Canlaon City Celebrates 58th Charter Day

Aware of the town’s conceivable growth into a city, Hon. Lorenzo G. Teves, Congressman of the First District of Negros Oriental, filed House Bill 4346 calling for the creation of the City of Canlaon. He got full support and the backing of 15 other congressional representatives from Cebu, Panay and Negros Occidental. The bill passed in the Lower House without difficulty but encountered strong resistance from the Senate. The Senate however, later pass the bill that later became known as Republic Act 3445.

Former President Carlos P. Garcia, however, did not sign the approved bill. However, people’s dream finally came into reality by virtue of Proclamation No.193, dated April 20, 1967 signed by President Ferdinand E. Marcos proclaiming the creation of the City of Canlaon. The city’s charter took effect on July 2, 1967.

The first City Mayor was Hon. Isidoro M. Bautista, Sr. who was also the municipal mayor since 1947. He was the city mayor from 1967 to 1970. His son Isidoro V. Bautista, Jr. succeeded him from 1970 and through the Martial law years from 1972 until 1986.