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Ang Historidad sa atong Municipalidad

Valencia is on the southern coast of Bohol. It is forty-two kilomerters from the capital City of Tagbilaran Its former name is said to be Panangatan, which is derived from sang-at, meaning to put up on an elevated place. It is said that many, many years ago, on windy days, fishermen from Dimiao and Lila used to seed shelter at the mouth of the Panangatan River when the southwest moonsoon was very strong. Here they would put up (sang-at) their boats on the banks of the river where nipa palms grew, in order to prevent them from being washed away by the waves. When the Spaniards came, Panagatan was still a part of Dimiao. It was separated in 1867, the year a Spanish priest was assigned to the municipality. The priest gave it the new name, after that of a seaport city in Spain.

          The governadorcillo or capitan municipal was elected by the members of the principalia of the town, which was composed of the officials of the town, the ex-officials, and the ex-cabezas de barangay. The election was presided over by the priest, who wielded a strong influence on the results of the election. In 1879 Valencia had a population of 7,099. During the Pilippine-American War, the people joined the resistance movement. At the point called Punta Gorda or Balitbiton, which is between Valencia and Garcia-Hernandez, the Filipino soldiers used to waylay the Americans and then attack them with big rocks. During the early months of 1942, many people from Mindanao and Cebu evacuated to Valencia. In spite of the increased population, there was no shortage of food because the people carried on an intensive food production campaign. They produced rice, corn, camotes and gabi. Many from Alburquerque and Baclayon came, drawn by the abundance of foodstuffs.

          Towards the end of the war, that is, in August, 1944, a Japanese sergeant was ambushed and killed in Dimiao by guerrillas from Valencia. In retaliation, about twenty members of the Valencia bolo battalion were killed by the Japanese for refusing to reveal the whereabouts of the guerrillas. The Japanese committed cruelties against the Filipinos. People lost much property such as carabaos, pigs, chickens, horses, rice, jewelry, money and clothing.

          The principal industries of the people today are weaving, pot making, and fishing. The most important products are coconuts, rice, corn and fish. It is in this town that the Badiang Health Resort is found—a popular resort which attracts excursionists and foreign visitors. For the education of the children there are elementary shcools in the poblacion and in the barrios. For their secondary education, students may go to the Valencia High School, a public school. Valencia remains one of the most wealthiest and well-to-do municipalities in Bohol.

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