Just like the other two municipalities of Buenavista and Nueva Valencia in Guimaras, the history of Jordan dates back to the time when the island was Christianized by the Spaniards in 1591. The towns then were known as pueblicitos (villages) of Nayup (Buenavsita) with San Pedro de Apostol as patron saint; Nabilhan (Jordan) with San Juan Bautista as its patron saint; and Agang (Nueva Valencia) whos
e patroness was Santa Ana. Although during the Spanish regime, there were separate powers between the church and the state, yet the church had much influence in the creation of pueblos (towns) and also in other affairs of the government. When the Filipinos revolted against Spain, Guimaras was governed by Junta Local. Natives of the island took part in the fighting until the Spaniards were defeated. Spain’s dominion over the country ended in 1898. The development of Guimaras and the steady growth of population necessitated the splitting of the island into municipalities. It was in January, 1918 during the term of Presidente Municipal Melquiades Javellana, that the progressive barrio of Nagaba was established as a municipality. Its area of jurisdiction included the barrio of then Sta. Valeriano Villanueva was appointed as the Presidented Municipal and served the municipality until 1919. In 1919, an election was held and Hugo Chavez was elected as the first Presidente Municipal. The municipal building was then in a site known today as Sitio Bucao in the Poblacion. Later on, it was transferred to the Poblacion (NFA building) beside the plaza and near the Roman Catholic Church. Hugo Chavez was succeeded by Licerio Segovia (1921-1923), Alberto Gonzaga (1923-1925), Feliz Ronzales (1925-1928), Hilario Nava (1929-1932) and again Hugo Chavez (1932-1935). As preparation for its independence, the Americans established the Commonwealth government. In Jordan, Hugo Chavez was appointed as the Commonwealth Mayor from 1936-1938. He was succeeded by Leodegario Galarpe (1939-1941) who served until the invasion of the Japanese in 1941. Guimaras, being a wooded area during that time, was made the sanctuary of people coming from Panay. In Jordan, Cirilo Galotera served as Municipal Mayor for only six months. The Japanese imposed a system of government known as KALIBAPI or Neighborhood Association headed by a Speaker. Most of the Americans and Filipinos did not surrender to the Japanese. They continued the fight thru guerilla warfare. In Jordan, the guerillas constructed a garrison in Sitio Nagub-an, Sta. Teresa and in Ayakan in Constancia. From there, they launched raids against the Japanese in nearby areas of Panay. Natives of Jordan distinguished themselves in the struggle against the Japanese. Luis C. Herrera, Lt. Jesus Gallego, Captain Cayetano Galve and Cpl. Antonio Galanto.
