April 11 was first adopted as the “Kaadlawan sang Iloilo” in 1976 under Resolution No. 237 passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan which declared its observation as such from 1977 and in every year thereafter.
But Iloilo is a much older province than its official age, having been first organized in 1569 by Spanish colonizers as the Alcaldia de Panay with Oton as its capital, later renamed Provincia de Oton.
In 1582, the capital was moved to Arevalo where it remained for two centuries. Its size, however, shrunk when the province of Capiz was established in 1716.
In 1790, the capital was moved to the town of Iloilo and since then, the name Provincial de Iloilo was adopted and used in official Spanish documents.
Its size was further reduced when Antique's province was created in 1796.
The revolution against Spain began in Luzon in August 1896 but the rebellion in Panay only erupted in October 1898, when American forces were already taking over municipalities in Luzon following the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Filipino freedom fighters, including those in Panay, found a new enemy, which resulted in the Philippine War.
However, the native forces under General Martin Delgado failed in their resistance against US forces, which led to their surrender in February 1901.
On April 11, 1901, the Americans established the civil government of Iloilo and they appointed Delgado as the first provincial governor.
The exact date of the establishment of the Alcaldia de Panay or the Provincia de Iloilo cannot be determined from extant records here and abroad.
Only April 11, 1901, turned out to be certain.
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