HISTORY OF POTOTAN

            The first people Pototan are the famiy Datu Ramon, grandson of Datu Puti, a malay who came from the town of   Dumangas. They first settled at Barangay Naslo, which was for merely the Poblacion. In that place was a luxuriant growth of trees called “Putat” for which the place was subsequently named “kapututan”.  However, due its hilly terrain and difficulty in securing water, they decided to move nearer the bank of the the Suage River. The area would later flourish to become what is now known as Pototan.

            In the middle of the 16^th century, Chinese traders arrived in Pototan and their arrival gave birth to a new horizon. The natives learned the techniques of trade and commerce, which continued to thrive until the middle part of the 17^th century.

            The arrival of another foreign group,the Spaniards sparked the changes in the       socio- economic and political life of the residents.It was then the natives  co verted  to catholicism .edu cation ,though at the onset only for the  privileged few ,was introduced.

            To improved the economic and social condition of the place,the Spaniards intro duced  and built raods and bridges.They constructed the Tribunal or Municipal hall    under  the supervision of Don  Tomas  Sajen and Don Escribano with the residents contributing the labor force.The Tribunal was able to withstand the wrath of the last global  war and in the early  50s was modified into what is now known as the Western Visayas Hospital.

            In 1874, the Pototanons were given the opportunity to run their own politic al affairs with the appointment of Juan Marcelo as the first Capitan Minicipal. This formed of government continued until the arrival of the Americans.

             During the Spanish regime, and incumbency of Capitan Municipal Braulio Penaranda, a horrifying event happened – something which Pototanos will never forget - the cholera outbreak of 1891. Old folks were able to survive the epidemic can still recall the torment and anguish of their town mate s afflicted with this unexpected Plague. Because of the absence of medicines many lives were lost.

            The coming of the Americans in 1899 is another highlight in the town’s history. Under the Americans, the natives were granted the freedom of speech and worship. Education was liberalized: more and better roads and bridges were constructed. Improvements were also noted in the economic, social and cultural life of the people. During this period Tan Anoy was the (first) Presidente Municipal of the Town.

            During the incumbency of Presidente Municipal Primitivo Ledesma, the Pototanos again witnessed another unforgettable event: the burning of the entire half of the Poblacion in November 1914. Cause of the fire was unknown.

             When   the Philippine   Constitution   was ratified in 1935, another change in the towns, local government was introduced: the title of Presidente Municipal was changed to Municipal Mayor. The late Fernando Parcon was the first Municipal Mayor. He was succeeded by Mariano Penflorida in 1940 and served his constituents until September 16, 1942.

            The coming of the Japanese spread chaos and fears among the Pototanos. Mayor Penaflorida continued to act as Mayor under the Free Revolutionary Government of Tomas Confesor, while the Japanese Imperial Forces designated Tomas Ferraris as Mayor under its puppet government.

            Inspite of the ravages of the last global war, especially in the poblacion , the municipality rose from the ruins and made tremendous progress within  a short  span of time. Some returned to the ricefields, while some open business to earn a living.

Aside from rice, the lifeblood of the town includes sugarcane, fruits, and vegetables. To supplement the family income, many Pototanos engage in cottage industries such as pottery, sawali making, basket weaving, mat making, loom weaving, poultry and livestock raising with financial assistance from government.