Roxas, Isabela
', officially the ', is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people.
The municipality is the center of business and commerce in the Mallig Plains Region.
History
Early settlers were the Kalingas who originated from adjacent places in Mountain Province and some part of Kalinga-Apayao. Despite occasional clashes with Kalingas, Ilocano people settled in this area of the province, and increased their number with an influx from Ilocanos from Central Plains of Luzon and Ilocos Region.The place used to be called Bindang, and was part of the La Provincia del Valle de Cagayan. But in 1839, two new provinces were created by the Spanish conquistadors dividing the La Provincia del Valle de Cagayan into two. One retained the name Cagayan, while a new province of Nueva Vizcaya was created. Bindang was dissolved as Barrio Vira under the municipality of Gamu, Isabela.
In 1938, the area of Mallig Plains was set aside by the National Land Settlement Administration under Settlement No. 2 due to the construction of another National Highway project of President Manuel L. Quezon that passes through the area. But World War II interrupted the implementation of the highway so it remains uncemented for many years. After the war, provincial leaders saw the potential of Barrio Vira as an independent town.
On July 1, 1948 President Elpidio Quirino established Executive Order 136 creating Barrio Vira as an independent municipality named "Roxas" to honor his predecessor Manuel A. Roxas who just died a few months back. It was then inaugurated on July 4, 1948, and Rafael Lintao became its first mayor.
In 1952, the barrios of Holy Friday, San Jose, and San Jose were transferred to the newly created town of Mallig. In 1957, the barrios of Callang, Eden, Babanuang, Cabaritan, Santa Cruz, Malalinta, Mararigue, Calaocan, and Caraniogan were separated to form the municipality of Callang, now San Manuel. In the same year, the barrio of Basilio was renamed to San Jose.
Geography
The municipality of Roxas is one of the 34 municipalities comprising the wide province of Isabela. It is exactly located on the central-western part of the province, bounded in the north by the municipality of Mallig, on the north-east by the municipality of Quirino, on the east by the municipality of Burgos, on the south by the municipality of San Manuel all within the province of Isabela and on the west by the municipality of Paracelis in the province of Mountain Province.The road traversing the municipality of Roxas is the Maharlika Highway or better known as Cagayan Valley Road, connecting to other towns in Isabela particularly the adjacent towns of Gamu, Quirino, Mallig and San Manuel. The southern tip of Cagayan Valley Road connects the town to Manila, which is 9 to 10 hours travel by land and to other southern provinces like Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Bulacan.
Roxas lie on a flat fertile land between the two valleys of Cagayan. It occupies an area of or 2.01% of the total land area of Isabela. The town is partly urban, and partly rural. The urban area is expanding rapidly throughout the years making it a future city. The rural part of the town compose mainly of rice fields.
Topography
The landscape of Roxas is relatively compose of flatlands with minimal rise at certain point with base mountain elevations on the eastern part, on the parts of Sinamar, Simimbaan and San Placido. It is approximately 90% of the land area comprising the town can be described as low-lying hills with rolling terrain and an elevation of 200 feet or 61 meters above sea level. The town is dissected by creeks, river and waterways acting as natural drainage from waters coming from the uplands. The Siffu River, a connection from Ilog ng Cagayan traverse west ward from its diversion from Paracelis to Tuguegarao City supplying the rice fields with irrigation.The center of the town is relatively low relief of flatlands, while the south-western and north-western part having moderately sloping areas comprising the foothills of Mountain Province.
Climate
Using the corona classification scheme, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration classified Roxas' climatic type as to Type III category. Type III Climate is characterized by no pronounced seasons, but often drier from November to April and wet season from May to October like any other parts of the country. Roxas is described as Cloudy especially during summer time with an average wind of 1 mph to 3 mph.The temperature of Roxas is very rare to change but it varies minimally with an average temperature ranging from 23.4 °C to 23.9 °C. The hottest months of the year are April and May with an average of 27 °C, but it can reach as low as 17 °C in January. People can describe the temperature as hot weather, due to its close proximity to the hottest points of the Philippines, like Quezon in Isabela and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan. The data was gathered using weather station RPLC, above Roxas, Isabela.
Barangays
Roxas is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Below is the breakdown of its population as of August 1, 2015. Highlighted are the Poblacions.Demographics
In the, the population of Roxas, Isabela, was people, with a density of.Economy
Agriculture
The existence of the National Irrigation Administration System in the municipality that provides water supply services in irrigating farmlands makes the locality a prime agricultural community. The presence of these services makes the agricultural workers the highest in number. The agricultural productivity of Roxas is high, reaching as much as 95 percent cultivation rates in rice and corn. Surplus production of rice and corn are being exported to other places. Other crops are vegetables, tobacco and root crops in which production is just sufficient for local consumption. Likewise, the production of meat including pork and poultry is just sufficient but the supply of fish of other kinds aside from the harvest of inland fishpond owners within the locality is dependent on the arrival of supply coming from other places.In the area, rice is the predominant crop, planted twice a year. The livelihood opportunity is very limited thus,a year-round planting of vegetables is practiced to sustain additional income for the settlers. Farm labor is highly utilized and low productivity was experienced because of manual farming. As such, during peak of drying, farmers are compelled to sell their produce freshly threshed which commands lower price. In 2009, the government provided P3 million financial assistance for the Mestizo 1 hybrid seeds planting and for the establishment of needed agricultural components for Farming improvements. With the Local Government Unit’s strong support, cooperative members embarked on hybrid rice production starting as early as 2007-2008 wet season cropping and followed through the next dry season using 40-percent organic fertilizer.
Roxas municipality prides itself as the "pioneer" in hybrid rice production in the province of Isabela with the farmers now producing their own M1 hybrid seeds. The farmers who belong to three irrigators associations in barangays Simimbaan, Casilbagan and Tanap Progreso, have organized themselves into a cooperative called Simca Model Cluster MPC under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture. The rice cluster operation is an extension strategy in reaching farmers and extending assistance to achieve increased productivity, food sufficiency and job generation. This is initiated in support to the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Aside from hybrid rice enterprise, they also venture on fishery. Through the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources, the cluster coop had dispersed fingerlings to initial 23 fishery cooperators who have backyard fishpond and rice-fish integrated farming.
Trades and business
Since 2007, Roxas is notable for being most progressive town in Mallig Plains Region. It has the most number of banks such as BDO, Metrobank, Landbank, BPI, PNB, Chinabank, EastWest Bank, Producers Bank, FICO Bank, Rural Bank of Cauayan, Banco Agricola, Inc., Mallig Plains Rural Bank and other non-major banks.Roxas has the largest market in the Mallig Plains Region due to its continuous expansion after its 1987 construction. The market place is an organized area by which dry goods, wet market, toy stores and commercial stores are separated from each other. It offers a variety of products that is enough to provide the needs of the residents. Also, settlers from nearby municipalities of San Manuel, Quirino, Burgos, Mallig, Quezon and as far as Paracelis in Mountain Province are able to purchase their commodities from Roxas.
Multinational retail companies like Puregold and Savemore Market have opened in the recent years. There are also notable homegrown investors like XentroMall that houses fast food chain like Mang Inasal and stores like Pandayan Bookshop, Handyman, and Robinsons Appliances. Fast food chains like Jollibee, Chowking and Chic Boy have opened their respective stand-alone stores in the town.
Local government
The municipality of Roxas belonging to the Fifth Legislative District of Isabela is governed by a chief executive and a municipal council.| Position | Name |
| District Representative | Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy III |
| Chief Executive of the Municipality of Roxas | Mayor Jonathan Jose C. Calderon |
| Presiding Officer of the Municipal Council of Roxas | Vice Mayor Nick M. Sebastian |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Peter Jude Soriano |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Winnie Domingo |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Boyet Castillo |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Malu Salinda |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Jonathan Navalta |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Cesar Purugganan |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Bong Deray |
| Councilors of the Municipality of Roxas | Antonio Hui |
Infrastructure
Over the past two years, when Dr. Harry G. Soller took the helms of government as its Municipal Mayor, Roxas has seen an unprecedented pace in its infrastructure development. The local government, in cooperation with then Governor Grace Padaca and Congressman Edwin Uy, has concreted 20 kilometers of roads, more or less, in the town proper as well as in the barangays. As of March 2010, at least 10 kilometers of roads are programmed to be concreted. Moreover, Roxas' public places, and parks have been greatly improved. New parks include the Barangay Park, which features 26 nipa huts put up by each of the barangays of Roxas; the Roxas Municipal Park and Freedom Stage, which features a comfort room, a Pasalubong Center, a Center Gazeebo with a fountain, and other park amenities; the Forest Park in front of the municipal hall; the Binibining Roxas Park; the Rizal Park; and the newly improved Children's Park. The latter was further improved by the then Mayor, Benedict Calderon in 2011.Other infrastructure projects include the renovation of the municipal hall, the construction of a new module in the public market, the new vegetable trading post, numerous flood control projects, road widening projects, and many others. Also, a future Grand Terminal for bus, jeepneys and public utility vans is at plan and will have its location in Rizal.
In January 2011, Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 Regional Director Arnel B. Garcia personally handed a check amounting to P7 million pesos on January 4, 2011 to the LGU-Roxas for the construction of 100 core shelter units. On December 28, 2011, the Local Government Unit of Roxas avails 1,000,000.00 thru the Local Government Support Fund, wherein the said amount was used to purchase lot in Baranggay San Placido. The said lot was utilized for the Core Shelter and Resettlement Program for the 100 less privilege families and those affected by typhoon Juan. In 2013, incumbent Mayor Benedict Calderon launched the Core Shelter Assistance Program in the area now called, "Sitio Benito" wherein the awarding of certificate of acceptance to the indigent families was held. The Local Government Unit in partnership with the Department of Agriculture also launched the Green House Project in the CSAP area wherein beneficiaries were tasked to plant high value crops.
Roxas Astrodome
For over six years of construction, the Sports and Entertainment Recreation building of Roxas has been completed but is still subject for future furnishing and renovation. The Roxas Astrodome is located at the back of Roxas Municipal Hall. It consists of three-level seating with capacity of 5,000 to 6,000 people. This houses different events which include "Isabela Got Talent", a talent competition participated by contenders around Isabela and many more entertainment events.Road
Roxas is composed of mainly municipal and baranggay roads. A 22 kilometer National Road known as the Maharlika Road extends northward to the adjacent municipality of Mallig and to the province of Cagayan. The southern par extends to the adjacent municipality of San Manuel and provides the link to the cities of Santiago City and Manila. Roxas also has one provincial road from the center of the town extending eastward to the adjacent municipalities of Burgos, Gamu and Ilagan City. Municipal road extend to westward linking the town to Paracelis in Mountain Province.The national road of Roxas is characterized by four columns of concrete asphalt road. The Municipal roads are characterized by two columns of road with Side roads made up from bricks colored in maroon. It also has street lights specially on the part of the Poblacion, while the National Road have orange-colored street lights. Access roads to all the 26 barangays connects to the national highway, a most important component in the development of the municipality.
Protective Services
The Philippine National Police, 2nd District Mobile Force Company, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology maintain the peace and order situation in the municipality. They are being augmented by the barangay tanods of the 26 barangays. The Roxas Philippine National Police is composed of 30 policemen. The ratio is one policeman is to 1,381 persons, which is better than the national standard of 1:1,000. In terms of facilities and equipment, the police station is equipped with 14 radio transceivers and three service vehicles. The municipality has two fire trucks with complete accessories being manned by fifteen fire fighters.Water and electricity
The municipality of Roxas is powered by the Isabela Electric Cooperative District II. There are two separate power lines that divide the town. The other one connected to Aurora comprises the Barangays of San Rafael and San Antonio, while the remaining Barangays are connected to the central power facility of Roxas or the so-called Ilagan Connection. ISELCO II has its office at the center of the town. Out of the total 9,896 households, there are around 8,392 households or 84.05% have actual electrical connections. The remaining households uses kerosene, oil lamps and battery to light houses.On the water supply, Roxas has one of the richest. Residents mostly use shallow and deep wells for reservoir, and usually pumps water through a pump-well system. Some also use electrical-power faucets and Level III water systems. The main irrigation system for the farmlands are dependent to the Siffu River and other Irrigation System managed by the National Irrigation Administration. The un-irrigated areas greatly depend on rainwater and pumped wells for its water supply.
Telephone and multimedia services
The telephone communication system of Roxas is located in Barangay Vira. There are telephone units intends for commercial use offering domestic and international services. The leading telephone line of the municipality is Digi-Tel with an area code of. Roxas receives regular broadcasting from AM and FM radio stations from other towns like Tuguegarao City and Cauayan City. Several AM stations such as DZCV, Bombo Radyo, and DZRH are being aired in the town. Roxas has two FM Stations named WIN FM 107.5 "Nagimas sen" located in Rizal and WER 104.10 FM "Radyo104", located in the uppermost floor of Forrest Hotel. Several cellphone receptors and towers can also be located within the vicinity of the town. Smart Communications Tower is located in Barangay Vira, same as to Globe Telecom while the Sun Cellular Tower is located in Barangay Munoz. Internet services is also prominent in the town but wireless broadband internet is not accessible due to the absence of 3G in the area.Transportation
In terms of transportation, Roxas has the most number of bus and jeepney terminals compared to any other town in the region. Bus companies such as Victory Liner, Northern Luzon Bus Line, AJA Transport, & GV Florida Transport have services bound to other parts of the provinces, Ilocos, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan and Manila. Transportation within the town is mainly by "tricycles", a type of auto rickshaw that uses a motorcycle with an attached cab. There are also many vans which are used as a means of transportation from Roxas to other parts of the province. Many buses also pass through via Roxas routing from Cagayan to Manila and Baguio. Some of these buses are Victory Liner, Ballesteros Bus Line Corporation, DALIN, Lizardo Trans, GMW Trans, Maribel, Rosalinda and DOLBO Transportation.Routes
Healthcare
Roxas is primarily considered as the center of health services in Mallig Region. It has numerous primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals. Major hospitals are usually located inside the town proper while the Manuel A. Roxas District Hospital, the only government hospital is located in Barangay San Antonio. It also houses some specialization clinics like dental clinics and skin clinics. Moreover, health centers are also available in each barangays outside the town proper.Hospital/clinic
Local government
Politics has been one of the local prominent issues. Benedict C. Calderon became the mayor of Roxas, defeating Dr. Harry G. Soller who had been the mayor of Roxas for three years. In the 2010 election, first automated election in Philippine History, incumbent Mayor Harry Soller lost to former Mayor Benedict Calderon with about 2000 votes. The incumbent Mayor of the town is Dok Totep Calderon who ran unopposed during the 2016 Philippine National Election.List of Mayors:
- Rafael Lintao
- David Matusalem
- Teofilo Bailon
- Epifanio Abad
- Inocencio Uy
- Benito Calderon
- Harry Soller
- Benedict Calderon
- Jonathan Jose Calderon
Official seal
Education
Public and private schools serve the people of Roxas and other neighboring towns. It has a number of public elementary schools, three public high schools, namely Roxas National High School, Lanting National High School and Munoz National High School,the same through with the Monico Rarama National High School. A Marian institution, La Salette of Roxas, provide the private school education. It has a primary school, a high school, and a college. La Salette of Roxas is considered as the highest standard of Education in the municipality. Roxas East Central School is the largest elementary school in the town. There are also Day Care Centers each barangay and various specialized learning centers namely Roxas United Methodist Church Kindergarten School and Isabela Christian Learning Center for nursery education. There are four private elementary schools, the Casa Del Niño Montessori School, Marlbury Bush Montessori School, Shalom Learning and La Salette of Roxas-Elementary Department. There are also Colleges and Universities in the town namely University of La Salette - Roxas Campus a branch of University of La Salette - Santiago City and Isabela State University.Here are the complete list of schools within the vicinity of Roxas.
Festivities
A yearly celebration of Pagay Festival held every July 4. The Festival was popularly known as the Araw ng Roxas Celebration but it was declared formally as Pagay Festival during the reign of Mayor Benedict Calderon. It is celebrated because of the rich agricultural bounty of Roxas, being one of the town that produces large stocks of rice. The festival features a Parade comprises mostly by Politicians and participating schools from different parts of Roxas, kuliglig contest and cooking of the biggest rice cake that was also featured in the national television. Major events include a Street Dance Competition from different schools and Palarong Bayan.Due to a conflict in the name of the festival, by which the town of Alicia, Isabela celebrates the same. It was changed to Binnadangan Festival by former Mayor Harry Soller. The Binnadangan comes from an Ilocano word meaning Bayanihan and was also derived from the former name of the town during the 1600s. The festival ends with a long Pyromusical.
Places of interest
| Destination | Location | Year of Completion | Description |
| Barangay Park | Vira, Roxas, Isabela | 2010 | 26 Nipa Huts |
| Roxas Municipal Park | Centro, Roxas, Isabela | 2010 | Memorial Park of Manuel A. Roxas, Freedom Stage, Pasalubong Center and Fountain |
| Forest Park | Vira, Roxas, Isabela | 2010 | Themed Park |
| Children's Park | Vira, Roxas, Isabela | 2000 | Themed Park |
| Borubor Falls | Sinamar, Roxas, Isabela | Nature Wonder | Falls |
| Roxas Astrodome | Rizal, Roxas, Isabela | 2010 | Coliseum |
| Our Lady of La Salette Church | Vira, Roxas, Isabela | 1970 | Church |
| Hadassah Resort | Munoz, Roxas, Isabela | 2001 | Resort |
| Lado Del Rio Resort | Riverside, San Placido, Roxas, Isabela | 2011 | Resort |