Sagay City, Philippines

Sagay City Description

Sagay City is a 2nd class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. The 66th city in the Philippines. The name was taken from the semi-spherical shell called “sigay” which are found abundant in it’s seaschores. Sagay City was originally called Arguelles when Teniente Francisco Rodriguez and Basilio Cordova founded it in 1860 in the mouth of the Bulanon River. Later, the Spanish authorities transferred the town to what is now a baranggay called Old Sagay, but was then called Pueblo de Magallanes. In 1906 the town was officially changed to Sagay. The name was taken from the semi-spherical shell called “sigay.” After World War II, the seat of government was transferred to the present site, Dalusan, because of its accessibility to land transportation. On 11 June 1996 Republic Act 8192 was passed and Sagay became a City.

Sagay City Attraction

Sagay City, now is home to a 32,000 hectare marine reserve that includes Carbin Reef, Panal Reef, Maca Reef and Maca Shoal. There is also BalayKauswagan, (read: House of Progress) an ideal venue for seminars, skills training, art exhibits, trade fairs, wedding receptions and even a place to stay when you’re in the area.

Other points of interest includes the City Garden and the Living Tree Museum, Museo sang Bata (Children’s Museum) sa Negros, Vito Church which was built in the 1800’s and the biggest annual event in the city, the Sinigayan Festival.

A steam train, called the Legendary Siete is in display a the city plaza. Colin Garratt, author of the book, Iron Dinosaurs considered Siete as the “world’s most incredible steam survivor” and even proclaiming her a ‘portrait of a dinosaur’ at the date his book was published in 1976

Sagay City Location

Sagay straddles a good portion of the Northernmost tip of the island of Negros. East by the City of Escalante and Municipality of Toboso; South by the City of Talisay and Municipality of Calatrava. It is approximately 84 kms. from Bacolod City which is the Provincial Capital.