HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Barangay Sug-angon is one of the 30 barangays that make up the 4th-class municipality of Saint Bernard. It is one of the smallest barangays, bordered by the large mountain of Can-abag to the west, Tambis I and Tambis II to the east, Barangay Ayahag to the south, and Barangay Guinsaugon to the north. Despite its small size, it is divided into two (2) puroks managed by appointed officials and barangay councilors who serve as advisers.

The Lawigan River serves as the boundary separating the community from Barangay Tambis II. This river originates from the mountains of Barangay Kauswagan and flows through the barangays of Magatas, Guinsaugon, Sug-angon, Ayahag, and Nueva Esperanza until it reaches the large bridge in Panian and empties into the Pacific Ocean.

The barangay’s terrain is a mix of plains, hills, and mountains. Mt. Can-abag is the largest mountain, spanning across Barangays Guinsaugon and Ayahag, with the “white stone” found in the heart of Sug-angon serving as a landmark for the mountain. The land in Sug-angon is highly productive due to its fertile soil, which is ideal for abaca, coconut, fruit trees, vegetables, root crops, and especially rice.

Located six kilometers (6 km) from the town center or Poblacion, the barangay is accessible via passenger jeepneys or motorcycles. Travel involves traversing a long rough road starting from the crossing of Barangay Panian; consequently, fares are somewhat expensive, particularly during the rainy season when travel becomes difficult for vehicles.

When the Lawigan River swells due to heavy rains between October and January, high school students attending Tambis National High School (TNHS) find it very difficult to cross the large river. As a result, many choose to enroll at Cristo Rey Regional High School (CRRHS) instead. Even though the tuition is higher, they prefer it to ensure their studies are not interrupted and to avoid accidents. Others attend public schools such as Himbangan National High School (HNHS) and Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) in San Juan, Cabalian.

The following is a list of individuals who served in Barangay Sug-angon, along with their contributions to the development of the community:

  1. Generufo “Opong” (1938–1947)
    • First Teniente del Barrio
    • Managed voluntary guards as a lieutenant during World War II, with Corporal Pastor Catubig and the strict supervision of Anacleto Balmoria, an inducted soldier.
    • They served as the protectors of the barrio during the Japanese occupation.
    • Since there was no formal school, he used his own home as a classroom after the war (liberation); the teacher at that time was Lucio Camartin from Himbangan.
  2. Gregorio L. Celmar (1948–1957)
    • 2nd Teniente del Barrio
    • Established building renovations.
    • Maintained peace and order in the barrio.
  3. Pastor M. Catubig (1958–1960)
    • 3rd Teniente del Barrio
    • Renovated school buildings.
    • Maintained peace and order in the barrio.
  4. Felipe Capanpan, Sr. (1960–1965)
    • 4th Barrio Captain
    • Accomplishments: Reservoir/Water System, Provincial/Barangay Road, and the Barangay Chapel.
    • Donated land for the barrio.
  5. Felipe Baldo (1965–1967)
    • 5th Barrio Captain
    • Accomplishment: Constructed a 100-meter concrete school fence through the cooperation of barrio officials and parents.
  6. Daniel R. Alindao (1967–1970)
    • 6th Barrio Captain
    • Accomplishment: Established the barrio Auditorium.
  7. Tereso G. Saliente, Sr. (1970–1986)
    • 7th Barrio Captain
    • Accomplishments: Basketball Court and Water System/Water Source Development.
  8. Colito C. Ramada (1987–1988)
    • OIC Barrio Captain
    • Accomplishment: Maintained peace and order in the barrio.
  9. Adriano B. Coquilla, Sr. (1989–1991)
    • Elected by Majority Vote
    • Accomplishments: Organized the Farmer’s Association and Local Resource Management (LRM) Livelihood; oversaw Electrification and the LWUA Water System.
  10. Adriano B. Coquilla, Sr. (Continued Terms: 1992–2007)
    • 10th through 13th Barangay Captain
    • Accomplishments: Completion of the Community Stage, Day Care Center, Barangay Hall, Health Center, and FVR Primary School building.
    • Barangay road concreting and 15-meter road extension.
    • Construction of the Basketball Court perimeter fence.
    • Relocation Site Development: Including lot and housing development, a Primary School building, Barangay Hall, Health Center, and Water System.
  11. Bernadito G. Añora, Sr. (2007–2010)
    • 14th Barangay Captain
    • Accomplishments: Barangay Road Settlement, PBSP Multi-Purpose building, Water Meter installation, Electrification, and Community Stage.
    • Capacity Building: Focused on Disaster Preparedness for constituents with NGO sponsors like the European Commission, CNDR, and the LGU.

Proposed Projects:

  • New Day Care Center.
  • Additional lots and housing.
  • Covered Court.
  • Food Facility/Feeding Program.
  • Skills Training and Livelihood Program.

Population: 382 (Source): Philippine Statics Authority 2020 Census of Population