On the western part of Tarlac Province nestles the Municipality of Mayantoc. It is bounded on the west by the Zambales Mountain Ranges, on the south by the Municipality of San Jose, on the north by the towns of San Clemente and Camiling and on the west by Sta. Ignacia.
In the dawn of history, what came to be known as Mayantoc today was once a densely
forested area, peopled by a nomadic tribe, our brother Aetas. It was teeming with flora and fauna where a variety of a vine called “yantok” abounds. When settlers who were attracted by the beauty and rich natural resources came they referred to this place as “May Yontok”. This is how the place got its name.
Formerly, it was a barrio Camiling. The appointment of Gov. General Francis Burton
Harrison, who believed in the increased Filipino participation in the government, and in the Enactment of the Jones Law otherwise known as the Philippine Autonomy Act, inspired the illiustrious leaders, Don Francisco P. Santos and Don Adriano Tolentino to campaign and petition for the conversion of Mayantoc into a town.
As required for township, there must be a school, market, a church and a “presidencia”. So, Don Francisco Pascual Santos and his wife Doña Ana Versoza donated parcels of lands for these purposes and attached these documents to their petition. It is today the site of the Mayantoc Elementary School, the town’s public market, plaza and auditorium and the Roman Catholic Church. The house of Don Adriano Tolentino become the “presidencia”.
With the help of the Provincial Governor, Gov. Ernesto Gardiner, Rep. Luis Morales, House Speaker Sergio Osmeña, Sr., Gov. Gen. Francis Burton Harrison created Executive Order No. 96 on December 1916 creating Mayantoc as the 16th town of Tarlac and was formally inaugurated on January 1,1917.
The same Executive Order created the first 18 barrios namely;
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1. Ambalingit 2. Baybayaoas 3. Bigbiga 4. Caocaoayan 5. Carabaoan 6. Cubcub |
7. Gayonggayong 8. Gossood 9. Maniniog 10. Mapandan 11. Nambalan 12. Pitombayog |
13. Rotrottooc 14. San Bartolome 15. San Jose 16. Taldiapan 17. Tangcarang 18. Mamonit |
* (Brgy. Binbinaca, Calabtangan, labney, Poblacion Sur, Poblacion Norte were created by R.A. 3509, Barrio Charter and Pedro L. Quines by Provincial Board Resolution No. 145 pursuant to Sec. 3, Par. 3 of R.A. 3570)
The first appointed Municipal President was Antonio Sanz but was ousted by a petition filed by Don Antonio Malong, Don Miguel Celebrados and other Councilors due to aristocratic “Kastillan Ways”. In an election held on the same year, Don Francisco P. Santos won and became the first elected Municipal President.
From that time, 100 years since Don Francisco P.Santos led successfully the affairs and development of the newly created Municipality, a long line of well-meaning and well-intentioned individuals that best signify the Mayantocqueñan’s capacity of greatness in public service and leadership have successfully and successively led the town in the march to progress.