Mahayag is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 42,462 people in 8,026 households.

History                                                            

Mahayag Town Hall

The town's name comes from the Visayan term "hayag" which means glowing.

The municipality of Mahayag was once a sitio of Molave, which in turn, was then a barangay of its mother municipality of Aurora. The area was largely forested during post-war era. Early settlers of the area had endeavored so hard for the creation of another municipality as they were motivated to pursue further development which could be enhanced by having a distinct political subdivision from the municipality of Molave as well as of its own identity. To realize this dream the Late Zacarias dela Torre and Pedro Alquizar donated a portion of their property to become the present town site.

The municipality of Mahayag was officially created on March 9, 1960, pursuant to Executive Order No. 393 by former President Carlos P. Garcia , with Saturnino Mendoza as its first appointed and subsequently elected Municipal Mayor. Hon. Paulino P. Fanilag, the incumbent Municipal mayor is the 8th Municipal Mayor of the Municipality of Mahayag, to include Hon. Carlito A. Lumacang as OIC-Mayor following the EDSA I Revolution, and Hon. Perpetuo C. Apale, the appointed Officer-in-Charge in the Office of the Municipal Mayor during the first election after the approval of the 1987 Constitution.

Barangays

Mahayag is politically subdivided into 29 barangays.

 Education

In addition to the daycare centers in each barangay, at least one (1) public elementary school exists in each of the 29 barangays comprising the municipality.

There are three public high schools and one private highschool run by the Catholic church in the municipality.

Although permitted to operate and offer Collegiate courses since the later part of the 1990's, no tertiary courses had been offered by the Santa Maria Goretti College except during the time when it served as an extension campus of the Saint Columban College (Pagadian).

College students who cannot afford to obtain their education from far places like Ozamiz or Pagadian, may still attend college at the Pagadian Institute of Technology (PIT) campus in Mahayag, and Josefina H. Cerilles State College.

 Facts

1. The present mayor is the 8th municipal mayor.
2. Total population as of year 2000 is 42,462, with total registered voters of 21,534.
3. There are 29 barangays and 3 sitios.
4. There are several tourist spots- the cave at Barangay Kaangayan and the 3 natural spring resorts at Barangay Tuburan (come and visit!!!)
5. The irrigation dam at Salug River supplies water to farmlands and to the farmlands of Molave and Tambulig.

 Municipal Officials

2007-2010 Municipal Officials

Mayor FANILAG, Paulino P. Sr.
Vice Mayor ESPINA, Lorna S.

Councilors

1. Fuentes, Teofilo A.
2. Edullantes, Jaime B.
3. Aclon, Teotimo N.
4. Nobleza, Bonifacio E.
5. Caylan, Felipe E.
6. Apale, Pablito Y.
7. Naval, Gemma P.
8. Capadngan, Felipe A.

 Tourist Destinations

Mahayag is also rich in naturals resources reserve. Tuburan, a remote barangay on the eastern part of the town, is famous for its cold and freezing natural springs. Three private resorts and swimming pools were put up to cater adventurous spirits.

courtesy link:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayag,_Zamboanga_del_Sur

Mahayag

Mahayag is located on the northern part of Zamboanga del Sur. It is classified as a 3rd-class municipality, with a population of 42,462 people in 8,026 households, according to the 2000 census. Geographically, it’s coordinates are 7 degrees 31′ 1″ North and 123 degrees 19′ 39″ East.

The name Mahayag comes from the Visayan word “hayag” which means “glowing” or “glare”. Essentially, the whole word means “that which glares or glows”. The place was originally a sitio of a barangay, which also happened to be called Mahayag. At that time, the place was still unfamiliar forested area, especially during the post-war era. It was under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Molave, then called Campo 7, which also became a municipality itself in 1949; by this time, barrio Mahayag became known as Barangay Lourmah. However, the early settlers of the area lobbied for the creation of another municipality as they wanted to pursue further development, which can only be achieved by having another political subdivision that is quite apart from their current municipality of Molave. The creation of another municipality would also mean an establishment of its own identity. Finally, in order to make this wish a reality, two residents, Zacarias dela Torre and Pedro Alquizar, decided to donate a portion of their respective properties, which now is the town’s present site.

On March 9, 1960, the municipality of Mahayag was officially created, as per Executive Order No. 393 by President Carlos P. Garcia. Its first appointed municipal mayor was Saturnino Mendoza.

Mahayag currently has 29 barangays under it, as well as three sitios. Education-wise, there is at least one elementary school per barangay. The municipality also has three high schools — one private and two public — with the private one being run by the Catholic church, as is mostly the case with private schools in the Philippines.

Mahayag also has several tourist destinations for those who want to see what northern Mindanao has to offer. For the most part, Mahayag is part of the Salug Valley, a place most newcomers love going to. The municipal hall is also a frequent place for people to go to, as it overlooks the whole town; it contains the park, the Women’s Center, and the municipality’s first-ever radio station. Private resorts, swimming pools, and hot springs can also be found in Mahayag, making it a good site for adventurous spirits.

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