgia by Vista Estates: Iloilo's biggest lifestyle destination". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
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