Discover Bayawan

Bayawan City is the penultimate LGU of the 3rd Congressional District of Oriental Negros with a land area of 69,908 hectares, the biggest in Region 7. It became a City by virtue of R.A. 8983 last December 23, 2000 and has been recently classified as a 3rd class City.

Bounded by the South Sulu Sea, known as the “tuna highway of the Visayas,” it offers a picturesque panorama of captivating sunsets and a windswept shoreline.  A newly completed two-kilometer four-lane coastal road known as the “boulevard” is fast becoming the center of a bustling night life, and  was the venue of two prestigious national triathlon events in 2004 and 2005.

Bayawan City is a Character City and an active member of the Association of Character Cities in the Philippines. It was the sole recipient in the Visayas and Mindanao of the Healthy City Award by the Department of Health as of last December, 2003.

Aside from its fine beaches, the City has lots to offer for the adventurous due to abundance of eco-tourism destinations: waterfalls, subterranean caves and natural springs.  Niludhan Falls, Lourdes Falls, Mag-aso Spring and Habhaban Cave are just some of the natural wonders unspoiled by civilization.

Bayawan City is also noted for cultural tourism.  Belen Festival, the centerpiece of the Pasko sa Bayawan celebration has made the City one of the most enduring Christmas playgrounds of Oriental Negros. Visual artists vie for top honors in the month long activity, depicting the Nativity with Christmas tree and Parol as structural requisites. Intricately crafted Belens using discarded and indigenous materials attest to the Bayawanons’ ingenuity and artistry.

The Tawo-tawo Festival held every 3rd Sunday of February breaths life to the elements of the rice field: the scarecrow or “tawo-tawo”, the “maya” birds, the farmer and his wife tilling the land and in thanksgiving. They are woven together to form a bigger scenario of the rich culture and history of Bayawan City. The Festival whose root is traced back to Pre Hispanic times has reaped honors for the City in the provincial Buglasan Festival of Festivals and in Sinulog de Cebu.

Bayawan City is also noted for a delicacy made of glutinous rice, young coconut and sugar called the “baye-baye.” It is wholesome snack or dessert all members of the family will surely enjoy. It comes in a handy pack perfect as "pasalubong".