Barangays > San Agustin

Brief History

Manamlay was the name given by the indigenous people belonging to the Alangan tribe to this forested area which abound with wild pigs and giant bats called million fruit bats by hunters and environmentalists alike..

In 1958, the families of Benavidez, Felipe, Acosta, Diaz and Martin arrived in this place from Tarlac, followed by the families of Gomintong, Tayaben, Gordulan, Patingan and Inogacio. These groups petitioned the Bureau of Forestry to reclassify as agricultural land the wide forested area of Manamlay.

It was in the year 1960 when Manamlay became a sitio of Barrio Rang-ayan, the present Brgy. Pag-asa. The old residents of this place, led by Federico Martin requested Rang-ayan Teniente del BarrioPrudencio Gadiano to separate Manamlay from Rang-ayan and elevate it to the status of a barrio. In 1964, the barangay council of Rang-ayan approved the request and it was confirmed later on by the municipal council of Sablayan and the provincial board of Occidental Mindoro.

That same year, Federico Martin was elected as the first teniente del barrio of this community. During his term of office a private school for elementary pupils was opened by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Manamlay. Nevertheless, the parents still requested then Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. to open a public school in this place. Not long afterwards, the first elementary school building was constructed and a teacher was assigned in this community.

In 1966, Agustin Cuaresma was elected as teniente del barrio of Manamlay. Upon the recommendation of Sablayan Mayor Loreto Urieta, the name of the barrio was changed to San Agustin.

In 1970, Florendo Banite won the election for teniente del barrio. During his term of office, some of the roads going to the farm were constructed and many families from Central & Northern Luzon flocked to this place.

In the election held for Kabataang Barangay in 1975, Yolanda Baagin was elected as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman. Rosemia Gatchalian succeeded her in 1978.

On May 17, 1982 Dionisio Dupagan the position of barangay captain was entrusted by the people of San Agustin. He formed the group of unmarried youth and it was led by Tito Diasan. The next leader of the group was Florentino Villanueva.

During martial law period, a long concrete bridge was built over Patrick River. Due to this development, the national highway passed through San Agustin. The main road in the barrio was widened and improved. The people greatly benefited from the fast flow of goods and services in their barangay.

It was during the last year of service of Brgy. Captain Dupagan, specifically the month of September 1987, when Typhoon Unsang wrought havoc to the barangay. Water overflowed from the banks of the rivers, the land was eroded and a great portion of the once productive farm was turned to gravel filled land. As a result, many families transferred to other barangays.

In 1988, Samuel Agualin was elected as barangay captain of this community. Through his efforts, concrete roads and a concrete basketball court were constructed and the building of the barangay hall was started. However, it was during his term of office when the hunting of the million fruit bats at the lake of San Agustin was intensified. As a result, the giant bats transferred to other forested areas.

In the election held for Kabataang Barangay on December 4, 1992 Noli Pascua won as SK Chairman. He and his council were able to build a concrete waiting shed and public toilet and sponsored a sports tournament. After his term of office, he was succeeded by Edwin Eugenio.

Yolanda Baagin Patingan served as the barangay captain of San Agustin from 1997 to 2001. She continued implementing the development projects for her barangay. She was succeeded by Brgy. Captain Siodor Ponceja.

A tragic incident happened in San Agustin during the 2004 Elections. A week before actual voting took place, Brgy. Captain Ponceja was shot by unidentified gunmen. Many believed that it was a politically motivated killing. Unfortunately, the crime remained unsolved up to the present time.