The Municipality of Catmon got its name from huge fruit trees called Katmon (Dillenia philippinensis) that thrive in this area. It was in 1835 that the town was founded under the Spaniards, but it was only in 1903 that it became a municipality after the new colonial power—the Americans—asked the leaders of Catmon and the nearby settlement of Sogod to merge into one municipality. In 1921, 18 years after Catmon’s establishment, Sogod became a separate municipality (Wikipedia).
The northern town of Catmon, about 57 kilometers from Cebu City, is generally mountainous and hilly. The patches of flatlands are found along the coastline, which is now lined with high-end houses and resorts. In the town proper, the “cute” Municipal Hall stands along the highway. According to Wikipedia, the town’s climate is of “Coronas Climate Type IV,” which means that rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. Mt. Capayas (Kapayas) (also known as Tore Peak), Cebu’s second highest peak, is located in Barangay Cambangkaya. Mt. Capayas is one of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) of Cebu. It’s also famous for its Esoy Hot Spring.
Catmon, once dubbed the sleepy town in the north, is now wide awake, so to speak, after its municipal officials signed on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CVN Philippines Construction Inc. that proposed a 95.5-hectare reclamation from the coast of Catmondaan to Barangay Macaas. The three Spanish officials of CVN Philippines attended the signing.
On the same day, Catmon officials led by Mayor Aves Guinoo-Monleon also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Quellwasser Corp. that proposed a potable bulk water supply and distribution to the town and its barangays from the town’s rich and natural sources of water.
Mayor Monleon, during conversations in her office before the signing of the MOU, disclosed that her great grandfather Juan Guinoo was the first town mayor. Mayor Monleon was so delighted by the two huge projects that will be implemented during her term that she practically was singing the tune of joy with the rhyme: “Catmon, sleepy town no more.” She said these two big projects are among her campaign promises in the last polls.
Fifth District Provincial Board Member Red Duterte, who attended the signing ceremonies, assured the investors of his support when the matter will be brought to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Duterte said reclamation of Catmon’s seashores is the town’s only choice to increase its land area because the mountains are declared timberlands, which are protected by law.
Mayor Monleon said Deputy Speaker and Fifth District Rep. Duke Frasco could not attend due to his heavy work schedules. She revealed to us that Councilor Raul Sususco is responsible for bringing in the investors to their town.
With my broken Spanish, I tried to converse with the three CVN Spaniard officials on their reclamation project. Jose (forgot his surname) said they will establish and operate a port in the reclamation that could accommodate deep sea vessels. He said their sharing scheme for the town is 41-59. For her part, Mayor Monleon wished the reclamation project could be completed during her first three years term. But Jose said it would take more than three years to finish the project.
Quellwasser Corp., the proponent of the Potable Bulk Water Supply and Distribution project, has done its feasibility study. Quellwasser aims to implement next year the potable bulk water supply and distribution for Catmon after all the processes are complied with and the municipality will award the project.
With the two great projects that Catmon officials are pushing, Catmon would soon be the envy of its neighbors.
Disclosure: The columnist is the legal counsel of Quellwasser Corp. and a witness to the memorandum of understanding signing between Quellwasser Corp. and the Catmon Municipal Government.