Proem

The Wednesday 27 September 2006 issue of the Bohol Chronicle had an article on page 8 entitled "Balilihan turns 178." I said to myself, "Great!"

What intrigued me was the statement of the news item that says "Established as a separate pueblo (town) from her mother town Baclayon on September 29, 1828." There was no additional statement as to whose authority was cited in the creation of the town.

My Doctoral Dissertation was the establishment of towns of Bohol in its civil aspect. I researched on the towns of Bohol including those that were created and abolished. The usual basis of authority was the decree of the Governor General, Executive Order of the President, Legislation, or some authoritative state of a person in authority.

In the case of the news item there was no cited authority and I reviewed my book and hence this article today.

Antecedents

On 31 August 1829, Comandante (Major) Manuel Sanz, the conqueror of the followers of Dagohoy, made a report to Governor General Mariano Ricafort. The report of Major Sanz said:

Balilihan. - Fue planteado en el mes de Abril ultimo a solicitud de los habitantes en su terreno bajo la nominacion de visita, se le dio por base 272 del pueblo de Baclayon, se le han incorporado 102 reducidos y 1,726 de otros pueblos, se compone la poblacion de 2,100 almas y le administra e P. Fr. Manuel Plaza de San Benito interinamente."

Translation: Balilihan. - It was planned last April through the request of the inhabitants that the place be under the category of a visita (mission field). Its original population of 272 came from the town of Baclayon and joined by 102 resettled surrenderees. They were augmented with 1,726 inhabitants from other towns. The total population is composed of 2,100 souls under the temporary administration of Father Manuel Plaza de San Benito.

The Spanish word "planteado" comes from the verb plantear. It means to plan, to trace, to try, or to attempt. The Spanish text says "el mes de Abril ultimo = last April." The report was made on 31 August 1829, so the "last April" would mean April 1829. Even if we would say that it would mean April 1828, we still have the month of April and not September as stated in the news item.

Action Taken by Major Sanz

When Major Manuel Sanz had already many captives or had convinced many followers of Dagohoy to surrender, he sent a letter to the Governor General of the Philippines to be allowed to establish resettlement areas.

On 5 February 1828, Governor General Mariano Ricafort approved the request of Major Sanz to establish resettlement areas in the places called Balilihan, Batuanan, Catigbian, Vilar (now: Bilar), Candijay, and Cabulao.

On 2 September 1829, Major Sanz reiterated his request with a difference. Major Sanz requested that these places be made into new towns in the civil jurisdiction only.

On 9 December 1831, the new Governor General Pascual Enrile officially approved the recommendation of Major Manuel Sanz.

Analysis

I do not question the date September 29, 1828 claimed by the municipality of Balilihan as its founding day. What I am trying to ask is, from whose authority is it anchored. If they say that by Municipal Ordinance they chose the date, well and good.

The official report of Major Sanz said that the town of Balilihan was officially settled on April 1829 with the assignment of its corresponding Parish Priest. On 20 May 1829, the people were gathered by the Parish Priest to choose the Patron Saint.

On 5 February 1828, the Governor General approved the request of Major Sanz to make resettlement areas. It was only on 2 September 1829 when Major Sanz recommended the resettlement areas to become towns in its civil aspect only.

Something must have happened on 29 September 1828 because it was construed as the start of the town of Balilihan. What it was, was not written in the news item.

The decree of the Governor General that approved Balilihan as a separate town in its civil jurisdiction has the date 9 December 1831.