Negros

Negros is a major island located in the Visayas region of the central Philippines.

It ranks as the fourth largest island in the country. It is also the third most populous island. As of the 2024 census, the total population reached 4,797,302 people. The inhabitants of the island are known as Negrenses or Negrosanons. The southern coastal zone is a site of immense biological importance. It sits within the Coral Triangle, a region famous for marine biodiversity.

The island's geography and economy are closely linked to its volcanic history. The soil is rich and fertile due to volcanic activity. This makes the land perfect for growing sugarcane. Large farming estates called haciendas cover much of the countryside.

These plantations feed into sugar centrals, which are large processing mills. During the Commonwealth period, railroads were built to connect these mills. These tracks allowed sugar to move efficiently from the fields to the towns. As a result, several settlements grew into major cities. These include Ilog, Hinigaran, La Carlota, Silay, Pulupandan, Bacolod, San Carlos, and Bais.

Administratively, the island has a complex history of different regional groupings. From 2015 to 2017, it was governed as the Negros Island Region. This was created by Executive Order No. 183 under President Benigno Aquino III. This region included the city of Bacolod and the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. However, President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved this region in 2017. The provinces returned to their previous administrative areas. Recently, a new Negros Island Region was formed. In June 2024, President Bongbong Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12000. This new region includes Negros and the neighboring island of Siquijor.

The history of Negros begins long before Spanish arrival. The island was originally called Buglas in the old Hiligaynon language. This name likely meant "cut off" because the island appeared separate from larger landmasses. Among the earliest inhabitants were the Ata, an aboriginal Negrito group. Different groups influenced different coasts. The western areas were under the Kedatuan of Madja-as. The eastern coasts were influenced by the Rajahnate of Cebu.

Spanish colonizers arrived in April 1565. They named the island Negros after observing the dark skin of the native people.

In the late 1800s, the island underwent a major political shift. In 1890, the Spanish officially partitioned the island. This created the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. On November 3, 1898, a revolution began against Spanish colonial rule.

Leaders Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta led the revolt. They used a clever tactic with fake weapons. They carried rifles carved from palm fronds and cannons made of rolled bamboo mats. These fake arms helped convince the Spanish to surrender on November 6, 1898.

This led to the short-lived Republic of Negros. This republic was later replaced by United States administration in 1899.

Negros also experienced a period of intense hardship during the 1980s. During this time, sugar was a vital export for the Philippines. It accounted for 27% of the country's foreign exchange earnings. However, international sugar prices crashed unexpectedly. A government monopoly called NASUTRA caused many planters to fall into debt. This led to the "Negros Famine." By 1984, over 190,000 sugar workers lost their livelihoods. About one million people suffered from hunger and malnutrition.

This period also saw social unrest and violence, such as the Escalante massacre in 1985.

Today, Negros remains a diverse and significant part of the Philippines. The island features both industrial centers and natural wonders. For example, the Puhagan geothermal plant utilizes the island's volcanic heat.

The island is also a center for education. Dumaguete is home to Silliman University, founded in 1888. It was the first American school in the entire Asian continent. From its volcanic soil to its vibrant festivals, Negros connects agriculture, history, and nature.