BRIEF HISTORY OF BARANGAY PASONG
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, there were already different tribes of the people living in the Philippines. They were the Aetas, and the Malays Peninsula. These foreigners specially the Malays had already formed a government. The smallest form of government was called BARANGAY and the head was called CABEZA. A group of Spaniards happened to come in this ce
rtain place. The couples were busy pounding rice for lunch. Without their knowledge, the Spaniards stop and asked what the name of the place was. The couple thought if the query is how many cavans of rice they could pound in a day. The couple answers immediately “SANG KA PASONG.” Upon hearing the word “PASONG” the Spaniards repeated many times saying “THIS PLACE CALLED PASONG.” The name was formed due to the misunderstanding between the couple and the Spaniards. During that period, people of Barangay Pasong were innocent and afraid of the foreigners. They hid themselves anywhere. That time, the Kapitan (Spanish Captain) ordered the GuardiyaSibil (Civil Guard) to collect taxes for each couple three pesos a year. Anyone who failed to pay their taxes was punished to work in the construction of the church in the Poblacion. On that time, the head of the Barangay was called CABEZA DE BARANGAY who exercised his power within the jurisdiction of the Barangay. According to reliable sources, the first Cabeza de Barangay was CabezaMundoy (Mr. Remundo de Pedro), and the first Barangay Lieutenant was the late ClietoEstopado in 1940. The first fiesta celebration started in the year 1953 was held on the month of March under the administration of Barangay Lieutenant Mr. Pablo Elicaña and Vice Lieutenant Vicente Elumba Sr. during Marshall Law period, the Barangay Captain was Mr. Cesar Eslera Sr. At present, Barangay Pasong is becoming a prosperous barangay for the reason that there are some Sitios forming in the outskirt of the barangay. To mention few, one of the Sitio was named “CABANTAC”, located at the upper portion of the barangay. Cabantac is taken from the word “CAVAN” (the English term of Pasong). The word –“TAC” is the additional word that means many beans planted. The SitioCabantac has its own Annual Fiesta held every year on the month of April. The first annual fiesta celebration was in 1992 and was recognized by the barangay constituents. From the latest survey, number of households of Barangay Pasong was 108 with a population of 496 and the registered voters of 272. For the past number of years, a number of Barangay constituents walked distance of 16 kilometers from the farm to market road. But now a day, we have our own barangay road constructed on the year 1996 through the effort of Cong. Garin, the First Congressional District of Iloilo. The distance of the barangay proper from the Municipality of Igbaras is approximately 7 kilometers. The water system coming from the natural spring flowing through GI provided water supply to the Barangay constituents. The power supply of the barangay came from ILECO-1 connecting from Miag-ao. It was launched on the eve of the first Saturday of March 1998 (Barangay Pasong Annual Fiesta celebration honor of its Patron Saint San Ramon Nonato). As of now, others have already acquired their home appliances such refrigerator, televisions, components and others. The people of Barangay Pasong especially the youth era mostly educated because the barangay site was situated at the middle of Barangay Schools namely: Lumangan Elementary School, Mulangan Elementary School and Tanoong Primary School. Most of the youth had graduated from elementary. Others continue their secondary school in Igbaras National High School in the Poblacion. There were already engineers, doctors, teacher, seaman and were employed in different offices. Others have work abroad. The scientific methods of farming and farm facilities are implanted in this Barangay. Likewise, the people had produced commercial products like copra, tobacco, peanuts, mangoes and other agricultural products. Foe personal consumption, the people plant rice, corn, root crops and vegetables. Not only the implementation of the scientific methods of farming but also the hard work of people contributed much to the improvement of the living condition of the barangay. Other farmers benefit from the small water impounding projects or irrigation system coming from Naulid Creek. As of this time, Barangay Pasong is becoming a progressive and well-developed Barangay in the town of Igbaras.
