Sagay City is a two-hour drive from Bacolod City. Public utility
vehicles plying the northern Negros route pass by this progressive
city.
From Cebu, one can reach Sagay via Toledo in about four hours
including a one-hour ride in fast ferries.
Sagay City is bounded on the north by Asuncion Pass and Visayan Sea, on the west by the cities of Cadiz and Silay, on the east by the city of Escalante and Toboso and on the south by city of Talisay and Calatrava.
It all started with a small settlement founded by Tenientes Francisco Rodriguez and Basilio Cordova in the year 1860, situated in the mouth of Bulanon River, which was then called Arguelles. Through the active leadership of both founders the place thrived and prospered, and eventually became a town. In 1870, the town was transferred to a bigger settlement near the sea upon orders of the Spanish Governor who renamed it Pueblo de Magallanes, know today as Barangay Old Sagay.
During the reign of Quintin Katalbas as town mayor in 1960, the name of the town was officially changed to Sagay. Legend has it that Sagay derived its name from the semi-spherical shell called sigay found abundant in the town’s many islets and shores. After the Second World War, the seat of the Municipal Government was moved to Dalusan. It was again transferred to its present site in Bgy. Rizal on December 22, 2002.
On June 11, 1996, the Municipality of Sagay was converted into a city, ratified on August 10, 1996 through a plebiscite by virtue of Republic Act 8192. During his visit to the province on August 27, 1996, then President Fidel V. Ramos formally proclaimed Sagay the seventh city of Negros Occidental, citing it as an excellent example for other striving communities. Sagay’s first City Mayor Joseph G. Marañon, served as Governor of Negros Occidental from 2001 to 2007.
The big leap of the third class municipality of Sagay into a second class city was made possible though the unwavering efforts of its local officials and relentless representation of then District II Congressman Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., who authored the cityhood bill. Sagay is home to a 32,000 hectare marine reserve that includes Carbin Reef, Panal Reef, Maca Reef and Maca Shoal.
Festivals
Sinigayan Festival held every 3rd week of March is an annual celebration and thanksgiving in honor of their patron St. Joseph. Sinigay sa Sagay is an expression of art and culture of the hardworking and God – fearing Sagaynons displayed and exhibited during the Annual Sinigayan Festival as eloquent assertion of thanksgiving on the past year.
It is a native dance evolved from the religious rituals of our forefathers passed down from generation to generation enriched by the intermingling of diverse Filipino customs and traditions, now to become part of the beautiful Sagaynon culture.
Visit Sagay City’s Christmas Fair and watch with delight the burst of colors at this time of the year….. Sagay City is the 2002 champion of the much talked about Negros Tour of Lights.
Feast of St. Joseph & Sinigayan Festival (March 19)
Feast of San Vicente Ferrer, Vito ( May 1-2)
Charter Day Anniversary (June 11)