10/06/2026
Cadiz at 59: A Story Still Being Written
Cadiz City will mark its 59th Charter Day on July 4, commemorating nearly six decades of cityhood and reflecting on a history that spans more than a century of governance, resilience, and development.
Over almost 60 years, what have you learned, known, or observed about Cadiz City?
The story of Cadiz traces its roots to a small riverside settlement known as “Hitalon.” Historical accounts indicate that roving merchants, believed to be Spaniards, recognized the area’s potential as a center for trade and commerce and named it Cadiz after the famous seaport city in Seville, Spain in 1861.
By 1878, Cadiz had become an independent municipality, separating from Saravia, now E.B. Magalona. During the Spanish colonial period, local governance was led by a gobernadorcillo and a tribunal composed of various local officials. Community projects and public works were undertaken through the “Dagyao System,” a form of communal labor that helped build roads, bridges, and other vital infrastructure.
Cadiz also played a role in the struggle against Spanish rule. Residents joined the revolutionary movement, while local leaders became part of the short-lived Federal Republic of Negros. The city would later experience economic activity during the American period through the establishment of lumber industries before enduring the hardships of the Japanese occupation during World War II.
Following the war, Cadiz entered a period of rebuilding and modernization. The municipality steadily progressed until a historic milestone was achieved on July 4, 1967, when Republic Act No. 4898 elevated Cadiz into a component city, authored by then Congressman Armando C. Gustilo, formally ushering Cadiz into a new era of local governance and development.
Over the succeeding decades, city leaders pursued programs and projects that expanded infrastructure, strengthened economic activity, and improved public services. Markets, bridges, roads, and commercial establishments transformed the city’s landscape and supported its growing population.
A major chapter in the city’s modern history began in 2001 when Salvador Escalante Jr. was elected City Mayor. His administration focused on infrastructure development, economic progress, and responsive public service under the banner of “From Vision to Reality.” Key projects during his tenure included the construction of the Cadiz City Commercial Port in Barangay Banquerohan.
In 2010, leadership transitioned to Dr. Patrick G. Escalante, whose administration continued development initiatives in housing, health, education, infrastructure, and utilities. Nine years later, in 2019, Salvador Escalante Jr. returned to city leadership and has continued to serve as mayor, pursuing programs aimed at modernization, economic growth, and public welfare.
Today, Cadiz stands as one of the largest cities in Negros Occidental and proudly carries the title “City of Whales,” a distinction rooted in the unusual appearance of whales along its shores in 1967.
The questions that matter today are not only how far Cadiz has come, but how far it still needs to go. Are we building a city that is inclusive? Are we creating opportunities for future generations? Are we preserving the values and history that define us as Cadiznons?
The answers to these questions will shape the next chapter of our story.
As Cadiz marks its 59th Charter Day, we honor those who came before us, recognize those who serve today, and place our confidence in the generations who will inherit the city tomorrow.
The story of Cadiz did not begin in 1967, and it does not end at 59 years. It is a continuing story, written by every citizen, every community, and every generation that chooses to contribute to the city's future.
The challenge before us is simple: to leave Cadiz better than we found it./*
Source: Cadiz CPDO Files
