Mendez (full name: Mendez-Nuñez) is a 4th class urban municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 26,757 people in an area of 16.7 square kilometers.
History
The town of Mendez- Nuñez was originally known as “Gahitan”, one of the many Barrios of Indang. The name Gahitan was derived from the word “gahit” meaning “to cut:” The people then had to cut down tall and thick cogon grass that abounded in the place in order to clear areas for agricultural and residential purpose.
Among the early settlers of Tahitian were the migrants from the barrio of Kayquit, Indang. These pioneers scattered themselves widely within the sections known then as Pulong Malaki, Imus, Tabluan and Others. It is claimed that the first families who composed the first group of settlers were: Aure’s, Alegre’s, Dimaranan’s, Rozul’s, Esguerra’s, and the Romera’s. From these families stemmed the present generation of Mendezeños.As the number of families increased there arose a need to set-up a separate unit of government due to difficulties encountered in managing political affairs. Under these circumstances a petition was sent to the Military Governor General asking that Gahitan be weaned from its mother town Indang and subsequently, be created as an independent municipality.Two years after the Cavite Revolt in 1872, prominent men of Barrio Gahitan requested the “Gobernador Politico Militar de Cavite” for the separation of the barrios of Gahitan, Anuling, and Panungyan from Indang.The incorporation of Gahitan, Anuling and Panungyan on 06 September 1875 gave birth to the now MUNICIPALITY OF MENDEZ-NUÑEZ through the “Decreto Superior de Gobierno de Estas Islas”. The new town was named after a Spanish General Castor Mendez – Nuñez. The Gobernadorcillo in-charge of the town named and appointed Pedro Aure as the Capitan Municipal. Seven more Capitan’s served the town before the outbreak of the Revolution in 1896.
Other Municipal Presidents who were appointed were Cayetano Aure who served during the American Regime succeeded by Marcelino Aure who was popularly known as “alapaap”. All Municipal Presidents appointed served without compensation.
With the inception of American System of Government in 1903 political controversies among the town of Mendez- Nuñez, Bailen, and Alfonso who used to function under one Municipal Presidents was resolved and eventually ended the 25 years self-rule of Mendez- Nuñez.
In 1909, the town of Mendez-Nuñez achieved a stable economy enabling it to Subsidize a separate government operation. By 1915, Mendez-Nuñez attained the status of complete independence as a municipality. Agustin Dimaranan was the first Municipal President of Mendez- Nuñez during this regime.
Mendez- Nuñez originally has twelve (12) barangays namely Barangay 1, 2, 3,4,5,6 and 7 -all in Poblacion, 8 (Galicia), 9 (Asis), 10 (Panungyan), 11 (Anuling) and 12 (Palocpoc). However, a cadastral survey undertaken in 1984 divided Anuling into two namely Anuling Cerca and Anuling Lejos making the official number of this municipality’s barangay into 13. Another important event which further increase the official number of barangay of this town was the plebiscite held in November 1990 subdividing the big barangays in order to develop them fully specially the road networks which interlinks them to market and to other barangays of this municipality, hence, at present the official number of barangays of this municipality is 24 namely – the seven (7) barangays in the Poblacion , Galicia 1,Galicia 2,Galicia 3, Asis 1, Asis 2, Asis 3, Panungyan 1 , Panungyan 2 , Anuling Cerca 1, Anuling Cerca 2, Anuling Lejos 1, Anuling Lejos 2, Palocpoc 1,Palocpoc 2, Miguel Mojica, , Bukal and Banayad.
With regards to total land area, Mendez originally had a total land area of 2325 hectares however when Tagaytay was made into City the land area of Mendez decreased by 655 has. leaving the total land area of this municipality to 1670 has.The territorial jurisdiction of Mendez- Nuñez was bounded by the following; NORTH – Municipality of Indang , EAST – Municipality of Indang, WEST – Municipality of Alfonso, and on the SOUTH – City of Tagaytay.
Municipal Government Officials
Municipal Mayor – Hon. Manuel L. Romera
Municipal Vice Mayor – Hon. Fredderick A. Vida
Municipal Councilors:
Florencio C. Ricafort
Coun. Ma. Loida Amor D. Dimapilis
Coun. Enrique P. Nuestro
Coun. Carmelita A. Bay
Coun. Antonio G. Rafols
Coun. Ralph T. Sarmiento
Coun. Virgilio M. Hernandez
Coun. Delio P. Penalba
ABC President -Matias M. Panganiban
SKF President -Erwin Creencia
Mendez is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.
Anuling Lejos I (Anuling)
Asis I
Galicia I
Palocpoc I
Panungyan I
Poblacion I (Barangay I)
Poblacion II (Barangay II)
Poblacion III (Barangay III)
Poblacion IV (Barangay IV)
Poblacion V (Barangay V)
Poblacion VI (Barangay VI)
Poblacion VII (Barangay VII)
Anuling Cerca I
Anuling Cerca II
Anuling Lejos II
Asis I
Asis II
Asis III
Banayad
Bukal
Galicia II
Galicia III
Brgy. Miguel Mojica
Palocpoc II
Panungyan II
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