Guihulngan, officially the City of Guihulngan (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Guihulngan; Filipino: Lungsod ng Guihulngan), is a 5th class component city in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 102,656 people,^[3] the third-most populous city in Negros Oriental after the cities of Dumaguete and Bayawan. Guihulngan is also dubbed by its residents as the "rising city of the north".

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Guihulngan
Component city
City of Guihulngan
Flag Seal
Motto:  Abanté Guihulngan!
Map of Negros Oriental with Guihulngan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Guihulngan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°07′N 123°16′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas
Province	Negros Oriental
District	1st district
Founded	1800
Cityhood	July 14, 2007 (Lost cityhood in 2008 and 2010)
Affirmed Cityhood	February 15, 2011
Barangays	33 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Mayor	Filomeno L. Reyes (NP)
• Vice Mayor	Ana Eunica Beatriz A. Reyes (NP)
• Representative	Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong
• City Council	Members Ernesto A. Reyes Mary Grace R. Antique Alvin Lance M. Trinidad Lor Abednego S. Besario Angelito M. Pique Melbourne T. Bustamante Earl Joseph P. Molas Simplicio Sergio V. Mijares Maria Theresa V. Rizon Paulo Edison D. dela Rita Jr.
• Electorate	58,472 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	388.56 km2 (150.02 sq mi)
Elevation	194 m (636 ft)
Highest elevation	1,195 m (3,921 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	102,656
• Density	260/km2 (680/sq mi)
• Households	24,792
Economy
• Income class	5th city income class
• Poverty incidence	31.70 % (2018)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 766.6 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 2,388 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 692.2 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 328.5 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Negros Oriental 1 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6214
PSGC	074611000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)34
Native languages	Cebuano Tagalog
Website	www.guihulngan.gov.ph

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Guihulngan is 116 kilometres (72 mi) from Dumaguete.

There are several versions of how the city derived its name. The first, according to old tales, was attributed to a river flowing directly to the town proper from the mainspring in sitio Anahaw, Barangay Nagsaha, hence the name "GUIPADULNGAN" which means the point where the river flows to an end.

Some of the towns of early creation were founded at the close of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Dauin, for example, was founded in 1787, Tayasan, in 1790; Jimalalud, in 1797; Guijulñgan, in 1800; and Bacong, in 1801.^[5]

As constituted in 1898, it included the following towns: Amblan, Ayungon, Ayuquitan, Bacong, Bais, Bayanan, Canoan, Dauin, Dumaguete (capital), Guijulñgan, Manjuyod, Nueva Valencia, Siaton, Tanjay, Tayasan, Tolon, and Zamboanguita.^[6]

The second is associated with the gruesome incident in the 19th Century when the Philippines was a colony of Spain; men and women of different ages were said to be captured, beheaded and thrown into the sea by the Moros, now known as Tañon Strait. Other accounts claim that the Moro invaders dropped a bell into the sea when they found out that it was used by the lookout to warn the townsfolk of their coming. Since that time, the place has been called "GUIHULUGAN" which means, "Place where a thing was dropped". But in the Spanish writing, "U" and "N" are similar, which is why it became commonly written and known as GUIHULNGAN.

Whether it originated as "GUIPADULNGAN" or "GUIHULNGAN", the name is indeed symbolic, as the town is “dropped” with abundant blessings from the Almighty for a significant "end".^[7]

In 17th century map Murillo-Velarde Map it somewhat appears as "Dijolongan".

Three barrios were created in 1959.^[8]

Guihulngan is located in the northern part of the province on the coast of Tañon Strait.

Poverty Incidence of Guihulngan

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[15][16]
[17][18][19][20][21]}

Guihulngan City is becoming the hub for businesses in the northern part of Negros Oriental. National and regional retail known brands such as Puregold, Prince Hypermart and MR.DIY have set up their branches in the city as well as banking institutions like Philippine National Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Producers Bank and BDO Network Bank.

Cara-Bell Festival (Every May 24) – Legend has it that marauding pirates used to slaughter natives of the town and drop their corpses into the sea. Guihulugan Festival of Guihulngan is usually celebrated on May 24. This festival is also referred to as the Cara-Bell Festival because of a story about a bell that saved the lives of the natives. According to some legends of the olden days, Moro pirates sailed the lands of Negros Oriental.

Mactan–Cebu International Airport is the closest major airport to Guihulngan, although it is located in Cebu. Fast ferries connect Guihulngan to Cebu via Tangil Port in Dumanjug. Alternatively, there are flights from Cebu and Manila to Dumaguete Airport, from where buses run from Dumaguete to Guihulngan, 120 kilometres (75 mi) north. Buses also connect Guihulngan to nearby San Carlos City.

Negros Oriental State University, the only state university in the province of Negros Oriental has a satellite campus in the city. It is known as the Guihulngan City Campus.

Saint Francis College – Guihulngan (SFC-G) is a private institution located in Bateria, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. Inspired by the Charism of Saint Francis of Assisi, it was founded by three Franciscan friars.

The public schools in Guihulngan are administered by the Schools Division of Guihulngan City.