Jovellar

Etymology

The town was named in honor of Spanish governor-general Joaquín Jovellar y Soler.

History

In Year 1572, when the first Spanish Port was established at the western coast of the Bicol Peninsula, Christianization spread-out among the natives and paved the way for the founding of the municipality of Jovellar.

With these developments, the native converts were emboldened to be adventurous and ventured to establish new settlements far out in the region of Bicol Peninsula. Thus, a group from west coast led by a leader popularly known as PIA, sailed upstream of Donsol River and settled in its mouth. There the people in the settlement became economically active by engaging in the gathering of all kinds of forest products like vines, resin, tar, rattan log and wildlife which were sold to dwellers in the west coast. As trade and commerce flourished, more people settled in the place which was later on named as “QUI PIA”. QUI meaning belonging to and PIA as tribute to said adventurous woman.

Succession of political developments saw the evolution of this settlement namely:

1. By Year 1649, this settlement was formally created as a Municipal District under the Ecclesiastical and Civil Jurisdiction of Nueva Caceres bearing the name “Distrito Municipal De Quipia”;

2. On Year 1811, the settlement became a full-pledge town known as “Municipio De Quipia” and became part of the newly created Province of Albay by virtue of a decree of the Governor-General. The first elected Gobernadorcillo was Anastacio de la Peña with only one Year term of the office. Succession of other gobernadorcillos followed thereafter from year 1812 for several years. Through the influence of a Spanish Resident name Don Cipriano Anduiza the Governor-General by a Decree, declared the name of the place as Jovellar in honor of an illustrious Spanish Captain-General Joaquin Jovellar Y Soler, more popularly known as the father of the infamous head tax called “Cedula Personal”. The title of Gobernadorcillo was changed to “Capitan Municipal” with additional one year term of office. The following year until the end of Spanish Regime, a total of sixteen Capitanes Municipal took turns in the governance of the municipality during the period year 1863 to 1899;

3. During the American Regime the title Capitan Municipal was replaced by “Municipal President”. Thirteen (13) Municipal President were swoon in to local leadership from year 1900 to 1941;

4. The Japanese Occupation proved the resiliency of the people of Jovellar in repulsing this foreign domination through an organized region-wide guerilla unit-Voluntary Army of the United States of America (VAUSA) under the leadership of Mayor Leon Monilla. The Japanese Civil commission appointed Arturo C. Macandog as Town Mayor by way of establishing their own government. Vicente Macandog succeeded as Town Mayor in year 1944 after the untimely demise of Arturo C. Macandog from the hands of a guerilla fanatic;

5. After the end of World War II, Jovellar economy was in shambles when independence was declared on July 4, 1946, where Leon C. Monilla was appointed as Mayor by the American Liberation Force. President Manuel Roxas instead appointed Jose N. Ortega as Town Mayor when civil affairs were restored in Jovellar;

6. During the 1946 election of officials for a four year term, Jose N. Ortega was the first Mayor-elect for Jovellar during the period year 1946 to year 1949. The ensuring election of town Officials saw the rise of politics and succession of leadership in Jovellar with the likes of Tomas C. Pales (1960-1963); Jaime P. Clamar (1964-1967); re-election of Tomas C. Pales in year 1968 until year 1975 when he was succumbed to death while in Office; succession of Vice-Mayor Teodoro Mancera for the unexpired term of Mayor Pales until year 1979; and Mancera until year 1986;

7. The historic People’s Power Revolution n year 1986 gave rise to the appointment of Jose N. Arcangel Jr. as Officer-in-Charge of the municipality. He was elected as Mayor of Jovellar during the year 1988 elections and was re-elected during the year 1992 and 1995 elections;

8. Mayor Antonio A. Herrera succeeded during the year 1998 election, and Jose N. Arcangel Jr. has re-elected again during the year 2001 election; and

9. Hon. Jorem L. Arcangel is now the incumbent Municipal Mayor of Jovellar on the year 2010 election by the popular will of the people.

Geography

Jovellar is located at . Quipia River runs through the town and the river leads all the way to Donsol in Sorsogon.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 105.40 km2 constituting of the 2,575.77 km2 total area of Albay.

Main access to the town is via Guinobatan. Jeepneys ply the 16 km distance from Guinobatan to Jovellar daily with the first trip from Guinobatan leaving as early as 5AM and the last trip to Jovellar usually at around 5PM.

Barangays

Jovellar is politically subdivided into 23 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Jovellar had a population of 17,538 people. The population density was {{sigfig|17,538/105.40|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

The town's main industry is agriculture. Primary crops are rice, copra, abaca, and corn.

Tourism activities in the area may include a trip to the river just behind the local school or a trip to Pariaan pool.

Once at the town center, one can find a statue of the national hero, Jose Rizal, and the town church in front of it.

Government

Elected officials

: Legend :# A indicates that the official is elected for the first term :# A indicates that the official is re-elected to a higher position :# A indicates that the official is re-elected to the same position

Past Municipal Administrators

Education

The Jovellar Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Presently, there are almost 25 Day Care Centers, 20 public elementary schools, and 4 public high schools

Primary and elementary schools

• Jovellar Central School
• Bagacay Elementary School
• Bautista Elementary School
• Cabraran Elementary School
• Del Rosario Elementary School
• Estrella Elementary School
• Florista Elementary School
• Jovellar Central School (White Deer Annex)
• Lilibdon Elementary School
• Mamlad Elementary School
• Maogog Elementary School
• Medalla Milagrosa Integrated School (Elementary)
• Salvacion Elementary School
• San Isidro Elementary School
• San Roque Elementary School
• San Vicente Elementary School
• Tagas Elementary School
• Tinaldukan Elementary School
• Villa Paz Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Jovellar National High School is located at Brgy. Calzada, Jovellar. Jovellar National High School traces its beginning as a small Barangay High School incorporated at Jovellar Central School. It was founded in 1968 through the benevolent acts, initiatives and efforts of the PTA with Mrs. Teresita Laguilles and then Jovellar District SOS Benito M. Obra and the late Mayor Tomas C. Pales and designated Mr. Aurelio Narce of Jovellar Central School as the Coordinating Principal from 1968-1972.
• Mamlad National High School located at Mamlad, Jovellar, founded in 2005
• Medalla Milagrosa Integrated School – Junior High School Department located at Sitio Medalla Milagrosa (Macorocawayan), San Vicente (Inalom), Jovellar. In 2023, the school was converted from an Elementary School to an Integrated School which now offers JHS.
• San Isidro National High School located at San Isidro (Mabayawas), Jovellar, Albay, founded in 1978

Notable Personalities

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "Quitinday Falls and Underground River of Jovellar, Albay".
3. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".