Lemery is a Fourth-Class municipality situated in the eastern portion of the proince. It is 87 kilometres or two hours and twety-five minute ride from Iloilo City. It is bounded in the north by Sara; Ajuy in the west; Barotac Viejo in th east ; and, San Rafael in south; and the towns of Dumarao, Maayon and Pontevedra in Capiz in the northwest. It has a total land area of 11, 900 hectares that is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.
Lemery is populated by 30, 851 (2015 Census on Population) Lemernhons. Market day is every Wednesday. It annually celebrates it Religious Fiesta ever 28th of January in honur of Sr. St. Nino or the Child Jesus.
To get to the town, one can take a bus or van at the Baldoza Transport Terminal in Zone 3, Barangay Baldoza, Lapaz, Iloilo City.
HISTORY
There are different stories and version as to how the town got its name. The most popular one is based on the tree, the tall Palo-Maria tree that served as a landmark. It was said that during the Spanish era, settlements were usually named in honour of saints. Relative to the tall Palo-Maria tree, it served as a permanent landmark of a thriving community at a tall hill “Pitk-pitik,” the settlement’s name was “El Pueblo de la Maria.”
Lemery was created from the barrios of Lemery, Tabunan, Tuburan, Nagsulang, Daga, Tuguis, Singcua, Agpipili, Pacuan, Milan, Alagiñgay, Tuga, Bajo, San Antonio, Capeñahan, Bankal, Geroñgan, Omio, Nasapahan, Abuac-Dalipe, San Jose, Cabangtohan, Dapdapan, Butuan, Anabo, and Buenavista from the municipality of Sara by virtue of Republic Act No. 197, enacted June 22, 1947. It was named after Spanish governor-general José Lemery e Ibarrola Ney y González.
Lemery became and independent town in 1984 by virtue of R.A. 197, sponsored by then representative of the 5th District of Iloilo, Hon. Juan V. Borra.
ATTRACTIONS
ABUAC FALLS, DALIPE FALLS, ALAGUINGAY FALLS, ALCANTARA – TABUNAN FALLS, NAGSULANG – NASAPAHAN FALLS
FESTIVAL
SAUG is celebrated every last week of January. Originating from the Hiligaynon word Saug meaning to haul an object with the use of a carroza or bamboo sled pulled by a waterbuffalo, the town celebrates its agricultural heritage with a tribal dance competition highlighting this practice. Suag defines the primary vehicle or mode of transport farmers used to haul their bountiful agricultural produce to be sold . Such practice is still being done inspite of more modern forms of transportation to haul their produce to the market.