Considered as the sugar capital of Negros Occidental, Victorias can be
reached in 40 to 45 minutes from Bacolod City either by private car or
public utility vehicles plying the northern Negros.
First trip starts as early as 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. Two local public utility buses ply the area everyday.
The town of Victorias was originally located in what is now known as Daan Banwa (Old Town), a fishing village beside Malihaw River and near its outlet to the sea.
During the Spanish era, the town was called Malihaw, a name taken from Malihaw trees which grew in abundance along the riverbanks. It was ruled by Capitan Gregorio Conlu, and Moro pirates and Tulisanes reigned unmolested.
One day, the Capitan’s household was robbed. He was able to escape together with his Secretary Alfonso Pachera, but his wife Capitana Tutang and their servant Micay were taken aboard the sailboat which immediately sailed for the open sea. When Capitana Tutang was asked whether she knew how to swim, she replied that she could not. And so she and her servant were thrown overboard while their vessel was just outside Malihaw’s river mouth.
The robbers sailed on believing that the two will be drowned. But that was not the case, for both women were good swimmers. While struggling in the water, Capitana Tutang saw a beautiful lady she believed was the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When she reached home she prayed and promised to buy an image
of the Lady who helped her. But having been divested of their
possessions, it took several months of careful savings to be able to
purchase the image from Barcelona, Spain. However, since she did not
specify what image she wanted, Capitana Tutang received the statue of
the Nuestra Senora de las Victorias, which to her amazement held the
likeness of the Lady who saved her and Micay from drowning. The
inhabitants later proposed to change the name Malihaw to Nuestra Senora
de las Victorias to perpetuate the miraculous incidents. They enjoined
Capitan Gorio to ask the Governor to approve the change of name. The
governor gave his consent, but retained only “Victorias” as the
official name.
On February 11, 1998, Victorias became a component city when Republic Act No. 8488 was signed into law by then President Fidel V. Ramos. Witnessing the signing at Malacanang were officials of Victorias led by Mayor Severo A.Palanca and key officials of Congress.
A plebiscite for the ratification was held on March 21, 1998. On March 21, 1999, Victorias City celebrated its first anniversary.