History of Southern Leyte Province

Study Notes

Southern Leyte shares a common history with its mother province, Leyte, up to June 30, 1960.

Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator in the service of the Spanish crown, discovered the Philippines on March 16, 1521.
He recorded the sighting of the island of Homonhon on March 16, 1521.

Magellan and his men landed in Limasawa, an island measuring 640 hectares at the southern tip of Leyte mainland, on March 28, 1521.
Magellan met Rajah Kolambu, the native ruler, and his brother Rajah Siagu, the chieftain of Butu in Mindanao, on Limasawa Island.
The first recorded blood compact or treaty of friendship between Rajah Kolambu and Magellan took place on Limasawa Island.

The island is where the First Mass in the Philippines was celebrated.
Magellan planted a cross on a hilltop and took possession of the territory in the name of Spain.

During the Spanish colonial era, a “sub-province” of Leyte existed, consisting of western and southern towns from Palompon to Hinunangan, including Panaon Island, with Maasin as the center.
A court of First Instance and Provincial Treasurer (Administrador de Hacienda) held offices in Maasin.

A "sub-province" of Leyte existed, consisting of western and southern towns from Palompon to Hinunangan, including Panaon Island, with Maasin as the center.
A Court of First Instance and Provincial Treasurer's office were located in Maasin.

With the change of sovereignty from Spanish to American, offices except the Court of First Instance were reverted back to Tacloban.

The distance from Tacloban and poor road conditions made travel and business transactions difficult, leading to a desire for separation among Cebuano-speaking western Leyteños from Waray-waray-speaking eastern Leyteños.
Local leaders rallied for the division of Leyte Province, making it a key issue in every election from 1915 to 1960.
The issue became a key factor in local politicians' careers, with their stand on the division influencing their political success.