History

The city of Sagay was originally known as Arguelles in 1860 a place that was founded by Teniente Francisco Rodriguez and Basiliio Cordova in the mouth of river today as known Bulanon River. Later, by the order of a Spanish leader the town proper was transferred to a bigger settlement the old Sagay site known as Pueblo de Magallanes.

During the administration of the second president of the town Quintin Katalbas he officially changed the name of the town into Sagay in 1906, derived from the word “sigay” a semi-spherical shape of shell that can be found in the shore of the town. By the end of the World War II, the center of government was transferred to the present site, Dalusan because of its accessibility to land transportation but the name remain the same.
 
In 1995, the Hon. Congressman of the 2nd district of Negros Occidental Alfredo G. Maranon, Jr. authored the House Bill No. 6543, an Act converting the town of Sagay into a component city of Negros Occidental  and be known as City of Sagay. On June 11, 1996, the Municipality of Sagay was converted into a City and was ratified on August 10, 1996 through a plebiscite by virtue of Republic Act 8192. The Excellency of President Fidel V. Ramos formally proclaimed Sagay the seventh city in Negros Occidental and Mayor Joseph G. Marañon its first city mayor during his visit in the province on August 27, 1996 and cited Sagay as an excellent example for other striving communities.

With the big effort of the city officials leaded by Mayor Joseph G. Maranon, the city’s leap from third class municipality into first class city in the province of Negros Occidental receives a recognition from different sector of the province.

Geography

The 66th city in the Philippines, Sagay straddle a good portion of the Northernmost tip of the island of Negros. Located at the latitude of 10 degrees 53 minutes and 50.52 seconds and longitude of 123 degrees, 24 minutes and 52.75 seconds. It is bounded in the North by Asuncion Pass and Visayan sea; West by Cities of Cadiz and Silay; East by the City of Escalante and Municipality of Toboso; South by the City of Talisay and Municipality of Calatrava. It is approximately 84 kilometers from Bacolod City which is the Provincial Capital. The city celebrated its fiesta every March 19 of the year, it attracts local and foreign tourist with their Sinigayan Festival which features various talents of different barangays in the city.  

How to get there

Manila – Bacolod
 
By Air

One could take Domestic flights from Manila to Bacolod at NAIA (NinoyAquino International Airport) serviced by PAL (Philippine Airlines), Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines. Daily Flights available.
 
By Sea

Going to Bacolod is easy. WG&A SuperFerry and Negros Navigation can take you to Bacolod with regular shipping schedules.

Bacolod – Sagay

By Land

Sagay is approximately a two-hour drive by private car from Bacolod City. Public utility vehicles regularly plying the northern Negros highway pass by this newly-chartered city in the north.